Chapter 9

Victor sits in front of the statue of the goddess every day. He has been sitting there reading for more than ten days. When asked to get tea, he chats a little.

It is said that magic power occasionally surges from the earth, a phenomenon known since ancient times. However, since no one can see it, they can only sense its intensity vaguely through the behavior of wild animals or a feeling that "something is different around here." It's rare for it to surge in the middle of a town like this.

When I asked about the effects of being continuously bathed in the golden powder, which is the magic power of the earth, he said, "I feel like it's working." Apparently, it's easier for him to circulate magic within his body now. That's good.

The ordinary and peaceful life at the inn Aura heals my heart, which often feels lonely in this different world.

♦︎

The day of my first break in two weeks finally came.

Since I'm in charge of Victor, I told him, "I'm off today, so please ask someone else if you need anything," and he asked where I was going.

"To the market. I couldn't fully enjoy it last time."

"I'm sorry about that. I was in a hurry to find you. I apologize for ruining your day off."

"It's fine. I'm not angry. I have a policy of forgetting past events, though I'm not sure if I can really forget them."

Victor mumbled something incoherently, and I got an idea.

"Ah, I see. You're feeling lonely, aren't you? You want to go out with your big sister?"

"Wh-who's your big sister? I'm not lonely! It's just that I can't rest easy without apologizing for ruining your last day off."

"Alright. Want to go to the market together? I really want to see the whole market."

"Sure. I'll come with you. I'll look for a book too."

♦︎

The row of shops selling food in the market never gets old. The food here in the Kingdom of Holdar is mostly Western and Southeast Asian in style. While the royal meals are Western, the common people's meals are often Southeast Asian.

While walking around, I found a stall selling something like skewers. They were grilled with spices on thin skewers.

"What a wonderful smell!"

"Do you want to eat it?"

"I do."

Victor bought two different kinds and brought them back.

"Let's eat them while they're hot."

"Thank you. How much did they cost?"

"It's on me. As an apology for ruining your last day off, eat as much as you like today."

"Thank you. I won't hold back, then."

Biting into the hot meat, it tasted similar to chicken but a bit different, with a more gamey texture. The spices effectively masked any gamey smell, making it delicious.

"Delicious. What kind of meat is this?"

"It's a rock duck. They live on rocky cliffs and eat leaves and tree nuts. Tasty, right?"

"Rock duck... Yeah, it's really delicious."

"Want something to drink? We have alcohol and juice."

"Then, something cold and not sweet."

"Got it."

As I watched Victor's back walking towards the stall, I noticed a small, dark red bird, about the size of a hornet, flying above his head. At first glance, it looked like a bee.

I quickly borrowed a piece of paper and a pen from a nearby stall and scribbled a note.

"There's a dark red bird flying above your head. I'll take care of it, so wait here for a moment."

I left the note on the table and stood up. If that bird was there, Victor was being monitored by a mage. Had they seen me too?

I watched Victor from a distance in the crowded market. He returned to the table with a drink, saw my note, and his expression stiffened for a moment, but he pretended to be casual. Good, good. Don't look up. I'll help you now.

I ran through the market, searching for what I needed. I found it and bought it in a hurry, then ran back to Victor.

Victor was calmly drinking tea at the table. He seemed to notice me but pretended not to. I quietly circled behind him and, when the red bird turned its head away, I covered it with a hat tied to a long stick with a string.

"Got it! Victor, I caught the red bird!"

Victor stood up and peered into the hat I had placed on the ground.

"Ah, it's gone, as expected."

The hat was empty, with only a faint trace of golden powder remaining.

"Haru, thank you. I'm not at my best right now, so I didn't notice the surveillance bird. I know who would send a bird of that color. But why are they monitoring me now?"

"Victor, let's change locations first. I don't want to draw attention by waving a hat around in the air or peering into an empty hat and talking to you."

"Got it. Let's go to a proper shop. It will be harder for them to monitor us there."

As we walked to the shop, I wondered. Was the surveillance bird only watching Victor? Am I also being monitored?

Today's update will be at 5 PM.