Chapter 33

Finally, we're starting Chapter 2.

Hinami is still the same, but she will grow more and more from now on!

Probably.

I walk with Ikuru down the street, which is dyed a crimson color by the sunset, and I spot a town ahead.

The town looks as if it's wrapped in the beautiful sky, like a reward for my hard work. The fact that I, who had been holed up in the forest, am now coming to town on my own feet... it feels incredibly strange.

Dressed in the equipment given to me by God, my slightly long brown hair is tinged orange by the sunset. The hair accessory I wear on my head is a bit flashy and embarrassing for me... but once I put on the full set of equipment, even that seems to fade away. To put it in Japanese terms, I guess you could say I'm in a... cosplay state. Probably.

Apart from the busyness of my part-time job, my life and clothing were quite calm. This world is intensely stimulating for me.

But, well.

I'm sure a fun life awaits me...!

So I ran full speed to the town!

But I ran out of energy after two minutes and started walking.

Of course, Ikuru behind me has a look of exasperation.

◇ ◇ ◇

Now, the long-awaited moment!

Despite the fatigue, I've finally made it to the town.

However, the sun has completely set, and the area is dark with people hurrying home. While watching the sunset, I stepped into this town for the first time on my own... the Kingdom of Lariel feels very fresh. Even though it was just a while ago that various things happened here, for me now, this is the start.

"Hey, Lady Hinami! Let's hurry and find an inn."

"Ah, okay!"

If I keep looking around the town, I won't have the time, as Ikuru urges me.

Indeed, it might be difficult to find an inn at this hour. The sun has already set, and it would be better to contact Shia tomorrow. For now, I'll search for an inn with this excitement and anticipation.

"Okay, let's go, Ikuru!"

"... What's with the sudden rush?"

"I'm happy! This is finally the start!"

"... Yeah."

Well.

My current funds are 379,100 rils. This is all my wealth.

The inn I stayed at before in the town was 2,000 rils per person, I believe. It was a clean and cute place. It was a bit disappointing that there was no bath, but it seems that baths are not very common in this world. It would be nice to have one, but it seems that wiping the body with hot water is the norm.

"Should we stay at the same inn as last time? Or a different one?"

"Hmm... Let's go to the place we stayed at last time."

"Okay."

The inn we stayed at last time was "The Inn of Dappled Sunlight," a lodging house facing the main street. I have the urge to look for a new inn, but it's a bit tight for time, so I'll give up for today. If I spend too much time looking, the inns might be full! That would be no good. After walking down the main street for a while, I can see the sign I saw before.

"Welcome!"

"Hello."

When I opened the door to the inn, the auntie welcomed me as she did last time.

"Oh... You're the young lady who stayed here before."

"Really! You remember me?"

"Of course. And you looked so inexperienced and dangerous..."

She smiled and said, "I was a bit worried about you."

Even though I'm a grown adult, I felt a bit embarrassed. "Thank you," I said, and I asked for the same room as last time. The auntie seemed to genuinely remember me, as she gave me two room keys without me asking.

"Thank you."

"Sure thing. By the way, are you here for sightseeing or something? Or are you an adventurer?"

"Huh?"

"Young ladies like you, traveling with a cursed slave... it's a bit of an unusual combination. If you were an adventurer, it would be normal, but you didn't seem like one. I'm sorry if I offended you."

"Ah... I'm a pharmacist. I came to this town to open a shop."

"Is that so? You've had a tough time, haven't you...?"

She put her hand on her cheek and nodded, saying, "You've had a tough time." Well, it's true that I've had a tough time, so I didn't bother to correct her. But more than that, I'm happy now. Hana is safe, and I'm enjoying life in this world...

"Well, if you have any problems, feel free to come and talk to me. You're a regular customer here."

"Auntie...! Thank you."

It's only the second time, but is it okay to be recognized as a regular customer?

But I'll take advantage of the auntie's kindness.

"I can only help with recovery potions, but please let me know if you need anything."

"Ah, thank you."

I thanked her again and went to the second-floor room with Ikuru. We gathered in my room and decided to talk a bit about the future before resting.

"Ikuru, you don't really join in the conversation much. Is it bad for cursed slaves to talk too much?"

I asked Ikuru about something I've been wondering for a while. Kilt, Shia's cursed slave, also doesn't usually join in conversations. But I want to talk with everyone.

"Huh?"

"Ikuru and Kilt don't really join in the conversation."

"Ah... I leave that kind of trouble to you, Lady Hinami."

"Huh?"

When I looked at Ikuru's face, it felt like he was saying, "What are you talking about?"

"I don't think I need to... talk more than necessary. Kilt... can't talk, or maybe he's intimidated by the atmosphere?"

"Mmm... So you don't talk because it's troublesome?"

"Yeah. With people I'm close to, it's different, but with strangers, I don't really care."

"... And Kilt doesn't talk because of the atmosphere?"

"Maybe it's hard for men to join in women's conversations?"

Hmm.

Now that I think about it, when Shia and I were alone in the bath, it was normal... right? He talked the first time too.

When the conversation gets heated or serious, it's probably hard to talk. Yeah, that makes sense.

I'll be more careful next time. But, if that's the case, the problem is Ikuru... I think. But, this is probably just Ikuru's personality. After all, his default expression is exasperation.

"I'm a bit puzzled by your reasons, Ikuru... but I understand. Thank you."

"Sure, sure. Let's decide on what to do tomorrow and get some rest. You must be tired, right?"

"Yeah."

Even with breaks, I've been walking all day. My legs are completely worn out.

"Since you'll probably be too tired to get up, why not contact Lady Cynthia of the Meldeite family around noon?"

"Ah... Yeah. I don't think I can get up early anyway."

I'd like to be able to get up, but I probably can't.

I'm actually very sleepy right now. Ikuru said, "Then it's settled," and headed for the door.

"Good night, Lady Hinami."

"Yeah, good night."

The sound of the door closing echoed, and silence filled the room.

I collapsed onto the bed, and I feel like I could fall asleep right away. But, it's not good to sleep in my equipment... or whatever you call it. I rummaged through my bag and took out a thin nightgown. It's a relatively casual negligee with a bit of frill.

Just as I was about to take off the ribbon, a voice echoed in my head.

"Hina!"

"Huh!? God...!!"

I froze in surprise. God was chuckling, whether or not he could see me with my hand on the ribbon.

"Since I gave you the ribbon, I'd like you to keep it on."

"But... my hair will get messy."

"True. How about this?"

"Huh?"

As God's voice echoed, the ribbon wrapped around my extended right hand.

I was so surprised that I let go, but it was too late. The ribbon completely enveloped my right hand.

"Huh!? Huh!? What's going on!?"

"It's okay. Look."

I looked at my right hand, and instead of being tied up with the ribbon... there was no ribbon?

No, wait. A ring was on my right pinky finger.

"A pinky ring...?"

"Yeah. Isn't it cute?"

"Yes...! It's amazing!!"

I couldn't believe it was a ring when it was just a ribbon. It was a pink gold ring with a small flower motif in the same color. Indeed, I don't have to take it off when I sleep.

"Yeah, it suits you."

"Thank you...!"

Actually, we're having a pretty smooth conversation... Is it because of this ribbon, or rather, this ring? The effect of this ribbon... Ah, the effect has changed.

《Blessed Flower Ribbon》

A ribbon blessed by the god Rigulis.

When attacked, shouting "Help, Rigulis" will transform the ribbon into a defensive form.

Occasionally, you can talk to Rigulis.

It has become:

《Blessed Flower Ring》

A ring blessed by the god Rigulis.

You can talk to Rigulis only during the moonlit hours.

The switch between ribbon and ring states is automatic.

"God... this..."

"Hehe, isn't it good?"

"... Yes! I'm really happy."

With this, I can talk to God more often. The description says "during the moonlit hours"... so probably during the night when the moon is out, I can talk.

I looked at my right pinky finger, and my cheeks relaxed a bit.

"... Ah."

"Ah... Sorry, you must be tired."

"Ah! I'm sorry... I'm quite tired, actually."

"Yeah. Walking all day will do that. You can sleep soundly tonight."

"God... Thank you."

"Yeah. Good night, Hina."

"Yes, good night."

God's gentle voice echoed, and I closed my eyes softly.

Maybe because I was so tired, I yawned naturally. But God didn't seem to mind... and gently encouraged me to sleep. Why is God so kind to me?

God must be very strong and able to do many things, and is very beautiful.

The more I think about it, the less I understand why God is doing so much for me. If I accumulate more points and learn more about this world, maybe I can understand God a little better. I lay on the bed, looking at the ring and thinking about God, whose face I can clearly remember even though we've only met once. Human memory is either very strong or very fragile. But at least, it seems to be working in my favor.

Since coming to this world, I've met people like Shia and made a companion like Ikuru.

I feel like I'm surrounded by very good people. I'm getting to know Ikuru a little more, and when I meet Shia, we talk a lot. I consider her a friend.

But, I don't know much about God...?

I know some of God's preferences, like favorite dressings, colors, and sweets... but I don't understand what "God" is at all.

"God... I want to know more about you. If I get stronger... can I talk to you about more things...?"

I slipped under the covers and gently held my right hand with my left. The inanimate object felt warm and ticklish.

"God... Do you want to know more about me?"

"Whoa, Hina!?"

"You're overreacting, Hina. You're so cute."

God's voice echoed, and I let out a confused sound. God calmed me down with a chuckle, but I'm so embarrassed that I want to run away. Anyway, I can talk to God now because the moon is out. I'm so... Ah.

"I'm sorry, I mean, it's just, you know, I was talking to myself..."

"Yeah, I know."

"Ugh..."

"But I was happy, so I spoke up."

"God..."

"Well, let's leave it at that. You need to sleep now."

God's words came out of nowhere and were straightforward, making my cheeks feel hot. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes again.

"Yeah. Good night, Hina."

"Yes. Good night... God."

I'll have to be careful not to talk to myself at night... I thought as I let go of my consciousness.