The "New Lord's Party" ended safely.
Before the party, we needed to recover the damage to the town caused by the gargoyle's attack - but the lord of the port city of Ilgafa did his best to restore the town. He was in a groove. According to Iris, "He was so happy to receive the 'Heavenly Dragon's Blessing' that he must have gotten into a strange kind of spirit (switch).
The broken houses and shops were all repaired by a group of carpenters hired by the landlord.
Those who were injured were able to receive free treatment by the healer who was also yada yada yada, the lord.
As for the budget, there was also support from 'Princess Glodia of Charity'. It was a significant amount of money, so the lord said no. In the end, Princess Claudia pushed it through.
Wow, it's amazing. As expected of the "Princess of Love", she was full of it.
I'm going to have to say that I'm on the side of this town: ......
When I met with the lord's family, Princess Claudia seemed to have said something like that with a very pale face.
Furthermore, the princess promised to form a friendship with the Ilgafa Lord family in secret. She also added that as soon as she got information about the organization that 'Veil' was from, she would tell me about it, and that she would become an ally of the dragon.
And so the princess returned to the royal capital in a hurry after being greeted by the new lord of Ilgafa at the 'New Lord's Unveiling Party'.
It was afterwards that the "Vale", the culprit who attacked the town, and Baroness Laramber were interrogated.
It is said that "Vale" had completely lost her skills and memory.
She will be sent to a city with a special prison for the purpose of 'skill sealing measures' as a precaution. The same goes for Baroness Lalambell (Danshakurei). However, as for her, a messenger from the baronial family will eventually come and talk to her separately - said Iris.
That's right, Cutlass had met Princess Claudia as he had hoped.
Although I only caught a glimpse of her face at the party, she still looked satisfied.
'I'm relieved to see that you don't look like me in the slightest! I'm just saying.
It's just that after the ...... party, Fynn said something that bothered me.
I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.
I and Cutlass also have two personalities in the same body.
This 'duality' may be a characteristic of the royal family.
I don't know.
If what Fiona says is true, then what is the other side of the ...... king's countermeasure against the demon king?
I've been thinking about this for a while now.
A few days after the expo party was over, a few days later.
"So, what should I do for my trip?
I'm sure you'll go to 「「「「「「「! 」」」」」」」
It was unanimous.
So we started preparing for the trip again.
The purpose of this trip was to create a base of operations.
We're going to be able to use the Transference Portal Artifact that Fynn has seized control of to connect his home with his vacation home. On the other side, there are the ruins of the Valley of the Mist and Delilira-san's labyrinth in the Experimental City of Magic, the land of the Heavenly Dragon Seal. I'll probably have to do some research on things related to dragons, so I want to be able to move quickly.
And the villa over there is going to be a shared space for me and everyone to use freely. Sometimes we might want to relax with just the slaves.
Afterwards, we had a snack and talked about it while lounging in the living room.
─ First of all, Cutlass (Fynn), Letitia and Aine will go to the recreation area.
Fynn is going because she's the only one who can set up the 'Transition Portal'. Leticia will be able to enjoy the trip for as long as she couldn't make it last time. Aine is the chaperone.
Me, Cecil, Rita, and Iris and Rafilia will be waiting in Ilgafa until the portal is set up.
Just like that, we get our story together and start preparing for the trip, one day...
────────────
It's raining.
It's raining.
It's raining. ......
We were sitting in a chair in the living room, listening to the rain.
The rain started to come down before noon.
Rita, Leticia and Cutlass are going shopping. It's a merchant's place that Iris knows, so they should be allowed to take shelter from the rain.
Iris and Raphilia are at the lord's house, cleaning up after the 'Oohimae Party'. Did I mention they're going to show up for dinner?
It's just me, Cecil and Aine at home.
Our job is to organize the things we are taking with us on our trip and prepare the food we are storing.
Then it's time to go to the 'drying room'.
Yes. Nah-kun.
Let me help you with that.
Me, Aine and Cecil headed to the storage room.
It's a room at the back of the mansion, about 6 tatami mats in size in the original world.
Originally, it was filled with furniture that we never used, but we decided to use it as a place to experiment with our skills.
It's now a 'drying room' that uses Aine's skills.
Specifically, I've passed a sturdy cord near the ceiling and hung open fish and prepped meat from it. I hang laundry here on rainy days, but today there's a row of preserving ingredients.
As for how they're drying them...
I'll leave this in the room at ...... to avoid spilling it.
Let me help you. Dear Nagi.
Cecil and I place the iron bowls we have lined up in the hallway on the floor of the storage room.
When we shake them, they make a chirping sound. What was in the vessels was diluted mud water.
I arrange these at regular intervals - okay, it's ready.
It's good, Aine. Activate the skill.
Got it, Nay-kun. Then... 'Sewage increase, level 1'!
Aine shoved the mop into the bowl and activated the skill.
The muddy water increases in the vessel.
When I enter the storage room - the air is dry and parched.
The 'sewage increase' can be used to increase the dirty water with cleaning tools. The water increase will be created by the materials in contact with the waste water and the moisture in the air around it.
So, as you use it, the humidity in the room drops and your hanging laundry, fish and meat will dry out.
If you continue to do this every few hours, you should have dried clothes and dried meat. ......
'I don't know, is it going to make a proper dried meat?'
That's okay. It's faster than a normal meal. It's a great idea, Nanakun.
Aine shook the dried fish she was making a bit, then laughed.
'This one's interesting because it lets me try different flavors.
Seasoning?
Spicy ones are for Letitia and little Cutlass. The sweet ones are for Cecil and Iris. You like the salty ones, don't you, Nah?
It's bright red in the back, but ...... what's that?
That's for Rafilia-san. You mustn't take a bite of it, Nah-kun.
Aine looked at me like she was going to go "meh.
How spicy is that, that.
I mean, it's refreshing to be a super spicy elf: .......
You know, I think I might have to cut that fish down. They'll be too tough.
'All right. I'll get the stepping stone.
I'm on it!
I turned around and saw Cecil standing there, holding a crate.
'I've prepared for something like this.
Ready? Cecil.
'I wouldn't want to miss out on the opportunity to be of service to you, Nagi.
Saying that, Cecil placed a wooden box on the floor of the storage room.
I'll get on it - but it's a bit too small.
As he said, "I won't miss the opportunity to be useful to me," Cecil brought a stepping stone for himself. Cecil brought yet another wooden box and stacked it on top of the one in front of him. He pushed it lightly to make sure it was strong and stable, and then nodded with satisfaction.
'It's all right. Even I can reach the fish with this one.
'Please? Cecil-chan.
'Of course! Let me do my job!
Okay. Now, can you put down the three fish on the far right?
It was like a sister who insisted on helping out and watching over her.
Cecil has sweat on his forehead and is very serious.
Aine is nodding with a serious face and pointing at the fish she's hung.
''Then I'll go.''
Cecil put his feet on the crate.
I held the crate in place with both hands to keep it from moving.
With a thump-thump, Cecil runs up the crate and retrieves the dried fish.
The first fish, the second fish ...... and then the third and final one.
Pish.
...... 'Pishit'?
In my hand, the board of the crate came off.
Or rather, the boards were warped and the nails were about to come loose.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aine plunging a mop into the muddy water. I had just activated the 'sewage increase'. The box is right next to it.
Don't tell me that the crate was distorted because of the dry air? But so fast?
Wawa, wawa, wawa?
The crate tilts.
I've been stretching myself to the max, and Cecil's foot treads the air.
My stance collapses, and as it were...
Cecil?
Not a finger. Something fluffy and warm.
'I made a mistake today,'
A little mud bouncing around? Don't worry about it.
'You must not take advantage of your master's kindness. So let me serve you at .......
Cecil put his hand in front of my chest.
'All I have is a heart that loves Nagi-sama, a soul and ...... this body. Therefore, ...... my everything to ...... Nagi-sama ...... that ...... that ............
With a thud, my heart jumped.
I don't know if it's my heart or Cecil's. I only know that my body is getting very hot.
All I know is that my body is getting really hot.
...... By the way, did you say that the magic item you found at the 'Veil' place was to be given to us?
...... Nagi-sama?
Just checking. A magic shield, a bow and an arrow. That's the one Iris put her hands around for, right?
Yes. Nagi and the others found it, so they should have the right to do so, my lord.
Those things make a lot of money if you sell them, don't they?
'Yes. Thousands at least. If it's really rare, I think it's over 10,000 arsha.
'The lord said he would secretly reward me for fighting off the gargoyles, too.
Yes. Apparently so.
So ......
I felt embarrassed, so I did my best to clear my throat.
I think it's safe to say that I've already earned more than 1,000 arsha this year," he said, "as I promised you before. As we promised before. As I promised you before, I'll be able to do that with Cecil, and I'll be able to do that with a steady income .......
Nagi-sama-tachi: ......
Cecil laughed at my back as if he was troubled.
I told her you don't have to be so particular about it.
It's inevitable. It's in his nature.
I'm ...... trying my best to get Nagi to 'decode' his Risei," he said.
I know.
It's not fair to pretend that you don't know what you're doing.
Because it's about to break.
Then let's see your face.
Cecil would have to show it to me first.
So, shall we go with "Ready," then?
Okay.
Go ahead.
Kuru.
I turn around and Cecil sits upright on the floor again...
We looked at each other. Cecil's face has turned bright red. My face is - I don't know.
...... It's extremely embarrassing, but here it is.
"Well.
...... is yes.
Cecil, are you okay?
Hi, hi. Oh, hi. sir.
Cecil's face is all red. Hands, feet, and all the parts you can see.
Usually she would have fallen down, but she's holding back. She's staring straight at my face.
I put my hand on Cecil's shoulder. He's thin and tiny.
I'm starting to worry about ...... whether it's going to be okay. Cecil.
Tell me if you're not.
Yeah, it's all right.
I'm not going to be the only one who can do that.
I'm not going to be the only one who has a small body, but I'm a full-fledged adult. I'm not afraid of anything!
...... I see.
After all, Cecil is going to be overwhelmed, and even if it's hard, he's going to put up with it.
Let's take care of Cecil's body here.
'Cecil, lift your chin up a bit.
'Yes. Dear Nagi: ────
I slowly move my face closer to Cecil──I activate "Share Consciousness (Mind Linkage) LV (Normal Version)".
The normal version of "Shared Consciousness" can connect our thoughts with each other.
I can read Cecil's thoughts, so if I'm forcing myself, I'll know immediately. With this, I should be able to make it as easy on Cecil as possible.
''Huh? What's that?
Did you get it? Cecil
'Is this "shared consciousness"? Mr. Nagi.
'Yes. If Cecil is overwhelmed by this, you'll know right away. Since it's the first time, I want to make it as easy on Cecil as possible.'
'Heeeeeeeeeee!
Huh?
Cecil, you're clinging to me and looking up at me with tears in your eyes.
It's funny. For me, I think I chose the best way.
'Um, um, um, ...... Nagi-sama.'
"Yes.
"If I'm pushing myself too hard, Nagi-sama will know, won't he?
'Yes. That's what "shared consciousness" is for.
"...... means,
Cecil looked away from me and pecked his hands together with his fingers.
"How I might become ............ 'happy' when I am ...... to Nagi... It means that ......... Nagi-sama will know everything. Both my outside and my inside are ...... all of ......MaruMie ni ............?
............ Ah.
It was a blind spot.
The fact that I'm monitoring Cecil while proceeding means that Cecil is not burdened - in other words, I can understand everything that Cecil wants and what he wants me to do: ......... ...
'Well, that's it.'
'Hueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I... I don't know what I should do! I can't just say "I won't" to Nagi here. Because this is what I've always wanted to do. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one, it's also a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. ...... No, no, it doesn't matter: ...... I am ...... to Mr. Nagi. ...... Mr. Nagi and ............ Nagi
Cecil, who had been floundering with his head in his hands, looked at me as if he was ready.
Close your eyes, take a deep breath - and then look straight at me - and
"'...... good ...... all of me belongs to you, Nagi, ......'
Her cheeks were bright red but she had a very serious expression on her face.
"'──Cecil-Falot loves Souma-Nagy-sama ...... because he loves her .......'
With his voice and his heart, he told me the same words.
And then... time passed slowly...
It stopped raining before I knew it, and then...
After it was over──I put Cecil, who was breathing quietly in his sleep, on my lap──and stroked his silver hair.
Suddenly, I realized that my "magical thread" was connected to Cecil's ring finger - the place where the ring of the "Engage" ring is located. Because I was monitoring Cecil's condition, it's as if we were unconsciously connected.
When you try to pull it off, when you touch it...
Spiritual connection over a certain period of time - Clear the condition.
Magical bonding over a certain period of time--clear the condition.
Embrace of complete trust in each other for more than a certain amount of time--clear the condition.
Spiritual bond over a certain depth of time--clear the condition.
When the "Spirit Link" is established, the "Spirit Link" skill has been awakened.
A window and a message appeared in front of me.
Cecil-Falot.
"Elemental Changer
You can change the attribute of the magic you have learned to 'Earth, Water, Fire or Wind'.
For example, the Wall of Fire can be changed to the Wall of Earth or the Wall of Water.
The Fire Spirit Summoner can summon sylphs and undines as well as salamanders.
Number of times it can be used, up to once a day.
Souma Nagi
"Conceptual Extraction (Skill Stocker)
A single "concept" can be extracted from the target skill and saved.
(Normally, skills with missing attributes will disappear over time, but this skill will allow only the Concept to remain in Souma-Nagi.
However, the other two 'concepts' are discarded.
Skills rebuilt with the "concept" taken from this skill will not lose their level.
It will be rebuilt with the higher level of the Concept or the skill before it was rebuilt.
The number of retrieved "concepts" can be saved up to 2.
─ ─ What a change that was happening to us .......
"...... ugh ...... me ...... all of it ...... to Nagi-sama. ......
...... Good job, Cecil.
Feeling each other's body heat - it would be a long time before we realized it as we dozed off.