「Fue～」
「Pretty impressive, right?」
「Yeah.」
The underground warehouse had lighting spells built into it and was about the size of a gymnasium.
Shelves stood neatly in rows, and various items were placed one by one with care.
Frea-san, who came along, looked at the ornaments first before heading toward something that resembled an iron maiden torture device.
Mische glanced casually at the weapons before walking over to the area with decorative-looking objects.
As for me… I just looked around at random for now.
Look, being in a place that feels like an art museum, with my cute wife clinging to my right arm the whole time, it really does feel like we’re on a date. Not bad at all.
Right now, just the atmosphere alone is enough to make me feel pleasantly drunk.
「Um… the Alcandras Jar, was it? This one.」
「What’s that?」
「It’s the jar we were ordered to investigate. Look, you two, we’re starting the cleaning, so get out.」
Frea-san and Mische, who had gone quite deep inside, came back.
「Frea.」
「Yes.」
「I think it’ll be fine, but just in case, keep watch.」
「Yes.」
「The rest of you idle ones, come with me. We’re going to test this jar.」
Following the Muscle Prince who took the lead, we left Frea-san and the maids who would handle the cleaning, and headed toward his office.
-0-
「So what is it really?」
「According to past investigations, it’s called the ‘Jar of Rejuvenation’.」
「Heh～」
「Don’t give me that half-hearted tone.」
「But come on, it sounds completely fake.」
By the time we reached the office of the Royal Guard Commander, we had dragged Krea along as a scribe on the way.
Inel-kun looked like he was about to cry with all the work piled up, but I hardened my heart.
Still, a fun-looking toy suddenly turning out to be super suspicious was a letdown.
「According to the records… if you leave it unused for ten years and then use it, the user becomes five years younger, but only for ten days.」
「You investigated it and you’re still saying ‘apparently’? Isn’t that weird?」
「Don’t point that out. The previous investigations were sloppy, so we’re doing them again.」
He admitted they were sloppy.
「More importantly, shouldn’t this kind of investigation be done by specialists? Why us?」
「For the record, only items confirmed to be non-dangerous are stored in the castle basement. Dangerous ones go to the academy’s underground warehouse.」
「And?」
「Since they’re not dangerous, they told us to investigate them here… but the academy refused to cooperate with the re-investigation.」
「What’s with that?」
「They’re pretty busy over there with spell circle development and all sorts of things. When Frea gets irritated, assume it’s either ‘that time of the month’ or she can’t see her busy boyfriend.」
You left Frea-san underground just so you could make that joke?
The little sister’s face is bright red from the ‘that time of the month’ comment about her big sister.
「On top of that, they have students, so they have classes too. The academy is short on manpower, so they don’t take on simple jobs like this.」
「Then why us?」
「A guy on rest with a broken bone and people idle during the rainy season, who else is perfect for it?」
「Want me to break your bones too?」
Sensing my feelings, Noie clenched her fist tightly in front of her chest.
「What a dangerous couple. Try living with a little more calm in your hearts.」
「You’re the last one who should say that.」
Honestly… well, whatever. If it’s real, it sounds fun anyway.
「For now, shall we test it on Mische?」
「Yeah.」
「Hold on a second～!」
Why is she angry?
Mische, fuming with puffed-up cheeks, pointed at the jar.
「Why me of all people!」
「Because among us here, you’re pretty much the oldest?」
「Kwaaah! Don’t act so smug just because you’re young!」
I wasn’t acting smug. I am young, though.
「Even if I become five years younger, no one would notice the difference anyway! Don’t make me say the truth out loud～!」
「That’s true too.」
「Don’t just agree～!」
The leftover goods clutched her head, crouched down, and started crying.
Reality is always so harsh.
「How many times can this thing be used?」
「Apparently once every ten years. We let it sit for twenty this time, so theoretically twice.」
「So we have to check that part too, huh.」
Hmm～. For the sake of confirming safety, trying it on Mische really would be the best option.
knock knock
「Excuse me. This is knight apprentice Lutte. Is Argusta-sama here?」
「Ah, perfect timing.」
「Yes?」
Her abundant chest pressed down on the stack of documents she was hugging, making the papers droop sadly.
Yes. With that, the difference should be obvious.
「Could you… do something with this jar?」
「Just open it and look inside, apparently.」
「Would you mind doing that for us?」
「I don’t mind… but please check these documents first.」
We took the papers from her and stepped away from the desk where the jar sat.
Tilting her head slightly, she stood in front of the jar and glanced back at us with unease.
「There’s nothing strange inside, right?」
「It’s fine.」
「I hate how it smells too.」
「No problem.」
「……」
「Go ahead.」
Being of common birth, she showed no sign of disobeying our words. She lifted the lid of the jar and peered inside.
「Um… is this a mirror? My face is inside… huh? Younger? Huh?」
We who were watching were just as shocked.
Lutte, who had been looking into the jar, was visibly shrinking, growing smaller bit by bit.
「Huh? Eh? Wha-what?」
The now unmistakably younger Lutte looked up at us in confusion.
The jacket she had been wearing hung loose and baggy, while her skirt and even her undergarments had slipped down to the floor.
「Confirmation time～」
「W-Wait! Mische-senpai!」
「If it’s Lutte who’s now five years younger… wait, no way? Nooo～!」
「Nooo～!」
In a near-panic, Mische yanked off Lutte’s jacket and threw it aside.
Having her jacket stolen, Lutte panicked completely and hurriedly covered her lower half with both hands.
「……At nine years old and that chest… incredible.」
「……Hau…」
Krea, fourteen and standing beside me, clutched her own chest and crouched down.
In other words, even she had apparently lost to the current nine-year-old Lutte.
「Please give me my clothes back～!」
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