Chapter 10

I have a message regarding the story "9. Lariel Kingdom." The following two points have been revised:

- Potion price adjustment

(Holding money: about 5 gold coins → about 10 gold coins)

- Abbreviation correction for potions

(HiPo → Potion / GanePo → Garnet)

The revisions are in parentheses, so you don't necessarily need to reread them.

---

The next day, I got up from the fluffy bed. Still half-asleep, I heard someone's voice. Gradually, it sounded like they were laughing...

"Ha...!"

"Good morning, Hinami-sama."

"Ah! Sebastian... Um, good morning."

Sebastian smiled softly in response to my greeting and made me some tea. By the way, this is the first time I've greeted someone in the morning in this world! Yesterday, I experienced many firsts in this world. Yes, this is happiness. I drank the warm tea while gradually waking up. By the way, to be treated like this right after waking up... Nobles are amazing!

"Breakfast is prepared, so please ring the bell when you're ready. A maid will come to escort you."

"Ah, okay!"

I looked at the cute little bell on the side table. This is the bell often seen in dramas and manga! When you ring it, a butler or maid comes. This must be a secret item. By the way, I didn't expect such a thing to exist in reality. The sound of the bell is even more impressive.

For now, I sipped the elegant tea and checked the shared diary.

---

Good morning, Hina. I'm glad you slept well.

And it's your first time in the city, congratulations. However, be careful as there might be strange people around. You're cute, after all.

But if you come to the city, you might not pay as much attention to me, and I'll feel lonely.

Don't forget the shared diary... If you forget, there will be punishment.

Also, with the ability to enter the city, there are new items available for points. Please check them out. They are quite important! Let me explain briefly.

This allows you to connect the door of a house in the city to the door of your house. On your side, it's not the front door but a special room that is added, so you can rest assured.

So, if you buy a house in the city and set up the equipment, you can go to the city whenever you want.

Well, have a good day!

---

[Shared Diary] = 3 points added

[Points: 31,190]

[Small Pot] 1

[Medium Pot] 10

[Large Pot] 20

[Vegetable Seed Set] 10

[Fruit Seed Set] 10

[Herb Seed Set] 10

[Wheat Seeds] 50

[Rice Seeds] 100

[Brick: 1] 5

[Fountain] 1,500

[Bottles: 100] 3

[Room] 50

[Bathroom - Extension] 5,000

[Room - Extension] 2,000

[Rooftop - Extension] 10,000

[Basement - Extension] 30,000

[Alchemy Room - Extension] 15,000

New! [Garden Door] 50,000

---

What...! A new facility, the Garden Door, has been added. So, this connects the city and the house. I see. But how much does a house cost...? Is there even such a thing as a rental house?

"Wait! 50,000 points...!!!"

One Red Potion gives 2 points. So, I need to make 25,000 potions... I might die. Well, there's no other way. I'll think about it gradually...

I changed into the clothes I brought and rang the bell. I'm nervous! By the way, today's outfit is a knee-length dress with a short jacket. The dress has short sleeves, and the jacket has three-quarter sleeves.

When I rang the bell, a maid immediately called out and gave permission to enter. Hmm, I wonder... Were they waiting in the hallway? If so, I feel bad for taking so long.

---

◇ ◇ ◇

"Good morning, Hinami-san!"

"Ah, Shia, good morning."

When I went to what seemed like a dining room, Shia was already eating breakfast.

The menu was... toast, bacon, scrambled eggs, and salad. Yes, it seems that breakfast is similar in any world. There's also yogurt for dessert.

"Where's Alfred?"

"Ah, my brother went to the knights' guild with Father."

"That's tough... So early in the morning."

"Yes. My brother has a lot of magic power... and is the best mage in this country."

Wow!

"That's amazing!"

"Yes! Very much so!"

Somehow, it felt like Shia was belittling herself... But she's smiling now, so I won't delve too deeply. It seems she's very proud and fond of her brother, Alfred.

"My brother is part of the hero's party, so he often goes to the castle."

"Hmm...?"

I see. Yes.

...Hmm? The hero's party...?

I see, yes, that makes sense. There's a hero because there's a demon king. By the way, I saw the demon king in the list of items from the god. If you defeat him, you get infinite points. Amazing! But it's a game that's too difficult for me.

"That sounds amazing...! It's like a dream world to me."

"Not at all... Besides, aren't you a great alchemist, Hinami-san?"

"Um... I guess so? Thanks."

Somehow, I felt like I was being consoled, but it's probably just my imagination.

We ate breakfast together, and Shia told me about the city.

The city is centered around the castle, and from left to right, it's roughly divided into residential areas, the market, the main street, and residential areas. The castle is in the north, and the main street runs through the center to the south and east. The mansion where I'm staying is in the east, where the nobles live. The west is for commoners, and further west is the slum area, so Shia warned me not to go there by mistake.

"Cynthia, it's time."

"Ah, yes! I'm sorry, Hinami-san. I have to leave the house because I have some business... I won't be back until tomorrow or later. I didn't have any plans, but it was decided this morning..."

"No worries! Thank you for yesterday and today, Shia."

"You're welcome! ...Will you come back and see me again?"

"Of course!"

We laughed together, and Shia said, "Now we're friends!" which made me very happy.

Shia left the room, and I was left alone, feeling a bit awkward. I quickly finished my meal and slowly drank the tea to calm down.

Just as I finished eating, Sebastian came over. Butlers really have perfect timing!

"Hinami-sama, this is a thank you from Cref-sama for helping Cynthia."

"Ah!? No, no, I was already treated to dinner and given a place to stay, so it's more than enough."

"No, please accept it."

"Ah..."

"Hinami-sama?"

"Umm... Thank you."

In the end, the butler's eyes were intimidating. I received a small bag from Sebastian and put it in my backpack. The contents... It made a jingling sound, so it's probably money.

Somehow, I became rich in just two days! I'm glad I have the aptitude of an alchemist.

"Hinami-sama, what are your plans for today? Cynthia will return as early as tomorrow morning. Your room is ready, so..."

"No, no, I'll go home now."

"But..."

I interrupted Sebastian and told him I would go home. Staying in the house without Shia would be too presumptuous! That would be terrible!

I felt bad for Sebastian trying to stop me, but I told him I would go home and set off for the city.

---

◇ ◇ ◇

"Damn...!!"

I'm currently eating lunch at a food stand after seeing the shops on the main street and finding a food stand. I've just discovered my biggest blind spot.

"I don't know the way back home."

Even if I knew the way, I can't defeat monsters.

What should I do... At the very least, I need to confirm the way. If I walk back, it will probably take more than half a day. I was eating fried potatoes from a food stand with a serious face when a soldier approached me. Hmm... I didn't do anything, right? Right...?

"What's wrong, little girl? You look troubled... Is something the matter?"

"Ah, no... Actually, I want to know the way to the forest."

"Forest? Ah, the one that becomes the 'Forest of Wandering' halfway through?"

"Yes!"

Thankfully, the scary scenario I was worried about, "Hey! I don't recognize you... Are you from this country!?" didn't happen, and I was relieved.

"Hehe, so you're an aspiring adventurer! To get to that forest, go straight out the south gate, turn left at the fork, and keep going until you see it. When you leave the gate, you can have a map written on your ID."

"ID...?"

"Yeah. You need it to enter and leave the city. If you don't have one, you can get it by registering at the adventurer's guild."

"Okay, thank you!"

"Sure. But be careful. The area before the Forest of Wandering is safe for beginners, but if you accidentally enter the Forest of Wandering, you won't come back. Be very careful!"

"Okay!"

I waved goodbye to the kind soldier. It seems I looked like a child, so he was kind to me. I'm happy, but it's a bit awkward. Well, being seen as young is good...

"Let's go to the adventurer's guild... I think I saw something like it on the main street."

I can't go outside without an ID.

For now, I have to go to the adventurer's guild.

I walked back the way I came and headed for the adventurer's guild.

From the market to the main street, a larger building came into view. The three-story building was significantly larger than the others. A large sign with a sword and shield was displayed, and tough-looking people were coming and going. They must be adventurers.

I followed their example and stepped into the adventurer's guild, which exuded a slight sense of intimidation.

Inside, it was cleaner than I expected, with five reception counters. They were labeled for material purchases, quest acceptance, and other services. There were two counters each for material purchases and quest acceptance. The material purchase counters had a wide space between them for placing materials. In fact, an adventurer was having materials like fur and fangs bought and placed on that space.

I went to the "other" counter and asked the receptionist about the ID. She brought out a form and explained it to me politely.

"Anyone over the age of 10 can register as an adventurer. We also issue an ID card, known as a guild card, which records your achievements and rank in the guild. To register, we need to check your status and you need to pay 5 silver coins. Would you like to register?"

"Yes, please. And... what does status check mean?"

"Status check involves using a magical device to verify your identity. This reveals any criminal history."

"I see... Thank you. I'd like to register."

I filled out the form and handed it to the receptionist.

The content included my name, age... and occupation. I considered writing "alchemist," but I left it blank in case I needed to register for a specific occupation. Plus, I'm 15, so being unemployed is probably fine. Probably.

"Okay, there are no issues. For occupation... We can check your aptitude and record it. Would you like that?"

"Really? Can you do that? Yes, please!"

"Sure. We'll check it during the status check. Please place your palm on this crystal."

"Okay..."

She handed me a crystal about the size of a human face. It was pure white, like a snow globe, and shimmered with a rainbow hue from the indoor lighting and sunlight coming through the windows.

I placed my hand on it, surprised that it wasn't as cold as I expected.

After a moment, the crystal glowed green and text appeared.

---

〈Nanami Hinami〉

15 years old

Lv. 1

Status: Good

History: No criminal record

Occupation Aptitude: Alchemist

---

Wow... I was relieved to see that there was no criminal record, as I expected.

"Status isn't shown here?"

"Yes... Status would reveal too much, so it's not displayed here. However, it is recorded on your guild card, so be careful."

"Okay."

"Here is your guild card."

Instantly, a plate-sized card flew out of the crystal. I was startled...! I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart. The receptionist smiled at me.

"Let me explain. This 'guild card' can be used as proof of identity throughout the kingdom of Latisrill. The front displays the owner's information, usually name, age, and occupation. However, saying 'status' will display your status. Similarly, saying 'skills' or 'blessings' will display those. I don't recommend showing them off, but if a client wants to check, you should be flexible."

"I see... It's very convenient."

"Yes. The back records your monster slaying record and the status of any quests you're on. Saying 'map' will display a map of the country, so use it effectively."

This guild card is really well-equipped.

I tried saying "map" while holding the guild card, and a holographic map appeared above the guild plate. This is amazing...!! By the way, this currently only shows the map of the Lariel Kingdom, but if you get map data from someone, you can expand it.

"Lastly, the color of the plate."

"Color...?"

"Yes. The color represents the adventurer's rank. From lowest to highest, they are Rank D (copper), C (green), B (blue), A (gold), and S (black). As you can see, your plate is copper, so your rank is D."

My guild card had copper-colored text information.

I see... So that's how you distinguish ranks.

"Your rank will improve based on your contributions and abilities in the guild, so please work hard."

"Thank you!"

I thanked the receptionist and was about to leave... but then I remembered I couldn't go home alone. I wonder if there's a party going to the forest that I can join... Is there one?

"Is something wrong?"

The receptionist noticed I was hesitating and spoke to me again. Well... If I stand there for a long time, she'll probably say something. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. But I'll ask.

"Actually... I want to go to the current 'Forest of Wandering,' but I can't go alone because of the monsters... I was wondering if there's a party going there that I could join..."

"Ah... But there are no parties going to the Forest of Wandering. Before it became the Forest of Wandering, it was a popular spot for beginners, but now no one goes there. Even experienced adventurers find it meaningless to go to such a shallow forest."

"I see..."

"Hmm... You could post a request for an escort, but it probably won't end well."

You can hire an escort...!?

If it means I can get home safely, I'll do it.

"No, I really want to request it...!"

"Well... Posting a request is fine, but the level of adventurers who take escort requests is quite high. So, they probably won't take a request to go to a shallow forest."

"I see..."

"Or, you could recruit party members yourself, or buy a cursed slave to be a party member. If you had the aptitude of a summoner, you could make monsters your companions, but..."

The receptionist provided two alternatives. She's so kind...! And there's even a profession called a summoner. It sounds cooler than an alchemist... Can you summon spirits? But, I need to think about what to do next