We went to the same inn we used before and rented the same room as last time.
「I’m going to Home to hold a meeting. I’ll bring dinner around nineteen, so if you can’t wait, just buy something yourselves and snack on it.」
「Takato, I want to go to Home too!」
Suddenly Mebi said that.
「Home is a place only exterminators can go. I explained that you can’t go there, remember?」
She had asked to go before, and I explained properly that Home is a place only exterminators can enter.
「Mebi, stop it. Grandpa already told you, didn’t he?」
Hmm? Did Kainzel-san say something?
「Once you become an exterminator, you stay one until the day you die. Don’t crush your bright future.」
Just carrying the lives of Ladarion and Miriel is already everything I can handle. If I take on more lives, I’ll collapse.
「I’ll talk to Mebi myself.」
Bisha hugged the downcast Mebi. She really is acting like an older sister.
「Yeah… I’m counting on you──」
With that, I returned to Home.
The Wolverine was parked in the entrance.
Why?
The two of them didn’t seem to be back yet, they weren’t in the central room or the bath.
When I checked the refrigerator, some cake and fruit were gone. Looks like they came back once already.
Some alcohol was missing too. Were Kainzel-san and Azur Rise having a drinking session?
I grabbed the tablet and started restocking the fridge and buying the things we’d need tomorrow. While doing that, Miriel came back.
「Good work. Were you out somewhere?」
「Yes. To the city. Sierra-san and I went to inform Cyrus-sama about this matter. Also… he told me to stay at the castle tonight.」
「If they start making unreasonable demands, refuse them. And run back to Home immediately. We’ll come help you.」
「Takato-san… don’t you trust Cyrus-sama?」
「I trust him. And I believe in him. But I don’t trust everyone in that castle. There are probably people watching Cyrus-san and the acting lord. I consider those people enemies.」
I only know about companies, but whenever an organization grows large, factions inevitably form and people compete for promotion. If that’s true even for businesses, then among nobles it must be a muddy, tangled mess. There’s definitely someone loyal to the lord in that castle. There’s a chance they could try something.
「Don’t worry about anything else. Your own life comes first.」
Ever since I took the two of them in, I’ve already decided the priority order.
First is Ladarion.
Second is Miriel.
No matter what anyone says, I have no intention of changing that. Of course, I can’t say it out loud since it would cause friction.
「It’s fine. I survived by drinking muddy water, after all. I’m not a woman who only needs protecting.」
Miriel snorted confidently through her nose. That fierce expression kind of ruins her cute face.
「Yeah. I’m counting on you.」
She really is a strong kid. I should learn from her.
「I’ll probably be late since I’m moving to the castle.」
「Alright. We’ll be staying at Fort Miroid for five or six days to repair it.」
「Understood. I’ll inform Cyrus-sama.」
She loaded some alcohol and food onto the Wolverine, then went outside.
I had been thinking things would be fine since Sierra was with her, when suddenly Ladarion came back.
Whoa! That startled me!
「What’s wrong?」
「No, I just saw Miriel off, and right after that you appeared. It surprised me. How are things on your side?」
「They’re having a drinking party in the inn’s dining hall.」
So they were drinking after all. Well, it sounds like he has fond memories of the town of Rihar, so maybe some old friends gathered. Just a guess though.
「Ladarion, aren’t you hungry?」
「Hmm… I might be able to eat if there’s food.」
Her enormous appetite seems to have settled down, but maybe because she used to eat endlessly, she still can’t quite tell whether she’s truly hungry unless she’s extremely starving.
Still, lately it seems like she’s starting to understand her body better and can manage it.
「You’ve gotten taller again.」
She used to be around 140 cm, but now she’s getting close to 150 cm. Her build is becoming more feminine too. At this rate, she might even surpass my height someday.
First, we both took showers. After having a light snack, we held a meeting.
Just like Fort Miroid, it seems Fort Mirond (seriously, they should have changed the name a bit, too confusing) is also being used as a kind of refuge for adventurers. Apparently, it has been repaired enough that people can at least stay overnight.
「Tell Kainzel-san to hire some adventurers on your side too and repair it so it can be used.」
I handed thirty silver coins, which had been piling up, to Ladarion.
After hearing the necessary details, I started preparing dinner. I carried it over to Mishinie and the others, and while we ate I told them what Ladarion had reported, as well as the fact that Miriel and the others had gone to the castle.
「Go to bed early tonight so you’re ready for tomorrow. And Mishinie, don’t drink too much.」
How many bottles is that now? At this rate you’re definitely going to ruin your organs someday.
「I know, I know. This will be the last one.」
That answer is not convincing at all.
「I’ll bring some hot water.」
I brought two basins and four plastic tanks, then used the Heat Knife to boil water.
「Using a divine tool just to boil water, huh.」
Well, it’s not like I’ve thought of any other way to use it yet.
「Put any leftover hot water back into the tanks, and put your changed clothes in the basket. I’ll wash them later. And brush your teeth too.」
「What are you, their mother?」
I’m their guardian, thank you!
「I’m going back to Home again. Make sure to lock the doors properly. Keep your shoes by your feet. And be careful when going to the toilet at night.」
「Overprotective much?」
That’s called education!
Mishinie’s constant retorts were getting annoying, so I let out a sigh and returned to Home.
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