The continent was home to countless regions.
This also meant that a diverse array of cultures and traditions had been passed down. While the specifics varied from cultural sphere to cultural sphere, there were universal truths that had been transmitted across ages and places.
Most of these were ethical principles that humanity was generally expected to adopt.
Altruism, sacrifices for the community, or the spirit of supporting the weak while restraining the strong.
These ideologies often constituted the foundation of the human spirit. They were significant values that formed the basic structure of society, and several teachings rooted in them were also being transmitted.
These were lessons shared by the countless inhabitants of the continent.
For instance, there was one saying that every boy would inevitably hear while growing up.
Three things a man must be careful of to avoid ruin.
Alcohol, women, and drugs.
In truth, the first two were unavoidable. I had already accumulated too much karma.
But I never expected to fulfill the last condition.
Would I end up ruined like this?
A bleak outlook began to cast a shadow in my mind. A future where I would fall into debauchery, intoxicated by alcohol and drugs.
The Lady Virgin Saint would nag me every night, and Senior Delphine would probably brush off whatever I did as expected.
Senior Elsi surprisingly had a self-sacrificing side. Though she would be hurt, she wouldn’t let it show in front of me on purpose.
As I continued these pointless fantasies, I reached a forbidden realization.
Not bad, huh?
It could actually be described as a life anyone would dream of. Having competent and beautiful wives to indulge in every day like a layabout.
However, I soon had to erase that ominous blueprint from my mind.
It was because I thought about the remaining women.
Emma would be swallowing her tears as she watched me deteriorate day by day. Additionally, Ceria would be wandering the night streets with her sword in hand.
To track down the woman who had spent a night of pleasure with me.
The mere thought was horrifying. I wanted to prevent the tragedy of our peaceful village becoming a hub of mysterious serial murders.
Just then, while I was lost in my thoughts.
“Don’t worry too much.”
Emma’s assertion came as if she had peeked into my heart.
Startled by her sudden words, I turned to look at Emma.
A gentle curve graced Emma’s lips. It was a warm yet firm smile.
As if to say, “Don’t think useless thoughts.”
“It’s not meant for mass production. The ingredients are hard to come by, and the preparation process is quite tedious. Of course, it’s effective, but…”
“It’s not something to be consumed recreationally?”
At my response, Emma nodded. She then added an explanation with a professional air.
“If that were the case, there would be far more efficient recipes. Those are the kinds of things that circulate in the black market.”
Hrm, I swallowed hard.
Then, just what had this recipe been given to me for?
Ultimately, there was only one way to navigate through this predicament.
“…Um, Emma?”
“I understand, I’ll give it a try.”
Before I could even make a request, Emma returned the expected answer.
Was it that easy to read my inner thoughts?
I coughed awkwardly to hide my embarrassment, but I couldn’t avoid Emma’s curious gaze.
“I just need some time. There are a lot of unfamiliar potion processes, and it requires skill rather than knowledge. There are many ingredients that can easily be mistaken… For now, I’ll gather the materials in a few days.”
“Thank you, Emma. And…”
Just as my mouth was about to utter words of gratitude, Emma’s delicate finger touched my lips. I was instantly startled by the softness of her skin.
A woman’s finger was so slender and cool.
Though I had touched it countless times before.
It felt different when it brushed against my lips. Emma didn’t miss the moment I was lost in thought.
“Don’t apologize. I have received much more from you.”
“I’ve paid off all my debts, haven’t I?”
As if to show off, I tapped the hand axe I had strapped to my waist.
It was a treasure worth several thousand gold.
In other words, it was more valuable than the corpse of the monster I had sacrificed to save Emma. The going rate I had overheard for a corpse was about ten thousand gold.
So, there was no reason for Emma to feel indebted to me. If I were an investor, I had rarely made a better deal.
Yet, Emma simply shook her head with a peculiar smile.
“No, I received something that’s more precious than my life.”
“What’s that?”
“What that is…”
Emma’s voice, which had been flowing naturally, suddenly stopped.
A soft pink mist began to rise on her lovely face. Though her expression remained the same, it was clear that Emma was feeling embarrassed.
What on earth was she going to say?
As I sent her a puzzled glance, Emma coughed lightly and slightly averted her gaze. Then, as if making a decision, she tightly closed her eyes.
The upper body of the woman leaned slightly closer, reducing the distance between us.
With a very brief gap, sweet breaths brushed against my ear.
What Emma managed to say despite her shyness was merely one word.
“…You.”
The face of the woman revealing a secret was already blushing as if about to burst.
For a moment, a foolish expression escaped my lips as a chuckle slipped out.
What was she talking about?
I gently wrapped my arm around Emma’s shoulder as she began to retreat, pulling her closer.
The result was obvious.
In a moment of hesitation, Emma ended up burying her face in my chest. Perhaps she hadn’t expected this outcome, as her breath caught in her throat.
Now, it was my turn to whisper.
“I’m thankful for your existence, Emma.”
As I tightened my embrace around her and spoke these words, Emma was rendered speechless.
She simply closed her eyes and surrendered herself to my embrace.
For quite some time thereafter, I enjoyed my time with Emma.
A foreign sound resonated from within my arms as I exited the workshop.
It was the sound of a metallic key clashing. It was the last gift Emma had given me as she saw me off.
“…It’s my workshop key.”
A soft glow lingered on Emma’s face as she spoke that way. The aftereffects of our affectionate encounter still lingered.
“We are, well, in a romantic relationship for now.”
Meaning I could come and go freely anytime.
The workshop of a mage and alchemist was especially a secretive place. It contained research materials and various visions that they valued as their lives.
Thus, receiving the key to the workshop held particular significance.
It meant I trusted the person to the extent that I would risk everything.
There was no way I could feel anything but joy. I decided to gladly accept Emma’s goodwill.
A few minutes after stepping out of the workshop with a light heart.
My mind became heavy once more.
There were still many unresolved issues lingering. Like the noblewoman Lupeisia or the means to catch the vampire.
The incident hadn’t truly begun yet.
Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated as the questions that needed answers piled up. The only thing I had to look forward to was the existence of “Senior Elsi,” who had come from the future.
She was a woman who had been studying a way to revert victims affected by vampires back to normal.
It was reasonable to deduce that she might hold some secrets. Especially the strange silence she maintained during our conversation about vampires bothered me.
Would I have to seek out Senior Elsi again?
I was lost in these thoughts when, in the distance, I spotted gray hair.
It was one of the symbols possessed by the bloodline of vampires. Furthermore, her blue pupils glistening beneath it were as beautiful as finely crafted jewels.
In that instant, I couldn’t help but think of the moon.
All men would feel the same. Even while walking under the midday sun, how could one express the entrancing beauty that carried coldness and darkness within?
However, the moment our eyes met, the girl exclaimed.
“…Senior!”
My junior, Ceria, instantly brightened and a radiant smile blossomed like the sun.
The maiden who called out in a carefree voice approached me with quick steps. The serious expression she had worn previously had long been crumpled and tossed into the trash.
And as Ceria came closer, she naturally grabbed my sleeve and sniffed.
A chill ran down my spine.
“Why do you smell like another woman?”
“Because I met another woman.”
At my perfectly reasonable answer, Ceria immediately puffed up her cheeks and asked.
“Who is it?”
“If I tell you, you’ll cause trouble.”
“Ahhh! Who is it…?”
“No matter how much you act cute, I won’t tell you.”
Seeing my firm stance, Ceria deflated and looked gloomy.
Though her pout was so cute that I nearly faltered, I managed to steady my heart. No matter what, I couldn’t tell Ceria about Emma.
Instead, I decided to change the subject and bring up another topic.
“So, why did you have such a serious expression?”
“Oh, that.”
Then Ceria laughed, as if it were nothing serious, and said.
“I went to visit Lady Haster, but I heard she’s gone missing. And then I bumped into Senior Ian, so I wanted to express my gratitude to Lady Haster separately…”
“Please, say that earlier…!”
It was crucial information for me.
