Chapter 101

It's a Present, But its True Purpose is Different
“Oh, Father, did you finish Ciel’s nameplate?”

Yes—because I saw a medal around Ciel’s chest. It was made with sapphire scrap gemstones to match Ciel’s eye color. Father splurged on it.
I felt like Ciel was puffing out his chest proudly to show it off, so when I mentioned it, he flew over to me and proudly showed it off.

Ciel’s nameplate had the crest of Westland and his name on the front. His name was written using sapphire scrap gemstones.
On the back, a protective charm was engraved, along with the name of the contractor—Father’s name—and a large emerald scrap gemstone embedded before the name. That’s Father’s eye color.
Ciel’s nameplate also had enchantments for defense and size manipulation.

“Ohh, his name is written with scrap gemstones, huh? You can tell right away because it’s the color of his eyes.” Said Brother Gerald.

“We’ll have to make ones for Luan and Lucia too.” Said Mother.

“Lucia isn’t a contracted familiar, though. Isn’t it unnecessary for her?”

“Well, it wouldn’t be right to leave only Lucia out. And if others realize she’s not under a beast contract, there might be people who try to target her.”

That’s true. Even if Lucia isn’t contracted, as long as she wears a nameplate, others will assume she is.
If she doesn’t have one, there’s a chance other nobles or royals might try something.

When I asked Luan and Lucia what they thought, Lucia also said she wanted a nameplate.
“Then it’s settled,” Mother said, and told Luan and Lucia that they’d decide on the design next.

It seems Luan and Mother can’t communicate directly. But somehow, they still manage to understand each other.
I wonder what the criteria is for being able to talk with him…

We’re visiting the World Tree. It’s been two months since we first met the beastkin. A lot has happened in that time.
When we arrived at the World Tree, the Alraune came out.

“Reinhardt, we were running low on Skeleton Flower magic stones, so I’m glad you came.”

“Huh? I’ve given you quite a lot already. Are you using them up that fast?”

Apparently, now that it’s spring, more monsters have been coming to drink the enchanted water.
When we’re around, they make sure to stay away, it seems.
Still, many of them are grateful and say they hope we’ll continue our support.
She also told me that she’d already located more Skeleton Flower spots, so not to worry.

“I get the Skeleton Flower hunting part. But why did you ask the Glasshawks to help?”

“I just happened to see them nearby, so I asked.” She said, but she was acting a little suspicious.

“Really now…” I stared hard at the Alraune.

“Yes, really! There’s nothing shady going on.” She said while flying circles around me.

I wanted to press further, but it didn’t look like she’d spill, so I decided to give up.
“I’ll hand these over before I forget. One for each of the three of you.” I said, pulling out three embroidered ribbons.
The colors were pink, yellow, and white.

I prepared them to tell the three Alraune apart.
The one who always talks to me is the one I first met with the World Tree, but when I try to talk to them, I can’t tell who’s who.

When I asked Mother how to distinguish them, she said that ribbons would be good for girls.
Also, if I add embroidery, they’d be personalized and the Alraune would probably be happy.
So I asked Rosarina, the maid I always turn to when I need sewing help, to embroider the ribbons.

“Can we really have these?”

“You always give me things, so I wanted to return the favor. I’m happy if you like them. I think they’d look cute tied around your waists.”

“Thank you.” They said, and after hugging the three ribbons like they were precious, they flew around me once before heading back toward the World Tree.

After that, guided by the Alraune, we defeated Skeleton Flowers at two locations and obtained 47 magic stones.

“Brother Gerald, with us defeating so many Skeleton Flowers, isn’t their value dropping?”

“The Northstrad family is exporting them to other countries, so the price has only dipped slightly.”

“The glitter ones are fine, but can’t we color them differently?”

“At this rate, the value will keep dropping. It’d be good if we could sell them in other colors too…”

“Maybe I’ll ask Maria.”

“Before you do, report to Raziel. He’s been looking pretty worn out lately.”

“I did suggest a way to lighten his workload recently.”

“Yeah, and when he tried to put your plan into action, he had to prepare a bunch of stuff first.
On top of his regular work, he’s got to handle arrangements for the royal capital branch and meetings with St. Arthur Academy. Be a little more considerate, will you?”

What do you think about this chapter?