Only the soft clinking of pottery echoes through the alchemy room.
Since Mizera is focused on making potions, I watch over her quietly from behind so as not to disturb her.
「……Fuu. Done.」
「……Five successes out of ten this time. Yeah. Pretty good.」
「Haa, I’m tired…… It’s still not stable yet. But at least I didn’t forget what I learned.」
「Well, Mizera has always worked seriously, so even if your usual working time got a little shorter, you wouldn’t forget that easily.」
It’s like riding a bicycle, you don’t lose the skill even after a long break.
She has repeated the same steps so many times that her body remembers them perfectly.
「Haa…… but even on a good day it’s only fifty percent……still so far away compared to teacher.」
「Riito-san said it too, you’re already plenty skilled. Have more confidence.」
「But when it comes to accessories, I’m still hopeless……」
「That side relies a lot on practice too. Since you’re the type who tackles one thing at a time, just switch over once potion-making settles down.」
Mizera has strong concentration and her hands are getting more dexterous, so she will surely get good at accessories eventually.
There’s no need to rush. Take it slow and steady.
「Yes. Understood. Teacher, do you have any other plans today?」
「No, nothing in particular. I was thinking of just watching your alchemy today.」
「Thank you. Then I have to work hard……」
「It’s good to be motivated, but don’t overdo it.」
「Yeees. I know.」
This girl tends to push herself too hard if I look away even for a moment.
I wonder who she takes after.
After that, Mizera continues making potions while I do some research and keep an eye on her work.
「Oh, right, milord. About Amatsukuni, you don’t have to worry about me. You can go whenever you want.」
「Huh?」
「Shion-san said you wanted to go to Amatsukuni, right?」
「Well, yeah……」
「Your accessory-making has settled down now, so feel free to go without worrying about me.」
It’s true that until recently I was focused on work and struggled to create originals, but now that I’ve finished several kinds, I can mass-produce them with 『Multi-Copy』, so I do have more free time.
「No, it’s not like I’m in a hurry. Why don’t we all go together?」
「But what if the thing Shion-san wants sells out while we’re waiting? That would be too bad, wouldn’t it?」
Umm…… I don’t think something like that would sell out so quickly.
After all, it’s an ultra-luxury item that costs 500 million nohl, right?
It’s hard to imagine it selling in just a day or two.
Hard to imagine…… but if by some chance it did sell out, that would be really sad for Shion.
「Umm…… but I’m sure there are herbs and accessories in Amatsukuni that you’ve never seen before, Mizera.」
Mizera looked so happy collecting herbs when we went to the Empire.
Of course I’m looking forward to new discoveries too, and I’m sure Mizera would enjoy it.
「That…… does interest me, but if milord brings some back for me, that would be enough, right?」
「Sure, but……」
「Really, you don’t need to worry. Amatsukuni is even farther west than the Empire, isn’t it? I already got quite tired just going to the Empire, so I don’t think my stamina would hold up.」
「No, we could take plenty of breaks, or even stay longer in the Empire to rest.」
If we stop by, we’d have to greet Garcia and Sicilia anyway.
We’d probably end up staying several days no matter what.
Of course I’m definitely not stopping by 『Sha La La La』!
「Even so. I don’t want to get sick and cause trouble for everyone.」
Ah…… ugh…… Given Mizera’s recent condition, I think she’d be fine, but I can’t say for absolute certain there’s no risk.
That’s why I understand her worry, but still, I really want us to go together.
「Besides, even after finishing the job assignments for the half-breed children, there’s still follow-up care, so it will take a while longer. Making Shion-san wait that long would be too unfair to her.」
Umm…… it’s Amatsukuni, so I’m sure there are things that would catch Mizera’s interest or that she’d like.
Ingredients, tools, materials, things like that.
I also want Mizera to experience the unknown country of Amatsukuni and gain something from it……
「……You don’t look convinced. It really is fine…… but all right. Then, after you come back, would you take me on a date to Amatsukuni?」
「Ah…… right. If I set up a transfer point, I could bring you along.」
「Exactly. By the time you return, the job assignments for the half-breed children should be finished. If we travel with your space magic, milord, I’ll be able to enjoy Amatsukuni to the fullest, won’t I? Of course. The date will be just the two of us.」
「Umm, but leaving you alone here, isn’t that dangerous?」
「Who would target me at this point……? Milord, do you really think I’m that hated?」
「I don’t remember anything like that…… yeah. Probably not.」
Even if there is, it would be something like ‘you’re hogging him all to yourself’. No one would harm Mizera.
And if one really comes, I’ll be the target……
「I’ll keep going out to a minimum, and if anything happens, Pococo is here too. There’s also Iris-sama’s mansion on the grounds, and judging by the number of shinobi on alert, this house is probably the safest place in Einzheil.」
「……All right. Then I’ll scout out some good spots in advance.」
「Yes. Thank you.」
And so we decided to leave Mizera behind and head to Amatsukuni.
When we left, Mizera saw us off with a smile, telling me to enjoy myself plenty for her sake too……
She probably really meant ‘don’t worry about me and go have fun’, but even after all that, I can’t help feeling a little concerned.
Still, it’s the exciting Amatsukuni we’re going to, so I’ll enjoy it.
Of course, I’ll make sure to find plenty of spots that Mizera would like.
-0-
―Mizera Side―
I watched the carriage carrying milord until it disappeared from sight. As I turned to head back, something tugged at my clothes.
「Mizera. Was it really okay? To stay behind?」
「Yes. What’s wrong, Pococo?」
Pococo, who is originally Iris-sama’s guard, has been sticking close to me lately. My bodyguard and precious friend looked up at me with worry.
「Umm…… isn’t it a waste? Won’t you fall behind?」
「Fall behind?」
「Yes! Mizera’s rivals are all strong! And now Shion’s joined them too! You have to be more aggressive!」
「Fufu. Everyone is wonderful, after all.」
「You can’t afford to be so relaxed! Mizera is very cute, but if you just rely on that, you’ll lose ground! Shion especially is dangerous! She comes on so strong!」
「Umm…… milord loves everyone equally, you know?」
「Maybe, but……」
「Thank you for worrying. But it’s okay. I’m doing things my own way.」
「Eh?」
「Because everyone’s going to Amatsukuni together, right? They’ll all be with milord all day, but none of them can have him completely alone. Meanwhile, I get milord all to myself for a whole day when he comes back.」
「Ah…… Mizera. So that’s what you were aiming for! You’re so clever!」
「Fufufu. Well, I really am busy right now. Potion-making is falling behind too, so I have to work hard until everyone returns. And as long as I protect the house, milord will definitely come back to me…… absolutely.」
That’s right. He came back even after facing earth dragons in Roukaku.
He came back even after facing a duke and a hero.
I know he’ll come back this time too, so I will protect this house and have the special role of welcoming him home with “welcome back”.
「Ooh…… Mizera, you’re quite cunning.」
「Fufufu. I love milord just as much as everyone else does. I have to be a little cunning. Now then, Pococo. Let’s do our best today too.」
「Of course! Mizera has master-san, after all! I won’t let any shady people near!」
「I’m counting on you. Also, what would you like for dinner today?」
「Anything Mizera makes will be delicious! But meat would be nice!」
「Milord left behind more money than we can use this time…… Shall we splurge just a little?」
Now then…… what should the menu be……
……But I hope he comes back soon.
Milord…… I hope you don’t get caught up in any troublesome things again…… though knowing him, something will probably happen……
Leave a Reply