Chapter 8 …
[“Rika. Why did you only accept it now?”]
As Angelica read the quest details, her master approached and asked.
“Umm… I needed some time to think.”
The child murmured, her small lips forming the words.
It was the truth. Even if the time wasn’t long, she needed time to think.
I’ve already faced dead ends twice before.
That’s why she had to be careful.
Angelica suspected that the “system,” if it even existed in this game world, probably didn’t like her very much.
If it had liked her, she wouldn’t have been allowed to hit dead ends twice.
That’s also why she suspected that the inclusion of the word “grandmother” in the hidden quest might have been a trap.
But after much consideration, Angelica decided to accept the quest.
No matter if it was a hidden quest trap, she wanted to help the “grandmother.”
Her memories of her previous life were almost fading, but her memories of her grandmother remained vividly strong.
So even in this life, she could not ignore the existence of “grandmother.”
Even if this quest is a trap, it’s fine.
She was prepared to risk her life again.
At the very least, Angelica did not want to betray her own conscience.
“Alright, shall we try the hidden quest now?”
A bright smile spread across Angelica’s face. She wasn’t sure yet whether it was a trap, so she decided to approach it with a positive mindset for now.
She examined the quest in detail. Yet the content remained unchanged.
[Content: Help the grandmother somewhere in the forest.]
That was all. Angelica wondered if there might be more details hidden somewhere, but there were none.
“Hmmm… How exactly am I supposed to help her?”
As Angelica sighed in thought, her master’s voice came.
[Look at the title.]
“The title?”
Angelica looked at the title as instructed.
“Help the Grandmother 1. Ah!”
Only then did Angelica understand why the content was so minimal.
“It’s a series of quests!”
Having played many games, she knew what this meant. Once she found the grandmother somewhere in the forest as instructed, the next quest would appear.
“Alright, then let’s go find the grandmother. Master.”
[…Okay.]
The child led the way into the forest. Her master followed, slightly wary.
Olivier Lespel was a war hero of the Skelphion Empire.
In her youth, she was the eldest daughter of the Duke Lespel family and was known as a socialite star.
But Olivier disliked the other nobles who called her a “flower.”
I am not a flower for you to look at.
She would confront the nobles whispering about her at parties and leave without hesitation.
After leaving society, she took up the sword. News that the seemingly delicate Olivier had picked up a sword quickly became the talk of the town.
Most people expected her to give up soon and return to her original place.
But Olivier relentlessly trained with outstanding physical abilities and determination, eventually becoming the Captain of the Royal Knights.
She participated in countless wars, leading every battle she joined to victory.
Thus, Olivier Lespel became a war hero of the Skelphion Empire.
In recognition of her abilities, the royal family bestowed upon her the title of “Grand Duke”—the first non-royal in the empire’s history to receive it.
Olivier Lespel, the revered war hero and Grand Duke.
Thirty years after receiving the title, she now lay collapsed in an unknown forest.
“Ugh…!”
Olivier groaned as the sharp pain radiating from her heart overwhelmed her.
Even a war hero and powerful Grand Duke could do nothing against sudden illness.
I’ve grown old…
She tried to control the mana flowing within her body, desperate to inform her family of her condition.
But whenever she tried, the pain worsened.
It was as if someone were squeezing her heart with relentless force.
“Urgh—!”
Blood spurted from Olivier’s mouth.
Am I to meet death in this nameless forest…?
She had little regret in life, but at the very least, she wished to pass away in front of her family.
Just one last time…
Her consciousness was already fading. Olivier didn’t have much time left.
Soon, her eyes closed.
“Hello, tree.”
Angelica cheerfully greeted a tall, straight tree and lightly touched its trunk.
A clear, calming energy spread through her body.
“You seem to be in a good mood. That’s a relief. May I ask you a question?”
Angelica asked politely, stroking the tree.
The tree trembled in response, shaking its branches.
Leaves rained down over her head. Angelica squealed in delight, laughing all the while.
The child was communicating with the trees.
This method had been taught by her master when entering the forest.
A child loved by the forest and earth could communicate with plants and animals.
Direct conversation wasn’t yet possible, but sharing feelings was.
Through this communion, Angelica hoped to find the quest target: the “grandmother.”
“Have you seen a grandmother in trouble anywhere in this forest?”
Angelica asked cautiously. She had asked nearly ten trees so far, but none had responded.
This tree was different.
Upon hearing Angelica’s question, it trembled once and stretched its branches outward.
As if an arrow, the branches pointed deep into the forest.
Finally finding a clue, Angelica hugged the tree with her small arms. The tree seemed overjoyed.
“Thank you, tree.”
After thanking it, Angelica hurried in the direction indicated, with her master following.
[There’s the scent of blood.]
“The scent of blood?!”
[Yes. It will be dangerous if we don’t get there quickly.]
Prompted by her master, the child quickened her pace.
Her memories of the past life resurfaced.
A grandmother lying as if asleep, her eyes closed.
The memory made her vision blur. But Angelica wiped her tears and pressed her lips together.
Now was not the time to cry. She had to reach the grandmother as soon as possible.
After running for several minutes, Angelica spotted someone collapsed and bleeding.
Dressed in a fine riding outfit, the person had silver-gray hair.
Based on the attire, body, and hair, her age was not immediately clear.
But as Angelica drew closer and saw her face, she realized it was a dignified woman in her early sixties.
This is her!
Angelica recognized the “grandmother” from the quest.
“Now… what do I… do?”
The child stammered. Though she had found the grandmother, she didn’t know what to do next.
The grandmother bled from her mouth and was unconscious.
Angelica feared it might already be too late.
At that moment:
[Hidden Quest: Help the Grandmother (2)
Content: Find the “Miracle Life Herb” somewhere in the forest and give it to the grandmother.]
A new quest appeared.
