Chapter 358
"Anywhere you want to go?"
"Or any events or activities you want to try. We've been busy lately, right? Mainly with the Aži Dahāka stuff, but also as thanks, I was thinking of inviting you somewhere."
"Is it okay for you, Liberta, who was the busiest?"
"Being busy feels like the default lately, so for now, I'll put myself on the back burner."
Isn't it a staple of game events to offer to carry a girl's heavy load? While Nell doesn't look strained stat-wise, the visual of a hands-free guy and a girl carrying a seemingly heavy basket of potatoes isn't great. So, we're carrying it together, each holding a side handle.
The conversation starter was the 'play' suggestion from Jinx-san earlier. Upon calm reflection, I've never deeply considered what constitutes 'play' in this world.
After all, in FBO, the game itself is play. Every action within the game is categorized as play.
So, what is 'play within play'?
Specifically, what kind of play do girls prefer? That's why I straightforwardly asked Nell if there was anywhere she wanted to go.
"So, anything you want to do?""Things I want to do, huh..."
I'll set aside Nell's exasperated look questioning if my busyness is really okay. Carrying a potato basket together while thinking about play is a rather unique scene.
"Let me see... Oh."
Nell's thinking time was about a few seconds. In a span that didn't feel like waiting, she found something.
"I want to do that!"
She pointed at what she wanted to do. That desired activity was...
"Alright, alright, good girl."
Horse riding.
After that, we delivered the potatoes, and the flow was to decide when to go riding. But because I was helping carry the potatoes and explaining why led the matrons to start grinning and taking all our work away, trying to leave Nell and me alone.
Thus, we suddenly had free time, so we promptly started riding lessons.
Horse riding is a high-barrier hobby, both in Japan and this world. Horses themselves are very demanding to manage and expensive.
This lovely chestnut horse was one that pulled the settlers' wagons.
In this world, horses are considered property. A position akin to cars in Japan.
Given the importance of handling such a valuable horse, even with mine and Nell's abilities, there was talk of having an experienced rider and skilled horse handler as an instructor initially, but...
"Yep, a good horse."
Since I tamed it easily and handled it without issue, riding lessons with me as the teacher and Nell as the student were realized in the vast empty field next to the development village.
The borrowed horse is actually docile, smart, and understands commands well.
I saddled it and tried riding first. It's a bit older but feels easy to ride.
"So you really can ride.""Well, I can, but wait... didn't you ask for lessons knowing I could ride?""Since you can ride wyverns, I thought you might, but I didn't know for sure if you could."
Nell has the Riding skill, but until now, it was a dead skill. She acquired it thinking a merchant should have it to drive wagons, and being able to fight mounted in battle would be useful.
Leveling it was done solely by riding golems, so this is her first time riding a living creature.
"Oh yeah, that's right."
So, the method this time is for me to grasp the horse's feel and give instructions while riding double.
"Here, Nell.""Thank you."
Given our physiques, riding double isn't a problem. Reaching down from the horse, I pull Nell up to sit in front of me.
"Feels nostalgic. I was sitting in front of you when we first went outside the royal capital too.""Now that you mention it, yeah."
The posture coincidentally matches when Dent-san took us outside the royal capital.
"This time, I'm controlling it, not Dent-san.""Yeah, please do."
The difference is it's two riders, not three.
Slowly handling the reins, the horse starts walking in response to the signal.
"First, keep your posture straight. Slouching is actually more dangerous.""Got it."
Normally, the horse's height combined with swaying would make balance hard and cause fear. But Class 8 stats aren't for show; Nell easily grasped the sense of balance on horseback.
She adapted so quickly, it makes me wonder if teaching is necessary. I knew she was naturally athletic. Otherwise, she couldn't have defeated that Hidden Tanuki so easily.
Having gained stats and enhanced abilities, it's understandable she can do it easily.
"Hey, Liberta.""Hmm?"
Just as I was thinking of handing her the reins next to teach giving commands, Nell called my name without turning her gaze from the front.
Then, she slowly leaned her body back against me.
Nell's back and my body pressed together, her warmth transferring to me.
"If my old self... the me before meeting Liberta... heard that in the future, I'd come this far, do you think I could believe it?""Hmm, I wonder."
Since she started talking like that, I continued the conversation.
"I think I definitely wouldn't have believed it. Even if a future me appeared, I'd probably say it's a lie and deny it.""Nell?"
I thought the conversation would take a bright turn from there, but with a slightly somber mood, Nell gave me the answer to her question.
"That's how amazing 'now' is. Dad and Mom look so happy. It's not that they were unhappy in the royal capital, but I've never seen them so cheerful."
The outcome of accepting change.I'm aware I'm influencing others, but I didn't expect it to be conveyed in this form.
That said, it doesn't hinder controlling the horse. Listening to Nell's voice, happily talking about her parents as we slowly move forward.
"So, thank you, Liberta.""You're welcome...?""Why the question mark?"
Since it was a somber opening, I thought it might turn serious, but the sudden thanks threw me off. Huh? Was there a part to be thanked for? While thinking that, I couldn't deny it, so my half-honest, half-questioning reply made Nell let out a wry smile, I could tell.
"Well, I mean, normally we saved the world from crisis together, right? From a general societal view, wouldn't it be understandable if your parents were furious, hair standing on end? 'What are you making our daughter do!!'""They were worried, but when I said, 'Being a merchant who proudly saves the world is cool!', they didn't say anything more.""Did they give up? Or were they convinced? Either way, I feel like I made them make a pretty major decision."
What on earth happened while I was busy and couldn't meet them? Probably Nell, being Nell, talked about various things during her updates. They desperately tried to swallow that story and understand it, and their final daughter's words were probably... so they couldn't get angry? Well, they could just complain to me later, but Jinx-san hasn't said anything.
Isn't that a problem? I thought, but since Nell has grown up splendidly, maybe it's fine. I decided to avoid further quibbling for now.
"They did say something about how you'd take responsibility afterward.""In what direction would that responsibility be, I wonder?""Hmm, what do you think, Liberta?"
Even in that situation, the horse slowly moved forward, and Nell's voice on horseback was relaxed and gentle.She seemed to both understand and not understand Jinx-san's words.She seemed to be teasing, yet also sincerely asking.
Shivering at this display of fox prowess...
"I don't know."
I honestly raised the white flag. Does it mean 'Take responsibility and properly raise her stats'? Or does it mean 'Take our daughter, who's become this strong, in a romantic sense'?I have a feeling it's the latter, but hold on a second. The fundamental issue is even entering the thought process of 'What does Nell even see me as?' which is a straight path to 'Misunderstanding Guy, No Stopping!'
Considering physical age, it's not strange to think about such things.But considering mental age, it's out. Viewing Nell in that way feels ethically wrong by common sense.In our party, Claudia is about the only one where it might be okay. She's way older and probably wouldn't consider me, but mentally it's undoubtedly okay.
"Come on, you know, don't you?""I'll give you a proper answer once I'm a bit more grown-up.""At my age, it's not rare to already have a fiancé."
I know about this world's romance from FBO too. It's a dangerous world, so the marriageable age is significantly lower compared to modern Japan.
Perhaps sensing I was trying to dodge, Nell turned around dissatisfied and brought her face closer.
Hearing such a direct statement, I can clearly tell Nell has romantic feelings for me.
"Other places are other places. Here is here."
Being told she likes me is honestly happy. But I'm not such a fan of younger partners that I can accept it and rejoice with a 'Hyahha!' for having a girlfriend.
"But—""I like you, Nell. That's for sure."
However, I won't be ambiguous here. I have to say she still seems too young to view as a woman.Yet, if asked how I view Nell as a human being, I'd say favorably.
Nell was the first to be with me in this world.Suddenly reincarnated into a world resembling FBO, I was happy, but I wasn't without anxiety.I had no one to rely on, suddenly finding myself utterly alone.I acted tough in various ways, but I felt loneliness.
Amidst that, having someone who honestly expressed her feelings, relied on me, and stayed with me—that warmth from human connection is probably among the greatest.
"R-really?""Yeah."
I can say I like her.To that extent, I'm grateful to Nell for being with me.
I don't know if it's romantic love directed at the girl, but I trust her enough to confide my honest feelings.
Isn't that something quite special?
"Hey, Liberta."
Embarrassed by the direct words, her ears twitching busily, Nell, after a few seconds of silence, glances at me and speaks up.
"...When I'm more grown-up, will you give me a proper answer?""Yeah. I'll think seriously then and give you a proper answer.""Okay. Then, I'll become as big as the Adventurer's Guild receptionist.""......"
How should I respond to Nell, who seriously answers while thoroughly understanding my preferences?
I couldn't boldly declare 'I love big ones!' and chose silence instead.