Published: August 2, 2025
The break ended, and we were about to resume training... but it turned out today was over.
“Both of you should have understood how to use the shared sensation by now. From here on, it’s just a matter of getting used to it with time. Ryoma-kun, you can relax and listen to Eria’s performance here. You might think I’m spoiling you, but she’s really good at playing instruments.”
“Performance? Why all of a sudden?”
What’s going on?
“I told you about the limule bird the other day, right?”
“Yes, it’s the reason everyone came to this town.”
“That’s right. The limule bird flies fast and uses wind magic. So it’s very difficult to capture it alive without hurting it, and it’s rarely seen. But because it’s a magical beast, it’s possible to form a contract with it!”
I see. So if possible, they want to make a contract... but why the instrument?
“Does it have something to do with the performance?”
“It’s very much related. Playing music is absolutely essential to forming a contract with the limule bird.”
Is that so? Just as I was wondering, Mr. Sebas added an explanation.
“The limule bird contains a large amount of mana within its body and possesses high intelligence. Because of this, trying to form a contract in the usual way results in resistance and failure.
However, limule birds communicate and identify their companions through their beautiful calls. Before making a contract, playing music to them can sometimes please them enough that they accept the contract.”
As expected of another world, a capturing method beyond my common sense! Winning them over as a companion through music...
“So that’s how you make a contract? I didn’t know that.”
“Because the success rate is very low, some people doubt the story, but I’ve never heard of anyone succeeding by any other method. It’s the most likely way.”
“That’s why Eria will perform and try to make a contract. This afternoon is practice for that.”
“Ryoma-san, please listen there. You don’t have to stay awake or even listen carefully, but don’t leave.”
What’s that supposed to mean? If I’m told to listen carefully, that makes sense, but I don’t have to listen but I can’t leave...
I glanced at Mr. Sebas and the others, and they were smiling at me.
...Ah, no way!!
“You caught on, huh?”
“It’s because Ryoma-kun has been working too hard every day. I thought I’d let him take a little break.”
“From hunting magical beasts to setting up the shop, then hiring new staff, taking requests from the Adventurers' Guild, and patrolling here while making waterproof cloth. I heard you haven’t really taken a proper break.
Yesterday, some thugs came to the shop, and dealing with that might make things even busier. So before that happens, I used today’s beast taming magic training as an excuse to get you away from work.”
“When I told the relevant parties about Lord Ryoma’s workload as much as I could, they all readily agreed.”
“When did you do that...?”
I hadn’t noticed at all.
“Today, we’ll keep a close watch on you. You absolutely won’t work.”
“This way of making you rest might not be relaxing, but if you don’t rest forcibly, you might ruin your health. If you keep working like this, I’ll forcibly take you to our home next time.”
“Sorry to worry you.”
“You may not think you’re overdoing it, but if an ordinary person did your workload, they’d definitely break down. Maybe you just don’t realize you’re pushing yourself too hard, so be careful.”
“So, Ryoma-san will be forced to rest today. Now then, I’ll start playing.”
The young lady was unusually assertive... Or is she always like this? Maybe “cheerfully headstrong” is a better way to put it.
While I was thinking that, she took the violin from Mr. Sebas and began playing. So there’s a violin in this world... maybe it was brought here by a transferee.
Listening with some pointless thoughts, her performance was genuinely good.
The song was calm and relaxing.