The Unaware Harem Adventure Tale of the Strongest Enchanter ~~I Don’t Know My Companions’ Faces or Identities, but I’m Pretty Sure They’re All Guys~~ - 51. Encounter Rate Naturally Jumps the Closer You Get to Town

51. 51. Encounter Rate Naturally Jumps the Closer You Get to Town

Late at night, I was struck by a violent chill.

Even wrapped in blankets, the shivering wouldn’t stop.

Suddenly, the coldness vanished. Instead, warmth spread through me.

I vaguely felt something soft and smooth embracing me from behind—it was warm and pleasant.

And like that, I drifted into slumber.

…

……

………

“How are you feeling?”

Nonon was peering down at me.

I sat up and checked myself.

The fatigue hadn’t disappeared. But I felt a little better.

My head was still foggy though.

Come to think of it, what did I eat yesterday, and how did I fall asleep? My memory was hazy. I couldn’t recall. Just then, a wet towel slipped from my forehead. And I realized.

“You took care of me? Sorry for being a burden.”

“You’re an important comrade, of course I did. Even if you weren’t, abandoning a sick person is totally impossible for me.”

She picked up the towel. She dipped it in the bucket, wrung it out, then forced me to lie back down and placed it on my forehead again.

The coolness felt good.

“I feel like you did a lot for me. But I can’t remember at all. I didn’t say anything weird, did I?”

“Hmm… other than poking my butt with your staff, nothing else.”

“That’s the worst. I wanna die right now.”

“You better get well soon. I worked hard for you, you know.”

“?”

Blushing bright red and looking away, Nonon muttered quietly.

Then my attention shifted to the driver. I looked around the cave.

“What about the old man?”

“He’s sleeping over there with Gura.”

“Gura?”

“Grannaughts, duh.”

“Don’t shorten it.”

Sure enough, the driver was sleeping while hugging Grannaughts.

“Gura gives off heat just by being there. So on cold days, it’s really useful. Since Gura was keeping the old man warm, I was—nothing! Forget it!”

“What, now I’m curious.”

“Doesn’t matter, doesn’t matter. I made breakfast, so I’ll feed you.”

“I’ll eat by myself. I’ve got enough strength for that.”

I sat up again, took the bowl, and sipped the soup.

It was lightly seasoned. But for a weakened body, it tasted wonderful.

While I ate, Nonon collected the clothes that had been drying and brought them back.

Now that I noticed, I wasn’t even wearing underwear. Embarrassing.

After finishing the meal, I dressed.

“So, how’s it outside?”

“The storm’s over. I even saw a beautiful sunrise. Today’s totally clear.”

Looks like there’ll be no issue with departing.

The only problem left is my condition—but luckily, I’m an enchanter. The solution is already in my hands.

I grabbed my staff and cast the enchantment ‘Physical Guard’ on myself.

With this, stamina would gradually recover, speeding up the healing.

I should’ve done it yesterday. But it all happened so suddenly I didn’t think of it.

“What’s that enchantment?”

“‘Physical Guard’. Low mana cost, long duration. Perfect for times like this. After some rest, we’ll depart—go wake the driver.”

“I still think you’re not ready…”

“I’ll sleep plenty in the carriage. Besides, you didn’t get much sleep either, right?”

I was more worried about Nonon.

She had dark circles under her eyes. And her face clearly looked tired.

When I pointed it out, she turned her gaze away, embarrassed.

“Who can sleep soundly when they’re nervous?”

“What was that?”

“Look, the old man’s waking up. I made breakfast, he should eat. Ah, gross, he drooled all over Gura.”

…Feels like she deliberately changed the subject.

◇

The carriage arrived at the town of Stocklex.

Avantale was close now. But here we had to switch carriages.

The one we rode was not a passenger line but a cargo cart that regularly visited villages. So the deal was only until Stocklex.

Now we needed to find the next carriage bound for Avantale.

Since they departed regularly, it wouldn’t be hard to board one.

After parting ways with the driver, we began searching for a place to stay for the night.

It was too late to find another carriage now.

My condition was mostly recovered. But I still had a cough. So I didn’t want to push myself.

At the inn counter, I spoke to the innkeeper.

“A room, please. Two rooms for two people.” “Can we get one room for three people?”

“”Huh??””

The voice overlapped with mine.

And it was a familiar voice. A young woman’s.

I glanced to the side and saw red hair enter my vision.

“Ah!”

“Ugh.”

“‘Ugh’? What’s that supposed to mean!? That’s so mean!”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that…”

Standing there was the swordsgirl.

And behind her, as expected, were the mage girl and thief girl from the usual trio.

Stocklex is a town relatively close to Avantale. Running into fellow adventurers wasn’t unusual. But when the ones in question were *these* three, I couldn’t help but think, “again, huh”.

Coincidence in name only. We kept bumping into each other so often that not meeting them at time had felt strange.

And now here they were. They never failed expectations.

“I heard you went away on business. Is it already finished?”

“Yeah, staff repair. In the end, I had to get a new one though.”

“A new staff!? Please, may I see it later!?”

“Later, sure…”

The mage girl’s eyes shone with curiosity about my new staff.

It was a very fitting reaction for someone so serious and diligent.

I turned my gaze to the thief girl. She was expressionless as ever, eyes half-lidded.

“I was waiting for teacher to come back. A month felt really long.”

“You practiced your writing while I was gone, right?”

“I did it every day.”

“That’s impressive.”

“Mm.”

When I praised her, she raised the corners of her lips just slightly.

Come to think of it, Master used to praise me like that too.

“Woooah! It’s Grannaughts! I’m so thrilled—I’ve always wanted to talk to a tank! Did you accompany Lux on his trip this time!?”

The swordsgirl spoke excitedly to Grannaughts.

Now that I thought about it, they’d never been introduced properly. She’d visited the base a few times, but they’d always been away.

How would Grannaughts respond?

“You’re the cute rookie everyone’s been doting on. Super adorable. Yep, I went along with Raku-cchi for a chill, happy country life. Great food, beautiful scenery, kind people—perfect. Akane-chan, right? If you want, I can talk about tank life as much as you want.”

“……”

“Huh?”

The three rookies were frozen, wide-eyed and pale. They were staring at Grannaughts making a heart shape with its fingers while speaking in gal slang.

I finished checking us all into the inn together.