Chapter 27

When I meet Anna and Mr. Fred, what should I say first?

I've been thinking about this, and it's been distracting me lately. There are so many things I want to say: the joy of seeing them after so long, the apologies and gratitude for all the trouble they've gone through for me. But there's something that weighs heavily on my chest, preventing me from fully rejoicing on the day of their long-awaited return. I become aware of the "thing" hanging around my neck and remind myself, "I need to focus on the mission."

Of course, I've been on guard, but being so distracted might make me miss my target.

To refocus, I broaden my awareness to encompass my surroundings, allowing myself to perceive the entire area vaguely. I use my hearing to cover what I can't see directly behind me, and I breathe quietly. When small animals and insects approach me without realizing I'm human, I hear the sound of the bee I've been searching for.

There it is. The distinctive buzzing sound leads me to a Medibee with its characteristic green and black, toxic-looking coloration. If it notices my sudden movement and flies away, all my careful waiting and effort will be wasted. I follow the bee, which is flying in an irregular pattern, without making a sound.

After a while, the bee, which had been flying cautiously, suddenly flew straight ahead when it reached a certain point. It seems to have entered a hollow in a short but thick tree trunk. After confirming from a distance that there are no red bear dens nearby where Medibees might coexist, I take out the tools I need to collect honey and approach the tree trunk from downwind.

I've collected a lot. Holding the ceramic jar filled with honey, I'm in a great mood. Medibee honey is used as an ingredient in potions and other magical elixirs. Drinking it directly can also provide nourishment during convalescence or exhaustion, but it's often used in various recipes to add a sweet taste without interfering with the medicinal effects of otherwise unpalatable potions. My stock of potion-making materials was running low, but this should last me for a while.

To be honest, I can make potions with almost the same effects without it, but I've always found them hard to drink. I know it's childish, but I've always found them difficult. When I was in the duke's household, if I fell ill, I would use Lady Cornelia's top-tier potions "because we're family," even if my symptoms weren't severe. They were optimized for performance and had no consideration for taste, so they were very unpleasant. Of course, I never complained, but I wanted to pay attention to the taste if I made them myself.

Since leaving home, I haven't had those unexplained fevers, but I don't know when I might fall ill again, so I need to make potions while I have the chance.

Still, I actually have a lot of completed potions. The thought of not having materials makes me anxious... I guess I'm just a worrywart. I always think about escape routes and what to do if I fail, so I don't think I'll ever change.

Mr. Fred told me, "You don't need so many potions," but I can't feel at ease without preparing for "what if."

I had planned to keep the excess for myself after fulfilling my delivery quota, but I collected much more than expected. I had heard that getting even a small bottle from a wild Medibee nest was a good haul... perhaps it was an especially large nest. Looking down at the honey-filled pot, which was larger than a human head, I could smell the sweet aroma seeping through the lid. I'm getting hungry... maybe I'll have something sweet today in addition to my meal.

I was thinking of keeping the excess for myself, but maybe I should increase the delivery amount? With this much, I could open a clinic and make potions, even though I have no plans to sell them. I don't expect to fall ill that often, so I pondered this as I returned to town.

When I entered the guild, the delivery counter was starting to get crowded with returning adventurers, as expected. There were no empty counters yet, but a line was forming. As I looked at the staff to see which counter might open up soon, someone called my name. I don't have many friends or acquaintances, so I wasn't surprised to hear Daria's voice.

"Riana, welcome back."

She seemed to have spotted me and called out from behind the delivery counter. However, it didn't feel like she was just greeting an acquaintance. She seemed to have something to tell me, so I approached the counter and listened.

"Daria, you seem to have something to tell me. What's up?"

"It's not that serious, but I thought I should let you know since you haven't heard yet."

"What is it?"

"Fred is back."

Hearing those words, I was about to run off without even asking where he was, but Daria quickly stopped me and told me which private room they were using. Feeling like a child who can't control herself, I was a bit embarrassed, but this time I walked calmly to the second floor of the guild.

I obtained permission to enter from the deputy guild master, Rastano, who was in the room where the mission completion report was being made, and then, unable to contain my excitement, I burst into the room.

"Anna...!"

She wasn't wearing the maid's uniform I was used to seeing, but it was definitely Anna. My older and closest friend, the person I've spent the most time with, was there.

I had thought so much about what to say, but the strongest feeling was "I'm sorry for making you worry." The moment I saw Anna's face, I said, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry... Anna, I'm sorry for running away alone...!"

I stood frozen in the room, crying uncontrollably, unable to even look up. As my tears blurred my vision, a familiar scent wafted over me, and warm arms enveloped me.

"Don't apologize. You did nothing wrong... I know better than anyone how hard you've been trying."

I was held by Anna and cried uncontrollably, my words a jumbled mess. She gently patted my back, as one might do to calm a crying child, and I finally began to calm down.

"Ah... Mr. Fred... Thank you for bringing Anna back... I'm sorry, I didn't even greet you properly..."

"No, no, it's a reunion with a close friend. I was a bit emotional too and couldn't even say 'I'm back.'"

We exchanged greetings, confirming each other's safety, and decided to rent a private room to talk. I convinced Anna to sit next to me instead of standing behind me, and Fred, who had been watching us with a smile, started the conversation.

"So, Riana... I heard you became a silver-ranked adventurer in just a month while I was away. Can you explain how that happened?"

"Ugh..."

"We were planning to act like a regular adventurer to avoid drawing attention and to prevent anyone from investigating your background... right? No, I'm not angry... Why did it happen like this?"

Because he wasn't angry, I couldn't meet Fred's eyes, feeling guilty. I was supposed to act like a "regular adventurer" while Fred was away for a month. I think I was doing well at first. I sealed away the techniques and magic I hadn't used as a bodyguard, and I was careful about the recommended levels of quests.

But somehow, I ended up becoming a silver-ranked adventurer. In terms of rank, I'm now the same as Fred. I didn't slack off; I always aimed to do the minimum necessary to achieve my goals. But even when I try to trace back and figure out what went wrong, I can't understand it at all.

I know they're genuinely worried, which makes me even more uncomfortable. I feel inadequate for not doing better.

If I had said, "I don't even know what went wrong," while living with my family, I would have been severely reprimanded. But Fred and Anna don't judge me based on results alone. Reflecting on my failures, I started recounting the past month, from the day after Fred left for Kronheim, honestly admitting that I couldn't pinpoint what went wrong.

■□■ Announcement ■□■

This work has been decided to be published as "The Unaware Genius Girl Doesn't Notice ~She Became an Adventurer Because Her Family Never Praises Her Despite Her Efforts in All Fields~"!

Congratulations!

It is scheduled to be published by Earth Star Novel on December 15, 2021, with illustrations by Kyouzip. I've added about 25,000 words for the book version, so please look forward to it.

This is all thanks to the readers who have supported me. Thank you!

Please also look forward to the manga adaptation! 🙋( ´ ꒳ ` )