"Mr. Thoma! The shelf over here has a problem!"
"Wait a moment, I'll be right there!"
"Thoma! Should the deep purple or the lilac pattern be on top for this decoration?"
"Please layer both patterns together!"
Thoma ran until his legs felt like giving out. The closer it got to the Irodori Festival, the busier he became. He still had to make a trip to Ritou's dock to verify the visiting ships.
The Yashiro Commission was always responsible for Inazuma's cultural affairs. Whether it was shrine供奉 (offerings) or festival ceremonies, they had to strive for perfection—
He felt like he was forgetting something.
Thoma slowed his steps in the hallway, his golden brows furrowed, still holding a dusty feather duster. Every time this thought surfaced, more tasks demanded his attention, forcing him to set it aside temporarily.
"Thoma? Too tired?"
Kamisato Ayaka approached from the front. The moment Thoma heard her voice—
"I forgot to ask Miya if she has time to visit Ritou during the Irodori Festival?!"
The young lady paused.
The small fan in her hand twirled open quietly. Kamisato Ayaka chuckled. "I've already invited Miss Miya Ryuguu. Thoma has been so busy lately, so I took the liberty of inviting her myself."
"Would that bother Thoma?"
"No, not at all—" The housekeeper rubbed his nose. "...I just wonder if Miya might be upset."
Well, they'd find out when they saw her.
"Miss Ryuguu is probably preparing for tomorrow's meeting. Using the Kamisato name might startle her."
Kamisato Ayaka pondered. She'd only seen the girl from a distance and had wondered what she might like during the invitation. If not for the arrangements needed in Ritou, she would have preferred to meet Miya Ryuguu in person. Actually, she'd wanted to approach the girl earlier upon learning about her, but her brother had stopped her.
That girl was like a young animal just emerging from its nest, eagerly exploring her own world.
Moving forward alone, unburdened.
——
"Maybe I should have listened to Yoimiya and not bought so many identical outfits—but they're really convenient."
I'd parted ways with Yoimiya after a big meal yesterday.
Yoimiya said she'd try to finish her work during the festival and visit me in Ritou. However, since fireworks and open flames were prohibited during the Irodori Festival, she was quite disappointed.
I returned to my seaside cottage and started folding my beloved new outfit. After feeding and walking Kettle, I folded the clothes repeatedly before finally storing them in my backpack.
［Buck asked me to tell you］
［Madam Nastalya's alcohol has been stored in the basement. The Mondstadt shipment is still en route］
"Okay, understood. Tell him I might not return to the tavern during the festival. Continue improving the facilities as much as possible."
［Avoid the Irodori Festival］
"Yes, avoid the Irodori Festival. By the way, System, how do I get mercenary missions?"
［I've already altered all documents and relevant memories. Clients will come knocking］
"Such a convenient method."
I took Kettle with me and stretched.
"Haven't killed anything in a while. My bones are getting rusty. Let's go, another trip to Araumi."
——
Three automatons working together were a disaster.
A laser shot from behind pierced clean through my stomach. Blood gushed out, my health bar plummeting. Seeing my intestines spill out, beyond stuffing back in, I had to ask the System to reload.
The pain made my hands tremble, nearly too weak to hold my weapon.
"Wow, that hurts."
This time, I was wiser. I first shattered the floating triangular automaton, impaling it with ice until it was scrap. Even then, a snake-like machine burst from the ground and tore off half my finger, shredding my sleeve and forearm.
My pinky finger, no less. Even more painful.
These machines were only around Level 25, but tricky. It took me nearly half an hour and two reloads to destroy them all.
If Araumi was always full of these roaming nuisances, clearing them out wouldn't be easy.
And the EXP gain was pitiful.
"Didn't even get one-fifth of the EXP."
"Guess I need stronger monsters."
［Yes］
"If I challenge higher-level enemies and defeat them while under-leveled, can I jump two levels?"
［Depends on the enemy's level. Say, Level 40 or 50］
"Even important characters?"
［—Yes］
"Even if I kill them?"
［Do not kill important characters unless absolutely necessary. What are you planning］
"Nothing." I was casual. "Just asking."
I'd picked many Violetgrass on the way. While other foods could restore health, nothing was as convenient as Violetgrass—and since all foods healed the same amount, might as well stick with what's easy.
In the end, Violetgrass was still the most useful.
"Ah, Miss Miya?!"
I looked up, holding half a Violetgrass.
［Important character detected: Traveler］
—It was the Traveler and Paimon.
I looked at the blond figure and blinked.
Aether was sheathing his famous Cool Steel. He executed a elegant sword flourish—a natural move for someone long accustomed to wielding a blade. He was slightly breathless, likely having fought something nearby too. But regardless, he looked much better than I did.
He waved at me.
"What are you doing here?" Paimon flew over, circling me.
I raised the Violetgrass for her to see.
"See? Eating melon."
The blond boy chuckled. Paimon paused, stomping her tiny feet mid-air. "We know you're eating Violetgrass!"
"Paimon means, why is Miss Miya in Araumi?" Aether added with a smile, his eyes gentle.
［Traveler Favorability: 10］
"Just call me Miya," I said.
Paimon was quick to seize opportunities involving food. "Arataki Itto says Violetgrass is best roasted. Want to try, Miya?"
"Absolutely not. This way is convenient."
Aether sat down nearby, neither too close nor too far. Then I watched him somehow produce firewood and a pot out of thin air, starting a campfire. Ingredients plopped in, and soon the aroma wafted out—
Me: ?
Where did you get that pot?
"We haven't eaten either. Secretly telling you, Aether's cooking is amazing!" Paimon whispered to me.
No, Violetgrass was literally my lunch.
"Miya, want to join us?" Aether also used my name. Both of them looked at me with expectant eyes, suggesting I eat with them.
I, I, I...
I was tempted.
How could I forget this Traveler also had a "good big brother" persona?
"Damn it, I was the one who said I'd treat you last time! This smells too good!" I deliberated before finally sitting down beside them with tearful resignation. My mouth watered uncontrollably, amusing them both.
Aether busied himself for a while before suddenly exclaiming, "No more raw meat."
Opportunity arrived.
I pressed down on Aether as he tried to stand. Under their puzzled gazes—I stood up and whistled.
"Kettle is an excellent hunter—"
The large black dog dashed out from the nearby woods, its mouth bloody, dragging a battered wild boar by its tail.
Clearly played with it before killing it.
The boar's legs still twitched, fresh.
"Kettle is such a good girl." I patted its head, took the medium-sized boar from its mouth, tore off a hind leg as a reward for Kettle, and began efficiently cleaning the carcass. "I let her hunt on her own when I exercise outdoors. Kettle is clever, best at butchering boars—Which cut do you want? Belly meat or another leg?"
Paimon stared, stunned.
"Miss Miya, you just... tore the meat apart without a knife?"
"It's convenient. Can't the Traveler do this too?" I retorted.
"No—" Aether choked, covering his face. "Usually, we use knives. My grip strength isn't that exaggerated. And Miya, you've got blood on your face—Belly meat, please."
"You look like a demon," Paimon said with a shudder.
My boar-butchering hands paused.
Something felt off, yet it made sense. I suspiciously turned to him. "You really can't do it?"
Aether's expression was complicated.
"What exactly is my image in Miya's mind?"
I had an idea—and not a good one.
"Uh—" I handed the usable meat to Aether, froze the offal and useless hide into a ball, and gauged the distance to the beach. "They say you're the Honorary Knight who kicks dragons, punches gods, and slays Harbingers with one strike?"
Save—
A baseball pitcher's wind-up, leg raised.
"You're the famous Traveler, right?"
Muscles tensed. The sizable ice ball compressed the air with a deafening sonic boom as I threw it with full force. It arced beautifully into the distance.
The Vision against my chest glowed.
Turning around, I met a pair of sharp golden eyes. The blond outworlder watched me with a probing, slightly pressuring gaze, serious and unflinching. My words, coupled with that dangerous throwing motion, could easily be seen as a provocation.
［Favorability decreased—］
［Traveler Favorability: 8］
The air grew tense for a moment.
Paimon hovered closer to Aether, confusedly looking between us, uneasy. "Wh-what's wrong?"
The boy signaled her to step back. I patted Kettle's head, signaling it to run into the forest.
"Miya, what do you want?" Aether asked.
I grinned, the Debate Club already in hand. The moment I gripped the weapon, a red level indicator appeared above the boy's head. The Debate Club thudded against the ground. I kicked off my geta, standing barefoot as frost spread underfoot—
［Entering special combat: Important character hostile—Traveler］
［Enemy Level: 55］
"Traveler, fight me."
"—Right now."
I wanted to see how much EXP challenging an unbeatable powerhouse would give me.
——