Louise was seated in the east courtyard of the Academy of Magic, commonly known as Austri, and frantically knitting. The spring weather was beginning to change as summer approached, but Louise could still be seen in her spring clothing. Even during the summer, it was quite dry instead of humid.
Ten days had passed since they had returned from Albion. Today was a day off. Without even eating dessert, Louise came to the courtyard after her meal to knit. Sometimes, she would give her hands a rest and stare at the white pages of the Founderâs Prayer book while thinking of a fitting edict for the Princessâs ceremony.
Around her, students were enjoying themselves. There was a group playing with a ball. Using magic, they would throw the ball into a basket without using their hands and try to score the most points. Staring at the group of people, Louise sighed heavily and looked at what she had started to knit.
Looking at the scene from the side, it was much like a painting. Sitting there quietly, Louise looked like a beautiful girl. Louiseâs hobby was knitting. When she was small, her mother told her that if she had no talent for magic, she should at least have something she was good at, and so her mother had taught her how to knit.
But it seemed like the heavens did not give Louise any talent in knitting. Louise had planned to knit a sweater. However, regardless of how favorably she looked upon it, it looked more like a distorted muffler. Actually it was more like an object complicatedly entangled with wool. Louise stared bitterly at the object and let out another sigh.
The face of the maid working in the kitchen resurfaced in her mind. Louise knew that she was making food for Saito. Saito thought Louise didnât know, but she was not completely oblivious.
That girl can cook well. Kirche has good looks. What do I have? Harboring these thoughts, she decided to try her hobby, knitting, but it seems like it wasnât such a good choice.
Just as she was becoming slightly depressed from staring at the thing she was knitting, someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was Kirche. Panicking, Louise quickly hid what she was knitting with the Founderâs Prayer Book.
âWhat are you doing Louise?â
Kirche gave her usual smile that seemed like she was looking down on her, and sat next to Louise.
âC-Canât you see? Iâm reading.â
âBut, that book is blank, isnât it?â
âThis book is a national treasure called the Founderâs Prayer Book, you know?â, said Louise
âWhy do you have a national treasure?â
Louise explained to Kirche that at Henriettaâs wedding ceremony, she was to read out the edict and how she was to use the Founderâs Prayer Book, and so on.
âI see. Iâm guessing that the Princessâs wedding ceremony has something to do with the journey to Albion?â
Louise considered whether to answer Kirche truthfully or not, but since Kirche had acted as a decoy so that they could go on ahead, she nodded.
âWe risked our lives so that the Princessâs wedding could proceed smoothly? Not a very prestigious task⌠So, basically it has something to do with the alliance between Tristain and Germania announced the other day?â
Kirche was quite sharp.
âDonât say anything to anyone about it,â said Louise with a slightly discouraged expression.
âOf course I wonât. Iâm not Guiche you know. Our two native countries have become allies. We should try and get along from now on. Right, La Vallière?â
Kirche put her hands on Louiseâs shoulders and smiled, almost purposefully.
âDid you hear? Albionâs new government proposed a non-aggression treaty. Cheers to the peace that we brought about.â
Louise replied half heartedly. For the sake of this peace, Henrietta had to marry a prince whom she didnât even love. You could say that she had no choice, but it wasnât something to be happy about.
âBy the way, what were you knitting?â
Louise blushed deeply.
âI-I wasnât knitting anything.â
âYou were. Itâs here, right?â
Kirche grabbed it from under the Founderâs Prayer Book.
âHey, give it back!â
Louise was trying to take it back, but Kirche easily restrained her.
âWhat is it?â asked Kirche, dumbfounded while looking at the object.
âI-Itâs a sweater.â
âA sweater? It looks more like a starfish. And a new species at that.â
âAs if I would knit something like that!â
Louise finally snatched her knitting back, and looked downwards, embarrassed.
âWhy are you knitting a sweater?â
âNone of your business.â
âThatâs ok. I know why anyway.â
Kirche put her hands on Louiseâs shoulders again and approached her face.
âYou were knitting it for your familiar werenât you?â
âN-No! I would never do such a thing!â cried Louise, with a bright red face.
âYouâre really easy to understand you know. You like him, right? Why?â, asked Kirche while looking into Louiseâs eyes.
âI-I donât like him. You're the one who likes him. That idiot doesnât have any good qualities.â
âYou know Louise, when you lie, youâre earlobes shake. Did you know that?â
Louise quickly grabbed her earlobes. Realizing that it was a lie, she returned her hands to her knees in a flustered manner.
âA-Anyhow, I wonât give him to you. Heâs my familiar anyway.â
Kirche laughed and said, âItâs good that you want him for yourself. But I'm not the one you are worrying about, I think.â
âWhat do you mean?â
âUm⌠perhaps that kitchen maid?â
Louiseâs eyes shifted.
âHeh, so I was right?â
âN-Not reallyâŚâ
âIf you go to your room now, you might see something interesting.â
Louise stood up quickly.
âI thought you didnât like him?â Said Kirche in a playful tone.
âI only forgot something!â cried Louise while dashing off.
Saito was cleaning the room. He had to sweep the floor with a broom, and wipe the tables with a cloth. As Louise had recently been doing her own laundry as well as other things related to her appearance, Saitoâs work was reduced to cleaning.
Cleaning was done very quickly. Louiseâs room didnât have many things in the first place, a small desk with drawers next to the closet, a table with a small vase containing a small plant, two chairs at a table, her bed and her bookshelf. As Louise was a fairly studious person, her bookshelf was lined with thick books.
He took one of the books down. It had characters that he had never seen before. Well of course, thought Saito as he put it back. But, why was he able to communicate with Louise then? Their language was different, and yet they were able to understand each other.
âWhatâs wrong partner?â asked Derflinger who was leaning against the wall of the room.
âDerf! Why do I understand what youâre saying?â asked Saito as he rushed to Derflinger.
âWell, if you didnât understand, we would be in a bit of a pickle.â
âI come from a different world. And despite that Iâm still able to understand your language. I donât understand why!â
Saito remembered the person who was saved by Old Osman around thirty years ago. He was a person from his world. It seems like he and Osman had spoken with each other.
âHow did you come to Halkeginia anyway partner?â
âIâm not sure myself⌠there was strange gate giving off this lightâŚâ
âThen I would think that the answer has something to do with that gate.â Said Derflinger, as though it were nothing important.
âWhat exactly was that gate then?â
âDunno.â
Saito was a bit surprised.
âYouâre a legendary sword and yet you donât know anything. You should know a bit more since youâre legendary. Like, how to get me homeâŚâ Said Saito bitterly.
âIâm forgetful and not really interested anyway. Canât rely on legends too much.â
Someone knocked on the door. Who could it be? If it was Louise, she wouldnât knock. Itâs probably Guiche or Kirche? âItâs not lockedâ Said Saito.
The door opened and Siesta popped her head in.
âS-Siesta.â
âUmmâŚâ
She was in her usual maid uniform but looked slightly different. Her done up silky black hair dangled on her forehead and the freckles on her face emitted some charm. She was holding a large silver tray, filled with food.
âUm, you havenât come to the kitchen recentlyâŚâ
Saito nodded. As Louise let him eat whatever he wanted to, he visited the kitchen less often.
âSo I was worried that you might be hungryâŚâ Siesta said nervously.
Seeing her cute gestures, Saitoâs heart started throbbing.
âT-Thanks. But, Louise lets me eat at the table now, so I havenât really been hungry.â
âReally? Iâve been serving the teachers table recently so I didnât notice. If Iâm just being nuisance thenâŚâ
Siesta hung her head slightly.
âN-No, thatâs not it at all! Iâm really happy that you brought me food! Iâm actually hungry right now!â Said Saito, even though he was full from eating at the Alviss dining hall just a while ago.
âReally?â
Siestaâs face brightened.
âWell, eat to your heartâs content.â
The small table was crammed full of food. Siesta sat next to Saito, smiling. Saito started to hate himself for eating so much before, but he couldnât just let Siestaâs good intentions go to waste. Determined, he started to eat the food.
âIs it good?â asked Siesta.
âYeah, itâs really good.â
He wasnât lying, but it would have been even better if he had been hungry.
âEhehe, eat all you want then.â
Siesta gazed at Saito who was eating in a hungry fashion.
âOh sorry, my table mannersâŚâ
âN-No, itâs not that! Itâs the opposite. Iâm really happy that you like the food so much! The food and the cooks would be really happy!â
Blushing, she wiped her eyes with her hands. Siesta was cute like that. Saito couldnât taste the flavor of the food anymore.
âI made that one,â said Siesta in a shy voice.
âReally?â
âYeah. It was difficult to make it in the kitchen, but because youâre eating it, Iâm glad I did it.â
Saito felt his heart tense up. Siesta was thinking of me. Me of all people. He lost himself within his thoughts. The atmosphere between them was very tense. Siesta suddenly said in a flustered tone, âS-Saito!â
âY-Yes?â
âUmm.â
Siesta paused, as if trying to choose the right words.
âThat talk, that we had before, was a lot of fun! Especially about that thing! Um, what was it called? Oh, the airplane!â
Saito nodded. Saito had talked to Siesta about his world and Japan in the bath. Siesta, coming from a village, didnât know much about the world and was able to grasp what Saito had said as though they were things from another country.
âAh, the airplane.â
âYes! Being able to fly without magic must be wonderful! So even commoners like us, can fly freely in the sky like birds?â
âIsnât there an airship?â
âIt only hovers.â
âMy village is actually a very nice place. Itâs called Tarbes. Itâs about three days from here by horse, in the direction of La Rochelle."
Saito listened intently while eating the food.
âItâs a very remote village and thereâs nothing really special there but⌠it has a very spacious and beautiful field. During the spring, the spring flowers bloom and during the summer, the summer flowers bloom. Itâs like a sea of flowers, as far as the eye can see, past the horizon. It should be very beautiful at the momentâŚâ Said Siesta, eyes closed as if she were drowning in memories.
âI want to look at that sea of flowers just once in an airplane.â
âSounds niceâŚâ
âOh, why didnât I think of it before!â cried Siesta who suddenly grasped Saitoâs hand.
Surprised, Saito nearly fell backwards.
âW-What?â
âDo you want to visit my village Saito?â
âHuh?â
âThe princess is getting married right? Thereâs a special holiday for us. Itâs been quite a long time since Iâve returned to the village⌠If itâs ok, please come. I want to show you that beautiful field of flowers. My village has this really nice way of cooking stew as well. Itâs called "Yosenabe". Itâs made from vegetables that people donât usually use. I really want to let you taste it!â
âW-Why do you want me to come?â
ââŚYou showed me that thereâs a possibility,â said Siesta, nervously looking downwards.
âA possibility?â
âYes. A possibility that even commoners can win against nobles. We live in fear of the nobles. Knowing that there are people who don't live like that makes me happy, as if their happiness was my happiness. Everyone in the kitchen believes that as well.â
âI want to show such a person to my hometownâŚâ said Siesta.
âI-I seeâŚâ
Saito felt embarrassed. Iâm not great or anything. Occasionally Iâm a legendary familiar, but thatâs all. Itâs not something to be praised over.
âOf course, itâs not only that. I also want to show Saito the village⌠But, if I bring a man back suddenly, my family will be shocked. What should I doâŚâ
Suddenly Siesta blushed deeply and whispered, âI can just say youâre my husband.â
âW-What?â
âIf I say itâs because weâre getting married, theyâll be happy. My mother, father, brother and sister will all be happy.â
âSiesta?â
When Siesta glanced at Saito, who was staring at her dumbfounded, she shook her head.
âSorry! That will be troublesome! I'm not sure if you'll even come! Haha!â
Embarrassed, Saito replied, âS-Siesta, youâre really bold sometimes. Like when we took a bath.â
Siesta blushed once again.
âIâm not being bold or anything.â
âEh?â
âWhen I left home, my mother told me to not show anyone my body except to my chosen man.â
And with that, Siesta reached out and grasped Saitoâs hand. Saitoâs heart beat very loudly.
âI would have showed you if you simply asked.â
Siesta continued looking into Saito. Stop, Saito thought, feeling as though he were being drawn into those black eyes.
âThen why didnât you do anything when we were taking a bath?â
Siesta hid her eyes sadly.
Ah, donât look like that, Iâll feel as though Iâve done something very bad.
ââŚI see, Iâm not attractive. You have such a cute girl with you tooâŚThat La Vallière is a noble too. Iâm just a village girl after all.â Said Siesta sadly, sighing.
âNo, itâs not like that at all!â
âSaito.â
âYouâre really attractive. I can guarantee it. You look stunning without clothes on.â
Normally those words would get him beaten up, but Siesta was glad.
She had been wondering whether to bring in the dessert or not. While Saito was rambling on, she closed her eyes and stood up. With a deep breath, she let her apron fall to the ground.
âSiesta!â Said Saito, shocked.
Siesta looked at him calmly. She was the kind of person who would do something well once she had decided to do it. She started to undo the buttons on her blouse one by one.
âSiesta! I donât think itâs a good idea!â cried Saito, shaking his head.
âDonât worry.â
Her blouse was half undone. Her well-sized cleavage captured Saitoâs vision. Saito sprang at Siesta, but suddenly found himself shaking his head, crying, âW-Wait! Wait a moment! I have to think about something like this!â
âKya!â
Siesta, whom Saito was grasping by the shoulders, lost her balance and fell onto Louiseâs bed behind them, as if Saito had pushed her down.
âSorryâŚâ
Directly below Saito, Siesta lay with her blouse undone. Siesta put her hands on her chest and closed her eyes.
With superb timing, Louise had opened the door.
Within ten seconds, various things occurred.
One: Louise noticed that Siesta was pushed onto the bed by Saito. Two: Louise noticed that Sieta's blouse was undone. Three: Saito and Siesta stood up flustered. Six: Siesta buttoned up her blouse. Seven: Siesta dashed out of the room, facing away from Louise. Eight: Saito cried, âWait Siesta!â Nine: Louise regained herself. Ten: Just as Saito was about to explain what had happened, he felt an intense pain as Louise high kicked him.
And with that, Saito was lying on the floor ten seconds after Louise opened the door.
Louise stepped on Saitoâs head. Her voice and body were shaking.
âWhat exactly were you doing?â
âItâs not what it seems, Louise.â
âWhat were you doing on my bed?â
âItâs a long story, Siesta was bringing me food andâŚâ
âA familiar doing something like that on his masterâs bed. I canât forgive you.â
âItâs not what it seems to be. I didnât plan to do anything like-â
âThat was the last straw.â
Tears started to fall from Louiseâs eyes. Saito stood up and grasped Louiseâs shoulders.
âListen to me, itâs a misunderstanding!â
âEnough already.â
Louise glared at Saito.
âWhat?â
Saito couldnât understand why Louise was so angry. She didnât even like him. It definitely wasnât something to cry about.
âGet out.â
âUm, just then, I didnât mean for it to happenâŚâ
âGet out! Youâre fired!â
Saito was also starting to feel angry. First you summon me, then you fire me? What am I supposed to do?
âIâm fired?â
âYes, youâre fired! Go die in a ditch somewhere!â
Those were harsh words, no matter what he had done. All that, just because he and Siesta were on her bed. We werenât even doing anything. And I thought she was becoming nicer.
âOk, fine.â
âI donât want to see your face ever again!â
Saito grabbed Derflinger and left the room without another word.
Alone in the room, Louise laid on her bed. She put the blanket over her head.
So mean, Louise thought.
It hasnât only been today. When Iâve been having lessons, heâs been bringing that girl in and doing that and I didnât know. I wonât forgive him.
Louise bit her lip. So his feelings for her were all lies. Tears ran down her cheek.
âI hate you... and you even kissed me.â
She whispered the words repeatedly, as if they were meant for herself.
â⌠and you even kissed me.â
While searching for Verdandi, Guiche spotted a tent in the corner of the Vestri courtyard. For some reason a huge kettle was placed next to it. Guiche wondered what the kettle and the tent were for.
It was a crude tent made from a stick and an old rag. There were remains of food, bones and skin from fruits, scattered around. It seemed like someone was living there. His beloved familiar came out of the tent while he was looking at the tent with his head tilted in wonder.
âVerdandi, so youâre here!â
Guiche got on his knees and rubbed the large moleâs cheeks. The mole happily twitched its nose.
âVerdandi, what are you doing here?â
Someone crawled out of the tent and called out to the mole.
âCome here, mole. You and I, we're friends right?â
It was Saito. Disheveled and with a wine bottle in his hand, he was obviously drunk.
âWhat on earth are you doing?â asked Guiche, surprised.
Saito took a sip from the bottle and continued to call out to the mole, ignoring Guiche.
âHey, come here. Youâre the only friend I can trust.â
The large mole, as if it was troubled, looked at both Guiche and Saito.
âVerdandi, donât go over there. Why is Verdandi your friend anyway?â
When Guiche asked that, Saito replied with a dead voice, lying on the ground.
âBecause Iâm a mole. A useless, poor, miserable mole.â
âI donât know what happened, but donât go thinking Verdandi is the same as you.â
Guiche peered inside the tent. Derflinger and, for some reason, Kircheâs salamander were in there.
âKyuru kyuru.â
âWhat do you want?â Each of them said.
There was a pile of straw on the ground, and an upturned cup. That was all that was in the tent.
Guiche turned to Saito.
âSo, you were driven out of Louiseâs room?"
Lying on the floor, Saito nodded.
âAnd so you made this tent?â
Saito nodded again.
âBeing lonely, you gathered peopleâs familiars and got drunk?â
Saito nodded vigorously. Guiche closed his eyes and nodded himself.
âHmm. So youâre a good for nothing.â
âWhat else am I supposed to do? Iâve got no place to go. I donât even have a clue how to get home. I can only drink.â
Saito gulped down the wine. Someone came rushing towards them. It was Siesta.
âOh, Iâm sorry Iâm late. Hereâs your lunch.â
It seemed like this maid from the kitchen was taking care of Saito.
âYouâve drank this much already?! I told you a bottle per day!â Siesta grabbed his hand while scolding him.
âSorryâŚâ
Saito sadly hung his head.
âYou guys! I told you to keep an eye on how much he drank!â
âKyuru kyuru.â
âMy bad,â replied both the salamander and Derflinger in a sorry voice.
Siesta hastily cleaned up the mess around the tent and made Saito stand up.
âIâll come again in the evening! Donât drink too much!â
And then Siesta hurried away in the same fashion she had come.
Watching her leave, Guiche said with an artificial rose in his mouth, âWell, Louise would get angry if you were two timing.â
âIâm not two timing! Iâm not even involved with anyone, neither Louise nor Siesta!â
He had kissed Louise while she was sleeping, but he didnât say that. He would rather forget about it.
âWell whatever, but do you plan on living here?â
âGot a problem?â
âYouâre ruining the school's beautiful scenery.â
âShut up.â
âYouâll be told to get out if the teachers see you, you know?â
Saito gulped down his wine without another word, returning to the tent while hugging Guiche's mole. The mole looked desperately at Guiche.
âHey, give me back my Verdandi!â
Meanwhile, Louise had been skipping class and staying in her bed, worrying endlessly. Three days had passed since she drove Saito out. She was thinking about the familiar she drove out.
He even kissed me, he even kissed me, he even kissed me, she thought endlessly. Having your pride hurt is really a terrible thing. She sadly glanced at the haystack that Saito used to use. She wanted to throw it out, but she couldnât bring herself to do it.
Suddenly a knock came from the door. The first thought she had was that Saito had finally returned. Her sadness turned to joy, and within that joy she felt anger. Why am I glad heâs back? I should not let him back in for coming back so late.
The door opened. Louise jumped up and cried angrily.
âIdiot! Where have youâŚeh?â
It was Kirche who had come in. Brushing her flaming hair, she smiled at Louise.
âItâs only me, sorry.â
âWhat are you doing here?â
Louise went back to her bed. Kirche walked briskly to the bed and sat down. She threw away the blanket at once, revealing Louise curled up, sulking, in her negligee.
âYouâve been absent for three days now, so I came to see you.â
Kirche sighed heavily. Having a good conscience really did have its pains. She didnât think Louise would drive him out of the room. She thought it would be good for the two to have a fight and separate from each other a bit, but she didnât think Louise would go this far.
âSo, what are you planning to do, now that youâve driven your familiar out of your room?â
âNone of your business.â
Kirche looked at Louise coldly. On her rosy cheeks, there were rivulet vestiges of tears. She had probably been crying for a while now.
âI knew you were foolishly arrogant and proud but I didnât think you were this cold hearted. They were just eating together.â
âIt wasnât only just that, of all things they were on my bedâŚâ Louise muttered.
âWere they in each otherâs arms?â
Louise nodded. Kirche was quite shocked. To make a move on a girl who came to bring him food⌠Saito was pretty good.
âWell, seeing the guy you like with a girl on your own bed must be quite a shock.â
âI donât like him! Itâs just that they were on my bedâŚâ
âThatâs just an excuse. You drove him out because you like him, and you were angry with him.â
Kircheâs words had hit the mark, yet Louise disagreed and pouted her lips. âI canât say I didnât see it coming. Itâs because you didnât give him anything. Itâs only natural heâd go flirt with another girl.â
Louise remained silent.
âLa Vallière, youâre a strange girl you know. Youâre angry at and crying over a guy who you wonât even kiss. You canât win like thatâŚâ said Kirche in a bored tone while standing up.
âIâll do something about Saito. I was looking forward to taking Saito away from you⌠but you hit him, and kicked him, and drove him out, I actually feel quite sorry for him. Heâs not a toy you know.â
Louise bit her lips.
âA familiar is a mageâs partner. You fail as a mage because you canât treat him properly. Well⌠you are zero after all.â
And with that, Kirche left. Louise didnât reply. She crawled back onto her bed, full of sorrow and regret, and cried like she used to when she was small.
By the time Kirche had come to Saitoâs tent, it was late at night already. Saitoâs drunken voice could be heard within the crude tent. Flameâs âKyuru kyuruâ could also be heard in the tent. It must had come here to play when she had gone out to the streets.
Kirche opened the flap of the tent. The scene inside was disgusting. Guiche had his face buried in his mole, crying. Saito was hugging Flame, while grumbling with a wine bottle in his other hand.
âItâs just like you said! You're an idiot!â shouted Saito. It seems like he had drunk so much he couldnât even articulate properly.
âI didnât even do anything with that Katie. She held my hand, and I had only lightly kissed Montmorency! Despite that, I-!â
Guiche burst into tears. He was the type who cried when he drank. Kirche sighed. Why do men have to be such idiots? Derflinger noticed Kirche and informed Saito.
âGentlemen, thereâs a guest.â
âGuest?â
Saito looked groggily at Kirche.
âKirche?â
âLooks fun, can I join?â Said Kirche, with a smile on her face.
Saito, who couldnât possibly get any more drunk, was angered by the sight of a woman. He faced Kirche.
âThose large tits, if you show me them, you can join.â
Guiche started clapping his hands.
âI absolutely agree! In the name of Tristainâs nobles! I totally agree!â
Instead of replying, Kirche took out her wand and started reciting an incantation.
âLess drunk now?â
Saito and Guiche, who were both sitting straight now, nodded.
Everything around them was scorched. Even they were scorched. Kircheâs fire magic made Saitoâs hair and Guicheâs nice shirt ragged looking. They had heard of water being a good trick to use, but they didnât think fire would work just as well.
âWell then, get ready to leave.â
âGet ready to leave?â
Guiche and Saito looked at each other.
âYes. Hey Saito.â Kirche called him by his name instead of darling.
âWhat?â
âDo you plan on living in a tent for the rest of your life?â
âNo, but⌠I got driven out, and I havenât found a way back home eitherâŚâ
A way back home? Kirche and Guiche looked at each other. Saito suddenly shook his head.
âNo, I mean, that, Rub' in the east!â
âAh, you were born there werenât you?â
Kirche nodded in comprehension. Saito sighed in relief.
While Kirche caressed Saitoâs cheek, she said, âDonât you want to become a noble?â
âA noble?â
Guiche was slightly taken aback.
âBut Kirche, heâs a commoner. He canât be a noble since heâs not a mage.â
âIn Tristain that is. By law, commoners are strictly forbidden to purchase land or become nobles."
âExactly.â
âBut, in Germania itâs different. If you have money, even if youâre a commoner, you can buy land and become a noble, or buy the rights to a position and become a tax collector or a commander.
âAnd thatâs why they call Germania uncivilized.â Said Guiche as though he were feeling sick.
âUncivilized? People who are fussed over traditions and customs like âif youâre not a mage you canât be a nobleâ, which make their country weak, have no right to talk. Itâs the reason why Tristain has to ally with Germania to be able to oppose Albion.
Saito, who had been quietly listening, finally opened his mouth.
âUm, so Kirche. What youâre saying is that I should become a noble through money, in your country?â
âExactly that.â
âI donât have that kind of money. Iâm penniless.â
âThen earn some.â
Kirche tapped Saitoâs face with a bundle of parchment.
âWhatâs that?â
Guiche and Saito looked at the bundle. They seemed like maps.
âTheyâre treasure maps.â
âTreasure?!â Guiche and Saito said, surprised.
âYes, weâre going to go treasure hunting and sell the treasure we find. Saito⌠you can do whatever you want then.â
Saito gulped. Kirche was embracing Saito, with her breasts pushing against him. Saito was shaking as though he was suffocating.
âWhen you become a noble⌠you can propose to me ok? I like guys like you. I donât care if youâre a commoner or a noble. People who can overcome their difficulties and obtain things beyond peopleâs imagination⌠I like people like that.â Said Kirche, who was smiling seductively.
Guiche, who was looking at the map, whispered doubtingly, âNo matter how I look at it, these maps seem a bit suspiciousâŚâ
âI got them from various places like magic shops, stalls, general storesâŚâ
âItâs definitely something dodgy. I know of a few people who just sell ordinary maps, calling them treasure maps. There are even nobles who become bankrupt because of these hoaxes.â
âThat attitude wonât do!â Said Kirche, with her hands clenched into tight fists.
âMost of them might be scrap, but there might be a real one hidden inside there.â
GahâŚGuiche groaned while slapping his forehead.
âSaito, letâs go. Letâs go find treasure and abandon Louise⌠and then youâll propose to me, ok?â
Abandoning Louise⌠that did have a nice ring to it. Nobles⌠they are always so proud, and they even forget about the people who have saved them before. Saito made up his mind.
âAlright, Iâm in. Letâs go!â
Kirche hugged Saito tightly. Suddenly someone burst in.
âNononono, you canât do that!â
âSiesta?â
Before them was Siesta in her maid outfit.
âYou can't marry, Saito!â
Siesta pulled on Saito.
âDonât you wish the man you love to be happy?â
Siesta was taken aback by Kircheâs words and looked at Saito. She suddenly shook her head.
âJust because youâre a noble doesnât necessarily mean youâre happy. You can stay at my village, and buy a vineyard with that money!â
âA vineyard?â
âIn my village, there are a lot of good vineyards! We can make nice wine together! Its brand name could be Saito Siesta!â
Kirche and Siesta were both pulling on Saito. It was the first time in his life that he was fought over by girls. He blushed deeply. This probably wouldnât happen ever again.
âAs if youâd find treasure.â Guiche said in a bored tone.
âGuiche. If we find treasure you can give it to the Princess as a present and perhaps she will see you in a different light.â
Guiche stood up.
âLadies and gentlemen, letâs go.â
âTake me along please!â Siesta called out. If she didnât go along, there would be no doubt that Kirche would seduce Saito.
âNo, you canât. Commoners are just a burden.â
âDonât treat me like an idiot! Even though I look like this, IâmâŚâ
Siesta was shaking. Both her hands were clenched tightly together.
âYes? Go on.â
âI can cook!â
âAs if we didnât know,â everyone said.
âBut, but, meals are important right? While weâre searching for treasure, weâll be camping right? We canât just rely on the food we bring. I could make good food for everyone.â
Well she was right on that point. Guiche and Kirche were both nobles and couldnât stand eating bad food.
âBut you have work to do right? Are you just going to take a break?â
âThe cook always lets me leave if I say Iâm doing something for Saito.â
The head chef really liked Saito; he would probably do exactly as Siesta had said.
âFine, do what you want. But Iâll tell you beforehand, the ruins, forests and caves weâre heading to are dangerous places. There are lots of monsters there.â
âIâll be fine, Saito will protect me!â
And with that, Siesta grabbed Saitoâs arm, leading him to fantasizing about Siestaâs naked breasts pressing against him.
Kirche nodded and turned to everyone.
âAfter the preparations are done weâre heading off!â
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