-Doktoria Kingdom – Temporary Base
Ange and I successfully drove off the rumored ghosts in Grellverelka. We decided to return to the Doktoria Kingdom’s temporary base, as going any further would have crossed the line into spy activity. While I definitely wanted to explore more, we had acquired some souvenirs, and I was eager to check on the research team’s progress under Shutra. I’d save the fun for later; sometimes, delayed gratification is the sweetest.
When we returned to the temporary base, Gerard, Rion, and Alex were relaxing in the large room we were using as a lounge. Efil was nowhere to be seen, likely either shopping or in the kitchen. To be honest, the food in the Underworld was rather questionable, so I doubted she had gone off to learn something new, as she usually would. Even if she had, it wouldn’t be Underworld cuisine anymore. It would be Efil’s cooking, sublimated into something entirely different.
“Oh, it’s the King.”
“Welcome back, Older Kel! Welcome back, older Ange!”
“Woon!”
“Rion-chan! I’m home!”
Ange immediately moved to hug Rion. She was at a level of speed several notches above fighting the Ghost Golem. With such a swift embrace, even Rion couldn’t evade it.
“I’m back. Has anything changed here?”
“Indeed. No enemy attacks, no sudden disturbances—in fact, we were quite bored.”
“It’s hard to train casually around town. Older Ange, let go soon.”
“Just a little longer, just a little longer!”
Ange was thoroughly enjoying her younger sister figure.
“Ah, so it’s because this isn’t like the underground training ground at the mansion.”
Sparring matches involving warriors of Gerard and Rion’s caliber required careful consideration of location unless one wanted a disaster. We needed sufficient durability and soundproofing for the safety of the surroundings, and more importantly, reluctance to reveal one’s hand to others. Well, they probably couldn’t keep up with my movements with their eyes anyway.
“Older Kel, don’t just glide on by!”
“No, well… I understand Ange’s feelings all too well. Especially if we haven’t seen each other for three days.”
“Ehh!?”
In fact, I was next in line, waiting for my turn. We were all in need of a younger sister figure right now.
“Right!”
“This is it!”
“You know it!”
Our synchronized desire connected us. The three of us, the younger sister faction (or granddaughter faction), bumped our fists together. Alex, lying on his side under the sofa a little distance away, seemed to let out a faint sigh, but it was probably just my imagination.
“Lion-sama. It seems lively, but did something happen? …Ah, Master.”
“Yo, Efil. I’m back.”
As I was getting my fill of sisterly affection from Rion, Efil came into the room, drawn by the commotion. She had a bowl and whisk in her hands, spinning them around vigorously. But she stopped when our eyes met. Was she making sweets? For some reason, her face turned redder and redder.
“I-I am so sorry! I left the kitchen, and to carry on cooking while walking, I have committed a grave offense!”
“Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine. I don’t particularly mind such things within the house.”
Actually, the sight of a girl cooking was quite appealing. The kitchen was Efil’s sanctuary, making it difficult to enter, so I wanted her to come out and be more active.
“Yeah, it’s really appealing.”
“Feh?”
“Never mind. More importantly, is that cream for a cake or something?”
“Ah, yes. It’s a dessert for Melfina and Mudo-chan to cleanse their palates.”
“Cleanse their palates?”
According to Efil, the gluttonous goddess and the sweet-toothed sniper of our party were currently rampaging through town. The dessert Efil was making was, in a way, what they eat after having ravaged most of what they desired. It seemed that if they were satisfied with their final taste, it fell within the acceptable range of conditions to alleviate hunger, even with the food of hell. By the way, to avoid any misunderstandings, I’ll state this clearly: they pay their money. Though they ravage, the businesses in town, which lacked demand and were practically empty, were booming. They were hailed as gods in that circle. Oh, Goddess. Why be worshipped by demons?
“They express dissatisfaction upon their return, yet they still go out for a meal while walking every day.”
“Ah, I saw it yesterday too. There was a crowd at a restaurant in town. When I peeked to see what it was, Mel-neechan and Mudo-chan were eating and saying, ‘This is bad, another helping!’ and ‘This pastry is far from complete, another helping!’ They piled up the plates they finished.”
I know that. They say it’s bad, but they get hooked on it, right? …Are they actually developing a habit?
“I-is that so? It’s good not to be picky about food…”
“Yes, it’s a wonderful mindset.”
“By the way, what’s Shutra’s situation? We returned according to the promised three days.”
“Shutra-sama and the others? When I delivered their meals earlier, they were murmuring, ‘Just a little more, just a little more…’ along with Colette-sama. It seems they’ve been working for three days and three nights straight.”
Aren’t they going to be completely exhausted?
“I advised him to get proper rest, but he wouldn’t listen, saying a short nap would be enough.”
“Hey, you should be firmer with him, even if he’s your grandson. There’s no need to rush that much.”
“Because Shutra had such a wonderful smile…”
“Sera-nee and Colette’s intensity was also immense. We couldn’t understand what they were talking about and couldn’t keep up, so we quietly left the room. Sorry we couldn’t help.”
“However, there was certainly a sense of self-reproach for neglecting Shutra’s health. Therefore, I entrusted Efil with taking care of the three of them. A superb follow-up on my part.”
“Entrusted to Efil?”
Well, Efil could certainly prepare meals with balanced nutrition and be considerate of various needs. She was the best choice, the absolute best.
“Yes, then I can rest easy.”
“Right?”
“Ah, um, I am happy you trust me, but I haven’t done anything significant…”
“Don’t be humble.”
“That’s right! We were incredibly helped by you!”
“Exactly, Efil should have more confidence—Sera, when did you get here?”
“Now!”
Before I knew it, Sera was standing right beside me. My heart skipped a beat.
“And please, be quiet. Shutra is sleeping.”
Sera put a finger to her lips, shushing me. Looking at her, Shutra was asleep on her back. Was she carrying him? But Sera, your entrance was the loudest!
“Going back to the topic, Efil’s support greatly advanced our work. Well done.”
“N-no… All I could do was prepare energizing meals, improve the environment to boost morale, and give Shutra-sama a new plush toy to help him relax during his naps…”
“Is that what Shutra is holding right now?”
Shutra was holding a pink bear-shaped plush toy.
“It’s a plush toy that doubles as a body pillow, designed to fit Shutra-sama’s body. …Perhaps it was a bit too effective?”
“Zzz… Zzz…”
What, she’s just an angel.
“It was effective enough that he had trouble waking up from his nap in the latter half. Though he did wake up with sheer willpower.”
“I see. Did you give Colette anything? I don’t see her.”
“She’s burned out in front of the transfer gate. I put her in a sleeping bag.”
Ehh… How much soul did everyone burn?
“With Melfina-sama’s advice and permission, I lent Colette-sama a handkerchief that Melfina-sama had been carrying all day without washing it. This, uh, led to her overflowing with vitality to a concerning degree… I couldn’t control it…”
“Efil, what a terrifying thing to do!”
Of course, if she gave Colette Melfina’s personal belongings, Colette would become ridiculously energetic. Her sense of smell would be stimulated, and she’d work like a horse until she burned out. …Is it okay as long as she’s happy?
“Her subsequent work ethic was incredible. Honestly, it sent a shiver down my spine!”
“Despite that, Sera, you seem energetic?”
“Sera-san… was energetic without doing anything in particular.”
“Fufu, my basic stamina is different! It’s the foundation!”
She might be a little delirious from lack of sleep, but still.
The cover for “The Black Summoner 3: The Army of Beastly Monsters” has been released. Details can be found in the activity report.
