The “Spirit Song Inn” tavern.
“Sera, cheer up already.”
“Hmph! I’m done!”
We resumed drinking after asking Claire to get us a replacement table for the one that was destroyed. We were drinking juice, of course, not alcohol.
Sera had managed to cheer up enough to complain, but it was tough right after the duel. As soon as she returned to her seat, she collapsed onto the table in silence, and I tried everything to calm her down. In the end, I gently stroked Sera’s head for fifteen minutes and promised to go fishing with her next time, which gradually brought her back to her current mood. It reminded me of when we first met. It was difficult to stop Sera from crying then, too.
“I couldn’t even give Kelvin his present, and some weird man appeared… My plans are a mess!”
“But Sera, you went easy on him, didn’t you? I was on the edge of my seat.”
Rion, using her chopsticks to remove small bones from meat on her plate, spoke while sharing it with Alex, who was hiding in the shadows.
“Besides, he said he’ll accept presents anytime. He’ll be happy to receive one right now if you want.”
“Not now. The mood isn’t right.”
“…Well, yeah.”
Incidentally, we were sharing this table. And our tablemates were…
“Delicious… This is so delicious.”
“Here, Silvia, you have some around your mouth.”
“Mm… Emma, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
It was Silvia and Emma. You see, while Claire was preparing the table, Ryuka had fallen asleep completely, and Gerard had taken him back to the mansion, leaving two empty seats. I couldn’t resist Silvia’s pleading, kitten-like eyes staring at the vacant seats, so I reluctantly allowed just the two of them to share the table. I had declared I wouldn’t have time to entertain them, and yet here we are reunited so quickly. We’ve grown quite close while chatting.
Ariel and Kokudori had headed to the inn with Nagua. According to them, the Adventurer Guild had arranged lodging for them in advance, but the mealtime had already ended. At this late hour, there were no food stalls open, and because of my Ascension Ceremony, every tavern was crowded. Seeing a hungry Silvia, Nagua had intended to get a seat from someone else. The original plan was to target some thugs and ruffians, but for some reason, he challenged Melfina, or so Emma explained.
“Still, Kelvin-san, you’re a bit of a mischievous person. You were Silvia’s opponent for tomorrow’s battle… It’s understandable that Nagua was defeated if he was up against a party newly promoted to S-Rank Adventurer. Well, underestimating his strength and being defeated is indeed a problem.”
“Yeah, I was about to tell you.”
Anyone in this tavern could have told you, and Sera was my priority.
“Grrr.”
“Hey, Sera, don’t pounce on her anymore.”
“Um, I’m really sorry…”
Sera still seemed wary of Silvia and the others, growling and glaring at them.
“I just want you to fight with all your might in tomorrow’s match. Right, Sera?”
“…If Kelvin says so, I guess it’s fine.”
“That’s the plan. I’m counting on you tomorrow.”
Heh, I’m already looking forward to tomorrow.
“That doesn’t bother me. But why?”
“Tomorrow’s Mock Battle won’t be deadly, right? Isn’t it a rare opportunity to fight Silvia with all your might? It would be a waste if you held back.”
“Yeah. …Yeah?”
Silvia tilted her head, a question mark floating above her as she chewed on her spaghetti. Hmm, unfortunately, Silvia doesn’t seem to grasp this wonder. It’s truly regrettable.
“I don’t really get it, but as long as I give my all in the match, it’s fine, right? I promise.”
“Silvia, take it easy…”
“Ahaha, that’s great, Older Kel.”
“You’re served. Here is your additional order of spaghetti.”
Efil brought the dishes Silvia and Melfina had ordered for seconds. Though not as much as Melfina, Silvia had also devoured a considerable amount of food. She has the same build as Efil.
But is it just me, or did Melfina start eating faster after Silvia arrived, even though she’s not participating in the conversation? Is she competing?
“Right, I haven’t introduced everyone yet.”
I introduce Efil to Silvia and the others.
“Oh, so you’re a maid from Kelvin-san’s mansion. Did Efil-san make this food too…? Huh? Why are you working as a waitress here?”
“Claire, the innkeeper, is my cooking master. I’m helping out behind the scenes today.”
“The food from Traage that came out earlier? Efil cooked that too.”
“Is that so? It was delicious. Strangely, I even teared up…”
At that moment, Silvia firmly gripped Efil’s hands with both of hers. What’s going on?
“Um!”
“Y-yes? What is it?”
“Can I have your autograph, please?”
— Today, Efil gained another fan.
***
— On the way to Kelvin’s Mansion
The pre-celebration banquet has safely concluded, and Efil, Sera, Rion, and Melfina are returning to the mansion with me. My legs have recovered significantly, and I can finally walk on my own. I can’t keep relying on Efil’s shoulder forever. Efil herself looked a little disappointed.
“Talking with them, they turned out to be quite nice children.”
“No, Mel was just eating the whole time.”
“Well, they don’t seem like bad people, more than I expected. Except for that dog-man.”
Sera was even talking normally by the end. Although, if the opponent were that man named Nagua, I might just resort to fists again.
“Um, was the autograph I gave alright? I’ve never signed anything before…”
“The person who received it seemed satisfied, so I guess it’s fine? I felt a bit awkward when I was asked to sign something before.”
Was that when I was promoted to A-Rank? Hmm, I wonder who I signed for.
“I’m glad I learned to read and write from Master. When I was at Traage, I could barely read.”
“Really? I could read and write from the beginning.”
“I think it’s a service you automatically learn when you reincarnate. It’s tough if you can’t communicate with words or writing from the start.”
After some casual conversation, we arrived at the mansion gate. Hmm, I forgot to repair the gatekeeper golem that Pritia half-destroyed. For now, I’ll assign a golem from inside the mansion as the gatekeeper.
“Welcome back, Master, everyone.”
As the gate opened, Ellie came out from the mansion to greet us.
“I apologize for Ryuka’s behavior. He has no regard for what the Head Maid makes.”
“Just be careful next time. Gerard seemed to be enjoying himself, too.”
“Gerard-sama always treats me well.”
“Master, the bath isn’t ready yet, is it? Would you like to use it?”
Ah, you’re right, it wasn’t ready yet. I’ve been relying on the Clear Wind. Yeah, I think I can use it now.
“Please prepare it. I want to sleep soundly tonight.”
“Understood.”
Now, tomorrow is finally the Ascension Ceremony to S-Rank. And the long-awaited Mock Battle with Silvia. I also need to get in touch with Delamis’s Shrine Maiden, Colette. I should go to bed early tonight.
