We chose a lake on high ground as our resting point.
The place is a little off the main road and surrounded by forest.
We spread our bags out there and took a break. We left the carriage a short distance away from the forest and covered it with grass and leaves to avoid detection. The horses are being brought in, unharnessed.
The lake, which had been formed by melting snow, was about the size of the site of a little shopping mall. The water was clear and the waterfowl floated carefree. It looked like it would be easy to hunt them, but we were too hungry, so we decided to eat first.
'I didn't know this part of the world existed: ......
I look around as I brush the horses.
The two horses were free of their harnesses and sniffing comfortably. They ate lunch and drank some water, so they seem to be relaxing now. When I scratched their backs with the brush, they looked at me as if they were comfortable. It's handy that he can tell you where it is itching.
Cecil and Rita go to wash up. I can't see them from here because of the shade of the trees, but they must be by the lake. Aine and Iris are helping with that.
Rafilia will be staying by my side as my bodyguard and guard.
Master, I'm going to take care of the horses.
Okay, Rafilia, you get some rest.
There's no sign of a monster in the area.
There was a wyvern flying around here a few hours ago, so maybe it's hiding in fear. So I don't really need an escort.
It's unsettling to be resting while your ...... master is working.
'It's my job as the 'life bargainer' to take care of the horses. Raphilia can just go and talk to me.
I'm so full I'm afraid I'll fall asleep if I don't say anything.
'Speaking of which, I had something I wanted to ask Master.
Rafilia, who was holding the bow next to me, mumbled, as if she had a little idea.
"What am I?
But the content was very heavy.
Raphilia was smiling forlornly, bow in hand, stroking her cherry-colored hair.
'Yesterday, you said the white man said, 'Old blooded people.'
You mean the vision I saw in front of my wing?
'Yes. The Master saw it too, didn't he?
I nodded.
Apparently the apparition was talking to Raphilia and Iris as well.
It was 'Greetings to the old bloods' to the two of them, though.
'But it's strange. If the elves are 'those of the old blood', then it's not surprising that other elves are seeing them. According to the Master's story, the merchant said, 'Nani-sore', didn't he?
...... I see, in this world, elves are common.
To me, the elves are legends and I'm pretty sure they're 'old blood'.
To the people of this world, elves are normal demi-humans, right?
'Then maybe being with Iris was a trigger.
Maybe... ......
Or maybe Raphilia really is a special elf.
'This is just a suggestion, Raphilia,'
I put down my brush and sat down by Raphilia's side.
I beckoned to her, and Raphilia sat down next to me, laying down her bow as well.
She took off her usual 'kawa no yoroi' and now she's wearing a light colored dress. Rafilia is sitting next to me, holding her knees and looking vaguely towards the forest, waiting for me to say something.
Normally, Rafilia is a natural heartwarming person, but today she has her head in her lap with a troubled look on her face.
I forgot about it because of all the things that have happened, but Rafilia's memory problem is still unresolved.
'You can terminate your master-servant contract with me as soon as possible and go find your own memories, okay?
'I don't intend to live such a boring life,'
No, it's your memory!
It was outright.
If Rafilia and the apparition were connected, wouldn't this be a chance to find out about the past?
'I do care about who I am. But I'm not going to lose my life right now for that.
It's complicated, isn't it, Rafilia?
'I'm having too much fun at the moment. Every day with Master Iris is like a jewelry box. The Master is my master and he is the one who controls me. If you were to ask me to choose between you and the past, I would choose the present without a second thought.
I don't mind getting a little lost.
'When you're lost, the good stuff gets snatched up by other people. That's what I've learned in my life so far, Master.
Raphilia bared her teeth and grinned, haha.
'It's fine. Even if I'm actually a mythical race, even if I'm actually the savior of the world. It's just that what you said made me feel a little uneasy. I don't want my past, which I didn't know, to destroy my present.
I don't care if Rafilia is a mythical race, or if she's the savior of the world - no, not this one.
I hereby certify that you are a member of my party.
SOUMA-NAGI
'This is the kind of thing that will help 'Mirai Raphilia' remember who we are when she doesn't know who we are, right? It's like a stray card.
I'll make one for myself one of these days.
Whenever you feel uneasy about 'Once upon a time Rafilia', you can look at this. At least 'Now Rafilia' is one of us. At least 'Now Rafilia' is one of us, so at least 'Now Rafilia' is one of us, so it's up to 'Mirai Rafilia' to decide after remembering that.
...... master.
"And while you're at it, I'll give you a skill as well. You can use it when 'Ago Rafilia' gives 'Now Rafilia' trouble.
The one I made with Aine's "Dynamic Observation Lv 1" was left over.
Since it's worth the trouble, I'll give this one to Rafilia to try out.
With Rafilia's ingenuity, I'm sure she'll come up with some crazy uses for it.
Besides, I was thinking of having Rafilia develop some sort of survival skills. Anyway, it's dangerous, so just in case something goes wrong.
"Instrumental Degradation (Material Damage Damage) Lv 1
Skill to soften the "value and effect" of an "item".
...... What kind of skills are you talking about?
We can temporarily weaken the effect of the tool.
I took out the knife I used for lunch. I gripped the handle with my right hand and activated the "instrumental degradation". And therefore, I put the cutting edge on my left forefinger and smoothed it out
There you are! ......, what's that?
Huh?
caress
The cooking knife Aine is always sharpening is just pushing my finger. It doesn't sting.
The 'vessel degradation' can temporarily weaken the sharpness of a sword or something like that. Maybe if you use it for a kettle, it makes it harder to boil water, and if you use it for a dustpan, you can back it up to the ...... end of the room and not get any garbage in it.
'I don't know what good it will do, but it's amazing, Master!
After receiving the skill crystal from me, Rafilia unbuttoned the collar of her clothes ...... and turned around in a hurry. With her back to me, she installed the skill.
Then, I grabbed the arrow I placed on the ground.
'Then I'm going to try it too. Stab the arrow into your index finger and activate 'degradation of property'...!
Not in that order!
Pshaw, blood came out of Raphilia's fingers.
'What are you going to do with it after you stab it and then activate your skills!
I could confiscate .......
Well, you're back. It's a good idea. It's a skill that was given to me, so I'll use it to help you master ......, master what?
......?
I found myself wiping Raphilia's fingers in my mouth.
Normally I would disinfect it with alcohol, but right now it's in my luggage. This is faster than taking it out.
'Yes, the disinfection is done. "Okay, disinfected, wrap it up in a clean cloth.
"Well, well, well, Master ......
You might want to wash it with clean water later.
Yes. I won't wash this finger for the rest of my life.
No, let's get you cleaned up.
We are grateful for the mercy of the ...... master.
Suddenly, Raphilia dropped to her knees in front of me.
This Raphilia-Grace ...... is once again pledging allegiance to the Master. Whatever 'Once upon a time Raphilia' was, 'Now Raphilia' is the slave of the Master. I will serve my master with all of my memories of only five years and all of my mind and body.
It's not much, but...
'No. It's not true.
But Raphilia shook her head, buzzing.
'The Master is a wonderful man.
...... I'm not so sure.
You always tell me what's important to me and give me what I want. He's the best master in the world!
That's too much of a compliment.
'No, it's not. He's not a vessel for ordinary people! You are indeed a man who is prepared to flay all the slaves on this trip!
Raphilia: "Raphilia: ............
I grabbed Rafilia's shoulder with a shudder.
...... Would you like to hear more about it?
'Ha, yes. This Raphilia-Grace! I'll tell you everything I know! They are gone! My eyes are getting scary. Ah. Don't stare at them like they're your master's eyes. If you order ...... now, Master ......, Rafilia will be ruined... ...you're done.
Stop sitting on your chest and tell me what's going on. Raphilia.