I'm Playing as a Nun.

- Clatter  

Having neatly put away Ellie's saint clothes that I struggled to wear for two days back in the closet and returned to my original attire, I feel freer than ever.

It's like taking off heavy sandbags weighing down my body for a long time.

I'm truly grateful that she even stayed up all night to make it for me.

But in the end, I had to surrender before the barrier called design, so it's a bit too much for me to wear that outfit often.

Unless Ellie mentions those clothes again, I don't think they'll ever come out of my closet.

"Sister, today's the day we go for outdoor practice, right?"

"You're up early, Iris."

From early morning, I'm holed up in the kitchen, busily preparing for the outdoor practice.

Having an outdoor practice and taking a test right away when it's only been a day since they started studying herbology is abrupt.

"Is it really okay...? I haven't memorized anything properly yet..."

"Of course it's okay. Don't get too hung up on the word test."

Nevertheless, I'm pushing through with this sudden outdoor practice because...

To enjoy a picnic disguised as an outdoor practice.

Not only did I completely ruin the first picnic with the children thanks to the helmet, but in the end, it became as if it never happened at all.

This time, I'm going to fully enjoy a cozy first picnic with the children without anyone's interference.

Of course, I also plan to diligently teach them.

"By the way, where's Ellie right now?"

"Ellie is studying in her room right now. She won't even answer me when I talk to her."

"Hmm, what about Aizen?"

"He's sleeping."

Unlike the passion he showed yesterday, Aizen is still wandering in his dreams even though it's way past time to wake up.

It's pretty much the result I expected.

Because anyone can tell at a glance that studying really doesn't suit Aizen.

"It seems Ellie is really looking forward to monster hunting."

"...Do you really think so?"

"There's no way she would sit at a desk and study from early morning otherwise."

"......"

Honestly, the bait of monster hunting was a condition I hung hoping Aizen would take it.

But contrary to expectations, Ellie took it instead of Aizen, and a completely different scene from what I imagined was unfolding.

But I didn't mention that part separately because it's ultimately a good situation.

As long as someone studies hard, it doesn't matter who it is.

"We're going to eat dinner at the pic... no, outdoors today. Please let Aizen and Ellie know that, too."

"Okay─."

To avoid repeating the same mistake, I'm planning to bring perfectly cooked food this time.

The situation is very different from back then, so there's no need to worry, but just in case.

- Clatter

The plan and preparations are perfect.

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That evening.

Walking through the quiet forest as usual, on the way to the outdoor practice location I scouted in advance.

I was worried in many ways since it's a forest with many bad memories for the children, but contrary to my thoughts, the children were very brave.

They didn't show any signs of fear or hesitation at all.

"Levi, where are we going?"

"I have a place in mind. There aren't many medicinal herbs around here, although it's safe."

It would be really nice to have the outdoor practice near the lake we went to last time, but unfortunately, there are hardly any medicinal herbs there.

Even if it's a picnic disguised as an outdoor practice, teaching the children about medicinal herbs is also important, so that place isn't suitable as a practice location.

"Dizziness grass... Paralysis grass... Happiness grass..."

"Ellie, you should watch where you're going when walking. You'll trip."

"Drowsiness grass... Depression grass..."

Ellie was reading the encyclopedia I had bought and was memorizing the medicinal herbs.

I really never thought she would be this serious about monster hunting.

It seems like no matter what I say now, Ellie won't hear me.

"Well, this is the practice location. It's secluded, and there aren't many things to watch out for."

"...It's not really different from near the church."

"Delusion grass... Antidote grass..."

"It's really quiet around here."

As Aizen said, this is an ordinary-looking place that can be easily found anywhere.

But when you actually look around, you can frequently find quite interesting things here and there.

Especially when it comes to today's main topic, medicinal herbs.

"This is a place I've been frequenting recently. The medicinal herbs from the book are plentiful everywhere, so it'll be a great practice location for you beginners at gathering."

"Hmm... Is that so?"

I looked at Aizen, who was still doubtful and smiled slightly.

"Yes, I guarantee it."

Then, loudly clapping twice, I loudly announced the start of the practice to the children.

"You have exactly one hour from now. The person who gathers the most medicinal herbs I mentioned yesterday within that time will get the opportunity to go monster hunting."

"Ooh─!!"

"Chill grass... Indifferent grass..."

"Okay─."

I quietly approached Ellie, who still couldn't take her eyes off the book, and naturally took away the book she was reading.

Then Ellie blinked for a moment and flustered quite embarrassedly.

"Ah... There's still more to memorize..."

"Start─."

At my soft words, the children immediately ran into the forest and started looking around busily.

As their figures disappeared one by one, I raised the corners of my mouth with an increasingly satisfied expression.

"......"

Until recently, a few monsters were occasionally seen, but now the forest has become a safe place where they have completely disappeared.

I'm not particularly worried about the children being attacked by monsters.

Therefore, I can use this hour to slowly finish preparing for the picnic and wait leisurely.

Truly a sweet time.

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30 minutes later.

The kids' presence around me had already completely disappeared.

Although the forest was filled with only silence, it didn't feel desolate or eerie.

It wasn't such a bad place to enjoy leisure as the scenery was quite nice.

"Ahh..."

I poured the tea I brought in a water bottle into a teacup and leisurely enjoyed tea time with the faint sound of an owl hooting from somewhere in the background.

Thinking that this quiet and still place will soon be bustling with the children's voices, wouldn't it be fair to say that half of the picnic has already succeeded?

Since I only needed to slowly enjoy the remaining half with the children, I was already starting to feel satisfied with the successful picnic.

"Gulp..."

And so, as I was sitting on the mat and obediently waiting for the children to return.

- Rustle

Even though it's only been 30 minutes, I faintly heard someone's presence around where I was.

When I gently turned my head toward the sound, something began to stir more and more through the dark undergrowth.

"...Did you finish gathering already?"

"......"

I opened my mouth softly, just in case, but there was no answer from where the presence was.

Only an empty silence filled the surroundings.

"Aizen? Ellie? Iris?"

"......"

"I know you're there. Stop playing around and come out."

"......"

When there was no answer, even after asking several times, I sighed and slowly looked around.

It seems it's not our children, and judging by the faintly felt signs that are quite ordinary─.

It must be a beast.

"...Tsk."

Is it because I've become a little sensitive due to recent events?

To think I'm on edge like this over just a mountain animal passing by...

I feel unnecessarily embarrassed even though there's no one around.

Then, I regained my composure, turned my head back to its original position, and put my hand on the teacup handle I had placed on the ground.

- Rustle

Along with the sound of something's presence heard again, the silhouette of someone suddenly appeared through the dark undergrowth.

Soon, as it was illuminated by the bluish moonlight, the black shadow enveloping its body slowly lifted.

And then, the identity of that someone slowly began to reveal itself.

3

"...Vampire?" 

It revealed itself completely before me, making a rather cute voice.

Contrary to expectations, it wasn't the children or a beast but a small and cute elf.

"...Elf?"

The first elf I encountered since coming to this world.

That in itself was surprising and dumbfounding enough.

But the mysteriousness exuding from the elf, even just standing there without doing anything, was overwhelming enough to leave me in awe.

A strange and strong charm that was like tearing out of a fairy tale book.

As soon as I made eye contact with the elf, I immediately lost my words and could only blankly blink my eyes.

"Are you perhaps the vampire frequently appearing in this forest recently...?"

With those words, a quiet and awkward silence flowed between me and the elf.

The elf's gaze was still pure and harmless.

Nevertheless, my lips began to dry up more and more, and I had a strange feeling that I couldn't relax my tension.

"What is it, all of a sudden? As far as I know, there are no elves living in this forest at all..."

The elf immediately answered my cautiously asked question without a moment's hesitation.

"Yes, that's right. I came from the Roen Forest across the river."

"...Roen Forest?"

An unfamiliar name I've never heard of before.

I've become somewhat knowledgeable about this forest I live in now.

But I still don't know anything about the other side of the large river surrounding this land.

Even if I want to go, my body fiercely refuses to cross the river.

"It seems you still don't know anything about the other side of the river. The Roen Forest is where elves live and has the best scenery in the world."

"Ah... Is that so...?"

Before I could ask in detail about the forest, the elf suddenly opened her mouth first and naturally began to explain.

That explanation was longer than I thought, so the more I listened, the more I felt my energy draining for some reason.

Even though it's barely been a few minutes since we met, through the long explanation, I was unintentionally able to glimpse her great pride in the forest she lives in.

"Ah, right. My name is Rune. I came all the way here to meet you on the elder's orders."

Before I knew it, the corners of my mouth awkwardly raised with a bitter expression.

"I came to ask you a favor."