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“Did you have fun?”

“Fun…?”

Friel repeats my words.

Behind her, I can see Elisa, showing a rather deep confusion on her face as she looks at me.

I suppose she thought that the words coming from someone who hadn’t even shed blood on the shooting range were just nonsense. It’s no wonder this scenario would be surprising for her.

“Fun? Yes, it was quite fun. You not only had a strong scent but also a solid understanding of spirit magic.”

“Scent…?”

With the wary glance and voice of Shione coming from behind me, Friel steps closer, taking careful steps.

However, it seems that with Shione glaring at her, getting too close was rather difficult.

Once the distance was somewhat reduced, she stopped her steps as if blocked by a wall.

“I didn’t expect a human, especially a man, to show such high-level acrobatics.”

“I’m honored that you think so.”

“That makes me even more curious. May I ask you something?”

“If it’s a type of question I can answer, I’d be happy to oblige.”

“Okay then—”

The look in Friel’s eyes glistens.

“I’m curious about how you mastered spirit magic.”

“That means…?”

“Were there a master or did you learn it all by yourself? Would you mind sharing?”

The blonde elf asks with a lowered voice.

Well, from her perspective, it would certainly be curious.

The aura of the spirits can be built up with innate talent, creating a deep scent through affinity.

But handling those spirits requires plenty of trial and error along with practice. The more elaborate the technique, the more that’s necessary.

“If it’s Friel, she’d definitely have done some background checks on me.”

She gazes at me like I’m some sort of special toy, a trophy or something.

Given her greed, she must have researched me a bit.

It’s obvious that that slave fellow couldn’t have found a master, so she’d be wondering how I handle spirit magic so skillfully.

Though I’ve said this, she likely knows well that the original owner of this body couldn’t find a master.

It might make sense for her to ask to affirm her thoughts.

‘…This is troublesome.’

If I mention self-taught again, the longer the words, the faster her expectations and undesired interest in me might balloon.

Just at that moment, while I kept my mouth shut and contemplated how to answer her question, Shione and Elisa approached us from behind, and soon time would push me to answer.

“Suddenly, a fireball erupted here—”

A familiar woman with silver-white hair appeared out of nowhere.

Siabel Shianella glared at us, holding an unsheathed sword.

In this situation where Friel and I stand quite close, and Elisa follows behind Friel with a stiff expression, Shione is also visibly uncomfortable, despite trying to hide her emotions.

Siabel, taking in the scene, scrunched her brows.

“What is going on here?”

She says while sensing the presence of several people nearby.

Muscular women arrive, matching their steps quickly and panting hard.

“Siabel! Is there an ambush?”

“We will follow! Please give us your orders!”

“Ah, wait, who are those over there…?”

The knights’ gazes turn toward us.

“Uh… um… I think I should postpone my answer for now.”

Friel glanced at me and the imposing female knights, then lightly nodded.

It seems it’s a priority to clarify their misunderstandings.

*

“Sigh…”

Siabel let out a suppressed sigh.

“So you’re saying that the fireball that just burst from the sky was all due to a conversation about Friel Arielte and spirit magic?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Thank goodness, truly thank goodness. Right, Ray?”

“……”

Siabel forced a weak smile and laughed uproariously.

She brushed aside her bangs that were covering her eyes with her right hand and continued.

“I thought it was a bolt from a clear sky. Suddenly, the clear sky above our Count’s estate turned red…”

“……”

“I thought it was an attack from the remaining cultists or something.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“You too, Shione.”

“Y-yes…?”

“You had no warning from anyone in the training hall, and having seen such a large spell, you should have stopped it. What were you doing just watching? Do you know how shocked the soldiers in the training hall were because of that?”

“Ugh…”

Siabel tugged at Shione’s cheeks.

Her cheek flesh stretched like sticky rice cake.

After Siabel released her hold, Shione rubbed her cheek with a sulky expression.

“You displayed spirit magic quite splendidly. The servants who were looking out from the mansion must number quite a few. Is there anyone who can convey my words?”

Siabel then asked a nearby knight to explain the situation to the stunned workers and Ainel.

As she watched the knight depart, Siabel finally shifted her gaze away from us, Shione and me.

She calmly fixed her eyes on Friel Arielte and Elisa, our accomplices.

Fortunately, that blonde elf seems to have picked up on the atmosphere and situation, wiping away her usual gentle smile to meet Siabel with a serious expression.

Siabel quietly studied Friel before speaking softly.

“You mentioned you set up this meeting to give advice about spirit magic to someone from our family.”

“Yes, the aura of the spirit emanating from him is quite distinct. I thought I might help, even a little, but…”

And in the end.

The proud elf, usually so rigid, bowed her head.

“I didn’t expect things to escalate like this. I apologize for that.”

Siabel couldn’t bring herself to say anything to Friel, only raising her head back again.

“If you give me a heads up about spirit magic next time, I’ll prepare a separate meeting for you.”

“Thank you, Young Lady. However, the next session on spirit magic will likely be after we set out on the merchant’s road. So, the worry you have won’t exist moving forward.”

“…….?”

Siabel tilted her head slightly.

Merchant’s road.

Yeah, the elves, including Friel Arielte, came from the Great Forest.

They couldn’t possibly stay forever within the Count’s territory.

It’s certain they would return to the distant merchant road, but—

“Merchant’s road? Why do you say you’ll have a connection with spirit magic regarding Ray even after hitting the merchant’s road?”

At this rate, it sounds as if Ray will head toward the Great Forest with them.

Siabel’s previously softened expression tightened again in front of Friel due to the lack of information.

“Seeing that reaction… it seems you haven’t heard from the head of the family yet.”

“Yes. Could you please provide a brief explanation?”

“I asked for help from the head of the Count’s house. He accepted my request, and Young Lady Shione Shianella along with her attendant Ray will be heading toward the Great Forest together with us.”

“Um.”

“It would be a bit difficult to discuss this further here—”

Friel’s eyes darted around.

Her green eyes captured the several female knights lined up behind Siabel.

“This is quite an important discussion. There are too many eyes and ears here. It would be better to save the rest of the conversation for the head of the family.”

“…Let’s do that.”

Siabel, having said that, took a few steps back from Friel, glancing one last time around us.

Everything has concluded, with a somewhat settled situation. There was no reason left to remain here.

Siabel returned the knight to the training hall and briefly bowed to Friel.

“Then I’ll take my leave first.”

“Yes, see you next time.”

Friel finally smiled gently back at Siabel.

Siabel turned her body and approached us briefly.

“Shione, Ray. I think it would be best for us to have a separate talk again next time. I’ll send Bronte afterward.”

“Understood, sister.”

“You know that Ray should keep a keen eye on you so you don’t use such spirit magic again, right?”

“…I won’t let it out of my sight.”

“Good.”

Finally, she showed her usual playful smile and slowly walked away from us.

As her figure receded into the distance, the elves, who had been quietly observing the situation, began to move again.

“Hmph… I was quite surprised when the knights rushed in all of a sudden. I think it’s better to wait for the right time rather than using spirit magic in this atmosphere… let’s call it a day for now. Did you see Ray’s spirit magic well?”

“…There’s no need for flattery. Your words are too kind.”

“Too kind? Another elf, not me, would say the same about your spirit magic. I suppose that’s why—”

Friel naturally crossed her arms.

“I’m really looking forward to what happens after we hit the merchant’s road. Once on the less populated forest paths, you’ll be able to utilize spirit magic much more freely. I’ll be excitedly waiting.”

“……”

“Well then, shall we head in for today and prepare for the future? Given the circumstances in the Great Forest, Young Lady and Ray need to hasten their preparations as well.”

“What you implied is…”

“We elves will be leaving the Count’s house within five days at the latest. We’ll ride straight through the royal capital to the Kalia Marquis family without rest, so we have five days left.”

Friel released the arm she had been holding.

Under the shimmering sunlight, she spoke in a warm and gentle tone like a saint.

“Please take care of the remaining affairs at the Count’s house and prepare for our expedition.”

Only five days remain.

We need to prepare to set off to battle a long way away with those suspicious elves.

 

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