Chapter 78

After leaving the infirmary, Vincent led me to the night animal enclosure. At this hour, unlike the other day at noon, I could hear the voices of the riding beasts quite clearly, and I could see some of them here and there.

It's a fluffy paradise!

I walked for a while, my hand being led by Vincent with a smile. When Vincent opened the door of the enclosure marked "Medical," I couldn't help but light up at the sight of the riding beast in the front.

Round, large eyes. A short, curved beak. A silhouette with a rounded shape, wrapped in fluffy feathers.

A giant owl is here!

"Did you come to greet us specially?"

Vincent approached the owl and gently stroked its feathers.

"Yuri, this is my riding beast, Kahlua."

"Kahlua."

When I called out the name introduced by Vincent, Kahlua looked at me and let out a "Hoo."

Encouraged by its sound, I cautiously approached, but it didn't seem to be wary.

"From the looks of it, it should be fine to touch."

Thinking I wanted to touch it, I looked up at Vincent, and he nodded.

Encouraged by this, I slowly extended my hand to stroke its feathers.

...The feathers are amazing.

The touch was even fluffier and smoother than I imagined, and I couldn't help but sigh in delight.

"Kahlua, I'm taking Yuri home with me."

"Hoo."

While I was doing this, Vincent spoke to Kahlua, and Kahlua responded as if giving its approval.

With practiced hands, Vincent led Kahlua out of the enclosure, and it walked out on its own, its backside looking adorably fierce.

Following Vincent, we walked a bit and found a platform on a small cliff where Kahlua had flown to.

"If alone, it can take off from here, but when carrying a person, it's more stable to take off from a higher place. We can take off from here."

While being led by Vincent, I climbed onto the platform where Kahlua was waiting, and Vincent picked me up.

He then unfolded the saddle and reins attached to Kahlua and mounted it with ease.

"Let's go."

When Vincent called out to Kahlua, it took off immediately.

With powerful flaps, the North Demon King Castle quickly became distant.

At the same time, as it started to get dark, we approached the lights of the village.

"Remember when you came shopping with Dilnan? This is the First Village. My house is there."

Before I knew it, we had approached the First Village.

As expected of a bird, it flies fast.

Landing at the entrance of the village, one of the guards approached us.

"Good evening, Captain Vincent. Welcome back."

"Thank you. ...I'll leave Kahlua to you as usual."

Vincent, who seemed to be well-known, entrusted Kahlua to the guard.

"Captain Vincent?"

"I live here, so I have a space reserved for Kahlua in the village's enclosure."

When I looked up at Vincent, he understood my question and answered.

The guard, who was taking care of Kahlua, was putting away the saddle and reins.

Kahlua's backside was still cute.

After parting ways with Kahlua, I was led by Vincent through the entrance.

"Hey, Yuri. You're with Captain Vincent today?"

"I'm staying over today."

"Is that so? Welcome to the First Village. Please make yourself at home."

The guard, who had greeted us the other day, called out to us.

I waved goodbye and started walking to the right of the village.

After walking for about five minutes, Vincent stopped in front of a grand house.

"This is my house. Welcome, Yuri."

Vincent opened the door with a key, and a bell attached to the door rang pleasantly.

Following this, light footsteps could be heard from inside.

"Welcome back, dear. And welcome, Yuri."

"This is my wife, Lynn."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Yuri. Thank you for having me."

A moment later, a woman appeared with long, soft brown hair and gentle sky-blue eyes, exuding a calm and lovely aura, looking to be in her late twenties, and she was incredibly beautiful.

...Wait, what's the age difference?

Was she a young wife when they got married!?

Ignoring my questions, she greeted me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

She was slender but had large breasts. They were super soft and smelled good. It was outrageous.

Moreover, she and Vincent kissed each other as if it was normal. I mean, they do look good together, but I was a bit awkward about where to look.

"Make yourself at home."

"Thank you."

"Please come in."

We were led to a spacious dining room filled with a table full of delicious food.

*rumble*

"Oh, I prepared a lot, so please eat your fill."

"...Okay."

Embarrassed by my stomach's rumble, I was still happy to hear Lynn's kind words.

"Yuri, let's wash our hands."

"Okay."

Following Vincent's words, we headed to the washroom.

I was carried from behind and washed my hands thoroughly, then dried them with a towel that smelled like the sun.

During this time, Vincent also washed his hands and collected the towel.

What is this homey feeling?

While this was happening, even more delicious smells wafted from the dining room.

"Let's enjoy the long-awaited meal."

After putting away the towel, Vincent said, and we returned to the dining room.

In the kitchen, Lynn was ladling out the soup she had warmed up.

As I watched, Vincent placed me in a chair.

Looking closely, it was a child's high chair.

When I tried to get down, Vincent stopped me with a hand.

"Captain Vincent, I want to help."

"That's for tomorrow. Today, Lynn has prepared a special meal for you, so focus on eating."

"My dear, you must be tired from work. Please take it easy."

Despite my insistence, Vincent smiled and dismissed it.

Even Lynn, who brought the soup, agreed with Vincent.

The soup and the various dishes were served in child-sized dishes.

The cutlery was also all for children.

"It's good that I kept the dishes from when Lu was a child. They fit you perfectly, Yuri."

"Huh?"

"Our son. His name is Ludwig, but he couldn't make it today due to work. We'll introduce you to him soon."

While preparing to eat, Lynn smiled at what I was looking at.

When I tilted my head at the name, Vincent explained.

Vincent's son is Ludwig... What a cool name.

"That boy is looking forward to meeting you."

"Of course. He used to complain a lot about wanting a younger brother or sister."

"He shouted that he wants to know when you'll come next."

What kind of older brother will he be? I'm looking forward to it.

"Let's stop talking about our son and start eating. It will get cold."

"Okay!"

"Hehe, what a good answer."

The conversation paused, and with Vincent's lead, we said grace and started eating.

Lynn had prepared a slightly luxurious but warm, home-cooked meal.

The food at the North Demon King Castle's cafeteria is delicious, but this was no less a feast.

A simple consomme soup with plenty of vegetables.

It didn't have any special ingredients or the highest quality broth.

But for some reason, it reminded me of the miso soup with tofu and seaweed that my mother used to make.

"...It's so delicious."

Why do I feel like crying at the gentle taste?

"Yuri..."

"Thank you. Since you prepared so much, please chew well and enjoy your meal."

Vincent called my name, slightly surprised.

In contrast, Lynn was always so kind, smiling gently and speaking like a mother.

I nodded slightly and focused on the plate in front of me.

As the meal progressed and my stomach filled, my heart also felt full.