And so, the delightful time passed by.
「Hey, hey, Karen-chan, want some wine?」
「Hmm, just one glass…」
「Karen-san, you’re not good with alcohol, so take it easy, alright?」
「Well, just because she’s weak doesn’t mean she dislikes it, right? Even if she gets wasted, she’s got Sui to take care of her.」
「Karen, drink slowly, okay? No, don’t chug it like that when you can’t handle it!」
「Hey, Sui, what’s that snack thing you were talking about? Is it different from a cake?」
「Yeah. It’s still just an idea, but if it works out, we might be able to use Sidera’s consommé in it.」
「A snack made with consommé? Can’t imagine that… Well, if you need help with development, feel free to use my wife. She’ll love it.」
「Hmm, snacks don’t usually go well with alcohol… wait, they do?!」
「Haha, sounds like you’re going to stir up the capital again! Honestly, you never fail to entertain.」
「Chocola-chan, how’s the milk? Is it good?」
「Bark!」
「Somehow, even though it’s the same striped goat milk, the milk here at the Skylark Pavilion seems special. Chocola’s reaction is completely different… Tomoe-san, is there some secret ingredient or maybe a blend of different kinds of milk?」
「Oh, so even you, Sui, can’t figure it out when it comes to food? That’s surprising.」
「No, I don’t have a chef’s refined sense of taste or anything like that…」
「Fufu. Hearing that puts me at ease. But it’s a trade secret.」
「…Hey, Tomoe, you didn’t put anything weird in it, did you?」
「How rude! A husband doubting his own wife—what nerve you have!」
「Ehehe… Sui, where’s Sui?」
「See? She’s drunk. I told you so! Why do you always chug your drinks when you can’t handle them? Just sip it slowly!」
「Ahaha, she’s completely out of it. Karen-chan, you’re so cute!」
「Oh, well, can’t be helped. Hey, Spu, check her out for me.」
「Got it. Alright, missy, stick out your tongue… Hmm, yeah, she’s drunk, but not so much that it’ll harm her. This amount’s just her limit, it seems.」
「Ah, I’m so sorry! My Karen’s…」
「Oh, Sui… Ehehe… hug~…」
「Well, aren’t you two sweet?」
「Really, it’s adorable!」
「Please don’t tease me…」
「Well, isn’t it fine? Karen’s had her share of hardships with everything in Alfheim, hasn’t she? You’re the one who needs to support her, Sui.」
「Yeah, you’re right… Noa’s exactly right.」
「Bark!」
「Oh, Chocola’s saying, Leave it to me too!」
「Bark, bark!」
Noisy, bustling.
Amidst the festive atmosphere of the Snowmelt Festival, surrounded by Sidera’s companions.
We spent that day together until late afternoon.
※※※
And then—
「Mine Ah-san, thank you for today.」
「Not at all. I enjoyed myself as well. It was my first time being surrounded by human children, but regardless of the species, children truly are delightful.」
The dragon said this, then spread her wings. 「Well, I shall return to my hatchlings now.」
With that, she soared from the garden. Her elegant silver wings were supple and beautiful, a stark contrast to the grandeur and majesty of Ji Liz. She disappeared into the crimson-tinged sky.
「Welcome home, Sui-kun.」
「Welcome back!」
Mother and Mint greeted us as we returned home.
However, as soon as they looked at us, Mother gave a gentle smile, while Mint widened her eyes in surprise.
「Oh my, seems like this young lady got tired.」
「Uuuuu~! Karen like sleepy Mint!」
「Your back… feels nice… zzz…」
Karen, carried on my back, let out a drowsy mumble, neither quite a sleep talk nor a conscious statement.
「She had some wine and got a little drunk.」
「Bark…」
As I offered a wry smile, Mother asked me,
「Well, it can’t be helped… Shall I take over?」
「No, I’ll carry her to the bed.」
Shaking my head, I adjusted her on my back. Her slender, delicate body felt so light, yet her warmth was vivid. She reminded me of a cat, somehow.
「Looks like you had a good time.」
「Hey, Mint said, you eat? That sour tasty thingy?」
「Yeah, I did. I tried the dried apricots Mint mentioned.」
「Really!? Oh, oh, when Mint said wanted one more, Grandma bought me! Even Mine Ork and Ji Ness said like!」
「I see. Did you make sure to thank Grandma properly? Speaking of which, I’ve never made dried fruits before. Maybe I should try making some with fruit from Four Seasons-san and the others.」
Mint, now whispering because Karen was asleep, was adorably endearing.
「Bark!」
「Shokola, welcome back too! Oh, Pochi there, see? Want go say hi Pochi?」
「Bark!」
It looked like Mint wanted to share everything about the festival, but she must have decided to wait until Karen woke up. With that, she dashed off toward the ranch, taking Chocola with her.
「Keeping her on your back forever will get heavy, won’t it? Go lay her down quickly.」
「Yeah.」
「I’m… not heavy… mnya…」
Mother opened the front door for me, and I climbed up to the second floor.
Entering Karen’s room, I laid her down on the bed and pulled the blanket over her.
A year ago, shortly after being transmigrated to this other world, this room was where I used to sleep. Back then, it was bare, with just a bed, but over the past year, Karen had gradually added things to it. Now, it fully belonged to her.
There were items typical of a mage—like a desk, a chair, stacks of parchment, and scholarly books—alongside personal touches, like a dressing table and a stuffed dog. The latter was something Karen made herself after Tomoe-san taught her how back in Sidera. She’d said it was a tiny Chocola, modeled after him.
「Munya… Sui…」
「Yeah, I’m here.」
Karen turned toward me in her sleep, and I held her hand.
She was in a drunkenly cheerful mood. I just hoped she wouldn’t wake up with a hangover.
「Sui… love you…」
「Yeah. I love you too, Karen.」
Smiling at her sleep-talking, I responded and patted her head before tucking the blanket around her once more.
「Suu…」
Her breathing was soft and serene, like she was melting into a dream.
Her sleeping face was peaceful and content. It felt like going to Alfheim had been worth it.
—So, that’s it.
A lot of truths had come to light, a lot of things had happened, and somewhere along the way, my original goal had gotten lost amidst the talk of world crises.
But my wish had been fulfilled.
「Goodnight, Karen. Sleep well.」
I whispered to her and closed the door to her room.
Stepping out onto the veranda, I let the leisurely evening air wash over me, carrying the sounds of Mint and the others playing nearby.
Spring, it’s calm.
— — — — — — — — — —
This concludes Volume 10, 「The Child’s Cry, the World’s Tears」
How did you enjoy the two-chapter arc set in Alfheim?
Next, we’ll begin Volume 11:
「Gentle Days Go By」
With the global crisis resolved and the major issues settled, it’s time to return to a slow-paced life!
Nothing much will happen(Probably), but please look forward to the peaceful days ahead.
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