While I was halfway through my apologies, the Hero arrived.

“Oh, did you miss me so much that you’re thanking everyone who brought me here?” He teased.

I just ignored him as I continued my apologies. After a few minutes, I had ‘successfully’ apologized to everyone. I still felt pretty bad about what I did though, especially with how reluctant everyone was to accept my apology; only seeming to do so because I, the Saintess, basically told them to.

Yeah, I’m the saintess, but that doesn’t mean I’m above apologizing for my mistakes! Why did they have to keep saying things like, ‘Don’t worry about it,’ or ‘You don’t need to apologize,’ or even ‘Bowing to me is too much, Saintess!’ Why!? Their reactions make me feel like I didn’t actually apologize to them…

Haa, I feel really bad now, like I just abused my position to get away with doing whatever I wanted. Ugh, I feel sick at the thought.

As I was feeling distressed, my companions greeted the Hero.

“Welcome back, Hero. How did your task go?” Rapunzel greeted.

“It went quite well.”

“So, did you bring souvenirs?” Melly asked. Souvenirs?

“Of course I did. You are going to be amazed at how great they are.” He smiled confidently.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Indeed.”

“I am relieved to see you return safely, Hero. Is it correct to presume that you have accomplished all you set out to do?” Greg inquired.

“It is, Gregory. I think I did pretty good.” He responded as his smile grew. Well, at least someone is in a good mood. “So, what’s Elizabeth so bummed out about?”

Oh, I didn’t expect to be brought up. I was just planning on sitting out of this conversation.

“Well… She accidentally caused an incident, so she’s probably feeling pretty guilty about it.” Rapunzel guessed as she looked over at me. I nodded in confirmation.

“Really? What did she do?” He asked, slightly amused. I just rolled my eyes, like you don’t already know…

“She released her aura…”

“Oh, she’s gained her aura? That’s wonderful! So, what’s the problem then?” Yeah, he’s really amused now.

“It’s, well, you remember her mana trait, it’s not exactly… pleasant to experience.” Rapunzel sighed. She’s trying really hard to be as nice about it as possible, but alas it is a hopeless battle. Thank you for trying though. I gave her a smile.

“Oh yes, that would cause quite the incident. Still, everyone seems fine, so it couldn’t have been all that bad.” He shrugged. Is he comforting me?

Well, even if he’s not, he is right. Kinda. I made a mistake and did my best to apologize for it. Now, I just need to not do that again. Well, at least without informing others of the possibility first. I sadly doubt I can avoid accidentally activating my aura like that currently…

“So, I take it you probably want to resume our travels soon?” I asked, surprising everyone. Ah, I probably should have waited until everyone had finished greeting each other and stuff, huh. “Uh.”

The Hero just laughed. “I see that you can’t wait to continue traveling. Shall we head out tomorrow then?” He asked. His amused smile tells me that he isn't actually serious though.

“Uh, apologies, Hero, but I think it would be best to delay our departure,” Rapunzel suggested in panic. Yeah, I’m pretty certain everyone has various things planned that would be problematic to just ditch.

The Hero just laughed even more. “Ah, don’t worry, I didn’t plan on leaving soon anyway. Everyone needs to get used to their new equipment first, after all.” He explained with an extremely amused smile.

“Oh yeah! I forgot about that. So, does that mean everything’s ready?”

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Of course. But, that can wait as there’s something more important for me to do.” He declared. Hmm, what could that be? Though, everyone else seems to know, judging from their excitement. “That’s right, it’s time for me to make some true food for dinner.” !

Oh, I guess I did miss his cooking, especially his true food. Though, I don’t seem to be nearly as excited about this as everyone else, considering how everyone but me expected this. It’s like that was the main reason why they missed him.

Hmm, that might actually be the case, since it seems like everyone has been feeling the ‘hunger’ for a while now. Yeah, it’s mostly gone down, but everyone’s been training, so who knows. Regardless, it does make sense to think about food when seeing a chief of the Hero’s caliber.

Though that reminds me, why don’t I feel any ‘hungry?’ Like, did I just not improve at all somehow? I can guarantee that I became stronger by fusing with the core, but did that just not count for some reason? I know that we don’t fully understand how Leveling Up works, but I’ve never heard of something not counting outside of buffs, equipment, and the like. And I am quite certain that my mana isn’t some external aid.

Haa, well, who knows… the Hero. The Hero! He would know, wouldn’t he? I just need to ask him. Besides, I have quite a few things that I want to ask him, so hopefully I can finally get some answers.

Okay, that’s the plan. Now, when do I actually talk to him? I mean, he’s going to be busy making food, so it would be rude to interrupt, and we tend to fall into a food coma afterwards, so… tomorrow? Haa, this is why I haven’t talked to him yet! Every time I remember, it’s when we are busy with something. It’s okay, I just need to actually remember this time. Easy, right?

Huh, as I was lost in thought everyone had wandered off to the kitchen. Look at them, just what are they doing? It’s not like the food will be ready for several hours. Like, are they just that ‘hungry?’

That shouldn’t be the case. Melly told me that while it was uncomfortable, it was quite bearable. But, she also said the same thing about my mana… Haa, well, at least the Hero is here, so everything should be fine now.

Well, I guess I’ll continue improving my spell until it’s time for dinner since everyone else seems content just smelling the food currently being created.

______

After a few hours, it was finally time for dinner. I was, predictably, the last to arrive. Huh, I guess they really did just wait for the Hero to make the food. Hmm, well, it does smell quite good, so just sitting here and chatting could be nice.

Sadly, since the food was so close to being finished, no one wanted to chat. Aye, I get it, you guys are really hungry, but do you have to be so obsessed?

Haa, whatever, I can wait.

Hmm, actually, isn’t this pretty strange? Like, I should be really excited as well, shouldn’t I? Why am I so calm? Even the smell isn’t as amazing to me as it should be. I almost want to doubt whether the Hero is actually making true food, despite knowing that he is.

Just what is going on?

As I got lost in thought, the Hero came out with our food. Man, everyone is trying their best not to drool. It’s actually kinda funny, especially with Greg struggling to maintain his noble appearance.

Finally, once everything had been brought out, the Hero removed those weird cover things, causing me to freeze.

What in the Gods’ names is that!? Why is the food glowing!? And smoking! And why is the smoke green and being released so slowly? This does not look safe to eat.

Despite my being stunned in shock though, everyone else started to eat like nothing was wrong. Really? Okay then…

Haa, maybe I’m just seeing things? Well, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious, at least, so I started by smelling the green smoke.

…

Uh, what? It smells, off. Like, I can smell the lovely smell coming from the food itself, but when I specifically smell the smoke, I, well, I can’t describe it. It definitely has a smell, but it doesn’t smell like a smell.

…that sounded really stupid. But what else am I supposed to say!? Like, the smell seems like it was supposed to affect a different sense, but I could somehow still smell it. It’s like I was suddenly smelling light or sound. It just, how?

And, to make it more confusing, it seems to be made up of several distinct smells, as if I’m smelling multiple different things. And, most concerning, the only smell I sort of recognize is a hint of blood.

But, it’s not actual blood. It’s, like the essence of blood. Hmm, where have I experienced this before… Ah! Life force magic! It ‘smells’ like life force. That’s, odd… And potentially bad. Like, really bad potentially. Is this why he doesn’t make true food that often? If so, I understand.

So, out of worry, I cast a healing spell onto him, which caused him to give me an ‘okay then’ look. Yeah, I know that that wouldn’t really help, but it can reduce the negative effects of using life force.

Still, there’s not much more I can really do to help him, so I guess it’s time to ignore the food’s exotic smell and actually try eating some. I mean, I doubt that the Hero would give us something dangerous, so, bon appétit.

And, I should have expected this… It also tastes odd, in, like, the exact same way even.

Yeah, that makes sense, as taste and smell are quite similar senses. Well, at least the normal taste of the food easily overpowers the odd ‘taste,’ so the meal was actually still quite delicious.

And! I didn’t enter a food coma! So, now’s the time to talk to the Hero. hehehe…