Chapter 33

We arrived at our house when the sun had completely set.

Under the moonlight, Hestia, who had descended onto the apple orchard, transformed back into her human form.

Hestia was really fast. She managed to return from the castle to this house in just a few minutes.

"Thanks, Hestia. You really saved me."

"Hmm..."

While thanking her, I looked at Hestia, and she nodded weakly.

Then, she started rubbing her eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong, Hestia?"

"I've been awake since the battle this morning, and I'm exhausted from overusing my magic... I'm so sleepy..."

"Wow, really?"

It seems Hestia recovers by sleeping.

She's swaying, looking very sleepy.

"I'm using up the recovered magic, but my physical strength is also reaching its limit..."

Maybe it's because she's been active since morning.

Perhaps her physical strength is just as it appears.

"...Your stamina is monstrous... Even though you're using more than I am, you're recovering at a magic spot, and your body is just strange..."

I didn't expect to be treated like a monster by a dragon.

I get tired too and feel fatigue.

"...I'm really sleepy now. Can I borrow an empty room?"

"It's fine, but are you sure you don't want to eat dinner?"

"Hmm..."

Ah, her eyes are already half-closed.

She's in no condition to eat dinner.

Well, where should I let her stay?

The tower of our house is right in front of us,

...but the empty rooms don't have any furniture...

Also, since Hestia herself set fire to the inside, it's unclear what the interior looks like now.

"Where would you like to stay?"

As I was thinking, Hestia pointed to the edge of the apple orchard.

There was a small shed there.

It was a small, wooden, single-story building, a bit too small to be called a separate house.

"I want to use that shed. ...Is it okay?"

"It's fine, but it's quite small. There's no furniture or anything."

The shed only has a light, a wooden floor, and a wooden shelf.

I only peeked inside once since it was built and have never used it.

Is it really okay for her to stay there?

"...It's fine. As long as it can shelter me from the rain and wind, I'm satisfied."

Hestia really only asks for the bare minimum.

"Also, I need some space to make a staff, so it would be great if I could use the workshop. Is that okay?"

"Sure. If that's the case, it's fine."

However, there is one thing I'm concerned about.

"There are monsters around here. Are you okay with that?"

This is the edge of our yard, the spot where we most often encounter the occasional monsters.

"I won't lose to those monsters."

"I'm not worried about that."

Hestia is stronger than she looks, so she can probably handle monsters that can be blown away by golems.

"However, will you turn into a dragon?"

"Hmm..."

If she turns into a dragon, the shed will be destroyed.

While my house won't be damaged, it would be troublesome if it happens frequently.

"...I think the monsters will avoid me because my magic exerts pressure. I have a dragon king's technique for that."

"Wow, that's impressive."

"Yeah. If they do come, I'll deal with them using automatic magic. I'll try not to turn into a dragon inside the shed."

I see, she's thought that far.

If she's this considerate and can guard the house, it will be a great help to me.

"Okay. Then... I'm going to sleep. Good night."

Saying that, Hestia entered the shed.

It was the same as the last time I saw it, with only a light and a wooden floor.

In the center of the shed, Hestia curled up and lay on the floor.

"...Zzz..."

She started snoring almost immediately.

She sleeps like a puppy, which is quite endearing. Even though she's a dragon.

However, it's a bit pitiful to leave her like this, so I took off my jacket and covered her body.

She must have been cold, because

"Hmm..."

In her sleep, she started to wrap herself in my jacket.

She's a skilled sleeper. I'll bring a blanket later.

"...Well, I'll go into the house now."

●●●

After closing the door of Hestia's shed, I entered the tower of our house.

I passed through the golem storage on the first floor, got on the elevator powered by magic, and opened the door to the top floor,

"Welcome back, Master."

Sakura greeted me with a smile.

"Back, Sakura."

"The dinner is ready. Would you like to take a bath? Or... should I help you recover your magic?"

Sakura said this with a blush, as if it were a joke.

If she's going to blush at a joke, she should try to tell it better.

Anyway, I'm hungry right now.

"Sure. I'll eat dinner first, then take a bath and relax."

"O-Okay. I'll prepare it right away."

Sakura nodded and hurried back to the kitchen.

Watching her go, I thought to myself,

"Our home is the best."