After enjoying our time on the boat at a leisurely pace, we headed toward Hero’s Hill just as Olivia-san had requested. We reached the base via her teleportation magic and began making our way up the tourist path.
It was already past the peak hours for sightseeing, so there wasn't a soul in sight. The atmosphere was wonderfully peaceful. Because Hero’s Hill was considered a sacred site on a global scale, it lacked any gaudy or over-the-top developments. Other than the stone monument at the summit and the well-maintained path leading up to it, the hill had been left in its natural state, which gave it a pleasant, rustic charm.
The distance to the monument was significant, so wooden benches had been placed along the way to allow visitors to rest during the ascent. At least, that was the idea. I didn't think we would actually need them, as it didn't seem like much more than a brisk walk.
Or so I thought when we first started climbing.
"Haah... haah... hahii..."
"Um... Olivia-san? Are you doing alright?"
"I-It is no problem... haah... goodness... hah..."
No, there was definitely a problem. We hadn't even made it halfway, yet she was completely out of breath. She looked like she was fighting for her life. The slope was supposed to be quite gentle, but she seemed as exhausted as someone reaching the end of a grueling mountain trek.
"It's not just my imagination—you look like you're really struggling. Why is this so hard for you?"
"I was careless... haah... This area... is outside the jurisdiction... of the Friendly City..."
"Ah..."
Her words made it click. Olivia-san possessed a power similar to Shiro-san’s Authority, which allowed her to exert power comparable to a Supreme God—but only within the limits of the Friendly City. I had heard that outside the city, she only had the strength of an ordinary person. I had heard it, yes, but...
"There’s a bench just a little further ahead. Let’s take a break there."
"No, I am fine. I cannot possibly impose such a burden on Kaito-sama..."
"I want to rest too, so let's stop!"
I suspected that even by the standards of "ordinary people," Olivia-san was on the lower end when it came to physical stamina. I guided her to the wooden bench and made her sit down before taking a drink out of my Magic Box and handing it to her.
"Here, Olivia-san."
"I... I am truly sorry."
"There’s no rush. Let’s take our time."
The drink I handed her was a sports drink. I happened to have a fair number of them in my Magic Box because I had recently stocked up on a large shipment.
Originally, these had been created at the request of Aoi and Hina. Alice’s Weapon Shop was located in the basement of my house, and while those two had started out buying only weapons and armor, the shop had eventually expanded its inventory to include general goods for adventurers. When Alice asked them for suggestions on new products, they mentioned wanting a sports drink rather than plain water, so Alice had obliged.
Since I had been keeping up with my jogging, I’d bought a significant quantity to keep on hand. As a side note, the drinks had been so popular with Lilia-san and the others that Alice eventually started selling them publicly through a trading company represented by Nia-san of the Ten Demons. Apparently, they were selling like wildfire among adventurers and knights, and Alice had been looking quite pleased with the profits.
"I am alright now. I apologize for the trouble I caused."
"Olivia-san... your legs are literally shaking. You don't look alright at all."
"I am fine. In the worst-case scenario, you may simply leave me behind. I can return to the Friendly City on my own if need be..."
"Hmm..."
I wasn't sure what to do. At this rate, I didn't think Olivia-san would ever reach the monument. She clearly wasn't accustomed to physical exertion. Then again, considering that without her divine powers she spent almost all her time praying inside the Cathedral, her lack of stamina was somewhat inevitable.
She told me to leave her behind, but this was a place she had specifically asked to see. I couldn't bring myself to just give up on her.
"Alright, I've decided. Olivia-san, from here on out, I'm giving you a piggyback."
"What!?"
The slope was gentle and the remaining distance wasn't that far, so I wouldn't have any trouble reaching the top while carrying her. The only real question was whether or not she would accept it.
"N-No! Absolutely not! This is far beyond a mere imposition. To place such a weight on Kaito-sama..."
"Olivia-san."
I had anticipated her protest, but I had no intention of arguing back and forth about whether we were going to finish the climb. When I gave her a wry smile that made my feelings clear, she turned pale with comical speed.
"Please reconsider! I beg of you! I shall be crushed by the sheer weight of my own guilt! Please!"
"I'm going to carry you to the monument on my back. The matter is settled, so please comply... It's an order."
"Aaaah... You’re so mean."
If I had asked for her permission, her sense of duty would have forced her to choose the most humble option, regardless of what she actually wanted. My only real choice was to push through. Sensing that I wouldn't budge, Olivia-san slumped her shoulders in total defeat.
Serious-senpai: "Given the terrain, I figured a piggyback was likely, and here we are. But don’t be fooled—in terms of pure physical contact, a piggyback is actually more intimate than a princess carry. That means... are they going to be flirting even more in the next chapter? Damn it all!"