Published: August 15, 2025
After dinner, I changed clothes in my room.
Just like the female knights, I put on pants and dressed in a way that would be fine even if my skirt got lifted. The one-piece dress I wore was simple, plain, and made of sturdy fabric.
“Not very cute, huh?” Nicola said with disappointment.
But Monica, who basically loved simplicity like Vilma, let out a light breath.
“When going to collect herbs in the forest, decorations aren’t necessary, Nicola. Being able to move easily is the most important. Right, Lady Rosemine?”
“Exactly as Monica says. We don’t need any fluttering decorations tonight.”
I styled my hair firmly with gel so it wouldn’t get in the way and tied it into a single ponytail at the back. Also, thinking I’d only walk around Winter Hall, I changed from my short boots to knee-length leather shoes suitable for walking in the forest. Each time I tightened the laces, a thrill rose inside me.
…It’s been a while since I’ve been to the forest, and it’s my first time collecting in a long time, so I have to do my best!
Since entering the temple, opportunities to go to the forest had greatly decreased. Since I became the lord’s adopted daughter, naturally, I had no chance to go to the forest at all. Watching the workshop children go to the forest with Lutz and the guild, I wanted to go too, but with my physical strength, I would be a burden, so I was always the one left behind to look after things.
…Ugh, I’m so excited.
After putting on my shoes, I stood up and had someone help me put on my leather belt.
Attached to the belt were leather gloves for gathering, leather pouches for holding materials, and tools for carrying mana stones. Today, I also wore another leather belt and equipped myself with a magic tool knife prepared by the high priest.
With this, the preparations for gathering that I was told about were complete.
Looking down at the various gathering tools and the hilt of the knife jingling at my waist, I chuckled.
…I feel really cool.
Unlike Brigitte, I wasn’t wearing armor, but today’s outfit made me look braver and cooler than ever.
“Monica, Nicola, what do you think?”
“It looks very easy to move in, so I think it’s good,” Monica said calmly.
Unlike her, Nicola’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she clenched her fists.
“Lady Rosemine looks really strong. Very cool.”
Feeling pleased with Nicola’s praise, I left the room.
“Eckhardt Brother, don’t you think I look really strong?”
Fully prepared, I headed to the room where Eckhardt Brother and the others were waiting, and spread my arms wide to show off.
Eckhardt Brother’s eyes grew wide, then, with a very disappointed expression, he shook his head gently and spoke in a tone like scolding a disobedient child.
“Rosemine, don’t get involved in anything other than gathering. Understand?”
“…Yes.”
Once everyone was ready, we went outside. On a full moon night, the path would usually be somewhat bright, but it was darker than I expected. Curious, I quickly looked up at the sky and saw that the moon was a color I had never seen before.
“T-The moon is purple!?”
Startled by the eerie sight, I pointed at the moon and shouted, but everyone only glanced briefly at it and didn’t react much.
“It’s Shutzelia Night,” Justox said as if it was obvious.
Eckhardt Brother raised his eyes in surprise and looked down at me.
“…Rosemine, you’ve never seen it before?”
“This is my first time. I’m rarely outside at such a late hour, and I’ve often been bedridden during this season.”
“I see.”
It might be natural that I hadn’t seen it before, but in the three years I’d lived in this world, I’d never heard of the moon turning purple.
“After passing Shutzelia Night, the cold suddenly intensifies, so it is said to be the night when the goddess of life Avelibe’s power is surpassed by the goddess of wind Shutzelia. Conversely, at the beginning of spring during Flutlene Night, the moon turns red. After Flutlene Night passes, the snow melts, and it is said that the goddess of water Flutlene’s power surpasses that of goddess of life Avelibe.”