Token of Bond (5)
As soon as the handkerchief inside the box came into view, Tibumira—who'd maintained his dignified gentlemanly air despite his small frame—suddenly gulped and broke out in cold sweat.
Status Window
No special abnormalities detected.
No poison gas or similar effects.
The handkerchief itself didn't look unusual on the surface. A bit luxurious, maybe?
Even picking it up, flipping it over, and shaking it didn't trigger any status effects. All that wafted out was a rich, sweet fragrance.
"Sniff sniff… This is Lady Pana's perfume, isn't it? She gave you her personal handkerchief."
I had no idea if sending a handkerchief held special meaning in this world. But damn, the scent was nice.
As I inhaled the fragrance from the handkerchief, Tibumira flinched again.
"Kiii… You like that sc—fragrance, do you?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Kii, no reason. So you're the real deal, then. Kiii… To think you'd like that. In that case, this too. Hmm, I'll pass it along."
Tibumira pulled an envelope from his pocket.
"Why separate the gift and the letter?"
"Hmm, forgive me. If you hadn't taken to the handkerchief, I wasn't going to give you this letter. Hmmm."
"Sounds like you were testing me lightly. No malice, so I'll let it slide."
"Kihehe, I'm just glad I could deliver this letter. Kii, she'll be thrilled."
Anyway, I took the envelope. It bulged in the middle, suggesting more than just paper inside.
Sure enough, there was a bracelet. Not metal—something soft yet sleek like leather, with a rubbery elasticity.
A material I'd never seen, even back in my old world.
"So… kii, what do you think? Did it catch her fancy?"
"Oh, right. Tibumira, I wanted to have that drink with you back then. Why'd you send someone else without asking? You have no idea how thrown I was."
"Kyahaha, sorry about that. But I really wanted you two to meet."
"If I had to say good or bad, it's good. But not enough to spend time together. Personal circumstances make it a burden."
"Kihehe. A human going out of his way not for subjugation, but just to talk. Kiii. Coming to meet a goblin. You're one weird guy."
"No need to fight in this city. Like I said before, outside, if I run into goblins, I can't help it. Your kind preys on humans out there. So we meet in the city."
"Kiii, such a shame. Just talking right could make a killing like me. Kihehe."
"Tell me about it. If there were more chances to talk with other races like in this city, things would be peaceful."
"Kii, this isn't a city where all races mix peacefully. Hmmm, quite the opposite.
Kiek. Personalities, instincts, prejudices, differences… hmmmmm, they all stand out crystal clear here. That's why each race has its own district. Kiii."
"I think that's actually right. Forcing incompatible people together just breeds more fights.
But total separation cuts ties, so keeping a proper distance and drawing lines lets things flow smoother.
Like how people need a healthy distance between them—races do too.
Best if they blend well, but that takes time and justification. Gotta keep working at it."
"Hmmmm… You're one strange human. Hmm, I get why she's taken with you. Kii."
"Blame my weird experiences."
More precisely, experiences from my old world.
Even with just humans, conflicts abound. Beyond race or nation, I've seen good friends or colleagues turn mortal enemies sharing a dorm or barracks.
If they hadn't been crammed in the same room, no fight, no grudge.
Even online it's the same.
Folks with shared hobbies get along fine, but then some outsider from another community barges in with weird topics or unwanted info, stirring shit up.
It's better if you respect hobbies and leanings without shoving, but forcing "re-education" rudely? Boom, problems.
I've seen the importance of distance between people firsthand in many places.
"In that sense, Lady Pana came on too strong. No idea where she lives, barely saw her once. Suddenly 'I like you, come under me!' Who's gonna go? Honestly, it scared me."
"Hmmm… You're right. Forgive her. She's very pure in some ways… kiii, very pure. She really likes you."
"This gift's a subtle burden too. I've done nothing to deserve a gift from her. Can't I just return it?"
A knife to the throat, hood over the head, threats—that should've earned a curse, not a gift.
Hell, maybe it is a cursed item.
"Kiiik! Kiiik!! Absolutely not!! Disaster! Take it—for your own sake! Kiik!"
Must be truly precious. I'd heard high nobles' gifts carry deep meaning; refusing can be a declaration of war.
If even poised Tibumira paled like that, it's worse. That lightning from last night might strike me anytime.
No choice—I slipped on the bracelet.
Only then did Tibumira relax, exhaling a long "Kiiiiii~."
"I'll treasure the handkerchief too. This perfume will stick in my memory."
"…Hrm. Is that so? Hm. She'll be overjoyed. You're one peculiar human. Kiik."
After seeing Tibumira off,
I sipped the tea the mansion servant brought and read the letter.
Hmm, for something written last night, it's awfully long.
"……."
Not one page, but four full ones.
What the hell… this is creepy.
Why creepy? Letters here aren't typed.
It's handmade artisan work—dipping pens in ink. Harder than pencil on paper.
If Lady Pana wrote this,
After chasing me down, zapping lightning in anger,
She calmed, stayed up all night prepping a gift and this letter.
In a way, her recovery and action rival Ashu's.
Or maybe her obsession with me is the real standout?
Yeah, that makes it scarier.
Summary of the letter:
Thankfully, no curses or insults toward me, a human. She understands my position.
Plus, she regrets her impulsiveness—basically, she's reflecting.
Damn bold woman. Personality fits a heroine.
From now on, I shall speak calmly, without excitement.
Also, my horns rise unconsciously with emotion, so do not misunderstand next time. …
This bracelet's material is my husk, chosen after much deliberation.
'Husk'? Her own? Poetic? No.
Do demons molt as they grow? Or just parts?
I pondered and reached a conclusion.
"…No way, her horn!?"
Even I startled myself.
Like Hairil's fur. I'm wearing part of Pana's body.
Refusing would've been massive rudeness.
Giving body parts must hold huge meaning here.
Reason for the bracelet: Protects me from her emotional magic.
Even snide about Agnes:
'I, having witnessed the Star Witch's past folly, have learned deeply. To avoid annihilating one I favor over a trifle, this is the result of long research and crafting. Thus, Kirgil, fear my magic no more. You alone shall have access to me.'
Hmm… Immunity to her AoE spells, I guess.
Better keep it on.
No reason to refuse a safety net for talking with her.
Plus, surprisingly useful. Elastic like a band.
Sniff… Faint whiff of her scent.
But this is scary.
'You receiving this from Tibumira means my words were true. Thus, I shall not yield.'
Why's she so fixated on me?
Especially the last line—chills.
'One day, you will come to me of your own will.'
What schemes is this woman plotting next?