I Am Not the Heroine

Could it be that I got hit on the head during the fight?

The Hero kept shifting and moving his eyes quickly like an old door creaking.

‘This can’t be good.’

Even joking about the possibility of the Hero going insane was a no-go. After all, only the Hero could kill the Demon King, so I needed to do everything I could to bring him back to his senses.

“Hero, wait a moment.”

“Yeah?”

First, I performed the most primitive yet effective diagnosis.

“No fever, but…”

“Rui, what are you doing…?”

I placed my hand on the Hero’s forehead, but there was no heat. If anything, he felt cool, which made me want to keep my hand there.

“Hero, are you feeling okay anywhere?”

“Uh, why…?”

“You keep trying to distance yourself from me and can’t even make eye contact.”

His behavior seemed like that of someone with an infectious disease. This was something Ariya, the Saint, could easily fix, but doing so would derail my plans with Serelin.

I looked at him with a genuinely worried expression.

“…It’s not like that. I’m totally fine.”

“Then why are you acting like this?”

“Uh? That’s…”

“If you’re not in pain, come closer. The path is narrow as it is; you’ll block me.”

“Okay, okay. Just stop tugging at my sleeve…”

The back alley of Alpareth felt completely different from the outside once you stepped in.

Despite early evening, it was surprisingly dark, which contributed to the overall atmosphere.

‘I guess there aren’t that many weirdos around.’

Maybe it wasn’t their active time yet, but the alley was very clean. In fact, the glow from the shops above created a dreamy ambiance.

“It’s better than I expected.”

“Right?”

The Hero also looked around with an expression of surprise. If this was the case, he probably didn’t need to have changed clothes after all.

‘…But just because the Hero said he’s fine doesn’t mean that’s necessarily true.’

I could brush it off as a much-needed change of pace after a long time.

“This way… to the right. If we go this way, the first… uh, ack.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. There’s a big branch there.”

Suddenly, I was pulled backward, and the Hero had yanked me away to avoid an obstacle.

I appreciated it, but that meant my shoulder awkwardly collided with his.

“Thanks.”

I bowed my head and moved sideways to dodge the branch.

If I were lost in thoughts about my gem crafting, I probably wouldn’t have spotted it in time.

If I had been wearing a robe, I might’ve been safer, but now, with my legs exposed below the knee, I could have easily gotten hurt.

‘Thinking this way makes me really grateful.’

But since I already expressed my thanks, it felt awkward to repeat it.

‘…I should treat him to something at the magic shop instead.’

That would make it even out.

Considering the performance, it was obviously better to directly craft something for him.

But since I was buying it to express gratitude, there was no need to fuss over it.

Besides, I had already given gloves and shoes to the entire Hero party, so the gesture felt somewhat diminished.

‘And now I’ve got to give away one more.’

I planned to make another item in the next day or two. So this time, I’d settle for just buying something.

“This is the first place.”

I chose several magic shops to get the Hero and Serelin close together, the first of which was the [Red Fox Shop].

“[Red Fox Shop]… Just as the name implies, it has a red roof and a fox illustration.”

“Yep. It features magic items that can be categorized as ‘odds and ends.’ Now, let’s go in.”

I tugged on the Hero’s sleeve and opened the wooden door to step inside.

Whoosh.

As soon as we entered, I felt a magic circle activate, likely for security.

The Hero also examined the doorframe, feeling the oddity.

“Hey there, big bro~? Nothing’s going to come out just from staring~.”

“Uh, I’m sorry.”

The Hero followed me, looking deflated after being scolded by the owner.

“This way.”

I led him to a corner with several baskets.

Most were tiny, palm-sized, and basic magic items.

“What’s this? It’s super small?”

“These little things are mostly one-time-use magic items. Like this… Oh, thank you. This one purifies contaminated water.”

I reached for a magic item on a high shelf, standing on my tiptoes when I couldn’t reach it, but the Hero pulled out a cube-shaped magic item for me.

“It purifies contaminated water? This tiny thing?”

“Yep. Most mercenaries or adventurers can’t hire priests or mages. This solves drinking water issues in no time.”

And since water takes up quite a weight, that’s how it’s generally acquired.

Seeing the Hero’s intrigued face as I opened up the world of fantastic magic items made me smile.

“And this…”

.

.

.

I must have stayed too long inside.

“Let’s hurry out. We’ve been in here far too long.”

“Huh, huh?”

“Come back, hand-holding couple~.”

We were neither a couple nor did we have particularly large hands!

I had only bought a few odd magic items and rare materials; the couple was just the Hero and me.

“Thanks! I’ll make good use of that purification capsule you threw in…”

“It’s late now.”

Even if it was mainly my fault for getting distracted by the magic items, that wasn’t really important.

This was all thanks to how well the Hero responded while listening to me.

“We should go to one more place. We have to.”

“Where to?”

“It’s a shop called [Witch’s Garden].”

“Witch’s? No way…”

“Yep, it’s run by a witch.”

Of course, besides the future Witch heroine, many witches exist in this world.

The [Witch’s Garden] we were heading to was also run by quite a capable witch.

“I think it’s this way.”

“Here? Hmm, it looks more like a house than a shop.”

Unlike the [Red Fox Shop], which was clearly identifiable as a shop, this one had no sign.

All that surrounded it were plentiful flowers and vines growing out of the doorframe.

Thus, it honestly suited the name, [Witch’s Garden].

Knock, knock, knock.

I knocked on the door in a specific pattern, and a captivating voice came from inside.

“Come in.”

In that moment, the door swung open, pulling the Hero and me inside.

Bam!

With a loud sound, the door slammed shut, revealing a small garden filled with sparkling gem flowers. There sat a witch quietly sipping tea.

“Such a cute kid and a dashing one too. So, what brings you to my shop?”

She was the shop owner, the [Gem Witch], Dia Yurshil.

*

In fact, the Dia Yurshil before my eyes was mentioned in the original story.

‘She was an ally of the Witch heroine…’

An ally who helped the persecuted Witch heroine in some small way; despite her risky appearance, she had a kind heart.

So, what about her risky appearance, you ask?

“Hmm…”

The Hero desperately avoided looking at Dia Yurshil.

Yes, she was currently dressed in a way that could be considered hideous from a man’s perspective.

It wasn’t so much the black dress that clung to her body, but rather the fact that ‘it clung to her body’ that was the issue.

Watching the Hero squirm made a strange feeling rise within me.

‘…Why am I a bit angry?’

I wasn’t sure exactly why.

Ah, perhaps I was irritated that he couldn’t pick up on the heroines’ flirting but reacted like this at a time like this.

Well, it is what it is.

Ultimately, it was me who had to deal with Dia Yurshil.

“I came to learn a technique from you.”

“A technique?”

“Yes. The technique of inscribing mana and magical formulas onto jewels.”

“Oh my, what a bold child!”

There was a reason for her reaction. Depending on the individual type, mages and witches treat their magic like some sort of visionary art.

So, for someone called the [Gem Witch], her gem crafting technique could well be considered visionary art.

‘In fact, she deserves to be called that more than anyone.’

Her crafting method and skill were that impressive.

But I was able to state my intent confidently because I knew she would agree.

“Hmm…”

‘…Or maybe not?’

As Dia Yurshil smiled slyly, I couldn’t help but tense up.

“I can teach you the technique, but there should be a price, right?”

“Ah, about that, I was thinking of exchanging it for materials and magic items you might like…”

“No, what I want is something else.”

“Pardon?”

Her gaze moved past me, to the back, and then upwards.

Tracking that gaze, I saw the Hero, who had been watching me instead of Dia Yurshil.

Only then did I realize what Dia Yurshil wanted.

I quickly blocked the Hero’s path with my arms outstretched.

“This person is off-limits.”

“Oh my, why? Didn’t you bring him to trade?”

“No, I can’t let this guy go.”

If the Hero stayed and became chummy with Dia Yurshil… I couldn’t imagine how much time that would waste.

The Hero was busy.

“What if I don’t teach you?”

“Then that’s fine.”

In that case, I had no choice.

Although learning from her was the best option, if it was impossible, I’d have to consider other strategies.

I saw mana subtly flowing out from her body and pulled out my pen.

A few seconds of silence passed, and it was Dia Yurshil who spoke first.

“I’m joking, magician. The Hero is safe from me.”

Laughing lightly, Dia Yurshil stood up.

“Now, come in. If my technique helps you catch the Demon King, I’ll gladly assist.”

She gestured me to step further into the garden.

“…Wait a moment, how did you know he’s the Hero…?”

“You’re a witch, right? You probably figured out the Hero’s face a long time ago.”

Not to mention that witches possess better insight than mages.

“Probably just a light joke. But even as a joke, I can’t hand over the Hero.”

“Uh… What do you mean?”

“What I literally mean. The Hero is off-limits to anyone.”

“Uh?”

Ah, I forgot an important caveat.

I should have added ‘not a heroine’ at the end… well, hopefully, she’d interpret it properly.

She might think it was just my stance as a member of the Hero party.

“Hero, please wait here for a moment.”

Now, Serelin’s date time was approaching.

Before that, I had something to buy from Dia Yurshil.

“Dia Yurshil, please sell me a crafted gem. Right now.”

“Right now? Why?”

“I want to give the Hero a magic item.”

“Hmm…”

“…?”

“Well then… let’s make it this one. I won’t take any money for it.”

She handed me a gem called Opal.

However, it wasn’t your typical white one with various colors; this one had a more translucent background.

“Think of it like Water. This would suit you well right now.”

“Uh, thanks.”

I briefly expressed my gratitude, then stepped back outside with the opal.

Simultaneously, I retrieved a brooch I had made long ago from the Space of Space and fitted the opal into it.

‘I intended to buy this, but… I guess it can’t be helped.’

“Hero, I’ll give you this.”

“This… is a brooch? Why?”

“It’s because of that branch earlier. It’s a token of my thanks.”

“…Thank you.”

Fortunately, the Hero seemed pleased.

“And… Since it seems like this might take a while, you should head back first.”

“No, I’ll wait.”

“No, Hero, you need to rest. It’s not good to cling on too long.”

“This much is fine…”

The Hero tried to insist, but ultimately, I managed to send him off first.

“Phew…”

Now all that was left was for the Hero to meet Serelin on his way back to the mansion.

I had already told Serelin the route to return, so they would meet up well.

I stepped back inside the garden, wishing for their dinner date to go well.

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