Chapter 483 - First, Let's Have a Snack
Night. When I logged in, it was raining outside, as expected.
Until Azure-san arrived, I suppose I'd work on Lupi's wooden statue.
"Um, Shou-kun. Nina-san's notifications won't reach inside the mansion, will they?"
"Ah…"
Do I have to lay Mana Transmission Lines all the way to the mansion again?
I should do it when I have time, but if I ask Pan's group to help, I could finish it quickly… No, that can wait.
"I'm going to a spot where Nina's voice can reach. Mion, could you stay and watch the house, in case Ato's group comes?"
"Yes. Have a safe trip."
"Woof."
It was fine that Lupi naturally came along, but it was raining quite heavily.
I thought about putting on my mantle's hood and running, then suddenly remembered,
"[Physical Barrier]."
[Physical Barrier] creates a magic barrier box centered on me.
It stays up until I deactivate it, and it moves with me, so if I can use this to shield us from the rain… it seems possible.
"Lupi, come here."
"Woof~"
I temporarily deactivated it, picked up Lupi, and then activated it again.
Now, a dash to the church!
"Phew."
"Woof-woof."
I deactivated the [Physical Barrier] as soon as we reached the eaves and put Lupi down.
I briefly glanced into the animal pens on the way, but it seemed no one was doing farm work today.
"Shal, are you there~?"
"Nya!?"
"Oh, sorry, sorry. It's not for any particular reason."
Shal poked her head out from the very first pew in the church.
No, not just Shal, but the other Cait Siths also poked their heads out from the pews where they were lying down.
"""Meow~"""
Exchanging greetings with the Cait Siths, I sat down next to Shal.
"Sorry for the sudden visit. I just came to contact Nina."
"Nyaow."
Ah, I could just ask Shal's group to relay messages until I finished laying the Mana Transmission Lines.
"Nina. Let me know when Azure-san arrives."
[Yes. Understood.]
Since just waiting around was boring, I decided to read the Barrier Magic book I'd brought. I really want to learn Spatial Magic soon…
[Barrier Magic Skill Level increased!]
Oh, lucky. That makes Barrier Magic level 6.
Gravity Magic was 7, and Spatial Magic was 6, so for now, I wanted to get them all to level 7.
[Dragon, individual name: Azure, Althena, and one Winged Folk are visiting the Large Transfer Room.]
"Huh? Winged Folk?"
Hmm, it's fine that Azure-san is coming with the White Dragon Princess, but the Winged Folk are the race that acted so haughty toward Bell-buchou's group, right?
Well, I can't really say I don't want to meet them now…
"Let's go."
"Woof."
I'd met Azure-san before, and the Winged Folk accompanying them probably wouldn't be anyone strange, if I thought about it carefully.
I dashed to the ruins, took the Transfer Elevator as usual, and descended to the Large Transfer Room.
As the door opened, standing before the Transfer Magic Circle that connected to the Dragon Capital were Azure-san, the White Dragon Princess, and a person with wings on their back…
"Snacks~!"
"Ah, Princess!"
The White Dragon Princess noticed us and darted forward, with the other two hastily chasing after her.
"Oh, Princess. First, a greeting."
"Ah! Hello~!"
"Hello. And, um?"
I needed Azure-san to explain, or I wouldn't know how to respond.
They're bowing slightly, waiting for Azure-san's introduction, right?
"Ah, sorry. This is El. She's the Princess's lady-in-waiting, and I thought it would be good for her to meet Shou-kun."
"I am El. A pleasure to meet you."
El-san finally looked up and said this with a serious expression.
It made me doubt if she was truly of the same race as the incredibly arrogant individuals who appeared before Bell-buchou.
Her short, neatly cut hair and dignified features were beyond neutral, making her a handsome beauty. Yet, her simple maid uniform felt really out of place. Wouldn't a butler's uniform suit her better?
As I was thinking that,
"She's a proper Winged Folk, so you can rest assured."
"Ah, no, um… 'Proper'?"
"Meaning, she's not like those who angered Argenta."
El-san gave a wry smile at those words, but then said,
"I hear from Argenta-sama that you have been of great assistance. May I accompany the White Dragon Princess-sama in the future?"
"Ah…"
"I and Argenta also ask you. If the Princess comes here alone, it causes a huge commotion…"
"Ah, well, if that's the case. For now, why don't we sit down and talk?"
El-san seemed like a proper person, so it should be fine, but I'd have to consult with Mion first.
………
……
…
"N-nice to meet you. I'm Mion."
Seeing Mion, who came out to greet them, Azure-san and El-san looked surprised. She resembled the Jade Goddess so closely, after all.
Meanwhile, the White Dragon Princess,
"I'm Althena!"
"Y-yes."
"~~~♪"
She either didn't notice or didn't care about the resemblance and quickly became fond of Mion. Perhaps it was also because Sweee was sitting on Mion's shoulder.
"I'll prepare tea."
"Okay. Um, this is the reception room, so please sit wherever you like."
The room where the piano was kept continued to be the reception room.
Ideally, I would have put leather sofas there, but for now, it was just a regular wooden table and chairs.
"Is this for the Princess?"
"Yes, that's what I intended."
I had made a children's chair, anticipating the White Dragon Princess would eventually visit.
I was worried about the size, but it seemed to fit perfectly?
El-san, acting like a lady-in-waiting (?), picked up the White Dragon Princess and seated her.
"Please have some tea."
"And this is Marone Ice Cream. Please eat it before it melts."
It was a simple ice cream made from the abundant Marone Fruits, Ecryu Milk, and Yakokko eggs. The one for the White Dragon Princess used Fairy Honey.
"So yummy~!"
"It's delicious! Here, El, try some!"
El-san, who had been standing behind the White Dragon Princess, insisting she was just a lady-in-waiting, also took the ice cream Azure-san handed her.
"This is…"
"Oh, there are seconds, too."
We had time, so I figured we could talk after they finished eating.