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“By the way, why does Oji-san go to see Plumbum every day?” (Sakura)
In the evening salon.
From the flow of an unremarkable conversation, Sakura asked me such a thing.
“Why?” (Ryouta)
“No, I mean, why doesn’t that person —- the spirit —- come here? You see–” (Sakura)
Sakura pointed to the group of spirits, including Aurum, who was frozen in place some distance away.
Centered around Aurum, Nihonium and Vanadium, who are spirits, Sakuya, who is a priestess from the east, Mike, who is a unique monster, and Yuki, who is very hard to sum up in one word, are all frozen together.
“Even the spirits, you know, some of them come here after Oji-san has done a lot. I thought it would be easier to bring them here rather than going to see them every day.” (Sakura)
“Oh, you mean that.” (Ryouta)
Sakura has recently joined the family.
On the contrary, she had only recently transferred to this world, so she didn’t know anything about the Plumbum incident.
“Plumbum is a bit like …… Aurum.” (Ryouta)
“What is this? What’s wrong with me?” (Aurum)
Aurum heard us and came over to us.
Although she is a spirit, she has horns on her head reminiscent of the devil, and she wears black gothic lolita clothes, so she looks like the devil himself!
In the meantime, Aurum’s friendly and carefree nature is similar to Alice’s, which is why they hit it off with each other.
“We were just talking about how much Aurum and Plumbum are alike.” (Ryouta)
“About that. Well, I guess it’s not just me, but that’s how all spirits work.” (Aurum)
“That’s true.” (Ryouta)
“??? Oji-san, please don’t keep us in suspense when I’m asking questions.” (Sakura)
“Hmm? Ah my bad. Let’s see, …… where should I start? First of all, a quick summary is that all spirits have their own particulars.” (Ryouta)
“Particulars?” (Sakura)
“Yes, and they are strong. For example, let’s say someone who likes rice.” (Ryouta)
“Mmm-hmm?” (Sakura)
“If that person is a spirit, they only eat white rice 365 days a year.” (Ryouta)
“Huh?” (Sakura)
“Of course they don’t eat anything else, not even side dishes, not even furikake or salt. It’s really just ‘rice’.” (Ryouta)
“Heh…….are all spirits like that?” (Sakura)
“Yeah.” (Ryouta)
I nodded clearly.
“For Aurum, it’s that she wants to see the outside world.” (Ryouta)
“Yeah.” (Sakura)
“Tenessinne is a tsundere and wants to let people into his dungeon anyway.” (Ryouta)
“There’s a tsundere!” (Sakura)
That’s where you’re going with this.
“Carbon wants to be in ‘A Trial’.” (Ryouta)
She’s always looking at me from a little outside the salon, in the shadow of the entrance, like a giant star.
“That’s how it is, all spirits have some kind of strong commitment.” (Ryouta)
“I see. …… So, in the case of Plumbum, she wants you to come and see Oji-san?” (Sakura)
“That’s basically it.” (Ryouta)
In Plumbum’s case, it’s because the person who promised to come back to see her a long time ago didn’t keep her promise, and that’s why she wants him to come back to see her.
“I see. I was wondering why you had to see her every day, but that’s what it means.” (Sakura)
“So that’s what it is.” (Ryouta)
“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.” (Sakura)
“That makes sense?” (Ryouta)
From the way the conversation was going, it was normal for the word ‘convincing’ to be applied to Plumbum, but the way Sakura said it, it sounded like she meant something else.
“What are you convinced of?” (Ryouta)
“This.” (Sakura)
Sakura held up the palm of her hand with the fingertips together, showing me the back of her hand.
More precisely, she showed me the back of her hand in a way that emphasized the ring she was wearing.
“You know, this ring, Aurum-chan doesn’t want it at all right?” (Sakura)
“I don’t want it!” (Aurum)
“Carbon-chan looks like she wants it, but her eyes say she’s excited that she’s not getting it.” (Sakura)
“You’re asking a dangerous person, so don’t do it.” (Ryouta)
No, really.
As Sakura pointed out, it could be “this ordeal that I’m not getting”, but I felt sorry for her for saying it like that.
“……” (Sakura)
“Hmm?” (Ryouta)
For some reason, Sakura glanced at the other group at a distance.
It’s the merchant group, with Elza and Ena at the centre.
It is the third group of the family, after the adventurers and spirits.
She glanced at them, then turned to me again.
“Hey, Oji-san, since we’re here, how about we give you more trials?” (Sakura)
“More trials? For Carbon?” (Ryouta)
“Yes, she’s the only one here who hasn’t got a ring. Oh, and no Mike or Cerberus. Only one of the girls got a ring.”
Bam!
I hear a noise and turn around.
Carbon, who had been sitting in the shadows looking at me, leaned forward, her eyes bloodshot.
“See?” (Sakura)
“Hmm. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to react to that.” (Ryouta)
“But you seem happy about it.” (Sakura)
“But it’s not like it’s one of us.” (Ryouta)
“What are you talking about, Oji-san, it’s just like Plumbum. If you look at it another way, she’s the only one who’s not allowed in the house.” (Sakura)
“…… I see, you have a point.” (Ryouta)
Then again, maybe we should be more proactive in responding to Carbon’s wishes.
I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to respond to …… abnormal requests, but I think it’s a good idea.
“Ah, it doesn’t have to be this ring.” (Sakura)
“Huh?” (Ryouta)
“I think it’s a good idea to divide the groups into two groups: the spirit group’s ring and the merchant group’s ring. Like say getting Elza a diamond ring resembling a wedding ring.” (Sakura)
“I see.” (Ryouta)
I think I kind of understand Sakura’s concern.
The ring the girls are wearing has a market value of almost 30 million Piro.
I guess it means that they don’t all have to be so expensive in order to live up to Carbon.
“That’s fine, isn’t it?” (Sakura)
“Yeah, I could buy something like that with the rest of my money right now.” (Ryouta)
“Because. Elza-san, please make arrangements. Aurum and the others are toy rings, and Elza-san and the others are engagement rings.” (Sakura)
“Oh, ……, Uhmm……, ……,Uhh …….” (Elza)
“Good for you!” (Ena)
Elza is puzzled, and Ena is next to her, poking her best friend with her elbow, teasing her in her usual way.
What does that mean? I thought to myself.
“A-Alright. I’ll get it right away.” (Elza)
“Sorry, please.” (Ryouta)
“Yes.” (Elza)
And that was the end of the ring talk.
It was a funny thing to see Carbon huffing and puffing with increasing excitement, but it was proof that she was happy, so it was good.
“Thank you, Sakura-chan …….” (Elza)
“You’re welcome♪” (Sakura)