Chapter 17

Filling a tub with water using water magic and heating it with fire magic, I threw in the Roomba, which was covered in sweat and mud.

"This is more comfortable than a high-end inn in the capital!" Roomba shouted.

"There's even soap! It doesn't smell at all! In fact, it smells good!"

Of course, don't underestimate the hospitality of a Japanese person. I didn't allow any compromises with the bath. While it might not be as spacious or luxurious, I can guarantee its functional beauty.

I blocked out Roomba's excited voice and incomprehensible whistling and quickly prepared the meal.

Roomba definitely eats a lot, so I used spatial magic to bring out various dishes just in case.

After about thirty minutes, Roomba came out of the bathroom.

Since I had him wash his clothes in the bathroom as well, he is currently only wearing a cloth around his waist.

"Your muscles are amazing."

"Right? Al, you should build some muscle too?"

"Six is too young for muscles. You'll stop growing taller."

"Huh? You're six? I thought you were around ten because you look so mature?"

"If you were ten, you'd be much taller."

"Is that so? Hahaha!"

Well, compared to Roomba's massive body, there's not much difference between six and ten, I guess.

"Here, Eir."

"Huh? You know? Are you really a kid?"

"I'm six."

With a doubtful expression, Roomba took a sip from the mug made with earth magic.

"What is this! It's ice cold! Do you have an ice magic device here?"

"No, no, I just cooled it with ice magic."

"Being able to use ice magic at your age, you're not a kid at all. I remember the princess of this country could use ice magic too."

"Did you come from the capital?"

"Well, well, let's talk over dinner. It's on the table."

"I made it."

I mostly used spatial magic to get it out, though.

"This is the famous spaghetti, huh?"

"Huh? Have you heard of it somewhere?"

"Munch, munch... A merchant I know... Munch, munch... A guy named Triella told me about it."

When I showed him how to eat it, Roomba used a fork to scoop up the noodles into a ball and ate them heartily. The mismatch between his muscular body and his puffed-up cheeks from the noodles was a bit funny.

"Ah, Triella, huh?"

Triella is the merchant who always comes to Coirat Village.

That guy betrayed me and Baltro last year, saying something like, "If we make the women of Coirat Village our enemies, we won't be able to do business!" That's why we didn't have any snacks for a week. This year, I'm definitely going to take him down.

"Hey? I heard something about taking you down. What happened?"

"No, it's my business."

"Is that so? Then, more, please!"

"Am I your mother?"

"Anyway, why did you come to Coirat Village, Roomba?"

While I was boiling new spaghetti, I asked Roomba.

"Well, I'll tell you. I'm an adventurer affiliated with the Misfit Kingdom. I'm ranked fifth from the top in the B rank. I originally love traveling, so I go to any small village. When I was thinking about where to go next, I heard something interesting from Triella, so I came here."

"I see, that's why you came. I don't think any adventurers have come since I was born. The capital is very far from Coirat Village."

By the way, the Misfit Kingdom is the country to which Coirat Village belongs. The population around the capital is about 100,000. Currently, about 400 people live in Coirat Village. The number might seem large, but because they are spread out, it might look smaller.

Recently, the village has become more active, and the number of immigrants has increased. There are unfamiliar huts at the edge of the village.

"Exactly, I didn't think it would be this far. I arrived here, barely making it."

You should have planned better.

"So, what are you going to do next?"

"This village seems comfortable, so I want to stay for a while!"

"Where will you stay?"

"Can't I stay here?"

I knew you'd say that.

"Hmm, well, it's fine, but you have to do the bath and cooking yourself, okay?"

"Why? Al lives here, right?"

Surprised by my unexpected response, Roomba stood up abruptly.

Close, close, the pressure is intense.

"No, this is my second base. I live in a mansion."

"Mansion? Are you a noble or something?"

"Not really, I'm the second son of the Slouret family."

"You don't look like one... Slouret? I've heard that name somewhere. What's the lord's name?"

Roomba crossed his arms and thought.

"Nord... Nord Slouret is the lord here."

"Dragon Slayer!"

Roomba shouted, eyes wide.

Dragon Slayer? What's with that middle-school syndrome nickname? It's funny, though.

"Dragon Slayer?"

"About a dozen years ago, a dragon was discovered near the capital. Nord was the one who played a big role and cut off the dragon's head."

"Wow, I didn't know that."

I knew he was a great adventurer in the past, but he never told me the details. Maybe he was embarrassed by the nickname. I'll ask him when I get back.

"At that time, I happened to be in the same party as Nord, just for that one time... I remember it well."

Roomba closed his eyes, reminiscing. Nord must remember it too. You can't forget something like that after seeing it once.

After that, we talked about various things, and since he wanted to stay at the mansion, I reluctantly took him there.

I couldn't just leave him, I guess. Maybe this is Roomba's true strength. People can't live alone. Thinking about it, Roomba might be more like a parasite. I'll have him practice sword fighting with Elina in the mansion.

That's a good idea.

---

When we arrived at the mansion, Sara led Roomba to the living room and went to call Nord.

"Who is the guest Al brought?"

Mother Elna entered the living room with her usual smile.

"Ah! The mage who was head over heels for Nord back then!"

"Eh? Ah, Roomba! Stop it!"

Mother Elna's cheeks turned red, and she flustered.

I've never seen Mother Elna like this. She looks so cute, even though she's in her thirties.

"Hahaha! You remember me?"

"Of course! Not many people forget about Roomba."

I see, this is Mother Elna's true tone of voice, huh?

"Hey, Al is watching."

Mother Elna noticed my gaze and cleared her throat, turning to me.

"Al, thank you for the tour. There are snacks in the living room, so go ahead and eat."

It seems she wants to maintain her dignity in front of a child. I could go eat snacks, but I want to see her flustered a bit more.

"Mother Elna."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"You're so cute when you're flustered."

"Wh-What!?"

Mother Elna's face turned red again. Ahaha, so cute.

"Ha! Hahaha! Ahahaha!"

Roomba is laughing his head off, finding it hilarious.

Hey, stop hitting the table.

What! The table is dented. Seriously?

Before Mother Elna could catch me, I escaped the living room and went to eat snacks.

On the way, I met Father Nord and pointed at him.

"Ah! The Dragon Slayer!"

Father Nord stumbled.

"Hey! Where did you hear that! Wait a minute!"

I heard him calling from behind, but I didn't wait. Only dogs wait when told to.