Chapter 007: This Illustration Must Be Drawn Properly
"Miss Pandora, would you mind staying here?" Archi asked Pandora as they stood before a small house.
"Mhm." She nodded in response.
After all, it was just a place to stay—no need for anything extravagant.
"Mr. Archi, could you trouble you to bring some undergarments here?"
Although her body had "grown accustomed" to the white cloth, mentally she still wasn't comfortable with it...
"Uh... of course."
Hearing this, Archi responded somewhat awkwardly before withdrawing from the room.
With that, Pandora sat on the cottage's bed and picked up the pen and notebook placed on the nearby table.
Yes, her need for accommodation wasn't just because she temporarily had nowhere to go—more importantly,
She needed to draw a map of this world. To avoid being manipulated by a certain "Dona Tea" wholesaler, she had to disrupt the original trajectory and arrangements.
Otherwise, she would become the stepping stone for that boy named "Natsuki Subaru" to reach the pinnacle of his life a century later...
"First, this place—Elior Forest, belongs to the Kingdom of Lugunica..."
"Then Gus... something about a Holy Kingdom..."
After sketching several continental plates in her notebook, she wrote "Kingdom of Lugunica" in the center-right area, and "Holy Kingdom" on the topmost plate.
As for what the Holy Kingdom was actually called... well... she'd forgotten, or rather never bothered to remember in the first place.
"Next, Kararagi City..." The country located at the far left of the continent.
"Vollachia Empire..." The country situated below.
That was roughly it—a rough sketch showing the locations of all the countries.
As for specific details like "so-and-so's territory"... who would remember that!
"Miss Pandora." Just as she was pondering other matters, Archi's voice came from the door.
"Come in." After folding the map and setting it aside, Pandora responded.
Creeeak!
"Everything has been prepared." Archi said after opening the door, standing outside and stepping slightly aside.
"Lady Pandora..." A golden-haired girl entered carrying clothing.
"Mhm, thank you."
She hadn't expected Archi to be so considerate—he actually knew to have a woman deliver the items.
At this moment, Pandora mentally added one point to Archi's score.
"Well then, Miss Pandora, if you need anything, just call out. I'll be in the neighboring house." Seeing this, Archi bowed slightly as he spoke.
"Mhm, thank you for your trouble."
Shortly after, once Archi and the girl had closed the door and left.
"Sigh... I'll have to face this sooner or later..." Pandora took a deep breath while holding the clothing in her hands: "Three, two, one..."
Not long after, she examined her attire.
Although the outside was still "white cloth," at least the inside wasn't just air anymore...
"Alright, the first destination is decided." Circling the Kingdom of Lugunica on the map, feeling the security of being properly clothed, Pandora nodded as she sat back down on the bed.
After all, as someone who needed to travel everywhere, she lacked a travel companion.
As for who to choose...
People from the Witch Cult could be eliminated first—aside from Regulus, all the others had been made "fools" by the original.
As for Emilia... better not.
So, if we're talking about who is most likely, it would have to be Beatrice—someone who currently exists and whom she is familiar with.
"Lolis are the best!"
Indeed, tsundere is truly the greatest among all moe attributes!
"Miss Pandora, is there something you need?" Just as she was getting excited thinking about the future, Archi's voice came from outside the door.
"Uh... not for now."
Oh no, I actually said that out loud without realizing it...
"Please be sure to call me if you need anything." Hearing this, Archi's voice came again, and then he returned to his own room.
Seriously, it seems I need to restrain my excitement about just arriving in this different world...
Shaking her head, Pandora turned her gaze back to the map.
"Then I'll go take a look at that so-called Holy Kingdom..."
After all, no one could kill her, and to escape her original fate, she had to act in opposition to her former self.
If she used to be cautious and operated behind the scenes, now she would step into the spotlight and live without constraints.
The first step was to understand the various kingdoms and lay the groundwork for her escape routes.
"Sigh..." Thinking of this, Pandora let out a sigh.
Since coming to this world, she couldn't laze around like she used to... or maybe she still could... ahem.
Shaking her head to clear the chaotic thoughts, she lay down on the bed and pulled up the covers.
Time for a nap...
————————————
"Miss Pandora?"
Just as Pandora was sleeping soundly, a voice accompanied by knocking reached her ears.
"Hmm, just a moment..."
Pushing the covers aside, she yawned and responded.
Then, she folded the map on the bedside and tucked it under the pillow. After straightening her clothes, she opened the door.
"My apologies, Miss Pandora." Standing outside the door was, as expected, Archi. "It's already dinnertime. May I ask if you would like to..."
After all, Pandora was a Witch, so he wasn't sure if she needed to eat.
"Hmm..." Pandora nodded in response, then looked outside in confusion.
It was already evening, and lights were lit all around.
But...
"What's going on out there?"
The sounds of laughter and merriment kept drifting into her room, making it impossible to ignore.
"It's a celebration for Lady Fortuna and Lord Geuse," Archi quickly explained. "The banquet has just begun, so I was asked to invite Miss Pandora..."
"Banquet?" Pandora was taken aback for a moment. "Alright, thank you."
A banquet! It had been so long since she'd had a "feast"! She was determined to eat her fill tonight!
"Please follow me." Seeing her agreement, Archi gave a slight bow and led the way.
It wasn't that Pandora didn't know the way—the settlement was small enough—but this was a gesture of sincerity and respect.
Although he was puzzled as to why Fortuna had agreed to let Pandora stay, since he had been given this task, he, as the "attendant," had to perform it well.
Moreover, Pandora had helped bring Fortuna and Geuse together...
"Lady Pandora, you've arrived." Seeing the two approach, Geuse stood up from his seat. "Please, have a seat."
"Mm, thank you." Pandora didn't say much in response and simply took a seat beside Geuse.