Chapter 15

I swallowed hard and unconsciously bent my body a little.

Beyond this, there might be something dangerous...?

Ikl said, stopping me, "It's there." The only things I've seen in this forest are the "Hard Wolf" and chickens and rabbits. However, judging from Ikl's behavior... there must probably be a powerful monster.

"Hinami-sama... it's a 'Snow Rabbit.' Come over here quietly," he said.

"Eh...? Isn't it a scary monster?"

"No... it's different. It's a rare, cute rabbit."

What...!?

Ikl's words pleasantly surprised me. I followed his instructions and slowly approached Ikl. When I got next to him, Ikl pointed to a spot. There, hidden among the trees, it was.

There was a pure white rabbit.

"Cute...!"

"Is it your first time seeing it? That's a monster that only lives in the southern part of this continent, Saliton. It's a rare snow rabbit, and sightings are only reported once every few years."

What! A rare, cute little rabbit!

Once every few years...!? So, meeting it today must be really lucky, right? So cute... I want to pet it...! Can I touch it? Will it run away if I get close?

I slowly and cautiously approached the snow rabbit. Please don't run away...!

"It runs really fast, so if it notices you, it will run away," Ikl said.

"Really!? Then I can't pet it...?"

"...No."

Is it a given that rare creatures run fast? So, should I just stay here and watch? I want to pet it, but there's nothing I can do. I can't catch up to it. Ah... I wanted to pet it. Since I can't, I'll just send it a warm gaze and convey my feelings.

Ziiiiii.

I'll pretend not to notice Ikl's slightly exasperated look! Because it's so cute! My intense gaze is justified.

"I'd like to capture it, but I can't see, so... I can't do it," Ikl said.

"Oh, don't worry! It's indeed cute, but... it would be sad to capture it."

"...I see. Hinami-sama is kind."

"Not really..."

But, you're right.

I also think it would be nice to live peacefully in this world, Rethisrill.

I want to save up lots of points for the gods and make recovery potions... It would be fun to open a shop, too!

"...What a joke!"

"Eh?"

My thoughts had slightly drifted, but Ikl's surprised voice brought me back to reality. When I looked ahead, the snow rabbit was charging straight at me!

"Eh!? What, what's going on!? Is it some kind of body attack!?"

"No... the snow rabbit shouldn't attack... Anyway, Hinami-sama, behind me!"

"O-Okay!"

I quickly hid behind Ikl, and the snow rabbit, which was supposed to charge, slowed down and stopped. Instead, it slowly hopped over and rubbed against my legs.

This...! What's going on!? Can I conveniently interpret it as the snow rabbit liking me? Is it okay? It's okay, right?

I slowly crouched down and reached out to the snow rabbit. Its size... it fits perfectly in my hands. I thought it would be furry, but it was covered in fluffy white fur. When I gently touched it, it was as cold as its name suggests. A white, cold, fluffy cotton-like fur? Snow rabbit.

"So cuteeeeee~!!"

"By the way, I've never heard of a snow rabbit coming close like this."

Ikl, slightly exasperated, was still staring at the snow rabbit I had picked up. Fufu, it's such a cute snow rabbit! Anyone would look, regardless of gender!

By the way, what should I do with this little one? Should I just return it to the forest...?

Or...

"Hey, Snow Rabbit. Do you want to come to my house...?"

"Meep!"

"Wow! Then from today, Snow Rabbit will be part of the family!"

"Meep~!"

"No, no, no... What a joke."

"Come on! Ikl, try petting it?"

The snow rabbit responded enthusiastically to my question, and I'm so happy. And Ikl is very surprised...! Yeah, it's rare to see a snow rabbit every few years, let alone for it to be friendly... It might be unprecedented. What is it...? Maybe I have good compatibility with this world?

Well, I was attacked by a Hard Wolf, so maybe not... But, it's fine.

"Wow, it's really cold...!"

"Meep~"

Ikl gently touched the snow rabbit and was surprised by its coldness. In fact, Ikl is more engrossed in petting the snow rabbit than I am.

"Alright, let's head home..."

Perhaps embarrassed by his enthusiasm, Ikl quickly let go and took the reins of Moe. I could have petted it more. Ikl, who slightly blushed and leaned back, seemed more human than his usually expressionless self.

"Okay! Let's go to the Forest of Confusion!"

◇ ◇ ◇

"Hey, is this already the Forest of Confusion?"

"Um... the area beyond that big tree is the Forest of Confusion."

"...Ikl, you know a lot, don't you?"

"My attribute is 'Wind.' I'm sensitive to things like presence and air currents, so I can tell."

"Oh! That's amazing!"

For me, living in the Forest of Confusion, Ikl is like a perfect guide!

We walked for about an hour...? We met the snow rabbit along the way, took a few breaks, and finally reached the border between the "Forest" and the "Forest of Confusion."

I thought the trees would become more numerous as we walked, but the number of trees and plants didn't increase much... It remained a bright forest. Indeed, it's called a beginner-friendly forest, and even I, who am far from a beginner, thought it was clear and beautiful.

A few Hard Wolves appeared on the way, but Ikl easily took care of them. He's amazing. Unfortunately, we didn't find any new herbs.

"Well... from here, I don't know the way either."

"Hmm... I think my house should be just a short walk from here."

"That's too vague..."

Ikl sighed but continued walking without complaint.

Then, as Ikl took a step and crossed the boundary of the Forest of Confusion, something strange happened.

"Ikl!?"

"What...!?"

Ikl's body was enveloped in a pale green light.

The sparkling green light was eventually absorbed by Ikl and disappeared... losing its glow.

I hurriedly ran over to check if anything was wrong.

"No... I'm fine. Just... my finger feels a little warm."

"Finger...?"

Ikl showed me his left hand.

"This is...?"

"Right. The slave mark."

The slave mark we bound with our magic was glowing pale green... It was so beautiful that I was slightly mesmerized, but... what should I do?

"I've never heard of this happening..."

"Whaaat! Could the contract have failed?"

"No, that's not it... This mark is strongly connected to its master, Hinami-sama. If there's a problem, it must be with Hinami-sama."

"Whaaat... I don't know much about the slave mark..."

If you say it's my fault, I have no idea what it could be. The only thing I can think of is that the magical item we used for the contract was malfunctioning and caused a failure.

"The slave mark is a 'bond' that connects the master and the slave. While the mark is active, the slave is influenced by the master. However, this rarely happens. For example... let's say the master has a special skill... 'Magic Power Increase.' The master's magic power increases, and the slave, through the slave mark, also benefits from the skill and increases their magic power. The amount of increase depends on the quality of the slave mark. A single line mark is almost useless. But with a powerful slave mark like mine and Hinami-sama's... I can't predict the exact amount, but I think it would have a significant effect."

"So... the light from Ikl... is due to a skill I have?"

"Probably."

"Even if the skill isn't activated?"

"Hmm... since most slave marks are single lines, there aren't many examples. I'm sorry, but I don't know."

Hmm?

Is it due to a skill I have...? Regardless of whether it's active or not. But the only skills I have are "God's Garden," "Light Rhapsody," and "Angel's Voice."

"God's Garden" is a constant, absolute safe zone... a sanctuary.

"Light Rhapsody" is a defensive skill.

"Angel's Voice" promotes growth and makes potion synthesis easier.

It doesn't seem like any of these are affecting Ikl. But if there's a possibility, it might be "God's Garden," which is always active.

"Hinami-sama, it seems to be pulling in that direction."

"Eh?"

Pulling in that direction...? Ikl is reaching out his arm toward the Forest of Confusion. The slave mark is indicating a direction... which means...?

"Could it be... showing the location of the sanctuary!?"

"Sanctuary?"

Yes, it must be! Amazing!

"Ikl! Let's go in that direction!"

"What's in that direction?"

"Of course, my house!"

I pulled Ikl's arm and quickly headed into the Forest of Confusion. The place I always see from my house must be where Ikl's slave mark is pointing. I know my intuition is right, even if Ikl mutters, "What a joke..."

"Hinami-sama, you're surprisingly forceful."

"Really?"

"Yeah. But I think it's good. Hey, isn't that 'Azure Grass'?"

"Eh?"

In front and to the right, Ikl pointed to a deep blue herb. It's the last ingredient for the deep sea recovery potion.

This short herb had only a few large, round leaves. Despite its small size, its deep color was striking, and I wonder why I didn't notice it before.

"Let's take the roots back!"

"I'm a potion master. I'll pick it now."

"Thank you!"

While Ikl was digging up the Azure Grass, I looked around to see if there were any more. Of course, I only searched the nearby area for safety.

But I couldn't find any.

"I've picked it, Hinami-sama. Still, it's rare to find Azure Grass in such a shallow part of the Forest of Confusion."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It usually grows deeper in the forest."

"I see... I'll remember that."

"A potion master should know that."

I saw Ikl's exasperated face again. But I noticed that his usually expressionless face was gradually becoming more gentle.

It's a small change, but I'm very happy about it.

"Alright, we're getting close. The slave mark feels warm."

"Really? Then we must be close to home!"

In front of us were a slightly larger tree and some bushes. If we pass through them, will we see my house? I was excited and my steps became lighter as I carefully passed through the trees and bushes.

Yes, it's definitely my house!

"Ikl! This is my house!"

"Wh-What! There really is a house in the Forest of Confusion..."

"You didn't believe me!?"

"No, it's not that. It just seemed unrealistic."

"Meep~!"

As I took a step into my house, the snow rabbit happily jumped off me and ran around the yard. This little one...! It's too cute!

Right! I need to name it...! Snow Rabbit, so Snow. No, that's too simple! I'll decide with Ikl. Yes, that's a good idea!

"Is this... a herb?"

Oh, déjà vu...?

Ikl stepped into the yard and looked around. The same surprised words came out of his mouth.

In such situations, the best strategy is to take the initiative.

"Yes, I can cultivate herbs."

"...Amazing, I've never seen this before."

"Hehe. It's my only strength as a potion master. ...But it's a secret, okay?"

"Of course. If this got out... it would cause a worldwide commotion."

It seems my strategy worked, and Ikl understood. Also, Shia and Alfred warned me about the danger and didn't tell anyone, not even Crev. They told me it was dangerous and I shouldn't reveal it.

So far, only Shia, Kilt, Alfred, and Ikl know. I don't think it will spread further... Yes, it seems safe.

"Let's go inside and have some tea? I'll prepare some delicious fruit."

"Sure... but I'll make the tea."

"Hehe, thank you."

At least, I'm relieved to have returned safely.