「――But I’m glad to see you’re doing better than I expected.」
“Ugh… Y-yes…”
Somehow, Nel answered shyly while looking down on the bed.
After being caught in the rain for several minutes, I was somehow invited to Nel’s room, dried off with a towel, and started with some safe small talk like “How’s your health?”
However, considering how frantically Nel was preparing, I was sure she wasn’t weak enough to not be able to get out of bed.
Even so, actually facing her and hearing her cheerful smile say, “I’m okay,” brought a different kind of reassurance.
“Your complexion doesn’t seem too bad either.”
“Hah… P-please don’t look too closely…”
It seems she’s embarrassed to have her face, which looks sick, stared at. She covered her face with both hands, and at the same time, her white wings flared out to cover her upper body. What an adorable ironclad defense.
“Here, if you like, please eat this.”
From the shadows, I took out a small paper bag with a smiling woman’s logo on it. This is what Wil strongly recommended as a gift for her.
“Ah, is that the pudding from ‘Sweets Smile’!?”
“Yeah, I heard you like that.”
To be precise, I “read” that. That letter really showcased Wil’s information-gathering skills.
“Yes, I love this! Thank you, Chrono-kun!”
Nel’s face broke into a broad smile, and for a moment, even the slight dark circles under her eyes sparkled with tears of joy. If she’s this happy, then the trouble I went through to buy it was worth it.
It was surprising that pudding is sold as a specialty in Rune, but the length of the line of female customers at that shop called ‘Sweets Smile’ was astonishing as well.
Among that youthful line of maidens stood the Black Nightmare Berserker. I seriously struggled through that. Mentally.
What shocked me the most was the absurd price of one small cup being fifteen hundred Klan. As expected of a shop in the Upper District, the pricing was that of the upper class.
“Um, is it okay if I eat… this?”
Of course, please go ahead. I answered cheerfully, but then realized immediately after that it might not be good to have sugar at this late hour. Well, let’s just say it’s fine.
“Right, I’ll prepare some tea. Do you have a favorite brand, Chrono-kun?”
“No, no, don’t go out of your way.”
She seemed to be passionately eager to enjoy the pudding that she loves, and I stopped Nel, who was trying to hastily jump out of bed with a cheerful smile.
It’s absurd to have a sick person serve me when I came to visit her.
Also, I don’t know anything about tea brands from another world. I only have the intention to enjoy everything deliciously.
“No, really, I’m fine. I’m not feeling unwell at all; I could go on a Quest right now.”
Her gentle smile was unmistakably the Nel I knew. Sure, her complexion was slightly pale, but her demeanor was filled with spirit and vitality, just like when she was determined to rescue from the infirmary of the Great Arena to Ischia Castle.
In other words, it wasn’t going to be easy to stop her.
“Ah, I’m not very good at cooking yet, but I can brew tea nicely!”
Tea is probably a hobby of royal nobles. It’s generally something that should be done by servants, but when conversing with foreign nobles, or if close friends come to visit, it’s not unusual for the master themselves to serve their guests when of equal standing. It’s one of the etiquette and skills required for socializing among the upper class.
As a princess, Nel must have been taught it quite strictly.
“Alright, then I’ll be treating myself.”
Since I had no particular requests, I left everything to her. As for her health, she should be fine as well.
After a few minutes of waiting while looking around the neatly organized room and chatting a bit with Nel as she prepared the tea.
“Please, enjoy.”
On the small round table set in front of me, a tea set was arranged.
The amber tea, releasing a refined aroma along with steam, was called black tea in this world too. I don’t know if the tea leaves and production methods are the same, but the taste and fragrance are similar, and just like that, it can come with options like milk, lemon, and sugar.
The cute flower-patterned pot, matching design cups filled with black tea, and the saucers underneath. Nearby was sugar and a stirrer neatly arranged.
It was quite well done. The rumor about her often having tea parties with the female members Charlotte and Safi seems to be true.
She might be royalty and a noble girl, but to sit on a cushion on the floor and gather around a table like this, it feels whimsically like a schoolgirl event. Well, imagining that Safi is among them makes it somewhat complicated.
That girl really gives the impression of being locked away in a workshop surrounded by skulls, with a wicked grin while indulging in experiments. It’s a baseless assumption, however, I somehow have a mysterious certainty that it’s not entirely wrong.
“Thank you, I’ll enjoy this.”
I felt a bit slightly embarrassed being watched with sparkling eyes by Nel as I drank the tea, but I made an effort to appear calm. Attempting not to gulp it down, I took a quiet sip.
“…It’s delicious.”
“Great, I’m glad it suits your taste.”
With genuine joy radiating from her, Nel said softly with a gentle smile.
It really did taste good without any flattery, but for some reason, at this moment, I felt a bit, no, quite flustered.
C-calm down. Nel doesn’t bear the earnest, naive feelings akin to a girl in love, wanting to be praised by the man she has feelings for. She is simply happy as a friend, with no ulterior motives.
However, when presented with such an utterly innocent expression, it’s terrifying how easily one might misinterpret her intentions.
“By the way, why is there pudding for me as well?”
To distract myself, I attempted to change the subject. I was already intrigued the moment I saw the pudding with ‘Sweets Smile’ branding, prepared so casually next to the tea.
The pudding I bought was just one. I assure you, it wasn’t out of stinginess; simply, that was all they had left.
“That was something that somehow ended up in the fridge. I think someone who came to visit you brought it.”
“Is it alright for me to eat it?”
“Yes, it’s better to eat together; it tastes better that way.”
Damn it, I can’t help but feel ashamed of my earlier thoughts regarding selfishly hogging a pudding that costs fifteen hundred Klan. Nel is indeed a compassionate princess. Meanwhile, I, even as a Rank 5 adventurer, remain a somewhat penny-pinching commoner.
“Ah, the one I get to eat is properly the one that Chrono-kun brought!”
Nel giggled like a child, and I couldn’t come up with a proper response. For now, I should internally apologize to whoever it was who bought the pudding for Nel. Sorry, but I’ll be the one enjoying this expensive pudding.
“Well then, let’s dig in.”
“Yes, I’ll enjoy it too.”
As expected of something so pricey, the pudding was delicious. It was on a different level from the one I made based on my hazy recipe. After Count Redwing, also known as Akaba Zenichi, shared the recipe, the pudding likely underwent its unique evolution in Rune. It was certainly a pudding I had never tasted back in Japan.
As I pondered this deeply, the expensive-looking spoon engraved with white feathers I was using tapped the bottom of my cup. It’s gone; the serving size is indeed small.
Looking over, I saw that the spoon with red lightning relief in Nel’s hand was also scooping from her cup’s void in the same manner.
“S-sorry, I was just a little hungry…”
She finished her pudding at the same speed as I did, and her shy fidgeting and excuses was downright endearing for a girl. Damn, she seems about thirty percent cuter than usual… mental fortitude.
So, I enjoyed the nighttime snack time with Nel. Just like the days spent together before heading to Ischia Castle, our conversation naturally flowed.
Having spent so long in bed, Nel must have been fed up with boredom; she talked more than usual about various things.
Stories from her childhood, about when she first met Wil, the emotions from receiving her Blessing, and her blunders on her first Quest. Or topics like her favorite desserts, favorite restaurants, subjects she excels in, and classes she struggles with, and so forth—all harmless topics.
Amidst all that, I suddenly remembered something important.
“――Speaking of which, I forgot to say thank you.”
“A thank you?”
Nel tilted her head with a gesture only a beautiful girl could naturally pull off as she questioned me back. It was only natural she wouldn’t remember since it was so far from the right timing.
“Saving Ischia was thanks to you, Nel. Thank you for lending your strength.”
“Eh, such… I just did what was expected of me…”
Her expression showed surprise as if she didn’t expect to be thanked for something so obvious, perhaps because it reflected her gentle heart and high abilities that could make her actions seem natural.
Still, I wanted to make sure I said it.
“No, without the charm you gave me, the ‘White Feather of Heart and Spirit Protection,’ I would have been parasitized by Slowsgil.”
Come to think of it, Nel knows about the parasitic monster Slowsgil that was controlling Greedg.
I briefly explained and emphasized just how dangerous my situation had been, reiterating my gratitude.
“Really, thank you. You’re a lifesaver, Nel. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to save anyone. No, to begin with, the Cursed Weapon Gladiatorial Tournament wouldn’t have ended smoothly. If you hadn’t helped me, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything…”
“Fufu… Uhehe, it’s fine, Chrono-kun. You don’t have to try to do everything perfectly all by yourself.”
In what was meant to be gratitude, I inadvertently let slip weak sentiments. With a smile as gentle as a true goddess, Nel said that to me.
No, it wasn’t only the words. Leaning over the small table, Nel took my hand and gently enclosed it with both of hers. It was a real saintly posture, extending a helping hand to a troubled lamb.
“Friends are those you can rely on and help each other, right? Therefore, Chrono-kun, you can rely on me more. I also want to be more helpful to you.”
I think of Lily and Fiona, and now I truly consider Nel a trusted companion as well… but somehow, it seems that I’m shouldering too much myself.
There’s a difference between being needy and being able to rely on others. I thought I understood that, yet drawing the line seemed painfully ambiguous.
“Just hearing you say that is a relief.”
“I feel saved too, being able to hear that from you, Chrono-kun…”
Nel’s hands holding mine tightened a bit. Her delicate white fingers warmed as they entwined. I wonder if it’s merely my own impure thoughts that are making me feel this way.
No, with Nel’s vivid blue eyes staring at me like this, there’s no way any man could remain indifferent. I was badly turning…
“Not bad, but… patience is necessary.”
Concluding that things were getting a bit dangerous, I tried to discreetly shake off her hands, but it seemed my intention didn’t get through at all. Nel’s hands continued to gently restrain my right hand.
“Chrono-kun…”
As if to escape from Nel’s slightly feverish, moist gaze, I averted my eyes, and it was at that moment.
“—Princess Nel?”
A girl’s voice, accompanied by a knock, sent a shiver down my spine. The warm air that had enveloped the room instantly dissipated. The hand I was holding also separated at that moment.
Who is it? No, it doesn’t matter who it is; this is bad. Very bad.
Nel seemed to understand the situation, her eyes widening in shock. I probably had the same expression of surprise.
Because it’s true. I don’t belong in this girls’ dormitory, let alone in the room of a princess who is bedridden.
It would be bad enough to be caught trying to sneak in through the window, but being seen inside the room is even worse. Instant arrest for being caught in the act. There would be no excuses accepted at the station.
“It seems you’re resting… may I come in?”
If you’re resting, then don’t come in! I screamed internally, but that would not stop her from entering through the door.
Damn it, if it comes to this, I might have to break through the window to escape—just as I thought that, I heard.
“Chrono-kun, hide over here!”
Nel exhibited the remarkable skill of shouting in a hushed voice. The hiding place she indicated was the bed.
Yes, Nel was urging me to hide under the covers on the bed.
This… feels like it would lead to an even worse situation than just being found in the room, being discovered in the same bed.
If simply being found means execution, being found in bed is likely to lead to execution after torture.
However, breaking through the window to escape is also a problem. It’s certainly not the best strategy. Moreover, I can’t find any other potential hiding places. Damn it, if only I were Lily-sized, I could hide in that closet!
While I was thinking this, for some reason the sound of the girl trying to enter the room started echoing with the unlocking of the door. This is bad; there’s no time left to hesitate.
“Chrono-kun, hurry!”
“Guh!”
Determined, I jumped—not through the window but onto the bed. Holding onto the slim hope of going unnoticed.
“Fwah… W-wah… Chrono-kun…”
“I’m sorry, Nel, just a little longer, please endure.”
As I dove under the covers, we naturally found ourselves in an embrace. Of course, I didn’t show my head. I didn’t, but because of that, my face pressed against Nel’s chest. It’s not just touching; it’s more appropriate to call it a compression.
The twin peaks beneath her pure white nightgown enveloped my face. Softness, warmth, scent, and a bit of breathlessness. The pounding heartbeat that had been racing in this emergency began to beat even faster.
I don’t want to be apart, yet I do want to be apart. I can’t get away from her in the first place. Nel tightly hugged me to her chest, refusing to let me go. My head felt like it was going to explode.
“Excuse me.”
Unbeknownst to me, right as I was touching the edge of tense excitement and crumbling rationality, she finally stepped into the room. I desperately held my breath, suppressed my presence, and fervently prayed for this threat to pass. Ah, it’s reminiscent of when Sariel chased me while escaping from the experimental facility…
“Well, the light is still on! And the tea’s just sitting there… How rude, the last visitor is truly a disgrace.”
She must be a student residing in the same girls’ dormitory, probably taking care of Nel since she was recuperating. It’s probably already the dorm’s bedtime, and she likely came to check up on her.
However, hearing her voice, which carries a clearly displeased tone while looking around the room, reminded me that this girl is the one named Helen, who challenged me to a duel under false pretenses.
I see, she’s the captain of Princess Nel’s Imperial Guard, and as a child of some distinguished noble, she must not find it a bother to take care of the princess. In fact, judging from her devotion, she probably does it willingly.
However, right now, I’m suffering because of that loyalty. Although she made me feel terrified in the arena against my will, damn it, Helen, you really have a chance to kill me right now…
“…Get out.”
“Princess Nel?! You were awake?”
To get through this dire situation, Nel started her improvised act. Even though I knew it was just acting, her obviously displeased voice had a powerful impact that made me flinch.
“Just hurry up.”
“I-I’m very sorry… Excuse me…”
Receiving a heartfelt rejection from her beloved master, Helen left while openly displaying her sad apology.
Hearing the sound of the door closing and the locking mechanism engaging again, I have never felt so at ease in my life.
After a few seconds of silence descended in the room.
“…Nel, isn’t it already okay?”
“Uu… Chrono-kun, Chrono-kun…”
I thought it would be better if I distanced myself. I thought it would be fine to get out of the bed, but Nel’s grip didn’t loosen. Perhaps she was confused from experiencing so much tension.
“Hey, can you let go already—”
“Fuuuu!”
“C-Calm down, Nel. It’s okay, it’s already okay.”
As I comforted the unusually excited Nel, I gently released her from the embrace, reluctantly, while holding onto such indecent thoughts, I slipped out of the bed.
Finally feeling alive again. At the same time, as I distanced myself from Nel’s irresistibly attractive body, I re-realized the embarrassment of the close situation we had just been in.
“Oh, um… Chrono-kun, I…”
Nel’s face flushed bright red with tension and shame. At this moment, I couldn’t gaze directly at her. I was forced to be aware of it despite my reluctance.
Feeling my own face burning, I spoke while still averting my gaze.
“You helped me, Nel. Thank you. I managed to bluff my way through somehow.”
“Yes… that’s right.”
To be honest, this was truly a lifesaver. I had discarded the option of hiding in bed first because I thought it was impossible not to be found with two people there.
“I never expected Nel’s wings would be useful in this way.”
Yes, the secret that deceived Helen lies in her wings. The trick is simple and straightforward. When Nel lies face down, her large wings naturally spread out on top. Even when folded, they have a considerable area and volume, creating a space big enough to shield a person with just a little movement.
By slightly lifting the covers with her wings, it created an impression that it wouldn’t feel out of place for me to be hiding inside.
“I’m happy to be able to help Chrono-kun.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Nel, hiding her face with both hands and wriggling around like, “Kyaaa!” It seemed her mind couldn’t process anything normally due to the ongoing tension; she had an atmosphere of not having cooled down from her excitement.
Now that I successfully navigated the crisis, I thought, I could have sunk my body into the Shadow Space when I first got under the covers, so I wouldn’t have had to take such risks. Just like when I hid in that wooden box of apples on the ship heading to Pandora Continent.
It was completely too late to regret, but since the situation was resolved safely, I should be satisfied.
“Sorry, it seems I overstayed my welcome. It’s dangerous for me to be here, so I’ll head back now.”
“Ah… y-yes, I understand…”
Though I wanted to say, “Maybe I should stay a little longer,” seeing Nel’s visibly disappointed expression made that impossible given what we just experienced.
“It looks like you’re feeling okay, so at this rate, you’ll be able to return to school soon.”
“…Ah! Y-yes, that’s right! I’ll be fine; I can go back to school starting tomorrow!”
“I’m glad to hear that. Now we can see each other anytime during lunch break or after school.”
“Yes, I… will always be with Chrono-kun…”
Nel’s gaze turned hot and dreamy, and indecent feelings surged up within me again. No, I must escape immediately; I’m anxious that I might do something foolish if I linger any longer.
Hastily, I made my way to the window and steeled myself to jump back into the thunderous night. It was then that I suddenly remembered.
“Oh right, Nel, would you teach me magic again next time?”
After the results of the blessing experiment, I had been made painfully aware.
To master the “Steel Demon King” and “Thunder Demon King,” it was necessary to accurately understand the enchantment concepts of “Defense Enhancement” and “Concentration Enhancement.”
Compared to the “Demon King of Flame,” based on “Strength Enhancement,” which has a clear enchantment concept, it has stable activation and effect duration, with little backlash.
Thanks to direct training from the Demon King himself, I could instinctively activate the second and third blessings even without a concrete image.
However, if they are that unstable and consume too much energy, I would have serious concerns about using them in real combat, especially against Apostles.
I need to find the next blessing, and I must also train to master the ones I’ve acquired.
Well, relying on someone else for this is a somewhat pitiful matter.
“Yes, of course! Ah… but, Chrono-san’s party member… there’s that… witch, right?”
Her cheerful response abruptly shifted; Nel’s expression suddenly became clouded.
Indeed, looking from the outside, it would feel somewhat presumptuous to teach me while a magic adept was available. Truly, she’s a princess who can be considerate to that extent.
“No, it absolutely has to be you, Nel.”
“Eh… w-why me? Am I special?”
“Yeah, I can only ask you. No one else would work.”
It’s true; only she, with her excellent teaching skills and the ability to provide direct mental guidance through telepathy, can teach me modern magic correctly.
Once I’ve had that amazing private lesson, I won’t feel inclined to hear Fiona’s indecipherable sensitive lessons. As for Lily, since she can only use her unique magic, she’s out of consideration.
“Yes, yes! Thank you, Chrono-kun! I’ll do my best!”
If anyone should be thanking anyone, it should be me. But for Nel, whose motto is to help others, she would joyfully accept the chance to be useful to me. With her wings fluttering busily behind her, she must be genuinely delighted.
“Thank you. Then, see you tomorrow, good night.”
“Yes, good night, Chrono-kun.”
With that, I left Nel’s room. As quietly and swiftly as I had entered, I departed from the girls’ dormitory.
While heading back through the pouring rain, I suddenly realized something.
“Now that I think about it, Nel seemed fine normally, but why was she bedridden until now…?”
Certainly, she would have been able to go to school healthily if I hadn’t visited. From what Wil said, she didn’t seem mentally strained or anything.
Was the Iskia battle tough enough that even Nel wanted to take a little unfair break and laze around?
“Well, as long as she’s okay, that’s all that matters.”
Concluding this, I returned to the dorm in a good mood, relieved about one of my worries.
Nel has obtained “Chrono’s Used Spoon!”
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