A Warrior Exiled by the Hero and His Lover

After waking up, I notice something warm and soft on my futon.

I turn my head and see Kaede curled up next to me, still asleep.

"Why is she sleeping here?

I don't think we need to sleep on the same futon.

Or did she sleep with me because she was cold? If so, it makes sense.

I got out of bed, leaving Kaede where she was.

"Hmm, it's a nice day today. I'll have to make sure Kaede has a good meal from now on."

I turn back to the bed and stare at Kaede for a moment.

Her body is still thin and emaciated.

Even the slave collar, which defines someone as a slave, seems to be the wrong size.

Oh, that's right, I brought some dragon meat.

I think I'll use it to make breakfast.

I leave the room and go down to the second floor.

Since this inn also has a restaurant, I introduce myself to the cooks and show them the meat.

"Is it possible that you can cook this meat? I will pay you for it".

"What kind of meat is it? At first glance it looks like pork, but on closer inspection, it's not."

"It is the meat of a red dragon."

"Really?!"

I let the owner cook the meat.

But it was funny to see his surprised reaction when he discovered that it was dragon meat.

"Here you go, dragon meat. And I made a chopped hamburger.

"Thank you."

On the table were a steak, salad, and a hamburger.

I left the hamburger for Kaede while I ate the steak.

I ran the knife over the steak, and was surprised at how incredibly smooth the meat was.

It certainly looks like pork.

But when I put it in my mouth, the texture was not pork, but chicken. And it was like chicken with a lot of fat.

Oh no. Too delicious.

I feel as if I can no longer look at dragons as anything other than a simple ingredient for food.

After that big breakfast, I went back to the room as soon as I could move.

"Oh, master..."

Kaede was already awake, but she was still lying in my bed.

"I'm sure you're hungry. I've made you some food, so you'd better eat.

"What is that?"

"Dragon Burger.”

"Mmm-hmm."

Her tone of voice sounded clearer, so it seems the medicine works.

I was relieved to see that she wasn't coughing and seemed to be getting better and better.

Kaede gets out of bed, sits down on a chair, and starts eating with a knife and fork.

Oh? I thought she wouldn't have that kind of knowledge since she was a slave, but could it be that this girl had received that kind of education in the past?

Despite her haggard appearance, her manners were splendid.

However, after a few minutes, she became a little violent when consuming her food.

She must have been very hungry.

You don't have to force yourself like that.

"We must do something about that outfit."

"Eh?”

She then coughed up the food a little.

Kaede's face turned red and she looked embarrassed.

"Excuse me for looking like this..."

"You don't have to apologize. The culprits are the slave owners who didn't treat you as you deserved.

"Master."

Kaede's eyes turned glassy.

"Eat quickly. Also, you have sauce on the edge of your mouth."

After finishing her meal, I prepared to leave.

"Wait, I'm coming with you."

"You can't, you're still reeling."

"But, I have to practice to do it."

"That's a good point…”

If at some point she can't walk on her own, I'll carry her on my back.

And I've never bought women's clothes before, so I don't know the details.

We left the inn together and headed to the market.

First we went to the clothing store.

There, I bought Kaede some very nice adventurer's clothes.

was the shoe store.

I bought a pair of leather boots.

was the armor store.

There, I bought some leather armor, a knife and a cane.

It looks like a cane, but it's very special.

"Are you sure you want to use that cane?"

"Yes, please."

"Well, if it makes you happy..."

The cane she chose had an unusual fan shape.

The material is an alloy commonly used in iron fans.

According to the store owner, the fan-shaped cane is used only in a few areas.

He said he found it at the market and grabbed it because of its rarity.

However, the iron fan is large enough for a child to handle. It also weighed quite a bit.

Kaede opened the fan with her thin arms and handled it easily.

"Isn't it too heavy?”

"Yes, it is... But I will be able to handle it perfectly once I get better.

Come to think of it, Kaede comes from a tribe of beastkin with great physical abilities.

Although she is weak now, she should originally have been able to handle it easily.

If she does not have the ability to do so, she is free to change weapons.

We left the store and walked down the street together.

I think we bought everything we needed, although... I think there was something else to buy.

Suddenly, I realized that Kaede wasn't following me.

I turned around, and saw that she had stopped in front of a food stand.

"Do you want some?"

"N-No."

"Don't be shy. I have a lot of money now."

"Uhm. Yes, I would."

I couldn't help but pat her on the head as she spoke shyly.

Kaede bent her head down while it was totally red.

The stall was a bakery of sweet baked dough.

I tried it once.

I think it was because Lisa begged me.

When I try to remember, a deep, heavy feeling of sadness and emptiness wells up in my chest.

Why was I betrayed? I want to know.

I regained my senses immediately, thinking that I should not go any further with those thoughts.

No matter how hard I try, I will never know the answer.

It's better to call it a day.

I bought some sweets and we sat on a bench.

"Here, eat as much as you like."

"Thank you, Master."

"Can't you stop calling me that?"

"But, the master is the master."

Kaede put on a worried face.

Maybe it's because she's a slave.

"I guess that's how you were raised."

"Master... You don't like this annoying and expensive slave, and you're thinking of getting rid of me?"

"What are you talking about?"

Kaede bends her face and starts to cry.

I'm sure she was thinking about it while we were shopping.

I'm still surprised, but I think she's had a bad time as a slave.

I stroked her head to make her feel calm.

"I'm not going to abandon you. I want you to support me until I die. I may not be the best of teachers, but I need you.”

"No, the master is the best teacher! I would do anything for him! So please let me be by your side forever!”

"Oh, that's okay..."

I am a little embarrassed, but at the same time happy.

I wonder if I have managed to at least build some trust between the two.

The sweets in my mouth feel more delicious.

"We're going to have to cut those bangs, I don't think you can see very well"

"If you have scissors, you can cut them yourself.”

"Really? Then we'll buy them on the way to the inn."

*Crack. Crack crack.*

That familiar sound again echoed through my head.

《Notice: Since the magic energy saving level has reached the upper limit, 100 times more will be paid》

《Notice: the payment has been multiplied by ten due to the effect of the skill effect UP》

《Notice: Since the skills experience value savings level has reached the upper limit, 100 times more will be paid》

《Notice: the payment has been multiplied by ten due to the effect of the skill effect UP》

《Notice: Magic energy savings/skills experience has been damaged. It will take some time to repair》

《Notice: The skill level limit has been destroyed. A new limit will be established》

《Notice: A new skill has been acquired  [Duplication of experience value / general] 》

《Notice: A new skill, Magic Loan, has been acquired》

It seems that my skills have been broken and repaired yet again.

The letters flowed vigorously into my vision.

The amount of magical power circulating in my body had increased incredibly.

I cannot control the magical power and it gradually escapes from my body.

The surface of my body became distorted as if it were shimmering.

How much magic power did I just get?

Just the thought of it is terrifying.

"Ah, ah, aaaah!"

This is not good. Kaede is scared.

I have heard that beastkin are sensitive to magic, they can see the amount of magic in a person.

I'm sure she sees me as a monster.

I fought to keep calm and managed to keep the magic from leaking out.

"I'm sorry I scared you. It's just that my abilities are giving me more magic."

“............”

"Are you okay?"

"My teacher is a great person, isn't he?"

Kaede's expression changed and her eyes lit up.

Amazing... Does she really see me that way?