Still from the Little Witch’s perspective.
My name is Rufe.
I was training for my upcoming trip with Alraune every single day.
With the map in hand—the second secret of travel—I had moved on to the next stage of my training. Today, my Flashy Man Master and I headed to the Adventurer Guild.
"Gathering information on our destination, the Royal Capital! That is the third secret of travel!"
"So we're here to gather info?"
"Exactly! Thanks to the booming trade in Saint Nectar, merchants are constantly heading to the capital. We’re going to squeeze every bit of intel we can out of the adventurers who served as their guards!"
"I see. You’re actually pretty smart, Master!"
I’d assumed that even an Adventurer Guild wouldn't have much information on a place as far away as the Royal Capital. But if it was just a matter of listening to stories from people who had actually been there, maybe even I could handle it.
Besides, I knew a few adventurers myself.
I scanned the faces of the adults in the building one by one, but I didn't see anyone I recognized.
"The Corporal and Drink Bar aren't here..."
As I started to feel a bit dejected, a bearded man I vaguely remembered stepped out from the back.
"Whoa! If it isn't Kyle! You here to pick up a request for once?"
"Sorry to disappoint, Guild Master, but I’m just here as this girl's escort today."
"This girl? ...Wait, isn't this little Rufe from Crimson Flower Princess Lady Alraune’s place?!"
The man—the Guild Master—bellowed, drawing everyone's attention. In an instant, every adult in the guild turned to stare at me. It was a little intimidating.
But more than that...
"Lady... Alraune...?"
"You bet! It's thanks to Lady Alraune protecting the forest that the Demon King’s Army stopped their attacks! And because of her Saint Nectar, Tower City is seeing a boom like never before! Isn't that right, boys?!"
The surrounding adventurers cheered in response.
"We’ve got so many jobs guarding Nectar merchants that we can't even keep up!"
"And the pay is great! Bless the Saint Nectar!"
"My little sister got a job in town bottling the stuff. Everyone's so grateful there’s more work now."
"Lately, it’s not just merchants. We’re getting more tourists, too. I bet the Food and Beverage Industry Guild is loving it."
"Look at my head! My hair actually grew back thanks to that Saint Hair Tonic!"
Adult after adult threw words of gratitude my way, their eyes sparkling. It was clear they were truly, deeply thankful to Alraune.
"The city’s never been this lively, and it’s all thanks to Lady Alraune. Everyone knows she defended the place all by herself when the Glanz Empire attacked last year."
The Guild Master spoke with such pride, as if he were bragging about his own family. It was strange; I’d never once heard Alraune mention him.
"I didn't realize everyone loved her this much..."
I was thanked whenever I went into town, but it was usually the same few people. It had been a long time since I’d felt this kind of warmth from strangers.
"Even during the festival, it wasn't like this."
During the Spirit Festival, the people who were already friends with Alraune and the Sisters who worshipped her had welcomed us. I also knew the Lord had treated her like a guest of honor by calling her a spirit. But the average person on the street hadn't been quite this enthusiastic back then. To think things had changed so much in just over a year...
"I’m so happy..."
Even though they were praising Alraune, I felt as proud as if it were about me. The adventurers of this city had truly accepted her.
—Even though they’d tried to get rid of us at first.
When Alraune and I first arrived in the Dryades' Forest, adventurers used to come to hunt monsters. Everyone called her the "Man-eater Alraune" and tried to kill her. I thought we would never be accepted by humans. I thought we were destined to live in the shadows of the forest forever.
But Alraune worked so hard. She defeated the Dryad of the Four Heavenly Kings and saved the city.
Slowly, the number of people who treated her kindly grew. Nina, the Lord, the Corporal, Drink Bar, the Sisters, the Master Carpenter... people who didn't care that she was a monster. I knew our friends’ minds had changed, but seeing this level of gratitude from people I didn't even know was a first.
"Tell me... has Alraune really become a part of this city now?"
"Of course she has! Doesn't matter if she's a monster or not. Lady Alraune is basically an Honorary Citizen! Right, fellas?"
The crowd erupted in agreement. Everyone talked about Alraune as if she were just another person. No one looked disgusted.
—If that was true, then maybe...
Maybe the people of this city could accept me, too? Even if I was a witch?
Only a few people here knew the truth about me. Since they were people Alraune trusted, I felt safe around them. But maybe the rest of them wouldn't look at me with hate either, even if they knew. Maybe I could just be myself here.
—But no.
No matter how friendly they seemed, they were still human. They might sell me out eventually, just like the people in my old village did. I couldn't let my guard down yet. Not until Alraune and I were more secure. And not until I was old enough and strong enough to protect her myself.
"Here, little Rufe. Have some juice."
The Guild Master led my Master and me to a table and handed me a cup of juice sweetened with nectar.
"It’s on the house. We owe you more than we can ever repay!"
"...Thank you."
Watching the adults laugh and carry on, I felt the tension leave my body. I felt a bit silly for being so worked up.
—Maybe I can trust them, just a little.
As I reached that conclusion, the Guild Master sat down heavily across from us.
"So, what brings Kyle and little Rufe to our guild today?"
I sipped my juice in silence until my Master nudged me with his elbow. Right. The training had already started. I was the one who had to speak.
"Um... I want... information. About the Royal Capital."
"Information on the capital, eh? Is that all?"
"And... anything useful about the towns on the way there..."
"Perfect timing. I was just talking to some guys who guarded a merchant caravan back from the capital. I’ll share what we’ve got."
"Were you gathering info too?"
"Of course. As you know, Lord Manfred is having his wedding in the Royal Capital soon. I wanted to be prepared."
That was right. The Corporal and Drink Bar had already left to serve as the Lord's escort. I think I’d heard that the receptionist—Alraune’s friend—had gone with them too. That explained why so many of the people I knew were missing.
However, a familiar face appeared to take the Guild Master's place. The Guild Master patted him on the shoulder, said "I'll leave the rest to you," and stood up. The newcomer sat down in his stead.
"It has been quite a while, Rufe-san."
"Oh, you're..."
"Have you forgotten? I am Nebiros."
I'd seen him before. He was the demon who had joined us when we visited my old village.
"Perhaps this will help you remember. I am the father of Yasmin, Alraune-san’s friend."
"Wait, why are you here?"
"I’ve actually taken a job as a clerk here at the guild. I happen to be very fond of paperwork."
I remembered now. Yasmin, the receptionist, was a demon. And this was her father. But why was a demon working as a human guild clerk?
"You wanted information on the Royal Capital? I’m the one organizing the reports, so I can tell you whatever you need to know."
"Whatever I need..."
That was a lot. I didn't even know what to ask for a trip. I decided to start with the thing I cared about most.
"Does everyone in the capital know about Alraune?"
"Oh, certainly! Her fame has spread far and wide. Saint Nectar is the latest craze; I hear there’s hardly a soul who hasn't tried it. The Saint Hair Tonic is also a massive hit among the nobility. Lady Alraune’s popularity is soaring."
"But if she goes there... will people be mean to her?"
"That is a difficult question. Unlike Tower City, the capital’s view on monsters hasn't changed much from the old days. I can't say there’s no danger."
I knew it. The Royal Capital was a scary place. What if she was attacked the moment we arrived?
"However, there is a faction in the capital that worships Alraune-san. They would surely be her allies."
"Worships her?"
I didn't quite get it.
"Like she's a Goddess or something?"
"Exactly. The teachings of Founder Sister Hildegard are quite persuasive. Every day, more people in the capital join in her praise. I believe that Sister used to live here in Tower City."
"A Sister from here...?"
Did he mean that Sister who was obsessed with Saint Nectar? So she was gathering allies for Alraune in the capital? Maybe she wasn't so bad after all.
"Rumors are also spreading that Alraune-san looks exactly like Saint Iris. Between that and the healing power of the Saint Nectar, some people have begun to worship her as a reincarnation of the Saint."
"............Saint Iris?"
I knew that name. It was the name of the human Saint who supposedly looked like Alraune. I’d heard it many times, and every time I did, Alraune would get a strange look on her face.
I was Alraune's guardian and her big sister. I’d always been curious about this Saint Iris and her connection to my little sister.
—Maybe Alraune wants to know about her, too.
Alraune was keeping secrets from me, but she probably didn't know much about this Saint either. After all, Alraune was born in the forest where we met. This was the perfect chance. For Alraune's sake, I should find out whatever I could.
I asked the question that had been burning in the back of my mind.
"Tell me more about this Saint Iris."
Next time: Little Witch's First Travel Plan - Part 4.