The branches crackle inside the fire.
Lilly gathered all the dried branches, and Igni set it on fire with his {Fireball} to make the campfire.
Although the forest was pretty noisy and lively during the day, during the night time, the forest itself doesn’t fall silent.
The sound of the wind, the cries of birds, the calls of beasts, and the groans of the Monsters.
Those all merged as one chorus and gently rained upon Igni’s group.
Alicia: “It’s pretty cold out here.”
Igni: “Yeah, the nights are especially cold.”
Igni and Alicia sit next to the fire as they speak.
When night comes, not only does the temperature drop, but the warmth from the earth is also taken away so it feels even colder.
Alicia: “Hey, can I move over your way?” Igni: “Hm? Yeah, that’s fine.” Alicia sits down right next to Igni.
Just with that, it mysteriously feels warmer.
Alicia: “I wonder if everyone is sleeping like they should be?” Igni: “When I checked on them, they were all sound asleep.” When Sara goes to sleep, she sleeps apart from Igni. But tonight, she’s with Lilly and Iris….but she should be okay since Iris likes children, and Sara got used to Lilly after today.
Alicia: “I see. I’m glad to see that everyone’s able to sleep.” Igni: “Yeah, the teachers were saying that it’s harder for kids of the Nobles to sleep in environments like this.” But Edward is sound asleep.
He has thicker skin than he lets on so he should be fine.
Alicia: “Igni….you….” Igni: “Hm?” <CRACK!>
One of the branches popped making a loud sound.
Alicia: “You…...saved me back then.”
Igni: “Yeah, I did.” Alicia: “Why did you?”
Igni: “Because Alicia, it was you.” Igni had no hesitation with his answer, and spoke matter of factly.
Igni: “I saved you, because it was you, Alicia.” In response to Igni’s words, Alicia buried her face into her robe. That was to hide the fact that she was blushing but….
Igni: (Is she cold?)
Igni completely misread the situation.
Alicia: “Hey, Igni….”
Igni: “Yeah?” Alicia: “Do you have…...anyone you like?” The question finally came…….!
At that instant, Igni’s muscles tensed!!
ーーConfirming who you like!!!
But if you were to flip that coin, it was a question coming from someone who likes you……!
Whether that person is someone you can confess to…….whether that special someone will answer your feelings……….!
By asking first, you try to avoid the risk of getting turned down……..!
Humans are creatures who do not like making mistakes……..!
But if you were too straight forward, the other person may find out that you like them……!
Hence, that’s why you beat around the bush…..!!
Igni: “A person I like…..huh…” Alicia: “Is there someone?” But now, in the back of Igni’s mind, there is a calm individual who’s objectively asking, “Maybe she’s just making small talk?”
Of course, there is that possibility too……..!
From long ago, girls have liked to talk about topics of romance……!
As boys like to brag about their adventures and accomplishments…….!
Girls equally love to talk about romance……!!
If Alicia was trying to make regular small talk……..then Igni would just be a misunderstanding fool……..!
He would not only embarrassment himself, but he may also lose the favor and respect from the girl speaking to him………!!
Igni: (WhーWhat should I do……….?! What should I say……?!)
Igni accelerated his thoughts and thinking to the point where the world began to slow down as he searched his memory.
<<<<>>>>
[Oye, Igni.]
[.........what……..I’m hungry………]
This happened while Igni was going deeper into the [Demon King’s Realm] without eating or drinking.
[You must never think that you can understand a person’s heart.]
[Huh? That actually sounds like legitimate advice. What’s wrong, Grandpa?” [Listen well, Igni. If you become an Adventurer, there will be times when you will be camping out with a female Adventurer.”
[RーReally?! I’d be in a situation like that…...!?!]
Igni forgot about his hunger and shouted back at his grandfather to confirm.
[Well, wait. You’re getting too excited over nothing. If you were in that situation and they ask, “Hey, is there anyone you like?” How would you answer?”
[Hmmmm, "I like you", that’s what I would say I think.]
[You’re being a creep!!]
<SLAP!!!>
[OW!! WHY?! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?! IF I’M IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT, THEY’RE TOTALLY INTO ME, RIGHT?!]
[OF COURSE NOT, YOU FOOL!!]
<SLAP!!>
[YーYou slapped my left cheek now………!]
[STOP ACTING SO ROTTEN SPOILED!! DON’T FORGET THAT SHE MAY JUST BE MAKING SMALL TALK WITH YOU……….!]
[SーSmall talk? But, that’s their fault for bringing up such a topic…….!]
[STOP BLAMING OTHERS!!]
<SLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!!!>
[UGHHHHHHHHHHH………...the second time on the right side…….]
[NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOK AT IT, YOU’RE IN THE WRONG FOR MISUNDERSTANDING……! BUT AS LONG AS YOU’RE HUMAN, YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES……..! THERE IS NO SUCH PERSON WHO IS PERFECT………!]
[JーJust like when you were caught cheating?]
[I escaped so that doesn’t count.]
What is with my grandfather…? From the hunger, Igni snapped a little.
[Listen well, Igni…..! What’s important is……….to act with the assumption that you will make a mistake…….! Just like how I came up with the Molecular Transformation Spell when I was about to get caught cheating!]
[WHAT?! THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THAT SPELL?!]
[It was what triggered the inspiration.]
[Holy crap, Grandpa…...you really are something else…….]
Igni would have never dreamed that the strongest defensive spell that can nullify all physical attacks came from such a stupid reason.
[REGARDLESS! ACT AS THOUGH YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES!! THAT WAY, YOU CAN ALWAYS RECOVER!!]
[LーLike how…..?]
[Allow her to come up with her own answers!]
[WhーWhat do you mean…..?]]
[Humans do not understand themselves as much as they think…..! So if were to talk about that girl in a roundabout manner…...you may find an opportunity!!]
[I….I see……….!!]
[Humans will always interpret things that suit them the best…..! That is where you need to strike……..!!]
<<<<>>>>
The timing is almost too perfect……!
I can’t let this opportunity pass……..!
Igni: “A girl I like? How about the type of girl I like? Is that okay?” Alicia: “Huh? YーYeah, sure. That’s fine.” Alicia looked a little disappointed at first, but then blushed a little.
But there’s no way Igni would have caught on to such subtle changes.
Alicia: “What kind of girl do you like?” Igni: “Hmmmー a girl who’s always doing her best….and she might always be trying to sacrifice herself…...but in the end, someone who’ll depend on me. A girl like that, maybe?” Alicia: “But that’s……..” Alicia’s face turned redder and redder……
A <DING!> sound came from the luggage.
Alicia: “EEK?!”
Alicia let out a frightened squeal and hugged Igni tightly.
Igni: “CーCalm down. It’s probably that Quest Scroll, right?” Alicia: “Quest Scroll? OーOh, that scroll the teachers gave to us…..”
Igni: “Probably, I think.”
Igni tries to reassure Alicia as he digs through their luggage…….and he found it.
Igni: “Just like I thought, it was the Quest Scroll.” Igni takes out the scroll and unrolls it.
<<<<>>>>
Obtain the [Affection Shroom] before time runs out
09：59：21
<<<<>>>>
And the numbers written below continued to decrease.
Igni: “It says to get the Affection Shroom.” Alicia: “The Affection Shroom? You can get one in this forest?!”
Alicia let out a sudden surprised voice at the news.
Igni: “Hm? Yeah. Looks like it…..is it something that’s rare?”
Alicia: “NーNo. It’s not that rare. But it does grow under very specific conditions…..”
And Alicia lets Igni know with a troubled smile.
Igni doesn’t know.
But through “Fortune Telling”, Alicia has studied it through the “Ancient Spells” and knows it well.
The Affection Shroom.
It is one of the key ingredients for a [Love Potion].
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