Chapter 40

"Good morning!"

After working for two days in the kitchen team, today is my first day in the paperwork team.

After dinner yesterday, Karafu and Elies came over and gave me a modified priest's uniform, leggings, and shoes for the paperwork team, as well as new undergarments, handkerchiefs, and what seemed to be paper for tissues. They also gave me a shoulder bag containing a small writing set and an abacus. Elies also decided to come and pick me up in the morning to have breakfast together.

And so, today has arrived.

I woke up with Dillnan, got dressed and prepared, and am now sitting on my bed in Dillnan's room, waiting. I have my shoes on and everything is ready. I won’t fall back asleep.

However, despite my determination, I ended up dozing off and don’t know how long I waited. Hehe.

But when I heard a knock on the door, I jumped up and opened it without hesitation to find Dillnan and Elies with slightly surprised expressions.

"Yuri, don’t just open the door like that."

"What would you do if it was a stranger? Always check who it is before opening the door."

...I got scolded by both of them right from the start.

Feeling a bit down, they sighed but still patted my head.

"...You’ve been waiting for so long. I’m sorry for getting mad."

"I’ll be more careful next time."

Dillnan and Elies smiled wryly and said this, clearly worried about me.

"Okay, sorry."

When I apologized obediently, Elies picked me up.

Today, she looks beautiful and smells good. What a perk.

"Good morning, Yuri. The paperwork team’s uniform suits you well."

"Good morning, Elies."

I greeted Elies, but I couldn’t quite agree with her words.

...After all, even though my uniform is supposed to be similar in design to Elies' robe, I don’t have even a hint of her elegance. The shoulder bag also makes it look like a kindergartener’s smock. How did it come to this? (Cry)

"Let’s go have breakfast, shall we?"

"Food!"

"Alf has been waiting for you too."

But the enticing sound of "breakfast" made my sadness disappear.

Let’s go to the dining hall!

Elies put me down but, for some reason, we held hands as we walked to the dining hall.

When we entered, the dining hall was as crowded as usual.

Dillnan said he would come to pick me up after finishing his work and went into the kitchen.

"Yuri! Good morning!"

"Brother! Good morning!"

As Elies and I walked to the serving area, Alf, who had noticed us, greeted us with a bright smile. The kitchen team members also peeked out and greeted us. ...Everyone is so nice.

Furthermore, Ordima came out of the kitchen with my meal tray and a wooden object I had never seen before. Alf then brought out Elies' meal. Today, it smells good too.

"Good morning, Elies, Yuri."

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Ordima."

"I’ll bring Yuri’s meal. Please lead the way."

With Ordima’s offer, Elies smiled and started walking.

Following Elies, we reached an empty table, and Ordima placed my meal on the table and put the object he was holding on the chair.

"Yuri, can you sit on this?"

"Huh?"

"Normally, you wouldn’t be able to reach the table, right? I made this makeshift step stool."

Eh. From what he said, this must be...

"Did you make this, Ordima?"

"The chairs in the kitchen would get in the way. This is a temporary solution until we get proper ones made by the blacksmith or facilities team."

"Ordima, you’re amazing."

No, really, Ordima is amazing.

He can cook, do laundry, and even do carpentry with a charming smile. What a guy, full of attractive qualities.

Since he made it, I should try it out right away.

I took off my shoes to avoid dirtying the chair, climbed up, and sat on the step stool Ordima provided.

"...I was worried about the measurements, but it seems to work."

"Okay, thanks, Ordima."

"You’re welcome."

When I thanked Ordima for the step stool that perfectly reached the table, he smiled charmingly.

Moreover, he even adjusted the meal tray to be in front of me. What a considerate guy.

"Once you finish your meal, can you bring the step stool back to the kitchen?"

"Okay!"

"Good answer. Make sure to eat well."

He patted my head and bowed to Elies before returning to the kitchen.

"Good for you, Yuri."

"Okay."

"Let’s eat. After you finish, we’ll go to the paperwork team’s office."

"Okay."

Having breakfast with Elies’ gentle smile. What a luxury.

Today’s breakfast consists of a tomato soup with plenty of seafood and vegetables, and a freshly baked green vegetable-infused bread. These are the two items for today.

The seafood in the soup includes shrimp, squid, white fish, and clams, all cooked to perfection with a nice texture. The soup is filled with chunks of potatoes and bell peppers, and sweet, soft onions. The tomato-based soup, rich with the flavor of tomatoes and shrimp shells, and the aroma of herbs, is served in a large, deep bowl. This alone is quite filling.

And the bread.

The freshly baked bread, crispy on the outside and warm on the inside, is a treat in itself.

The subtle sourness and fragrant aroma are followed by the gentle sweetness of the vegetables and wheat, making it a perfect dish.

By the way, there’s a corner where you can get more bread, so you can have additional servings.

...Maybe I can take one for a snack later.

About fifteen minutes after Elies, I finished my breakfast, wiped my mouth with a paper, and said, "Thank you for the meal." Elies helped me carry the step stool and returned the tray to the return area. Finally, Elies placed the tray in the return area for me.

Then, I took the step stool and, with some hesitation, called out to Ordima in the kitchen. Despite being busy, he came to take it with a smile, without showing any signs of it.

Furthermore, everyone in the kitchen encouraged me with phrases like "Do your best" and "Stay strong."

It was very touching that they took the time to encourage me even while being busy.

Everyone, are you trying to destroy my facial muscles?

"I’m going!"

"Go ahead."

With a probably very mushy expression, I thanked them and everyone looked at me for a moment before sending me off together.

"Let’s go."

Elies, who had been silently watching, called out to me at the right moment.

I nodded, and we held hands again as we left the dining hall.

We walked out of the dining hall, and I followed Elies as she led the way.

We climbed the large staircase at the entrance of the castle to go to the upper floor, but... the number of steps is too much for a child.

Surely, if it were just Elies, she would climb the stairs gracefully without even panting, but she matched my slow pace with a smile and even gave me a subtle assist. Amazing.

Still, walking next to her, I realize that Elies is indeed a man, despite her appearance and impression.

First, the hand I’m holding. Or rather, I’m holding Elies’ fingers, and she’s enveloping my hand. Her hand is surprisingly large, not much different from Dillnan’s.

Even though she looks slender, her fingers feel like a man’s when I grip them.

Next, her height. As expected, I don’t even reach her waist. And, to be honest, Elies has a slim waist. It’s frustrating... but that’s not the point.

She’s closer to my waist than Dillnan, but I think Elies is almost 180 cm tall.

But, regardless of her height, I want to shout out loud.

Her legs are just too long!

While thinking about this, I finally reached the top, feeling like I had completed a task.

"...Are you okay, Yuri?"

"Okay."

"That’s fine. We’re almost there."

I let out a big sigh, and Elies gently asked me.

Elies led me to the medical side, opposite the dining hall. The castle is not a straight path, but it’s the best I can do for direction.

The castle is indeed vast, and even with adult steps, it must be quite a distance.

The castle, as it appears, is sturdy and simple, with no lavish decorations. There are only the necessary minimum of carpets and chandeliers. The windows are stained glass, and there are paintings and armor on display.

The walls and ceilings are not decorated like a European castle.

There are lamps, but the glass is both stylish and sturdy.

...It feels a bit eerie at night.

After looking around for about ten minutes, we finally stopped.

"This is the paperwork team’s office. First, I’ll check your calculation skills, then explain the work. ...After that, I’ll give you a tour of the North Demon King’s Castle and explain its structure."

"!"

"Haha... Your eyes are sparkling. Let’s go in."

A castle exploration tour!

Surprised by Elies’ unexpected fun words, I looked up at her and she smiled at me.

Feeling happy, I returned a smile, and Elies let go of my hand and opened the large, impressive door. For some reason, she stood next to the door.

Why this position?

*Whoosh!*

...I was wondering why, but suddenly a lot of people fell out and formed a pile in front of me.

...I can calmly narrate this because Elies had already lifted me up under my armpits and moved me to a safe position.

"What are you doing?"

Elies moved to the front of the pile of people and her extremely cold voice poured down on the people writhing on the ground.

"Surely you’re not neglecting your work to spy, are you?"

*Ta, Captain...*

The faces of the people in the pile immediately turned pale. It’s obvious they were doing just that.

Why? Elies is smiling, but the temperature of the room is dropping rapidly.

I’m not the one being scolded, but I’m incredibly scared. It’s cold. I can’t help but shiver.

Ugh, I’m almost crying from the fear. This is why she’s called the most terrifying captain. I understand now.

"Ahh, I scared you. I’m sorry, Yuri. You’re not hurt, are you?"

While I was floating in mid-air, Elies picked me up properly.

When I cautiously looked up, Elies was as gentle as if the coldness from before was a lie.

I instinctively snuggled up to Elies for reassurance.

...It’s true that a beautiful person can turn into a demon when they’re really angry. I’ll be careful not to make Elies angry. Yes.

"Then, what was the reason for almost hurting Yuri?"

But, when Elies shifted her gaze from me, the coldness returned!