I am back – Chapter 66

The next morning.

Still, I felt much more at ease when it seemed like the other party members would wake up soon.

I think seeing things firsthand resonates more than merely understanding them conceptually.

Of course, that doesn’t mean the feelings disappeared completely. Even though I felt a bit better, I was well aware that my bad habits could resurface at any moment.

“Thanks.”

I wanted to express my gratitude because she eased my troubled heart.

“No need for that. I can do at least this much. Considering what you’ve done for Irrelaysia… Moreover, the watch was originally something party members took turns doing.”

Arna lightly tapped my arm as she spoke.

“Let me know anytime if you need help. I’ll gladly respond to your requests.”

“…Okay.”

I didn’t feel like rejecting her offer.

Turning down help in a party that risked their lives to protect each other was akin to saying I wouldn’t cooperate. Even if I meant it kindly and she was more than willing to help, refusing help when it was needed would indicate I was diminishing my own capabilities.

…I knew this was not the time to deliberate such matters.

But still, she was a comrade trudging alongside me through those battlefields.

That was our way, and that’s why I wanted to follow that way even now.

Arna nodded happily at my response.

I was truly grateful for that smile.

I didn’t explicitly ask her not to tell anyone else, but it seemed Arna was steadfastly keeping such discussions to herself.

Even when morning finally arrived, the party members greeted me with the same cheerful expressions as always.

*

Even though I had people living with me now, my daily routine didn’t change much. I was still keeping up with my morning exercises.

In fact, the other party members joined in on the workouts too.

The ones who first joined me in the exercise were Kalia and Arna.

It all started when Kalia happened to run into me as I was heading outside early in the morning, and Arna came out after hearing the door open, witnessing Kalia and me about to head out together.

It wasn’t a workout involving sword swinging or archery, but running early in the morning felt refreshing.

“Running with a mask is inconvenient, but running without it is a struggle in its own way.”

Of course, there were Arna’s small complaints.

“Winter is coming soon, so the air should clear up a bit.”

The Siberian winds would sweep away a lot of dust.

Thinking back, winter in Irrelaysia didn’t seem that cold. It wasn’t that it was completely warm, but it felt warmer than the winters I experienced in Seoul. It didn’t even snow that much. I wasn’t sure if it was due to the difference in latitude or some quirks of that other world.

Considering how the constellations could appear in such ways, it wouldn’t be strange to say it was due to the magical forces enveloping the world.

Should we go hiking somewhere together before the snow falls?

Anyway, the two who eventually discovered that the three of us were going out every morning were Pia and Dana, and soon they joined us as well. So every morning, we would all go out together, running and sweating it out.

Though there were three showers in the house, there were five people living in the house. I suggested we should set a showering order—

“What do you mean? You’re the owner of this house. Naturally, you should bathe first without needing to set an order.”

Kalia said that decisively while wiping her sweat with a towel.

“If we go by that logic, you’re guests—”

“If you’re a guest staying one or two days, we might consider being considerate. But since we plan to stay here long-term, it’s not polite for the owner to suffer disadvantage. A guest should follow the etiquette of bread and salt.”

“And if we go by order, it’s more convenient for our side to have a fixed person go first.”

Dana chimed in, enhancing Kalia’s argument.

“It’s better if one person is fixed, allowing the others to pair up and wait. We don’t even need to crowd in your room while waiting.”

“Uh, no… you can come into my room anytime…”

Pia interrupted my words.

“Certainly, the three places where you can shower have attached spaces. Trying to use all three simultaneously could probably get a bit hectic. It could get confusing too.”

“Right, we’re just guests here. The owner shouldn’t have to put up with inconvenience.”

“But… strictly speaking, this house belongs to the Goddess—”

“The Goddess gave it to you, so it’s entirely yours,” Pia said, smiling confidently as her words left me without any rebuttal.

Anyway, this routine of sweating it out every morning and then gathering at the dining table for a meal became the start of our daily life.

“I’m thinking of going to the museum today. Unlike Irrelaysia, which disappeared along with its civilization due to the Demon Race, there seem to be quite a few relics remaining here. I’ve heard there is guidance service, although I’m still a bit clumsy at reading and interpreting texts. Understanding the culture should make it easier to adapt here. They say there are even a few items from other civilizations.”

“Oh, then I’d like to go too. I can interpret at least the guide texts. Even though tough characters might be tricky, if there’s a guide, that changes everything.”

“That’d be helpful.”

And so, Kalia and Dana’s plans were set.

“I don’t have any specific plans.”

Arna said.

“Neither do I. I would want to visit the church we went to last time when I find the time… but I think it would be better to go together.”

Pia replied to Arna’s words.

“Then it looks like it’ll just be the two of us at home today. Let’s take care of things.”

“Rather, I should be the one taking care of you.”

Arna and Pia exchanged smiles in their conversation.

In reality, there was no need for us grown-ups to report to each other where we were going or where we would spend our time.

It felt more like a habit than a necessity.

While we never separated on the battlefield, wandering around the town together continuously would be a waste of time. Everyone had their own tasks, and hanging around together here and there would mean overlapping multiple people’s schedules for no reason.

Of course, there was always at least one party member with me… but truth be told, I had no reason to do something alone. My sword was a holy sword, so when it needed repairs, I could go to the blacksmith with Kalia or the cathedral with Pia. When Dana needed to buy materials for potions or Arna needed materials for arrows, I would also accompany them to lend a hand.

It was partly because I was a little naive and would likely be easily deceived by a scammer, but it was also about having backup to help out when needed. After all, I did know how to use my strength properly.

Even if we had to split up, we still had to know what each other was doing to shorten the time it would take for us to gather in case of an emergency. So we always set a focal point and communicated where we would be and what we would do before acting. If there was a chance one of us would be absent, we’d make sure to inform the innkeeper and sometimes even leave a letter.

What the party members were doing now was an extension of that.

“I’m planning to be at my usual working place.”

I stated finally.

While it was the same routine as always, I wanted to be included in what my party members were doing.

“Uh, I know that place. Although I’ve only heard about it…”

Kalia replied.

“Speaking of which, I haven’t actually been there myself.”

Pia said, looking a bit dazed as if the realization was rather shocking.

“Um… but there’s ‘Older Sister’ that Siyun mentioned there, right?”

Dana cautiously asked Pia. While the question was directed at Pia, she was likely seeking my permission more than anything.

Kalia and Arna silently looked at me.

I gave a light chuckle to those gazes and replied.

“Okay. I’ll visit someday… um, just not today for now.”

I also needed to prepare myself mentally.

Older Sister Yu-ri often visited, but she was close to Older Sister Ah-yoon.

If four foreigners who would attract anyone’s attention at a glance visited at once, even Older Sister Ah-yoon might have a hard time keeping her composure.

“Let me know when you’re ready. I’ll make sure not to be a bother.”

To Kalia’s reply, I nodded.

“Yeah, I’ll let you know soon.”

For now, I guess I have to inform Older Sister Ah-yoon about my situation…

She had appeared surprised when I mentioned I was living with four friends last time.

Well, I couldn’t hide it forever, could I? It wasn’t courteous to do that to her, nor to my comrades—no, my friends.

I had been wanting to introduce them for a long time since Irrelaysia.

Both she and Arna, Kalia, Pia, and Dana were all invaluable people to me.

“I’ll definitely tell you.”

I reaffirmed as I said that.