Page 178

(Walson)

Looking at the time and date on the [Mini-map], it seems right now a little after one in the afternoon, and it's been five days since I first lay in bed.

The sunlight pierced through the wooden window and made me open my eyes involuntarily.

Although I still felt quite awful and my limbs were somewhat weak... at least I had managed to pull through.

"Ah, you're awake!" The person who walked into the room was Derisha. She saw that I was awake, and her lips curved into a lovely smile.

She lightly kicked the door closed with her hind foot, held a small wooden bowl in her hands, and sat down by the bedside.

"...Hmm, good morning," I replied with a smile, attempting to sit up, but my body lacked the strength... I really shouldn't force myself like this next time.

"How do you feel? Are you getting better?"

"Yeah... it's much better. At least I'm not in as much pain," I tried a few more times, but my lower back was still very weak, so in the end, I gave up and just lay back on the bed, looking at Derisha.

Although I don't think Derisha would mind, it's quite impolite. No matter how unique she is, Derisha is still a princess of a nation, and I'm lying in bed talking to her...

"Haha, that's great! It seems what Sister Barella said was right." Derisha smiled brightly, showing her white teeth.

...Although her natural airhead attribute is cute, her outgoing personality is quite a contrast to her princess status.

But, is it okay for Barella to be called as 'Sister' Barella? Ever since she joined the party, Derisha has been calling her that.

Well, Barella also responds by calling her a "dork," so it's not because she heard me calling Derisha that, hehe... I hope not?

"Why did you suddenly mention Barella?" I asked in confusion.

"Oh, that's right. We've been taking turns looking after you these past few days, and Sister Barella has been in charge of your meals. When she saw that you were looking better this morning, she went to rest. Sister Barella hasn't slept for several days," Derisha explained.

"Huh? She's been in charge of my meals?"

"Yeah! Sister Barella makes delicious soup! By the way, the one who brought you your food this morning was also Sister Barella!" As Derisha spoke, she shook the small wooden bowl in front of me.

It was a bowl of pale yellow, thick soup, with a few pieces of shredded meat on top and steaming hot... This aroma was very familiar.

During my semi-consciousness, I still had some dulled senses, so I could feel the meticulous care of others around me... In that moment, I was truly touched.

As for eating, it seemed that I had been fed spoonful by spoonful, lying in someone's arms, so It was Barella!?

...

...

That girl really is kind huh, despite quarelly not long before and breaking my nose, she still took care of me to the point of not sleeping for several days.

I needed to thank her properly when she woke up.

"...Derisha, can you help me sit up?" I said, trying to sit up again.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot to feed you!" Hearing this, Derisha shifted her hips, circled her right hand around my waist from below, and lifted me up all at once.

I reached out and took the wooden bowl that Derisha handed to me, my hand still trembling a bit, but... I could eat.

As I tasted the soup, it turned into a warm flow and slowly went down my throat.

Delicious, refreshing, and sweet, with a perfect balance and just the right amount to make one feel invigorated.

I have to admit, Barella's cooking skills are impressive.

"Thanks," I said with a smile, looking at Derisha who was holding the bowl.

"It's nothing, you've done so much for me... and you even pushed yourself this far. It's only natural for me to do these things," Derisha said, and as she spoke, she tightened her arm, and the sensation of her soft body pressing against mine made my thoughts wander a bit.

"... You don't have to do this," I quickly said, sensing that the atmosphere was becoming somewhat awkward.

"Walson... I want to thank you," but Derisha didn't stop, and with both hands, I felt a faint fragrance of her hair as she held me tightly. When I came to my senses, her hand already circled my body, and as I looked up, I saw Derisha's pretty and delicate face...

"Huh?"

"I've said before, I was born in Josephton Village, and I lived there for ten years. The people here are like family to me."

"Without you... no, thank you for saving my homeland, thank you for all the construction you've done. It will lead to a better life for them in the future."

"Well, it's not that much of a big deal..." My thoughts had already short-circuited, and the back of my ears were burning.

Due to our height difference, I was now like a younger brother being held by his older sister. Derisha's soft chest pressed against my left shoulder and deformed slightly.

Derisha lowered her eyebrows, and her watery eyes met mine, leaving less than ten centimeters of space between us. Her breath, as gentle as an orchid, brushed lightly against my cheek.

"Um... what I'm about to say next is a bit embarrassing, and it took a lot of courage to say it... Please don't make fun of me?"

"When I first gave you the ?dagger, it was because I had some feelings for you, but there were various other factors..."

"For example, I just wanted to keep you around, or maybe I wanted to control such a talented person... There were various considerations. On the one hand, I didn't want you to dislike me... But, after you left the royal capital, I suddenly realized something else."

"I was afraid you would just disappear from my life. The name Walson is so important to me, and this... that..." As Derisha spoke, her face turned red, and she began to stutter.

"I... I'm very envious of Melon and Grace. I also want you to rely on me... I... I..."

Nevertheless, she continued to speak desperately, as if using all the strength in her body, and the sound of my bones creaked under the pressure.

It hurts! It hurts! It's going to break, it's going to break, it's going to break, it's going to break!!!!

"I really like you!"

Slap!

...

...

When I woke up again, I was still lying in Derisha's embrace.

"Are you okay?" Her expression looked more frustrated than ever, her eyes filled with tears, as if she could cry at any moment.

"Ah-*cough*-I'm fine," I smiled helplessly, feeling even weaker than before.

"I'm... I'm sorry..." As she spoke, a tear slid down her cheek.

...

I reached out to wipe away her tears, and my left hand held onto her wrist.

Yeah, she's much cuter this way.

I remembered what Barella had told me before. Derisha's identity was special, and after she gave me that golden dagger, regardless of misunderstandings, she couldn't go back to how she was before... No, those were just excuses. I hadn't made much progress, had I?

"... I'll continue heading west and even temporarily leave this country," I couldn't help but smile with a tone of amused resignation.

"Even if I have to use [Dragon Soul Possession] to fly, I won't let you go!" Derisha pouted, her eyes filled with an inexplicable determination.

"... Well, it seems I should really teach you how to drive for the sake of the people along the way." I said with a smile. When my left hand left her, there was already a bracelet on Derisha's wrist.

I had to do this to make up my mind... I really needed to reflect on myself.

"I... I... I'll do my best on everything!!!" Derisha's cheeks turned red, and in the next second, her vision suddenly spun. When I came to my senses, I was firmly pressed onto the bed, enveloped by the shadow that is casted upon by Derisha's body who is on top of me.

"Uh... Derisha?" I had a sudden ominous feeling after being slammed onto the bed.

"Well... according to what Alice said... the next step should be... a k-kiss..." Derisha's voice trembled, and she seemed extremely shy, so shy that she had to exert a lot of effort just to speak, and I couldn't move even if I wanted to.

I could almost imagine that sly snake giving me a thumbs-up.

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

S-s-stop, I can't breathe...!!!!!

"!!!!!!!!!!"

Oh, oh no... p-please, be gentle...

"!!!!!!"

Yamete kudasaiiiii...

"!!!!"

Ah, I can see the light......

"..."

"Eh, eh? Walson!? Walson!? Are you okay!?"