207 - - 205th Episode Picture

Leaving Gina behind, I go back to my room and wait for her to come back while playing with Bell and the others. I'm a little curious about what they are talking about, but I don't think it's right to ask Sylphy to go talk to her here.

"Master, may I come in?"

About thirty minutes later, Gina knocked on my door. I gave her permission to come in, and a tired-looking Gina came in.

"How did it go?"

"Well, I think the misunderstanding has been cleared up. They're going to teach me how to cook while I'm staying at the inn. I'm going with Sara tomorrow morning. She said she doesn't want breakfast because they're going to serve it to her."

Maitenai" is a fascinating word. I'll ask them later what kind of meal they served.

"I'm glad you're teaching me how to cook. I know you're tired, but was it hard to clear up the misunderstanding?"

"Well, I denied it and he understood right away, but then we started talking about love, and when I said I didn't know what it was, he told me a lot of things that I shouldn't do.

Martha, you're acting like a total auntie relative. When you are in a situation where you can't run away from a story you don't like, it comes to you mentally.

"I'm sorry you had a hard time. ...... You have an early morning tomorrow, don't you? I hope you go to bed early so you won't be tired. Take care of Sarah, okay?"

"Okay. Okay, I'll go rest first. Good night, Master.

"Yeah, good night."

A lot has happened since our first day in the labyrinth city. I'd better get some sleep and get ready for tomorrow.

**

"So, how was your first time learning to cook?"

After Gina and Sara came back from their cooking lesson, we went out to have the painter paint our pictures. First I have to go and ask Mel and Meral to join us. As we walk, I ask them about this morning's conversation. Gina and Sara seem to have had a good time, as their faces are cheerful.

"Torque-san did a great job with the food. I only observed today to see how he works, but I learned a lot.

"I learned how to prepare ingredients. I was told to just cut the food as I was told and get a feel for it, because I didn't have the basics."

I guess Gina and Sara teach differently. Well, it's not efficient to teach the same thing to an experienced chef and a layman.

"I'm glad you're learning something. You're going to continue to learn, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Toruku said I can come here anytime I want while I'm in the labyrinth city, so I'll try to learn as much as I can."

"Me too."

Ha ha, good luck. But you're going to dive into the labyrinth, so don't cram too much in there and get sick."

I know. - Yes, I'll be careful.

Gina and Sarah are both full of energy. They're probably going to push themselves too hard, so I'll make sure they both get some rest. We arrived at Mel's workshop, asking Gina and Sara for more information.

"Oh, master! Yuta, you're here."

Well, it still doesn't look like a thriving business. I wonder if the customers who left the place just because they got a contract with Meral will come back anytime soon. I'm a little worried, but I hear they're getting business from their old friends, so I wonder if they'll be okay.

"Mel, Meral, long time no see. I'm sorry that Belle and the others had to come out of the blue to help you last night.

"No, I didn't have any problem, since Meral-sama took care of me."

At Mel's words, I looked at Meraru, and he was puffing out his chest even though he was swarmed by Bell and the others.

"Thank you, Meral.

"Don't worry about it. Especially since Flare is a fire spirit. She's like a little sister to me, so it's only natural for me to take care of her.

I'm the first!

Flare refutes Meral's words. She was caught up in the "taken care of" part. As she has her sights set on IF, she doesn't want to be treated like a child. He looks like a good kid when he is calmly patting Meral's head like "yes, yes, yes, I was right".　

"Kikka, I'm sorry. So Mel, I came here today to invite you and Meral to come with me to paint a picture of the spirits. Do you have time?"

I apologize to Kikka, who is happily talking to Meru, and interrupt her. I have an appointment with Kikka, so I'll let her talk to you first.

Normally I'd be happy to just take Meraru with me, but I'd feel vulnerable away from the spirits, and it would be fun to see my contracted spirits' paintings being created.

"My painting?　Will Mel be able to recognize me?"

Meral comes flying up to me at a great speed, cutting through the belles.

"Yeah, I'll give you a verbal description of the features, so it won't be perfect, but I'm sure they can draw you a likeness," she said.

"Oh, that's great, that's great!"

He looks happy. Belles and whistles flocked to Meral, who was jumping up and down again.

"Master. I'm so happy to see Meral-sama in the picture, can I join you?"

"Yes, Mel is my student too. You don't have to be shy.

"But it costs a lot of money to ask a painter to do it. ......"

I see, I thought that you were reserved because you are my apprentice only in the labyrinth city, but you were also worried about the cost.

"Don't worry about the cost. I'm going to have the contracted spirits of me and all my disciples drawn, so it would be more helpful if Merle and Meral came.

"......Thank you very much for your time."

Mel bows her head with a smile. It would be nice to be a little more casual, but we don't have a lot of time to interact with each other.

"Yeah, I know it's short notice, but can you come out now?　Are you okay with work?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Oh, and I haven't finished the dagger the master asked me to make. ......"

"Yeah, you can take your time and make something you're happy with."

He nods and sends Mel to get ready to go. Oh, before we leave, I'll have to tell Gina and Mel not to make too much noise while I'm painting.

**

After Mel's preparations were finished, we arrived at Marie's other house, chiding the spirits who were enjoying themselves.

Since we had been there for a while, the gatekeepers opened the gate for us as soon as we greeted them. This is what I call a "face pass". Sebas shows up immediately and shows me around, probably because he knew I was coming.

As usual, his appearance is impeccable. The way he bows in greeting is exactly what a butler should look like. Following Mr. Sebas, I go through the house and am taken to a room I didn't use the last time I stayed here. Inside the room, there are Marie and two men. Are they painters of portraits and animals?

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Marie. Thank you for giving me a place to paint. Thank you very much."

No, no, please don't worry about it. It is a great pleasure to have Yuta-san's support. Let me introduce you to the painter.

Oh, yes. Yes, please."

"This is Mr. Artero. He is famous for his portraits and he sometimes helps the guards and the knights with their work. I think he is the right person for your request.

Helping the Guard and the Knights?　Is that like making a wanted list or something?　It's certainly a good fit, since I'm going to give you a verbal description of my characteristics.

"Well, I'm sorry for the sudden notice, but I'm looking forward to working with you."

No, no, no, it's fine. I'm good at drawing.

Mr. Artero winks at me with a snap. I've never had a man wink at me before. I have no idea what to do, but he seems kind of light. Next, I am introduced to Mr. Carlo, who claims to be an expert in animal paintings. He seems calm and we finish our greeting without any funny surprises.

"So..." he says. I need ten portraits, eight animal paintings, and five paintings of all the people you have painted in one picture.

I think I can draw Moon and Pul-chan, but it's not the same if I draw only two of them by myself. Also, if all the members are drawn together in one picture, it would be convenient to display them in their rooms like a group photo, so that we can see their faces anytime we want. It may not be necessary once we become a sanctuary, but it will be a memory, so it doesn't matter.

I was thinking of having Gina and myself drawn, but since there are so many of them, I'll pass on it this time. If there is another opportunity, it would be fun to have a group picture of us and the spirits.

"Hmmm, what about the coloring?　If we are so particular about the intensity of the colors, we may not be able to finish even one piece today.

It would be very difficult to have them draw that much.

"Color is not necessary in this case."

"Can you manage that?　Well, as long as the client's image comes through to me. What about Carlo?"

"I have a small number of pieces, so I think I can manage.

"I see. I'll be happy to work with you then.

"Okay. Then we have a lot of pictures, so let's get started.

The two painters put a thick sheet of paper on the drawing board and sat down on the sofa with sticks that looked like charcoal. It looks like something you would use for sketching. They draw with that.

"Yuta-san, I'm sorry, but I have work to do.

"Oh, Marie, thank you so much for your help."

I kind of forgot you existed. I'm sorry for everything you've done for me. I thank Marie, send her off, and return to the sofa.　

"Well, I'm the one with the most sheets, so I'll ask the first question.

"Yes."

The most exhausting time I had ever imagined began. They questioned me so thoroughly about my features that the word "digging down to the roots" is the perfect word to describe it. They asked detailed questions about age, contours, eye shape, and all parts of the face.

Dine, who was the most concerned about the portrait, took the top position. I had Dine stand next to the painter, with Sylphy and Dolly on either side of her, and answered the questions.

When I got stuck, Sylphy or Dolly would follow me, but it was harder work than I had expected. I am comforted by the sight of Belle and the other girls clumped together like dumplings, peeking out from behind the painter's back. Everyone is so excited to see Deanne's picture in the painting.

After a certain amount of work is done, the artist starts to make minor corrections. I think it's fine, since they look pretty much the same as they are now, but I guess it can't be that way. After interpreting the minor corrections of Sylphy, Dine, and Dolly and redrawing them to my satisfaction, Mr. Altero starts a clean copy on a new sheet of paper.

In the meantime, I tell Mr. Carlo about Rain's characteristics. I do my best to answer the same detailed questions that come my way. Haha, this repetition never ends until all of us have drawn. I'm starting to cry a little.

Kikka's voice is so enviable as she talks with Mel happily. It's going to be a long day.