Let’s Hide

My name is Seyi Falt. I’m an ordinary female alchemist you could find anywhere.

I used to work at the royal court, but one day a massive horde of monsters attacked the Royal Capital.

Sensing danger, I entered suspended animation to survive — and before I knew it, 500 years had passed.

Oh well! I shrugged it off and set out on a carefree journey.

Together with the slave girls and the robot maid, I continued traveling today as well…

“P-persistent…”

We were camping in the forest.

Poking the campfire, I let out a sigh.

Beside me was the rabbit-tribe slave girl, Daphne.

She was nodding off sleepily.

“Daphne, you can sleep.”

“Hah! I’m awake… re… fu…”

“It’s fine. Come, let’s sleep in the wagon.”

“N-no… together…”

Oh my, she wanted to stay beside me.

She clung to me and shook her head no. So cute.

“Master! I finished scouting!”

The tall red-haired woman.

Toka. She used to be a lizardman but evolved into a Fire Drakekin.

Aside from her dragon-like horns and tail, she looked human.

She was notable for her height and large chest.

“So, how was it?”

“They are still pursuing us.”

“So persistent… sigh…”

Just when I thought the journey was going smoothly after reuniting Zenith with her family,

We faced a problem.

“Excuse me, travelers over there.”

Ugh, here they come…

Well, preparations were ready, so I turned around.

“Yes, what is it?”

Standing there was a knight in silver armor with a white cloak.

The word Holy Knight fit perfectly.

And indeed, they belonged to that profession.

“Have you seen a young black-haired woman around here? She supposedly performs miracles using potions.”

I don’t know about miracles, but I do know a young black-haired woman who uses potions.

That would be me.

But I answered like this.

“No, I don’t know anyone like that.”

I, a young black-haired woman, answered so.

Normally, I would’ve been immediately arrested.

“Is that so? If you see her, please inform the nearest church.”

“Yes, yes, understood.”

The Holy Knight left us.

Good grief.

Now, why did he leave the black-haired maiden (self-proclaimed) alone?

It wasn’t because his eyes were bad.

“Ahh, the Perception Obstruction Potion is convenient.”

A new potion I created.

Since they’d recently been tailing us, I developed it.

I am an alchemist. My specialty is potion-making.

Not just healing — some grant power, others produce effects like magic.

The Perception Obstruction Potion literally prevents others from recognizing you correctly.

To strangers, I appear as a wrinkled old man.

I gave it to the slaves too, adjusting each to look different.

“Seriously, this is so annoying!”

To outsiders, an old man would be waving his arms and talking like a girl.

“…Seyi-sama. I have returned from shopping.”

“Zenith! Welcome back! Come here!”

The thin elf Zenith.

She was actually a former princess, but now traveled with me.

She held a paper bag.

I sent her ahead to scout and shop in the nearby town.

The potion should protect her, but if it wore off before a Holy Knight, we’d be in trouble.

So Zenith, Cherge, and Chi-chan went together.

Zenith hesitated slightly, then sat beside me opposite Daphne.

She stayed close, though modestly. Cute.

“How was the town?”

“…Not good. Many of those white-clad knights are roaming nearby towns and villages.”

“Seriously…”

Yes — that was the problem.

Recently those Holy Knights kept interfering.

“Did I do something?”

The robot hiding one eye with her bangs sighed.

“My records show the number of times you did nothing is fewer. End of report.”

“Ehh… I just travel freely?”

“Castle destruction, punishment of tyrants, etc. End of report.”

“La la la I can’t hear you.”

Well maybe a little?

I did rampage and physically persuade a bit.

But I don’t think I committed crimes worthy of Holy Knights…

“With the potion we can keep traveling, but being chased is annoying. Maybe I should go into suspended animation again.”

“…Eh”

Zenith looked shocked.

Why—oh, right.

“N-no no! I won’t leave you behind and sleep alone! If I die, we die together!”

“Master, that statement qualifies as suicidal. End of report.”

Shut up robot!

If I slept and woke to everyone dead, I’d hate it.

Zenith lives long, Cherge doesn’t age, but Daphne, Toka, and Chi-chan would die.

I don’t want that.

I love everyone.

“Which means… only one option!”

“Uu… no… loud…”

“Ah sorry Daphne…”

“Mnyu…”

So as not to wake her, I whispered.

“…Listen everyone. I’ve decided our next plan.”

I pointed dramatically into the distance.

“The sea!”