Chapter 43

The next day. After waking up and having breakfast, I started working on the underdrawing for the Alicorn.

At the breakfast table, when asked about my progress, I said, "I think Phoenix is better than Alicorn, don't you?" and received a nod with a broad smile. Yes. So, the Phoenix will be handed over to the people of the Giolence family. It's decided.

Then, I returned to the basement and the first thing I drew was a gemstone.

...Yes. Not an Alicorn or a Phoenix, but the gemstone that would become their home. That comes first.

The teacher had said, "Got it, Togo. You should prepare what you can beforehand. Especially containers and spaces, you need to create them in advance." By the way, at that time, the teacher was buying a bookshelf and then tidying up the room to make space for it.

Then the teacher also said, "If you start making the rope after seeing the thief, the sense of crisis won't be conveyed. If you want to convey this sense of crisis to future generations, you should say, 'I bought the bookshelf and then tidied up the room,' or rather, 'I pooped and then built the toilet.' Yes, put the toilet talk aside, but you should create the 'container' or 'space' properly before starting."

For the Alicorn of Laocles, I drew a pale golden stone. The color of lightning. Or rather, the color of light.

...I hesitated a bit, considering purple. There's a word 'purple lightning,' so I thought a creature that carries lightning might be better in that color.

But I thought this color suited Laocles better, so I chose gold. A transparent, golden stone.

Then, for the Phoenix, I drew an orange stone. The color of Carnelia's eyes. The color of mikan preserves or honey-soaked oranges, that kind of feeling.

...I hesitated a bit, but I decided to present the Phoenix's gemstone as a pendant. I thought I needed some pretext to give it to Carnelia.

But... no, let's stop there. It's not good to think too much. I shouldn't think about whether it's right to give such an expensive accessory to a 9-year-old girl.

"Carnelia! Can I come in?"

"Sure."

Just as I started the underdrawing for the Alicorn, Carnelia came in.

...And she beamed at the sight of the underdrawing.

"Wow! It's an Alicorn!"

"Yep."

"Isn't Togo a summoner? Are you a painter?"

"I'm both, and neither."

Carnelia let out a "Hmm," a sound that didn't quite convey whether she understood or not, as she gazed at the Alicorn I was drawing.

"...Oh? What about this one? Why is the paper soaked in water?"

Then, she tilted her head at the water-soaked paper for the Phoenix.

"Well... I'm soaking the paper in water and then stretching it tightly on a board. When it dries, it's less likely to warp or wrinkle when I apply watercolor later."

"Oh... I see! I once played with colored water using flowers from the garden! But when I painted it on paper, it wrinkled."

Yes, I understand. Especially when you paint water on paper that isn't made for watercolor, it can warp terribly.

When I was in elementary school, I used to paint with watercolors on non-watercolor paper in art class... Now that I think about it, it was really difficult.

"Wow. So you paint like this."

"Yep."

It seemed that the process of watercolor painting was new to her. She looked around with sparkling eyes and let out sighs of admiration.

"...Oh? But where did you get these tools? I don't think we had these at home."

"Yep. I brought them."

"But you didn't have them yesterday, right?"

"Under the bed."

"...Did you hide them?"

"...Yeah."

While thinking it might have been a bit awkward, I watched Carnelia's reaction... Eventually, she giggled and said,

"Then this is a secret! I understand. I won't tell Santos or Father about this!"

Ah, it seems to be okay. I felt a bit relieved.

"It's fine. Those two don't like fun things. So when you want to do something fun, it's better to keep it a secret from Father, Santos, and preferably from the lady as well. I always do that."

"Is that so?"

"Yes! So, Togo, keep it a secret that I have the encyclopedia! I took it from the warehouse and haven't returned it yet!"

"Okay, I'll keep it a secret."

Carnelia nodded happily a few times... Then, she suddenly noticed the pendant that had been left on the desk.

"Oh? Is this also a secret?"

"Um..."

I paused and picked up the pendant.

Then I compared the orange gemstone with Carnelia's eyes. ...Yes, they are the same color.

After confirming this, I handed the pendant to Carnelia.

"This is for you."

"...What? You're giving it to me?"

"Yep."

"But such a large stone... Is it okay?"

"Yep. I think it will be necessary."

When I said that, Carnelia looked a bit puzzled.

"A stone this size might be enough to catch a Phoenix if it comes."

...But when I said that, she brightened up and nodded.

"Yes! If a Phoenix comes to play, it can't become a summoning beast without a magic stone!"

I'm not sure how she interpreted it. She might have thought it was an extension of her imagination, like a game. The pendant might have been seen as a fake stone.

...But when I put the pendant around Carnelia's neck, she beamed.

"Thank you! I'll take good care of it!"

"Yep."

Watching Carnelia twirl around and ask if it suited her, I thought, "Ah, indeed, this child would suit sleeping in a Phoenix's nest."

...Or, sleeping with a Phoenix in the nest.

After Carnelia chatted for a while and left, I continued drawing.

Since time was short, I started applying colors to the paper that was still not completely dry from the water stretching.

Undried paper, when thinly diluted paint is applied, spreads widely. By placing several colors, the paper gradually became colored.

"Did you change your painting method?"

"Time is short, so I thought I'd do the underpainting along with the water stretching. And I felt this method suited the Phoenix better."

I didn't use this method for the Alicorn. I started applying colors along the underdrawing from the beginning. The Alicorn is Laocles' horse, so I wanted a crisp feel rather than a fluffy one. That's why I used this method.

For the Phoenix, I applied the base color before the underdrawing. I will layer more colors on top of this... I think this texture suits the Phoenix better. After all, for a nest, a fluffy Phoenix is better than a crisp one.

"Can you finish both?"

"Yep. It's fine. Originally, the waiting time for the paint to dry was long. If I work on both at the same time, I can use the waiting time for one to work on the other."

I finished the underpainting for the Phoenix and moved back to the Alicorn. This one was already dry, so I started layering colors again. I wanted to highlight the shine of the Alicorn's mane and tail, so I had to be careful with those parts.

Then, the body of the Alicorn. I made it more robust than a regular horse. After all, it's a horse for Laocles. If it's carrying a block of muscle, it should be a block of muscle. Yes.

"...Well, it's good that you're enjoying it."

"Yep."

After all, drawing is fun.

And it's nice to hear someone say, "It's good that you're enjoying it."

I declined lunch that day. When I tried to decline dinner as well, it was brought down to the basement.

So I had to hurriedly hide all the art supplies under the bed. Ah, that was close.

"It's dinner."

...But, maybe I didn't need to hide them.

The person who brought the dinner was Interlia Vers, Laocles' former colleague.

"Interlia. It's... been a while."

Laocles awkwardly called out. Interlia, still somewhat awkward, placed the tray with dinner on the table and then turned to face Laocles.

"...Are you well?"

"Yes. I'm doing well. Balclaid. How about you?"

"Well, somehow. Recently, I've been living quite comfortably."

...I moved a bit away from them. I felt I shouldn't intrude on their conversation.

"You've found a new master, haven't you?"

But when Interlia smiled at me, I bowed slightly.

"Yes. A master who is detached from the world, a bit absent-minded, and seems to float away to somewhere at any moment."

"What a terrible description..."

But I couldn't argue. Yes. I don't think I float away, but I am absent-minded. Yes. Sorry.

Then, Laocles talked with Interlia for a while.

...It was really just light, harmless small talk. There's no time for reminiscing about the past in a place like this. Yes.

But even so, both of them seemed to be enjoying it. So I thought it was good.

...But, as I watched them, Interlia suddenly turned to me.

"...I have a question for the summoner Togo."

Being called "summoner Togo" feels very strange, but I'll keep quiet for now.

"Why did you include me in the reward?"

...It seems she came to deliver the dinner just to ask this.

"Laoc... Well, he's worried about you. And as long as you are part of the Giolence family, I will continue to be threatened. I thought we would never be able to cut ties with the Giolence family if that continued."

I answered immediately. I almost stumbled over Laocles' name, but it was okay.

"...You? Not Balclaid Oriens?"

"Yes. More than anything, I didn't want it."

I didn't want something irreversible. There are many things that can be fixed even with serious injuries. But if someone dies, there's no way to bring them back. I don't think I can bring back a person's life just by drawing.

So I wanted to prioritize this person's life. Even if I get injured, it's okay. I think Laocles would forgive me even if he gets slightly injured. Besides, I think it's better to worry the Fey and others than to have someone die.

...Even if that person was willing to die or wanted to die, I know that avoiding it can change something.

...When I explained this, Interlia tilted her head.

"...I don't understand. I still think you should have abandoned me there for your own sake."

So, so. Well, sometimes explanations don't lead to understanding. Yes. I can't understand the concept of "Bushido is found in death" either... I know that my values don't align with everyone else's.

"But... Yes. I think he is the master you recognized. ...Even though he cares more for his subordinates than himself and can't give up on various things, he is not particularly wise."

"He's not particularly wise, you say?"

When I said that, Interlia looked at Laocles and then chuckled.

"Yes. That's right."

"...Well, he is a master as you see."

Laocles also smiled a bit and then... said to Interlia.

"You... have found a second master, haven't you?"

Interlia nodded happily.

"Yes. Just as Togo is your master now, Carnelia is my master now."

"Does Carnelia often visit here?"

"What? You noticed?"

"I don't think Carnelia herself realizes it. But as a guard, I would be incompetent if I couldn't notice a 9-year-old girl's escape."

That's true. Yes.

"...Besides, it's been a while. Carnelia hasn't been this happy since her engagement was decided. She has been depressed ever since."

Interlia said this with a slightly sad smile. ...Interlia also has thoughts about Carnelia's marriage.

"I thank you for entertaining my master. My wish is for the young master to be as happy as possible."

Then, Interlia... looked at me with her beautiful amber eyes and said clearly.

"So... Even though it's a late request, please don't include me in the reward. I want to stay by Carnelia's side."

"I understand your situation. If I stay with the Giolence family, I might be a reason for them to interfere with you. But I will handle that. I intend to find other powers and present them so that the Giolence family doesn't rely on your power."

Interlia said this earnestly. As I listened, I remembered that I had decided to receive Interlia as a reward but hadn't thought about what to do after.

"So, please, let me continue as Carnelia's guard. She... She has too few allies!"

...I see. If we take Interlia, Carnelia will be left alone. Interlia is worried about this.

"Her current fiancé is a good-for-nothing 30 years older. Even if Santos truly wins the princess's heart, Carnelia will be offered a more important marriage, and this engagement will just be a stepping stone. ...The possibility of a new fiancé becoming her ally is extremely low. So..."

But, it's okay.

"Well, if I receive you, I was planning to set you free... But if you wish, can you continue as Carnelia's guard?"

"Eh?"

"You can do anything as long as you're not a slave of the Giolence family and not forced to obey. You can be hired as well."

I don't really want Interlia. If she's not a Giolence family slave, anything is fine. As long as she's safe.

If this also helps Carnelia and Interlia, that's even better.

"If you want to stay by Carnelia's side, please do. I think Carnelia would be happy with that. And if she needs to run away for real, please help her. ...What do you think?"

"...Run away"

When I stated my hope, Interlia was taken aback.

"Yes."

"R, really... If Carnelia runs away, I can go with her if I'm not a slave."

Interlia said this and then sat down, as if all her strength had left her.

"...Ha ha ha. It's a strange feeling. I always thought I had to stay in this house to protect Carnelia. I thought we both had to stay here forever. And I tried to make our limited days as happy as possible... But everything has changed."

It seems the idea of "running away" never crossed Interlia's mind. Well, it's not something people usually do...

"I see. I was the one who was bound. I was the one who was holding Carnelia back."

Interlia said this and then had a slightly relieved look.

"Then... Please, take me as a reward. And on that condition, let me continue as Carnelia's guard... I know it's a very good deal, but..."

"No. I also think it's better for Carnelia to be happy."

I just want the Giolence family to stop coming here. If a girl and a knight can be saved in the process, I think it's a very happy thing.

"I see... Thank you very much. I will definitely repay you. What would you like? I don't think you need much money, but..."

"Repayment? Then, please model for me!"

When asked for repayment, I decided immediately.

"...Model?"

"Yes. When you and Carnelia run away safely, please come to the Redgard territory forest. I want to paint your picture there!"

So, I got her agreement on the "repayment." Great. Now I can paint a picture of a female knight in armor and a young lady. I think it's a good combination, and I wanted to paint it once.

Or, a picture of Laocles and Interlia might be good too. With two knights, it would be a very good picture. I'm really looking forward