The Reincarnated Transcendent Wants to Fill the Hole in Their Chest - Episode 14: By Your Side

Episode 14: By Your Side

…Morning. Konoe glanced at the window.

During his usual morning patrol, he found himself recalling events from a few days ago. And his thoughts drifted toward the state of the town. The uncertain and difficult path of reconstruction, the exhausted townspeople, and the children—those who, like his former self, were once weak.

Konoe felt just a little concerned about the town’s condition—

“……”

—but he shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

It’s better not to look at unpleasant things as much as possible.

◆

Several more days passed, and the fifteenth day came.

Between the occasional high-ranking monster attacks and treating patients of the deadly plague, Konoe continued to work diligently. And the days went by peacefully.

Although his work as an Adept never ran out, there weren’t any particular problems either.

So Konoe kept alert for monsters while living his days calmly.

He would wake up in the morning, receive his clothes from Ternelica, and wash his face.

Eat breakfast and drink the tea Ternelica prepared.

Treat the morning patients suffering from the plague, then train lightly if time allowed.

At noon, he’d eat the lunch Ternelica made, then relax for a bit.

He would extend his sensory detection to the nearby forest. And if he sensed troublesome monsters, he’d throw his spear at them.

During snack time, he would share tribute sweets and such with Ternelica.

Around sunset, he would treat the patients who had shown symptoms during the day, then begin serious training afterward.

After wiping off his sweat with the towel Ternelica handed him, he’d eat dinner.

Afterward, Ternelica would prepare the bath for him. And he’d sleep in the bed she arranged.

Well, that’s more or less how Konoe had been living the past few days—

“……………………”

—No, wait. Isn’t Ternelica way too involved in all of this?

Surely, something’s not right. Konoe thought as much.

She was practically managing every part of his life. Aside from the bath, toilet, or his private room, she was always by his side. Even when she wasn’t, she was just next door in the servant’s room. She even left him a magical bell in case anything happened.

She’d smile and say things like, “Just ring it and I’ll come right away. So please don’t hesitate to call for me.”

And whenever Konoe stepped out of his room, she’d silently and smoothly show up and approach him.

“……”

How did things end up like this? Konoe didn’t understand.

He tilted his head in confusion. While beside him, Ternelica smiled as if it were completely natural—still wearing her maid uniform.

…And so, today as well, Konoe found himself troubled.

◆

Konoe glanced sideways.

As expected, Ternelica was there. A long, blonde-haired elf girl. She looked like she was in her early to mid-teens. Her features were strikingly beautiful—something rarely seen even in Japan.

“……”

What should I do? he wondered.

Konoe had never spent this much time around someone else.

He’d never spent the whole day looking at the same person.

During his training at the academy, there were times he acted in groups for extended periods. The academy had dormitory living. So having people nearby was common.

But that was only because it was necessary. He only did it because he was told to. Nothing more, nothing less.

—But Ternelica stayed close without needing to.

She stayed by his side, spoke to him, smiled at him. She tried to be with him.

…And so, Konoe didn’t understand. And he was troubled.

He had never experienced anything like this—not in his previous world, and not even here.

By the time he had become aware of the world, his parents had already treated him like something unwanted. So this was a completely foreign experience to him.

“……”

…Why does Ternelica go this far?

It’s probably because of gratitude. Konoe could understand that. That’s why she was trying to repay him.

It was true that Konoe had saved Ternelica and answered her request to come to this town.

Repaying that favor—

That made sense. Konoe could accept that.

…However, even if he understood that, from his perspective, it still seemed like she was going too far.

After all, Konoe was only here because he was hired.

He had a contract to work as an Adept in exchange for a thousand gold coins.

He was simply doing the work he had been paid to do. Nothing more, nothing less.

So, in Konoe’s view, his relationship with Ternelica was one of equals.

They only needed to treat each other with the minimum level of respect. There shouldn’t be any reason to go to such excessive lengths.

And yet…

Why?

(…Or maybe, is there some reason she has to act this way?)

Konoe suddenly considered the possibility.

Maybe Ternelica was taking care of him because she needed to.

A reason that compelled her to treat him so attentively.

A reason she had to personally look after him.

For example—

(Could it be she thinks I’ll slack off on the job if she doesn’t…?)

That was the first thing that came to Konoe’s mind.

He understood that type of thinking—he had worked in society long enough to know.

There are people who, if you don’t flatter them or keep them in a good mood, will immediately lose motivation and stop doing their job.

Could it be that Ternelica thought Konoe was that kind of person?

Of course, Konoe had no intention of slacking off.

He was trying to be a diligent person. And that’s how he had managed to survive in society.

For Konoe, being diligent was his only redeeming quality.

“……”

…But if there was even a chance Ternelica thought that—

◆

“…You don’t need to go out of your way for me.”

“…? Yes.”

So Konoe decided he needed to explain things to her clearly.

That she didn’t need to force herself. That she didn’t need to treat him specially.

“I fully intend to do the job I was paid to do.”

“…?? Yes.”

A thousand gold coins was a huge amount. Enough to buy a mansion or a slave in the capital.

Since he was earning that in just one month, he would continue to work seriously for the rest of his time here.

So—

“—You should do whatever you want.”

There was no need to act as a maid, no need to stay stuck to his side.

She must have things she wanted to do too. She should prioritize those.

That’s the kind of message Konoe tried to convey to her.

In response, Ternelica tilted her head curiously, paused for a few seconds, and then—

“…Yes! I will do what I want!”

She smiled brightly and replied.

Seeing her smile and hearing her words, Konoe felt relieved.

*Good. Now things should be fine.*

◆

—From that moment until bedtime,

Ternelica was still by Konoe’s side.

(…Why…?)

◆

Konoe didn’t understand.

He had told her. Ternelica had agreed.

So why was she still wearing a maid outfit and tending to him?

Not understanding, he asked her the next morning:

“Didn’t I say you could do what you like?”

“I *am* doing what I like, you know?”

“…What?”

He didn’t understand.

Why would she choose this—looking after him—as the thing she liked to do?

How could someone like taking care of him?

Unable to comprehend, he grew more confused.

To such a Konoe, Ternelica gave a gentle smile.

“Konoe-sama, I’m here because I *want* to be. …However, if you find it troublesome, I’ll keep my distance.”

“…Eh?”

“Konoe-sama. Am I… a nuisance to you?”

She looked down. A lonely, dejected expression was on her face.

It was the first time Konoe had seen her look like that—after smiling all the time.

So Konoe suddenly felt like he had done something incredibly cruel.

“…No, that’s not…”

“Am I in your way…?”

A wave of guilt hit him.

It was a kind of guilt he had never experienced before.

…So Konoe, without thinking, said—

“—N-No, not at all.”

“……!! I see! Thank you!”

He ended up saying that to Ternelica.

Her sad expression bloomed into a bright smile, like a flower.

“…Ah, wait…”

“—Then, I’ll continue looking after you today as well!”

Konoe realized he’d made a mistake—but it was already too late.

She smiled so happily that he couldn’t bring himself to tell her otherwise.

…Though, he didn’t even understand why she looked so happy in the first place.

“……”

That night, Konoe kept turning things over in his head—still unable to understand.