Chapter 13

In the morning, I woke up to the sound of a knock.

The gentle sound was so pleasant that I closed my eyes again, about to drift back into my dreams... until I heard Ikl's voice.

"Hinami-sama, if we don't go to breakfast soon, we'll be late for our departure."

"Ugh... Okay, I'll get up right away! Wait in the room."

"Ah, yes."

That's right. I had completely forgotten that Ikl was with me since yesterday...! I'm not alone anymore. It makes me a bit nervous.

And yesterday, when I tried to take a bath... it wasn't there! I see, now I understand why Shia was surprised by the lack of a bath at home. By the way, I wiped my body with hot water from the front desk lady.

I told Ikl I would get ready, and I started to stretch my stiff body. Then I opened the exchange diary I had placed by my pillow.

Yesterday, an incredible item had been added: "【The Elimination of 《Curse》】 1,000,000,000." What does this mean? Do I have to eliminate 《Curse》? Of course, I would like to if I could, but honestly, it's not something a girl like me can do. So, I asked God in the diary, "Is the elimination of 《Curse》 something I can do?"

- - - - - - -

Hinami, I'll punish you later, okay?

- - - - - - -

What...!?

I checked the response regarding 《Curse》 and the cursed slave. There was nothing...! Or rather, the punishment...? What is this...? Did I make God angry...?

What should I do? I'm not afraid of the punishment, but I'm afraid of having done something to anger God. But I don't understand why... Maybe it's because I made a contract with a cursed slave...? Even though it's different from the slaves I know, I shouldn't have made a contract...!!

What should I do... what can I do...?

"God... I, I..."

I don't want God to dislike me...!

I hugged the exchange diary tightly and curled up on the bed, trembling with fear, tears welling up in my eyes.

"That's right...! At least, I should reply...!"

I have to tell God something...! I don't know what to write, but I have to tell him!

I opened the diary and took a pen to write... and at that moment, large tears fell.

- - - - - - -

Hinami, I'll punish you later, okay?

Just kidding! Did I scare you? I'm sorry.

Hinami, you made a contract with a male cursed slave, so I was a bit naughty.

I'm a guy too, you know, so I get jealous.

Well, it's understandable since you're a cursed slave... but be careful not to be swayed by any other guys except me.

By the way, you wanted to know about cursed slaves, right?

And the new addition, 【The Elimination of 《Curse》】. This is considered accomplished when 《Curse》 is eliminated from all who possess it... a very difficult mission!

In other words, it's achieved when there are no more cursed slaves or 《Curse》-bearers. It might be impossible right away, but I believe you can do it, Hinami. I don't particularly care how 《Curse》 is eliminated from everyone, so do your best in your own way.

I'd like to give you more hints, but I can't be too lenient, you know?

- - - - - - -

"A... Uh... I was scared... God...!"

I wasn't disliked... I'm so relieved...!

Tears welled up in my eyes as I rubbed them and wiped away the tears. Feeling relieved, I collapsed onto the bed, drained of energy.

"Phew..."

I took a deep breath to calm myself down. Then I remembered that I had kept Ikl waiting. I can't do that... I need to get ready quickly. I hurriedly took out my clothes from my backpack and put on a blouse. I love the knee-length, soft fabric skirt. I know we're going into the forest, but I only have cute clothes, so there's no choice. I quickly changed and opened the room door, where Ikl was waiting.

"Ah! Why are you here! Oh well, good morning, Ikl."

"I sensed you were about to come out. ...Good morning, Hinami-sama."

"Let's go eat breakfast! I'm hungry."

"Yes."

For some reason, Ikl's gaze felt a bit uncomfortable. Maybe my eyes are red...? That would be a bit embarrassing. We walked down the stairs together to the dining room. On the way, I realized something.

Ikl doesn't have any clothes for changing...! I had completely forgotten. If Ikl wasn't wearing the same clothes as yesterday, I might not have noticed. I need to buy Ikl's living essentials and some other things before we go home.

We arrived at the dining room at the back of the first floor, and Ikl and I started eating breakfast. As I ate, I observed Ikl.

His light yellow-green hair was so smooth that I wanted to touch it. As a girl, I find it very enviable. But how does he take care of it? Since he's a cursed slave, he might be taken care of...? Hmm, it's a bit subtle. Or maybe it's just his nature? He doesn't need shampoo... or something like that? If that's the case, I'd be more than envious. His eyes are... deep green. Yes, I was captivated by these eyes from the start. Is this what they call eye candy?

"...What's wrong?"

"Ah... Sorry, I was staring."

"No problem."

"I was thinking I need to buy clothes for Ikl."

Ikl looked surprised for a moment.

Could it be...?

"Hey, Ikl. I've been living alone in the forest, so I don't know how to treat cursed slaves in general... How is it actually?"

"Well... Cursed slaves follow their master's orders. Generally, they don't eat together, and there are separate rooms for cursed slaves. As for clothes... they are given occasionally, but not much else."

"Is that how everyone treats them?"

"No... There are people like you, Hinami-sama."

"Oh, really!"

It seems not all masters treat their cursed slaves poorly, which made me feel a bit relieved. But I guess I'm in the minority.

"However, it depends on the purpose of the cursed slave. Cursed slaves used for labor are treated minimally. But cursed slaves who walk with their masters in town are often well-dressed... I often hear that. And... sexual cursed slaves vary greatly depending on their master's preferences. They are often dressed up, but that's generally the case."

"I see..."

But being well-dressed just for that purpose doesn't feel good.

Hearing all this, I even thought I would rather live peacefully in the forest. But then again, living alone is lonely.

I put the last piece of bread in my mouth and drank all the milk.

"The elimination of 《Curse》... I want to do it."

"Huh?"

Without thinking, I blurted out the word "elimination," and Ikl asked me to repeat it. I quickly shook my head.

Ultimately, I want to achieve it, but it's impossible for me now. But, I'm determined to become strong and eliminate 《Curse》!

◇ ◇ ◇

"Wow! What's this? So cute!!!"

"Ah... It's a 'Moo.'"

"Moo...?"

Ikl and I were at the market.

We had bought Ikl's clothes, but since we would get dirty in the forest, he was still wearing the old, tattered clothes. By the way, we also bought a bag to carry the things we bought at the market. I can't carry heavy things alone, but Ikl can do anything...!

"Moo is an animal that produces milk. It only grows to about 1 to 2 meters tall."

"Wow..."

Is it a cow? Is it a cow? Moo is the sound a cow makes, right? And it looks like a cow.

Well, let's not say anything. It's easy to understand, isn't it?

But it would be nice to have milk at home... I want to keep one. But taking care of a cow would be difficult... Oh, this cow... I mean, Moo, is for sale!

I thought they were selling milk, but the price tag was on the Moo. The one I was looking at was about 1 meter tall and priced at 5,000 ril.

"Is it cheap...?"

I said it without thinking. I'm not sure if it's cheap, but Ikl told me it was the right price for a Moo. But 5,000 ril makes me want it... Hmm.

"Are you interested in the Moo?"

"Ah! ...Yes."

"Hehe. Moo produces delicious milk and can also be butchered for meat. Plus, it's herbivorous and gentle. It can eat any kind of grass, so it's easy to raise."

The lady at the stall explained to me.

So, it can be used for milk and meat. But... I can't bear to butcher it...! I want it for the milk, but I can't take it home.

"Are you going to buy it?"

"Well, I want it, but... I can't take it home. It's too big."

"Moo can walk on its own, and the forest we're going to doesn't have strong monsters, so it's possible to take it home."

"Really!? Then I'll buy it!!"

Hearing Ikl's words, I decided to buy it immediately.

I paid the lady and walked happily with the Moo. It was very well-behaved, walking steadily next to me as I held the leash. Ikl followed behind.

"Hey, Ikl! Is this enough for what we need to buy?"

"Yes, I think it's fine."

Hmm.

The things I bought at the market... With the Moo, I didn't buy much else.

Ikl's clothes: 2,000 ril

Moo: 5,000 ril

Dishes: 200 ril

Meat: 300 ril

Magic stones: 15,000 ril

Total: 22,900 ril

By the way, these magic stones are used to make deep-sea recovery potions. When I saw them, I thought, "Could it be!?" and asked the merchant, who confirmed they were the right stones. Ikl also knew this and confirmed it, so I bought them.

I'm not sure how to use them, but this is a step forward.

"Hinami-sama, to get to the forest... there are two options: take a shared carriage part of the way or walk the whole way."

"I'll take the carriage!"

"Understood. By the way... do you have any potions? I'm fine with that level of forest, but if you get hurt, it would be best to have one."

"Oh..."

I sold all of them.

But since I only know my own recovery potion, it might be good to buy one made by someone else! Positivity is important!

I told Ikl, "I understand," and called out to a merchant selling recovery potions nearby. The merchant had laid out a cloth on the ground, and potions were placed haphazardly on it. Unlike mine, they were in misshapen green bottles. So, my bottles are special, I guess.

"Welcome! Homemade, super-effective potions!"

"Um... two, please."

"Sure! 500 ril each... 1,000 ril total."

The price was 200 ril cheaper than what I sold to Cleaf...!

The potions I received were slightly cloudy green. The words "Shia's recovery potion is bitter" echoed in my mind, and I remembered the taste of the bitter magic recovery potion, which made me feel nauseous. No, I shouldn't give up before trying! ...It might be delicious!

On the way to the shared carriage, I saw recovery potions for sale at the market. They were all in misshapen bottles. Some were in large containers. It seems the buyers bring their own bottles and fill them.

"Hey, Ikl! That potion is 300 ril! It's cheap...!"

"Ah... It's probably not very effective. The effectiveness of recovery potions depends greatly on the skill of the alchemist."

"I see. But I don't know much about it..."

"The effectiveness of recovery potions can heal visible wounds and the HP and MP displayed on the status screen. Generally, potions heal wounds and restore 10 to 1,000 HP. Garnet heals larger wounds and restores 1,500 to 3,000 HP. Mana restores 10 to 500 MP, and Marine restores 1,000 to 2,000 MP."

"The range is huge..."

But, I see. I didn't realize the skill of alchemists could make such a difference.

My HP is 30, and my MP is 45... so, what? My stats are much lower than the average in this world...? Because a potion can restore 1,000 HP, but I only have 30... Hmm.

By the way, what are Ikl's stats...? But it's not good to ask people about this! The guild people said so. I have to be patient.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, no. I'm a pharmacist, but I don't know anything about HP and MP."

"HP is vitality. The more you have, the harder it is to die. MP is magic power, which decreases when you use magic. By the way, you're a pharmacist?"

"Yes, I am."

Ikl was a bit surprised but quickly returned to his usual expression. "I said you lack common knowledge, right?" Ikl laughed, and we continued walking.

And Ikl's casual explanation of HP and MP. Magic power is needed to use magic... but I don't have any magic skills! HP is vitality, I see. I guess having more is better.

"Well, there are some pharmacists who lack knowledge... Why did you become a pharmacist, Hinami-sama?"

"Hmm? I guess it was because I had an aptitude for it... Hehe."

"Aptitude...? That's rare."

Huh? Rare??

"I thought there were a lot of pharmacists."

"Yes, there are many pharmacists. However, those with aptitude are rare. Pharmacists can become pharmacists without aptitude, but... many of them are careless, so pharmacists generally have a poor reputation among the public."

What a new fact.

I see, I see... The public's perception of pharmacists is harsh...? But there were quite a few people selling recovery potions at the market. Oh, I see... They are mainly bought by adventurers, so the general public doesn't have much to do with them.

Shia mentioned that adventurers can make good money if they improve their skills. Otherwise, they couldn't afford such expensive recovery potions.

"...Hey, can you teach me more when we get home...?"

"Of course."

"Thanks!"

Satisfied with Ikl's answer, I looked ahead and saw the city gate and the shared carriage stop next to it.

It seems this carriage goes part of the way to the forest. We ride for 2 hours, and then it's a 30-minute walk to the forest. The fare is 200 ril per person.

Let's head home!!