After chatting with Lilia-san and the others for a while, I decided it was time to head to the meeting place. Leaving now would put me there about twenty minutes early, which felt like the perfect amount of buffer.
I strolled along, taking in the festival scenery, when I spotted something odd—or rather, a very odd person.
It was a petite figure clutching a large wooden staff, staggering with such a fragile, wobbly gait that they looked ready to topple over at any second. Clad in a deep green robe with the hood pulled low, I couldn't tell if I was looking at a man or a woman.
Either way, their behavior was clearly abnormal. Concerned, I approached and called out.
"...Um, excuse me? Is everything all right?"
"...A young man arrives at just the right moment. Such a kind heart is a rare virtue. Truly, you have my praise. If you are willing, I would be most grateful if you could assist this foolish soul."
"Oh? Uh, sure. If it’s something I can do..."
As I circled around to get a better look, I finally saw the person's face. The robe obscured the length of her hair, but she was a girl with orange hair and vibrant green eyes.
She was tiny, standing only about 130 centimeters tall, but in this world, physical appearance and age rarely lined up. Given that she’d addressed me as 'young man,' she was likely quite advanced in years.
"Truly, the biological world is an unfair place. Some species require no oral sustenance, while others find themselves on the verge of collapse after a mere ten-day fast. Much like myself, as it happens."
"H-Haha..."
"Oh, please don't misunderstand. It is not as if I am some eccentric religious zealot, nor am I a deviant who enjoys self-inflicted torment. Then again, scholars and researchers are all a breed of deviant in their own right, so in that context, perhaps I am one after all? While the question of my own deviancy is a fascinating topic for debate, it is quite irrelevant to the current situation."
"...E-Er, so, what exactly are you saying?"
"...I became so absorbed in my research that I haven't eaten a single thing lately. I intended to seek out a food stall, but this venue is so vast that I became hopelessly lost. If you could spare some food, I would be immensely grateful."
Good grief, her way of speaking was exhausting. Then again, why was it that everyone I met in this world turned out to be a bit strange?
Regardless, the gist of it was that she was hungry. I pulled several food items out of my Magic Box and handed them over.
The woman pushed back her hood and began to eat with startling intensity. Now that her face was fully visible, she was undeniably a beauty. Her hair was a dark orange bob, though her bangs were long enough to partially veil her eyes, giving her a slightly somber aura.
Judging by her distinctive pointed ears, she was probably an elf.
She polished off the food I’d offered in the blink of an eye. After washing it down with the tea I’d provided, she finally broke into a smile.
"Ah, that was a lifesaver. You have my thanks, Miyama Kaito-kun. You truly are a magnificent young man."
"Wait, what? How do you know my name...?"
"The food you provided shows excellent taste, and this tea is quite exquisite as well. One wonders if the quality of a person's preferences is a direct reflection of their character. I lack the data for a definitive conclusion, but don't you find that those with refined tastes often prove to be superior individuals?"
"N-No, more importantly..."
"Oh, you wish to know how I am aware of your identity? Well, you are quite the celebrity now. It would be stranger if I didn't know you, wouldn't it? Granted, in my specific case, I heard the details from my 'people' and a 'friend,' so my information might be a bit more nuanced than that of the general public."
"I see..."
This woman talked way too much. Her speech was like a non-stop machine gun; I could barely find an opening to respond.
"...Um, what do you mean by your 'people' and your 'friend'?"
"Yes, yes, it’s only natural that you would wonder. Do not worry, I shall explain it to you with the utmost clarity. First, by 'people,' I refer to the Elves of Rigforresia. Despite appearances, I am the High Elder of the Elf Race. I tend to be a bit of a recluse, so we've never met, but I've certainly heard the rumors."
"H-Haha... Right."
"But really, don't you think it's absurd to foist the title of High Elder onto a shadow-dweller like me? I am far more suited to staying holed up in a dark room conducting research... though given that such habits led to me exposing my pathetic state like this, perhaps it isn't a lifestyle worth bragging about."
"..."
This person was incredible. Was this some kind of high-level Talk Skill? She managed to spit out three sentences in the time it took me to think of one. I couldn't keep up with the conversation at all.
"Next, the friend. I'm talking about Hikari... ah, she goes by Noin now, doesn't she? Her and Laguna."
"What!?"
"Believe it or not, the only reason I'm here today is because of Laguna. She told me she’d secured an invitation for me and insisted I come—basically, she dragged me here by force. It’s quite a predicament. Personally, I wanted to focus on completing my development of a Magic to Grow Monster Hair... but she is an old friend, after all. I couldn't just ignore her, so here I am, braving the daylight."
"W-Wait just a second!"
"The sunlight is quite harsh, though. I feel as if I might melt... Hmm? Did you have something to say?"
I finally managed to cut off the woman, who seemed capable of talking until the end of time, to ask about the bombshell she’d just dropped.
Also, was that weird magic really worth starving yourself for ten days to develop?!
"You... you know Noin-san and Laguna-san?"
"Hm? Oh, right. My apologies. How rude of me to forget to introduce myself simply because I already knew your name. Please do not think me unrefined; I consider myself quite well-versed in etiquette, and I certainly intend to repay the favor for your rescue. Oh, dear. I've wandered off-topic again."
"..."
"My name is Falce. I've been burdened with the pretentious alias Sage of the Forest, but we can ignore that. As you’ve likely surmised, I'm... well, just your run-of-the-mill, third-rate Mage who once traveled alongside the First Hero."
She offered me a warm, charming smile as she spoke, and this time, my mind went completely blank.
Dear Mother, Father—what is wrong with my encounter rate for strange people? I’m starting to think I’m actually cursed. Regardless, the person I happened to run into was Noin-san’s... former comrade.
Land-battle Type Serious-senpai: "...Wait, what? What is this? Land-battle Type? ...I'm weaker, aren't I? This is a straight-up downgrade, isn't it?"
???: "Huh? Listen here, if you keep mocking the Land-battle Type, I’m going to snap you in half, okay?"
Land-battle Type Serious-senpai: "Eep! S-Sorry! Y-You're right! I'm totally... stronger..."
[HP decreased by 100] [Attack Power decreased by 40] [Defense Power decreased by 30] [Serious Power decreased by 4]
Land-battle Type Serious-senpai: "Are you kidding me?! I am definitely weaker!! I mean, my Serious Power dropped by 4—that puts me in the negatives! My pride as the Incarnation of Seriousness is going to be completely obliterated!"