Chapter 2

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

---

Misa opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there as cherry blossoms danced in the wind.

---

I ended up doing something dangerous like sleeping unprotected on the ground, but I must have been protected by the barrier, as I woke up unharmed.

It's morning... I'm glad I survived to see the dawn.

As expected of the supplies prepared at the royal palace. The effectiveness of the monster repellent and barrier is different from commercial products.

When I stretched after getting up,

"Good morning."

I turned around, and it was probably... the injured person from yesterday.

Yesterday was dim due to the sunset, and with the pale complexion that would surely have led to death if left alone, I didn't have the chance to confirm their face or age.

Upon a closer look, it was a man with a strong and handsome face, brown hair, and blue eyes. He was probably in his mid-twenties. He was sitting cross-legged on the futon.

"Good morning. Is it okay for you to be awake?"

"Thanks to you. I also drank my own potion, so I think I can protect you."

Oh, that's a relief.

"My name is Barry. I'm an adventurer from the Rozvalt Kingdom."

"My name is Sonia. I used to be a healer in the Brodnitsana Kingdom."

"You're amazing. I didn't think you could save me with those injuries."

He rubbed his stomach as he spoke.

"Well, I managed thanks to the experience I've accumulated."

During the mandatory monster hunting journey, I almost single-handedly handled the healing for everyone. As a result, I've seen many cases and can cast accurate healing magic in a short time.

Noble people get angry if you keep them waiting.

Even if I explain that it takes at least this much time to treat someone alone, they get angry and say, "A commoner shouldn't talk back."

In some cases, a doctor's treatment is needed in addition to healing magic. Wounds healed by magic are weak against strong impacts, so it's better to stitch them. If a bone is broken, a splint is also necessary.

When I explain this, they say things like, "Going to the doctor is a hassle" or "This is fine," and if something happens, they blame me.

Out of necessity, I learned how to stitch and bandage, like a nurse.

"Could you be... a Saint class?"

"No, no, no."

I can only use basic magic and am a commoner, so I can't be chosen as a Saint, even if I'm a Saint candidate. At most, I would be an assistant... a helper for the Saint. All the credit goes to the Saint... Is that still the case now? Haha... Ha...

Just thinking about it makes me tired.

"Anyway, you're my savior. Once I recover a bit more, I'll take you to a safe place."

"Um, are you going back to the Rozvalt Kingdom, Barry?"

"Yeah."

"Can I go with you? In the Brodnitsana Kingdom, I... well, I have an unhappy future ahead of me."

I briefly explained my situation.

"Even though I'm a Saint candidate, being a commoner doesn't mean I'll be treated well. I think I'll have to work even harder than before. That's why I want to leave the country..."

"I see... I can understand that. Nobles and royalty think they can do whatever they want to commoners. They even expect gratitude."

"That's right. I think it's completely unreasonable, but they say, 'You should be grateful for using you.'"

"That's frustrating. I wish they could experience being in a difficult situation."

It turns out that the reason Barry was assigned to solo hunt a Rock Lizard was because of a noble lady.

"When I was assigned to guard a count's family, I caught her fancy. I refused because I wasn't interested, but her father got furious... and I was set up beautifully."

I don't know if the reason for his fury was that his daughter was seduced or rejected, but in either case, the culprit was the lady. Yet, he used other adventurers to make Barry accept a fake quest.

On the surface, it was a material collection quest at Lake Irene, and I came here with a group of ten adventurers. I thought it was strange that we were going so far in, but I couldn't turn back alone.

When we entered the territory of the Brodnitsana Kingdom and moved a bit further, the Rock Lizard appeared.

It was a monster within our expectations, and considering the skills of my companions, it was an easy target.

At first, we all fought together, but when I realized it, I was the only one left.

"Don't take it personally, the count wants Barry dead!"

I considered running from the Rock Lizard, but it would be difficult to escape alone. Running around would exhaust my energy, making it impossible to move.

While solo hunting a Rock Lizard is difficult, it's not impossible. My attacks were hitting, and my sword was cutting through its skin.

I fought with all my might and managed to defeat it.

I almost died, though.

"That count and the people who abandoned you are terrible."

"But I was saved thanks to Sonia."

"We still need to get out of this forest and mountains..."

It would take at least two weeks to reach the Rozvalt Kingdom even if we went smoothly. The same applies to returning to the Brodnitsana Kingdom, and the danger level is almost the same.

"It's fine. We'll avoid routes where monsters are likely to appear, so there shouldn't be a problem. Plus, you can assist in battle, right?"

"Of course. I can use support magic as well as healing. Only basic spells, but I can use a variety of magic, so I'll support you with all my might."

"You're reliable. I'll count on you."

I was still worried about Barry's injuries, so we decided to prioritize organizing our belongings and processing the Rock Lizard's body instead of moving that day.

First, I dissected the Rock Lizard's body. I divided it into sizes Barry could carry, cast a lightening spell, and transported it to the lakeside. Parts I couldn't carry were thrown into the lake.

What was left was the skin and some meat.

I sliced the meat, seasoned it with spices, and dried it. I stopped when it was half-dry to prevent it from completely drying out. I wrapped it carefully in preservation paper. The hero once said, "I don't want to eat dried meat," so I naturally had paper that wouldn't let blood seep through.

"My bag is also a magic bag, but the skin will take up half of it."

"Let's decide on the rest of the items together."

We moved away from where the body was and decided on a new campsite. We set up the tent, placed the barrier stone, and prepared the meal. We grilled the Rock Lizard's meat and seasoned it with the hero's spices.

"Is this a different type of spice? That's luxurious."

"Dried meat can get boring, so I was told to change the taste as much as possible."

I made soup with dried vegetables and mushrooms and cut the bread. It's important to eat well when you can to maintain your strength. Healing magic can remove fatigue, but it's better to recover through food and sleep.

After eating, we seriously organized our belongings... and Barry laughed in disbelief.

"The amount of food was strange, but having a futon without a sleeping bag, what's going on?"

"Yeah..."

"Do you really need a fluffy cushion?"

"The princes said it's necessary."

"The variety of seasonings and the futon... and even a full set of cosmetics... These are things Sonia uses, right?"

"No, they're for the Saint and the mage. The scent bags are supposed to help with a good night's sleep."

"No, you can't camp so comfortably."

We took everything out and put back the items we decided were unnecessary.

The items we would take were monster repellent potions, barrier stones, cooking utensils, dishes, salt, and some spices. We had plenty of preserved food, including bread, dried meat, and dried vegetables. We could carry all of this.

We kept the cooking utensils and dishes to a minimum. For two people, one pot and a shallow bowl for soup and a spoon would be enough.

"Barry's magic bag has a large capacity, too."

"You can call me Barry. We'll be traveling together for a while, so there's no need to be formal."

He's older, but since we're both commoners, it's not a big deal... right?

"There are many points I want to comment on, but it's helpful to have a tent. I entrusted my belongings to the party's porter."

My favorite tent and sleeping bag... they weren't valuable, but they were good quality and couldn't be recovered.

"I was told to entrust potions and antidotes to the porter, but I had a bad feeling. I gave them three cheap mass-produced potions and insisted, 'I thought I would replenish them on the way, so I didn't bring them.' If I had given them, it would have been really bad."

"I used up all my potions."

"You used them for me. I'll share mine."

In addition to regular healing potions, he had antidotes, paralysis cures, and holy water. As a high-ranking adventurer, he was well-prepared. He transferred a few to a spare waist pouch and gave it to me.

"Keep some for emergencies, Sonia."

"Understood."

I can heal my own injuries with healing magic, but if I get seriously injured, I probably won't be able to cast it calmly. My consciousness would be shaky.

"Leave it to me if Barry gets injured. Even with only basic spells, I can handle it up to the equivalent of advanced spells by layering them."

"True, my stomach was split open, but when I woke up, it was healed, and I was surprised."

"Basic magic usually doesn't work. There's a trick to it."

I aim precisely and layer the spells.

The past three years were so harsh that I developed skills that other healers can't do.

"Such a way of casting magic can also be a burden on Sonia. I'll be careful and proceed cautiously to avoid injuries."

"Right, I don't want to meet any monsters."

"Me neither. Our main goal from here is to return safely. If we sell the Rock Lizard's materials, we can stay at an inn and use a stagecoach, and still have change. To make the journey enjoyable, let's prioritize our safety."

After organizing our belongings, we moved to a new location and set up the tent again. This one is for camouflage.

We made a campfire site to make it look like we were camping and then ransacked it. We scattered pots and dishes to make it look like we were attacked by monsters and fled in a hurry. We also sprinkled soil soaked in the Rock Lizard's blood inside and outside the tent.

"If they don't care about Sonia's life, they'll think we were attacked by monsters."

"Right."

I don't think they'll come looking for me, but they might come to retrieve the magic bag.

"It would be best if they don't come looking, but with this magic bag... it's of the highest quality."

Compared to Barry's magic bag, mine is one-tenth the size but has five times the capacity. If it were the bag I received from the prince, it might have been able to fit a whole Rock Lizard.

It's troublesome if it's thought to be stolen, but losing it would also be scary as I might be held responsible.

"Alright, this should be enough. Let's move and go to bed early tonight."

I nodded and followed Barry.

---

Traveling with Barry was comfortable.

Until now, I had to prepare three meals a day to satisfy four people, but Barry helped and enjoyed everything I made.

He not only helped set up the tent but also gathered ingredients.

"If I gather it, can I eat something delicious?"

Not only in daily life but also in battle, he was a great support. He was much more experienced in combat than the princes.

The princes left the fighting to the knights because it was troublesome and fought individually. They didn't coordinate with the knights. They were strong, but it felt like they relied on their individual skills.

Barry's strength is the result of steady effort from childhood.

I thought he didn't need support magic because he was already strong.

"Thanks to the basic magic, my strength is just right. With intermediate or advanced spells, it can interfere with my normal movements, but Sonia's magic is perfect."

"Until now... I've been told that I'm too weak to be of any use..."

"Well, that's because the base was weak. If the foundation isn't there, strengthening it won't help."

It's really helpful, my body feels light, and I can move easily. I feel like he's praising me too much and I blush.

"Since meeting Barry... I feel like I've been praised for a lifetime."

"Really? But it's true, it's really helpful... Your positioning in battle is great, and you can handle weak monsters on your own. You don't get upset over bugs and snakes, which is reassuring. And you're a great cook. I could eat Sonia's food every day."

Well, I was forced to train by the nobles.

"Could I become a chef? I'm also considering a different profession..."

I haven't thought about whether to continue being a healer. I want to live a normal, commoner's life.

Barry nodded.

"Hmm, I didn't mean it that way... Oh, right. My family runs an inn. How about working there?"

"An inn?"

"Right. It has about ten rooms and targets the middle class. I'm thinking of retiring from adventuring and helping with the inn..."

An inn... It might not be bad. I'm used to taking care of others, and I like cooking. And... it would be fun to live with Barry.

"Barry's family? If the inn owner likes me, I might want to work there."

"My mother and my sister's family are there, but I'm sure they'll like you."

"Really?"

"You're my savior, a great cook, and cute..."

His voice was small, but I heard it clearly.

I've never been called cute since I was a teenager. Among the sparkling people, a commoner with brown hair and brown eyes is treated like a decoration or less. Even if I was called the prettiest in the village, I would be just another face in the crowd in the capital.

"Thank you. Barry is... reliable and cool, too. I can understand why the young lady fell for you."

"I... If I were to get married, I'd want someone like Sonia... But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, hahaha."

My cheeks heated up.

"R-right, we haven't even crossed the mountains yet, and Barry's hometown is... far away, right?"

"A bit far. But it's good that we can continue our journey together, right?"

Barry suddenly looked serious.

"I promise I won't make a move during the journey. But... I want you to seriously consider marrying me when the journey ends. I'll also think about how to make Sonia happy."

Just hearing those words made me want to say, "I want to get married too!" But we're in a special situation now. Once the journey ends, Barry might become more rational.

Even so... I nodded that I wanted to go to Barry's hometown with him.

Thank you for reading.