Chapter 119

“Um…” “Come now, Lady Cayna. Go ahead and take it. It’s all right.” “I hear you, but…” At Roxine’s insistence, Cayna looked at the fruit in front of her and grimaced. The pair were exploring the forest near the remote village and found several bushes laden with small red berries. These fruits, small enough to be eaten in a single bite, were a wild variety of ruche. Even most of the adult villagers loved this sweet harvest blessing, but the berries were also rare and therefore valuable. Furthermore, the forest provided for both the remote village and the surrounding wildlife. Carelessness could easily lead to an encounter with a ferocious beast. These two, however, were the rare exception. One was the continent’s greatest mage, while the other was a combative maid with a competitive streak. Regardless, Cayna was heading outside the village to conduct experiments when Roxine offered to accompany her. This request had nothing to do with concern for her master’s well-being; Roxine had simply decided to tag along while prioritizing her own affairs. At present, the werecat’s only purpose in leading Cayna into the forest was so she could gather various ingredients for dessert. Being used to run errands for her servant was more than enough justification for Cayna to grow livid, but she went along with it. After all, it was no secret that Roxine was crafty, and Cayna had no plans to complain anyway. “Cie, can you tell which ones are ripe just by looking?” “Of course. Please do not underestimate my one hundred years of maid experience.” “R-right. Can’t argue that.” Roxine’s cat ears pricked up, and she thrust her chest out proudly. Cayna smiled awkwardly and tiredly thought, Yeah, there’s no way you’ve been working that long. Roxine was a maid summons, so she’d been called upon in the game maybe a dozen or so times. Only about half a year had passed since she’d come to this world, which cast a shadow over her centenarian claims. “Still, I must admit I exaggerate. Lady Cayna, you are far more versed in botany, correct?” Roxine’s pompous attitude suddenly vanished, and she turned around with an easygoing smile. “Oh, you knew about that?” “Honestly now. You are my one and only master. My honor as a maid requires me to at least have a basic understanding of you.” “‘Maid’s honor,’ huh…?” Cayna questioned whether there was even enough information about her to make such a statement. She underestimated herself, of course, and since the maid and butler had long taken her personality into account, Roxine completely disregarded this response. As for her botanical knowledge, Cayna was an expert, thanks to her race. Since high elves could hear the voices of plants, it was easy to reap nature’s bounty. This was what most gamers would call “flavor text.” Since coming to this world, Cayna really could hear the plants’ voices and confirm the unmistakable benefits. However, the mental torment of hearing their screams of anguish every time she went to pick plants made it clear the skill definitely had its pros and cons. “Well then. By my estimation, you may pick as you please. Still, what are your thoughts, Lady Cayna?” “Right…” As Roxine looked at her with a hopeful smile, Cayna could hear several clusters of berries literally begging her to eat them. Each was bright red and ripe for the picking. Whatever the reason, she was at least relieved they weren’t screaming. “They all seem fine to me.” “Understood.” The maid beamed as she began hunting for berries. Meanwhile, Cayna turned and spoke to the figure over her left shoulder. “You guys can probably see them—what do you think?” “No problemo!” “I see no issue.” The first speaker was incessantly cheerful, and Cayna could imagine the other nodding with his arms crossed: Kuu had given her approval first, followed by Opus. Cayna was communicating with them via an eyeball the size of a human head. It hovered over her shoulder the same way Kuu often did. Cayna had retrieved this item, known as a Pair of Eyes, from the Item Box in her tower. Back in a corner of the inn dining hall, several village children were staring intently at the disembodied eyeball floating above the table. Luka, Lytt, and Latem were joined by Kuu, Opus, Siren, and a pale Mimily.