Kousuke, who had been watching Renka as she began to stroke Wanri’s head, first spoke to Mitsuki.
“Mitsuki, I’m sorry to ask, but could you go over there and bring Floria here?”
“Kousuke-sama?”
Mitsuki’s eyes widened at the sudden proposal.
Upon closer inspection, Kouhi, standing beside Mitsuki, also looked surprised, showing a rare display of emotion.
Seeing the two of them for the first time in a while, Kousuke continued, finding it amusing.
“I have something I’m thinking about. And then, Nana!”
When Kousuke called out, Nana slipped past Renka’s side and quickly approached Kousuke.
It was partly that Renka’s interest had shifted to Wanri, but for Nana, slipping through Renka’s hand was a simple matter.
Kousuke, petting Nana’s head as she approached, said,
“I’m sorry, but could you return with Mitsuki and choose some children who seem to get along well with Renka? I’ll summon them.”
When Kousuke said this, Nana responded with a single bark, “Wafu!”
Nana immediately understood what Kousuke was planning.
Furthermore, by this time, Kouhi and Mitsuki also understood what Kousuke was trying to do.
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
Mitsuki was the one who asked, but Kouhi likely felt the same. She stared intently at Kousuke.
Then, Kousuke nodded clearly to them.
“Of course. I think it will be quite interesting. Besides, it’s a perfect opportunity.”
When Kousuke responded clearly once more, Mitsuki said no more, called Nana, and teleported away from the spot.
Renka and the others on the other side were surprised by the sudden use of advanced magic like teleportation by Mitsuki and Nana.
“Where did Nana and the other one go?”
“They’ve gone out for a bit of business. They’ll be back in about an hour, so please bear with Wanri alone in the meantime.”
When Kousuke said this, Wanri, who was still being petted by Renka, let out a protest, “Kyafu!”
It wasn’t that she didn’t like being told to endure alone, but she did it deliberately to lighten the mood.
Her plan worked perfectly, and Renka immediately narrowed her eyes and turned back to Wanri.
“Oh, my apologies. I have no intention of neglecting you.”
Saying this, she resumed petting Wanri.
Her demeanor was unlike that of a girl dealing with a high-ranking monster.
Anyone would see it as simply a person doting on a beloved pet.
Renka’s inquiry ended there, but the knights guarding the surroundings did not let it go at that.
If one looked closely, they could see that their caution level had been raised towards Kousuke and his group, who remained unfazed by the sudden display of advanced magic by their companion.
However, they decided not to dwell on it, understanding it as part of their duty.
With Kousuke’s nonchalant attitude, Kouhi also showed no concern.
However, if the knights were to try anything against Kousuke, Wanri would likely bare her fangs immediately.
♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦
Although Renka’s clothes were practical for travel and not overly gaudy, they were clearly expensive.
Still, Renka showed no sign of being bothered by this and continued to dote on the remaining Wanri.
The surrounding knights and stewards did not try to stop Renka’s actions, and rather, watched her as if she were a cute child.
From their demeanor, it was evident that Renka was not just seen as the employer’s child, but that Renka herself was beloved.
Thus, about an hour after Mitsuki and Nana had left, Mitsuki returned with Floria, just as Kousuke had predicted.
The knights’ caution flared for a moment at the appearance of an unfamiliar human, but it quickly subsided with Mitsuki by her side.
However, they did not forget to observe Floria carefully.
Despite their gazes, Floria showed no concern and simply raised her right hand towards Kousuke.
“I was surprised by the suddenness, but I see, it seems there will be something interesting to witness.”
“Is that so? Then it was worth bringing you. So, what do you think?”
Kousuke went straight to the point, and Floria shrugged.
“There’s nothing to be done. It depends on them, doesn’t it? We just need to make a proposal.”
“Ah, I see. That’s good.”
Floria’s words brought a relieved expression to Kousuke’s face.
Renka and the others listened to Kousuke and his party’s conversation with great interest at the appearance of the person brought here using the advanced skill of teleportation.
For once, even Renka stopped petting Wanri.
Kousuke introduced Floria to them.
In response, Renka, as their representative, hastily stood up and returned the greeting properly.
Perhaps sensing something from Floria’s elegant greeting and demeanor, Renka’s greeting became more suited for addressing a noble.
However, it was likely an instinctive greeting rather than a calculated one.
After finishing her greeting, Renka’s face showed a look of regret.
Seeing this, Floria chuckled.
“There’s no need to worry. While traveling, you are not bound by status, are you? It’s only natural not to know the proper etiquette.”
Renka’s relieved expression clearly showed her comfort at Floria’s words, indicating she had no intention of scolding her for her mistake.
“That’s true. …By the way, where is Nana?”
Even Floria blinked in surprise for a moment before chuckling at this.
She realized that Renka’s greeting mistake was largely due to being distracted by thoughts of Nana.
As Renka looked around, Kousuke said with a smile,
“Renka-sama, Nana is not here at the moment. However, I will prepare her immediately, so please wait a moment.”
“Eh!? Prepare her right away? What do you mean?”
Kousuke smiled and nodded as Renka tilted her head in confusion.
Then, moving a short distance away from where everyone was gathered, he began to chant the spell to summon Nana and the others.
The knights’ movements were swift when they realized Kousuke was beginning to use magic.
They quickly moved to protect Renka, but as soon as they realized Kousuke’s incantation was not for attack, they relaxed their guard.
For a moment, even Renka tensed up.
However, upon seeing the magic circle that appeared after Kousuke finished his incantation, Renka and everyone affiliated with her widened their eyes.
It was clear at a glance that the magic circle was not something an ordinary wizard could handle.
It was unbelievable that it had appeared with such a simple incantation, and furthermore, they were surprised that Kousuke, who had uttered it, showed no signs of exhaustion.
Coupled with Mitsuki’s teleportation magic from earlier, they were once again reminded of the true extent of power possessed by the people they had befriended.
Moreover, realizing what Kousuke intended to do with such a powerful magic circle, they were even more astonished.
I intended to end this in three parts, but it didn’t finish.
The next part will be the end of the “Unexpected” series (?).
Now, what did Kousuke do using the magic circle?!
The answer is in the next installment!
…Ah, you understand? I see.
