Is It Bad That the Main Character's a Roleplayer?

Chapter 117: To a Distant Land (11)

Chapter 117: To a Distant Land (11)

【Miss Priestess, what happened?】

Ekuah, chief of the Serhan, sensed a subtle change in the village’s atmosphere before and after his chat with the guests.

While the chief of the Vigabol appeared oblivious, as a native of this village, Ekuah could immediately tell that something was off.

【I will tell you now.】

When the Vigabol chief began speaking with his companion, he took the opportunity to ask the Priestess about it.

The woman who’d served as a priestess long before he even became chief bowed slightly and whispered some urgent news at his question. It was information that made him jump in shock despite knowing he needed to remain composed.

【Wh-What did you say?】

【Please calm yourself. You mustn’t show any reaction.】

【Y-Yes, of course.】

Ekuah managed to regain control over his body, but his heart was racing wildly.

A warrior, enveloped in black Arcane Power, sweeping through the forest like a storm!

Ekuah had already been of the opinion that this outsider was a remarkable warrior upon hearing that he killed Chibineng. However, after hearing this, he couldn’t think of the outsider as merely a ‘remarkable warrior’.

Had this warrior been a dweller of the Great Forest, he would have been hailed as a great hero.

【I would like to have a conversation with... that guest. Of course, the Vigabol chief is also curious about him, so we should invite him before everyone... So, erm, could you get his permission?】

Ekuah, who’d become chief at a very young age due to the early passing of the previous chief, behaved with dignity befitting of the position, but he simply couldn’t erase his admiration for heroes.

Actually, this had been the first time in a long while since the chief had uttered such a child-like request. Had the Vigabol chief not been present, he would have clung to the Priestess’ leg, begging her.

In fact, he already felt rather disappointed about having to meet him alongside the Vigabol chief.

【That’s...】

【I-Is it difficult?】

【...He has expressed a desire to leave early.】

【Oh, no...】

The Vigabol chief’s interest in speaking to the outsider no longer mattered.

Since they already owed the stranger a great debt of gratitude, it was their duty to persuade the Vigabol chief to let him leave. Asking any more of their guest would be nothing short of shameless.

But, but...

Ekuah couldn’t hide his disappointment. He greatly wished to speak to this great warrior! He wanted to see the majestic figure of the one who’d driven away the Jatav warriors...!

【Is something the matter, Chief of the Serhan?】

【N-Nothing at all. Let us proceed. I hear the training ground is ready.】

However, he couldn’t remain a boy. Ekuah quickly resumed his role as chief and attended to the chief of the Vigabol.

【Priestess, make sure our benefactor lacks for nothing until his departure. I place my trust in you.】

【Don’t worry.】

It was now time to move toward the sparring area.

* * *

“It really does absorb Arcane Power...”

The Archmage and I carefully examined the captured Jahukaya.

More precisely, the Archmage observed the snake while I silently sat in the back.

For reference, three of the four snakes I’d caught were securely locked within a cage of wooden stakes we’d prepared. The remaining one was left free in a controlled environment for ongoing observation.

Since these snakes couldn’t consume things like leather, dirt, or wood, we didn’t need to be concerned about them escaping. I was just here in case the Archmage gets attacked.

─ What’s going on? –

“Ah, I was finally able to confirm it.”

─ Did something happen? –

“Well, something did happen, but I can’t tell whether I should call it good or bad.”

─ What is it? –

The Archmage was talking to White Wind through a crystal bead-like object.

Maybe due to the Arcane Power drifting from it, the snake, which had been nibbling on Arcane structures created by the Archmage like a pigeon pecking at breadcrumbs, suddenly started to get closer to the Archmage.

Snap.

“Do you have a death wish?”

No, I mean, come on. You should move away when you notice a snake approaching or something. You shouldn’t just stand there.

I was so startled that I ended up stepping on the snake.

“I know you’ll save me, so what might be the problem?”

Was that guy serious??

─ What’s with that snake? –

“It’s a snake that can consume Arcane Power.”

─ ...What? –

“I don’t know if it was made in the same way as the one we killed before, but I have confirmed with my own eyes that it indeed consumes Arcane Power. Oh, by the way, we captured four of them this time, so we don’t have to worry about having too little—”

I desperately danced around, or rather, pretended to be like the Demon Knight, to get out of this.

Sir Archmage, whatever you noticed, please just let it go this once. Just this once. I promise you, I’ll maintain my Demon Knight act even more diligently than ever from this moment on.

“You.”

I lowered my hand and focused on the Archmage. I couldn’t miss a single word he was about to say.

“If you’re troubled by anything, please tell me.”

I couldn’t miss a single word... Rather, here he goes again.

I scrunched up my face, bracing for another barrage of ‘Are you okay?’ and ‘How is the seal?’. It was a reaction that more reflected my true feelings than acted-out ones.

“None of your business.”

“Demon Knight.”

Yeah, yeah. As if I didn’t know what he was worried about. Of course, I knew, though.

Even though I was old enough to understand that someone nagging was just a show of concern, hearing someone nag this much was simply frustrating.

As for my character, so long as I contained the Demon, I could allow a certain degree of restraint—that’s why I’d endured everything until now—but that had its limits, right? This just had to be a normal temper flare-up.

“I—”

“It seems you’re starting to underestimate me.”

Ah, shit. I forgot to tell him about the seal again. Ah. What a drag.

But it would be pretty awkward if I talked about it now, right? Yeah. I should put it off a bit more. If worst came to worst, I could just ask White Wind for a spare without telling the Archmage.

“I have let many things slide. Truly many things.”

Instead, I took a step closer to him.

Beeeeep. That tinnitus had yet to subside, as well. It was a little irritating. It wasn’t anger, just mild annoyance welling inside me due to this subtle irritation.

“Don’t cross the line any further.”

...So this wasn’t venting my anger. It shouldn’t be.

No, it mustn’t be.

Being unable to control one’s emotions and taking them out on others was simply too uncool.

So, this was just part of my act. It was about time for my character to start getting pissed off.

The Demon Knight was the one most wary of the Demon, and he was also the one who experienced the most stress because of it. How angry would you be if someone else started poking at you?

“...I.”

The Archmage, seemingly caught off guard by my reaction, started to stammer.

“...I’m sorry.”

However, he eventually apologized. I didn’t want him to do this. It wasn’t even his fault.

“Although it’s a bit late for me to say this, how about we take a short break before moving on?”

“No need.”

Seriously, the Demon wasn’t about to come out. We could just leave, so why was he acting like that? The Archmage seemed to be developing some sort of paranoia. Well, I suppose I also would if I were in his place, but still.

“I’m struggling here, though.”

Ah, it seemed like I was the one paranoid here. How embarrassing.

I thought he wanted us to delay our journey because of me.

“...Pathetic.”

I deliberately concealed my embarrassment. After all, I also needed some time. Time to separate my own emotions from my persona.

...If the two started blending together, this wouldn’t be fun anymore.

【...Is there a problem?】

【No, no. But could we delay our departure a little? He’s quite proud and doesn’t like to show his troubles, but it seems he’s still suffering a little from the poison’s side effects.】

【Of course, I’ll handle it. I’ll also get a healer...】

【No need for a healer. He’ll probably just get angry and refuse any treatment. Instead, could we get some more of the medicinal tea that the Priestess gave us?】

【Of course.】

【Thank you.】

Ah, I wondered how long we would have to rest. If it was going to take a while, could I take a nap? My fatigue level was a bit high.

Bang!

【...?!】

【Th-The training ground!】

Ah, great. Not again.

【The chief is over there...!】

【Send someone immediately! Hurry!】

I closed my eyes tightly after looking toward the part of the village where the explosion had come from.

My Quest Window wasn’t working, but why did it so clearly feel like a Quest was looming over me?

It was starting to wear me out.