Chapter 7 – First Kiss

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I woke up to a faint sound.

It was the sound of metal scraping.

I could faintly hear layered “gashan, gashan” sounds.

Ati still seemed to be asleep.

I hesitated about waking her, but since it didn’t seem like an emergency—and above all, her sleeping face was too cute—I decided not to wake her.

When I went outside, a morning mist enveloped the area. I strained my eyes and gazed in the direction of the sound.

“…Soldiers?”

What I saw were soldiers.

And there were quite a few of them.

They marched continuously.

Their destination was east.

“Advance? Did something happen in the east…?”

On this continent—what lies at the eastern tip of the Northeast Continent? Ah, yes. There’s a nation.

It’s the 【Tuwakool Federation of Chiefdoms】, formed by several small island nations uniting together. Based on a native religion common to the islands, the leader of the most powerful tribe serves as the head of state.

Even if people aren’t familiar with the nations in the west or south of the continent—places that can only be reached by large ships—many somehow have at least heard of Tuwakool.

I’m the same.

Not only is it relatively close, but its name even comes up among trade goods.

But what business would they have there?

Judging by their attire, they look to be soldiers of the Imperial Capital—the soldiers of the 【Empire of Norsuist】, it seems.

I don’t understand why.

I’ve never heard any talk of Tuwakool declaring war on the Empire or anything like that.

Well, even if I racked my brain, I doubt I’d find an answer. Besides, I’m not very knowledgeable about the Empire anyway.

At best, all I know about the Empire is that it, including the 【Kingdom of Ramaisuto】 where I live, holds strong influence over the entire Northeast Continent—and that it’s quite prosperous.

Also, as is true throughout the Northeast Continent, its residents are almost entirely human.

Anyway… an advance is never a peaceful occurrence. I just hope nothing unusual happens.

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Now then, after that.

When I returned to the cabin, Ati had already woken up.

Rather than waking up naturally, it seems she was roused by the sound of armor—just like me.

“I hear the sound of armor…”

“Yeah. Some of the Empire’s soldiers were heading east.”

“The Empire…? I don’t really understand the situation on this continent, but is some major conflict about to break out?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never heard anything like that, though…”

“It’s a bit scary, isn’t it?” Ati said.

“…That’s true. How about we just head to another continent instead? But, as I mentioned yesterday, we don’t have any money—so we’ll have to earn our travel expenses first.”

That’s what I suggested.

Some might think I have no attachment to this place, but that attachment was reduced to ashes along with my home when it burned down.

I even entertained the idea of traveling.

“Is that really okay?”

“It’ll be fine.”

“…”

“Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”

When I asked if she had any destination in mind, Ati hesitated for a moment before answering.

“…If that’s the case, then to the Astraadi Grand Canyon in the southwest of the Southern Continent.”

That’s a place name I’ve never heard of.

However, if it’s in the southwest of the Southern Continent, there’s no doubt it’s extremely far away.

You’d either have to cross over to the Southern Continent and head west, or cross over to the Western Continent and then travel south.

Either way, it will take quite a few days.

It depends on how much we can save for the initial costs, but when you factor in living expenses, we’ll need to earn money at every stop.

But… if Ati wants to go, then I’ll make it happen.

Right now, I don’t have anything else to do.

“Then let’s go there.”

I nodded.

The plan was set.

For now, our goal is the Astraadi Grand Canyon on the Southern Continent.

However… even though I’ve made that decision, how are we going to earn the travel expenses? Considering that I want to set off as soon as possible, working a regular job would take too long.

And I can’t think of any clever business either.

If I had to earn money quickly, maybe a dungeon?

Well, I had planned for Ati to enter the dungeon anyway, but… if we’re in a hurry, it might be better for me to join her.

Two people should be able to earn money faster than one.

Still, I’m a bit worried about how useful I might be.

I’m no good with a sword, and magic is out of the question.

The only weapon I can use is the spear my father taught me.

But it wouldn’t be sensible to swing a spear around in a cramped dungeon.

I wonder… maybe a short spear would work?

“…Um.”

While I was racking my brain, Ati timidly spoke up.

“Don’t you want to ask? Like, why that place—what’s the reason or anything…?”

Now that you mention it, I am indeed curious.

But this time it isn’t that important.

Since we’re going together, I’ll naturally learn the reason.

And besides――

“――Ati, you’re my slave, right?”

“Uh… y-yes.”

“Then, no matter what the reason is, you can’t leave me. To me, anything other than you leaving is trivial. As long as you’re by my side, that’s enough.”

To show that my words were sincere, I moved closer to Ati and softly pressed my lips against hers.

It wasn’t an attack—so it’s safe.

It was merely a gesture to convey that I had no intention of letting you go.

“You can talk about the reason whenever you feel like it.”

When I said that, Ati’s eyes went wide, and in the next moment her face turned bright red.

“U-um, doesn’t that mean you’re not just a slave… No, never mind.”

I couldn’t quite tell what she was trying to say, but the way Ati hurriedly covered her face with her hands was utterly adorable.

Somehow, I felt an overwhelming urge to hold her.

I always thought I was indifferent to such things, but apparently, I wasn’t.

I began to desire both Ati’s heart and her body.

However, I have no intention of forcing anything—I’ll only proceed once I’m sure it’s all right.

“K-Kiss… I did it for the first time.”