Chapter 28

Deciding to call Adèle, we left Erika's room and went up the stairs to the second floor.

"It's a bit messy, but don't mind it."

Leonor said this as she opened the door and went in, so we followed her. It was pitch dark inside, but the lights soon turned on. Then, we could see a living room with the same layout as our room, but the floor was piled high with books.

"You're a bookworm, huh?"

"Yeah. I've always loved books. I got really into the alchemy books I found in there, and that's how I got to where I am today."

I guess there are people like that.

"Leonor, let's clean up."

"Please, my wife."

"More like a mother's feelings."

Erika said this as she picked up the scattered books and put them back on the bookshelf.

"Sorry... Oh, it's the phone for you, sir. There."

Leonor pointed to the phone hanging on the wall.

"What's the number?"

"Just a moment."

Leonor went to the phone and started dialing.

"Huh? You're already calling?"

"Yeah, here."

Leonor handed me the receiver, and I took it, pressing it to my ear. The dial tone was already ringing, and it seemed she had already dialed.

"Give me a chance to prepare, at least."

"Stop dilly-dallying and just ask her."

"You should clean up, too."

"Fair enough."

Leonor also started picking up the books. Then, the dial tone stopped.

"Hello?"

A low female voice came through.

"Uh... Hello?"

I started to feel nervous...

"Yes, who is this?"

"Um, this is Siegfried Alexander. Is Adèle there?"

"Yes? Siegfried? Oh, this is Adèle."

Oh, it's Adèle.

"Adèle... I thought your voice was low."

"I apologize. I only get calls from my parents, so I was a bit on guard."

Why would she be on guard when calling her parents?

"...Siegfried, greetings, greetings."

Helen whispered a reminder.

"Oh, good evening."

"Yes, good evening. Whose voice is that?"

It seems Helen's voice was heard.

"It's Helen, my familiar. I often make mistakes in communication, so she corrects me."

"Oh, the cat... She's a helpful one."

She's a cute one.

"...Apologies, apologies."

I know.

"Adèle, I'm sorry for calling at this hour."

"No, I've already finished dinner and was relaxing, so it's fine."

"Ah... And I'm sorry for calling so suddenly."

"Yes, I was surprised. By the way, how did you get my number?"

Well, she would ask that.

"I got it from Leonor. You know Leonor, right? Leonor von Rechert."

"Yes, I know. Come to think of it, she's also in the Reit branch."

"That's right. What a coincidence."

"Yes. So, are you in Leonor's room now? At this hour?"

Ah, that's not good...

"There are other colleagues here. We're cleaning up with Leonor..."

"Her room is pretty messy, isn't it? I've been to her house a few times, and it was full of books."

"Still is... Adèle, I'm sorry, as I wrote in the letter."

"I wrote in the letter that I'm not bothered by it anymore. Focusing on work without worrying about interactions with colleagues isn't a bad thing, and in a way, it's the right thing to do. But I also realized that there's more than one way to be right."

Yeah...

"I've been reflecting on that and trying hard here."

"That's good. But, the three of them are quite strict. They were a bit surprised when they read the letter."

Yeah, they would be.

The three of them...

"Adèle, actually, that's the main reason I called."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"The Reit branch is seriously understaffed. So, if it's okay, I was wondering if Adèle could come here."

She probably won't...

"Wait, are you telling me to transfer from headquarters to there?"

"Well... It seems like you might have some complaints about your workplace."

"Huh? What kind of complaints?"

"Um, no, it's just that one of my colleagues said that..."

Helen started hitting my shoulder with her paws.

"...What did they say?"

"They asked about the work situation here from the letter, so I thought you might have some complaints."

"Siegfried... Did you show my letter to your colleagues?"

Huh? Adèle's voice got lower...

"No, I didn't show it. I just asked what they thought about what was written. Sorry, but the first thing that came to mind was, 'Would you ask a demoted person that?' I thought, 'Are you trying to start a fight?'"

"......You have good colleagues. I was just concerned because you've never left the capital."

"I see... I'm sorry. I guess my social skills are still lacking..."

I feel so helpless...

"Please don't worry. It was my mistake to ask. But, that's how I realized the inconsistency in your letter."

Huh?

"What inconsistency?"

"Your letter asked about the work situation here, which is something you, who never show interest in others, would never do. So, I wondered who I was writing to."

I admit it's true, but it's hard to react to that.

"I don't repeat the same mistakes. I've changed."

"That's wonderful. But, you're not interested, are you?"

No.

"To be honest, I only think about not making mistakes. I'm still at that stage. I haven't fully grasped what's wrong yet."

"You're being true to yourself... So, let me ask again. How is your work going?"

"I think it's going pretty well. The two colleagues are straightforward and easy to understand, which helps."

They're good people.

"I see... That's good. Now, back to the topic. You want me to transfer there. What's in it for me?"

Benefits...

"To be honest, there's not much good. We don't have good facilities, and we make potions and ingots by hand. Erika and Leonor are both 10th level, and there's a lack of staff. The branch's reputation isn't good either. The only good thing is that the nature is abundant, so the food is delicious. And there are colleagues who can cook and clean."

And clean...

"Hmm... Why did you invite me?"

"Because you're the only one I can invite."

"I'm 9th level, you know?"

9th level... Well, still better than Erika and Leonor.

"You'll be 8th level soon."

"Really?"

"From my assessment, anyone can become 7th level with enough effort. Beyond that, it takes talent."

I don't know Adèle's skill level, but I think she can become 6th level.

"Is that something you can say?"

"Watch me. I'll turn the 10th level duo into 7th level in no time."

Within a year... or maybe not?

"Hmm..."

"Want me to help you study now?"

"Are you the type to do that?"

"I don't really know, but I've taken on a disciple."

I don't really know how it happened.

"A disciple... You've changed."

"Thinking about others is important."

"Yes... But, Reit...?"

Huh? She seems more hesitant than I thought. I thought she would immediately decline and hang up...

"The branch chief is a retired military officer who doesn't say much, so it's quite relaxed. Plus, the dorm is only a 30-second walk away, which is very convenient."

"That sounds good... I guess it's better than being here."

Huh? She seems to be leaning towards it?

"There's a cute, soothing girl at the workplace."

"Who?"

"Helen."

"Oh... The cat. Well, since you invited me, I'll submit a transfer request."

What? Is she serious?

"Are you really coming?"

"No, you invited me, didn't you?"

"I didn't think you'd come. I was just trying, you know."

"Making assumptions isn't good. People have their own reasons and thoughts."

Hmm... Maybe she really does have complaints about her current workplace.

"Will your transfer request be accepted? I can call the head of headquarters if needed."

"No, I think it will be accepted quickly."

Really?

Because she's a noble?

"When can you come?"

"I need to hand over my duties and move, so give me two weeks."

Two weeks.

I was immediate, but it would normally take that long.

"Got it. Thanks."

"No, thank you. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I put the receiver down after the call ended.

"She said she's coming..."

I reported this to the two of them, and they exchanged glances.

"Romance?"

"Really?"

I don't think it felt that way at all.

"No, it seems she has some complaints. I didn't ask, though."

"Complaints... Even in the prestigious headquarters?"

"Maybe it's about interpersonal relationships. I'm sure my former team had them."

It's sad to say, but it's true.

"Anyway, we're now four. It was a good idea to invite Adèle."

Indeed.

It was a good idea not to assume and to invite her, as Erika said.

"Helen, I'm counting on you. Unlike these low-communication difficulty people, Adèle is full of landmines."

"You planted those landmines yourself. Adèle is a very good person."

I know.

I hope I can handle it...

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