| Author: Akashari | Original Source: Syosetu |
| Translator: Mui | English Source: Re:Library |
“Mom told me to go with Teach… She walked me to the door…”
“What was that lady thinking…!”
Her dress, a blatant statement of her nobility, was far too conspicuous in the rowdy guild filled with ruffians.
Sending a girl who could barely use magecraft into a place like this, where her life could be in danger at any moment, made no sense. What was she thinking?
If it was a sign of how much she trusted me, it was too much to bear. I didn’t think I could handle the responsibility if something went wrong.
“Master, could she be the one?”
“Oh wow! It’s an honor to meet the Sleeping Princess! I could finish a whole beer just looking at this two-shot with little Laika!”
“Leave immediately. This place is dangerous, filled with perverts like her.”
“Agghh! Thank you!”
Looking around, there really wasn’t a single attendant with her. All eyes from the adventurers were on her, filled with curiosity.
Though there didn’t seem to be any immediate danger, the stress of having such a volatile situation in my care might just kill me first.
“Stell, listen. As your magecraft teacher, I’m ordering you to turn around and…”
“Teach… here, a letter…”
“What…?”
What Stell handed me was a neatly sealed envelope, with a faint trace of magic and a family crest embedded in the wax seal, indicating it was undoubtedly from her mother.
Why go to such lengths… no, why did she have to?
“…………”
I scanned the surroundings once more. As before, there were no conspicuous figures lurking about.
At least, for now.
“…Sigh, I’ll read the letter later. For now, let’s eat. Two mild curries with mixed juice.”
“I’ll have mine spicy! And also a corn soup, a roast sandwich, and for dessert, um…”
“You’re still eating…?”
✦✧✦✧✦
“Ah, that was satisfying! I’m about eighty percent full!”
“Was it really mild? It still seemed a bit spicy to me…”
“Well, I thought it was just right as a spicy dish.”
After enjoying the meal, it seemed even Momo’s stomach was content.
I was still amazed she could eat more, but at least the immediate threat of her hunger was gone.
“Hehe, little Laika has a child’s palate… Oh, here’s some sherbet for you.”
“I’ll gladly take it. What wonderful service.”
Cooling my body, warmed by the spices, with the icy treat was the height of luxury. Plus, the dessert was free, a generous gesture.
The sweetness of the fruit juice in the sherbet melted on my tongue, a blissful moment that was beyond words.
“Stell, you should enjoy this before it melts. Hurry up and… huh?”
“…zzz…”
“Oh dear, she’s fallen asleep. Her sleeping face is so cute, I could eat three more bowls of rice just looking at her.”
A small head rested against my shoulder, and I felt the gentle rhythm of her breathing.
Her full belly had made her sleepy. She must be disappointed to miss out on dessert and fall asleep so soon.
“Well, there’s no helping it. I’ll enjoy your sherbet too.”
“Master, you’ll get a stomachache.”
“Hehe, but looking at them like this, they really do seem like sisters. If only I had a smartphone or at least a drawing tablet…”
“…A little sister, huh? It’s not as nice as you think.”
“Wait a second, Master, does that mean you have a sister?”
“Yeah, but she’s long gone.”
The memory of ‘that day’ vividly came back to me, overlapping with the sight of the girl sleeping beside me.
The frustrating, ridiculous incompetence that led to my sister’s death by my own hands… and then being taken in by that person… it all resurfaced.
“Eep… Did I just step on my Oshi’s1 landmine…?”
“Don’t worry about it, it’s an old story. Now, how much is the bill?”
“O-okay… here it is…”
The handwritten bill presented timidly showed a surprisingly low amount, considering the quality of the meal.
Whether it was this guild’s excellent service or the general improvement in food quality over the past thousand years, it was a pleasant surprise.
“I suppose waking Stell wouldn’t be right. Momo, you ate your fill, so I’ll leave her in your care.”
“Sure, sure, she’s so light and tiny.”
“Huff… Huff… Momo, let me hold her just a little, just for a moment.”
“Stay back, you creep. Let’s go, Momo.”
“Aww! Please come again!”
Leaving the payment on the table, we exited the shop before the sleeping princess fell into any more trouble.
Outside, the night had already fallen, illuminated by the street lamps and the starry sky.
“Momo, be sure not to drop her. If the daughter of a noble gets hurt, compensation won’t be enough.”
“Eek… I’ll do my best!”
Though I warned her, seeing Momo holding Stell securely with just one arm reassured me.
The real concern lay elsewhere, but I couldn’t bring it up with Momo right now, given how easily she showed her worries.
Of course, it was best if nothing happened, but the existence of this letter shattered any such hope.
“Master, shouldn’t you read that letter?”
“I’ll read it carefully once we get to the inn. It’s probably nothing good anyway. How’s Stell doing?”
“She’s fast asleep. It’s exciting to feel like I have a little sister! I was an only child, so this is new to me.”
“You don’t look anything alike. Also, remember that excessive sleeping is a symptom of Magic Crystallization Syndrome. It’s good to be aware of it.”
“That’s a shame; this is the best age for playing! She will get better, right?”
“I’ll do my best, but it won’t be quick. The stagnated magic needs to be gradually loosened and made to flow.”
Engaging in light conversation with Momo, we walked through the still-bustling streets.
Despite the night, drunkards, adventurers, and touts filled the streets. Unlike Elnato, this place had a different kind of lively energy, but it was a pleasant sort of noise.
“…Crossing just one mountain makes a big difference in the climate. The sea breeze blows, but it’s not freezing cold.”
“Yes, it seems there’s no snow either… Wait, Master, where are you going?”
“I’m going to enjoy the night city for a bit. The inn is just around the corner. I’ll be right back.”
“Eh, be careful. If you get lost, call out loudly.”
“Don’t treat me like a child. How rude!”
I parted ways with Momo and slipped into the winding alleyways.
The main street still felt relatively safe, but the narrow alleys had far fewer people.
If anyone was targeting a helpless girl, this would be the perfect opportunity.
“…Alright, let’s clear the way a bit before bed.”
