How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 258

“This is…….”

“Isn’t this where we fought for the last time before?”

—That’s right. This is where we lured the vanguard and killed them.

“I wondered why there was a tunnel-like opening on the floor; so this was the passage.”

I had only thought of it as a place to deal with the vanguard that popped out after luring the Nex, but to think this was the passage leading to the dwarf village…….

“I didn’t know because I couldn’t see anything inside.”

—That’s why we prepared moss. Wear this and go.

What Vita and Natura offered us were moss vines. Just like before, the moss glowed even brighter once it entered a dark place.

“Thank you.”

—Don’t mention it.

Unlike us, who readily accepted, Meliana frowned.

“What is this? Moss?”

—It will be useful in the dark.

“Why would I wear this dirty thing? I can just use light magic.”

As Meliana snapped her fingers, a bright ball of light appeared. Seeing it, a small gasp of admiration escaped me.

‘Right. If you use magic, it can be like that.’

I didn’t think of that.

The elves must have thought similarly to me, as they withdrew the moss vines they had extended towards Meliana.

—Mages must be convenient.

“Naturally.”

Meliana shrugged her shoulders with a smug look. I always had a craving for magic, but…….

‘I’m a bit envious today.’

Just then, the area right beside me became even brighter. Turning to the side at the sudden light, I saw Killis had conjured a ball of light.

“I conjured it, thinking we might need it too.”

“It’s nice and bright.”

Even though I was already wearing the moss vines, using magic deliberately was probably an act of kindness on his part. I was simply grateful for his thoughtfulness.

—Then are the vines not needed? If not, you can return them.

“I’ll wear them. I like the moss.”

—What about the other humans?

“I’m the same as Your Highness. The brighter, the better.”

Following Reno, Isaac also nodded, apparently having no intention of removing what he was already wearing.

—In that case.

—Our role ends here, so we must part ways.

“Aren’t you coming all the way to the end of the passage?”

Vita shook her head at Meliana’s question.

—It would actually be worse if we came with you. Although we are forced to interact out of necessity, we fundamentally don’t get along.

“Don’t get along, well. Can’t be helped.”

—Thank you for understanding.

No, it seemed she agreed because it would give the dwarves a negative impression…….

—More importantly, human.

Vita added, looking at me.

—It’s a shame to part ways. I will miss you.

“Me too.”

I felt the same regret. My stay in the elven village was only about a week, far too short a time to grow attached, yet I did.

Perhaps it was because Vita had taken such good care of me when I was suffering from mana depletion.

—Wait.

It was then. Vita carefully cupped my head.

“Vita?”

Before I could even look up at her in confusion, a soft sensation touched my forehead then pulled away.

Huh?

As I simply blinked, Vita smiled brightly and said,

—Then, may Arbor’s green embrace be with you.

“Ah, yes. See you again.”

As I instinctively nodded, the elves turned around. As soon as they left, Meliana crossed her arms and snarked,

“The elves really like you, Sister. And your guardian too.”

Her last words were probably aimed at Reno.

The problem was that they weren’t entirely wrong. If Vita had kissed others’ foreheads, I would have considered it a simple greeting, but…….

‘She only did it to me.’

Moreover, given her past history of showing favor, I couldn’t fail to understand. It was another expression of her affection towards me.

“The elves’ attention is indeed excessive.”

Killis also looked quite uncomfortable, as if he had sensed something. Reno and Isaac’s expressions didn’t look too good either.

They wouldn’t know what happened between Vita and me, but even excluding that, they seemed to have sensed something.

There was only one way to escape this awkward situation.

Namely,

“I guess they were grateful for saving the village and for the food I made.”

Pretending to be oblivious.

I know nothing! Nothing at all……!

Not long after I muttered that to myself and moved forward, Isaac walked ahead of me and said,

“Just in case, I’ll go first.”

Forming our usual formation, we walked through the passage. The passage was quite long. It seemed even longer than the distance we had traveled to get here from the elven village.