Chapter 33: Festival Fun

Despite her eagerness to get moving, Rui was confined to bed rest for another day.

Her primary caregiver during this time was her assigned maid.

“Here, open wide,” the maid instructed, holding a spoonful of food towards Rui.

“I can feed myself…” Rui protested weakly.

“Nope. Open wide.”

“…Fine,” Rui conceded, opening her mouth.

“Good girl,” the maid praised, patting Rui’s head.

Rui gave her a bewildered look, but it had no effect.

“If you didn’t want to be treated like a child, you shouldn’t have overexerted yourself,” the maid said, a playful glint in her eyes.

“I didn’t overexert myself…” Rui mumbled.

“Then get up and perform the first form of the standard swordsmanship kata. If you can’t, you overexerted yourself,” the maid challenged.

“Eh?” Rui blinked.

Even Aria and Raphilia couldn’t perform the first form flawlessly. Rui’s incredulous expression was met with the maid’s unwavering smile.

“You’ll be leaving the city soon. Just rest until then,” the maid said, giving Rui’s head one last pat before leaving with the empty plate.

Silence descended upon the room once more.

“Ugh…” Rui groaned.

Now that her only conversation partner was gone, she was left to wallow in her boredom.

‘I’m so bored…’

There was nothing to do but lie in bed. While she wanted to move around, the aftereffects of her mana exhaustion were lingering. Her legs felt weak and unsteady.

Going for a walk was out of the question. And after years of focusing solely on magic research, she couldn’t think of anything to do while confined to her room.

‘If only I had a little mana…’

But the Ultimate Star-spear wouldn’t transmit any star mana until her reserves reached a certain level. She had to wait.

“Ugh… Master Key… save me…” she groaned.

Both her Master Key and pen were stored in her subspace pocket, out of reach. All of her materials and magic tools were stored away as well. She couldn’t even tinker with them.

All she could do was stare out the window.

“…The Count is holding a festival today,” she remembered.

Count Alphares was hosting a festival to celebrate the defeat of the demons and honor the soldiers and the hero’s party. There would be rewards for everyone who participated in the battle.

“Judging by his appearance, I thought he’d be hosting a poverty and hardship festival due to embezzlement…” Rui mused.

“That would be unfortunate,” a voice said.

“Eek!” Rui jumped, startled by the sudden appearance of Count Alphares himself. He stood in the doorway, a sheepish expression on his face.

Why was he here?

‘Well, it’s his house…’

“The maid said you were awake. I have something to ask you,” the Count explained.

“Oh, um, sorry…” Rui stammered.

“No apologies necessary. I’m aware of how I appear,” he said, gesturing towards his ample belly and unkempt beard.

“As the ruler of this city and head of my family, I should maintain a more presentable appearance. But if I may offer an excuse, I’ve been rather busy lately,” he explained.

How busy could he be, with an entire staff at his disposal?

“Politics, economics, and now demons and monsters… it’s been quite hectic,” he sighed.

“Ah,” Rui said, understanding dawning.

“I just finished reviewing the reports for the Emperor regarding the fortress incident and barely managed to tear myself away from my desk,” he added.

The fortress incident had ended two days ago. If he had been working non-stop since then, he must have been pulling all-nighters.

“…,” Rui felt a pang of guilt.

She had pulled all-nighters for her research, pushing through exhaustion to complete her projects.

But that was by choice. The Count, on the other hand…

“I apologize…” Rui said sincerely.

“It’s quite alright. My wife and daughter have been worried as well. It’s a problem I need to address,” he said with a chuckle.

Come to think of it, Countess Alphares was quite beautiful. It all made sense now. A kind, hardworking man naturally attracted beautiful women!

“Anyway, I came here to ask you a question,” the Count said, getting to the point.

“What is it?” Rui asked.

“Miss Rui, who are you?”

“I apologize, but the moment I learned you had joined the hero’s party, I began investigating your background,” the Count confessed.

“…,” Rui remained silent.

“But I found nothing. No records, no information, not even through my usual channels,” he continued.

“I see,” Rui replied.

It was to be expected.

She had always avoided the spotlight. After leaving her master, she had interacted with the outside world almost exclusively through anonymous channels. Very few people knew her true identity.

‘But not none.’

There were people who knew her. If the Count had investigated those connections, he could have uncovered her past.

But even if he knew who to ask, he probably wouldn’t have been able to get any information. Those who knew her weren’t easily accessible to someone like the Count.

“For the past year, the hero’s party consisted of four members. And they were incredibly successful. I had placed the fate of this city in their hands. But the hero’s party that arrived here had five members,” the Count explained.

A mage, unknown to their intelligence, had joined their ranks.

It was natural for the Count to be suspicious.

If Rui had been an enemy agent or a demon in disguise, the city would have been doomed.

“So I investigated you. I found nothing, and now my doubts about your abilities have been thoroughly dispelled,” he said.

“…,” Rui waited for him to continue.

“I apologize. I acted improperly towards the hero who saved my city,” the Count said, bowing his head slightly.

“It’s alright. I would have done the same,” Rui replied honestly.

She felt no resentment towards him for investigating her.

‘In fact, his kindness and sincerity were almost unsettling.’

He was a true noble, unlike many she had encountered. Although, even he was unusually kind for a noble.

“The hero’s party is under the Emperor’s… protection. It’s natural for them to attract unwanted attention. They carry a heavy burden,” Rui said.

“…Thank you,” the Count replied, touched by her understanding.

“So, you’re curious about my identity?” Rui asked.

She was willing to reveal some information, if he wished.

But the Count shook his head.

“No. You saved this city. That’s all that matters to me. However…”

“However?”

“Have you heard of the [Magic Saint] and the [White Smith]?”

Familiar names.

“An enigmatic archmage who protects the Imperial family, and an anonymous mage who creates extraordinary magic tools that astound the world,” the Count elaborated.

“…I’ve heard of them,” Rui replied.

“I hope you are neither of those individuals,” the Count said.

“Why?” Rui asked, curious.

“Because that would mean the Empire has gained another star to protect it,” he explained.

“…I see,” Rui replied, thoughtful.

“That’s all I wanted to ask. Please, rest well,” the Count said, leaving the room.

Alone once more, Rui pondered his words.

“…I’m sorry, but your wish won’t come true,” she murmured.

Because she was the White Smith.

Before joining the hero’s party, she had used the alias “White Smith” to sell her magic tools. The name was simple.

She had white hair, and she crafted magic tools like a smith.

The White Smith label was reserved for her highest quality creations. Prototypes and lesser versions were sold under different names, increasing the value and prestige of the White Smith brand.

Only those within certain circles, or those with the wealth and connections to acquire her tools, would know the name. She had assumed the Count wouldn’t be among them…

“But I suppose someone of his stature would know,” she conceded.

She couldn’t fulfill the Count’s wish.

As for the Magic Saint…

“…I’m definitely not that,” Rui said, a certain woman’s face flashing through her mind. An older woman, with a mischievous grin. The thought made Rui slightly annoyed.

“Well, she can handle herself,” Rui muttered.

She wouldn’t abandon her duties just because Rui was gone.

Rui turned back to the window, seeking a distraction from her boredom.

“Huh?”

“Hee hee. Bored, are we?”

A familiar elf stood outside her window.

Raphilia.

“What are you doing here?” Rui asked, surprised.

“I came to visit. I thought you might be bored,” Raphilia explained.

Really? That was… surprisingly thoughtful.

“Aw, are you about to cry? Looks like I came at the right time,” Raphilia teased.

“I’m not crying,” Rui retorted.

“Are you sure? That white hair looks awfully suspicious,” Raphilia grinned.

“Ugh,” Rui grumbled.

“Ahahaha! Come on, look down there,” Raphilia said, gesturing towards the ground below.

“Down there?”

“Miss Rui!”

“Rui, are you feeling better?”

“Aria! Serin!”

All three heroines had come to visit. They had visited individually yesterday and today, but seeing them all together was touching.

“Where’s Aswell?” Rui asked.

“Aswell? He’s having dinner with some important people. He couldn’t make it,” Raphilia replied, her tone slightly sour.

It seemed Aswell had declined their invitation. Otherwise, Raphilia wouldn’t be sulking.

“So it’s a girls’ day out! It’s the festival, after all!” Raphilia announced.

“I see,” Rui said, though she didn’t have the energy to attend a festival.

“So, Rui, are you going to die if you move even a little?” Raphilia asked bluntly.

“Huh?” Rui blinked, taken aback by the absurd question.

“Of course not…”

“Really? Then hop on,” Raphilia said, gesturing towards her back.

Before Rui could respond, a gust of wind swept her off her feet and into Raphilia’s arms.

“Thanks, everyone!” Raphilia called out.

Everyone? Did she mean the spirits?

Raphilia jumped out the window with Rui on her back. Still in her nightgown, Rui had no choice but to cling to her.

“You’re even cuter than usual when you’re all clingy,” Raphilia teased.

“Indeed. Hehe,” Serin agreed, joining in the teasing.

“Stop it,” Rui mumbled, her face flushed.

“Where should we go?” Aria asked.

“That’s for our hero to decide, don’t you think?” Serin suggested.

“I agree. Rui deserves to choose!” Aria chimed in.

“Oh, in that case, there’s a magic material shop I’ve been wanting to visit…” Rui started.

“No magic material shops. No magic tool shops. No magic anything!” Raphilia declared.

“…,” Rui sighed.

There were some disagreements, but it was a fun experience. Serin and Raphilia took turns carrying Rui, and the four of them enjoyed the festival.

‘This is nice,’ Rui thought.

Thanks to them, she could forget everything else, even for a little while.

Her past life, the original story, even magic.

The only thing that lingered in her mind was the absent member of their party.

‘It would be nice if Aswell could join us next time,’ she thought.

The day of the festival flew by, and the next morning arrived.

“You can move now,” the maid announced.

“That’s a shame…”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing. Would you like to hold my hand and try standing up?” the maid offered.

“No, I can stand up on my own… okay, I’ll take your hand,” Rui conceded.

With the maid’s help, Rui began to walk again, gradually increasing her activity level. Two days later, they finally departed from Alphares.