Chapter 40

"Be careful on your way!"

"I hope we meet somewhere."

"Good luck, you two!"

"If you have any trouble, feel free to ask me anytime!"

Frey, Luna, Reina, and Torte waved their hands vigorously, and Tarte and I waved back just as enthusiastically.

"I'll go to many places with Tarte!"

"I'll become a full-fledged Alchemist, you'll see!"

When I shouted loudly, everyone smiled and said, "We're looking forward to it!" Tarte and I were on the boat leaving the Ketsusei Island, and everyone was getting smaller and smaller. This meant that I wouldn't see Frey and the others for a while. Glancing at Tarte, I noticed that her eyes were slightly teary. She was strong, but parting with family and friends is always hard. ...I hope I can make up for it by enjoying this world to the fullest...

***

It's important to take in the scenery leisurely. Tarte and I—well, Tarte—were walking on the road heading to the Holy City Tsire. By the way, we plan to borrow horses when we reach the Ranch Village a bit further ahead.

I started calling Tarte by her name because she asked me to on the boat. Maybe she felt like she was being treated like a child or didn't feel like part of the team.

"Tarte, are you not tired?"

"I'm fine, nya! Master cast 'Body Strengthening' on me, so I'm full of energy, nya!"

Saying that, Tarte started sprinting down the road, her Ketsusei agility showing just how impressive it was. Having such physical abilities as an Alchemist is quite an advantage, isn't it?

"Ah! Master, I can see a village over there, nya!"

"Oh, it's the Ranch Village. We'll stay there for the night and head to Tsire on horseback tomorrow."

"Yes, nya! It's my first time visiting a village other than Ketsusei, so I'm excited, nya."

Tarte's tail stood up straight, and her whole body radiated happiness.

We arrived at the Ranch Village. During our journey to the Ketsusei Village, we calmed a rampaging cow and healed it with 'Area Heal,' so the villagers greeted me with "Sharon!" when they saw me.

I bowed and made my way to the inn.

"Welcome, Sharon! I'm glad to see you again. Today... are there just two of you?"

"Frey and the others were at a different level... We were a temporary team back then. Today, it's just me and this kid—Tarte."

"Oh, I see."

The innkeeper nodded and smiled at Tarte, saying, "Hello."

"I'm Tarte, Master's disciple, nya. Nice to meet you, nya."

"Oh, what good manners! You're amazing! And you're Sharon's disciple. You have a great master."

"Yes, nya!"

I blushed when she said that. Before my face turned red, I quickly took the room key, but I was still blushing, and the innkeeper giggled.

"Your room is at the back of the second floor."

"Understood."

The room we would be staying in was a double room. There were two beds, but only one desk, which wasn't a problem since we weren't using it right now.

"Wow, the bed smells like the sun and is so fluffy, nya!"

Seeing Tarte dive into the bed and enjoy its fluffiness made me smile at her youthful enthusiasm. She fell asleep almost immediately, so despite her boundless energy, she must have been quite tired.

...Maybe I pushed her too hard?

We were planning to borrow horses and leave tomorrow, but maybe a more relaxed schedule would be better. We could gather materials for the 'Adventurer's Bracelet' before heading to Tsire. It would also be good practice for combat.

"Alright, let's do that!"

With that decided, I decided to take a nap too! I was actually quite tired myself, so I planned to sleep until dinner.