CH 171

From the deck of the ship, we watched the city of Kaisei disappear into the distance.

Our 5 nights and 6 day Rishu vacation came to an end.

The hot springs on day 1 - especially that incident with the couples bath - was burned strongly into my memory, but we also had memorable moments at other tourist spots as well.

Rishu is not the biggest country. If I wanted to, I could probably run from one end of the country to the other within a day.

……not like I have any reason to run all out like that, but point being, we were able to see many places that were only a few hours away from Kaisei.

We watched the national sport of Sumo and the play using very interesting masks called Kabuki.

We tasted all the local delicacies, and bought many kinds of locally brewed drinks to take back as gifts.

We even got to see some of the qualifying rounds for Rishu’s biggest, annual martial arts tournament - the Heaven’s Martial Art Tournament.

Jend really wanted to participate, but if he were to pass the qualifying rounds and enter the main tournament, we would have to delay our departure to Ligaleo even more……and besides that, we are specialists in fighting Demons. Between people who train to fight Demonic Creatures, and people who fight other humans, we would be at a disadvantage.

Looking at the qualifying rounds alone, Jend and I could probably beat most contestants as far as raw skill and strength, but in an actual fight, the difference in fight experience will even the odds.

But anyways, there were a lot of things that happened while we were at Rishu.

Since, this might be the last time I get to visit, I take that out to preserve the final scenery.

A photograph device. A device designed to create pictures - photos - that looks amazingly real.

Cyril: “I know you went back and forth about purchasing that photograph device, but how much was it?”

Henry: “I don’t want to say how much it cost. Just remembering the price tag makes me regret my decision.”

I closed the lid to the memory before the numbers appeared in my mind. I went to a small Grandes Church in Rishu to withdraw funds from my account, and…….it actually took a while to complete the transaction. That’s how much it cost.

But in the end, I was able to purchase a quality item.

I was able to acquire a renowned Kasumi factory model - a famous brand in Rishu - and their photograph devices were top notch.

The model was made with the motto - “it was designed so that anyone can easily take photos.” Compared to its predecessors, they made the handling of the mechanism much more simpler. In fact, with about an hour of coaching and training at the store where I purchased it, I was able to master the basics.

But, in exchange for the ease in use, there were no complex adjustments and manipulations of settings that professionals would require, so this really was a machine for beginners.

But it really was designed well. …….though, I wondered why they would price it so high when “anyone” was supposed to be able to use it. But whatever.

Cyril: “This is your very first photo. I can’t wait to see how it comes out.”

Henry: “.....yeah yeah.”

Of course, my very first photo trial was Cyril who had her chest out in confidence.

After that, we took a group picture, a photo of the inn and some scenery from the city of Kaisei. After that, our last photo was going to be from the deck of the ship.

Cyril: “Oh, how many pictures can we take with this again?” Henry: “12. This is our 7th.”

The photograph device was a mix of engineering and Magecraft.

The light-sensitive Magic Stone used to record the images apparently had a 12 photograph limit as a standard……but this was all things I learned from the store clerk who sold me the device.

Cyril: “But why did you suddenly want to get a photograph device? I didn’t know you were into those things, Henry.”

Henry: “.....when I was in Ligaleo, there was an obsessive photo-taker, so I never thought about getting one of my own but….”

But now, things are different.

Henry: “I wanted to take photos of Flowtier. ……because there were a lot of times I looked at the photos from Ligaleo.”

I wasn’t sure if this was a manly thing to reminisce on the past butー

But even if it was just a year or so, I had a lot of memories about Flowtier. I wanted something to help me remember the scenery………and that’s just how I felt.

Cyril: “I see. I think that’s wonderful. Oh, I’ll pay you for the light-sensitive Magic Stone, but could you take a picture of me with my friends too?”

Henry: “Yeah, that’s fine. ……oh, but if Jend and Teo ask too……..I wonder how many pictures I will be taking.”

Ferris didn’t have many acquaintances in Flowtier yet, but the other two grew up in Flowtier.

Looks like I’ll be busy with this thing until we depart for Ligaleo.

Henry: (sigh…..)

The thought pushed a deep sigh out of me.

But then again, it’s great that I’m getting so many uses out of it considering its price. At least I’m getting my money’s worth.

<<<<>>>>

“Father! C’mon! Smile! You have to smile! He’s offering to take a picture of us, so you can’t scowl!”

“OーOkay.”

Having Lana chastise him, Mr. Nord forced an awkward smile on his face.

I didn’t think he looked natural smiling, but his daughter nodded with approval, and his wife, Mrs. Linda, also didn’t say anything either.

…..and the only one not smiling in the picture was now their son, Lando. He took one look at his father’s smile and abruptly began crying. He just learned to hold onto things to stand, and as you would expect from an inn keeper’s family, he wasn’t afraid of unfamiliar people.

Linda: “Oh my, Lando, it’s okay. It’s just daddyー it’s not scaryー”

And even with Mrs. Linda’s comforting words, he was intent on crying with protest.

Nord: “Um…”

And as Mr. Nord returned to his usual blank face, Lando immediately stopped crying.

……an awkward silence followed and filled the air.

Henry: “UーUm, it’s nothing so formal. This is just so I have a photo of your family to remember you by, but please just act natural. That will be okay.” First, I wanted a photo of the people at the Bear’s Keg Inn who took great care of me.

I don’t know what I said, but they mistook my request, and even wore formal wear as they lined up in front of the inn.

Lana: “Really?” Henry: “Yes, that’s perfect. Okay, I’m taking the picture nowー”

I looked through the lens of the photograph device, and setting the frame on Mr. Nord, the head of the household with his family surrounding him, I pressed down on the switch.

A now familiar *shaaaaaaaa, snap!* sound followed, and with a click, I hear the sound of a successful picture being taken.

……the one I saw being used on the frontlines, and the one Princess Aileen used during her trip to Flowtier needed more rigorous setting adjustment, but this one just required me to make sure the lens was focused.

Reflecting on that, I realized how fast technology progressed, and since I was already here, I took a few pictures of the inn inside.

Henry: “.........oh, yeah. Lana, can I take a pic of you standing alone?”

Lana: “Um, sure? I don’t mind, but why?” Henry: “I’m certain that there’s going to be a lot of people asking me about the girl who invented a way to get rid of the corrupted Magic. You’ve helped a lot of people in Ligaleo by doing that. There might even be people who’ll want your photo.”

If I was on the frontlines, I would definitely want one.

Lana: “Umm….I’m a little uncomfortable with the idea. ……you won’t…use it for weird purposes, right?” …….uh, no. Probably. I’m not going to say it out loud, but she’s still just a kid. It will be a photo of a girl wearing proper clothes so……..but I guess I can’t say that it would NEVER be used for weird purposes. There are people with strange tastes in the world after all.

There are those who prefer more child-like girls over curvy, beautiful women……of course, I’m not talking about myself.

Nord: “.............” Um, Mr. Nord? You don’t have to walk slowly to the kitchen. I know you have tenderizers and butcher knives back there.

Henry: “YーYou know what? I’ll just show them your photo, but I promise I won’t make any new ones!”

Since I can’t say for sure what people will use that photograph for, I made a solemn oath.

And hearing that, Mr. Nord returned from the kitchen empty handed.

Lana: “In that case, that’s fine.” And getting a photo of Lana, I went on to get my next photo.

<<<<>>>>

The exterior of the Flowtier’s Grandes Church. The Adventurers who usually hung out inside, and the priests and clerks who knew me well. Mr. Thomas and the many people I got to know here.

The photograph device was incredibly expensive, so not many people were familiar with having pictures taken of them.

But if I promised to print out more photographs to share with them, they were curious enough to let me take the pictures.

After that, I began completing my Party members’ requests.

Jend and Teo wanted pictures of their family and a group picture with all their friends. …….and from my experience, these kinds of photos do help lift your spirit up in hard times. Even if someone you know dies, you can still see them full of life inside a photo andーー never mind. I don’t want to think about that right now.

Ferris asked if I could take a picture of her former home in the capital. And we would pass through Northerntier, the Capital, and Southgaia on the way to Ligaleo, so we should have time to take a photo.

And Cyril’s request was……..as expected, was taking a group picture with the Governor and his family.

Although I didn’t mind taking pictures of the soldiers and servants, I was nervous taking a picture of the Governor and his wife.

Henry: “Fwew….”

In my hands were stacks of envelopes with many photographs inside.

In Flowtier, there are only 2 stores that can develop photographs. Since I had quite a bit of light-sensitive Magic Stones, I divided them up and asked both stores to print out the photos.

As I entered a coffee shop, I took a few to take a look.

Henry: “Whoa….”

Seeing the photos was…..quite an amazing feeling.

There were some photos that seemed more blurry or out of focus than other photographs I’ve seen in the past, but the scenery I saw through the lens was replicated onto the photograph.

The photograph of the entire region of Flowtier I took after traveling outside of town a bit, actually came out really well.

The city had the Altohern Mountain - where we had many expeditions - in its background. With Lake Lukan sparkling next to it and the spring flowers blooming, the photo was breathtaking.

Isn’t this……well, actually, isn’t this quite the photo? Do I actually have a talent for taking photos?

And with this, I can remember the city of Ligaleo really well.

Henry: “Fwew….”

Yes, it’s only been just one year……considering that I was out of town to go train for some period, the time I spent here is even less. But this felt like a place that would rank 3rd in my list of cities I consider as home.

I want to take good care of this photo.

Henry: “It’s almost time to go…”

I mumbled the words quietly to myself.

Coming back from Rishu, I was so busy taking photos that…..without realizing it, we were 3 days from departing.

To be frank, I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to leave butーー

Jend: “Oh, there he is. Henry, how did the photos come out?” Cyril: “Henry, Henry, were you dazzled by how beautiful I was?” Ferris: “Hey, did we keep you waiting?” Teo: “Hello.” Jend, Cyril, Ferris, and Teo all came over.

I wanted to show them how the photos turned out, and we decided to meet at this coffee shop.

As they walked towards me, I took a look at each of their faces.

Henry: “.....but I guess it can’t be helped.”

I sighed deeply, got up from my chair, and welcomed my Party.