Chapter 31

"Alfreet! Let's get the entertainment started!"

"Oh! Alfreet-sama said it!"

"Is he going to do something interesting again!?"

"Alright! Let's go, let's go!"

The villagers, roused by my words, were all slightly flushed, already in high spirits. The men, who were raising their voices and getting more and more excited, seemed to have caught the attention of Seria-san and Carla-san, who came out of the kitchen.

It's fine to be noisy. Today is the Harvest Festival. No one can stop us. Let's release all the pent-up frustrations we've been holding back!

I asked the villagers to make a little space.

"Let me go get some soil."

"Soil? What for? What are you going to do?"

"I don't know. That's just how he is."

The villagers chattered noisily.

I quickly used earth magic to create six blocks in the shape of a die's net. Since I was making a box, it was fine as long as it could surround me. To make it look impressive and intimidating, I made the box about two meters in size.

I manipulated the earth blocks and entered the dining hall.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"What's that?"

"An earth wall?"

"Made with earth magic?"

"No way. I can barely make two of those."

The villagers voiced their doubts as they looked at the blocks I had made with earth magic. To keep them intrigued and build their expectations, I showed them how I could manipulate the blocks freely.

"Pay attention!"

At my words, the villagers quieted down.

Good. I don't dislike people who can switch gears quickly. The men of Coirat Village may do silly things, but they can switch quickly and are very reliable when it matters. They know how to play and how to work.

Good. When I play, I just need to rest.

"From now on, I will perform a magic trick. I will create a box with these earth walls. Then, I will escape from the box without breaking it within ten seconds!"

"Magic? Not magic?"

"Anyway, you're going to escape without breaking the box, right?"

"Is that even possible?"

As the villagers discussed with suspicion, I connected the blocks to form a large box, like a die.

"Wow!"

"The box is complete!"

"Then, everyone, I will enter the box. Please start counting from ten once I'm inside."

I waved to the villagers as I entered the box and sealed the last open side.

Inside the tightly connected box, no light entered, and I was in a dark, confined space. I could only hear the faint counting of the villagers.

People with claustrophobia might find this quite scary.

"Seven... six... five..."

The synchronized counting of the villagers grew louder as the numbers decreased, reflecting their growing anticipation.

"Three... two..."

To meet their expectations, I will perform a real magic trick with no tricks or gimmicks!

As I shouted "one," I used space magic to teleport to the back kitchen, where no one was.

Then, in sync with the villagers' "zero," I used earth magic to dismantle the box, causing it to collapse into pieces.

"It's collapsed!"

"Is Alfreet-sama okay?"

"Don't scatter soil in our dining hall!"

The villagers were stunned by the sudden collapse of the box and approached the soil.

Roland and Westa, touching the soil, said:

"He's not here."

"Where did he go?"

As everyone's gaze focused on the soil, I calmly emerged from the kitchen and, to add to the performance, briefly activated fire magic in front of them.

The flames roared and vanished into the air.

"Whoa! He's behind us!"

"Behind?"

"Huh?"

"Really! How did he escape from the box?"

The villagers, realizing what had happened, one by one, let out cries of surprise. Then, someone started clapping, and the applause spread, turning their surprise into admiration.

"Thank you very much."

To hide my embarrassment from the joy, I bowed politely.

After that, I dodged the requests for another performance and the questions about how I escaped, and returned to the table where Merna and Yurina were sitting.

Revealing the secret too easily is taboo.

Once the secret is revealed, the magic can no longer give the audience a sense of wonder or surprise.

If the secret is revealed, it's just "Oh, that's how it was."

Magic is only truly impressive when it completely fools the audience from start to finish, making them say "Wow!" and "How did you do that?"

What I did might not be called magic, but if they enjoyed it, that's all that matters.

I nodded and waved at the requests for another performance.

I feel like I could earn enough pocket money with just this. The King of Miraculous Escapes, Alfreet. Or something like that.

At other tables, the villagers were discussing how I had escaped from the box.

"How did he do it?"

"I have no idea how he escaped from the box."

Merna and Yurina, crossing their arms, were puzzled.

"Here, fruit water. It's on me."

Seria-san placed a glass of fruit water on the table with a thud.

"Thank you, Seria-san."

"I'd be happier if you told me how you escaped from the box."

"Hahaha, I won't tell you that."

"Oh, what a shame."

Seria-san, who gave up more easily than I expected, took a sip of the fruit water. As I expected, it wasn't cold enough. Without an ice magic device, everything, including food and drinks, is at room temperature.

Wanting to drink something cold, I used ice magic to create a few small ice cubes in the cup.

"I'm surprised. You can use ice magic too?"

"You must be like the Ice Princess of the capital."

"Ice Princess?"

Who is she? I think I heard the same thing from Rumba. If she's called the Ice Princess, she must be a cold person who uses ice magic.

A woman in a flashy dress, with long legs visible from her long skirt, a well-endowed chest, and lustrous black hair. The Ice Princess. I'd like to meet her.

"Um, well, that's just what people say publicly."

Merna's hesitant words shattered my beautiful imagination. Is she not as beautiful as I thought?

"Publicly?"

"The Ice Princess is the third princess of the Misfit Kingdom, so we commoners can only praise her with a good name."

"Then what do people call her privately?"

"She is called the 'Ice Doll.'"

Yurina's words made Merna frown.

"She's not that much like a doll..."

"Why is that?"

"The third princess, Lady Rayla, was born with a disability in her legs. Her family was disappointed when they saw her condition. The fact that the third princess couldn't even walk was a shock. However, as she grew, it was discovered that she could use ice magic. The family and people around her, who had been cold to her, suddenly started treating her warmly. Lady Rayla, seeing their overtly changed attitudes, lost trust even in her family and became disillusioned with human nature."

What a story that reveals the true nature of humans.

"Still, Yurina, you seem to know a lot. Is this story that well-known among commoners?"

"Ah, I'm not a commoner."

"Neither am I."

"Huh? If that's true, why are you here?"

"There's no need to change your attitude. It's fine as you are."

Seeing my reaction, Yurina laughed, finding it amusing.

"I am the Earl Merna, and Yurina is a Viscount. We are good friends with Nord. We are here to see the real Coirat Village. Didn't Nord tell you that guests were coming?"

Hearing the Earl Merna's last words, I remembered. I think he mentioned something, but I dismissed it as irrelevant.

"I think he mentioned something."

So, because of their visit, Baltro and the maids were busy running around all morning.

I see. Alfreet understands.

"While I was performing the interesting magic, I heard that you are Nord's son."

"Yeah... I mean, yes... I'm the second son, Alfreet Slowlett."

"Sure, you're Nord and Elna's son. You're polite. I like the silly you better, though."

Earl Merna laughed loudly and left the dining hall.

"Well, shall we go?"

"Where to?"

"To your mansion. My wife is already there, and I don't want to keep her waiting."

What a cute wife.

Yurina placed four silver coins on the table as payment and stood up.