Chapter 14

Fleeing from the dangerous, smooth charmer, I bolted toward the strawberry field just as a system alert popped up.

“Whoa! Finally!”

I dropped into a crouch in front of the small strawberry bush and checked the fruit.

Clusters of strawberries hung heavy from the stems, ripened to a deep, luscious red.

“Wow, look at that color.”

I plucked one with a light snap, brushed off the dirt, and popped it straight into my mouth.

Munch, munch. I let the flavor settle on my tongue…

Holy crap, it’s insanely good…!’

Was it even legal for a strawberry to taste this good? Bright, sweet, just the right touch of tart. This would make incredible strawberry jam.

‘Strawberry jam… That’s not bad. Bet it’d sell like crazy.’

Because strawberry jam is basically unbeatable, no matter what you spread it on.

“Alright, let’s harvest!”

I fetched the baskets and gardening shears I’d prepared in advance from the shed and handed them out to Lycian and Ninabel.

I’d gotten greedy and planted way too many. No way I could harvest all of this alone.

“Be careful when you cut them. If you’re rough, you’ll bruise the fruit.”

“Don’t worry, Master. I’m good at everything. The water droplet is the problem.”

“H-Hey?! Excuse me?! Nini is perfect, okay?! Worry about yourself!”

And yet, the spirit fumbled one of her little tentacles and damaged a strawberry.

A thin crack ran across the fruit where the blade had nicked it. No longer marketable.

“Put that one aside, Nini.”

“I’m sorry, Master….”

After giving the dejected dewdrop rice cake a halfhearted pat of encouragement, I finished harvesting the rest.

Snip, snip.

The crisp sound of thin stems being cleanly cut was oddly satisfying.

A gentle breeze drifted in from somewhere, carrying the scent of strawberries through the farm.

‘So peaceful….’

Ahhh…

No wonder people romanticize moving out to the countryside.

‘Yes. A quiet, modest life really is the best.’

How long had we been absorbed in harvesting?

About thirty minutes later, we’d picked every last strawberry on the farm.

“Oh…?”

The system chimed the second we finished.

I quickly pulled up my status window to see what had changed.

‘Woah…finally, I’ve escaped the “pathetic newbie farmer” phase!’

Me—who previously could only grow potatoes—now a Competent Farmer. I could cry.

Looks like the title upgrades every time I grow, too….

What comes after Competent Farmer? I’m kind of excited.

‘And my stats….’

“Hm.”

Compared to the beginning, this was better. Not great, but… better.

When would I ever reach max level like Lycian? I shot a look at Slave No. 2, who was gazing at me with that innocent, clueless expression. I was insanely jealous.

“Lycian, sit here.”

Cradling the basket of strawberries, I sat down on the bench and patted the seat beside me.

But just as Lycian took a step forward with a smile, Ninabel zipped over and plopped herself down next to me.

“…….”

“…….”

“What are you doing…?”

I stared at her in disbelief. Ninabel fidgeted under my gaze.

“N-Nini wants to sit next to Master! Nini is Master’s bonded companion…!”

Before I could even respond, Lycian’s cold voice cut in.

“Ha… bonded?”

He suddenly exuded a dangerous aura as he sauntered toward us.

What’s with him?

Did the word “companion” hit a nerve or something?

“A mere water droplet daring to call itself my Master’s companion. Your dreams are ambitious.”

“Y-You’re one to talk…! Don’t you dare covet our Master! Master might not see your blackened heart, but Nini sees everything?!”

“Covet? Please don’t twist my pure devotion into something so vulgar.”

Not denying the blackened heart part, huh?

Lycian peeled the dewdrop rice cake off the wooden bench with a soft pop and casually flung her away.

Ninabel landed headfirst in the potato field, then came rushing back to me in tears, circling frantically.

“Master! Did you see that?! That awful jerk and how he treats Nini?! He’s the worst~!!”

“…….”

So exhausting. Why are these two so hell-bent on tearing each other apart?

I let out a long sigh and tried to calm Ninabel down first.

“You took Lycian’s seat. You don’t even need to sit on the bench….”

Was that really calming her?

“Waaah~! Master is taking that bad guy’s side! Nini is heartbroken!”

Ninabel shot off into the forest where the spring lay. In her wake, tiny droplets scattered like rain.

I’ll go soothe her properly later….

Just now, I acted like a total T¹—no, like someone who doesn’t understand a spirit’s feelings at all.

With someone like Ninabel—total INFP energy—I needed to be more delicate….

Meanwhile, Lycian had calmly taken the seat beside me and was staring at me.

When our eyes met, he curved them into a soft smile. The confidence was almost regal—like a queen who’d just secured her heir.

“…You, seriously.”

Figuring I had nothing to lose, I decided to say something.

“Couldn’t you be a little nicer to Nini? She can be annoying, sure, but at heart she’s a good kid. Just a bit affection-starved.”

As I spoke, I picked up a strawberry and popped it into Lycian’s mouth.

His eyes widened before he began to chew.

“Good, right?”

“Yes. It’s even better because you fed it to me, Master.”

There he goes again, flirting shamelessly. I grabbed his cheek and gave it a sharp pinch before letting go. He teared up dramatically, pretending it hurt.

As if.

“Try to get along with Nini, okay?”

“If that is what you wish… I’ll make an effort.”

“Yeah, make an effort!”

I gave his shoulder a light smack, fed him another strawberry, and popped one into my own mouth.

That crisp, bright sweetness filled my mouth. I closed my eyes, savoring it, a content smile spreading across my face.

Ah. I’m happy.

I want to live like this forev—

“…….”

You bastard of a system. You won’t let me rest for even a second.

Still… I’d been planning to visit the village anyway.

‘But why is the reward Fame…?’

Trying to stack my reputation… so you can shove me into becoming a lord?

‘Don’t try to dodge the question with a cute emoticon.’

The other reward was something called “Inventory (D).” With a grade attached, it seemed to be a skill.

‘Store any item freely… something like that?’

“Hm.”

Inventory… that could be seriously useful. Honestly, a pretty great reward.

I didn’t like the system’s insistence on giving me Fame, but either way, I needed to plan the trip to the village.

Departure… tomorrow.

‘We’ll sell assorted vegetables and strawberries at the market.’

The sooner the better. I was sick of living without salt. And we needed clothes and shoes.

I stood, basket in hand, and turned to Lycian with a bright grin.

“Want to go buy new clothes tomorrow?”

“…?”

And so, the next day.

We woke at dawn and finished all preparations to head to the village.

…But there was one issue I’d completely overlooked.

My absolute garbage-tier stamina.

---

“H-This is so hard….”

I admit it. I overestimated myself.

“I-I think I’m going to die….”

It hadn’t even been an hour since we left, and I was already exhausted!

How the hell did Muriel survive in a body this frail…?!

“Master! Would you like some water?”

“Mm….”

I can’t go on. The moment I collapsed onto the roadside, Ninabel rushed over and conjured water for me.

I gulped it down like it was life itself, acutely aware of Lycian’s sympathetic gaze.

He stepped closer, then knelt in front of me and spoke gently.

“Master, perhaps it would be better if I carried you….”

“…….”

I’d already refused that offer thirty minutes ago.

The reason? Blind faith in this body’s stamina.

No, I really didn’t think it was this hopeless!

‘Should I have grilled some beef before we left…?!’

---

Footnotes

1. T for thinker. Myers Briggs characteristic. ↩