Aftermath (4)
After unpacking my luggage in the merchant company's VIP quarters and getting ready for bed, Lirisa showed up at my door, arms loaded with parcels. She'd already bathed and changed into fresh clothes, looking spotless.
"Master, there are tons of packages addressed to you in Teacher's name. Dad said to tell you they're from Erba."
"Stuff from Agnes Village."
"Yes, Agnes? You mean the great mage Agnes? Is she your teacher?"
Lirisa's eyes sparkled like stars.
Too bright before bed—bad for sleep. I'd tell her later.
I sent Lirisa off and opened the parcels and letters.
As expected, mostly dried herbs and salves made by Agnes.
Feels like I left the village less than a month ago.
Or maybe Erba wasn't sure when he'd return, so she sent them ahead. No express delivery here, so ship when you can, right?
And the letters.
I figured I'd get ones from Agnes and Reshi for sure.
Ferio must've skipped Erba's mail service.
Reshi's letter:
One of the Baettegi offspring, Pid, showed up in the village. He always stuck close to me and Reshi—turns out he became a dog, not a wolf. Good family to take him in anyway.
Wonder how big Pid's gotten. He's dog-sized now, but thinking of Baettegi scale... huge.
Reshi seems to be plotting something—scary. Ends with "get ready."
Reply: Don't overthink. Focus on Latia first.
Agnes's letter was in ancient script.
Probably to keep prying eyes out. She's lonely without me.
Shy in person, honest on paper. Hotter than expected—surprised me. Worries about me too much; now I'm worried. Detailed herbs and effects packed in tight.
Gotta visit every few months, if only to see her.
Wish I could set up a teleport spot. Not my field—ask in reply.
Last bit nags: Reshi showing assistant-level talent? Hmm...
Agnes's letter (translated):
Lonely without you. Village quiet. Detailed worries, herb instructions. Reshi's talent beyond assistant—watch her. Come back soon.
Anyway, mentally drained from all the chaos lately. Thinking of them brought peace and joy—fell asleep happy.
Next morning, Lirisa woke me like an alarm clock and invited me to breakfast.
True to rich-girl roots, dressed impeccably. First impression was all black, gloomy vibe; white dress changes everything. Suits her.
Women take forever to get ready, they say.
No morning sluggishness for her?
After breakfast, magic practice in the mansion courtyard.
"Here, I manifest my burning hatred and send it forth!"
⟨ Fire Burst ⟩
BOOM!
Scarecrow incinerated in seconds.
Refined familiar chant—clean, one phrase, full burst.
"Master!! It worked!! So much better!! Thank you!! Thank you!!"
"Good. Pronunciation spot-on. Lirisa, you've got real talent."
Doing magic in broad daylight? For the family show.
Lirisa's dad, mom, sister—jaws dropped at her spell.
No more family outcast for her.
But reactions odd. Parents thrilled; sister terrified.
Hyper Lirisa grabbed a stick.
"Um, Master, one more I wanna try. Hold this?"
Crude wooden sword. I held it; she touched blade, chanted.
"Here, make my hot mana flow forth."
⟨ Enchant Blade ⟩
Blade glowed red. Burning! Flames!? Hot! But no burn.
"Ah! Sorry sorry!! You okay!? Master...?"
I stared at ashen blade remnant.
Enchantment magic?
What?! Kids recover and learn fast. Adapted it!
Unknown territory for me!
"Lirisa! Not a failure—huge success! Amazing! Your master is moved by your growth!"
"Eh, yes...? Waaah!? Master, dizzy! Too high!! Kyaa! Kyaaa!!"
Overcome with emotion, hoisted her high.
Parents just as thrilled. Told 'em I'd send gifts with Agnes Village letter—they took me to that jewel-room, pick freely.
Worth it for mage-teacher daughter.
Not overkill: stylish practical outfits for Reshi and Agnes, two each. Tailor for sizing too.
Cute, my taste—should fit.
Thus, secured biggest merchant house here.
Lucky Lirisa meet. Piterio Company: another backer.
Lunch: met Kerry, Lada, Suu. Lirisa too. But party ballooned to 10+ for tavern.
Kerry brought goblin-cave squad mates.
"To Hero Kirgil here—cheers!!"
Tomi's shout; squad raised glasses, roared cheers.
Tomi, platoon leader—company commander equivalent. Promoted.
My name drew stares, greetings. Festival still raging outside.
"Hey!! Ruining the vibe! Outsiders out! Brotherhood time! Only goblin-fighters stay!!"
"What!? Buying Hero Kirgil drinks!? Fine!! Greet the hero!! Snacks too! Kyahaha!!"
More excited than me. Familiar faces anyway.
One day, but intense fight—feels like years together.
Table started at 10; now 20, 30... tavern packed!
Lots of brown-skinned folk.
"Sorry, Kirgil sir. I was so rude then. Waaah... truly sorry."
Brown-skinned woman soldier on knees, sobbing. Adventurer tester... Er-something chief.
Barely remember. Drunk nearby, spotted me, rushed apology.
Didn't expect this. Told her others like me exist—test honestly. Vowed life loyalty.
Life?! Scary meeting people.
"Hey! Buzzkills out!"
Drunk Tomi dragged near-passed-out Suu beside me. Weak drinker.
"That girl from then? Lucky she survived."
"You gate-guarding saved us. No open gates, no festival. Thanks now, Captain Tomi."
"Hey! Shit! Hear that?!"
"Thanks from great hero!! Best day ever! Yaaah!!"
Cheers shook tavern—like war victory.
"I knew this guy's special first sight!! Drink!! Cheers!!
You too! Can't? Juice then!!
Suu, blessed!!
Prosek soldiers made this miracle!
Cheer, damn it!!"
Oof, ears ringing.
They love my shock—more cheers.
Superstar life, huh.
...Wheee, dizzy. Can't do this long. Ugh.
Lirisa sips fine. Lada's snack-game savage. Tomi-Kerry arm-in-arm singing bros.
One brought notched helmet.
Apologized first.
"No no. Honor for me. Told friend Hero Kirgil one-slashed it—they didn't believe. Won bets."
Prosek soldiers all gamblers?
Was rude borrowing horse; he wants notched helm as souvenir.
"Kirgil slashed this? Real?? Clean cut?!"
"Told ya. Troll spot, he casually 'catch it?' Like going solo. We two-shot 8 armed goblins! Believe people!"
"Dude! Didn't know this deep! Thought drunk brag!
Kerry drunk!! No cursing rhythm!! Where's the fuck-fuck beat?!"
"Master taught me magic tooooo!!"
Sunset: total chaos.
Hung with soldiers all day—"Hero Kirgil" became "General Kirgil."
Liard was Prosek hero; Kirgil joins army, general, right?
Hate army desk job.
Didn't kill vibe.
Heading out early—gotta mind drunk kids. Who else for Lirisa and miracle girl Suu but Hero Kirgil?
Plausible excuse amid cheers—escaped.
Lirisa holds hand, walks steady home.
Suu slung like rice sack.
Seems lucid—ask home, deliver.
Prosek soldiers' hearts secured.
Liard backs right, crush cocky kid's ego soon.
Told a few: Kalderan Cathedral tomorrow.
But Suu... puking?!
Uwaa! Close call.
Who knew she'd pull this.
Glad for Happy Moment now.
Feels like schmoozing clients for deals—isekai businessman.
Conquer giant villain not sword, magic, wisdom, courage.
But networking...
Why's my isekai fate like this?
