Even eating felt like a monumental task!
I forced my limp body toward Kyle's bedroom. Every step up the grand staircase sent searing protests through my muscles. Tomorrow was my departure day, and even though I had trained with significantly less intensity than usual, the exertion still overwhelmed me.
"Five hours of training daily. It's insane..."
However, no matter how arduous it was, I couldn't bring myself to say I would quit. I knew that while I might have swayed Kyle's decision by firing ten arrows, I wouldn't have been able to persuade the Blake Knights.
"...I just wanted to return to my own desires."
"That's not a good thought." Kyle, standing before the bedroom door, responded to my muttered thoughts and gently took my arm. He then caught me as my body completely gave way.
"Your Highness, I'm all sweaty."
"I've prepared a bath."
"I'm hungry too."
"I've prepared food."
"I'm utterly exhausted."
"Let's rest together after you eat."
He cared for me without a hint of disgust. He tenderly dried my freshly washed hair, then recounted events from outside the castle while we ate. He embraced my languid, weary body, and we lay side by side, his strong arm serving as my pillow.
Yet, Kyle's expression remained somewhat somber. Sometimes I would wince from muscle pain, and the shadow on his face would deepen even further. I nestled deeper into his embrace and said, "You seem troubled, Your Highness."
Kyle let out a soft sigh. "How could I feel at ease watching you suffer?"
"You're being overprotective. The other knights trained far more rigorously than I did. This level of training is necessary; I can't just be stubborn and hold back."
I raised a hand and gently cupped his cheek, a gesture meant to comfort him. He leaned his face gently into my palm and whispered in a low voice, "I cannot suppress my concern for you."
"Yes, but..." After a brief pause, Kyle continued, "However, I don't dislike your resolve. That's simply how you are. My affection for you doesn't mean I wish to control you."
"I know. I'm always grateful for that."
"Your skills aren't sufficient yet." My reflection shimmered in his red eyes. "But they will improve, steadily. For now, that is enough."
I replied, my voice slightly hoarse with drowsiness, "Can I truly do better?"
Kyle smiled in response. "Of course."
It was an unwavering affirmation. His confidence instilled in me a profound sense of security. When he speaks with such conviction and smiles, I truly believe he can accomplish anything. Kyle will always support me wholeheartedly in this way. Even if it's a direction he doesn't want, he will respect my choice.
"I'll sleep for a bit now."
"Yes."
I pressed my lips to his cheek. Kyle then lowered his head, responding with kisses to my forehead, between my eyes, the tip of my nose, and finally, my lips. I chuckled at his tender demeanor, as if I were the most precious and beloved thing in the world.
Before I knew it, I had transformed back into the small hamster and was curled up by his side. A warm, soft silence enveloped us, a comforting cocoon that gently drew us into the world of dreams.
It was the day of the new mine expedition. I steeled my expression, attempting to conceal my nervousness. Beneath my calm facade, my heart hammered a frantic rhythm against my ribs.
[Kyle Jane Meinhardt. Approximately one day left until the estimated time of death.]
'It'll be fine.'
No, it had to be fine. This wasn't the first time I'd faced such a crisis. I muttered to myself, trying to ignore the anxious pounding of my heart. I believed I could manage this time too, just as I had managed so far.
Kyle gently squeezed my hand, then released it. It was a gesture of reassurance. He probably thought I was nervous.
"Don't be too surprised if Shu disappears mid-journey. We'll be using miniaturized magic items for safety." Kyle fabricated a plausible excuse to explain my absence to the expedition members. He also added that last spring, he had assisted Belial and received magical artifacts for his involvement in a political dispute. "These items would allow me to accompany them safely, despite my physical limitations. He explained that the expedition might encounter mages from the lawless zone, or even mutant species, and in such situations, Shu's knowledge would prove invaluable."
It wasn't entirely a lie; the item truly possessed a miniaturization function.
I ate the mini Brazil nut madeleine I had purchased in advance from the nut store, then struck a majestic pose in Kyle's palm.
"Oh, I think I heard about that. The Demon Matheist used something magical in that political conflict."
"That was His Highness Belial's support."
"It must be incredibly expensive..."
"It's expensive for commoners like us. But you, Your Highness, are a prince."
The knights murmured, glancing at me. While some eyes held a mix of curiosity and suspicion, they ultimately nodded, seemingly convinced. They seemed particularly satisfied that he could effectively bring me along, despite my weak physical strength.
[Current miracle value 58.0%]
Sadly, the leading digit of the 'miracle value' had changed.
'Load' time would be reduced by one hour.
Still, it was far more efficient than repeatedly eating acorn cookies to avoid arousing suspicion. I sighed heavily, crept into Kyle's pocket, and deactivated 'Load'. Unless he opened his pocket, no one would know if it was a tiny person or a hamster.
"Let's go!"
The expedition began to move forward. Kyle led his horse through the plains. Thanks to this, my body swayed violently back and forth, like popcorn popping wildly in a hot pan. The ride quality was truly terrible. It was fortunate I had eaten only a little breakfast. If I had eaten everything Kyle offered me, I surely would have vomited in his pocket.
—Ugh... I tried to calm my throbbing stomach and pulled an item from my inventory: 'Eyes of Insight,' which I had bought at the Love Love Corner.
[(o―o)++]
Unlike the 'Eye of Truth,' which were glasses for humans, the 'Eyes of Insight' were designed for hamsters. Wearing these round, horn-rimmed spectacles allowed me to perceive the presence of nearby demons. It wasn't possible to discern their exact forms; like on a game's mini-map, they appeared only as red dots, and only a few could be counted.
"But this was enough."
I quickly raised my left foot and kicked Kyle's side. As I continued to kick vigorously at his left side, he sensed my urgency and ordered the knights, "Watch your left flank! Stick to the right and make as much speed as possible to pass."
"Okay!"
Upon reaching the mountain and preparing to cross, I adjusted my glasses, poked my head out slightly, and surveyed the surroundings.
"Let's see..."
—There! I pointed to the right path. Although the slope was steep and the road bumpy, it would be far safer than the left path, which teemed with dozens of red dots.
Kyle glanced down at my tiny finger and said, "We're taking the northeast road."
James Russell, the captain of the knights riding behind us, spoke. He seemed somewhat anxious, his voice sharper than usual. "Your Highness, this is the area of the Wyvern nest. Are you certain?"
"I know. It's fine; let's proceed northeast."
"I see."
After ascending that path for some time, and contrary to my worries, the surroundings grew quiet, and the expedition members began to converse with puzzled expressions.
"Wyverns should have been active for a while now..."
"It seems they left to search for food."
"This truly was safer, wasn't it? We won't even have to backtrack along the canyon. We can save our stamina."
I triumphantly raised my thumb in my pocket. The system also seemed to be in a good mood.
[(^▽^)b]
Saving as much time and stamina as possible until we reached the mine was a significant advantage. The knights asked Kyle and James in cheerful voices, "Your Highness, Captain, how on earth did you know the way so precisely?"
"I'm curious as well, Your Highness."
Kyle chuckled softly and tapped his pocket. "Shu is guiding us."
"Wow, that's amazing."
"I don't know how you did it, but thanks to you, we're safe!"
"Demonstrator, could you take a look at this? It's quite cute, seeing how small it is!"
"That's right. Say hello!"
Could I? Unless you want to greet a hamster wearing horn-rimmed glasses, please stop calling for me.
'By the way, it's quite cold.'
Even in summer, after riding north for over half a day, snow began to fall, its delicate flakes a stark, biting reminder of the notorious chill of the northern regions. I shuddered, and Kyle gently patted me through the fabric of his pocket.
"Let's cross this mountain and prepare to make camp. We've arrived earlier than planned, so we'll enter the mines tomorrow morning!"
"Okay, Your Highness!"
I heard his soft voice over the rattling of horses' hooves. "It'll be warm soon. Don't worry too much."
—Okay.
"It's a shame I can't see your face much, though."
—Hmph. I'll see plenty of it tomorrow anyway.
"Yes, do you want to see me too?"
—Chirp. No... As we continued our seemingly fruitless conversation, James, who was riding nearby, spoke to Kyle.
"But, Your Highness, isn't there a faint chirping sound coming from somewhere? It sounds like a bird..."
...Why are all northerners so sharp-eared?
After that, I remained quietly squirming in his pocket, careful not to make another sound until we were ready to make camp.
'Sigh.' I felt like a foolish hamster.