Mother had asked me for help, so I agreed to prepare the iron plate. Of course, there was no way to do it in the alchemy room due to its size, so we decided to work in the garden.
「You’re attaching a fire magic stone to the iron plate?」
「Yeah. But if I leave it as a raw stone, the heat won’t spread evenly. So I’m processing it to make it as flat and wide as possible.」
「Even this thin, it still works…」
It really looked more like a magic plate than a magic stone at this point, but it functioned without any problems. Strange, really.
「Well, I’ll teach you how to process magic stones eventually.」
「Yes. One thing at a time, carefully, right?」
「Yeah. Since you’re motivated, Mizera, you’ll be able to do it soon enough.」
「Fufu. I’m looking forward to it. By the way, to practice alchemy outdoors, don’t you have to be ranked A-class?」
「That’s right. I only learned that recently myself…」
Being A-class was more useful than I had expected.
When making something large, you either needed a warehouse-sized alchemy room, or you had to work outdoors.
「What are you working on now?」
「Hm? I’m connecting the fire magic stone, the magic power storage stone, the converter, and the activation device.」
「That sounds complicated… and all just to heat an iron plate?」
「Since the kids will be handling it, safety comes first. I’m also adding water and wind stones on the outer frame to release cool air, as a countermeasure against heatstroke.」
「Wait… what you’re making now is for the festival, right? It’s not some giant plate meant for a huge kitchen?」
「Right. But since they’ll be using it afterward too, I thought it should be comfortable. Once the weather turns cold, they just won’t use the cooling function. I’m also tuning it so it runs with as little magic power as possible.」
This way, even on sweltering summer days or in the chill of winter, they could comfortably run a food stall.
A stall selling okonomiyaki year-round… wasn’t that wonderful?
「One thing I’d like to confirm. You’re donating this, right…?」
「Yeah. The material costs are low, and since it’s for the orphanage, nobody will complain even if we don’t charge them.」
If I offered everything for free, there would be no end to it. But for the orphanage, it made sense to donate.
Besides, having Aina and the others donate while I took money from them would just feel wrong.
「The value of the technique alone is immense, but the children won’t ever realize that…」
「That’s fine. As long as they enjoy making and eating okonomiyaki. Alright, once this is done, let’s deliver it.」
「That’s just like you… Yes, let’s do that. …Oh? Looks like we have a visitor.」
「Hm?」
Mizera turned her gaze toward the gate.
Peeking through the bars was unmistakably… Sicilia-sama’s imperial guard, Seren.
「Nnn! What is he doing? I’m very curious.」
「Um, could you please step away from the gate?」
「Oh, it’s fine, isn’t it? I already proved my identity, and I’m here to see the alchemist, after all.」
「That may be true… but we do have a bell for visitors…」
「Also, you see, protecting Sicilia-sama requires a bit of intelligence work. I thought I might as well practice while I’m here!」
「This is also Iris-sama’s estate, so that’s a bit much…」
「But… Sicilia-sama is far stronger than I am, so guarding her hardly feels meaningful. If I don’t contribute in some other way, I worry she’ll abandon me…」
「I wouldn’t know about that…」
「Um… what’s going on here?」
The young tanuki beastkin acting as gatekeeper looked troubled, brows drooping. When I called out, Seren gave a sheepish bow, as if to say, ah, you caught me.
「It’s been a while! I’m Seren!」
「Ah, yes. I know… So, what brings you here today?」
「Yes! I came to pick up the item Iris-sama ordered, the… microphone?」
A microphone, huh… Iris had indeed asked for one, but she never said Seren would be the one to collect it.
For now, I opened the gate and asked her to wait.
「Um… please wait a moment.」
「Yes!」
I quickly went to confirm with Iris.
『What is it? Want to see me?』
「Hey… at least tell me who’s supposed to pick up the things you order.」
『Hm? Ah, Sicilia. I forgot to mention… my apologies. Most likely it’s Seren who came for it, yes? If so, hand it over. She should have the payment.』
Huh… Something seemed off.
She sounded less lively than usual, oddly curt.
『I’m hopeless… I can’t attend the Einzheil festival because of work…! Hah! Don’t tell me, you’re planning to open a stall, are you!?』
「No, for now I just plan to attend normally…」
『R-really? Good… If you had created another new sweet, I would have sunk into even deeper despair… Very well. Just hand it over.』
『Iris-sama? Skipping work again? Shall I add more to your load?』
『I’m working right now! And any more is impossible! Fool! Oni! Spinster!』
『…Excuse me?』
『S-stop that! Don’t come closer! Stay back! Nooooooo!』
The line suddenly went dead.
……
Iris, there are some things you should never say to a woman…
What a tragic loss…
「My apologies. I’ve confirmed everything, so here you go.」
「Yes! Iris-sama hadn’t said a word, had she… Well then, here’s the payment.」
Seren handed me a pouch of money. I checked the contents; the amount was exact.
I took the microphone accessory from my disguised magic bag and passed it to her, and she stored it away in her own magic bag.
「Sicilia-sama saw this magic tool at an auction, you see. She wanted it so badly that she asked Iris-sama to make it!」
「Ah, I see. So you were attending as well.」
「Yes! We even put up our country’s Chocwo for auction! It sold at a high price!」
「Ah, then that was probably me.」
「What! That was you? How was the taste?」
「It was extremely delicious.」
That chocolate ice cream had been wonderful…
Considering the price, I couldn’t eat a lot, but for trying out different things, the portions were small. I’d definitely buy it again.
「Fufu. The slaves in your household must be very happy. It’s unheard of, you know, slaves getting to taste sweets.」
「Well, my household isn’t exactly normal…」
「If it’s an unusualness in a good way, then it’s good! By the way, what were you making earlier? It looked like quite a large item.」
「Ah, that… Well, if you’re interested, would you like to see?」
「May I!? It’s not some secret weapon of the kingdom, is it!?」
「No, just ordinary cooking equipment…」
A secret weapon… really?
Even if someone asked me to make one, I wouldn’t. It would only create enemies.
We approached the griddle. Mizera was wearing her hat and bowed politely to Seren, then stepped aside so she could see better.
「Oh my, what a large griddle…」
「Yes. We’re making it to fit the festival tent. Um, it’s almost finished, may I continue working?」
「Of course. I’m the one who barged in. And I’m delighted to see alchemy at work myself… And that person is…? Wait… what? Wha…..? No way… could it be…」
Seren stared at Mizera, looking increasingly shocked as she stepped closer and closer.
「Aahhh… um! Forgive me for asking something so rude, but weren’t you at the royal capital’s auction recently…? As… a slave…?」
「……」
So she had indeed seen Mizera at the auction.
It was better not to tell any lies here… though I should at least make sure to set the record straight.
「Yes. I purchased her there. She’s now my disciple….」
「What! Ah, thank goodness… I was aware of how half-elves are treated in this kingdom, so I wanted to protect her in our empire! But I lost the bid, and I’ve regretted it ever since!」
…So the one bidding against me back then was Seren.
As Sicilia-sama’s guard, she must earn quite a sum, but even then, over five million Nohl is no small amount.
That means she’s an incredibly kind-hearted person.
「Ah, forgive me for not giving my name earlier! I serve as guard to Sicilia Ocelot-sama, elder sister of the Emperor of the Empire! My name is Seren!」
「The Empire’s… imperial family’s guard, huh. If I recall, the Empire is based on merit above all else… You must be very skilled.」
「No, no. I still have a long way to go.」
She wasn’t being modest. She really believed that.
A true person of effort, through and through.
「It’s true our Empire values strength above all else, but we also recognize that half-elves are late bloomers… But you’ll be fine. I’m so glad… truly glad…」
Seren grasped Mizera’s hand, lowered her head, and shed tears.
She had really been worried.
「…Yes. Meeting milord has made me happy. Thank you as well, Seren-sama, for your concern.」
「Please, no need for -sama! Just call me Seren. I’m still in training myself. Let’s both do our best from here on! If I know you’re working hard, I’ll be inspired to work even harder too!」
「…Alright then. Seren. My name is Mizera. It’s a pleasure to meet you.」
「Mizera… Yes, I’ll remember it! And I’ll never forget it! Ah, today has truly been a wonderful day… If not for Sicilia-sama’s important business, I would have loved to talk longer…」
「Important business? Here in this city?」
「Yes. It seems she has something to discuss with the lord… Ah! That was supposed to be a secret! Forgive me, I can’t say any more! Please forget I said anything!」
「A-ah… it’s fine. I won’t tell anyone. Mizera, you too.」
「Yes. I won’t say anything.」
「Phew… Normally I’m much better at keeping secrets, but I was so happy that I slipped up… I still have a lot to learn. Alright! Reflection over! Now then, please excuse me!」
It took her no time at all to bounce back from her reflection, spin on her heel, and head off…
How should I put it? She’s like a lovable clumsy girl… I can see why Sicilia-sama would want to keep her close.
「…So positive… I should learn from that.」
「Just that part, alright… letting secrets slip is dangerous…」
「Yes. That would be… quite bad, wouldn’t it…」
「Well, I doubt Sicilia-sama would be unaware. Most likely she only entrusted her with information that could be leaked without issue…」
As we watched Seren walk out through the gate, she suddenly turned around, cupped her hands over her mouth,
Ah, she’s about to shout something.
「I forgot to say! Both Sicilia-sama and I will be staying until the festival…! Let’s meet again then…! Bye!」
…No, really, that’s not the kind of information you should be shouting at the top of your lungs…
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