Ch.107 A Familiar Girl in Fairy Forest, Why is She Here?

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<Subject>: Regarding the photo

<Sender>: Sakidori Midori

<Main text>

Regarding the photo, it seems that it started when a demigod took one without permission (I didn't know their name) and posted it on a message board without authorization. As it spread, a false rumor came out and now you're known as a fairy who will take pictures with anyone who asks, or even without needing permission.

Incidentally, the paparazzi demigod has reportedly not been seen since the day they were called out by everyone. They might have been captured by soldiers.

*The bulletin board is like a skill that only the demigods can use, and it's a convenient tool that allows the demigods to share information with each other.

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<Subject>: Thanks for the information

<Recipient>: Sakidori Midori

<Main text>

I can't believe I was being photographed without my permission... I'm glad now that I know.

Thank you for looking into it.

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If this continues to spread, people who believe the rumor will start taking unauthorized photos, accumulating negative karma points, that's the future I could see. I thought I should ask her to warn people to stop this from happening... but that thought only lasted a moment.

It would involve Sakidori Midori-san, who has absolutely nothing to do with it, and more importantly, I realized I don't need to care about people without moral and thinking that it's fine to take a photo without permission, so I simply replied with gratitude.

People with good morals will ask for permission before taking photos, just like Hanapipi-san and Myanchi-san I met while looking for souvenirs.

After replying to Sakidori Midori-san's message, I bought a souvenir for Nabla-kun and a desk clock and headed home.

I actually wanted some cooking utensils too, but everything was so expensive that I couldn't afford them. Also, I was running low on blood-rotten tree leaf on hand.

In the first place, things are more expensive in the Koakyuyou Empire than in the Harula Kingdom. It's been like that since my previous life. Regardless of quality, high prices are simply the norm in this country.

So I didn't really need to buy a desk clock here, but...I figured I'd forget if I put it off, so I decided to buy one.

"Even if you think you remember something, you can still forget it..."

I don't have any particular preference for where to buy them or which brand is best, so I'll just buy my cooking utensils from Marathos, Nemor, or somewhere else.

Now that I think about it, there are many places in the Harula Kingdom that I haven't been to.

There are 3 villages in the Area 1, but I haven't been to any of them in this lifetime, nor have I been to the Area 2 - Area 4. Partly because I have no reason to go there.

It might be a good idea to go there for sightseeing as well.

"It was still a great town. I had some good experiences, and I'm going home feeling happy."

In the Fairy Forest, a place whose name includes the word "fairy," the long-awaited encounter with a fairy still hasn't come true. That encounter happened in this town.

However, it's not like I enjoyed a conversation or anything like that. Just when I thought I'd found one, they would run away. That happened 4 out of 4 times, so what's up with that?

I could tell they were avoiding me because they would look away and run away whenever our eyes met, but I don't know why.

What does it mean to be avoided by someone you've never even spoken to?

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It didn't take long before I arrived above the Fairy Forest.

I descended, wondering if Nabla-kun would be pleased with the souvenir.

"Huh...?"

As I descended, the landscape changed, with the ground getting closer. And amidst that landscape, there he was, engaging in a friendly conversation with a stranger.

This is the first humanoid creature I've seen in this Fairy Forest. I can't tell what species it is from here, but it seems friendly with Nabla-kun... so maybe it's a fairy?

There are raid monsters and event monsters, so it's unlikely that other races would dare to set foot in such a dangerous place.

Even someone with considerable skill might find it difficult to defeat the creatures that appear the moment they enter the forest, even alone. They'd probably just end up getting their bodies mangled by the sparrow lookalike.

I think it would be difficult to get through the forest to this flower field area unless you're in a party.

If they're lucky, it might be possible to come here again, just like that time.

"...Huh...? What do I mean by "that time"...?"

I tilt my head, unable to understand what I was thinking at that moment. Because I've never experienced anything like that before.

No one should have ever been here before...

"Back then...back then...hmm...well, whatever."

It must be a trick of the brain, altering a non-existent event to make it seem as if it had happened. Though I found it strange, I stopped thinking about it any further.

As I continue to descend, I'm starting to be able to tell who Nabla-kun's conversation partner is.

A human girl. No, she's semi-transparent, so maybe she's a ghost. She's not a wraith-type monster, nor is she a fairy.

She doesn't seem like someone I know, but... I feel like I've seen her somewhere before... Ah! Wait a minute, if I look closely, isn't that the store assistant from <Kumahachi Inn>

Did she die?! When did she die?! And why is she here?!

A mix of surprise and confusion washes over me, and I descend and float near Nabla-kun, who is still conversing with Cern-san, my expression still a jumble of emotions.

"That is right. Oh, welcome back, Vester."

"I-I'm home."

"Welcome back, Ves-chan."

"...H-hello...I'm back."

Huh? What?! Why did she call me by my name?! And it sounds like she called me by a nickname!? This kid is scary! I didn't tell her my name so how did she know... Oh, I guess it's because Nabla-kun told them.

"What's wrong? You're making so many different faces."

"Ah, no. It's fine, yes."

"No, something's clearly wrong..."

"Did something happen? Are you okay?"

"Yes, yes, I'm okay, Nabla-kun. By the way, there's something I'd like to ask."

"What?"

"Why is Cern-san here?"

"Un, you are not okay."

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〘What Happened to Ruki-chan Afterwards〙

The player who committed the foolish act of taking photos of Vester without permission and even posting them on the bulletin board, Ruki-chan, afterwards (Episode 50 - Bulletin Board: In Search of Rare Races and Rare Classes), was interacting with other players in this manner.

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[Rare Race Information Exchange Meeting] Let's investigate how many races exist, exchange information, and interact with people from various races! (Page 47)

41: Ruki-chan

>>>39

The constitution guarantees freedom of photography, you know? Didn't you know that, old man? Oh, I guess that's because you're unemployed.

43: Elegant Tackle

Are you talking about freedom of expression? That's not the right term.

Just going to school isn't enough; you have to study hard and actually learn. It's your future self who will suffer the hardships.

46: Teacher Tonza

>>>41

I'm not a NEET, but... well, there's no point in saying any more. I won't say anything more. Do as you please.

47: Ruki-chan

>>>43

Wow, there's another preachy old man here too.

Trying to show off how smart you are is so lame. I already know that.

48: Ruki-chan

Then don't get involved in the first place.

50: 14885131'''"14

>>>47

Well then, I think I'll take a picture of Ruki-chan.

Where are you now? I'm going to come look for you.

51: Ruki-chan

Huh? Paparazzi? Wow, there's a criminal here.

54: 14885131'''"14

>>>51

Eh, didn't you say it's not a crime? There's a constitutional right to freedom of photography, right?

I'll take a picture now and post it on the bulletin board. I'll say, "This person's a paparazzi." Oh, maybe a video would be better?

Oh well. I'm going for you now.

55: Ruki-chan

Are you kidding me?! Paparazzi is the worst! It's a violation of portrait rights! I hope the soldiers catch you old geezer!

56: HIVI Tako 2

Well well well...

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After various events, Ruki-chan reflected on her actions and changed her ways, so she recreated her avatar and started again from level 1.

Currently, she belongs to a clan called "Vester Fan Club" and is doing volunteer work at a church to atone for her sins.

I don't know what happened, but after getting involved with the player, HIVI Tako 2, her personality and preferences completely changed.

Half of the time spent logged in is dedicated to activities related to Vester. Relying on eyewitness accounts, she searches for Vester, chases after her, and once she finds her, observes her from the shadows, and laughs weirdly as she does things to Vester that she shouldn't in her delusion.

Her favorite character is Vester from all servers, and she loves them all equally, so she changes servers depending on the day.

〘Photo Menu〙​

It's one of those features that the God (AI) has not told about, but it allows you to take photos of backgrounds, people, etc.

"Taking a photograph" means being able to record what is visible at that moment as a picture.

When you select "Photo", a window appears where you can view the photos you've taken. It's also possible to create folders and sort them.

Points to note when photographing people: You need the subject's permission to include them in your photograph. A verbal response is acceptable, but the photograph will not be taken unless the subject gives their sincere permission.

In other words, even if the other person says it's okay, if they secretly dislike it, it won't be captured. This applies to both players and NPCs.

(Example) If you want to take a picture in town, if you take it without permission, you will end up with a picture of only the background. If you get permission from the person you want to be in the picture, you will end up with a picture of both the background and the person in the picture.

You can attach the photos you take to messages and send them, or post them on message boards.

Except when using electronic devices like cameras that can take pictures, you can take photos without asking permission from the other party, but you cannot post photos to messages or bulletin boards without using special magic or a cheat.

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