Chapter 61

After finishing shopping, I returned safely to the Northern Demon King's Castle on the back of Retsu.

I tried to console Retsu, who looked a bit sad, and sent him to the animal shed with Dillnan. After parting ways, my next stop was the kitchen's back door. I found myself in a small, open space between the back door and the garden.

"From now until lunch, we'll do some special magic training."

"Okay!"

"First, about magic... the basics are detailed in this book."

As Dillnan said this, he pulled out a picture book from a subspace. The title, "First Magic," suggested that the text was very child-friendly. It might even be hard to read. But the fact that this book appeared means I can easily imagine what's coming next.

"Just read it."

Of course.

"Captain, can you read it with me?"

"...Huh?"

"...What?"

If I read it alone, I might just skim through it because it's too troublesome. We should read it properly with Dillnan. The basics are important. Without them, you can't do advanced stuff.

...

I asked Dillnan to read with me, but what is this situation? (Sweat)

Right now, I'm sitting on Dillnan's lap, who is sitting cross-legged and holding me in a piggyback position. In front of us is the picture book. Dillnan is reading the colorful text from the book.

I didn't ask for this much!

"The attributes of magic are Fire, Wind, Earth, Water, Lightning, Darkness, and Light. Attributes are the types of natural forces. What are they?"

While I was thinking about this, Dillnan continued reading and flipping through the pages of the picture book. The colorful and beautiful illustrations spread out, showing the specific aspects of nature that each attribute represents.

Before I knew it, I was drawn into the world of the illustrations, asking questions while listening to Dillnan's voice. The book indeed explained the basics of magic, including tips and precautions, in a very detailed and easy-to-understand way.

But there's something that bothers me about this picture book.

"Captain, what about Light?"

"Light attribute is rarely found in the Demon Continent. At most, only white dragons possess it."

"Why?"

"Because the magic elements in the Demon Continent are strong in Darkness. The demons and magical beasts that live here have strong Dark attributes. Light and Darkness are opposite forces. To possess a contradictory attribute in a situation where one is overwhelmingly strong, various factors must align.

In simple terms, it's as hard to find someone with the Light attribute in this Demon Continent as it is to find gold sand in a desert. That's why the Light attribute isn't depicted."

Hmm. It makes sense that the Demon Continent is strong in Darkness. It's a different reason from what is often depicted in fantasies.

"Angels, on the other hand, have strong Light attributes. The magic elements in the Heavenly Realm are strong in Light, making it difficult for them to have Dark attributes."

"...Heavenly Realm? Are there angels?"

"Yes."

"Are they friends?"

Do holy wars between demons and angels often happen in stories?

"The relationship between demons and angels is neither good nor bad.

Most demons like to fight strong opponents, but they wouldn't go to the trouble of traveling to the Heavenly Realm and dealing with the aftermath. The angels, on the other hand, don't make a fuss over different attributes. They live in completely different places, so there's little interaction.

The only ones who make a fuss over attributes are humans, who have a strong belief in the Holy Demon War. Attributes play a significant role in human beliefs. In that sense, humans are troublesome."

Oh, the actual parties have a very dry relationship.

So, the ones who make a fuss over the Holy Demon War are just humans. ...In reality, neither side is necessarily right or wrong, but beliefs vary by land, so it's complicated.

"Let's get back on track. Let's continue."

After some back and forth, we finally finished reading the picture book, and Dillnan handed it to me.

"Review it if you get confused."

"Can I keep it?"

"It's yours."

...Did he prepare it specially for me?

"Thank Eliess. She apparently ordered it with other monsters' requests."

"Okay, thank you, Captain."

This picture book was from Eliess. ...As expected of the head of the paperwork team.

But I'm grateful to Dillnan for helping me read it properly. ...It was quite unexpected.

"Next, learn the subspace magic. That way, you can carry your own things."

"Okay."

Right. I can't keep relying on Dillnan to carry me.

I'll take the first step towards independence and do my best!

"Subspace magic is classified as a special type of magic, unlike the basics. Not many people use it, but it's valuable in the Northern Demon King's Castle. It doesn't consume much magic power, so it's worth learning."

"Is it difficult?"

"It requires more imagination than other magic. You have to create something like a shelf or a cabinet in an empty space."

Creating a shelf in an empty space... maybe a warehouse would be more convenient if I organize things by type?

But the biggest question is whether I can do it. I shouldn't aim too high.

"First, imagine an invisible basket in front of you. Just a size that can hold a few things."

A basket... like a shopping cart?

That's about the right size.

"Imagine a hole the size of the basket, and then cut it out as if you're moving something from your stomach to your hand and slicing it with a knife."

Something in my stomach? ...It feels warm and cozy... ...Can I move it???

Magic is all about imagination.

I'll try to move this warm thing to my right hand... It seems difficult, so I'll gently extend it.

Then, I'll cut out a hole the size of the basket I imagined.

"Try putting this in the hole."

Dillnan handed me a simple stone, probably one he picked up from the ground.

When I put it in the hole as instructed, the stone disappeared without falling to the ground.

"Whoa!"

"It worked. Now, try closing the hole. Do it the same way you opened it."

"Okay."

This time, I'll close the hole. Should I slide it shut?

"What happens if you place this in the same spot?"

Dillnan gave me another stone.

When I tried to place it, the stone fell to the ground.

"...That's proof the space is properly closed.

But it's useless if you can't open it. Now, imagine the basket you created and try opening it."

That's right.

I'll recall the basket with the stone inside, extend the warm thing in my hand—probably magic—and slide my hand in the opposite direction to open it.

"Is the stone inside?"

When I cautiously put my hand in, I felt the stone.

I grabbed it and showed it to Dillnan, who nodded.

"Put it back and close it again. We'll check it later."

"Okay."

I followed the instructions and closed the hole again. The thin magic I extended snapped.

...I need to control it. It might be very difficult to control.

Even if I understand the theory, I need to practice the practical part.

*Gurgle*

While I was thinking about this, a familiar sound came from my stomach.

At the same time, a murmur came from the dining hall a bit further from the kitchen.

It seems lunch service has started. I've been smelling good food for a while now.

"...Do you have a live bug in your stomach?"

Dillnan looked exasperated, and my stomach responded with a pitiful *gurgle*.

...Is it a parasite? I don't want that!

"What, looking so pitiful. ...Let's wash our hands and have lunch."

*Gurgle!*

I cheerfully responded to the lunch call, and even my stomach seemed to sync up.

You're really scary, stomach. What if you're alive? Can you come out?

While rubbing my stomach with my right hand, Dillnan picked up his backpack and started walking.

I followed him, holding the picture book, and we entered the kitchen.

"Here, I kept you waiting."

After washing our hands and gargling, we sat down at our usual dining spot in the kitchen. Ordima brought us our meals.

Dillnan placed the picture book and the backpack with snacks on the table in the order area. My wallet, which I had taken off my neck, was now in the backpack.

Today's lunch is a beautifully clear brown onion soup, a hard bread like a French baguette, and a large white fish fillet with plenty of vegetables.

Oh, it smells so good. My nose is twitching.

Dillnan told me to drink tea first to hydrate before eating.

Still... if it's onion soup, can it be my favorite?

"Captain, I want some cheese."

"Cheese? ...Wait a moment."

When I asked, Dillnan went to the pantry and brought out a partially used cheese and a plate.

He grated some cheese onto the plate for me.

In front of me, Dillnan dropped the bread into the onion soup.

He sprinkled the grated cheese on top and used a small fire spell to gently heat the cheese.

What a transformation! It instantly became an onion gratin soup!

The cheese melted smoothly, with a slight char on top, enhancing the rich consomme flavor.

Without an oven or a burner, it was so easy. Magic, hooray!

"Here we go!"

With the freshly made soup still hot, I took a spoonful.

The rich consomme and the gentle sweetness of the onions created a delicious soup that stimulated my tongue and slid down my throat smoothly. Yum!

Next, the main dish. I scooped up the soup, bread, and cheese with my spoon.

When I put it in my mouth, the delicious soup brought the sweetness of the bread. The soft, soaked bread and the aroma of the charred cheese followed, and the flavors of the bread and cheese blended with the soup... no words needed.

Perfection! The best onion gratin soup ever!!!

While I was savoring the deliciousness, Dillnan was trying to make an onion gratin soup too.

After taking a bite, I heard him calling Ordima from a distance.

Eventually, Schnas came in place of Ordima, but by then, I was too focused on the fluffy, perfectly cooked fish with its crunchy vegetables to pay attention to the conversation.

Today's lunch was truly delightful.

After lunch, it's nap time, but Dillnan told me to gargle first.

I did as instructed and went to our usual nap spot, where I was put to bed with Retsu.

This is a kind of fluffy paradise...

"When you wake up, it's time for exercise."

"Okay..."

I managed to respond to Dillnan's words and felt him pat my hair.

Feeling the comfort, I obediently let sleep take over.