Prologue — A Peaceful Day in the Sanctuary
A new boss has appeared in the desert zone: Giant Beetle.
This entity is a remnant of the desert empire of Askarbalt, and possesses high fire resistance and magic resistance.
The System whispers to me. Apparently, new content has appeared.
"I have a question."
"...You wish to ask about the giant beetle that has appeared in the desert?"
"You already knew? Well, then naturally—"
"A remnant of the Askarbalt Empire. I'm told the armor composing its exoskeleton is highly resistant to both fire and magic."
I hand over the information the System gave me, lightly reprocessed and repackaged. The Hero's face lights up.
"As expected. Thanks to you, this one should be fairly easy to deal with as well."
"I merely shared what I happened to know."
Reward for new boss encounter: 1,200 Shinestone
"...I suppose you'll be needing this, then."
"Are you sure you should just be handing this stuff out? Like last time, and—"
"I have no use for it. If anything, I only apologize that I cannot offer you more."
"Hrk...! I love you, Yuan!"
"Ack."
The Hero throws her arms around me with all her strength. Honestly, I wish she'd take my physical condition into account a little.
"Ah, sorry. Squeezed too hard, didn't I? Anyway, thanks to you this'll get sorted out in no time. Thank you."
The Hero tucks the pouch full of gemstones into her inventory.
...It never stops amazing me, no matter how many times I see it. And no, I'm hardly one to talk.
"Whew... I'm tired. Honestly, why do we have to go about it in such a complicated way?"
"Tired? Would you like some pudding?"
"...Yes."
The fairy who keeps watch at my side hands me a pudding. A fairy shaped like a pudding, serving pudding. It gets a laugh out of me every single time.
"One less worry on my plate, I suppose. I do hope things stay as peaceful as they are now."
"So peaceful~"
I prepare some black tea to accompany the pudding. Then, gazing out at the airships visible far beyond the window, I settle in for a leisurely spoonful.
May tomorrow be as peaceful as today.