BSS 33

Chapter 33

Night fell quickly in the mountains.

As darkness settled thickly around us, the carriage soon stopped and the bell announcing bedtime rang out.

“It’s already night? Jeanie, I’m going back to my carriage now. Elizabeth must be waiting.”

I had been half‑asleep from listening to Iruje’s endless chatter. Finally, I thought. That was the best thing I’d heard all day.

But—Elizabeth? She had a friend sharing her carriage, didn’t she? Had she really been with me this whole time?

“Elizabeth? Who’s that?”

“Ah, my personal silk‑lace pillow. Well—Elizabeth the Third, to be exact. The previous Elizabeths, sadly, have passed on to the next world.”

“……I see.”

Is it that only weird people gather around me? Or am I the weird one?

Either way, everyone that ends up around me has a very strong personality.

I happily waved her off as she got down from my carriage.

Now I was certain. I like chocolate, sure—but what I needed far more was alone time.

The fact that I had gotten lonely earlier felt like a complete mistake.

Some students pitched tents outside for sleeping, but I preferred sleeping in the carriage.

My height wasn’t great, so lying on the sofa fit me perfectly.

I pulled out my pillow and blanket from the luggage compartment and started getting ready for bed.

While fixing the bedding to prepare for a comfortable night, a dreadful realization hit me—one I had forgotten thanks to Iruje’s chatter.

“I didn’t go to the bathroom…”

This world had many inconveniences, but the absolute worst—especially while traveling—was the bathroom situation.

There basically was no concept of a proper portable toilet. Most people just relieved themselves outdoors. And if you wanted to go, your only chance was when the carriage stopped.

Otherwise, you’d have to halt the entire line of carriages, make everyone wait, and then go do your business. Unless you wanted to announce your bowel movements to the entire group, that was a nightmare.

The alternative was… that thing.

“Ugh.”

I glared at the chamber pot assigned to every carriage. Even shoved into a corner, it radiated an unbearable presence. Personally, I would never use it unless I were on the brink of death.

Who knows who had used it before? And afterward, the unpleasant aftermath would linger for a while. Worst of all, it triggered a visceral disgust.

Maybe I was too civilized in my past life and overly sensitive about hygiene.

But still—I had no choice but to go outside.

Grumbling with annoyance, I slowly put on my coat.

The coat I liked wearing was the cloak‑type school uniform distributed by the academy. It had a weak warming enchantment, which made it wonderful.

As I stepped down from the carriage, I glanced toward the source of noise.

For a moment, I wondered if I should call a teacher to accompany me, since it was late. But on that side, the adults were busy with their drinking.

“I can just go alone.”

It’s not like I’m a little kid—I can handle going to the bathroom.

As I trudged toward the forest, I called for Ador. At times like this, he was useful.

“Ador.”

A huge ball of light appeared through the night air. Whenever I summoned a spirit, there was this moment—like watching something emerge from nothing.

(Well, except Rye. He’s weird.)

[Ke-hahaha! Burning with—hm? Master, what is it? Do you need my help!?]

The surroundings brightened instantly. Ador, freshly summoned, flew around wildly as if he had been in the middle of some mischief.

“Ugh, stay still for a second. You’re giving me a headache.”

[That is simply our nature! Now, speak! What great task shall I perform!?]

“Staying still is the task.”

[What!?]

“Just light the way properly, will you?”

Ador clearly hated the idea of having only that trivial job.

He darted around a bit, then—once he realized there really was nothing else to do—settled obediently above my head.

[Tch. To think I’d be asked to do something so petty.]

His once-bright glow dimmed slightly, like he was sulking.

“What grand thing do you want to do so badly?”

[Something magnificent!]

“Magnificent… like what? Want to go hunt a dragon?”

[That would be splendid! It’s been so long since I came to the middle realm that my essence is itching!]

I stopped for a moment and glanced behind me. Had I gone too deep? It felt slightly unsettling, but with Ador here, I assumed it was fine and walked deeper.

I didn’t want to accidentally run into someone else who came out to relieve themselves.

It happened surprisingly often, and only once I’d gone deep enough did I find a sufficiently secluded tree to hide behind.

“Keep watch so no one comes!”

[Unbelievable. To think you would have me do such a—]

“Stop whining!”

The differing personalities of spirits were always amusing.

Rye was loyal but sometimes crooked and rebellious. Undine was loyal, passive, and gentle.

Ador, in contrast, was energetic but not loyal in the slightest.

Still—if I told him to do something, he’d do it.

[I am not meant for such tasks. This master doesn’t seem to understand. Back in the day—]

Why is he so noisy while I’m doing my business?

He’s just a glowing orb—so I can’t even tell where he’s looking.

“Ador, let’s go.”

[Go where?]

“Where do you think… to where I—uh… went… was it this way?”

Maybe Ador was too bright. I couldn’t see any sign of the camp’s lights.

Still, I thought it was probably this direction. I was sure I had passed a tree shaped like that.

Trusting my instincts, I walked that way.

But—I was terrible with directions.

After walking a bit, I realized it was strange that the carriages hadn’t appeared yet. Ahem… embarrassing, but I needed help.

“I guess it’s not this way… ahem, Ador? Try finding where everyone else is.”

[Me?]

“…Who else is there besides you?”

[That isn’t really my specialty, you know. Detecting presences has nothing to do with the Spirit of Lightning—]

“Rye is good at it.”

[What!? I can do it too! Detecting a few living creatures is nothing… if I… focus… ngh! They’re that way!]

See? I knew he could do it. Rye always found the path, so I believed Ador completely.

For about five minutes.

“Are you sure this is the right way? I don’t see any carriages!”

[It should be. I sensed heat.]

“Really? Something feels off. I couldn’t have gone this far….”

As I tilted my head, I froze.

For a split second, I heard something I recognized—something that should NOT be heard here.

A rough… pig‑like snort.

“Wait! Ador, stop!”

I halted him and tilted my head toward the sound.

No, I must have misheard. Maybe it was just leaves rustling—

[What is it, Master?]

“I swear I heard something like a pig being strangled. Like an orc—”

Before I could finish, a huge dark shape burst out of the bushes.

Its body was three times my size, and the stench was suffocating.

An ORC.

“Shreeeeek!”

“Kyaaaa!”

[Ah. That must be the heat I sensed.]

This was insane. The orc charged straight at me.

Even in the dark, I instinctively recognized a mortal threat.

“Human! Tasty human!”

“I’M NOT TASTY!”

Oh god—do orcs eat people!?

This one seemed bigger than the ones I’d seen before. Without time to think, I sprinted desperately through the forest.

This world really is terrifying!!

Somehow, I managed not to trip while running, but the orc was faster.

Which was strange. Orcs were supposed to be slow! Oh—no. I was just really slow.

Feeling death breathing down my neck, I glanced at Ador floating leisurely behind me.

“You stupid spirit!! Don’t just float there—ATTACK!! Attack it!!!”

I was out of breath but still yelled.

[Hm? I cannot use my power without my master’s command!]

“You’re a lightning spirit!! Do something! Zap it! Shock it! Something!!”

[Zap it? There is no such command. Please be more specific—Master!!]

Damn it! I’m going to die giving instructions!

I changed direction. I had to get back to the carriages.

If I came from there, then going this way should get me—wait, was it the opposite!?

I had zero confidence I was heading the right way.

Still, I ran. I didn’t have the luxury to stand still and think while an orc was chasing me.

“Shreeeeek! Stop there, human!”

“AAAHHH!”

The weight of the orc’s footsteps shook the ground. It felt like I’d fall at any moment.

[Master! Such a creature could be dealt with by Thunderbolt—ah, but you can’t use that yet!]

“Are you mocking me!?”

[You are too young. I seized the chance to make a contract, but you’re still too inexperienced to wield me—]

“SHUT UP! Your master is about to die!!!”

Because of YOU!!

What kind of idiot spirit leads someone to an orc when they ask to go where the people are?!