Faded Memories and the Master's Hideout
Faded memories, and Master's abode wasn't some quaint workshop nestled in the southwestern forest and lake area of Haven... it was deep in the woods. It was elven enough for an elf, but since it was near the capital, the road extending into the forest was neatly paved, making it a bit ambiguous. Still, thanks to that, we could rent a carriage up to the forest entrance.
As soon as we boarded, Cecil pressed right up against me with a beaming smile, which somehow left a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Stroking her fluffy hair made her giggle "Hehe." That sight brought a natural smile to my face, filling me with a sense of peace. But then, the desire to return to my original body made my hand freeze mid-stroke.
At present, the method with the highest chance of me reverting to my original body was... researching Cecil's semen. Not scouting some exotic new material. It would be reverse transmutation on Cecil herself.
Logically speaking, that was the most rational, closest-to-correct judgment for getting my old body back. But... it came with a price. Just like when I created her. Performing reverse transmutation meant Cecil's existence would vanish.
Perhaps my hazy sensibilities from my past life's memories had held me back, leading us to this irreversible point. ...Maybe naming her in the first place was the mistake.
"Sha'a-nim?"
"...Yeah?"
"Are you worried about something?"
"...I'd be lying if I said no."
Maybe it was the sentimental mood, because I answered Cecil's question honestly instead of brushing it off like usual. Her eyes widened, her face turning worried.
"Is there nothing Cecil can do to help? Cecil is ready to assist with anything if it's for Sha'a-nim!"
My stroking hand paused again. What was this emotion I was feeling right now? I didn't know. I knew it wasn't particularly positive, but beyond that... I had no clue. Was it because my past life memories were faint, and I'd never experienced this in this life? It could be called a responsibility without pleasure, but if asked if I regretted creating Cecil... no, that wasn't it.
"...Thanks just for saying that."
It probably... wouldn't come to that.
Feeling Cecil's body heat, I glanced across to see Claudia watching with a strange but warm gaze. Veronica beside her looked a bit bitter. She probably... knew why I was like this.
By then, the carriage had arrived, so we got off and gathered our luggage. ...Of course, Cecil carried most of it.
For now, I shoved aside the bitter thoughts and headed for Master's hideout. Who knows, maybe she'd made some progress. She often seemed unreliable, but Master was an elf presumed to have lived for ages. Surely... there was another way. Even if she got drunk and made a fool of herself... even if she pulled eccentric stunts now and then. She was undoubtedly a brilliant alchemist.
...Though I had no idea what she was up to now.
After watching the carriage depart, I hurried onward. We'd left early, so we had time, but who knew what might happen.
As I led the way through the dense forest, memories bubbled up fresh. It was where I'd spent my runaway boyhood days from home, after all. They were old memories, faded in color but vivid in my mind.
Following those memories, we reached what I guessed was the boundary of Master's hideout. I signaled the others to stop. There was a reason it was called a hideout.
"Something there?"
True to her adventurer prowess, Claudia had sensed it. Veronica and Cecil, who'd never been here, looked puzzled.
I nodded to Claudia and spoke. "I'll go on alone from here."
"You sure?"
"...Probably."
The group looked worried, but it made sense for me to scout first. I likely still had clearance. So they'd have to wait until I got Master's permission for them. Claudia could probably force her way in, but... that wasn't ideal.
...But with my body changed, would I even get in? Or maybe she'd revoked it because her insolent disciple never visited. I shook my head vigorously and stepped over the boundary, waving off their concerned voices with a "don't worry."
Manly as ever, I strode in. Retracing my memories, I followed the path to the hideout. I figured it'd be fine since nothing happened at first. But nope.
The moment the hideout's silhouette came into view, vines snagged my ankle. I thought it'd tripped on a rock, but by the time I realized wooden vines were coiling around my legs, it was too late. Before I could scream, they wrapped my body.
Starting from my ankles, the soft vines climbed swiftly, squeezing my body tight. They even bound my open mouth to scream, leaving saliva dripping from my lips as I stayed silent. Bound, my body was hoisted up.
Vines like serpents constricting me. They were the sentinels dealing with unauthorized intruders at Master's hideout.
...I'd half-expected this, but I didn't think they'd fail to recognize me. Still, it should be fine. They'd just eject me at the boundary, not kill me. Of course... there was the minor issue of finding a peaceful way in or waiting for Master, but at least I wouldn't die.
But the vines started acting weird instead of carrying me out. They bound me tight, then began groping me like a body search. From my face to my chest. They poked my waist and navel, then slithered toward my lower half.
A bad premonition hit; I struggled, but only drool escaped my mouth. After a brief unpleasant interlude, the vines set me down.
The pressure vanished, leaving my whole body tingling. The vine patted my cheek apologetically before vanishing into the woods.
"...Cough, cough."
What the actual f... If you're gonna do that, don't touch me at all! I swallowed curses I didn't voice, steadying myself. Blood rushing back from the constriction left my head foggy.
Well, ha. Lucky in a way, but as they say, entering the bathroom and leaving feel different. I'd been humble thinking expulsion, but now that I'd been accepted, it soured my mood.
...Not that I could do much about it. Should I be grateful they didn't shred me with sharp leaves? Venting on the innocent ground, I trudged toward the distant silhouette of Master's hideout.
The path I'd once walked briskly now left me winded. Blame the vines. Huffing and puffing, dragging my aching lungs and gut, I reached the hideout.
Catching my ragged breath and wiping sweat, I gazed at it, old memories flooding back. Later ones overlaid with Master puking or swinging bottles drunk, but...
I grasped the familiar handle and turned; it wasn't locked. So Master was probably inside.
Closing the door behind me, I saw boxes that looked like they'd held packaged goods. The origin label showed my area... probably the boxes with Cecil's semen.
...Looks like she's been researching too.
Passing the boxes, I headed first to Master's bedroom near the workshop. She sometimes slept till this hour. But no Master. The familiar bed was cold. She'd been up a while. Or maybe hadn't slept.
No need to check elsewhere; I went to the workshop. Even after so long, the path was clear. Though it felt a bit bigger now. ...Ironic, since that's why I came. Otherwise, I might not have contacted her. But nah, I'm not that rotten.
Lost in odd thoughts, I reached the workshop door. Presence inside—Master was there. With a nostalgic pang, I opened it.
Thick smoke greeted me. Familiar scent. The aroma of spirit grass Master sometimes smoked. Not as harsh as tobacco, but this dense, it was stifling.
Parting the smoke, I moved toward the shadowy figure. Like a hazy past-life comic memory, as I neared who I assumed was Master, she flinched and approached.
From the spirit grass fog emerged Master's even whiter face. Her extreme pallor made the dark circles under her eyes stark. Deep in research, her water-blue hair was a mess. Yet her scent, mingled with the grass, was fragrant.
Her vivid emerald eyes regained life, and she slowly spoke.
"...Why art thou here?"
Her dazed face and words drew a chuckle from me, but then I saw what shouldn't be on Master's lower half. She wore nothing around her waist.
"Uh... wh-what's that dangling there...?"
It was an awkward master-disciple reunion.