Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyusoukyoku (LN) - Volume 6 - Chapter 4

Sightseeing in the Old Capital 

Satou here. Prince Shotoku is said to have been able to listen to eight people talk at once and understand what each of them was saying. Whenever I hear that story, though, I always wonder why he didn’t just ask them to speak one at a time. 

“Master, please look at the sky!” 

The normally calm Liza was pointing up excitedly. 

Following her finger upward, I saw an airship drifting through the morning mist. According to my AR display, it was a Shiga Kingdom Large Rigid Airship. 

“Monsterrr?” 

“Watch out, sir! It’s a giant peanut, sir!” 

Tama and Pochi hopped up and down as they tugged on my sleeves. 

The other kids, too, all stood outside the Worgoch mansion to peer up at the sky in surprise. 

The airship was indeed peanut-shaped, with jumbo jet–esque wings protruding from the indented area in the middle. It could be said that the globe-shaped turrets attached to the ends of each wing made it even more fantasy-like. 

According to the book I bought from Mr. Kikinu’s magic shop, it flew using a magic apparatus called a “skypower engine.” 

“Whoa! Now that’s some fantasy RPG stuff right there. How cool is that?” 

“How does it stay in the air?” 

Arisa and Lulu seemed curious, too. I guess there weren’t any airships in their hometown. 

“Airship,” Mia muttered. 

Mia didn’t look as surprised as the others. Maybe she had seen one before. 

“Airshiiip?” Tama tilted her head. 

“It’s a flying ship,” I explained. 

“Are there people on board?” Miss Karina asked. 

I nodded. 

“Amazing, sir! I want to ride one, sir!” 

Yeah, me too, Pochi. 

Thinking about it logically, though, they were probably for military use only, so I wasn’t sure if we’d have the opportunity to do so. 

I might be able to work out a reward with the duke if the upcoming evening party was a success, but even then, I doubted I could negotiate for everyone to be able to join me. And I’d rather ride with my whole group if possible. Perhaps I could see if Tolma had any suggestions when I went to visit him and Viscount Siemmen. 

“Master, I would like one, I entreat.” 

“Hee-hee, it is cute, isn’t it?” 

Nana was reaching out toward the airship, making what could only be described as “grabby hands.” 

I wasn’t sure if it was really as cute as Lulu said, though. Maybe we just didn’t have the same aesthetic sense. 

“Perhaps master could make you an airship plushie?” Lulu suggested. “It would be cute and soft.” 

Nana clapped her hands together once, then turned toward me. 

“Master, I would like an airship plushie, I entreat.” 

“Sure. Why don’t I show you how to make it, too?” 

It wouldn’t hurt for Nana to have a hobby besides combat. 

“How to make it? I inquire.” 

“Yeah. Then you could make as many plushies as you want, right?” 

“I see! That is an excellent idea, master, I commend!” 

Nana nodded excitedly, although her expression remained blank as always. 

After I made a pinkie promise with Nana, we watched the airship start to come in for a landing on the other side of the duke’s castle. 

“I know we were planning to go to the town marketplace, but would everyone like to go see the airship first?” 

My question was met with a chorus of enthusiastic yeses. 

I’d also like to add that the first person to answer was none other than Miss Karina. 

We were riding in one of Count Worgoch’s carriages, so that was probably why we were able to reach the landing site without a problem. 

Because beastfolk tended to be frowned upon in the nobles’ quarters, the girls were wearing long hooded cloaks to hide their ears and tails. 

“There will be lots of grumpy noblemen around. Try to stay quiet when we get out, okay?” 

“Aye-aye, siiir.” 

“Our lips are sealed, sir.” 

Tama and Pochi nodded and mimed zipping their lips shut. Arisa must have taught them that particular gesture. 

When we got out of the carriage, we had a clear view of the huge airship. 

I had wanted to watch the landing process, but it was already firmly on the ground with a ramp stretching from the middle of the ship. 

“It’s huge!” Arisa exclaimed. “I wonder how long it is?” 

“About three hundred feet.” 

I calculated the size from the information on my map. 

“Seriously?! Why, that’s only about half the size of a zeppelin.” 

“I’m impressed you knew that…” 

As I admired Arisa’s knowledge of various trivia, we walked up to the rope near the airship. It must have been to prevent entry past that point. 

“Don’t go past this rope, okay?” 

“’kay.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

Tama and Pochi responded in small voices without lowering their hoods. I guess they took my warning to heart. 

There were more spectators than I’d expected gathered around the rope. Most of them were nobles, but there were a few young ladies in servants’ clothing. Somehow, it was like a crowd of fans eagerly waiting for a celebrity to appear. 

“Why, it’s Sir Pendragon! Did you come to greet a friend or something?” 

I turned to see Imperial Knight Sir Ipasa Lloyd addressing me from the back of his horse. Apparently, he was patrolling the perimeter of the airship. 

“No, I just came out of curiosity. This is my first time seeing an airship. Should I have gotten permission first?” 

“No, nobles are allowed to come here without special permission. As well as their companions, of course.” 

Sir Ipasa nodded cordially to the beastfolk girls as he added the second half of his response. 

I was glad he wasn’t averse to them. 

“This is quite a crowd,” I remarked. 

“Yeah, that’s because—” 

But just as he was about to tell me the reason, a chorus of shrieks drowned him out. 

The girls and women in the crowd were screaming things like “Your Highness!” and “Sir Knight!” 

The source of their excitement seemed to be the handsome young man in white armor who had just started descending the ramp. According to his AR label, his name was Sharorik Shiga. The detailed description informed me he was the third prince of the Shiga Kingdom. 

Two knights who appeared to be his attendants, then an entourage of ten or more—including robed sorcerers, maids, and other servants—followed him. 

“Do you know of His Highness Sharorik, Sir Pendragon?” 

“No, I’m not familiar,” I answered honestly. 

I could find out more with the detailed information in the AR display to a certain extent, but it wouldn’t include any public opinions or rumors. 

“He is an associate of the Eight Swordsmen of Shiga, and he was granted His Majesty’s permission to wield the Holy Sword Claidheamh Soluis.” 

“He can use a Holy Sword without the Hero title?” 

Noticing that the prince didn’t have the Hero title, I asked the question without thinking. 

I was remembering the incident in the Seiryuu City labyrinth. Until I’d gotten the Hero title, I’d taken damage just by holding a Holy Sword. 

“Yes, His Majesty can appoint someone as the wielder of Claidheamh Soluis.” 

His Majesty means the king, right? There must be some special way to change the master of the sword by using the City Core, then. 

The rest of Sir Ipasa’s report detailed a colorful romantic history you might expect to read in a celebrity gossip magazine. He had caused all kinds of problems in the past, so I’d have to make sure he didn’t get near the likes of Nana or Miss Karina. 

By the way, the Eight Swordsmen of Shiga were holders of a title granted to the strongest Holy Knights in the Shiga Kingdom. 

Thanking Sir Ipasa for the explanation, I turned my gaze back toward the prince. He wore an irritable expression and didn’t so much as wave to the crowd of young women fawning over him. I guess he wasn’t the sociable type. 

As soon as the prince stepped down from the ramp onto the carpet leading to his carriage, his maids rushed forward to scatter flower petals at his feet, like you’d see at a wedding. 

Suddenly, he lifted his eyes and focused on a flying wooden horse that was taking off from the duke’s castle. 

Maybe he knew Miss Ringrande? 

“Ah!” 

The short cry drew my attention to one of the flower girls, who had tripped and fallen in a most unladylike manner. Fortunately, her skirt landed in a way that wasn’t too revealing, but that was the least of her problems. 

She had flung her flower basket into the air as she fell, and now, it was directly on the prince’s head. Evidently, it had hit him in the face while his attention was elsewhere. 

The basket perched over his handsome features was like something out of a romantic comedy. 

“Wh-why, you…” His voice seemed far sharper than it needed to be. 

“I-I-I’m so sorry!” 

The prince was trembling with embarrassment and rage. 

The apologetic maidservant looked familiar. It was the girl who had helped me at the banquet the night before. 

“How insolent. Off with her head!” the prince ordered in a voice that was shaking with anger. 

…Huh? Seriously? Feudalism is terrifying. 

Stunned by the sudden development, I nonetheless took a penny coin out of Storage, intending to stealthily intervene. 

“Yes, sir. Sorry, missy, I have to obey His Highness’s orders!” 

With a sadistic smile, the prince’s young knight attendant raised his sword. 

I bent the edges of the coin to make it curve in the air as I waited for the right moment. This way, I should be able to prevent the boy’s act of brutality without revealing my identity. 

However, as it turned out, the bent coin never came into play. 

“…That’s enough.” 

The other knight, a much older man, stood in front of the girl, stopping the blow with his large shield. 

“What’s this? Swordsman of Shiga or no, Sir Reilus, should you really be defying His Highness’s orders?” 

“By the Holy Shield bequeathed on me by His Majesty, I cannot let this injustice pass before my eyes.” 

It looked like the old knight was charged with keeping an eye on the short-tempered prince. 

“Hmph! Stubborn old fool. Very well, I shall overlook it this once. See that the duke metes out a suitable punishment.” 

The sullen prince snapped at the old knight and the butler who came rushing over from the carriage. 

“Tch. And here I was all excited to cut down a girl…,” the young knight grumbled as he followed after the prince. 

What a dangerous pair. I would have to avoid them both when I went to the duke’s castle. 

“Thank goodness Sir Reilus jumped in.” 

Sir Ipasa returned from the other side of the rope. In all likelihood, he had been rushing in to save the maidservant, too. 

The prince’s behavior made me want to write off feudal societies entirely, but at least there were nobles like the old knight and Sir Ipasa. I guess I shouldn’t make such sweeping generalizations. 

After our visit to the airship, we piled back into the carriage to visit the old capital marketplace, which extended from the largest gate to the port. 

We climbed out of the carriage in a parking area near the gate and walked from there. 

“Crowded.” Mia’s eyes widened. 

“Yes, it must be because of the tournament. It’s like a melting pot of all kinds of people!” 

Arisa offered her own impressions with much less surprise. 

There were dark-skinned humans (which I hadn’t yet seen in this world), humans with Asian-like features, and many kinds of beastfolk. 

Of course, I also noticed plenty of people with Shigan features, as well as people from other kingdoms, including some dressed in sari-like outfits or nomad attire. 

Unlike the quiet nobles’ quarter, the harbor ward was crowded even by the standards of modern-day Japan. 

Not only that, but a strange excitement filled the air, like the liveliness of a market in Southeast Asia. Swept up in the mood, the rest of our group was in even higher spirits than usual. 

“Melting pooot?” 

“Is that tasty, sir?” 

“Pochi, you’re always thinking about food.” Lulu giggled at the pair. 

“Hey, look at that!” 

“Oh? I’ve never seen these here before.” 

Arisa pulled me by my sleeve to point out a particular table, stocked with an incredible variety of items. The large river must make for prosperous trade. 

“They’re a little sour but still tasty! Oh, I know! Let’s eat them with sugar and condensed milk when we get back!” 

The source of Arisa’s excitement was a batch of fresh strawberries. 

She always has a taste for the classics. 

“Yummy?” 

Mia indicated her interest, too. 

“Condemned miiilk?” 

“I’m sure the sugar will make it sweet and yummy, sir.” 

Tama tilted her head curiously, while Pochi nodded with baseless confidence. 

“All right, I’ll make some when we get home.” 

“Hooray!” 

The younger kids were overjoyed at my rash promise. 

Mixing the milk and sugar would be a bit of a pain, but I did have a Water Magic spell for whipping cream and such, so it should be fine. Once we passed the section of fresh fruits and vegetables, we emerged into an area full of preserved food. 

Of course, I had already stored our spoils so far in the Garage Bag. Recognizing the magic item, a few thieves made a pass at it, but the beastfolk girls and Miss Karina’s maids dispatched them without any difficulty. 

“Ooh, dried grapes, huh? That would be great in a cheese soufflé.” 

“Mm. Dried figs.” 

Evidently, dried fruit was a popular dessert for ordinary folk. It seemed expensive, though; the ability to eat it frequently would probably depend on one’s economic status. 

We stocked up on smoked fish and meat, as well as any dried bonito and shellfish I could get my hands on. 

Everyone was quite pleased by the time we left that area, and then we arrived in a section full of daily necessities and fashionable supplies. 

“They’ve got lipstick and face powder!” 

“You’re too young for that stuff, Arisa. This lipstick might suit Nana or Lady Karina, though, don’t you think?” 

“Master, please apply it, I request.” 

“I—I suppose I wouldn’t mind if you put it on for me as well.” 

Miss Karina did her best to piggyback on Nana’s supplication. Unfortunately, unlike modern Japan, there weren’t any samples for testing, so I had to buy it before we could try it out. 

I did get to see Miss Karina sheepishly closing her eyes and puckering her lips, though. I felt like I got a pretty good deal. 

“Master, could we purchase this soap and a pumice stone?” 

“Sure. How about this sachet, too? It smells nice and sweet. Would you like me to buy you one?” 

When I saw Liza demurely picking out everyday necessities, I wanted to treat her to something, too. 

“B-but sir, to buy something so expensive for a mere slave would be—” 

She started to refuse, but not quite as swiftly as usual. The scent of the sachet seemed to appeal to her. 

“You always take such good care of everyone, Liza. You deserve to be rewarded from time to time.” 

After some additional persuading on my part, Liza meekly accepted the sachet. 

As I was enjoying shopping with everyone, an alarming conversation suddenly reached my ears. 

“…You say you’re going to assassinate him, but how are you going to defeat the Holy Swordsman prince and one of the Eight Swordsmen of Shiga?” 

“What, you think I’m gonna fight ’em head-on? Yeah, right. I’ll use poison.” 

“Hmm. Hydra poison would certainly do the trick, but it’s not easy to get that stuff here…” 

It was great that my “Keen Hearing” skill picked up on an assassination plot and all, but I couldn’t tell where in the crowd it was coming from. 

I listened closer, trying to pinpoint the source. 

But this time, I heard a different voice. 

“I made a deal with that criminal guild. They’re going to cause a disturbance while we sneak into the duke’s dungeon and rescue our brethren.” 

“Now we’ll definitely get promoted!” 

…Another sinister plot. So there were several groups of criminals around. 

The former men were members of a criminal guild, while the latter seemed to be leftover members of the Wings of Freedom. 

I checked on the map, but there were so many members of the lawless guild around that I couldn’t tell who was talking. The conversation had ceased, too, so I was out of luck there. 

On the other hand, I found the Wings of Freedom dregs pretty quickly. 

As it turned out, they were already in trouble: The scheming pair was completely encircled by old capital guards. 

It didn’t look like I’d be needed this time. This place had pretty good guards, as far as I could tell. 

“Master, they’re selling something unusual there.” 

When Lulu called out to me, I closed my map search for now and looked where she was pointing. 

“Is that meat jelly?” 

“I’m surprised you know such a humble food for common people, sir,” the shopkeeper said, eyebrows raised. “Are you really a nobleman?” 

So it’s only popular with commoners here? But it’s so good. 

“I am, albeit a newly minted one,” I replied with a smile. 

I ordered enough for everyone to try it. 

The wobbly texture of the jellied broth was a big hit with the kids. With better ingredients and presentation, it could be popular with nobles as well. 

While I was musing on this, the younger kids had already moved on to a new target. 

“Something smells good, sir.” 

“Ooh, I’d know that smell anywhere! Someone’s cooking with soy sauce.” Arisa searched the area eagerly. “There it is. Squid teriyaki! Private Pochi, Private Tama, secure the suspects at once!” 

“Secuuure.” 

“You’re under arrest, sir.” 

Tama, Pochi, and Arisa went running up to the stall. Mia followed after them, drawn in by their enthusiasm, but she probably wouldn’t be able to eat it. Liza and Lulu followed the younger girls at a calmer pace. 

…That really does smell good. 

I decided to put any extraneous thoughts aside to enjoy our tour of the old capital in peace. 

“Master!” 

Nana pulled on my arm. She tugged me in the opposite direction of the others, where she had found something else that caught her interest. 

“…Master?” Liza noticed my absence at once. 

“Watch the kids, please. We’ll be back in just a minute.” 

With my map, it wouldn’t take long to meet up again. 

Besides, Nana was pressing my arm into her chest in a decidedly pleasant way. 

She ended up leading me toward two ratfolk children. They were right across the main street. 

As it turned out, they weren’t ratfolk at all—the way their heads bobbed as they walked and the slickness of their skin said differently. My AR display revealed that they were sealfolk sisters. 

“The movement of those larvae does not compute. It is inefficient, yet I cannot look away, I report.” 

So the kids were what Nana wanted to see. Their unusual gait certainly was cute. 

After watching for a moment, we turned back to rejoin the others. My arm was very happy, but I didn’t want to worry everyone by staying away too long. 

Just then, a single shout brought an abrupt end to the tranquility. 

“Runaway horse! Get out of the way!” 

Not far away, I heard screams, neighing, and the sounds of people and things being knocked over willy-nilly. 

Since we had just stepped back into the main street, I carried Nana over to the side of the road. 

“Master! The larvae are in danger, I declare!” 

There was a rare note of distress in Nana’s monotone voice. Looking back into the crowd, I saw the two sealfolk children crouching underfoot in terror. 

A moment later, a large tigerfolk man accidentally tripped into the pair, kicking them both into the air. 

“Larvae!” Nana cried. 

Before I knew it, she had jumped out of my arms. Somersaulting through the air, she landed clear on the other side of the crowd in a matter of moments. 

She seemed to have used the Foundation ability Body Strengthening, though I’d never seen it invoked so quickly. 

At the same moment, the tigerfolk man looked over his shoulder at the children he’d kicked. 

In a moment of poetic justice, the rampaging horse came bolting down the street straight toward him. The horse collided with the tigerfolk man, sending him flying into the air like a scene out of a gag manga. 

I was concerned for both the man and the horse, but first I ran over to Nana, who was holding the two sealfolk kids in her arms. 

“Master, master! The larvae are leaking liquid from their mouths. Emergency treatment is required, I request. Please hurry quickly and with utmost urgency, I entreat!” 

I took a few potions out of Storage through my pocket and had the two sealfolk children drink them. 

Their HP gauges quickly returned to normal in the AR display. 

Just in time. 

I wasn’t sure why, but the crowd of onlookers who’d gathered around us all cheered. 

Sealfolk must be pretty popular. No wonder Nana found them so charming. 

The rampaging horse turned out to have a Wings of Freedom member as its rider, so the guards were quick to tie him up and take him away. 

The tigerfolk man was bloodstained and unconscious, but I didn’t see any serious threat to his life, so I stood by as other tigerfolk carried him away. However, I didn’t feel like offering him a potion, because he never apologized to the children. 

Deciding not to deal with any more leftover cult stragglers, I searched the old capital on the map again. 

Aside from the ones who had just been arrested, the only remaining members were all imprisoned, either in jail or at the duke’s castle. Expanding the search range a little, I found several more members aboard a boat entering the harbor. 

I could hardly just leave dangerous terrorists alone, but going to arrest them myself would be a pain—I mean, outside my authority. Better to leave these things to the professionals. 

“I have a message from His Grace the duke.” 

“What? Where are you?” 

I slipped down a back alley and used my “Ventriloquism” skill to whisper to the guard captain standing on the main street. 

I thought this was more than ventriloquism, but I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. 

“There are surviving members of the Wings of Freedom aboard a ship currently entering the harbor, the SS Liberation. You are to raid the ship and capture them.” 

The captain looked more dubious than convinced, so I added, “You must act quickly.” At that, he seemed to decide it was best not to ignore it and gathered a few men to head over to the harbor. 

Since the guards here had some skill, I figured I should be able to leave the rest to them. 

“…Yummy.” 

When I went back to Nana, I found the sealfolk kids still licking the insides of the vials from the potions. They must have liked the sweetener I added. 

Watching them, I remembered little Ine, the witch’s apprentice who I’d met in Kuhanou County. No doubt she was still studying away under the old witch’s guidance. 

“Master, I would like us to adopt these children, I propose.” 

Nana held up the two sealfolk kids pleadingly. The sisters made no move to protest, still absorbed in licking the last drops from their vials. 

“No.” 

“Master, please reconsider.” 

“Sorry, Nana.” 

Nana pleadingly came closer, but I couldn’t just give in to her this time. 

Before long, the distant ringing of bells sent the children into a panic in Nana’s arms. 

Of course, I instructed her to let them go. She hesitated a little, but seeing how frantic the children were, she relented and put them down. 

For some reason, the two were heading toward the rest of our group, so we ended up following behind them. 

The sealfolk kids led us to a plaza lined by seven temples, where various priests and volunteers were currently feeding the hungry. 

Which was great and all, but… 

“Line uuup, line uuup?” 

“Please get in line, sir! Cutting is a no-no, sir.” 

For reasons unknown, Tama and Pochi were supervising the line. 

Mia was there, too, not helping them but playing a leaf flute while staring at the crowd curiously. Evidently she wasn’t used to seeing lines like this. 

“The line ends here. Please have your bowls ready and line up in three columns.” 

“You there! Don’t fight, or we’ll send you to the back!” 

Liza and Arisa were in charge of the end of the queue. 

The sealfolk kids joined the throng per their instructions. Nana moved to line up with them, and I put my hand lightly on her shoulder to stop her. 

“Oh, master, there you are. What were you and Nana doing?” 

“She wanted to protect those kids.” 

I briefly explained to Arisa about the runaway horse situation. 

“Is that right? Here I thought you went off to mess around together somewhere.” 

Even if that was true, I was sure Mia would have found us right away. 

Last time I asked her how she was able to track me down, she’d simply answered, “Spirits,” so maybe they helped her find me or something. It certainly struck me as the kind of thing an elf would do in a fantasy world. 

“So how did you all end up helping with this soup kitchen line, anyway?” 

“It just sort of happened, I guess? A bunch of beastfolk men were pushing through the line and causing a ruckus, so Pochi scolded them. When they tried to attack her, Liza and the others had to take them down a notch. Next thing you know, we were volunteering to help with crowd control.” 

I see. I could certainly picture all that unfolding. 

“That’s good, I guess. Then why is Lulu helping out in the booth?” 

“There was an older lady doing the serving, but she got injured while those jerks were causing trouble.” 

Mia was able to heal the old woman’s wounds, but she was still in shock from the violence, so she ended up going home. As a result, they were short-staffed, and Lulu offered to help. 

“There’s only about an hour left. Do you mind if we stay and help? I’d hate to ditch them halfway through.” 

“Of course.” 

Interacting with the locals was an important part of sightseeing. Besides, I saw someone I knew standing next to Lulu. 

I wanted to bring Nana to help them as well, but she refused to leave the sealfolk kids, so I let her have her way. 

“Master!” 

Lulu noticed me and smiled brightly, a bandanna tied around her black hair. If she had a tail like Pochi’s, I guarantee it would have been wagging like crazy. 

“Satou!” 

Then, stepping out from behind Lulu, wearing a pure-white shrine maiden–like outfit, Sara smiled at me, too. 

It was hard to believe that just yesterday she’d been bedridden with the status condition Weakened: Mild. Must be nice to be so young. 

“Good to see you again, Lady Sara…” I managed to catch myself right before adding, How are you feeling? 

“So we meet again.” 

Sara’s voice was full of emotions, and her eyes caught mine and refused to let go. 

…Like a maiden in love. 

“Well, I did promise you at the castle in Gururian City.” 

“……Of course.” 

Caught up in the moment, I spoke with more charm in my voice than I’d intended. 

I suspect that was the cause of the strange silence hovering in the air. 

It was broken by little growls from Arisa and Mia, who had approached without my noticing. 

Sorry, Sara, but it looks like the romantic mood ends here. 

I bopped the two younger girls on the head to reset the tone of the conversation. 

“By the way, you came here on an emergency summons from the temple, right? Has the issue been resolved already?” 

“Y-yes… It was a false alarm, it seems.” 

“A false alarm?” 

“Indeed.” 

Sara bit her lip and nodded. 

The men who’d plotted to resurrect the demon lord with Sara as a sacrifice must have sent the summons. 

Putting that in the back of my mind, I tried to lighten the mood with a friendly chat. 

Suddenly, I felt eyes boring into me from behind, so I turned around. 

Miss Karina was watching me intently, but behind her, I saw a group of temple knights in the shade of a grove near the food stall. 

They must be watching over Miss Sara. Among them, I saw the young man and woman I’d met in Muno Barony. Sir Keon Bobino was nowhere to be seen—unsurprising, considering his family’s current situation. 

Having just recovered after losing her life in a sacrificial ceremony to summon a demon lord, Sara naturally had increased security. Aside from the temple knights, there were several imperial knights disguised as citizens hovering nearby. 

I wondered why they hadn’t intervened earlier when my kids had to stop the ruckus, but it was probably either because Sara herself wasn’t in danger or because the beastfolk girls simply moved faster. 

“Lady Sara, the people in line are waiting.” 

“Oh no, I’m sorry.” 

“My apologies for interrupting. I’ll go and help with the cooking while you get back to serving, if that’s all right.” 

I felt bad for making the people wait, so I decided to move out of the way. 

Seeing Sara and Lulu handing out food together was truly a sight for sore eyes. I felt like a staff member keeping an eye on an idol duo’s meet-and-greet event. 

The food they were distributing looked to be a seaweed-based soup with dumplings inside. As far as I could tell, there weren’t enough hands making the dumplings; I went to offer my assistance. 

“Here, let me help.” 

“No, it’s all right, erm…sire. I couldn’t have a noble help us, sire.” 

One of the older ladies who was cooking politely refused. Her manner of addressing me was a little strange. 

“It’s all right. Sir Knight here is a friendly fellow. Back home, he even made sweets for the children in town.” 

“W-well, if you say so, Pina.” 

Miss Karina’s maid escort Pina was kind enough to vouch for me as she helped with the cooking herself. 

The other maid, Erina, was watching the work from beside the booth. At some point, Mia wandered over to sit with them, still playing her leaf flute. 

After exchanging brief greetings, I started helping the other cooks. 

“Please wear this, young master.” 

A young lady offered me an apron, commenting that it would be a shame for my clothes to get dirty. 

Her task of grinding fish paste looked like the hardest, so I took over for her. 

Bored of hanging around, Mia came over to peer at what I was doing. 

“Little miss, would you come and make dumplings with me?” 

“Mm, sure.” 

Mia shuffled over to help the older lady. 

“Lady Karina, would you like to join Mia as well?” 

“I–I…erm…n-no, thank you!” 

Miss Karina had made it clear she wanted to join in, but she turned down my invitation. She was probably too nervous about interacting with strangers. 

Well, I don’t want to force her to do anything. 

“You’re rather strong for a noble.” 

One of the old ladies came over to praise me. 

“If you like, why don’t you come work at our shop? You can marry my daughter.” 

What is it with old ladies and their matchmaking schemes? 

“No.” 

“““N-no!””” 

Mia and Lulu were quick to decline on my behalf. Oddly enough, Sara and Mia spoke in perfect unison with Lulu. 

“““…Huh?””” 

All three of them looked at one another in surprise. 

It was cute to see Lulu and Sara clap their hands to their mouths and all, but the people waiting for food were glaring at me. I prompted them to return to their work. 

Miss Karina wasn’t bothering anyone, though, so I left her alone with her obvious surprise. 

Sara and Lulu were too young to be romantic interests for me, but they were certainly cute to look at. Maybe in five years or so, they could form a duo. 

Or wait, maybe Miss Karina could join them, too, and make an idol group? 

In that case, though, we’d have to do something about Miss Karina’s shyness first. 

Before long, the soup kitchen closed up for the day without too much difficulty. 

There were a few people exclaiming about how the meat dumplings suddenly turned into gourmet cuisine partway through, but a glare from Liza silenced them before it turned into a riot. 

I guess my maxed-out “Cooking” skill was probably to blame for that, huh? 

“Helping out is great and all, but keep it in check next time!” Arisa chided me in a whisper. 

Well, excuse me for not realizing I had to restrain myself when all I was doing was grinding fish paste with a mortar. 

Even if I turned off certain skills, it didn’t change much at this point. After using “Formulation” and “Transmutation” enough times, I was able to deliberately make items of lower quality, so maybe the same would prove true with enough “Cooking” experience. 

I don’t really want to make gross food on purpose, though. If I’m going to cook, it might as well be tasty. 

Chatting as I cooked with the older ladies, who were mostly local housewives and temple peons, I learned a lot about the soup kitchen and downtown life. 

The five local temples took turns running the soup kitchen, which was held once every other day. The temples, as well as contributions from local nobles and celebrities, covered the costs. 

Because the priest in charge of collecting donations happened to be around while we were discussing this, I gave ten gold coins, much to his shock. As it turned out, a lesser noble like myself would usually just donate a few silvers. 

As I was reflecting on all this, we finished cleaning up after the cooking, so everyone helped carry the equipment to the nearby Tenion Temple in the plaza. 

By the way, the temple where I visited the head priestess was in the nobles’ quarter. This one was evidently for commoners. 

“Cleaniiing!” 

“Sir!” 

Tama and Pochi made for an adorable sign as they hoisted a long table in the air together. 

“One-two, hup!” Arisa was directing them by waving a stick in the air. 

“I’m sorry you wound up helping us clean, too.” 

“It’s no trouble at all; don’t worry.” 

I was just having a normal conversation with Sara, Mia. You didn’t need to kick me in the butt. 

Lulu walked by carrying a heavy-looking stockpot as if it weighed next to nothing. Thanks to the benefits of leveling up, even Lulu was stronger than the average adult male now. 

“Look up there!” 

“It’s Lady Ringrande!” 

The pair of young temple knights exclaimed and pointed at the sky. 

Ah, this feels like déjà vu. 

I looked up to see a familiar flying wooden horse with a lovely woman aboard descending toward us. 

“Sister Rin…” 

Sara scrunched up her face in a childish pout, an unusual expression for her. 

As the cheers of “Ringrande!” started up around us, Sara frowned and pulled me by the hand into the temple storehouse. The other kids panicked and followed behind us, still holding the cooking equipment. 

“Lady Sara, don’t you want to greet your elder sister?” 

“N-not really. I left the house of Duke Ougoch, after all…” 

I wanted to try to mediate between the sisters, but Sara wasn’t having any of it. I guess she really wasn’t too fond of her older sister. 

“Sara! There you are!” 

Bursting through the door of the temple and into the storehouse, Miss Ringrande called out to Sara with a huge smile. 

Miss Ringrande, on the other hand, seemed to love her little sister. 

“You’ve gotten so big since I last saw you! You used to be so small— Oh? Is that Satou?” 

Miss Ringrande stopped in the middle of her attempt at friendly conversation with her sister and stared at me. Then her eyes flicked over my hand, still joined with Sara’s. 

Arisa’s and Mia’s intense, reproachful stares had probably drawn her attention. 

The rest of the group had already gone back to helping with the equipment, but Arisa and Mia had stayed behind as chaperones. 

“Satou, you’re awfully close with my sister, aren’t you?” 

“Satou… Have you and Sister Rin met before?” 

Miss Ringrande and Sara were both gazing at me intently. 

…Huh? What is this, a soap opera? 

I couldn’t keep my heart from pounding at being interrogated by two beautiful sisters, but I forced myself to calmly answer them in turn. 

“I became acquainted with Lady Ringrande when she briefly landed on the ship we took to the old capital.” 

“Come now, why be so reserved after the exciting encounter we had on that ship?” 

Miss Ringrande’s response to my simple explanation was just begging to be misinterpreted. 

“……E-exciting encounter…?” Sara repeated. 

She was starting to glare at her sister like a mortal enemy, so I hastily intervened. 

“Yes, we had a practice duel on the deck.” 

“Yes, and then you treated me to some of your delicious cooking, remember? It was on par with the cuisine of the royal castle or the Saga Empire’s imperial court.” 

Sara had started to look relieved until her sister added more superfluous details. 

“W-was it, by any chance, that transparent soup…?” 

“No, that takes much too long to make.” 

“I see…” 

Sara’s expression softened again, and her grip on my hand relaxed a little. 

“Transparent soup? Is that the consommé soup that Father asked you to make for the next evening party?” 

Come on—can’t we move on from this topic already? 

Unfortunately, I couldn’t simply ignore the words of a member of the duke’s family; I nodded reluctantly. 

“An evening party, you say…?” 

Sara furrowed her brow, conflicted. 

She probably wanted to eat it, but since she’d relinquished her status as a noble, she might have a hard time participating in the party. 

As a friend, I decided to throw her a line. 

“I was thinking of bringing consommé soup next time I visit the Tenion Temple, too. Do you think the head priestess and everyone would like it?” 

“Yes, of course! I’m sure they’ll all be thrilled!” 

She accepted my suggestion with high enthusiasm. 

I didn’t think the head priestess could eat much, but she should be able to handle some soup. 

This time, it was Miss Ringrande who was acting a little sullen at being left out. 

“Satou, are you after my sister? Sara left home to join the temple because she didn’t like living as a noble, you know. If you’re trying to use her to get ahead in society, you’ll have to fight me first!” 

“Sister Rin!” 

Sara’s lovely eyes widened at her sister’s challenge. 

It didn’t seem like she really harbored any ill will toward Ringrande, so I smiled at her before answering the accusation. 

“Lady Ringrande, there is no need to worry about any such thing. I consider Lady Sara a dear friend, but I would never harbor such high aspirations.” For good measure, I added, “And I don’t want to get ahead in society, either.” 

“I see… Very well, then.” 

Ringrande didn’t seem entirely convinced. She was probably still sorting out her emotions. 

Sara, meanwhile, smiled bashfully when she heard the words dear friend. As the granddaughter of a duke and a chosen Oracle priestess, she most likely found friendships only rarely. 

“I’ll believe you, at least for now. So, how did you get so close to Sara, anyway?” 

“I was appointed to be Lady Sara’s guide during her visit to the Muno Barony, and we eventually became close after that.” 

“Close…” Both Ringrande and Sara muttered. 

Though they were repeating the same word, their expressions were very different. 

Sara cracked a small smile, while Miss Ringrande had the wariness of a mother bear protecting its young. 

Hmm. Maybe I should have phrased that a little more carefully? 

“Lady Sara! Come quickly! The prince! His Highness Prince Sharorik draws near!” 

The priestess burst into the room, dispelling any minor regrets on my part. 

What could that dangerous prince possibly want with Sara? 

Considering his general attitude toward women, I was a little worried.