Chapter 10

"Entia, I've brought some food."

After the party at the tavern ended, we returned to our room. We rented two rooms: one for the three of us from *Beowulf*, and another for me, Mauer, Meala, and Entia. Since the large Entia couldn't be brought to the tavern, she had been waiting quietly in the guest room. Mauer, who had brought the feast back as a souvenir, spoke to Entia, who was curled up on the floor (from a distance, she looked like a huge, fluffy white mass). However, Entia was already snoring.

"Oh, she's already asleep."

"Maybe she's tired from all the walking we did today from morning till night."

I looked around the guest room again. The room was clean and spacious, with three large wooden beds. Additionally, this guest room had a deck outside, like a balcony, and there was—

"Amazing! Look, Meala! It's a bath!"

A bathing area was set up outside the room. Though it wasn't a hot spring, the ceiling was open, allowing one to soak in the tub while looking at the night sky. It felt like a private room in a ryokan with an outdoor bath. ...I've always wanted to go to one in the real world, but I never managed to.

"...I already know that."

Meala, who had seen it once during check-in, looked at my excitement with a somewhat exasperated expression. Meanwhile, Meala shook Mauer's shoulder, who had fallen asleep leaning against Entia, exhausted and full.

"Mauer, you'll get sick if you sleep on the floor."

"Mmm... mumble mumble..."

"Really."

Sighing, Meala covered Mauer with a sheet.

"...Hey... um..."

Then, Meala, somewhat hesitantly, spoke to me.

"Hmm?"

"There's... something I've wanted to say for a while."

...It seems she had been lost in thought because she had something to tell me. With Mauer now asleep, she had decided to speak her mind. I turned around and looked at Meala. Her usually sharp, red eyes, which always seemed to be on guard, were now cast downward.

"What is it?"

"...I wanted to say... I'm sorry."

Out of the blue, Meala said this. I was momentarily taken aback.

"Until today, I hadn't properly thanked you for reinforcing our home... and at the market today, I kept saying and doing unnecessary things... and Makoto ended up protecting me from all of it."

"..."

She seemed to be reflecting on how she had tried to overcharge the adventurer and dismiss his complaints. Moreover, she had wanted to thank me for the night we first met. However, because she didn't trust humans, she couldn't approach me with an open heart. I recalled her hesitant and reserved behavior over the past few days.

"...Huh."

Remembering this, I couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny!"

"Meala, you're really kind. You're so conscientious and serious."

"Y-You're making fun of me?"

"No, not at all. It's true, you've always had to protect Mauer on your own."

"..."

Meala's face turned red, and she looked away. She's blushing! So cute!

Right, she's the same age as Mauer, just a child.

She should be able to be more dependent on adults.

"Hey, Meala, want to take a bath together?"

"No way!"

"Come on, it feels good?"

"I'm tired, so I'm going to sleep!"

Meala quickly dove into the bed. Damn, my affection level wasn't high enough yet.

* * * * *

"Hmm... this is it, huh."

The next day.

I arrived in front of a large stone building near the center of the town. I had asked the inn staff for directions—this is the Magic Research Institute. By the way, Mauer, Meala, Entia, and the three from *Beowulf* went to the market to buy souvenirs for the village (food and daily necessities). I had given them the gold coins from yesterday's sales and told them to buy food for after we return to the village and Entia's food. I decided to come here and greet them while they were shopping.

"Wow, it's made of stacked stones."

I touched the building's outer wall. It seemed to be made by stacking individually cut stones. Unlike the wooden houses in Abatos Village (*Beowulf*'s village), it was clearly very sturdy.

"The joints are probably made with clay, not cement."

...Oops, I can't get distracted for too long. I have to finish my business here today. I headed towards the main entrance—a huge gate. On either side of the gate stood two knights in imposing armor, serving as gatekeepers. Wow, it looks like a castle. I remember someone saying that this institute was founded by a prince...

"Who are you?"

One of the gatekeepers glared at me from under his helmet. Oh no... I need to state my name before I'm suspected.

"It's me, Makoto."

"..."

...No, no, am I an idiot? I got nervous and gave a strange introduction.

"Yesterday, I sold a magic sword to someone named Iksa at the market."

I calmly reintroduced myself. I remember he said he would smooth things over for me yesterday...

"! Hey!"

The gatekeeper, surprised by this, gave some instructions to the other gatekeeper. The other gatekeeper nodded and opened the door, entering the institute.

"I apologize for my rude manner. Please wait a moment."

The remaining gatekeeper changed his attitude and said this to me in a calm voice. Good, it seems the arrangements were made. —Soon, the door opened, and I was led inside the institute.

"Hey, I've been waiting for you!"

I thought I would be led to a reception room, but as soon as I entered, Iksa was right in front of me. He still had that handsome but childishly pure face, with silky golden hair that reached his shoulders.

"...?"

Then I noticed that there was a tall woman standing behind Iksa. She wasn't wearing armor, but she was dressed in a stylish, high-quality black outfit that fit her figure, giving her a sleek, stylish impression. To put it in modern terms, she looked like a capable career woman, a cool beauty. However, she had a sword at her waist, attached with a belt-like fastener. She had black hair and narrow eyes, with a scar near her eye.

"The magic tool you gave me is truly remarkable! I spent the whole night admiring it."

Saying this, Iksa took my hand and shook it excitedly.

"Y-Yes, that's good to hear."

"Prince, please calm down. You're confusing the other party."

The woman standing behind Iksa said this. Her voice matched her appearance—husky. ...Wait, what?

"Prince?"

Right, I remembered.

Yesterday, at the tavern, one of *Beowulf*—Lam—said that this institute was led by one of the country's princes. ...What! Iksa is a prince!?

"Really, you're showing your face in the lower market again? I wish you would refrain from doing so."

"It's fine, Suaro. After all, observing the lives of the common people is part of a royal's duty."

In response to the woman's sigh, Iksa laughed and replied. Then, turning back to me, he introduced himself cheerfully.

"Then, let me introduce myself again... I am the seventh prince of the Grouga Kingdom and the director of this Magic Research Institute, Iksa Raven Grouga. Nice to meet you."