After all, she had sneaked into the sewers alone, breaking the initial promise, and at this moment, she couldn't help but feel guilty.
"Gleaming Scale Serpent, if they ask, remember to say that Sister Hero was brought back by you!"
Not even daring to let the current Hero out of sight while bathing, with a towel wrapped around Hero, the little girl made sure to whisper an alibi with the Gleaming Scale Serpent before heading into the bathroom.
The Gleaming Scale Serpent nodded reluctantly, watching the little girl's retreating figure with a hint of envy.
Being a friend was such a nice identity, allowing one to bathe with Her Majesty.
Without noticing the envious gaze from the Gleaming Scale Serpent, the little girl first tossed her dirty clothes into the laundry basket, where a designated servant would later collect and clean them. Busy preparing inside the bathroom for a while, she then hurriedly washed herself before finally sinking her dainty body into the bathtub.
Her series of actions left the observing Hero slightly impressed, for when she bathed, she always relied on the maids to prepare everything.
Considering the little girl's age and identity, such independence was quite commendable, explaining why the Guards were willing to accompany her on such a long journey back home.
Immersed in the warm, slightly steamy water, the little girl let out a long sigh and closed her eyes comfortably.
"Speaking of which, Sister Hero, can you soak in hot water now?" She looked curiously at Hero, who was resting on a towel.
The Hero trembled slightly.
This was an affirmation that was more felt than spoken.
The little girl then carefully cleaned some dirt off the eggshell and giggled as she placed Hero into the bathtub as well.
If not for the exceptionally hard texture, no matter how you looked at it, it was just an ordinary egg.
Watching Hero floating in the hot water, the smile on the little girl's lips never faded.
"Sister Hero really is amazing."
Her slender fingers gently tapped Hero, watching it drift along the waves, then softly guarding it before the eggshell touched the bathtub.
To be able to transform into an egg, I myself think it's quite amazing.
Hero listened silently to the little girl's words, its round egg form swaying slightly with the water.
Unknowingly, the egg grew a bit larger, displacing some of the water in the bathtub.
"It would be nice to catch the fireworks tonight, and I also want to witness Sister Hero successfully reincarnate..."
Tomorrow, she would be leaving this city to bid farewell to Hero.
Thinking of this, the little girl showed a somewhat lonely smile.
The cozy warm water and rising fatigue made her expression a bit drowsy. Hero tried turning its egg body to remind her not to fall asleep, but in the water, it couldn't control itself well.
Luckily, the little girl patted her cheeks to wake herself up and stood up from the bathtub.
She first dried Hero properly with a soft bath towel, wrapped it securely, then wiped off her own water droplets and changed clothes.
[Hero's recovery requires [] hours]
- 10 is an Extreme Failure, and there will be interruptions.
- A reincarnation before the Firework Festival if less than 10, and by dawn the next day if more than 15.
The Firework Festival is 12 hours away, the shell can be forcibly broken to enhance the Weakness Penalty.
2d10=d10(10)+d10(10)=20
[Double Extreme Failure!]
[An unexpected event will occur in [] hours.]
Less than 10 is daytime, increasing the likelihood of uninvited guests.
Greater than 10 is nighttime, where malicious events like theft and assassination might occur.
Greater than 12 leads to tomorrow, with subsequent determinations.
[Current weather (the higher, the clearer, festival +30)]
D100+30=d100(10)+30=40
[Break the shell before the Firework Festival?]
Note: Hero (egg) should only break the shell under the dawn sunlight to avoid the Weakness Penalty.
At other times, at night at least half of the attributes are reduced, during the daytime, they are weakened according to the weather. Attributes can drop as low as 10.
Time moved to afternoon, and the weather wasn't particularly clear, with clouds obscuring the sunlight.
Late autumn's air carried a hint of chill, but this didn't dampen the townsfolk's enthusiasm for preparing the festival.
In fact, this autumn breeze seemed to make those working feel even more comfortable.
The extermination of Goblins continued, though there were noticeably fewer Guards and Adventurers present on the streets compared to before.
Thanks to preparations made by the Guild and Town Hall, although word spread in a limited manner, it didn't cause much panic in the town.
Even knowing that Magic Creatures lurked beneath their feet, as no living Goblin had surfaced, there was nothing to panic about.
"Looks like we can watch the fireworks together tonight."
Lying on her back on the bed, the little girl smiled as she raised Hero high.
Responding with a slight tremble, Hero grew even larger, making it challenging for the little girl to easily lift with her wrist strength.
So she placed Hero on the soft bed, crafting a small nest with several pillows.
Lying beside Hero, the little girl's breathing gradually steadied.
Then, time moved into night...
"There's really no need."
Beneath a sky full of stars.
Walking with the Guards on the path to the lake shore's best viewing spot, the little girl spoke to Hero, who was carried by the Chocobo.
Rested and well-fed at the inn, the Chocobo walked as if carrying thousands of gold with utmost caution, each feather tightly tense, each step incredibly steady, with not a single shake.
After all, it had [] its companion to earn this precious opportunity!