Chapter 39

I was waiting for someone in front of the airport in the town of Rito.

Of course, the person I was waiting for was my classmate from the magic school and former colleague, Adel.

Last night, Adel called from Leonora's house, informing me that she would arrive there by noon the next day, so I decided to come and greet her.

However, Leonora, Adel's friend, was not there.

Leonora had said with her usual smug smile, "You're going alone, okay?"

"Hmm... Should I start by complimenting her on her outfit and say she looks cute today?"

"Lord Sieg, that's an example from a book you shouldn't follow."

It was a pickup book, wasn't it...

Recently, we've been reading it as a joke among the three of us, and Leonora has been using it to flirt with Erica, so it got mixed up in my head.

"Greetings, greetings."

Hey, Adel.

"Yes... Um, are you nervous by any chance?"

"Yeah... It's hard to face each other after what happened."

We've exchanged letters and talked on the phone.

But this is the first time we've met since then.

We hardly ever had proper conversations back then.

I think I've improved a bit recently, but meeting Adel, who was the decisive reason for me to change, still makes me nervous.

"It feels like I'm a kid meeting someone I really like and getting nervous."

That's what Leonora said...

"I don't have that kind of experience, so I don't understand."

"Have you never fallen in love with anyone?"

"No. Even if you count my previous life, I've never fallen in love with anyone. Of course, except for you."

I pet Helen, who is on my shoulder.

"Lord Sieg... I'm happy, but also sad."

Forget it.

"Do you need women?"

"You're saying something outrageous..."

Huh?

"Oh, no, I misspoke. Do you have a partner? What are the benefits of marriage?"

"Either way, you're saying something outrageous... That's part of human life. Through that, people have children, and those children also have children. That's history."

"True. But I think someone else will do that. Someone who finds value in marriage and having children and chooses that path."

I can't see any value in it.

"You're being too pessimistic. Did you get bullied by girls when you were young?"

I don't know...

I never built a relationship where I could be bullied, and I wasn't interested in ordinary people, so I don't know.

"Hmm..."

"Your dream of playing with Lord Sieg's children seems far away..."

I think it will never happen.

But don't worry, I'll take good care of you.

How about we go fishing next time?

"Anyway, no woman would want to marry me. If there were, I'd recommend they go to a hospital."

"You have two wives, don't you?"

"That's Leonora's stupid joke... There she is."

An airship was descending slowly from above.

"Is that the ship Adel is on?"

"Given the timing, it must be. It's the same ship we came on, and it's definitely from the capital."

We continued to wait, and the airship entered the airport and disappeared from view.

After a while, passengers started to come down.

Among the business-like men, I spotted a red-haired woman.

It was definitely Adel.

"There she is. Let's go..."

"Is she an assassin?"

"Idiot."

I approached Adel, who was walking.

She noticed me and stopped, looking surprised.

"Hey, Adel..."

I stumbled...

"Lord Sieg, don't you remember my name?"

Adel looked puzzled.

"Sorry, I just stumbled. It's been a while since we met. How have you been, Adel?"

"Sure. As you can see, I'm fine."

"That's good. Let me carry your luggage."

"I don't have any?"

Adel was empty-handed.

"Huh? Where's your luggage?"

"I can use spatial magic."

I see...

"Lord Sieg, as Erica said, the prepared conversation doesn't work. It's not just a matter of not matching."

Indeed...

"Preparing a conversation... That's why you're looking up without making eye contact."

That's not good.

Let's just talk normally.

If I say something inappropriate, Helen will stop me.

"Sorry. I was thinking too much about not being disliked."

"Is that so... Anyway, what are you doing, Lord Sieg? Aren't you working?"

"I came to pick up Adel. Unfortunately, there's no work for now."

Brick and ingot work is simple, and I've entrusted it to the two of them.

"Pick me up? You?"

"Yes. Adel has been to this town before, but I thought I should at least show you around."

"Is that so... Thank you. I appreciate it."

Adel smiled.

"Let's go to the dormitory first. Here's the key to your room."

I handed the key to Adel.

"Thank you for the procedures."

"It's no big deal. This way."

"Yes. Thank you."

We left the airport and started walking towards the dormitory.

"Adel has been to this town before, right?"

"Yes. Twice. Both times, I visited Leonora."

She seems to be a friend.

But they are completely different types.

"Did you stay at that hotel then? It was a great hotel."

"Yes. Since we came to the southern town, we decided to indulge. For some reason, Leonora also stayed there and was very excited."

"I can picture the scene. Anyway, thanks for the discount voucher. Before this, I thought staying in expensive places was a waste of money and only stayed in cheap places, but my view has changed a bit."

Helen was also rolling around on the bed, meowing and being playful.

"Is that so? If I may say, food, clothing, and shelter are important in human life, so it's good to prioritize them. It enriches your life."

I'm starting to understand that.

The food Erica makes is much better than bread.

Thank you for reading.

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