Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy
Iris
On that day, I was woken up as usual by Lenny-san, who had returned from the mercenary company and resumed her duty as a maid.
“*yawns*…”
“Did you not get enough sleep again?”
“Hnn… I went to bed at my usual time, but I couldn’t sleep well at all…”
Because of that, I felt nothing but fatigue in my body.
But I didn’t want to be lazy when I was being taken care of, so I rubbed my eyes and got up to get dressed as usual. Still half asleep, I tried to do my usual physical ability enhancement treatment…
“…What?”
“Is something wrong?”
Even though I was still half asleep, cold sweat broke out of my body, and my face went pale.
“…I can’t… use magic.”
The air in the room froze over as I muttered under my breath.
“I really didn’t expect everyone to freak out like that.”
“Ahaha… For now, it’s a good thing that nothing serious happened, Iris-chan.”
We were now strolling around the city, at Titilia-san’s suggestion.
Aside from she and I, Lenny-san was following me as usual, while Reiji-san and Philias-san tagged along as escorts. Since there were so many of us at once, we decided to wear casual clothes to appear as inconspicuous as possible and went for a walk in the capital city.
This, was the first time I’d worn a hooded parka in this body.
I’d never worn a short skirt before, either… Even though it’s only a little above knee-length… It felt somehow refreshing.
“So, how did it go?”
“Unfortunately, since Aini-san is away on business at the moment, a detailed analysis isn’t possible…”
We did perform a simple examination without Aini-san, whose results weren’t particularly problematic. However, the flow of magic, which could normally usually be opened and closed freely, was temporarily sealed for some reason.
“My magic power itself is fine, apparently. However, it seems like my body is… refusing to use magic? Something like that…”
“Refusing? Could it be the same as self-defense instincts that kicked in when you ran out of magic before?”
“It’s similar, but not quite, I think…”
I myself didn’t understand this kind of thing well, since it’s the first time for me, so I shook my head.
“In any case, I’m really glad that you’re here, Titilia-san.”
Because she was capable of using the same physical enhancement spell, I could still walk around, and our trip to the city didn’t end up getting cancelled.
“Enchanter is awesome, right?”
“It’s certainly more effective than when I cast it myself.”
As expected of a professional, I thought. Not only was it effective, but it was also fine-tuned so that I could feel comfortable when moving.
“Well, there’s no use thinking about stuff I don’t understand. Since we’re in town, let’s enjoy ourselves.”
“That’s a good idea, Iris-chan. Is there anywhere you wish to see?”
“Let me think about it…”
In fact, since arriving in this city, there’s one thing that I was looking forward to, which I told everyone about.
“Thank you very much for the goods, ma’am.”
“Any friend of Phi-chan’s is warmly welcomed in my shop! Come back again anytime!”
I bowed to the lady who owned the stall and took my leave.
The contents of the brand-new package I hugged in my chest were various colored pencils and a sketchbook.
Satisfied with the quality of the items I found at the stall Philias-san recommended me, my sinking mood was now completely lifted.
“Good for you, Iris-chan.”
“All thanks to your help, Philias-san. Though, I didn’t know you’re so well-known here.”
“Haha, well, when I was younger, I was a well-known tomboy in this city.”
Because Philias-san was somewhat of a celebrity in this city, people didn’t pay much attention to me next to her, which was a big help. Perhaps this was what they had in mind when they only allowed me to go outside with her escort.
There’s something else I wanted to ask of her, however.
“Um, I’m not sure if it’s okay to ask this, but…”
“Hmm? Ask away.”
“Don’t you have any hard feelings toward me? Your noble status… your family, was taken away from you because of me, wasn’t it?”
Although I didn’t remember it personally… the reason why Philias-san’s family fell from grace was because of her father’s abduction and confinement of me… or rather “Her Highness Irisria”.
In a sense, I could be considered a culprit, but Philias-san had always treated me well, so I couldn’t help but get worried.
Philias-san gently placed her hand on my head over the hood.
“Ahaha, that’s not true at all. No matter how you look at it, my father got it coming for doing such a thing. Besides… I don’t have any attachments to my old identity anymore.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. I’m a mercenary, remember? If I still identified as a nobleman’s daughter, things could get awkward with the other members.”
As she said those words, I could feel that she was longing for someone, judging from her maiden-like expression.
“…Are you talking about the Captain?”
“?!”
Philias-san suddenly started coughing violently. I was surprised and blinked my eyes.
“Wha… How?!”
She turned bright red, flapped her mouth while staring wide-eyed at me. I thought she was a dependable older sister, but this side of her seemed kind of cute.
“Iris-chan… You’re weirdly perceptive sometimes… If only you weren’t so dense regarding yourself…”
“Eh?”
“F-Forget I said anything! …You’ll keep secret about it, right? Right?”
“Y…Yes…”
I vigorously nodded, partly because I felt a bit intimidated by her stare.
Though, from what I gathered from the mercenaries, pretty much everyone (except Captain Walter and Zeltis-san, that is) was talking about something along that line… I guess I should keep that a secret, too.
After leisurely strolling down the main street that connects the east and west gates, we had arrived at a café in a corner of the central square, which was decorated with fountains and canals. It was another recommendation from Philias-san.
We were led to the café terrace, which had a good view of the square. After we had placed our orders, the table was filled with a variety of cakes that the three other women had ordered in large quantities.
“Iris-chan, are you okay with just tea?”
“Mm, I just don’t feel like eating today.”
In front of me, was only some lemon tea. I picked up the lemon that was placed next to the cup, wondering if it was uncouth, and bit into it.
…For some reason, these past few days, I’d been feeling calmer when I bite into sour fruits. My loss of appetite had continued, my stomach was heavy, and I’d been constantly feeling a little nauseous.
I was really drawn to sweets, but… I gave up on the cake because the mere sight of it, which looked so calorie-rich, made me feel sick to my stomach.
“In any case, I heard that everyone in the mercenary company just left the city even though they just arrived here. They’re always so busy, aren’t they?”
“I know, right? I wouldn’t be here relaxing and drinking tea like this without you, Iris-chan.”
Philias-san, without a care in the world, stuck a fork into her own cake, took a bite of the creamy top, and writhed in pleasure.
“Mmm~ I don’t mind doing this every once in a while. I never get the chance to eat fancy desserts like these in the company…”
“Then, can I come along next time we do this again? The sweets here are so good!”
Reiji-san and I, who only had tea and nothing else, looked at each other and smiled wryly as Philias-san and Titilia-san were beaming with joy.
Surrounded by girls, Reiji-san seemed uncomfortably alone… or rather, he was sweating profusely for some reason, while anxiously watching the people passing by on the street.
“Uh, may I ask something? Why are the mercenaries going on a joint exercise with the soldiers dispatched to Diamant Valley?”
Suddenly, Reiji-san asked in a murmur. Because I was curious about that matter, I nodded in agreement with him.
“Ah, about that, well, the culprits are sitting right here. It’s Iris-chan and this other little lady.”
“…Eh?”
“…Fueh?!”
I stopped chewing the lemon, and Titilia-san’s hand holding the fork froze in its track when the topic was turned to us.
“You both… I hope you understand the gravity of your power a little more, please.”
“Huh?”
“Us?”
We tilted our head at each other, then at Philias-san.
“You know what, you’re like two peas in a pod… Anyway, what’s your biggest strength in battle, in your opinion?”
“Um, it’s healing magic for me.”
“It’s enhancement magic, but why?”
“It’s nowhere near as flashy as Reiji-san or Milly-san…”
“True, true. Iris-chan aside, I can only do things behind the scene, you know?”
For some reason, Philias-san looked like she’s having an aneurysm when she heard our answers.
“What I’m trying to say is… your powers are the kind of power that allows people to exert much higher capabilities than usual… What do you think will happen if they get used to it?”
“Um, they become… overconfident?”
After thinking for a moment, I spoke up timidly. She smiled and nodded, as if she had been waiting for those words.
“That’s right. Because the effects of support magic are not directly visible, even if they can defeat the enemy thanks to the increased abilities provided by magic, they may come to believe that they could have defeated them on their own… If that happens when they’re in a situation where such support magic is unavailable, they may misjudge the power difference and get into trouble.”
At worst, it could become a matter of life and death, said Philias-san, taking a bite of cake. We all looked solemn.
“…I think I understand what you mean. I, myself, had forgotten until this morning that I can’t do anything without magic or equipment.”
“Yeah, something like that. That’s why everyone is currently undergoing the Captain’s special training regime to re-evaluate their true strength. Man, I’m just glad I’m sitting here instead of having to go through that.”
“I wholeheartedly agree with you… I’m sure that irritating person will be well-trained by the time he comes back.”
Lenny-san quietly vented her frustration at the currently absent Weiss-san as she cleared her plate of cake with a reserved gesture.
…Please return safely, everyone.
Thus, I silently offered my prayers to the faraway soldiers and mercenaries.
“Hey, Iris-chan, let’s go check out already…?”
My consciousness resurfaced at someone calling my name. I must have dozed off again.
“Come on, let’s go. We were talking about going to see some clothes next, but are you okay? Do you want Reiji-san to bring you home early?”
“Ah… I’m sorry, I’ll be going no-”
I hurriedly tried to stand up, but…
SQUISH
I felt a slimy, sticky sensation coming from between my thighs. My underwear was stuck to my skin with some sort of liquid, making me feel extremely uncomfortable.
“What’s the matter?”
“…It’s nothing. Please go on ahead.”
“Really? Okay, but I hope you catch up soon.”
After confirming that she was walking away, I slipped into the shadows.
“…Eh? What on earth…?”
I timidly lifted up my skirt so that no one else can see… then, I saw…
Several dark red streaks running down my thighs.
The small piece of clothing that covered the area above the thighs and the lower abdomen was tainted red…
Ah, I’m going to faint…
“…IRIS-CHAN?!”
Yelled Titilia-san, who seemed to have noticed what was happening, but by that time, my consciousness had already faded to black…
APM - Translation 