NOVEL NEXT Chapter 99
“…Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like a major malfunction.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. As a craftsman, it’s only natural to handle repairs.”
“Repairs…?”
“Something like that exists.”
“Is that so?”
Thankfully, Karina didn’t pry into my slip of the tongue. Truly the Saint, big-hearted… no, broad-minded and compassionate. That’s why people believe in Kalon Church—
“Um, Johann? You’re speaking right now…”
Ah, my mouth.
“…Let’s pretend you didn’t hear that.”
“Has Patrasche been fully repaired?”
Karina kindly changed the subject to Patrasche, pretending she hadn’t heard my blunder. Ah, such a compassionate person, being the Saint of Kalon Church makes Kalon Church the largest religion on the continent.
“With that in mind, I’m thinking of making some improvements.”
I was also planning to slightly tinker with the wheels, re-adjust the handles and weight balance. It couldn’t hold its center on the ramp as expected. Of course, with Renny’s superhuman strength, carrying the carriage around might not need that, but it’s better than not doing it at all.
I pulled some materials stacked in a corner of the workshop and reinforced Patrasche. Adjusting the weight by slightly shaving the bones, improving the wheel rotation, and adding new brakes to keep it from tipping over on slopes.
Lastly, I added a folding function for better portability.
At this point, it was the best I could do.
I wanted to attach various things for self-defense, but that would be tough. I thought about making a weapon storage space under the chair or installing a poison dart launcher in the handle, but unfortunately, I couldn’t make it that way.
It would be a pain if Karina got hurt due to one of my hidden devices due to a malfunction.
If any problems arose from a hidden device, it wouldn’t just end with a pay cut. If I’m unlucky, I might get kicked out of the Academy, and for someone like me who wants to see the true ending, that was the worst outcome.
Moreover, with Renny around, it was hard to consider it a significant means. It would be much better to make her a self-defense weapon.
“That should do it.”
“Is it finished?”
“Would you like to sit in it once?”
I unfolded Patrasche and placed it in front of Karina. Karina glanced at the wheelchair for a moment before carefully standing up using the desk for support. However, her condition didn’t seem too good. I looked at her anxiously, worried she might collapse.
“Oops…”
I hurriedly caught Karina as she was about to fall. The soft sensation wrapped around me. Given the posture, it was a bit awkward with our chests touching. Renny might get angry if she sees this. I hurriedly set Karina down on Patrasche.
“…Thank you.”
Her body, after so long, had a pleasant scent. Was she wearing perfume, or had she always smelled like this? Either way, it didn’t really matter, but it made me a bit self-conscious.
…Among our kids, she was the most mature.
“Johann?”
“Ah, sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. Come to think of it, it’s been a while since it was just the two of us.”
It was obvious she was trying to change the subject, but I didn’t want to keep the awkward atmosphere, so I agreed with her.
“It seems like the first since the deserted island.”
“The deserted island… was really a fascinating place.”
Fascinating place? Looking at Karina’s face, she seemed lost in memory.
Uh… for me, it was a nightmare in many ways, but it must have become a kind of nostalgic place for Karina. Well, thinking about the current Karina, she might feel more comfortable on the deserted island.
She had just come back to the continent and fell into a coma, and now she could hardly move due to the curse. Just earlier, she almost collapsed after taking only three steps. I understood how she felt since I had also suffered a major injury on the deserted island.
I didn’t really want to go back, though. I still occasionally have nightmares of wandering on the deserted island because of all the precious memories.
“Um… Johann? Can I ask for a walk? I feel suffocated being in the workshop all the time.”
“Retriever…?”
“Yes?”
“Never mind.”
If Millia was the small, energetic dog that rushed in mindlessly, then this was the calm, big dog. Applying dog breeds to a saint sounds a bit off, but it suddenly popped into my head, and I accidentally said it out loud. I put on my outerwear and grabbed the handles of Patrasche.
Is this the first time since pushing Millia around?
Keeping Karina’s safety in mind, I began to push Patrasche slowly.
Too fast would be a problem, and too slow would be an issue, so keeping a moderate speed was crucial.
I opened the workshop door and stepped onto the grassy area where the blazing sun watched over the land. Thankfully, the slightly improved Patrasche moved without any issues.
“A walk, huh…”
It felt strange.
A walk with just the two of us, with neither Millia, Elisa, nor Renny around. How long has it been since we had a walk just the two of us?
“It’s been a long time since it was just us.”
“The first since the deserted island, wasn’t it?”
“Back then, I was really scared and wanted to get back to this land quickly… but people are such fickle creatures. Now that I’m back, I sometimes think about wanting to go back to the deserted island.”
“That’s not strange. It’s common for people to have illusions about their past.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah.”
Hehe, I could hear her elegant laughter. Unfortunately, since I was pushing Patrasche, I couldn’t see her face, which was a bit disappointing. To hide my disappointment, I slightly increased the speed of pushing Patrasche.
Creeeak, the sound of the wheels rolling could be heard. Naturally, that noise should come from fully supporting a person’s weight. In the quiet courtyard, even that sound became background music, tickling my ears. In the meantime, Karina’s voice mixed in.
“Renny worries a lot, so she hesitated to go too far. So, I just wandered around this garden…”
Karina seemed to sigh lightly, perhaps dissatisfied with that. Well, looking at the garden once or twice is nice, but it’s bound to get boring if you keep going in circles in the same place. That said, taking her outside would be a bit tricky. If Renny finds out, I’d be bombarded with endless nagging.
“I’d like to see a little of the outside, but is there any way we can do that?”
Our eyes met as Karina turned her head. Her moist, differently colored eyes gazed at my face with a playful smile. It was a beautiful face to the point of being burdensome. I averted my gaze and responded.
“…A little should be fine.”
“Ehe, thank you.”
How could a mere bodyguard refuse a plea from the esteemed Saint? When the Saint gives a bright smile, I should nod eagerly. Having justified myself, I turned Patrasche towards the exit of Yeomyeong-gwan—
“Hey, where are you going?”
“I’m just taking a quick stroll around here because Karina asked me so earnestly—”
“Stop right there.”
I had no choice but to stop when I felt pressure on my shoulder. Of course, Renny was holding onto my shoulder. Given my height, it created a slightly awkward angle, but that wasn’t the important part.
Renny glared at me with serious eyes. As expected of Renny. When it’s something related to Karina, she’s all serious, friend or not.
“I told you I can’t go outside Yeomyeong-gwan.”
“Since the Saint wants to do that, how could a lowly bodyguard like me stop her?”
I confidently held up the Saint’s shield. Isn’t it basic for an employee to put on a show of compliance, even if it’s forced by a superior?
Upon my retort, Renny sighed, seized the handles, and spoke gruffly.
“Just watch your words… Go on, you’re off from today.”
“Well, that’s true, but—”
“It’s ridiculous for someone on leave to take on extra work. Just go out and enjoy yourself or pursue hobbies in the workshop. Leave should be spent like leave.”
As expected, it’s impressive that she understands the value of vacation. Since she’s pushing me out like this, I should probably take my leave.
Though I have a lot to do too.
“Understood.”
“Yeah. Whatever you do, don’t cause any accidents. It’d be a hassle to clean up.”
“That won’t happen.”
In fact, it seems likely that something will happen. The purpose of my vacation was to cause some trouble, after all. It’s unfortunate for Renny, but I hope she can write a few more incident reports in my stead. Well, depending on how things turn out, it might all go smoothly, but… my life doesn’t unravel that easily.
From the very first day I was reincarnated, I had to endure the absurdity of drifting on a deserted island. It’s safe to say that anything I do will lead to more ridiculousness.
“Then, let’s meet again in four days…”
“Be careful out there!”
“Have a good trip!”
So, shall I go on my vacation?
Even if I say I’m going, it’s just below me… I wore a bitter smile at the thought of going on a vacation that wasn’t really a vacation.
The end of the first semester was approaching.