Chapter 27

The content overlaps about half with Chapter 11 and 14, but it contains important points of the story.

After finishing the inspection of the chef's uniform, which was completed at an unprecedented speed, I flew out of the costume room and rushed to the infirmary.

"I'm done! The first chef's uniform!!"

"...That was quick, Karafu."

"We are professionals in clothing. Once the pattern is set, and as long as we know the size... especially for a small child like Yuriko, it's a piece of cake. Complicated clothes take more time to make, so I'll work on them when I have more time."

I answered confidently to the surprised Captain Dilnan, and then I noticed Captain Vincent's delighted expression.

"Karafu, I have an additional request. I'd like a nurse's uniform in Yuriko's size as well."

"Really!? If it's for Yuriko, can I make a skirt version!?"

"Karafu, please make it a skirt version."

With the unexpected additional request from Captain Vincent and Bax, my excitement rose again. It's busy, but I'm happy!

"A skirt version... it's too cute, it's dangerous!"

"Dilnan, she's a child, so it's better if it's cute."

"It will definitely boost morale."

"Then, I'll make both a skirt and pants version."

Captain Dilnan hesitated at Bax's words, but I had only one answer. When I suggested making both, the adults all nodded in agreement. In the midst of this, Yuriko, who had sat up in bed, looked around in confusion. She was cute even when she was sleeping, but she's even cuter when she's awake.

"Nice to meet you, Yuriko. I'm Karafu, the deputy captain of the blacksmith team in charge of clothing. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, Yuriko. ...Karafu, is it an older brother? Or an older sister??"

"Ah, what a good child, Yuriko. You can call me Karafu-nee."

"Karafu-nee, nice to meet you."

I know I'm considered unusual, so I introduced myself with a smile, but Yuriko asked an unexpected question. I answered as usual, and she accepted it with a smile without being surprised. Not only that, Yuriko didn't even look back at Captain Elies. I wondered if she had already done something, and when I looked at Captain Elies, I was met with her absolute zero smile. She's beautiful, but really scary. On the other hand, Captain Dilnan and Captain Vincent looked at Yuriko with a surprised expression. Could it be that she didn't look at Captain Elies on purpose?

"...Impressive, you can read the room so well. No wonder Captain Elies likes you."

I was impressed by the unexpected response, and Yuriko smiled. She didn't even show any signs of saying anything extra, which made me realize that my thoughts weren't entirely off. Despite her young age, she reads the room and responds appropriately. Captain Elies was right; she's quick-witted. This is why Captain Dilnan and Captain Elies recommend her.

"By the way, Yuriko, your chef's uniform is ready. Would you like to try it on?"

To change the subject, I brought up the reason I came here and smiled, then handed her the newly made chef's uniform.

"All the work uniforms in the Northern Demon King's Castle are made of special materials. They are light like fabric, but much stronger than any armor. They are perfect for protecting you, and they are also very resistant to dirt."

After explaining the performance of the chef's uniform, Yuriko thanked me with a happy smile. She's cute both inside and out.

"Oh, bold."

"Oh my."

As soon as Yuriko received the chef's uniform, she started to undress energetically right there. I thought, don't people usually try to hide a bit? But at her age, gender doesn't seem to matter. In fact, gender is completely irrelevant to her now, but this is age-appropriate behavior. However, what caught my attention was that this child... wearing a guardian ring means she's from a very good family. Normally, she would have a caretaker to help her with everything, so she shouldn't be able to dress herself. She can change in front of others without hesitation, but...

But this is actually convenient. While Yuriko was focused on changing, I collected the clothes she had taken off and sent a glance to Captain Vincent to get permission to take them. He noticed and nodded slightly, so I folded the clothes and casually held them. Now, how can I naturally take them out?

"I'm done!"

"...Perfect fit."

"The size is just right."

Despite struggling with the buttons, Yuriko managed to dress herself beautifully and happily jumped on the bed.

"Yuriko, take off the apron. It's understood that you only wear it in the kitchen."

When Captain Dilnan stopped her, Yuriko obediently complied. She took off the apron, folded it, and after a moment's thought, looked at Captain Dilnan and stuffed the apron into her back pocket. I couldn't help but say, "That's so boyish," and Yuriko smiled happily and replied, "I'm boyish!"

"How can someone so cute be so boyish! Captain Dilnan, you made Yuriko copy that apron trick! And she's so happy about being called 'boyish'!!"

"...Sorry."

"No, I can't forgive this! I'll rush to prepare a pouch for the apron and handkerchief!!"

I couldn't help but vent my frustration at Captain Dilnan, who awkwardly apologized. But I can't forgive this. Although it gave me a good excuse to take Yuriko's clothes, I ended up with a mountain of additional orders and had to rush out of the infirmary.

When I returned to the costume room and relayed the additional orders, a joyful scream went up. We decided to postpone the work uniforms for the document and medical teams until tomorrow, and I instructed the team members in charge of accessories to make a pouch that prioritizes ease of movement, while the others divided the work to make pajamas, undergarments, and socks. It was delightful to see some of them humming and skipping to the fabric storage area.

After giving the instructions, I entered my personal space in the costume room and spread out Yuriko's clothes on the table.

"...The design is simple, but the fabric is not Seiran weave. The sewing is also of high quality. This kind of clothing isn't something you can just put on a child."

I compared the design, fabric, and sewing with my knowledge. The result was that Yuriko was wearing something made with special materials.

Seiran weave looks like silk but is made from a higher-grade material spun with a special method and woven meticulously by top-notch craftsmen. It is a special fabric in terms of both price and material, made only in the capital of the Eastern Demon King's territory, named for the territory's representative color and excellent breathability. I would never use such material for a child. I would only use it for special occasions, like an audience with the Demon King, with special dyeing for the clothing.

"Whoever prepared this is either extremely foolish or did it on purpose."

If I were in the position to prepare this, I would consider two major scenarios. And if it's the latter...

"An order from someone in a position of authority. But even then, they took a risk by pushing the limits. It looks normal to the untrained eye, but experts can easily identify the land from the fabric. Oh, no. If that's the case, the possibility that Yuriko is from a noble family with a mansion in the capital of the Eastern Demon King's territory is high."

The possibility that came to mind sent a chill down my spine. The Eastern Demon King's territory is ruled perfectly by the oldest and strongest Demon King. The capital is a den of power-hungry nobles, where bloodline matters, and the family feuds are so brutal that even demons frown upon them.

"...No, it's not decided yet. Besides, there are still the shoes. I need to inform Captain Vass with this information."

I shook off the unpleasant thoughts, put Yuriko's clothes in a locked cabinet, and left my personal space to join the work in the costume room.

The team members were excited about the completed pouch, pajamas, undergarments, and work boots. When I placed the completed items in a bag and headed to the infirmary for the third time, the work boots for the cleaning team, which were being made, were even smaller, which made everyone even more excited.

"Captain Vincent, you're just in time."

As I approached the infirmary, Captain Vincent was walking out with Yuriko in his arms. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. I wondered if they had gone to eat, but Captain Dilnan wasn't around, so I couldn't help but ask. Yuriko's eyes started to tear up again.

"Captain Vincent?!"

"Captain Dilnan sent Yuriko to order daily necessities alone. Considering her physical strength, it's time to give her a bath and put her to bed."

I was so surprised that I looked at Captain Vincent, who smiled wryly and wiped Yuriko's tears with a towel. As he settled Yuriko back on the bed, he looked at me.

"So, Karafu, did you bring something?"

"Yes, a nightgown and a change of undergarments. And tomorrow's socks. The shoe team just finished the shoes. They're so cute, the clothing team got really excited. The hat team wants to make something for Yuriko soon. And the apron pouch you mentioned. I put the handkerchief in the pouch."

"I see. Show me."

I held up the bag, and Captain Vincent led me into the infirmary. He placed Yuriko back on the bed and spread out the items at the foot of the bed. I also put Yuriko's apron in the pouch.

"Now you can give Yuriko a bath and dress her in clean clothes. Thank you."

I felt a bit relieved when Captain Vincent, after checking the quality of the items, approved them.

"This time, it was all simple because it was urgent, but I'll definitely make cute nightgowns.

Besides, I had given up on making cute dresses and one-piece dresses with lace and drapes, but thanks to Yuriko, we can make all kinds of clothes. With matching cute shoes and accessories... the clothing team's skills will be put to the test. This is the happiest thing ever."

"...Well, in the Northern Demon King's Castle, dresses and one-piece dresses were mostly for punishment games, or rarely, for Kaiyu-sama's partner's dress."

"That's right, Captain Vincent! We put our heart into making them, but they were only worn once or twice and then discarded!! We get so many interesting fabrics and samples, but we usually only make work uniforms. That's why Yuriko is our hope. Who else would we dress up if not such a cute child?!"

I got passionate talking about Yuriko's clothes, but I felt her tears had subsided a bit. That's good. Her beautiful eyes looked like they might fall out with her tears. Captain Vincent must have thought the same, as he changed the topic.

"Are there really so many fabrics?"

"Yes, Captain Vincent. We have some really high-quality fabrics, like deep green velvet, but Kaiyu-sama only wears black without any extra decorations in daily life. We don't have enough fabric to make adult women's clothing, and it would be a waste to use it for costumes, even if only a part of it is used.

If the fabric is just going to gather dust and get old, it would be better to make a cute one-piece dress for Yuriko. She can wear enamel shoes, decorate her hair with ribbons, and carry a plush backpack shaped like a bear."

"That would be incredibly cute."

"Even if she only wears it on days off, she can show it off in the villages around the castle. If I decorate her and introduce her to Captain Vincent's wife, I'm sure she would be very happy."

"My wife might not let her go, but that's a good idea."

As I talked about all the things I wanted to do, Captain Vincent became very enthusiastic. I might have gained a strong supporter. With Captain Vincent on my side, I feel much stronger.

Meanwhile, Yuriko, who had calmed down, started to rub her eyes with her small hands, indicating she was getting sleepy.

"I need to get back and start the next task."

"The infirmary's bath should be ready soon. Take a bath and then rest."

It seems the break was over. I saw Captain Vincent holding the necessary items for the bath and started to clean up. I switched the new work boots with the ones Yuriko had been wearing.

"I'll bring more clothes tomorrow, Yuriko."

"...Okay."

She waved back, even though she looked sleepy. I took the shoes and left the infirmary.

When I returned to the costume room, I encouraged the team members who weren't working overtime to leave and went back to my personal space. After examining the shoes, I confirmed that the design, materials, and sewing were simple but of high quality. During this process, I found something that made me sit down in my chair.

"...Why does the prediction I don't want to come true always come true?"

I couldn't help but complain.

In my hand was the insole I had removed from the shoe to examine. On the back, a message spell was hidden in a pattern made with dark ink, a special magic known only to specialists in the clothing industry. When the magic power is channeled according to the specified rules, the magical words float in the air.

---If you enter the Eastern Demon King's territory, your life will be in danger. Do not approach---

"The amount of magic