Chapter 101
Let’s Chat About Love with Maria-chan
After everyone worked together to clean up and calm the horses that had been frightened by the troll, quite a bit of time had passed.
Dealing with a troll that big had been tough, but after extracting the magic stone, I burned it completely using my Inferno charm.
Since my brother set up walls of ice around the fire, there was no risk of the flames spreading into the forest.
Leaving a defeated monster’s body lying around won’t cause it to turn into an undead and attack, but other monsters or animals will come to eat the meat.
And of course, it will rot and become a source of disease.
That’s why burning it is customary.
Once it was completely reduced to ashes, we covered it with soil.
This way, someday, the troll would return to the forest.
Well, not exactly as soil—probably more like small stones.
After everyone cooperated to set up the spare tent again, we started preparing dinner.
Abel and my brother went out hunting, so Maria-chan and I worked on preparing our special soup.
Ervin and Ran stood guard over the area.
After all, there was no guarantee that monsters wouldn’t attack if we let our guard down.
I put herbs and dried vegetables into a large pot and let them simmer. The seasoning was just salt and pepper, but for now we had to make do.
“I hope we find the Demon King as soon as possible…”
When I muttered that without thinking, Maria-chan, who was watching the heat of the fire, let out a soft laugh.
“That makes it sound like you’re searching for some rare animal.”
“That’s not what I mean, but…”
When it’s just the two of us, I try not to speak too formally like a noble.
Of course, at the academy I put on my huge-cat persona, but when we’re alone, I let that cat go out for a stroll.
“Everyone’s so strong that even fighting the Demon King might be easy for us.”
“That’s true.”
I nodded deeply at Maria-chan’s words.
But somehow, she seemed a little down.
“Maria-chan, what’s wrong?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Do you have something on your mind?”
When I asked, Maria-chan lowered her gaze slightly.
“It’s not exactly a worry, but… I keep thinking that I’m the only one who isn’t being useful.”
Ah.
That’s probably because everyone else doesn’t even get a scratch.
Maria-chan hadn’t had a single chance to step in yet.
“It’s better not to get hurt, but I think the time will come when your power is really needed, Maria-chan.”
I tried to encourage her, but it seemed like she still had something she wanted to say.
Her chestnut-colored hair swayed softly in the wind, as if reflecting her uncertainty.
“I know, but… situations where people that strong get injured only happen when they fight someone incredibly powerful, right? If they get seriously hurt like that… would I really be able to heal them?”
“It’ll be fine. And I’ll help too.”
“Lady Leticia…?”
“Yes. As a protective mage, I’ll fight as well.”
I do have an enormous amount of magic power, but my talent for actual spellcasting is a bit unreliable.
When I fight, all I can really do is hurl raw masses of magic.
Compared to that, Maria-chan has properly studied at the academy and can use healing magic skillfully, so there’s really no problem at all.
And if it comes down to it, I can always give Maria-chan an Amplification charm.
Though that charm forcibly boosts one’s abilities, so if it’s used too much, it completely drains magic power.
Unless you have a body like mine that endlessly overflows with mana, it’s not very convenient.
That’s why others can’t use it repeatedly—but honestly, if you don’t use it during the battle against the Demon King, then when would you? So I plan to have everyone use it in emergencies, not just Maria-chan.
“Besides, we’re a party. We should all help each other.”
“A party…”
“That’s right. Since Abel is the hero, that makes us the Hero’s Party.”
It feels strange to think that I’m part of a Hero’s Party straight out of a novel.
Before long, my brother and the others returned with a wild boar. They’d already drained most of the blood, so all that was left was to grill the meat and add it to the soup.
We all enjoyed dinner together, then split into the men’s and women’s tents.
And of course… that means it’s time for a love talk.
“Hey, hey—do you really like Abel after all, Maria-chan?”
I asked her as directly as possible.
There’s no point beating around the bush with things like this.
Maria-chan turned bright red and nodded repeatedly.
“Then what are you going to do after we defeat the Demon King?”
“What do you mean, what am I going to do…?”
I asked while stroking Moko’s fur inside my sleeping bag.
Somewhere in the distance, I could hear an owl hooting.
“Both of you are going to belong to the church, right? It’d be fine if you’re assigned to the same place, but I heard there’s a chance you might be separated.”
“We did ask to be assigned to the same church, at least.”
“So nothing’s been decided yet.”
When I said that, Maria-chan’s eyes wavered anxiously.
I see…
In that case, there’s something that worries me just a little.
