Published: August 2, 2025
Today, three episodes are released simultaneously.
This story is episode two.
The next day.
When I visited the young ladies' rooms in the morning, there were many adults groaning inside.
“Ugh... Ryoma-kun, I’m sorry, but... could you bring some medicine again...?”
“Please help me too. I drank too much despite my age...”
“Me too, please...”
They had been drinking a lot and celebrating loudly yesterday...
Looking closely, Arone-san and Lilian-san also looked a bit pale. They had only had a little drink for the toast since it was a happy occasion, but maybe these two aren’t very strong with alcohol either.
Among the adults, only Mr. Sebas was different. I thought he had been drinking quite a bit, but he looked as usual. Also, the young ladies are legally old enough to drink, but they stopped safely at just a ceremonial glass.
For now, I warped to the pharmacy and greengrocer like last time, bought medicine ingredients, then returned to the inn to prepare and prescribe remedies.
After taking them, Mr. Reinhardt and the others proposed this.
“Ryoma-kun... sorry, but could you take care of Aria today?”
“We’re in no shape to look after her, you see. We just don’t have the energy.”
“So, please take care of her.”
I guess they mean we won’t see each other for a while, so make some memories?
If that’s the case, there’s no way I can refuse.
“Of course.”
After I said that, the three said thanks and went to their bedrooms. Apparently, two-day hangovers are rough.
After seeing them off, I asked the young lady.
“Well then, what shall we do today?”
“Ryoma-san, you have work, don’t you? Won’t you be busy?”
“I’ve already left the shop to others, so I just check in morning and evening.”
“...In that case, may I see what you usually do, Ryoma-san?”
“That’s fine, but...”
Is that okay?
“Please!”
So, the young lady came with me, and Mr. Sebas joined as guardian. We stopped by the shop, then headed to the abandoned mine.
Upon arrival, I started fabric processing as usual. The only difference was that before work, I released the limule birds from the dimension home to let them play freely. Also, the young lady helped with the work a bit.
Is this okay...?
I really wondered, so I wanted to do something else with the young lady, but wasn’t sure what... Before I could think further, she asked.
“What shall we do next?”
“Nothing in particular. I instructed the sticky slime to coat with adhesive, so now we just wait for it to dry. This waiting time is quite long and boring. During this time, I trained or made dolls before.”
“I see. I thought Ryoma-san was always working.”
“After I left the shop in others’ hands, I actually have more free time... Do I look that busy?”
“You work nonstop from morning till night every day, so I thought so.”
“I also have times of spacing out, and looked for ways to pass time. I made stone materials to build a house and such, so I’ve been pretty relaxed.”
“I see... Speaking of stone materials for building a house, do you plan to live here after all?”
“It’s better to live here for patrols, and here I can freely use magic for training without bothering anyone.”
“When will construction start? Surely you won’t live inside the mine tunnels as is?”
Well...
“I’m thinking of building a very simple hut with stone materials or digging a horizontal hole in the tunnel to live in for a while, then gradually build up.”
“In that case, shall we talk a little?”
“Of course.”
We moved outside to a sunny spot from the workshop and sat on chairs made with earth magic to talk.
“You’re starting school this year, right?”
“Yes. All noble girls enter school in the Royal Capital from age 12. It’s not mandatory, but if there’s no special reason, not going is bad for a noble’s reputation.”
“I see.”
“...Honestly, I don’t want to go either, but it can’t be helped.”
“Oh, really?”
“My father, mother, and even grandfather say that if it weren’t for tradition, there’d be no need to go. They don’t want me to go.”