Three days after defeating the Demon Lord, today was the day I had a date with Agetha in the royal capital. I followed the events of the previous timeline, visiting the theater in the morning to purchase tickets for six days later and having lunch at a famous restaurant recommended by the staff.
Afterward, Agetha and I strolled through the city, leisurely shopping together. The central district of the royal capital was bustling with numerous shops, catering to both local shoppers and tourists. There was an abundance of goods in various stores, making it enjoyable to simply look around.
However, having explored the shops thoroughly in the previous timeline, it felt a bit dull the second time. Agetha seemed to be enjoying herself, so I stopped by a bookstore to pass the time.
I picked up a book that caught my eye and flipped through its pages. Books were generated through the Priest class skill, "Automatic Scribing," resulting in a tendency for shelves to be filled with myth-related literature. However, these books were often too formal in content, and I wished for something more casually readable.
There were also spellbooks available. I tried flipping through one, but the content was too complex, and I couldn't understand what was written.
"Should I head back to Agetha?"
Leaving the bookstore, I walked while searching for Agetha. I found her inside a particular shop, gazing at something.
"What are you looking at?"
I asked, approaching her.
"Um, rings…"
Certainly, in front of Agetha, there were rings displayed in a glass case.
"Do you want one?"
"Yeah, but it's expensive, so it might be difficult…"
Checking the price tag, it was written as 300,000 El. El was the currency unit in this country.
300,000 El was almost the amount I could earn in half a year as a farmer. It was a considerable sum. Despite wanting to give Agetha a present on this special occasion, it seemed impossible for me to afford it, considering my current balance of 0.
"In my country, there's a custom where people in love wear the same ring. So, I wanted to wear a matching ring with Kisska…"
"Is that so?"
One ring was 300,000 El. Buying two would cost 600,000 El.
It would be great if there were an easy way to come up with this much money.
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"After returning to the royal palace, we had dinner, and then Prince Eligion, who visited my room, asked me to attend the Triumph ceremony. In return for accepting, I received tickets for the VIP seats at the theater, just like in the previous timeline."
"Kiska, today was enjoyable again."
On the bed, Agetha and I were relaxing. Perhaps due to crossing a certain line yesterday, Agetha felt closer than usual. Even now, she was leaning comfortably against me. At this proximity, a faint sweet scent emanated from Agetha. Maybe because of this fragrance, I felt an inexplicable desire to indulge Agetha.
"Agetha."
Calling her name in a somewhat drawn-out tone, I embraced her while enjoying the pleasant warmth coming through the fabric. I started feeling a bit romantic, so I extended my hand, intending to—
"No, Kiska."
"Why…?"
"Wait until I finish bathing. So please be patient until then."
If that's the case, I can endure as much as needed. So, I distanced myself from Agetha. She then got off the bed, preparing to head to the communal bath. Initially, I thought our relationship had started casually, but now I genuinely liked Agetha. Perhaps the more time we spent together, the more I found myself growing fond of her.
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The royal palace's public bath is spacious and open.
In that large bath, Sage Nyau immersed her body.
Due to Nyau's small stature, when he sits with his buttocks on the floor, her nose is submerged in the bathtub. Therefore, Nyau needs to squat.
While in the bath, one must remain still. Perhaps because of this, Nyau's mind has been crowded with thoughts.
Deep down, Nyau knows that something is off about herself.
The cause of her strangeness is undoubtedly the man named Kiska and the girl, Agetha, next to him.
When she closes her eyes, she seems to be thinking only about Kiska. When she learned that Kiska and Agetha were lovers in the carriage, she was shocked to the point of tears streaming down involuntarily.
Thinking back to when she cried, various emotions, embarrassment, pity, sadness, well up, making her feel depressed.
"What should Nyau do…"
She mutters in a fading voice.
Even though she has been thinking, the answer has long been clear.
"It's quite a coincidence to meet here."
Turning towards the voice, she sees a figure standing in the bathtub.
"Hero Agetha…"
Never expected to meet her in a place like this. Reluctantly, Nyau averts her gaze from the person she doesn't want to face.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Y-yes."
Even though she really doesn't want to, she has no choice but to nod, lacking the courage to refuse.
(What on earth does Nyau want from him?) That's what Nyau thought.
"Do you like Kiska?"
Nyau's face twitches at the unexpected question. She never imagined being asked such a thing.
"N-no, it's not like that…"
She denies it on the spot. After all, the person before her is Kiska's lover. She can't affirm it.
"I see, denying it. But, judging by your attitude, it's hard to think you don't like Kiska."
Saying so, Agetha throws a sharp glance at her. Being looked at with such a gaze makes it feel like Agetha can see into her heart, causing Nyau's heart to race.
"Well, I can understand falling for Kiska since he's so cool."
Not knowing how to respond, Nyau can only stay silent. However, when Agetha mentioned that Kiska is cool, she blushed faintly.
"But I'll tell you this much."
Saying so, Agetha brings her face close to Nyau.
What on earth is she going to say?
"I've already shared a bed with Kiska. Maybe, he'll seek me again today."
"…!?"
For a moment, Nyau couldn't understand what Agetha was saying. However, once she comprehended it, Nyau instinctively lowered her gaze.
"Kiska is infatuated with me, so unfortunately, there's no room for you to intervene."
Saying that, Agetha stands up from the bath, seemingly intending to go somewhere.
It seems like she believes she has said everything she wanted to convey.
"Ugh…"
Nyau can't help but shed tears. Fortunately, being in a bath, crying doesn't attract much attention. She felt an overwhelming sense of humiliation.
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