Surviving as a Useless Bard in a Game

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We ran out of the lodging as if we were escaping… Well, actually, we really did escape.

Anyway, putting aside minor issues, we’re heading towards the desert.

Originally, the plan was to rent two camels, but my strong opposition squashed that idea.

“Fura and Skylar riding the same camel? Absolutely not. How could I endure that awkwardness? Not to mention, riding the same camel as Skylar?”

It was a rational choice.

Three camels, one cat, and three people.

It was the start of yet another boring journey.

“Skylar, can people really live in a desert like this?”

“That person can live without a care in hell.”

“…Really?”

“I don’t quite get why a married person would be in a desert, but at least they probably haven’t died yet.”

“Married?”

“The last news I heard before I got attacked by the Mad King and ended up like this was about their wedding.”

“Got it. Anyway, at least they probably haven’t died yet—sounds pretty confident.”

“Yep. I’m sure.”

Skylar asserted.

I trust Skylar. At the same time, I know the wizard’s personality well. He wouldn’t lie about something like this.

So, it means that even though an unfathomably long time has passed, I can’t imagine that person’s death.

‘…Just how strong are they?’

When I met Nisha and Propertyius, Skylar didn’t bother adding such flowery language.

The fact that he specifically mentioned it means it was necessary, or he has that much confidence.

Skylar is someone so strong that I can’t even fathom their death.

‘What kind of person could that be?’

I hope they aren’t a woman. From Skylar’s stories and reactions, it seems more likely they’re a man, but you never know until you see it in person.

They could have suddenly turned into a woman, just like me.

I really don’t want the party to have any more women.

Fura is someone I can easily defeat, so that’s fine, but Nisha has a bit of an intimidating look… Yeah, that’s what I mean.

I don’t necessarily feel jealous or threatened, but it’s unpleasant when the attention that should be on me goes to someone else.

Walking down the street, I receive plenty of friendly and admiring gazes. Just imagine if those looks were split between someone prettier or of equal beauty.

How frustrating would that be?

As I was lost in such thoughts, I wondered how long it had been. The sun in the desert was starting to set.

—

Night in the desert.

It’s dark and cold.

—

‘Who doesn’t know that?’

The status window told me the current time, and I complained while preparing the tent with Skylar and Fura.

The gray cat was watching us from behind, keeping an eye on its surroundings. Looking at its eyes directed toward the sky, it seemed like it was wary of crows.

‘Osidens… that damn woman.’

To be honest, Skylar seemed to be hiding something, and he doesn’t look like he’s that old either.

Osidens, right. That darn girl claiming to be Skylar’s sister always feels like an old hag.

Not that I felt any rivalry.

I had no part where I was at a disadvantage in terms of looks, body, or voice.

Even if Skylar and Osidens got along well enough to hang out together, I wouldn’t have to worry about her taking my attention because there’s too big of a difference.

Simply put… I just dislike her. There’s no reason, just some people you don’t like, right?

I looked at the sky.

A clear sky that wasn’t polluted, sharp and narrow starlight piercing through like needles.

There were no crows.

Slowly, I laid down my body.

Unfortunately, the equipment we packed wasn’t that big. Skylar, who prioritizes efficiency, said they could just all sleep in one tent, and I didn’t really oppose since I was getting used to sleeping together. Fura, accustomed to adventure, also kept quiet.

Thanks to that, the three of us were going to squish together in a very small tent.

While no one had particularly bad sleeping habits, it wasn’t exactly comfortable.

Even in this cramped tent, Skylar thoroughly distinguished between male and female, and as a result, I ended up sleeping next to Fura.

Only when I was awake could I fold my wings back into my body, but when I sleep, I can’t put my wings inside because of this strange body, which made the space I could sleep in grow smaller.

Eventually, I moved a little more away from Fura and ended up pressing against Skylar’s back.

He seemed to be in a deep sleep, not saying anything at all.

Usually, Skylar would jump at even slight contact, which was quite cute. This feeling is quite new.

I turned slightly to the side.

Skylar’s back was clearly visible. Smaller than mine but sturdy-looking.

I moved my hand and grabbed his shoulder. The desire to see his face overpowered my rationality.

What if Skylar wakes up? What will I say to excuse myself? Well, maybe I can think of that when the time comes?

I held his shoulder and applied a little pressure.

Skylar’s face turned toward me.

His eyelids were closed, and I had never seen his face this close. Following desires instead of reason can sometimes lead to good outcomes.

His eyelashes were long. I had never seen his face this closely and carefully before.

That made it all the more special. It was a strange feeling.

We had started as a relationship where we clearly used each other. But now, we had become comrades. Trusted comrades enough to let each other’s backs be covered.

Anyone who’s lived in reality, in society, knows that there aren’t many people you can trust enough to have your back.

Given that some struggle to trust even their partners, it sounds like a third-rate joke if I were to say to trust comrades.

Even in such a cold reality, we lived seeing illusions. This is why people are obsessed with and immersed in games, novels, and creations.

Searching for what cannot be seen in reality within illusions.

That’s why we called it the fantasy genre.

I can’t quite remember how I first encountered fantasy, it’s been so long. But if you ask why I still enjoy it, my answer would probably be the same for the past, present, and future.

Yeah. Maybe I… see that damn kid as something special.

For example, how about a ‘friend’?

It was a night full of thoughts. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. Narcolepsy still hadn’t found me, and I didn’t make any clumsy mistakes. Slowly… I was slipping away from something.

—

Unfortunately, it was an illusion.

I fell off the camel.

My weak body let out a strange sound and twisted somewhere, and blood came from my mouth.

Skylar and Fura freaked out and used scrolls and miracles.

“…I can’t get used to this.”

“I thought I was fine lately, but it suddenly hit me again…”

Fura, after briefly overhearing our conversation, suddenly butted in with a curious expression.

Ah, I hadn’t told Fura about this.

“What’s going on?”

“I have a curse on my body.”

“Uh? How many? What’s the intensity?”

“Huh?”

“I’m more than capable enough to be in charge of the Central Church. In this era, there are hardly more than five priests who can perform miracles beyond my strength.”

“…Does that mean you can help me?”

“Yep.”

“But Propertyius and Nisha couldn’t do it.”

“Did you tell them about your curse?”

“Not that…”

“There’s no way you can help if you don’t even know what the curse is. It’s common sense that to defuse a bomb, you need to know its structure and type.”

Fura fluttered her wings and shrugged.

Her expression was oddly self-confident and trustworthy, but at the same time, it made me feel uneasy. The condescending feeling in her tone was evident with every word.

Skylar, who had been quietly observing our little scene, suddenly interrupted during the conversation.

“…Fura, it’s better to give up.”

“Why? You think I can’t do it?”

“Yep.”

“…Hey.”

“The type of curse engraved on Selina’s body is seven in total, all of which are semi-permanent curses. So, honestly, just give up. Even if I retrieve my heart, I can’t help you.”

“Seriously?”

“Have you ever seen me joke around?”

“No, not that, but that sounds hard to believe. Seven semi-permanent curses would already cost a small nation’s yearly budget just for materials.”

“Yes. That actually happened.”

“If a being like that exists… No, let’s talk about that later. How the hell is she still alive?”

“Who knows.”

“Anyway, I should at least try.”

Fura, even after listening to all of Skylar’s explanation, wasn’t willing to give up, and I slowly began listing the types and characteristics of my curses.

Including the fact that it hadn’t activated recently but suddenly did today.

And, unsurprisingly, it failed.

The sight of my lightning hair getting scorched was quite amusing.

I didn’t even expect success.