Chapter 39

Considering that it was inevitable to be discovered by my family, I decided to seek protection from a noble who would be in a position to protect me from being taken back. I set this as my goal and resolved to achieve results, but whether or not it would be possible was another matter.

Without the necessary skills to be recognized, my plan was rather ambitious, but I had no choice. After all, there was no other way to receive protection from a noble. I briefly considered the option of marrying into the nobility of this country, but it would be unfair to the person I would have to cooperate with, and I had no intention of taking that route.

Even in a foreign country, if a request was made by a duke's family, they would have to hand me over unless I was an exceptionally valuable asset. I needed to demonstrate enough value to be refused.

The lord of this Lindemen town is a viscount who governs a region including several nearby towns and villages. Ideally, I would like to seek the support of his father, a marquis. I have been invited to the lord's residence as a thank you for helping a child, and my plan is to start by making a good impression on the viscount.

Frankly, it's difficult to achieve success as an adventurer. Anna advised against taking too many risks, and to become an adventurer worthy of noble protection in a short time, I would need to face a "powerful enemy." Fortunately, such powerful targets are rare these days. If they do appear, local armies usually handle them. Even when skilled adventurers act as advisors, they are typically long-time adventurers nominated by the guild, leaving no room for me. If I continue my activities, I might become a competent and useful adventurer, but that wouldn't make me a valuable enough asset to receive protection.

Some adventurers travel the world to hunt powerful monsters as they appear, but this is a rare case.

Anna suggested pursuing a career in the arts, including music, painting, and writing. However, without connections to competitions or salons frequented by artists, this would be difficult. Fred was confident, saying, "If someone with a good eye sees your work, they will definitely become your patron," but I doubt this, as both Anna and Fred are biased in my favor. I think they overestimate me, but they refuse to admit it. Most patrons are in the capital, and I didn't want to leave this town.

So, as a more realistic path, I considered becoming an alchemist. This would start after my 16th birthday, the common age of adulthood in both this country and Kronheim. I planned to use the next month to prepare for the creation of magical items.

I have some confidence in making potions and other magical elixirs, but selling them requires a license. I plan to create general magical items like the ones I made for Tonus. I have the necessary qualifications for making potions in Kronheim, but they are not valid here (though some exams and practical work are exempt). Since I obtained these qualifications under my real name, I can't use them. Using potions for friends or my companions is generally allowed, and there are many unlicensed potions sold on the market, but this is not suitable for a noble's alchemist.

I have several ideas for items, and I hope at least one of them will be successfully commercialized. According to Fred, alchemists who can develop new items are very rare, so I have some hope that I might succeed. ...Ah, maybe I'm starting to think more positively.

Today, I am heading to the forest to gather materials for my magical items. I can buy them in town, but it's cheaper to gather them myself, and I can ensure their quality.

Fred, being overprotective, wanted to come along, but I managed to convince him that it would be fine since I have entered the forest alone many times and only need to go to a shallow area. Considering the women who admire Fred, I felt it would be unfair to involve him in my affairs. However, I think his overprotectiveness has increased since I got involved in the kidnapping case.

"The kidnappers seem to have been mostly caught, which is good."

"It's thanks to the efforts of the patrol team."

"No, I think more than half of the credit goes to the composite sketch you drew, Riana."

"Is that so..."

"Yes! Without such a lifelike sketch, the patrol team wouldn't have had the confidence to make arrests. I've seen people drawing portraits in the square for a fee, but your sketch was surprisingly accurate, even though you only saw the person for a moment. It's definitely a remarkable skill."

The kidnapping case I was involved in was almost resolved the next day. The only one still at large was the man in the hat, who seemed to be the highest-ranking among them. The patrol team said it was only a matter of time before he was caught, as the composite sketch was shared across borders. His accomplices were all captured, and without their help, it would be difficult for him to hide. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom along with the release of several criminals in exchange for the child. I didn't intend to hear this, but I overheard it at the patrol team's headquarters.

Fortunately, the child was found safe before any decisions were made, so no imprisoned criminals were released.

I was lucky to provide information that helped solve the kidnapping case quickly, but it's embarrassing to be praised face-to-face by Fred. I never took compliments from people outside my family seriously, thinking they were just polite. I received many praises like, "As expected of the daughter of Lady Josephine" and "The renowned magician Duke Agget must be very proud," but I knew these were only due to my family's reputation. In fact, that was all they were.

Apart from Anna, I had never been genuinely praised before, so I was not used to it. It made me nervous, but... I was also happy.

When Anna praises me, I can happily say "thank you," but why do I feel so embarrassed when Fred says the same thing? I don't dislike it; it makes me very happy.

"Riana, you underestimate yourself too much! ...Maybe I'm not praising you enough?"

"N-no! It's just that I can't objectively evaluate myself..."

Yes, he always praises me so much that I feel embarrassed. He wants me to have more confidence, and I can tell he means every word. This makes me happy and nervous, and I feel like running away from the spot.

"Fred, please be careful and don't get hurt!"

In the end, I changed the subject and left Fred, who was heading to the adventurer's guild, as if I were running away. Because I had no friends other than Anna, I didn't know what the right attitude was in such situations.

How do people react when they are praised by someone close and feel so embarrassed that they want to dive into bed and scream "Wah!!"?