Chapter 90: Autumn night
“It’s been a long time, Verine-san.”
"This is Ashley. Has anything changed since then?"
"Yes. Thanks to you."
Verine and her acquaintances Ashley, Forest Bird, Grace, and Heather are talking with her. From Ashley's point of view, I guess Verine and Rosetta are like matchmakers.
"I heard that it's your birthday, but it seems like it's quite lively."
After she finishes greeting everyone again, she starts talking to me.
"Hmm. I didn't expect so many people to gather."
“I guess that means you are active.”
As she looked around her, her eyes landed on Mildred, who was sipping a glass of fruit wine next to her wall.
Perhaps she knew that she was the Knight Commander, and there was a hint of surprise on her Verrine's face.
"...Mr. Theodore?"
"What is?"
“Isn’t that person the Knight Commander?”
"is not it"
“Are you close to the Knight Commander-san?”
Hmm. When asked if she's close to Mildred...I don't think she's that close. If anything, she feels like Mildred likes her. It seems that her key point was her strategy during the demon attack.
"Well, there are many things about the Knights. I guess that's it."
As she was talking, Mildred came over, as if she had heard what she was saying.
"I've been asked to act as His Majesty's replacement. Personally, or rather, the members of the Knights are in my care on a daily basis."
“His Majesty Melvin…?”
Verine looked suspicious.
"Berrine Senpai"
Heather whispers something to Verine. Her Verrine's face was now stained with surprise, and she then let out a dry laugh of her own.
"Haha. Are you a direct vassal of His Majesty in repelling the demons? I was certainly expecting it, but...this is more than I expected, or rather surprising. I missed you."
She quietly bows her head to me.
"No. I think it was a good story about her."
"Hehe. That was extremely disrespectful."
Verine didn't mean it maliciously, after all. It's like I don't even feel like getting angry at her. Well, I guess this is how the reunion will go.
“How long will you be here?”
"I won't stay that long. I'm planning to take advantage of Count Gartner's dragon cage on my way back. As for the Barony of Siln...the monsters on the roads and the relationship between adventurers and Kennel-sama are fairly calm. Don't worry.''
“I think it would be better if you told Ashley about Mr. Kennel.”
"That's right. I'll do that."
Verine went to Ashley and was talking to her.
On the way, Marian passed by and greeted Verine by pinching the hem of her skirt.
I heard him tilt his head and say something like, ``No, I can't believe it. Her characteristics are different from what I've heard...'' as if he was thinking something about Marian's behavior and characteristics.
"Theo"
When he turned around, his father was approaching him.
"happy birthday"
"Thank you, father. What's the situation over there?"
"Don't worry. I won't burden you with my mismanagement again."
When she asked, she smiled bitterly while saying something like that.
“…For the marquis family?”
"I've been playing around with the taxes a little since spring. There may be things like roads in the territory collapsing a little in the winter. After that, I'm going to fix the mineral deposits in the territory that were left untouched due to reservations from the marquis family. Preparations are being made for digging and cultivation of farmland. Rumors are spreading that they are recruiting miners and settlers to the marquis' territory as well.''
...Wow. Not only are supplies delayed, but even if roads are repaired, it is difficult to make a profit.
The Marquis family is probably counting on spring income, and if they waste money on a ball in the winter and go into debt as usual, things will be terrible.
Recruiting miners and settlers...that's it. It was an attack that also served as aftercare for the people of the Marquis family, or rather, what should I call it?
Is the plan to create jobs, let the people of the earldom flow into the earldom with favorable treatment, and further reduce the tax revenue of the marquis family?
Originally, the mines in the marquis' territory were in dire straits as their output was gradually decreasing. If you have nowhere to go, you will have no choice but to look for a new job. If there were to be a ``next story'' from someone in the same industry that came out of nowhere...I would jump at it.
Besides, winter is coming. By the time the information is transmitted in the spring, there is a high possibility that the situation will be fatal for the Marquis family.
"That's why you don't have to worry. I've pretty much anticipated the moves that could be made against the Marquis family."
...My father's smile was somehow darker than usual.
"Lord Theodore"
It's like a long-awaited customer. He keeps coming to say hello. This time it's Mercedia, Chester, and Talcott.
"happy birthday"
"Thank you. Has anything changed since then?"
"I'm still the same. I'm continuing to explore the labyrinth."
The knights are searching for the remaining two sealed doors. There may be some information from Rosemary around here.
Rosemary apparently said that if I came to listen to her story, she would tell me the results of deciphering the ancient documents.
"We're also doing some labyrinth exploration."
says Chester.
...Now that I think about it, I can kind of imagine why Rosemary included Chester and why she separated it...
In any case, I'm going to take a rest due to my illness. He is probably at his most confused right now, and I don't think it will be possible to meet him for a while.
"I'm pretty good at it, too. The school building is well-equipped. I'm told that I'll be given the job of guarding the workshop someday."
It was Talcott who had a smile on his lips and narrowed his eyes. Talcott feels very calm now that he's away from home.
Guarding isn't just limited to the workshop. I think he will probably be in charge of Prince Albert's overall bodyguard role.
Well... their situation seems to be stable for the time being.
As the birthday celebrations came to an end and dusk came around, the people who had gathered gradually left. The usual members and Marlene were the last ones left - I quickly finished cleaning up the birthday celebration and decided to relax.
In the night sky seen from the window, there is a moon that is almost a perfect circle. There's a full moon tomorrow, huh?
The labyrinth is connected to the back labyrinth, so it's a dangerous day to dive into it, but...hmm. I think it's a very good timing. This is because a full moon night is a good day to perform other rituals.
In other words, it is a ritual for summoning monsters. Borrowing the magical power of the moon and forming a relationship through the alignment of the stars, the monster that the caster desires is summoned from somewhere in the world and introduced to the caster.
Since things tailored to the caster are summoned, well, for summoners and demon users, it's probably an important day that comes once a month. Whether the summoned person will accept the contract... is another story.
The sooner you prepare for Princess Marlene's escort and self-defense, the better. It would be a good idea to buy materials for drawing magic circles and catalysts for summoning and contracts tomorrow.
"Hmm"
Irmhild seemed to have drunk some fruit wine, and his cheeks were still red as he dozed off with Sheila. I don't know if it's because he's drunk or because he feels safe, but he's even mastered the art of humanizing. Sheila was sleeping as well, with her body covered over hers.
For some reason, I had the impression that Irmhild had a strong tolerance for alcohol, but...it seems like she's not that good.
Next to the chaise lounge are Grace and Ashley. Marlene was on Grace's lap. Marlene doesn't seem to be very strong at night, and she rows the boat in a daze.
The bustle of the daytime turned into a quiet night. I could hear the sounds of insects gathering, and it really felt like an autumn night.
I don't think there is a harvest moon here, and it's not yet a full moon, but the glittering moon was spectacular.
"The moon is beautiful."
...Hmm? After saying it casually, I realized that it had another meaning.
"Really. Will there be a full moon tomorrow?"
"...I hope it's sunny tomorrow too."
The girls smile and lean toward me, tilting their heads. A soft, slightly fragrant scent.
Well...I know that the other meaning doesn't make sense. Is that okay?
Gently close your eyes. The night of my birthday progressed as I continued to circulate my energy as usual.
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