Just Like I Imagined
For dinner, Grandfather and Father joined us, and it became our usual family dinner with everyone present.
I also introduced our kids to Lady Caroline and Miss Diana. They were surprised, not only by the number of contracted monsters, but also that everyone—even with separate seating—was eating together.
“Wait, Sophia, aren’t contracted monsters supposed to live off mana by default?”
“They are. But meals for them are more like a hobby—or snacks, really.”
“Still, to think such a variety of monsters get along so well… just watching them is healing.”
“Right? During the day, they each spend time doing their own thing, but when it’s time to eat, they all gather together. It’s such a comfort.”
“Miss Diana, is there anything you’d like to do?”
“I heard from Atre and the others that when everyone plays together at the beach, ice, wind, lightning, and fire all go flying around—it sounds wild. I’d like to see that.”
Apparently Atre, who overheard the conversation, came up to me and asked, “Want to do it tomorrow?”
When I asked what everyone else thought, I was told they’d like to play—as long as a location could be secured.
I learned that they weren’t just randomly using the knight training grounds. One of my guards would tell Atre when the grounds were available next and that it was okay to use them on that day.
… Wow, I had no idea this was going on.
When I asked when the next time would be, I was told it would be three days from now.
In that case, tomorrow or the day after would be better.
The next day, I asked Captain Kyle if the training grounds would be available, and he said they’d be free after 3 PM today. So I had them reserved.
Mother, seeing that Miss Diana had free time, suggested going shopping. “There haven’t been any girls around, so let me fulfill my wish,” she said, and took Miss Diana with her.
When the two of them returned, we were greeted by a mountain of boxes in the carriage—full of Miss Diana’s casual clothes, accessories, and various small items.
Mother said with great satisfaction, “That was so much fun. Girls really are the best,” while Miss Diana looked happy but also a bit overwhelmed.
Since Mother was doing it purely out of her own enjoyment, I quietly thanked Miss Diana for going along with her.
I didn’t go to the monster play session this time and left it to Brother Gerald.
They needed time to talk, just the two of them.
From the next day on, Miss Diana began sparring with Westland’s female knights and mages.
At other times, under Luan’s supervision, she was seriously playing a game where Lucia would hide in a room using stealth skills and she had to guess the hiding spot.
Apparently, this was my fault.
Luan and Lucia still test me from time to time to see if I can sense their presence.
Miss Diana happened to witness one of these moments and asked Mother about it. Mother suggested, “Then Miss Diana should try it too. It’ll help you hone your awareness,” and after speaking to Luan, they began the exercise.
Other times, she’d learn swordsmanship from Father or magic from Grandfather. She also did embroidery with Grandmother and Lady Caroline.
The whole family seemed to be doting on Miss Diana.
Not wanting to get in the way, I left everything to Brother Gerald.
The two of them were apparently taking walks together and sparring in sword and magic training.
Even I could tell that Miss Diana’s expressions at meal times were growing more relaxed.
As Mother and Grandmother had predicted, she must have been unconsciously keeping herself constantly on edge.
Today, I’m going with Brother Gerald and Miss Diana to visit Varshe.
Miss Diana can ride a horse, so she’ll be riding one today.
Atre is in a baby sling, but the White Dragon will ride on my shoulder.
I can’t ride a horse with two slings hanging from me.
Even if the White Dragon is on my shoulder, it's still within Westland territory, so it should be fine.
On the way back, we also plan to stop by the developing hot spring town.
Maria’s assistant and escort has been decided, and since she’s staying in the hot spring area today, she asked us to visit.
Once we arrived at Varshe’s fort, we went to see Mr. Bale.
“Mr. Bale, I haven’t been able to come for a while, but are Varshe recovering from their illness?”
“I believe they’ve fully recovered, but I’d like confirmation if possible.”
Today, we brought a mage capable of appraisal, so while they check each cow’s milk one by one, we’re also testing the completed sprayer to see if it improves anything.
“So this is the sprayer,” Mr. Bale said, taking a stainless steel tank from the bamboo basket he carried on his back. He examined the tank and nozzle carefully while I explained how to use it.
First, you pour water into the tank, place the tank in the basket, and wear it on your back.
When you press the button attached to the nozzle, it sprays a mist.
Mr. Bale put on the bamboo basket and walked to Varshe’s water trough to test it out.
Next to the water trough was a tank that collects overflow water, and inside floated two slimes.
I thought there was only one runaway slime, so I asked Mr. Bale, and he said it seems to have split into two.
When I asked if the slime still waters the area, he said it does when it feels like it.
To make it easier for the slime to move freely, he had added stairs inside and outside the tank.
Carefully avoiding the slime, he dipped the tank into the water and filled it.
Then, with the basket on his back, he pressed the nozzle button, and a fine mist of water sprayed out with force.
Maria, thank you. You always do excellent work. It’s exactly as I imagined.
“This is great. I can spray over a wide area just by walking around,” said Mr. Bale, as he continued spraying until the tank emptied.
Meanwhile, I went to speak with the Varshe.
What do you think about this chapter?
