Chapter 706

Long Time No See
We stopped by the Adventurers’ Guild, and while Kurogane was delivering high-rank materials, we decided to wait in Tirie-san’s office while enjoying some tea.

“Haah… that really helped. Lately it’s been nothing but orc deliveries, so hardly any other materials have been coming in. Of course, orc meat is always more than welcome, though.”

It’s for the bacon, right? I get it.
Our workshop is always in your care!

“By the way, what are you planning to buy at the stalls today?”
“Um, there’s nothing in particular I have my eye on… I was thinking I’d just stroll around and buy anything that catches my interest. More than that, I’m hoping to meet up with a friend at the Bastea Company.”

“The Bastea Company… ah, that child who came to study abroad from Yahatul, right? I was wondering why they weren’t around today, so that’s why.”

Tirie-san, who already knew Sei, nodded as if satisfied.

“The steward already went home in the carriage, so you won’t have a ride back. What will you do? Shall I have a guild carriage take you?”

Tirie-san asked, tilting his head.

“Thank you very much. Once Otousama returns to the mansion, the carriage will come back this way, so we’ll be fine.”

Well, honestly, we can just teleport home anyway, so it wouldn’t be a problem even without a pickup.

“Is that so? In that case, all right… but if no one comes to get you, be sure to come back here (the Adventurers’ Guild), okay?”
“Yes. If that happens, we’ll do just that.”

At times like these, Tirie-san is always so considerate.
A kind older-sister elf… no, more like a mom-elf?

Once Kurogane returned, we said our goodbyes to Tirie-san and left the Adventurers’ Guild.

Maybe because Kurogane was a high-rank party and rarely showed themselves, they were drawing a lot of attention. The way people kept staring made me uncomfortable.

“Hey, that kid over there. Haven’t we seen her before?”
“Yeah, the Ice-using Duke’s—”

… No, that’s wrong!
This was Otousama’s fault!
We hurriedly left the Adventurers’ Guild behind.

Strolling through the market and food stalls a short walk from the guild, we eventually arrived at the Bastea Company. As usual, we called out to a company employee standing at the front.

“Hello, is Sei here? … Oh?”
“Well, if it isn’t Cristea-sama! It’s been quite some time. Yes, Sei-sama is in the back.”

The employee who greeted us was the man who had helped Sei escape from Yahatul back when we first met him.

“Oh, right. There’s something I brought with me that I’d like to give to Cristea-sama, so please receive it from Sei-sama later.”
“My, whatever could it be?”
“Haha, I can’t say whether it’ll meet your expectations, but I’m sure Cristea-sama will know exactly how to use it.”

Seeing us off with a grin, he watched as we headed deeper into the shop. Inside, Sei, Byakko-sama, Suzaku-sama, Seiryuu-sama, and Genbu-sama were taking a break while drinking tea.

“Oh my, Seiryuu-sama, Genbu-sama! It’s been so long!”
“… Ah, y-yes… Miss Cristea. It’s been a while…”
“… Mm. Want food.”

The moment Seiryuu-sama spotted Mariel-chan, his shyness kicked in, and Genbu-sama, being lazy, spoke only the bare minimum. Same as ever.

With a wry smile, I set out onigiri, miso soup, lightly pickled cucumbers and daikon, and tamagoyaki. For dessert, I brought out yokan.

“… Thanks.”

Genbu-sama, who had been leaning back in his chair looking lethargic, showed a slightly pleased expression and quietly started eating.

“H-hey, Genbu. You really are… my apologies, Miss Cristea.”

Seiryuu-sama apologized, looking embarrassed.

“No, it’s been a while, after all. Please have some as well, Seiryuu-sama.”
“… Thank you. I will.”

Seiryuu-sama also quickly picked up his chopsticks and began eating.

“Hey, Ojou, you don’t gotta spoil these guys that much, you know? They sometimes eat the meals you make at the special dormitory, after all.”
Byakko-sama said this while grabbing an onigiri from the large platter and chomping down on it.

“Eh? Is that so?”
“S-sorry about that, Miss Cristea. I was just sharing leftovers with them.”

Sei confessed apologetically.

“Oh, not at all. Please don’t call them leftovers, starting next time, I’ll make sure to share with you regularly.”
“N-no, that’s… they aren’t exactly helping out there, either…”

It seemed Sei was concerned that Seiryuu-sama and Genbu-sama weren’t helping out at the dormitory.

“Seiryuu-sama and Genbu-sama are always gathering information, scouting, and standing guard, aren’t they? Of course I’d want to show my appreciation for that. It’s just making a little extra, so it’s not much trouble. Right, Mariel-san? …Mariel-san?”

“Huh? Ah—ah! Y-yes. Hehe, yes, it’s f-fine!”

Mariel-chan had been spacing out while staring at Seiryuu-sama and Genbu-sama. When I called out to her, she snapped back to attention, started acting suspiciously… and then bit her tongue.

“Hey! You’re in front of handsome men right now, so straighten up!”
“Hebuu!?”

Unable to hold back, Ruby leapt out from the shadows and landed a solid flying kick.

Watching this, Seiryuu-sama looked at Mariel-chan with the expression one reserves for a hopeless child, while Genbu-sama muttered at length, “… Looks like something troublesome showed up,” and, unusually, frowned at Ruby.

What do you think about this chapter?