My own body really was the best.
I grabbed Greed along as I stood up.
[Morning]
『You look chipper this morning.』
[Well, the switcheroo has been resolved, and it seems that we’ll find a clue regarding Myne’s whereabouts today.]
『That so-called philosopher’s stone？』
[Yeah, it’s a fragment of Shinn’s body, isn’t it?]
『That things are scattered all over the world. People seek and consider it as a miracle stone since it could heal the otherwise untreatable wound, but that guise has been dissolved and obsolete now. Fragmenting his body like that, I wonder where he picked up that idea from. 』
『It’s a good idea to use a fragment of Shinn’s body to find him. It is still connected to him after all.』
[Apparently it’ll arrive at Raine’s lab early in the morning. If we examine it, we’ll possibly find Myne’s whereabouts.]
『Is that why you are in such a good mood？』
[Eris really found something on her journey to the mountain city. I knew I can believe in her]
『That girl can be useful sometimes indeed.』
[Well, are you ready?]
『Yes.』
After changing clothes, I absentmindedly hung Greed on my waist.
[Okay, I’m done.]
『Umu.』
When I was about to leave the room, I heard someone knocking on the door.
[Fate-sama, are you awake already?]
[…..I was worried.]
[Sorry. Well, I’m fine now.]
[Yes.]
They were people living in an entirely different world… I was convinced as such.
But after I awakened and finally got close to where they are, I realized that nothing really changed.
So was Mimir. She was betrayed by Rafal and lost her entire family. She was in a delicate situation where she had nowhere to go.
[Pardon me, Fate-sama.]
[There is no need to apologize. Come, let’s have breakfast!]
[Yes! Today is Fate-sama’s favorite sandwich.]
[Hoo!]
[I did my best there, so it shouldn’t lose out to Roxy-sama’s.]
[I’m looking forward to it.]
We went to the dining hall and ate the sandwiches together. Nn!? Heavens…this is delicious!!
[There is chicken meat in it.]
[I know Fate-sama likes chicken meat, so I combined chicken teriyaki and lettuce in it!]
[Genius!]
Praised by me, Shara instead shook her head in disagreement.
[No no, I’m still not there yet! I’m still learning.]
[Eh~, still learning, ey? Then who is the teacher? The orphanage sister?]
Shara was originally from the orphanage, so I thought she learned cooking from the sister. But turned out I was wrong.
[It’s the master of the tavern where Fate-sama usually go to.]
[Eh!? … Oh… for real?]
[Yes. When I told Aaron-sama that I wanted to learn how to cook, he introduced me to the tavern master. That way I’ll also be able to learn about Fate-sama’s favorite dishes.]
I really had no idea… indeed there were times when Shara was not at the mansion nor at the orphanage. As it turns out, she’s learning how to cook from the tavern master during those times.
[About twice a week I would visit the tavern. I also help around as a waitress sometimes]
[Eeeeeeeeeee!]
[Then, would it be okay if I visit the tavern to see how Shara works?]
[That’s… a little…]
[Nn? Is it no good?]
[I’m still training, so please wait a little longer!]
He has a rather rough appearance, so it’s easy for people to misunderstand him at first glance. I still remember how he’d share me extra dishes despite me not having any money.
[But if master says that I’m presentable, then I’ll definitely send an invitation!]
[Yeah… I’ll be looking forward to that time]
[Yes!]
I couldn’t say anything against it as she said it with resolve in her eyes.
[I understand. But please stay where it’s easy for others to see you. It’s a promise, okay?]
[This is a Barbatos family crest, isn’t it?]
[No one will dare to make trouble with the holy knight’s family member. Not to mention one of the five great families.]
[Thank you very much!]
[I’m going, Fate-sama!]
[Be careful on your way.]
『Why do you have such a face? If you don’t want to, you can choose to not do it』
[That’s not it. I just… want to do things properly this time.]
[Mason-sama, good morning]
[Morning, Fate. Is Aaron-sama at home?]
[No, he isn’t. He should be in the palace at the moment.]
[I see…too bad. Maybe another day]
Mason-sama said so while rubbing his chin. He then turned toward me once more and grinned.
[By the way, Fate. Do you have some time to spare for a talk?]
[Talking with me?]
[Of course. I wish to have a talk with the current head of Barbatos family. Or is it a no go?]
[No, I do have time to spare. With pleasure!]
[Thank you.]
Mason-sama did not walked back to Heart mansion, and instead led me to the park on the holy knight residential area.
[My apology. When I returned to the mansion, Roxy and Aisha were already prepared for me.]
[Both of them were just very happy that Mason-sama has returned.]
[I see…]
[Let’s have a seat here]
[Don’t be that tense, please be more at ease.]
[Pardon me.]
[No need to be sorry. I suppose you can’t help it.]
[Mason-sama…]
[I heard that you protected Roxy from the same Tenryu that killed me.]
[That is… I did do that. But…]
I had my own personal goal back then after all. I also had Roxy to help me when I couldn’t do anything about the gluttony skill.
[I want to protect her, but in the end I ended up as the one being protected.]
[Roxy told me otherwise though. She recounted that event with such an excitement. Of course, it’s good in a way.]
[I suppose…]
[After talking to you personally like this, I have more insight about you now. You truly are just as Roxy told me.]
[By that, you mean, in a good way?]
[Of course. In addition to that, you’ve also cured Aisha’s sickness. I can’t thank you enough for that.]
[But I feel that have to. Tenryu killed me in battle without leaving even a tiny fragment. Roxy had to succeed me, and Aisha was struck with an incurable disease. Thanks to this mysterious phenomenon, I was revived and became able to return home, but turns out everything has been solved. When I knew the story, I couldn’t help but to feel relieved and thankful from the bottom of my heart.]
Then his tone and expression changed into a more casual one, despite still holding my hand tightly.
[Speaking of which, I heard from Aisha…that yesterday morning, you pushed both Roxy and Aisha down on the bed? And you even tried to bare your poisonous fangs to the servant, Haru?]
[What!?]
[Let’s talk about that more thoroughly. Let’s sit down again.]
This was…dangerous.
[Well then, pushing my daughter AND my wife down. In my daughter’s room no less! And from what I heard, you also tried to grasp your claws around Haru as well. Fufufufufu…]
[It’s a misunderstanding! Please let me explain!]
[Sure, let’s hear it. Or would you rather let our holy swords do the talking?]
[!?]
