I'm exhausted.
It's probably psychological, because the abilities I have almost certainly block me from experiencing normal things like exhaustion anymore, but...
The point remains the same.
"Congratulations, Master! You've won the quest and the reward for it!"
What reward?
A new set of armor? I don't think I need it if my skin is already like iron. Not as a quest reward, anyway.
"Oh, no, Master, you've been given a very special gift for defeating the boss and proving your strength! The Queen herself has chosen to reward you with a special item."
...I really don't want a blueberry yogurt flavor or whatever. Just to be clear.
"It's not yogurt, Master. She likes blueberry jam."
I don't.
Want jam.
Nor do I still care what this woman wants or likes except whatever is required to leave this damn place.
"Master, you can't just be rude to her! She's a powerful ally!"
I don't care. I've seen no evidence anywhere that I need any kind of allies at all. Except to avoid having to strike down a forest of elves, but it hardly counts if the only problem she resolves is herself.
But.
If I'm being offered a quest reward...
Well.
"What is it?"
"She will return shortly with it, Master!"
I sigh, aggressively carding my fingers through my hair. I suppose I should be somewhat satisfied being able to fight the enemy I just did.But it doesn't feel worthy of note, much less celebrating, when the challenge didn't exist due to my impossible strength.
It wasn't a test of my skills or ability.
It was a test of my patience and not much else. And it feels like that particular test has yet to end.
"Master, I have news. Queen Liyana is coming with your reward."
Finally.
Though I don't expect much.
If it's something I can sell then maybe it'll be worthwhile?
I don't know if there's anything that I need to buy at this point - or that I'll want to. But it'd be something.
"As a token of our gratitude, let me give you this." The queen holds out a box in her hand and opens it, revealing my reward.
It's a silver-and-wood bracelet, delicately engraved and woven together with what I can easily assume is magic.
"This is an elven bracelet of projection." The woman nods and smiles. "It shall give you some limited control of shadows and illusion. May it be of use to you in your foolhardy quest."
...That sounds about the level of a simple side quest reward, yeah.
"What does it sell for?"
"--What?"
I don't care if the tone in the voice of the queen changes or not.
If I'm not interested in it, it's useless to me.
And that's just how it is.
She stares at me for a long moment, and then shakes her head. "It is a priceless treasure. It is not something you can sell."
Everything has a price.
Unless this world has some kind of enforced no-selling-quest-items rule. But if that extends to quest rewards that's..
Just a quick way to piss anyone off. Who wants to keep a bunch of junk forever?!
"The bracelet is a gift, and cannot be sold. It is a rare and valuable artifact that has been in our possession for generations. You must take it and appreciate its worth."
I'm not sure if she's saying that to me or trying to convince herself, but.
Either way, it's not a gift.
It's an obligation.
If I refuse it now, I might undo all the effort I put into defeating that irritating shadow.
So.
"...Fine."
If I can't sell it, then maybe Meera will be able to use it, at least. She's a magical type, and presumably she's not already unlocked every single magical power on her own. Unlike myself, middling gear is probably good for her.
Which is yet another reason why I never asked for these damn abilities! There's no satisfaction of progressing to better equipment if it's all just worse than what I started with.
The queen hands me the box, and I take the bracelet.
"Thank you."
It's the right thing to say, even if it's not the true sentiment.
She nods, and turns away, gesturing for her guards to follow.
The elves file out, and I'm left alone.
...We're really not under house arrest this time. She's true to her word at least, it seems.
But.
The real test is ahead of me. Or at least it better be.
I'll find out when we finally make it to the Demon King's lands.
Or maybe I won't.
I've got no idea.
I'm not looking to be over-prepared, though.
There's a line between preparing for the worst and worrying too much.
I put the bracelet in my pocket and head back to the room where the others are waiting.
Elara's eyes light up when she sees me, and she waves. "You did it, Ryo! Wow, that was amazing!"
"Was it...?"
It wasn't anything impressive, in my opinion.
It wasn't even a fight. I just. Bounced my weapon off of a creature that couldn't hurt me . It was...
Basically devoid of entertainment.
For me, or for anyone watching, I'm sure.
I didn't feel anything from it.
Well. Anything but frustration and boredom, anyway.
But I can't imagine it was fun to watch, either.
"Master, you did a great job, but...the curse of the Sword of the Demon King was a terrible one. Losing your clothes mid-battle! It must have been so painful to finish the fight like that....!"
...I didn't need to be reminded of the nakedness.
Especially not when standing in front of witnesses to that battle.
I sigh.
...Better to just ignore it.
For my own sanity.
And theirs.
"Well, the good news is we're allowed to leave now."
Elara's eyes light up. "Really?! That's great! Well, of course. You succeeded in proving your strength, after all."
Did I?
I would have considered it more like resourcefulness or cleverness but...
Well. It doesn't matter. I want out of here before some other side quest activates purely because we've been standing in one place more than thirty seconds at a time.
And leaving is the reward I wanted from the start anyway