Chapter 80
My face flushed at the unexpectedly academic question. I’d overlooked it, but this was a problem. I had to report every detail of any physical contact with anyone to Lumiere—the duration, the intensity, everything. It was for treatment and survival, but still mortifying.
“About five minutes… the intensity was… rather high, I think. Was that insufficient?”
“Yes. Very.”
I couldn’t help but question the answer. Seikan had said I’d initiated kisses with three men at the tavern. Knowing his personality, he wouldn’t have left out anything more significant. If touching and kissing them had noticeably improved my condition, why was kissing Seikan so ineffective?
When I voiced my confusion, Lumiere nodded. “I think I understand.”
“What is it?”
“Let’s say a potion requires four ingredients.” Lumiere held up a hand, folding down their thumb to display four fingers. “These four ingredients are necessary for the potion to be fully effective. If one ingredient is missing, the potency decreases significantly, but it’s still a complete product that can be called a potion. However…” Lumiere folded down another finger, then raised only their index finger. “If you make a potion with only one ingredient, omitting all the others, and then merely lick the surface and spit it out, the effect will be negligible, wouldn’t you agree?”
My jaw dropped. “What? So, I did all that for nothing?”
“Not for nothing. It’s a hundred times better than doing nothing. It will just take a very, very long time.”
That wasn’t exactly comforting. I wouldn’t die, but it meant a difficult life, barely scraping by.
“Just… what if I just…” The thought of just doing it flickered for 0.1 seconds before I recoiled, shaking my head vehemently. What was I even thinking?
“You lead a life filled with such agonizing dilemmas, Adelina.” Lumiere observed my internal struggle with a mix of amusement and exasperation, shaking their head with a sigh.
“By the way, Adelina…”
“…Yes?”
“I have the excuse of caring for you to justify joining the expedition, but what’s your official reason for going?” Ever curious about human affairs, Lumiere wanted to know my official role in the paladins’ and royal knights’ quest to find and destroy the Demon King’s relic and the powerful demons drawn to it.
“I suppose I’ll be going as the compiler of the Demon Compendium, providing information and acting as a temporary advisor.”
Until the Demon King’s relic was found and destroyed, more powerful demons, currently unknown and difficult to counter, would likely appear. No one would question my presence on the expedition.
Lumiere narrowed their eyes at my confident declaration. “It’s quite fascinating.”
“What is?”
“That compendium you compiled.”
“Yes?”
“It contains information even I, someone who has lived longer than the average human lifespan and is devoted to acquiring knowledge, was unaware of. It makes me think the Imperial Library’s archives are far more comprehensive than I imagined.”
“Well…” I flinched at the astute observation, then straightened, feigning confidence. “The source of that information is a place you couldn’t even imagine, Lumiere. Finding yourself increasingly drawn to me, aren’t you?”
Lumiere chuckled at my brazen remark. “Such admirable confidence. I suppose the premise that you and a golden dragon’s descendant are of equal value was quite something to begin with.”
Though the words sounded teasing, I knew Lumiere was amused. For some reason, the elf mage seemed to find me incredibly entertaining.
In any case, with Lumiere agreeing to accompany me, all that remained was to depart for the west. Or so I thought.
“No way!” My plans hit an unexpected snag.
“You’re a patient! You’re not going anywhere!” Hestia roared, her blazing golden eyes darkened with anger.
“If you’re going, I’m going too.”
“Your Highness, that would be problematic…”
“Yes, that would be problematic, Hestia.” Clovis intervened, addressing his sister’s dangerous obstinacy.
“Why?”
“Acolyte Adelina has diligently and meticulously researched demons for a considerable time. Her extensive and profound knowledge is essential for us to counter the powerful demons we know nothing about.”
Hestia scowled at Clovis’s logical argument. He calmly soothed his younger sister. “Don’t worry. I’ll ensure your safety.”
“But, Brother…”
“Hestia.” Clovis continued to placate her gently. Hestia continued to fret and worry for a while longer before finally proposing a compromise.
“Promise me one thing. Promise me Adelina won’t get hurt.”
“Don’t you worry. I’ll make sure not a single hair on her head is harmed.”
They were discussing my safety as if I weren’t even there. I glared at them, feeling slightly annoyed. Finally, having settled my participation, Clovis turned to me.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Your tone is rather impertinent. Am I not allowed to look at your face?”
Don’t look. You’ll wear it out. That’s what I would have retorted if I were still in my “I’m dying anyway, so what do I care?” mindset. Instead, I hid my true thoughts and said, “It’s not that you can’t look, I was just curious why you suddenly looked at me.”
“No particular reason.” Clovis stroked his sharp jawline, chuckling. “It’s going to be a long and arduous journey. I was just thinking we should prepare plenty of alcohol to comfort the knights.”
Goosebumps erupted all over my body at Clovis’s suggestive words.
“Ah… ah, yes. Such thoughtful consideration for the weary knights. As expected, Your Highness’s heart is immeasurably vast.”
Clovis grinned openly at my evasive reply, and Hestia’s eyes widened as she looked back and forth between her brother and me.
A sense of unease slowly bloomed in my stomach at Clovis’s uncharacteristic words and behavior. Will this journey really be alright?
Three days later, despite my apprehension, the long procession, led by the Crown Prince and the three heroes, finally began its march westward.
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