Chapter 3

Perhaps there's no need to hide the gacha skills.

As I was thinking about this, Katrina came out of a nearby building. She stared at me and Ellis for a moment before asking, with a wary look,

"…Crest? Who is that person?"

I had given Ellis permission to stay without much thought, but it might be a concern for the sub-humans.

"My… acquaintance. Katrina, I'm sure no one is using this house, right?"

We had built more houses than necessary, as we didn't know when the number of sub-humans might increase. Moreover, the Dryads like Katrina enjoy building houses and were looking for something to do. I also asked them to make furniture.

"Yeah, it's not being used. I was just adjusting it."

Katrina nodded, and I turned to Ellis.

"That's the case. For now, Ellis can use this place."

"Yes, I understand. I'll take a look inside for a moment."

"Sure, let me know if anything comes up."

Ellis bowed to Katrina and the others before entering the building. Katrina came over and tilted her head.

"Is that person… maybe here for some kind of investigation?"

"I don't know her true intentions… but she's not an enemy. Ellis has excellent skills, just like me. It would be troublesome if she became an enemy."

When I said this, Katrina nodded in understanding.

"I see, I get it. If she can be useful, then it's best to use her, right?"

"…Well, that's a bit of a harsh way to put it, but that's the general idea."

If Ellis were that easy to manipulate, that would be a problem. All I can do is hope nothing troublesome happens. Katrina and the others headed to their next task, and I opened the door to meet Ellis.

Ellis was looking around the house. When she noticed me, she came to the entrance and looked around the room with admiration.

"…This is amazing. The furniture is all in place, and I didn't expect such a house to exist in the lower world."

"I agree. …Why couldn't humans and sub-humans coexist, even though sub-humans have various talents that humans don't have?"

Humans can do things that sub-humans can't, and vice versa. If we had helped each other, life could have been much richer.

"I've heard that people fear the unknown. So, they might have feared such powers, right? In most aspects, sub-humans are stronger if they act normally."

"True."

I still don't know what Ellis is thinking. All I can do is give a wry smile in response to her statement.

"Then, Crest, I look forward to working with you."

"…Yeah, likewise. If I need any help, I'll let you know."

"Of course. I'll do anything for Crest."

I returned her delighted smile, trying not to let it look forced, but it probably did. It might take some time to get used to Ellis.

That night, as I was resting in my room, there was a knock on the door. Since I had no visitors planned, I tilted my head and headed to the entrance. Using my detection magic, I recognized Sphie's mana, so I opened the door. As expected, Sphie was there.

"What's up?"

"I wanted to ask you about the surveillance of Ellis…"

"Did something happen?"

I had asked Sphie to keep an eye on Ellis, though she might not be the best at surveillance. I asked her because there was no one else available.

Livia and Orphe are training at the training facility, and Vanya, Gorga, and Katrina are working on tasks that utilize their racial abilities. So, Sphie was the only one with free time.

"Wasn't that person your ex-fiancée?"

Sphie's expression was a bit stern.

"Yeah, that's right."

"Is there no special relationship now?"

"That's right."

Her question probably stems from her feelings for me, but I don't know how serious her feelings are.

"So, does that mean I have the best chance?"

"The best right now is Livia. …Anyway, stop ranking people like that. Is that all you wanted to report?"

"That's all."

It has nothing to do with Ellis's surveillance at all. Since I was curious, I had to ask Sphie.

"…Was Ellis calm?"

That's what I'm most concerned about. Knowing Ellis from the upper world, I was worried about this.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Did she, like, suddenly start stomping on sub-humans or something?"

"Is she the type to do that? We were walking around the town together, but she didn't do anything like that."

"…Do you know what surveillance means?"

"It's easier to be together."

I had planned for her to watch from a distance, but if they're getting along, that's fine too.