Volume 6, Chapter 25 – Each Sets Out on Their Own Journey

After celebrating my birthday, Char and I rented a room at a hotel and spent the night talking deep into the hours.

I shared many memories from my travels, and Char told me plenty about what had happened in the White Moon Kingdom after I left.

More than half of Char’s stories were essentially just lovey-dovey relationship stories, but regardless, I sincerely wish for the happiness of two people who love each other so deeply and managed to overcome their positions—which required them to enter political marriages—to finally be together.

Though, apparently, Char’s latest headache is that girls still flock to Hugues-san because of those looks of his.

Yeah, he should just explode.

Ah, no, wait. He and Char have a great relationship, so I hope they happily explode together for a long, long time.

And then, the time finally came for Char and the others to depart. This time, it was my turn to see them off.

“Well then, Char, and Hugues-san. Please stay safe.”

“Fiene, you’re being dramatic. When I return, I’ll take you to another restaurant.”

“It’s a promise.”

After we exchanged hugs, Char climbed into the carriage escorted by the knights.

“Fiene-sama, what would you like to do today?”

“I think I’ll spend today just relaxing with Shishou and Ma’am for the first time in a while.”

“Very well. I understand.”

Chris-san replied with a slightly gentle expression.

◇ ◇ ◇

And so, I returned to Jez Herbal Apothecary.

“I’m home.”

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“Oh, welcome back, Fiene-chan. How was it? Did you have fun?”

“Yes. I did a lot of talking.”

“Is that so? That’s wonderful.”

“And I received lots of presents, too.”

“I see. You’ve made many good friends. Come on, come inside.”

“Okay.”

I stepped into the living room.

“…You’re back.”

“Yes. I’ve returned.”

It felt a little too early to be having lunch, yet Shishou was already in the living room.

“U-um, Shishou.”

“What is it?”

“Um, I missed the chance to give this to you, but this is a souvenir.”

With that, I handed over the Kannagi Miko Pharmaceutical Compendium and the medicinal herbs I had bought in the Golden Sun Miko Nation.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a book about medicines used in the Golden Sun Miko Nation at the eastern edge of the world. From what I saw, there were quite a few things different from our own, so I thought you’d be pleased.”

As I said this, Shishou stared at me for a moment, then said, “Ah,” and lightly patted my head.

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“Look, that’s not communicating! Put it into words properly!”

“A-ah. Fiene, thank you.”

Prompted by Ma’am, Shishou spoke bluntly, then looked down, appearing embarrassed.

“And for Ma’am, this.”

I handed over a red lacquer comb.

“My, thank you. What is this?”

“This is a comb made by a craftsman patronized by the Queen of the Golden Sun Miko Nation. I’m told the crane pattern embodies a prayer for longevity and marital harmony. Also, I’ve placed a Blessing on it, so please use it every day.”

Since the decorative portion of the comb was adorned with exceptionally high-quality gold leaf, I had applied an Enchantment to every single detail of the intricate pattern.

I applied every Enchantment I could think of: Purification, Disease Treatment, Dispel Curse, Detoxify, and Healing.

“Thank you so much, Fiene-chan. I’m so happy.”

With that, Ma’am gave me a hug.

It was the usual “hug attack” that squeezed me until it was almost painful, but since it wasn’t that painful this time, I just let it happen.

After a while, Ma’am released me, though I was left feeling a bit limp.

“Oh? Did I hug you a bit too hard? More importantly, Fiene-chan.”

“Yes.”

The way she casually brushed it off with a “more importantly” was… well, very much like her, but since I could tell she was pouring plenty of love into me, it didn’t feel unpleasant, which is the best part about Ma’am.

“Fiene-chan, you turned fifteen yesterday, didn’t you? I have a birthday present for you too. Here.”

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Ma’am disappeared into the back for a moment and returned with a folded handkerchief in her hand.

“Well, compared to what all those people spoiling you keep giving you, this might seem cheap, but here in the Royal Capital, it’s a tradition for a mother to give a daughter a hand-embroidered handkerchief when she turns fifteen.”

The handkerchief she handed me was clearly silk.

Moreover, silver thread had been used for the embroidery.

I could easily imagine that this had been a significant expense for the two of them.

Thinking that, tears began to overflow again.

“M-Ma’am~!”

Ma’am held me tight in another hug.

◇ ◇ ◇

Once my tears finally stopped a while later, I told them I wanted to spend the rest of the day here, and for the first time in a long while, I helped Shishou with his work.

Being back in the workshop after so long made everything feel nostalgic; warm memories returned as vividly as if they had happened yesterday.

Waking up early, desperately mixing medicines, tending the shop, and performing countless alcohol extractions.

It had been incredibly hard, and there were more than a few times I felt like giving up, but all those memories are precious treasures to me.

In this workshop filled with such memories, I performed my first Medicinal Enchantment as a Magic Apothecary and created a potion.

Since I had studied beforehand, making the potion itself was easy, but the result was quite a masterpiece.

Wound Salves don’t work immediately, and the only thing that works quickly is an MP Recovery Medicine.

Even then, it isn’t restored in an instant the way Healing Magic restores MP when treating an injury. Instead, it gradually recovers over time.

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However, potions made using the Medicinal Enchantment skill are different.

They take effect immediately, and they’re effective whether you drink them or apply them directly.

A Healing potion closes wounds immediately, and an MP Potion restores MP in an instant.

As long as you have the proper medicine, simply applying Medicinal Enchantment turns it into a potion.

By the way, I have already used SP to raise the Skill Level of Medicinal Enchantment to 2.

However, since I don’t have enough SP to reach 3, I’ll have to practice normally for a while.

And so, I spent the day making potions with Shishou until the sun went down.

Each Sets Out on Their Own Journey

“Well then, I’m off.”

“Yeah. Take care.”

“Yes, Shishou.”

“Fiene-chan, be careful, okay? And make sure you eat properly! No being picky or leaving food on your plate!”

“Yes, Ma’am. I’ll eat until I’m full.”

“Mm-hmm, that’s right. You won’t grow big if you don’t eat properly.”

With that, Ma’am gave me one last tight hug.

After I was finally released from the hug, we climbed into the waiting carriage.

Thus, seen off by Shishou and Ma’am, I left my home in the Royal Capital—Jez Herbal Apothecary—behind once again.