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“Did Lady Siabel say that the preparations for the trial are nearly complete?”

“I stopped by to see my sister before heading to Mother, and she mentioned that everything that needed to be done has been done. She just needs to polish things up a bit more and tell Mother.”

“So that’s why you brought it up with Ainel.”

“Right? I was originally planning to wait until a bit later to mention it. The scholars said it was fine to wait until they finished verifying the loot we brought. Plus, once they decrypt the documents, they’ll be busy again.”

“We can’t delay the trial any longer either. You’re saying this to wrap things up swiftly.”

“Exactly. I should also visit the cult soon. Who knows when Your Highness, the Princess, will call for us? It seems best to wrap things up quickly and clear the nanny’s name first.”

Well, it’s certainly better for trials to finish swiftly.

Ainel said they would open it up soon. Our head of the family is quite skilled not just in using a sword but also in managing the territory.

After her various deliberations, she has the capacity to hold the trial for Shione. And considering the important phase we’re in right now, she believes a few of the retainers can be let go without causing trouble.

If that weren’t the case, she wouldn’t have easily granted permission like this.

“Well, she’ll manage it just fine.”

Back to the day I was assigned to Shione. The icy relationship between the mother and daughter has already been somewhat resolved by now.

At the Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony, Ainel’s small gift and recognition towards her. And after Shione’s long-sought validation from her parents was somewhat fulfilled, haven’t they gradually developed from a less than ideal family relationship to what it is today?

“There’s a saying that family bonds will eventually fold inwards.”

Even when my use of magic was discovered, it was Ainel who drew her sword to me rather than lavishing praise on Shione for potentially being in danger.

If Ainel adores Shione that much, she probably has it all under control.

“Oh, and… I think I should also talk a bit with Ray about Mother later.”

“It must be about the demonic realm, right? Are you bringing up Lady Diolia too?”

“No, just you and I, not Lady Diolia. I had only let slip some information about the new temple… Mother shared something related to that.”

Shione paused as if lost in thought, pouting for a moment.

She seemed to be organizing her thoughts, fiddling with her lips, and tugging at them slightly.

As I vaguely observed her pink lips moving around, she suddenly bit the side of her index finger with her front teeth.

Perhaps it has become a new habit. After finishing her thoughts, Shione looked at me with bright eyes.

“I heard that the decoding of the ancient texts we brought from our first mission is complete. The ancient text was a holy scripture, containing the biography of our founding head.”

“So that’s why the name ‘Shianella’ was written in the ancient script. But a biography in a holy scripture… doesn’t that seem quite distant from the blessings of the Count’s House?”

“I didn’t catch everything since I only heard a bit, but it seems that our founding head might have been chosen by a different god—not the divine of the church.”

The bloodline of the Count’s House is special.

Unlike ordinary nobles who simply inherit superior mana affinity and various potentials compared to commoners, bloodlines with unique traits, such as the ability to stand out against demons, are hard to find.

And the story of our founding head, which anchors that bloodline, has to be interesting.

“And that god might be connected to the one we think of.”

That the deity linked to me also flows through the blood of the Count’s House down to here sounds plausible.

Though it’s merely a hypothesis, who wouldn’t heed it closely?

The status window conveniently marked that I should nurture Shione. And the elevation of my abilities upon arriving here and assisting this household could also suggest various connections, possibly because the one who created the status window was a descendant of someone blessed.

Of course, this is all speculation. Thinking like this is simply up to me.

“Moreover, Mother lightly mentioned similar angel stories during her last visit to the Great Forest. It might be good for Ray and me to look into this together.”

It seems there might also have been stories about angels from the church in that holy scripture.

“Such content was included? It could be problematic if that old text starts circulating.”

Scholars and priests must be clamoring to decrypt even just that scripture.

One of the sacred symbols of the church prevalent across the continent. If the passages about the angels engaged in gossip were to spread, wouldn’t the church be delighted?

“You don’t have to worry about that. The scholars in charge of the decryption placed a binding spell of confidentiality until the announcement is made. The priests merely cross-referenced the decrypted terms with the history written in that scripture.”

If they’ve said that much, it sounds like that side is handling things well.

Moreover, Shione’s perspective on Ainel seems to indicate that there’s a good level of trust in that scripture.

It appears the corroboration from the priests and scholars has been properly aligned, thus fostering reliability.

“It seems best to visit them together after the trial. By then, we will have drawn some useful information from the books we brought as well.”

Shione smiled brightly at my words and nodded.

“Well, now that the heavy conversation is over, shall we take a little break…!”

With that, Shione dashed straight onto the bed.

The fluffy bed shook slightly as she reveled in the soft texture of the comforter.

Rolling around on the bed, she finally sat up while hugging her pillow tightly.

“By the way, Ray. How are you planning to prepare for Tania’s party?”

“Oh, you mean Tania.”

“Since Ray got hurt pretty badly protecting me… I also want to help a bit.”

Hearing how much she practiced the continental language, she had stuck close to Shione and hadn’t left her side. Later, like in winter when she searches for warm hot packs, it was clear she’ll miss the level of closeness they’ve developed.

As they’ve become closer, it seems Shione wants to give Tania a gift as well.

“I have something in mind for Tania’s gift.”

“Really? What is it?”

“I’m going to take her to the theater in the Count’s House. I think she’ll like it if it’s a fun play.”

Since Tania’s hobby initially involved watching dramas while enjoying a cool drink, when she’s summoned home, she often drags the cushion I bought for her to create her own spot and cuddles a plush duck while getting lost in dramas for quite some time.

With sweet drinks and a highly-rated play, I’m sure Tania will be satisfied.

“A theater, huh… I don’t think I’ve been there either. I’m envious of Tania.”

So she has never been to a theater.

To be fair, Shione spent more time engrossed in books than enjoying plays or music.

Since she hardly ever stepped outside, it seemed she had never actually been to a theater to watch a play.

In that case, it’d be better to bring her along to enjoy a date they never had.

“Shione, won’t you come with me?”

“…Really? Can I really go with you?”

“Tania likes you, so I think it’d be nice to go as a family outing. How about we take a little time after the trial and go together?”

“I’m definitely going! No backing down!”

The pillow that Shione had been hugging softly let out a groan as it folded in half.

Burying her mouth and nose in the top part of the pillow, Shione began to mumble something.

“Family outing…! I’ll be the mom, and Ray will be the dad… and we’ll have three kids….”

I couldn’t catch everything she was mumbling, but I could easily sense her joy.

For a while, I watched Shione, who was rolling around on the bed while hugging the pillow, before continuing the conversation.

“I still have a few things to think about. Can you help me?”

“What? What is it?”

“I think if I give Tania something, Elvis and Orna will feel quite upset. So how about we decide together what to give her?”

“I’ll help you. Come sit over here.”

Shione patted the spot next to her on the bed.

As I sat down there, she reached into the bedding and pulled out a pen and a notebook.

…I wasn’t aware such things were hidden in there.

Holding the notebook, Shione sat next to me, and I could read the title of the book in her hand.

“Is this Shione’s Good Day Journal?”

I wondered if she wrote it on purpose.

The title, scrawled in a child-like handwriting, even had a small star drawn next to it.

As I read the title out loud, Shione shot me a glare.

“…You don’t really need to read that, do you?”

Swiftly flipping to the last page, she started listing what she thought would be good gifts.

However, I struggled to focus on her words.

Ultimately, unable to contain my curiosity, I asked.

“Before we talk about gifts, can I take a look at that journal?”

“C-Can you? But please don’t!”

“What a shame.”

Shione’s Good Day Journal.

Since she doesn’t seem inclined to show it now, I began to think it might be better to tell Elvis to ask her later.

“…No way!”

For some reason, I was met with punishment from Shione, who seemed to see through my thoughts.

 

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