"Seriously, is this a joke?"
I stared at Aria and Serline's breastplates in disbelief.

Then, when they weren't looking, I secretly held them up to my face.
Could it really be normal that just one side barely managed to cover my entire face?

The problem was, even this was starting to feel a bit tight.

"I guess I should add a few convenience spells as well."

If I can make it more breathable or reduce the hard metallic texture, they’ll like it.
A small subspace, a temporary workbench, and golden letters appeared around me.

'By now, they must have met, right?'

If the plan went well, the hero would be unable to take his eyes off Raphaelia.
I had planned the time, place, and atmosphere for this very moment.

If they come back holding hands, it’s the best scenario. Even if they don't, it’ll still be a success.

The real reason I helped Raphaelia first was because the original story had some influence.
Among the three of them, who had made no progress for a year, Raphaelia was the first to start building affection.

Though it wasn't quite the flower field I mentioned, the two of them did spend time getting to know each other in a similar setting.
Thanks to that, Raphaelia had something like an awakening, and she started fulfilling her role, which had previously felt lacking compared to the other two.

"Aria, Serline. It's done."

"Oh, already?"

"Ooh… can I try it on?"

"Of course. While I was at it, I also added spells for convenience, durability, and defense."

At my words, their eyes sparkled, and they helped each other put on the breastplates.

"Wow…!"

"Ah… it’s so comfortable…"

Aria admired the breastplate, turning it around and examining it, while Serline let out a sigh of contentment, enjoying the comfort.
There is no stronger force in this world than a user completely satisfied with their equipment.

"Lu, Louis…!"

"Oh, you're here."

At that moment, an elf came running toward us from the other side of the forest, her face flushed red, clearly indicating success.

"How did it go?"

"Aswell stared at me in a daze…! Then he quickly turned his head and walked away!"

"I see."

'Walked away' probably meant he went to pick the flowers I asked for.
I sucked in a breath—maybe asking for flowers had been a bad idea after all.

If I'd said something else, perhaps the hero and Raphaelia would’ve stayed together longer.

"I think he’s starting to take an interest in me, just like you said."

Raphaelia, still blushing, touched her warm cheeks and thanked me.
While there wasn't any drastic improvement in their relationship, this was definitely a significant step forward.

'Considering Aria and Serline, this is probably the right pace.'

I'm planning to help the other two as well, so if Raphaelia had raised the bar too high, it could’ve messed up the balance between the remaining heroines.

The hero cutting things off appropriately meant my future plans would go much smoother.

"I'll continue scouting now! Thanks again!"

"You're welcome."

Even without asking, I could tell she trusted me.
If someone suddenly asked, "Does the party’s mage like the hero?" she’d confidently say, "No! Louis helped me!"

"Louis."

Not long after Raphaelia left, the hero showed up.
This wasn’t a train, yet they were all coming to me one after another.

"This is the right one, isn't it? I found it blooming alone on the hill."

"Yes, that’s the one."

Luckily, the hero had found the flower I mentioned.

Moonflower.

Despite its name, this flower wilts before the moon rises and is used as an excellent mana catalyst.
It's said to hold special significance in certain kingdoms and regions, though I haven’t looked into it much.

"It was easy to spot because it’s so pretty."

"Thanks. This will really help me with my next research."

I meant it.

The spell I planned to research next was quite expensive, so getting something like this for free was a rare find.
I smiled at the hero and sincerely thanked him.

"Um, well, I’ll go prepare the camp now."

The hero flinched, avoiding my gaze as he quickly made his excuse and walked away.
Maybe I was smiling too much, and it came off as a smirk.

'Or did he think of Raphaelia?'

Their relationship was already blossoming, so it might be time for me to part ways with the hero and start moving on my own.

Anyway, there’s a town at the end of this road, so I could probably get a small horse or something.

After that big event, the hero’s party set up five tents around the campfire.
Yes, even I was planning to sleep in a tent instead of my lab.

"I felt like I was losing the sense of camping, so I decided to sleep outside."

"Yeah, the room you gave us is really nice and comfortable, but… it’s a bit too comfy."

"Louis, you should do whatever you usually do!"

With them saying that, how could I possibly sleep alone in my lab?
Besides, I had camped outside for almost a month after I was possessed.

While searching the mountains for the master who taught me magic, I used tree roots as pillows and had all sorts of wild experiences.
So sleeping in a tent wasn’t a big deal.

"Oh, by the way, the villagers from Intrell gave us some carrots and grains. So, I was thinking of making carrot soup for dinner…."

"!!"

I was so surprised that I jumped to my feet and stared at Aria.

"Lu-Louis?"

"That sounds great. Carrot soup."

Since the hero’s party usually consumes a bit more than five portions due to their high calorie expenditure, they always make extra.
I’ve never gone for seconds since taking on this form, but carrot soup is the exception.

"Hehe."

Tonight, I would be in charge of finishing off any leftovers.

"You really like carrot soup, huh, Louis?"

"It’s delicious."

"Is it really that good? So much that you’re humming?"

Hmm. Hmm-hmm.

Apparently, I had started humming without realizing it.
Raphaelia chuckled as she handed me a bowl.

I hadn't had any carrot soup yesterday or this morning, so I was eager to try this special village recipe with its unique grains.

"Hero? Why are you staring at me?"

"N-Nothing."

The hero covered his mouth and quickly averted his gaze.
I simply waited for Aria to finish making the carrot soup, thinking that even heroes have dazed moments.

The warmth of the soup must have relaxed me because I slept soundly that night, despite being in a tent instead of my lab.

The next day, the hero’s party began moving again.
Our destination was the city of Tras, about a day’s journey away.

It was the last place to properly resupply before reaching the [Citadel of Dusk], the largest city nearby.
That meant this would be my final day riding with the hero.

"Wouldn't it be fine to continue like this if you're not uncomfortable, Louis?"

"? What?"

Raphaelia suddenly started saying strange things.

"Because you’re not good at riding alone, right?"

"What are you talking about…?"

Did I look like someone who couldn’t ride a horse?
I stared at Raphaelia in disbelief.

"I’m actually really good at riding! I’ve even ridden a unicorn before…!"

"A unicorn? Come on, that’s just a mythical creature. Even I haven’t seen one, and I’ve lived longer than you."

"But it's true…!"

I know it sounds like a lie.
But I was only speaking the truth, yet Raphaelia’s expression turned into a deadpan look.

"Sure, sure. Let’s just say you're great at riding."

"I really am."

"Yeah, Louis can ride unicorns too."

"Ugh…."

Raphaelia’s sly tone made me grit my teeth.
Holding onto the hero’s waist, I glared at Raphaelia as if I wanted to devour her.

"T-That tickles."

"Hero, do you also think I can’t ride?"

I asked him in the calmest voice I could muster, keeping my expression as neutral as possible.
For a moment, he looked at me as if analyzing me, then quickly averted his gaze.

"Y-You probably ride well. Maybe young horses."

"I can ride grown ones too."

Now it’s a matter of proving my riding skills?
I decided that once we reached Tras, I’d find a horse of my own immediately.

I’ll show up on a mount better than the hero’s, and the priestess, elven archer, and knight will all be amazed, while the hero will be left trembling.

My plan was perfect.

"Louis, are you uncomfortable riding with me?"

"Huh? Why?"

"I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything I overlooked."

"No, but I think you might be more uncomfortable. Plus, I can’t ride with you forever."

In the hero’s party, shouldn’t each person have their own horse?
Besides, the hero has the most responsibilities in the party.

If I keep riding with him, it might delay his response to certain situations.

"I was just…."

"Yes?"

"…Never mind. Let’s find you a horse in Tras that suits you."

What the…?

So, the whole party is coming with me to buy a horse?
That’s kind of embarrassing. It feels like a kid going shopping for school uniforms with their whole family.

But since they’re offering to help, I couldn’t exactly refuse.

Once we arrived in Tras, we quickly got accommodations with the help of a city official.

I stood absentmindedly outside the inn, looking up at the sky while waiting for the others.
We were planning to stay for about two days, so I had plenty of time to find a horse before we left.

"Louis, have you been waiting long?"

"Yes… but where are the others?"

Something felt off.
Only the hero had come outside—none of the other heroines were around.

"Aria had business at the church, and Serline and Rie went to the adventurer’s guild."

"Weren’t we all supposed to go together?"

"Where?"

"To look at horses…."

"Oh… I meant the two of us should go."

The hero awkwardly stammered as he answered.
For a moment, I wondered if I should decline for the heroines’ sake.

‘I don't really know much about horses.’

But since the hero, who rides a great white steed, probably had a good eye for horses, I nodded lightly, deciding to use him as my 'good horse detector.'

"Alright, let’s go."

And so, the hero and I headed to the stables on the outskirts of the city.