The next day, Kent was scheduled to head to Josette’s mansion.
“Kent, are you going out? After what happened yesterday, I’m coming with you.”
Elnet, worried about Kent, insisted on accompanying him. Certainly, his swordsmanship was reliable, and she figured he’d be more than capable as a bodyguard. However, their destination this time was Josette’s mansion—Elnet’s family home. Kent suspected it might be difficult for Elnet to go there, considering she had left home under circumstances akin to running away.
“Um, the place I’m heading to now is Elnet’s family home, you know?”
“What! That matter I promised Father about the other day, right? It’s a bit awkward to return, but for Kent’s safety, I will accompany you.”
Al, who had been acting with them yesterday, seemed to have used a considerable amount of magic during the battle and was resting in his room. “I couldn’t replenish my magic last night because Marie was here… I don’t think I can go out today,” Al said apologetically to Kent.
And so, Kent and Elnet headed to the Duke’s mansion together.
Since Elnet was dressed in swordsman attire, Kent felt less like he was walking with a woman and more like he had a bodyguard accompanying him.
“Hey, Kent.”
“Yes? Elnet?”
“C-c-can we hold hands?”
Elnet suddenly asked shyly.
“Sure.”
“Then, if you’ll excuse me…”
Elnet tightly grasped Kent’s hand. They intertwined their fingers, a grip often used by lovers. Despite being older, Elnet, with her flushed face, looked quite cute.
Kent and Elnet arrived in front of the Duke’s mansion. Kent had been turned away at the gate here before. That memory flickered back.
“I hope there are no more incidents…”
Kent’s unspoken thoughts slipped out.
“Kent, you’ve been here before, haven’t you?”
“Yes, but the first time I came, they wouldn’t let me in.”
“Well, many of our gatekeepers are quite inflexible.”
Elnet said with a wry smile.
“Don’t worry, I’m here today.”
With that said, Elnet called out to the guards at the gate.
“I’m back.”
“Huh? A mere swordsman like yourself shouldn’t be returning to this home? This is His Grace the Duke’s mansion. Those without business here, be gone.”
The response was the opposite of what Elnet had expected, and her eyes widened.
“Is this place perhaps not Elnet’s home?”
“No, it’s definitely my family’s home. Are they perhaps new hires?”
“Hey, you. You’re new, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but why?”
“Could you call some other guards? We can’t get through to you.”
Elnet said to the two guards at the gate. With very displeased expressions, one guard went inside and brought back other guards.
“Senior, this strange female swordsman is causing a fuss, demanding entry into the mansion. Please handle it.”
“You are aware this is the Duke’s family mansion… My word! Forgive my rudeness, Lady Elnet. Hey, you two! This lady is Lady Elnet of this mansion.”
” “F-forgive our rudeness.” ”
The two gatekeepers hastily saluted and opened the way.
“You’ve caused trouble. You may return to your work.”
” ” “Yes, sir!” ” ”
The three guards saluted and saw Kent and Elnet off.
“After speaking so condescendingly to Kent, I never thought I’d be treated the same way,” Elnet said with a wry smile.
“Speaking of which, you guys each have buildings assigned to you, right?”
“That’s right. There are now 13 siblings, so there are 13 such buildings in total. Those who have left home due to marriage or independence use them as storage, while those remaining, including myself, use them as residences. Incidentally, my detached building is that one.”
She pointed to one of the many buildings standing there. That building was next to Josette’s detached building.
“It’s the building next to Josette’s.”
“You know it well. We were neighbors, so we used to play together often.”
Elnet said nostalgically. Then, Kent and Elnet entered the main building where the Duke resided.
“Welcome back, Lady Elnet.”
“Yes, I’m back. I wish to meet with Father.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment.”
As expected for his daughter, the butler went inside without much verification. It seemed easy to arrange a meeting with the Duke.
“Thank you for waiting. Please, this way.”
The butler quickly returned and guided them further inside.
“I’m back. Father.”
“Excuse me.”
Kent and Elnet were shown into the Duke’s drawing room.
“Prince Kent is here as well. So, you’ve come to set that up? I apologize for imposing.”
“No, the Duke has done so much for me, it’s an honor to be of service.”
“I see, I see. Then, please begin the work right away. Elnet, you assist Prince Kent as well.”
“Understood, Father.”
With that, the Duke urged them to begin the work before any further conversation. Prompted by Elnet, Kent was guided to the kitchen.
“It’s spacious.”
“Indeed. We sometimes host parties for hundreds of people, so we have adequate space and staff.”
The kitchen staff seemed to be on break. They were gathered around a large cooking table, chatting.
“Excuse me for interrupting your break.”
When Elnet entered the kitchen, everyone hastily stood up and turned towards them.
“It’s fine, everyone. Please continue your break.”
Elnet urged them, and everyone sat back down, but the previous conversation had ceased.
“Head Chef, a moment?”
“Yes, what is it, my lady?”
Elnet called out to the Head Chef, who hurried over.
“We will be installing something in the kitchen now. Please take instructions from Kent here.”
“Understood.”
The Head Chef bowed to Elnet and turned to Kent.
“We will be installing a freezer now. It’s about this size, do you have any suitable locations?”
“Then, how about around here?”
“Understood. We’ll place it here then. Elnet.”
“Yes? Kent.”
” ” “!” ” ”
The kitchen staff were all surprised that Kent called Elnet by her given name. They had assumed he was just a technician, but realized they had a different relationship.
“How many ice creams will you need?”
“Let’s see. Father probably intends to serve them at parties, so perhaps enough for a few hundred people.”
“In that case, home-use won’t do… It has to be commercial-grade.”
Kent scrolled through a list of freezers displayed on his tablet, selecting one.
“This size should be fine.”
Kent chose a commercial-grade freezer that met the specifications and summoned it from his terminal. A large silver box suddenly appeared in the planned installation area, astonishing everyone in the kitchen.
“Incredible. What is this for?”
The Head Chef asked Kent. Elnet, having seen freezers at the shop, understood it was a larger version of what she had seen. However, for those seeing it for the first time, it was impossible to grasp its purpose.
“This is a freezer. It’s a box that can preserve food and other items in a frozen state. It’s ideal for storing perishable ingredients that easily spoil.”
“A convenient device like that exists? And how is it used?”
“It’s for all of you here to use, so I’ll explain once it’s ready. Please wait a moment.”
“Understood.”
Leaving the Head Chef, who seemed curious and restless, waiting, Kent proceeded with the wiring.
“All right, done. Then, let’s turn it on.”
” ” “OOOOOOH” ” ”
With a slightly low-pitched drive sound, the compressor began to run, and the interior started to cool. The thermometer displayed on the outside gradually lowered, indicating the cooling process. Once the temperature dropped below zero, Kent explained the equipment to the kitchen staff.
Although the explanation was brief, the staff listened with great interest, with some even taking notes.
“Next, regarding the ice cream His Grace desires…”
Since some of the items were difficult to obtain in this world, Kent placed several types of commercial-grade ice cream boxes, the same ones used at Marie’s shop, into the freezer.
“Please, everyone, try a sample.”
Kent distributed ice cream to the chefs in the kitchen, partly to demonstrate plating examples, and had them try it. The chefs showed expressions of surprise at the flavors they had never tasted before.
“Kent, what about me?”
“Is Elnet here too?”
“Of course.”
“I would like some as well.”
“Uwah!”
Suddenly, Josette’s voice came from behind them. Startled by the sudden greeting, Kent was taken aback.
“Oh, Josette, what’s wrong?”
“Older sister, how could you be so cruel? You started the work without telling me anything. I didn’t even notice Kent had arrived.”
“I’m sorry about that. Father said to start the work immediately.”
Josette said, puffing out her cheeks.
“Here, this is for you, Josette.”
“Th-thank you.”
In the meantime, Kent, who had been preparing, handed Josette and Elnet ice cream served on plates.
“I’m so happy to think I can eat this every day from now on,” Josette said with a blissful expression.
“Well then, Head Chef.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I’ve put in a sufficient quantity for now, but if it turns out to be insufficient, please make a request to Marie’s Bakery. My staff there should be able to replenish it even if I’m not here.”
“Understood.”
Kent explained the replenishment of the ice cream to the Head Chef.
“Now then, Elnet, our business here is done, so let’s return to His Grace.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll come too.”
Kent, Elnet, and Josette decided to return to the Duke.
