CH 216

“It seems I have been worrying you all.”

I’m done with the preparations to cook, so I’m here with my feet in the water watching Hikari and the others play around, when Leila comes over.

I can’t hide my surprise at her bold swimsuit, and she immediately rushes to explain. Red…

“T-this is Taliyah’s fault! It’s all she got for me.”

They didn’t tell Leila where we were going, and I do remember that it was Taliyah who handed me that luggage.

I think Leila wore it anyway because everyone brought her here out of concern for her.

“A-aren’t you going to change, Sora?”

“I didn’t bring swimwear to begin with, so I’ll just watch. And it’s been a while since I got to relax and not think about anything, so this isn’t bad.”

I feel like I’ve been pretty much always thinking about the dungeon ever since I got to Majolica, and haven’t ever not felt busy.

Hm… This conversation doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

Leila is also watching the others with her legs in the water. We hear high-pitched, happy voices coming from the girls, and loud yells coming from the guys.

I see someone jumping from a rock that’s higher than the rest into the lake too.

The girls all cheer at the large splash, and the guys rush to be the next to jump. This then repeats a few more times. Aren’t you guys just being controlled?

“It looks like they are having fun.”

“You could go too Leila. Or is it just that you can’t swim?”

“I-I can, but…”

Is Casey the reason why she’s hesitating? She told me Casey protected her from the breath.

I’ve talked to Casey about it, and she seemed pretty happy with the fact that she protected Leila. And it’s less because she’s their leader, and more because she idolizes her.

“Well, there’s no point in thinking about that stuff. What will be will be. And…”

“And?”

I look at Hikari and the others having fun talking. They’ve gotten pretty close, but they’re going to have to say goodbye soon.

“I think this will be a nice memory. Especially since I’m thinking about leaving Majolica soon.”

I can hear Leila gulp.

“Did we ever tell you about what’s going on with Sera and the others?”

“…I heard a little.”

“We should continue soon. We made money in the dungeon and got a fair bit of experience out of it, but we need to find a good stopping point. And I think this is the perfect time.”

“Where are you going?”

“The Dragon Kingdom of Ruflet. Rurika and Chris haven’t been there yet.”

“…”

“That means it’s your only chance to be with Hikari and the others.”

The mood is getting a little dark, so I try to say that with a bright tone.

I turn to the side, and see Leila looks a little taken aback.

We talk for a while longer, until Leila slaps her cheeks and goes to where the others are. Even if she’s putting on a brave face, that’s still a change of pace that can help change her state of mind. That might be what Bloody Rose were trying to do to begin with.

Right after Leila leaves, Hikari and Mia take her place.

Hikari is wearing an athletic type of swimsuit, and Mia is wearing a white bikini with a pareo around her waist.

Mia looks surprisingly slender when she’s like this, but I better think about something else or she’s going to glare at me again.

“Master, I’m tired.”

“It was really nice and cool out there.”

I give both fruit juice, and they sit down next to me.

Hikari starts waving her legs and making ripples in the water. I guess she’s having fun, and she moves her legs at different times to make ripples.

“Were you talking to Leila?”

“Yes, about how we’re probably going to leave soon.”

“…I see…”

“What are you going to do, Mia?”

“I’m going with you, of course… But it will be sad to say goodbye…”

“Yes…”

Our party has been talking about this from time to time, and if we should take Elsa and Alto with us.

Of course, I’ve told Mia that she can stay here if she wants, but she wants to come along. Technically being a slave might have something to do with it too.

“I think it’s time to really start getting dinner ready. What are you two going to do?”

“I’ll help.”

Hikari offers to help, so I clean and dry them with magic.

And since the sun is starting to set and it’s starting to get cold, they say they’re going to change. It’s kind of a shame… If we were making lunch, they could’ve all stayed as they are.

I light a fire in the cooking area and put the pot I prepared before on top of it, and then start working on the skewers. I’m only going to roast them when they’re all done changing.

The pot starts boiling right when Hikari comes back, so I take the opportunity to teach her how to do the finishing touches.

It’s basically just using seasonings, but we have to be careful not to use too much. And I need to make sure I don’t leave anything out that I don’t want her using.

I should probably make something like a measuring cup too.

In any case, when I leave it to Hikari, she does a good job cooking at first, but then when it gets to seasoning the food, she starts mixing in all sorts of things. If we can avoid that, it should taste normal. Probably!

More people start coming back from the lake, so it’s time to roast the skewers.

Hey guys, don’t go ask the girls about daily life magic. Your sorcerer is looking a bit lonely.

Nevermind, he’s showing off his daily life magic to the girls.

Oh well, it’s fine.

Afterwards we enjoy the food, and sleep in tents. I’m in the tent with all the other guys, and they talk about what girl would be their true love or who they’d be good with and stuff like that. I start thinking about that too, until my drowsiness gets the better of me and I fall asleep.