By the Grace of the Gods

Today, three episodes are posted simultaneously.

This is the first episode.

After walking along the mountain path for several hours while viewing the barren landscape, I finally arrived at the town of Teressa. The scenery was rocky and sparse in greenery, so I was getting bored by the time I reached here. I figured I would spend the night in this town today. The question was whether to book a room at an inn or to stay in the Dimension Home.

The Dimension Home, created by spatial magic, has expanded daily and with the help of slimes, it has now become akin to a “house with a spacious garden.” Therefore, it's much more comfortable than staying at an ordinary inn.

However, since I had gone this far, it wouldn’t be bad to try staying at a local inn... First, I decided to walk around the town a bit. I could have a bite to eat somewhere and then decide—it wouldn’t be too late.

While thinking this and strolling through the town, a horse-drawn carriage caught my eye.

“Hm? Could that be...?”

It seemed to be a somewhat upscale inn, and right next to it was a dedicated carriage parking space. From the road where I stood, it was separated by a tall iron fence... I thought I might be mistaken, so I approached the fence and looked again—it was no mistake.

On the side of the parked carriage was the emblem of Duke Jamill's household, who I’m indebted to. It was probably not the one I rode the other day, but rather the carriage I first rode when I left Gana Forest.

Why was it here? That carriage, if I remember correctly, Sebas-san was the one who transported it in and out of the Dimension Home. So does that mean Sebas-san is here? No, it might be someone else since it’s the household carriage...!

“Oh, you noticed me.”

Feeling a presence behind me, I turned around to see a woman with dark skin and glasses, her silver hair flowing to her shoulders in the wind, smiling happily. She was only about three meters away—how had I not noticed her until she got this close?

“You’re quite perceptive, aren’t you?”

“...Who might you be?”

“Oh, did I startle you? Sorry, I just wanted to surprise you a little. I was wondering what you were doing so intently looking at that carriage, and a mischievous idea popped into my head.”

She didn’t seem hostile, but...

“Miss Remily, are you here?”

At that moment, I heard a familiar male voice from behind me. Turning around, I saw—

“The lunch preparations are... Oh? Could it be Lord Ryoma?”

“Sebas-san!”

“Huh? You know Sebas-chan?”

Sebas-chan? And Sebas-san just addressed this woman that way... It seems she’s an acquaintance of Sebas-san. Well, that should be fine then.

“Miss Remily, this is our friend. I never expected to meet here.”

“Friend? So not only Sebas-chan but Reinbach-chan as well? Huh...”

It seemed fine for now, but who exactly was this woman? She looked quite young, in her twenties or maybe even late teens, yet addressed Sebas-san and Lord Reinbach so familiarly. I didn’t know her background... Still, looking again, she was truly beautiful.

She was taller than me but rather petite for an adult woman. Her robe was open in the front, revealing a good figure. Her chest seemed somewhat disproportionate to her height, and her waist was slim. She had the figure of a gravure idol from Earth magazines.

She looked healthy but not like someone trained for combat, so I guessed she wasn’t the type to fight with weapons. Yet, she seemed nimble.

“Sorry for startling you earlier. I’m Remily Clemis, a mage.”

“I’m Ryoma Takebayashi, pleased to meet you.”

“Since you both probably have many questions, why don’t we move somewhere more comfortable?”

“That sounds good. Ryoma-kun, is that okay with you?”

“Yes, no problem.”

Since Sebas-san was here, I decided to follow for now. But why was Sebas-san here? Well, if Lord Reinbach was here, he was probably accompanying her.

■　■　■

Following Sebas-san, I was led to a room in the inn before us. Just as Sebas-san was about to knock on the door, the woman who called herself Remily opened it and pulled me inside.