Chapter 23: A Gift and a Gentle Push

Had the hero sustained a head injury during the battle? His eyes darted around nervously, and his movements were jerky.

‘This isn’t good.’

A mentally unstable hero was a scenario they couldn’t afford, even as a joke. He was the only one who could defeat the Demon King, so she had to bring him back to his senses.

“Hero, wait a moment.”

“Yes?”

She performed the most basic, yet effective, diagnosis.

“You don’t have a fever…”

“Rui, what are you…”

She placed her hand on his forehead, but he wasn’t feverish. His skin was cool to the touch, almost inviting her to linger.

“Hero, are you sure you’re not sick?”

“Uh, why…?”

“You keep trying to distance yourself from me, and you won’t meet my eyes.”

He was acting like someone with a contagious disease. Aria could easily heal him, but that would disrupt her gem crafting plans and Serin’s date.

She looked at him with genuine concern.

“…It’s nothing. I’m perfectly fine.”

“Then why are you acting like this?”

“Uh? That’s…”

“If you’re not sick, then stay close. The alley is narrow, and you’re blocking the way.”

“O-okay, okay, just stop pulling my sleeve…”

Alphares’ back alleys had a completely different atmosphere. The most noticeable difference was the darkness, even though it was early evening.

‘There aren’t as many shady people as I expected.’

Perhaps because it wasn’t their active time yet, the alleys were quite clean. The lights from the shops above cast a soft glow, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere.

“It’s cleaner than I expected.”

“Indeed.”

The hero also looked around, surprised. She could have kept her usual clothes on.

‘…But the hero said he liked this outfit, so maybe not.’

She could just say she changed for a change of pace.

“It’s… to the right here. If we go this way, the first sh—oof!”

“Ah, sorry. There’s a large branch there.”

He suddenly pulled her back. Worried she would hit the branch, he had pulled her towards him. She was grateful, but her exposed shoulder bumped against him.

“Thank you.”

She bowed her head and moved to avoid the branch. She was so focused on gem crafting that she probably wouldn’t have noticed it.

‘That was really thoughtful of him.’

But she had already thanked him. It was too awkward to thank him again.

‘…I’ll buy him something at the magic tool shop.’

That should be sufficient compensation. If she considered performance, it was obviously better to make something herself. But this was a token of gratitude, so it didn’t have to be anything special.

Besides, she had already given the entire hero’s party gloves and shoes, so the impact of another handmade gift would be lessened.

‘And I need to give them something else soon.’

She was planning to make something for them in a day or two. So, this time, she would just buy him something.

“The first shop is here.”

She had chosen several magic tool shops to create opportunities for the hero and Serin. The first one was the Red Fox General Store.

“The Red Fox General Store… it has a red roof and a fox drawing, just like the name suggests.”

“Yes. And they specialize in general magic tools. Come on, let’s go in.”

She pulled the hero’s sleeve and opened the wooden door.

Woong.

She sensed a magic circle as soon as they entered, probably for security. The hero, also sensing something, examined the doorframe.

“Hey, mister~? No matter how much you stare, there’s nothing to steal~”

“Ah, sorry.”

The hero, scolded by the owner, followed her dejectedly.

“This way.”

She led him to a corner with several baskets. They were mostly small, basic magic tools, smaller than her palm.

“What are these? They’re so small.”

“These small ones are mostly disposable magic tools. For example, this is… ah, thank you. This one purifies contaminated water.”

She stood on tiptoe to reach a magic tool on a high shelf, but it was too far. The hero took the cube-shaped magic tool and handed it to her.

“Purifies contaminated water? This small thing?”

“Yes. Most mercenaries and adventurers can’t afford to hire clerics or mages. This solves their drinking water problem.”

And carrying water added significant weight to their luggage. She explained a part of the wonderful world of magic tools, and the hero looked intrigued. Seeing his expression, she couldn’t help but smile.

“And this is…”

They stayed longer than expected.

“Let’s go. We’ve been here too long.”

“Huh? Oh.”

“Come again~ you big spenders~”

They weren’t big spenders, and they weren’t a couple! She had just bought some rare ingredients and a few regional specialty magic tools. And it wasn’t a “couple”; it was just the two of them.

“Thank you! We’ll put the purification capsules you gave us to good use…”

“We’re late.”

It was her fault for being engrossed in the magic tools, but that wasn’t the point. It was the hero’s fault for being so attentive and responsive.

“Just one more place. I have to go there.”

“Where?”

“A shop called the Witch’s Garden.”

“Witch’s? Don’t tell me…”

“Yes, it’s run by a witch.”

Of course, there were other witches in this world besides the future witch heroine. The Witch’s Garden was run by a fairly skilled witch.

“I think this is it.”

“Here? Hmm, it looks more like a house than a shop.”

Unlike the Red Fox General Store, which clearly looked like a shop, this place didn’t even have a sign. There were only flowers and vines growing around the door.

But it was precisely because of that that it suited the name Witch’s Garden.

Knock. Knock, knock. Knock.

She knocked on the door in a specific pattern, and a seductive voice answered from inside.

“Come in.”

The door suddenly swung open, pulling her and the hero inside.

Slam!

The door closed with a bang, and they found themselves in a small garden filled with sparkling jewel-like flowers. And within the garden, a witch sat quietly, sipping tea.

“A cute child and a handsome young man. So, what brings you to my shop?”

She was Diyursil, the Jewel Witch, the owner of the Witch’s Garden.

The witch before her, Diyursil, was mentioned in the original novel.

‘She was the witch heroine’s mentor…’

She had helped the persecuted witch heroine and, despite her somewhat intimidating appearance, was a kind-hearted witch.

So what was so intimidating about her appearance?

“Um…”

The hero was desperately trying to avoid looking at Diyursil. That’s right. She was wearing… a rather revealing outfit.

It was just a form-fitting black dress, but the “form-fitting” part was the problem. Seeing the hero’s flustered reaction, Rui felt a strange emotion.

‘…I’m a little angry.’

She didn’t know why. Perhaps she was annoyed that he was only reacting now, after being oblivious to the heroines’ flirting. Yes, that must be it.

In the end, Rui was the one who addressed Diyursil.

“I’m here to learn a technique from you.”

“A technique?”

“Yes. Your technique of inscribing mana and magic formulas into gems.”

“My, what a bold child.”

There was a reason for her reaction. Some mages and witches treated their magic as a secret technique. So for Diyursil, the Jewel Witch, gem crafting could be considered her secret technique.

‘She actually deserves to be called a master of secret techniques.’

Her crafting methods and skills were that exceptional. But the reason Rui spoke to her so boldly was because she knew Diyursil would agree.

“Hmm…”

‘…Or not?’

The witch’s enigmatic smile made her nervous.

“I can teach you the technique. But there has to be compensation, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Ah, about that, I was planning to offer you materials and magic tools you might like…”

“No, I want something else.”

“Huh?”

Diyursil’s gaze shifted past Rui, upwards and behind her. She followed her gaze and saw the hero, who had been avoiding Diyursil and looking at Rui. She realized what Diyursil wanted. She quickly stepped in front of the hero, spreading her arms protectively.

“You can’t have him.”

“My, why not? Didn’t you bring him here as part of the deal?”

“No. I won’t hand him over, no matter what.”

She didn’t know how much time it would take if the hero stayed here and got close to Diyursil. The hero was busy.

“Even if I refuse to teach you?”

“Yes.”

Then there was nothing she could do. Learning from Diyursil was the best option, but if it didn’t work out, she would have to find another way.

Seeing the faint mana emanating from Diyursil, she took out her pen. A few seconds of silence passed, and Diyursil spoke first.

“I’m just kidding, mage. I won’t touch the hero.”

Diyursil stood up, chuckling.

“Come in. If my skills can help defeat the Demon King, I’ll gladly assist.”

She beckoned Rui and entered the garden.

“…Wait, how did you know I was the hero…?”

“I’m a witch. I knew your face from the start.”

Witches also had better insight than mages.

“It was probably a harmless joke. But I can’t hand over the hero, even as a joke.”

“Uh… what do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. I can’t hand over the hero to anyone.”

“Huh?”

Ah, she forgot a word.

She should have added “not to any other heroines…” Well, they probably understood. Or perhaps they thought she meant it in a platonic, comradely sense.

“Hero, please wait here for a moment.”

It was almost time for Serin’s date. She had something to buy from Diyursil first.

“Diyursil, sell me a crafted gem. Now.”

“Now? Why?”

“I want to give the hero a magic tool.”

“Hmm…”

“…?”

“Then… take this. I won’t charge you.”

She handed Rui an opal. But it wasn’t the usual white opal with a play of colors; it was more translucent.

“It’s like water. It suits you.”

“Um, thank you.”

She thanked her and went back outside. She took a brooch she had made a while ago from her subspace and attached the opal to it.

‘I was going to buy him something, but… oh well.’

“Hero, this is for you.”

“This is… a brooch? Why?”

“For the branch earlier. It’s a thank you gift.”

“…Thank you.”

Fortunately, the hero seemed to like it.

“And… it’s going to take a while, so I think you should go back first.”

“No, I’ll wait.”

“No, you should rest. I don’t want to keep you here too long.”

“It’s fine…”

The hero insisted on staying, but she somehow managed to send him away.

“Phew…”

Now, all that remained was for the hero to run into Serin on his way back to the mansion. She had told Serin which route to take, so they should meet without any problems.

She wished them a successful date and re-entered the garden.