“When you leave this time, when will you be back?”
“I’ll have to visit a few territories, so maybe a couple of weeks? But that’s just the usual estimate. Dieter will probably provide a carriage—or a good horse—so it should go faster.”
“…And you went ahead and decided to take on something that would take that long?”
Bati pressed down firmly on my head.
Ouch.
“Stop running around on your own.”
…He’s so cute!
I’ve been leaving Bati alone a lot lately to get things done, and he must be feeling a bit neglected.
Maybe that’s why he was really upset earlier.
I did come back later than expected after discussing things with Dieter.
Honestly, I want to be with him all the time too! I feel so much more at ease when Bati’s with me than when I’m alone.
But nobles who received the official notice are starting to send out their men, so it’s better for Bati to stay out of sight.
Of course, Bati would never be caught quietly by some noble’s private soldiers, but still—it’d be bad if a fight broke out.
Nobles treat their private soldiers like property.
Even injuring one would mean damaging their “assets,” and that would give them the excuse they need to stir up trouble.
Unlike now, where we don’t have a solid reason and have to cooperate with Gaspar, that would give the nobles a real foothold.
“…I’m sorry.”
Still, once Dieter tears them all down, they won’t even be able to think about bothering us.
Just a little longer.
“I’ll be quick! I’ll wrap it up fast and come straight back.”
“No.”
His answer was firm.
“…You don’t want me to come back?”
“I’m coming with you. Tell that big-shot priest to come up with a plan.”
“Together? But Bati, your build kind of… stands out. We need to handle this discreetly—”
Bati tightened the arm around my waist.
Our bodies pressed close.
He lowered his head slightly, and his lips brushed against my ear.
“I missed you.”
“…Mm!”
He said he missed me!
Bati missed me!
It hasn’t even been that long—we were only apart a few days!
Maybe he’s gotten so used to being with me that even a short separation feels lonely now.
Maybe that’s why he doesn’t want to be apart, even for a little while.
“I’ll figure something out. Just trust me!”
How could I possibly leave behind a lover being this sweet?
Dieter can adjust his plans a little—guys like me don’t grow on trees!
“Wah—ack! B-Bati, slow down, just a little!”
Not long after we set out, I started to slightly regret bringing Bati with me.
Just a little.
I mean it…
“You said we needed to hurry.”
I do want to clear Bati’s name as soon as possible, and I understand the urgency!
But if I collapse along the way, that’s a bigger issue, isn’t it?!
Even though he finally slowed down a bit, my body still felt like jelly.
Ugh, I’m dizzy.
My hair keeps whipping my face and making it burn.
And everything’s spinning!
“…Are you okay?”
Oh, now he notices the state I’m in?
The fact that he’s totally fine is what’s scary.
Why did I give up Dieter’s fancy, plush noble carriage for this again?
Sure, it would’ve taken longer since it had to stick to paved roads, but it would’ve been smooth and cozy…
No! Get a grip.
Being carried in a hero’s arms is the kind of luxury most people can’t even dream of!
Sure, my heart feels like it’s about to explode, my vision’s spinning, and my ears are ringing—but it’s fine!
It is faster this way!
“I’m… f-fine…”
“…We’ll rest for a bit.”
Thank god.
Even if I want to be a dependable lover, deep down I was extremely relieved.
I should have said I was fine and pushed on, if I wanted to be that strong boyfriend.
But hey, it’s not like me being pathetic is new.
And Bati still thinks I’m cute anyway, right?
Hmm… Maybe wearing the artifact’s making me a little shameless.
Bati gently set me down.
“It’s almost dinner time anyway. Let’s eat while we’re at it—ah!”
The moment my feet touched the ground, everything spun.
Is this what sailors feel like when they get land-sick?
My head whirled, and I crumpled straight to the ground.
Bati looked down at me with deep sympathy.
“Just stay still and rest.”
“But I wanted to prepare your meal, at least—”
“I should be the one taking care of you, sometimes.”
With that, Bati scooped me up and moved me near a large rock.
I sat on the soft grass, leaning against the stone.
Then he even pulled out a blanket from his bag and draped it over my lap.
“I’ll go hunt. Wait here.”
“He says he only takes care of me sometimes…? I’m literally being cared for every day? The only thing I ever do is prepare Bati’s meals, and if I stop doing even that, then what am I even here for?”
‘…Is it enough that Bati likes it?’
I suddenly remember what he said when we first set off on a journey after my regression.
He said I’d need someone to look after me—but now I think that was just his way of saying he wanted to take care of me.
And honestly? He’s really good at it.
Even if it’s a little embarrassing.
Bati genuinely enjoys looking after people.
That’s probably why he helped Fer when they were younger.
Thinking about how someone like Gaspar managed to disgust such a person is almost impressive.
That guy was trash from the start.
Any normal person would’ve felt too guilty to mistreat Bati with how sincere and attentive he is.
Anyway—I should get my act together and start prepping for camp.
My vision’s still a bit fuzzy, so I blink a few times before standing up.
Bati told me to stay put, but seriously, how can I just sit still while my lover’s out hunting?
At the very least, I can start a campfire.
I stayed close, worried we’d miss each other if I went too far, and picked up some firewood.
I am an adventurer, after all—stuff like this is easy for me.
Just as I was getting the fire going, Bati came back—carrying a massive deer over his shoulders.
“You’re supposed to stay still.”
“I’m really fine now. Besides, hunting’s not the end of it—we still need to cook, right?”
When Bati dropped the deer, it landed with a loud thud.
Is this a boss deer or something?
Why is it so huge?
“You can’t even cook.”
“I can grill stuff now…!”
“You mean grilling pre-cut bacon evenly.”
Bati replied coolly and began butchering the deer.
With a single smooth motion, he sliced through the hide—clean and precise.
His hands moved with practiced skill.
Traveling with Bati this time, I found out something shocking.
“I’ll handle it. You rest.”
…Turns out, Bati’s really good at cooking.
Like, really good.
I was floored when I heard he used to do all the cooking when he traveled with Gaspar.
And thinking about how he must’ve felt watching me clumsily burn all the ingredients while trying to “learn”…
No wonder he always looked like he was trying not to laugh.
I was mortified when I found out.
But honestly, it makes sense.
It’d be kind of weird if someone like him—who can’t afford to mess up meals—couldn’t cook.
I almost asked why he never said anything, but then he told me why he started cooking in the first place, and I shut up.
He was afraid that if Gaspar noticed any of his weaknesses, he wouldn’t want to keep traveling with him.
Like he’d see him not as a worthy apprentice, but just as a burdensome kid who needed too much looking after…
Doesn’t that just hurt?
