Chapter 20

After finishing work, I treated Erika to dinner, then went home and went to bed. The next day, Erika came over early to help me unpack.

"Mr. Sieg, what's this?"

"It's an air purifier. My Helen is quite delicate."

It can suck up dust and hair.

"Wow... and this?"

"It's a humidifier. My Helen has a weak throat."

Because it gets dry.

"There are so many things I don't know. Did you make them?"

"Yep, mostly for Helen."

I don't really care much about air quality or humidity.

"You really love her, don't you? Helen, you're so lucky."

"Meow."

Helen, sitting on the table, meowed happily.

"I'm sorry for the trouble."

"Not at all. Besides, you don't seem to have much stuff, so we should be done by noon."

Well, even with Helen, I basically live alone.

"That's a relief."

We divided the tasks and started unpacking and setting up furniture. When we were almost done and I was putting things away in the kitchen, the doorbell rang.

"Hmm? Someone's here?"

"Maybe a salesperson?"

The only person I know is the branch manager, but they wouldn't come here. So it's probably a salesperson for newspapers or something.

I left Erika to it and went to the front door, opening it. There stood a blonde girl with a large triangular hat. She wasn't very tall, probably under 150 cm. The hat made her look like a witch, but her height made her look like a child. However, her build wasn't that of a child.

"Who are you?"

Seriously, who is this?

It doesn't look like a salesperson.

"Strange question, but who are you?"

It is indeed strange to ask that when visiting someone's home.

"Oh, that voice is Leonora's."

Erika, who was in the kitchen, came to the front door.

"Hi, Erika. I'm back."

"Welcome back. You're back, then."

It seems this girl, or rather, woman, is the Leonora we've heard about.

"Yeah, I came back on the first airship of the day."

"It's over, then. Ah, this is Siegfried Alexander, who just transferred here."

Erika introduced me.

"I'm Siegfried. Sieg is fine."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Leonora von Retzert. I'm glad to have a new colleague."

"Are you nobility?"

"I was disowned, though."

Huh? Why?

"Oh, come in. We just finished unpacking, so would you like some tea...?"

Erika will make it.

"I'll make it," Erika said.

"That's very kind of you. Ah, Erika, this is a souvenir. You can serve it with the tea."

Leonora handed Erika a box wrapped in paper.

"Thank you."

Erika said and went to the kitchen, so I invited Leonora in and had her sit at the table.

"Phew, I'm tired... Oh? You have a cat."

"That's my familiar, Helen."

"Hello."

Helen lifted her head and greeted her with a bow.

"Hmm... So you're a mage?"

Leonora stroked Helen and asked.

"I have the qualifications, but my main job is as an alchemist. I'm a third-class alchemist."

"Third-class? That's impressive... Ah, your master is Claudia Zettel, right?"

My master's name.

"Do you know her?"

"Well, she's the head of the headquarters. You're Claudia the Witch's favorite, right?"

I don't know if I'm her favorite, but she did take an interest in me. Even though I was demoted.

"Maybe. Leonora, you're nobility, right? What does being disowned mean?"

"Mr. Sieg, you shouldn't ask that on your first meeting. It's better to get to know each other a bit more..."

You're right...

"Sorry. Pretend I didn't ask."

"No, it's not a secret or anything. I just didn't agree with my parents' plans and ran away. I wanted to pursue alchemy, but they wanted me to marry into a good family. I refused and ran away, so I was disowned."

That can happen to noble daughters.

"I see. By the way, why did you come to my room?"

"This apartment is the branch's dormitory. I sensed someone in a room that was supposed to be empty and got curious. I first went to visit Erika, but she wasn't there, so I thought maybe she was here... As expected, you were here. I thought you might be her boyfriend..."

"I was just getting help with unpacking. She's a good person."

The saintly Erika.

"Right. She's a great girl. But I'm not giving her away. She's my maid."

"I'm not a maid!"

Erika brought coffee and cookies and sat next to Leonora.

"Thanks. Ah, thank you, Leonora. I'll have some."

I thanked both of them and took a cookie.

"Not at all."

"It's fine. How's work? Do you have anything to do? If not, you can take another day off."

Well, you just got back. If you're free, take a break.

"Right now, I have a job from the government to turn 50 bricks and iron ore into ingots. I also got a job from Colonel Veeder to make a magic sword, but that's for you."

"Magic sword? We can't do that. So, bricks and ingots... No potions?"

I remember Erika saying Leonora is good at making potions.

"10th-class alchemists can make bricks and ingots, right?"

"I'm not really into it, but I don't have anyone to help... But I've never made ingots before?"

"Everyone has to start somewhere. Erika did too, but she can already turn iron ore into iron."

Then it's just a matter of turning it into ingots.

It's easy to turn iron into ingots. Even someone without qualifications can do it.

"Hmm... Erika, I'll help you from tomorrow."

"Thank you."

With two of us, we should have plenty of time to meet the deadline.

"Phew... Now I'm even hungrier after eating these cookies. How about we go out for lunch to welcome Sieg?"

Leonora said, finishing her coffee.

"We did that the other day?"

"I didn't. I'll treat you, so don't worry."

Sister?

What is this kid talking about?

"How old are you?"

"22."

"I remember hearing we're the same age..."

You don't look it.

After that, we left the house and went out for lunch together.

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