Chapter 47

It was night. I entered the bath for the second time today. The bathhouse was in a separate building, and it had a hot spring.

The village chief said it was fine for the eagle-lion to bathe as well. He was very generous.

Amelia seemed to have really taken a liking to the bath. I was a bit worried she might throw a tantrum since we can't take baths at the dormitory.

I would have to seriously consider moving. Amelia is growing every day.

As a contractor, I need to provide a comfortable living environment.

After getting out of the bath, I decided to consult with Rieselotte.

The accommodation provided for the night was the village's only lodging facility.

One of the three independent lodging buildings was provided for the female squad members.

Inside, there was only a bed and a simple washroom. A mosquito net hung from the ceiling to keep insects away. There was something like a mud catfish pack in the washroom. It must be a local specialty.

Vice Captain Berry was already asleep, saying she had to get up early tomorrow.

The light from the corner lamp at the end of the room was brighter than the ones in the capital. It must be due to the fuel. I thought I would ask someone about it later.

I felt bad about waking Vice Captain Berry, but I decided to consult with Rieselotte.

"--- About the living arrangements with the eagle-lion?"

"Yes."

Rieselotte's eyes widened as she replied, "Why don't you come to my house?"

I hesitated, saying it was a bit much, and she pressed me for a reason.

"The mansion of the marquis has spacious rooms, a garden, and even a bath. Is there something you're not satisfied with?"

"No, not really."

The dissatisfaction is with the noble uncle of the marquis. He would surely nitpick and nag about my life like a mother-in-law. However, I couldn't say that to Rieselotte, his daughter.

"Your family and the servants understand about the幻兽, and they know how to behave. I don't think there's a better environment in the capital than the marquis's house."

"That's true. But---"

Well, never mind!

Thinking that, I decided to be honest.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not really comfortable with the marquis."

When I said that, Rieselotte's eyes widened. An awkward silence followed, and I couldn't bear it, so I apologized again.

"No, it's fine. I was just surprised, but you're right. Father was cruel to you---to you all. I was also shocked by that brawl."

It seems Rieselotte was at the port that day. She said she couldn't make a proper judgment due to the conflict with the knights.

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine."

The Bureau of Mythical Creatures also had reasons to be angry. It wasn't related to our Second Expeditionary Force, but they had apologized, and I had let it go.

The conversation returned to the living arrangements with Amelia.

"Then, how about my maternal grandmother's mansion?"

"The one where Zara's lynx is staying?"

"Yes. You know it well. You're quick."

Rieselotte's maternal grandmother's house is also a famous lover of mythical creatures, one of the top five noble families in the country.

"But, my grandmother dislikes people and doesn't like having guests at her house---"

I see.

By the way, the current viscount is Rieselotte's uncle. Her grandfather passed away ten years ago.

Currently, he lives in the viscount's mansion with the lynx.

"During his lifetime, he received part of the property and the mansion from my grandfather."

It's a two-hundred-year-old mansion, and the new eccentric viscount was happy to hand it over.

"The mansion being in the outskirts of the capital was also something my uncle didn't like. It's inconvenient."

"I see, there were such circumstances."

The mansion is in the forest, about an hour's carriage ride from the city.

"Hmm, an hour, huh?"

"But, once the eagle-lion grows and can fly, it will take less than half the time to travel."

"Oh, that's true."

Amelia has wings. However, she doesn't seem to be able to fly yet, which is a bit concerning.

I asked Amelia, who was curled up at my feet.

"Amelia, can you fly yet?"

"Quu~"

It seems she's not sure yet. Indeed, if she could fly, she would have done so already.

"Then, if you can fly, will you let me ride on your back?"

"Quu!"

I think that's a yes.

I patted her head and thanked her in advance.

"The problem is the grandmother, though."

"Yes... She's kind to me, but she's strict with other relatives and strangers---"

"So even family members have a hard time with her."

"Yes, it seems so."

But, maybe Zara is different. She has been taking care of the lynx for Rieselotte since she came to the capital, especially during night shifts and busy times.

"Then, I'll ask her first. I might also ask for Zara Arts' help."

"Understood. Thank you very much."

I thought the conversation was over, but Rieselotte was still looking at me intently.

"Still, you're quite mysterious. I've been wondering about this for a while."

"Huh?"

"You're an elf, yet you can't use magic at all."

I was speechless.

Elves are often rumored to be symbols of wisdom and magic.

"I'm a stray elf, deviating from the mainstream of elves."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't have magic power, to begin with."

"Really?!"

"That's right."

In the Forest Elf village, a medical practitioner measures the magic power of newborns.

I was an exceptional case with no magic power.

"Wasn't it a measurement error?"

"No, the doctor is very reliable."

"I see."

I said I didn't mind, but the atmosphere became heavy. I regretted it.

After that, there was no conversation, and time just passed.

"Oh, right."

"?"

Rieselotte seemed to remember something and started searching in her bag. She then presented me with a small, round candy wrapped in silver paper.

"What's this?"

"Chocolate."

It's apparently processed to prevent melting.

"Thank you."

I thought I would eat it later, but she told me to eat it now.

"Eh, but if I eat something sweet at this hour, I'll get---"

"Just eat it."

"U, okay."

I was a bit scared to disobey, so I decided to eat it.

When I opened the silver paper, a smooth chocolate appeared. I was surprised it hadn't melted despite the heat.

It was surprisingly heavy for its size.

"What's this?"

"It's an emergency ration I carried with me. It has a citrus flavor and is quite delicious."

"Ah."

I didn't want to eat it all at once, so I tried to take a small bite, but it was hard. So, I decided to eat it all.

Since I couldn't bite it, I tried to melt it in my mouth, but it didn't melt.

So, I bit it into small pieces.

The texture was crunchy, with no smoothness at all. The citrus aroma was delicate and elegant. It wasn't overly sweet, which was a new experience.

"Still, it's a mysterious chocolate."

"Yes. I think it's because it doesn't contain any dairy products to improve the mouthfeel. It's a wonderful, additive-free chocolate, and it's my favorite."

"I see."

Apparently, chocolate melts because it contains dairy products. By thoroughly excluding them, you can create a chocolate that doesn't melt in the heat.

At first, I was surprised by its hardness, but the taste was quite addictive. The rich aroma of chocolate was also wonderful.

It seems to be sold in a chocolate specialty store in the capital, so we decided to go buy some together next time.

"That's good."

Rieselotte muttered.

"Huh?"

"You're feeling better."

That's when I realized. Rieselotte gave me the chocolate to cheer me up.

I was so happy that I almost cried.