Chapter 685 - Sera-san's Castle Tour
"This castle has three floors. This is the main building, and the detached tower is the annex."
"Is that annex tower connected to something like a boat landing in the basement?"
"Yes. You are well-informed."
It was confirmed that the basement of the tower annex was connected to the cave below the cliff. I wondered if I would have met Sera-san then if I'd entered from that spot that day.
"There were Sludge Bats in the cave, but monsters like that don't appear in here, right?"
"Yes. It is safe inside this main building."
Sera-san's current job was the housekeeping of the main building. She knew the structure of the garden, the basement, and the annex tower beyond the doors, but she didn't know what they were like now.
"Is your work limited to just the indoors?"
"No, no. If you give the order, I can also help with the maintenance of the garden, Madam."
As an upper spirit of the house, she could move freely within the range of what was considered the house. However, she was bound by the work her previous contractor had ordered, so currently it was only the main building.
"Uh, who was your previous contractor?"
"They should be deceased by now. I cannot recall their name."
She gave a wry smile, and I realized I'd asked something I shouldn't have. Come to think of it, maybe the game was designed to handle cases where the contracted player retired and their character no longer existed.
"Um, in that case, does your work just stay as it is?"
"Yes. Until I receive new work, I am to continue my previous duties."
It seemed to be the same as Spirit Magic... unless you stopped it or asked for something else, she would continue her current work.
"Hmm? Do you not need MP... I mean, mana?"
"It is not a problem. I am an upper spirit!"
Sera-san puffed out her chest as she said that. Apparently, upper spirits could use mana voluntarily in addition to maintaining their own existence. Silkies supposedly used mana for things like talking to people and housekeeping. Anyway, I was getting off-topic.
"Do you know what's in the basement and the annex tower, or what they were used for?"
"No, I do not. The annex and the basement were added later, but I do not know how they were used..."
Sera-san's previous contractor had added them, but she only knew the structure. She didn't know what happened after that. Or rather, I wondered how many years this castle had been here in the first place, but Sera-san herself said she didn't remember anything that wasn't related to housework.
"That is just how spirits are. Even upper spirits."
"Ahaha..."
I wondered if that was a bit harsh, but Sera-san was nodding in agreement.
"Now, I will show you the second floor."
Guided by Sera-san, we all went to the second floor of the castle. From the top of the stairs, there was a wide corridor, a place called the long gallery, lined with what looked like expensive landscape paintings. The west side connected to a large office and a dining room. On the east side were small empty rooms, and at the back was a reception room called the drawing room.
"This is the office."
It was a very large office. It was at least one size larger than the manor's living room, and in front of the sturdy office desk was an equally sturdy low table.
"What do you do in an office?"
"I do not know if it will be of any use, but it would likely be work similar to what Argenta-sama does on a daily basis."
Yeah, I wouldn't need that. But then again, it might be an option to let Argenta-san and the others use it when they came to visit.
Across from the office was the dining room, which was also just as large.
"Is this a Transfer Magic Circle?"
"Yes. It is for carrying dishes made in the kitchen directly below on the first floor."
There were also other convenient items, such as magic candelabras that didn't use fire and magic warming plates for keeping food warm.
We looked around the other rooms and then went to the third floor. However, the third floor was mostly bedrooms, with a large master bedroom on the west side. On the east side were individual rooms for servants and guest bedrooms.
"Hmm..."
"What is wrong?"
"This was an Ancient Ruin, right? But is it not a facility like Nina-san's or Hitomi-san's?"
There was no Control Room. Well, even if it was an Ancient Ruin, I guess it didn't mean every place had a Control Room where you could become the manager.
"Maybe it is in the tower?"
"Ah, that's right. You said it was added later."
Then the tower would be the first place to investigate. I wanted to get to it immediately, but... it was about time to return to the manor.
"We're going back to our manor now. You're coming with us, right?"
"But of course!"
She said, so I was going to have her enter the Magic Crystal Stone, but...
"Before that, could you please command me with a new task? As I am now, I cannot leave this place."
"Ah, I see. Then, uh... please manage this main building, the courtyard, and our manor."
"As you wish."
Once we got back to the manor, I'd have to introduce her to Sweee, the White Dragon Princess, Emeraldia-san, and the others. El-san had said there were Silkies in the Dragon Capital castle too, so it should be fine...
...
"Silky~!"
"I am called Sera. I look forward to serving you, My Lady."
The White Dragon Princess looked happy to see Sera-san emerge from the Magic Crystal Stone. Anyway, setting that aside...
"W-Wait..."
"~~~♪"
Emeraldia-san was looking shocked, while Sweee was talking to her as if it were a normal occurrence.
"Emeraldia-san, you know about Silkies too, right?"
"Yes. There are Silkies in the Dragon Castle... I have a contract with one..."
""Eh?""
Wait, Emeraldia-san had said she was knowledgeable about phantom beasts and fairies, so it was only natural she could use Spirit Magic and Spirit Command. Vermilion-san specialized in physical enhancement, Emeraldia-san in Spirit Magic, and Azure-san in Elemental Magic, each possessing characteristics that matched the colors of the Goddess.
"However, Emeraldia-sama lived such a self-indulgent life that the Silkies she contracted with would often get angry with her."
Getting scolded by the Silky you contracted with... what kind of life was she leading?