Chapter 54

"I'm tired of being surprised..."

Natalie says weakly while drinking tea at home. If I were in Natalie's position, I would probably think the same thing.

"Well, my dimensional storage seems to be special..."

"It's special, but there's a limit..."

I start preparing the meal, leaving the exasperated Natalie behind. The kitchen is a Japanese system kitchen, and the three who don't know how to operate it are relaxing in the living room. I don't understand the principle, but the house has electricity, gas, and water working normally. I convince myself that this is the specification of a different world and proceed with the preparations. After the meal is ready, we gather around the table to eat and discuss our next moves.

"We should reach the town of Dambler tomorrow. After shopping there, we plan to cross the forest and head to the empire."

The three nod in response to my words.

"I want to level up too! I can't stand falling behind that girl."

After explaining the performance of the ring, I can't help but smile at Natalie's enthusiasm for her own growth. However, Natalie's level-up is necessary to ensure she becomes a reliable combatant in the battle against the Generate Kingdom. After the meal, the four of us take turns bathing and prepare to sleep early for the next day. I show Natalie to a private room she hasn't used yet, and she is delighted with the fluffy bed and light, warm down comforter.

Natalie even says, "I want to live in this house." Especially after experiencing the shower toilet, her eyes are shining. Indeed, I can't deny it. Japanese houses are well-designed, and the environment is comfortable, including the layout. While not unnecessarily luxurious, the functional and efficient design makes it easy for several people to live together.

I enter my private room, change clothes, and grip the stone in the necklace, calling out to Ferris.

"Ferris, can you come out in this house?"

As I ask, the spirit stone begins to glow, and Ferris appears before me.

"Yeah. It's fine in this house. It feels like a mass of magic, so it's comfortable. But, maybe it's best inside the stone."

Perhaps because her language has improved, she speaks fluently without any hesitation.

"That's good. From tomorrow, you'll have to stay in the stone again, but please bear with it."

Ferris nods at my words and disappears back into the spirit stone. I turn off the lights and fall asleep in the comfortable futon.

The next day.

We have a light breakfast early in the morning and prepare to depart by hitching the carriage to Kokuyou. After confirming that everyone is ready, I store the house in my dimensional storage.

"No matter how many times I see it, it just seems unfair."

Natalie's words are met with nods from the others, but I ignore them and continue with the preparations. After confirming that the three are in the carriage, I climb onto the driver's seat and signal Kokuyou to start. We begin moving slowly, gradually increasing our speed. We travel at more than twice the speed of a regular carriage and arrive at the town of Dambler earlier than expected in the afternoon. We store the carriage in dimensional storage just before the town and enter on foot. Thanks to Natalie's registration with the Adventurer's Guild during her time in the empire, we can smoothly complete the reception. However, we don't know when pursuers might arrive in this town. After securing a room, we gather in one room to discuss our plans for the next day.

"Tomorrow, we'll split into two groups to do the shopping. Natalie and I can use the dimensional storage—"

I hesitate about which group to assign Char and Al to, but Char raises her hand enthusiastically.

"I'll go with Toya-sama!"

"That's unfair!"

While Char's level is high enough to handle thieves or soldiers, it's not practical in the city. Al, in her armor, is less likely to be bothered.

"Alright, Char, you can come with me. Al, please help Natalie gather the necessary items."

"Ugh, okay..."

"Understood. Let's go."

Natalie, with her shoulders slumped, follows me out. Char, on the other hand, leaves the room looking very pleased.

After dinner, I inform everyone that they have free time and leave the inn. My destination is the orphanage. It's been a while since I last came to Dambler, and I walk through the now dark and dim slums. As I think to myself, "It's been a while," I reach the building. The door is already closed, so I knock. After knocking a couple of times, a voice comes from the other side of the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's Toya. I'm in this town for the first time in a while, so I came to say hello."

"?! Toya-san!? Wait a moment. I'll open the door right away."

The door is unlocked, and it opens. Saya, as always, greets me with a smile. "Please come in," she says, and I step inside. The children, with expectant eyes, are waiting for me.

...I need to buy a lot tomorrow. I think to myself as I enter the room of children.

"Hey, are you all hungry?"

"Y-Yes!!"

"Alright, I'll make something for you. Wait a moment."

"Toya-san!? ...That's..."

I tell Saya, who looks apologetic, not to worry and head to the kitchen. I left the pot with the prepared food in it last time, and it seems they have been using it and washing it well, which I find impressive. I take out the pre-made soup from the dimensional storage and place it in the pot. I also fill a basket with bread I bought from the market. I take out the cut oak meat, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and start grilling it with salt and herbs. As the meat cooks, the smell of the herbs draws the children to the kitchen.

"It'll be ready soon. Just wait a moment."

"Okay!"

The children start preparing their spoons and other utensils. I divide the grilled meat into several plates and carry them from the kitchen to the dining room, placing them in an empty space.

"Here it is. Take the soup in turns. Saya, help out too!"

"Okay!"

The children take their seats and say a prayer before starting to eat enthusiastically.

"Really... You're eating so quickly..."

Saya sighs but, after taking a sip of the soup, her pace quickens as well. I watch the children eat, enjoying the scene while drinking tea I took out from the dimensional storage.

"Delicious!!"

Seeing the satisfied children, I can't help but smile. ...But, I won't be able to come here for a while. I glance at Saya, and our eyes meet. Saya's face turns red, and she looks down, but I beckon her over.

"Toya-san, what's the matter...?"

"Actually... I have a request to go to the Lunette Empire. So, I won't be able to come here for a while. That's why I came today. I plan to leave this town by noon tomorrow."

"Wh-What... The Lunette Empire... Isn't that the country at war...?"

I nod silently in response to Saya's words. Her eyes widen at my answer.

"Maybe... Maybe you'll die! And yet..."

"Yeah, but... I'll be fine. I'm strong, after all..."

...I have confidence in my stats. —Unless a hero appears.

At that moment, my vision goes dark, and my face is pressed into something soft.

"Wh-What!? You're going to such a place, Toya-san! I don't want you to go. I absolutely don't want you to go!"

I speak while being hugged.

"But, if someone important is suffering, wouldn't you want to help them...? Don't worry. I'll definitely come back."

I release myself from Saya's arms, stand up, and look at her face, which is red and tear-streaked. I gently wipe away her tears and smile.

"I'll come back, so don't worry. It might take some time, though."

"Please come back. The children and I will be waiting."

"Okay, I understand. I'll come to see you as soon as I return."

I nod at Saya's smile and stand up.

"Alright, take care until I come back. And Saya... I left some soup and bread in the kitchen."

I don't mention the money I left, as I think she won't accept it. She'll notice it later.

"Alright, I'm leaving. I'll come back."

I wave to the children and leave the orphanage.

"Toya-san!!"

"Yeah?"

*Peck*

The moment I turn around, I feel a soft touch on my lips. It was just a moment.

"Please come back safely."

Saya, with a red face, runs back to the orphanage.

I stand there in a daze for a moment, sigh deeply, and slightly relax my cheeks before heading back to the inn.

Thank you as always.

It seems Saya is starting to become a heroine.

Also, the comic adaptation has started. Thanks to all of you, it has had a good start.

Thank you!

* I tried posting at 7 AM this time.