Chapter 49

At the ore shop, I bought the necessary materials like magic stones and returned to the branch.

Then, as I was making bricks, it became noon.

"It looks like we'll finish with plenty of time today."

After all, working with four people is much faster.

Erika and Leonora, as expected, have also significantly shortened their alchemy time by doing so many.

"Zieg, what are you having for lunch?"

Adel stood up and asked.

"Bento."

"Huh? You cook? That's surprising..."

"Judging people by their appearance isn't good, you know."

I work part-time at a restaurant and am good at cooking.

"I'm sorry..."

"Here's yours, Zieg."

Erika handed me a bento.

"Thanks, always."

"Thank your wife."

Leonora also received a bento.

"No, I didn't make it, after all."

Adel looked exasperated.

"Erika made it."

"She even cleans up—"

No, you should do that yourself.

"No, you should do it yourself."

Adel spoke my thoughts.

"I do, but the books get scattered quickly—"

Maybe because you don't put them away?

"Would you like to eat, Adel?"

Erika took out another bento.

"Huh? Is this for me?"

"Yes. You just moved, so you probably haven't had time to prepare. If you'd like, you can have it. If not, I'll eat it later."

"Ah, then I'll take it..."

"Sure."

Erika handed the bento to Adel.

"Is it okay?"

Adel looked at Helen, my advisor.

"It's fine, right? Let's eat together."

"Okay..."

Adel sat down and opened her bento box. Meanwhile, Leonora and I were already eating.

"Looks delicious..."

"I tried hard. I learned a lot of recipes from Zieg."

Yeah, it's delicious.

"Wow... Zieg is so knowledgeable... Ah, it's delicious."

"I'm glad."

We all ate our bentos, but I finished first, so I decided to read the book I bought earlier.

"What are you reading?"

Erika asked, so I showed her the cover.

"['How to Get Along: How to Talk to Men']... It's the male version of a pickup book."

"It's a series."

"Wow... What does it say?"

"It says that men have high pride, so you shouldn't criticize them. It's better to affirm and correct them...—it's tough."

How do you do that...

"Zieg is straightforward, which I think is a good quality. If you choose your words a bit more, you'd be perfect."

Oh...

"Erika, you're amazing. You're putting it into practice."

"I didn't mean to..."

Is it natural?

As expected of Saint Erika.

"Also, the seating position is important."

"Seating position?"

"It says to sit next to them if possible."

"Hmm. Why is that?"

Well...

"It says that seating position affects people's psychology. Sitting next to someone indicates affection, sitting opposite indicates confrontation, and sitting diagonally indicates fondness."

I, on the other hand, am in confrontation in all directions.

"Huh? Zieg, are you in confrontation with me?"

"Erika... that's harsh."

Adel and Leonora, who were listening, looked shocked.

"It's not related to work."

"Besides, it was Leonora who said this seat was good."

Erika looked exasperated.

"Hmm... Zieg, show me, show me."

Leonora, who was interested, stood up and reached for the book. I handed it to her, and she started reading.

"Is it interesting?"

Adel asked Leonora.

"It's educational."

"What kind of education...?"

"Well... this tea is delicious. I usually can't drink it, but today I can drink it all."

After drinking the tea, Leonora made a strange sound and pinched Adel's skirt a little.

"What's that? Is the tea actually alcohol?"

"Hmm... By saying you usually can't drink it, you're implying you're weak for alcohol, and by drinking it with you, you're indirectly saying it's fun. Then, the final body touch. Loosening your clothes a bit makes it even better."

How lame.

"Is this good?"

Adel looked at me with a puzzled face.

"Well? If Leonora does it, it's just a joke, and if Adel or Erika does it, it's worrying."

You might think they drank too much.

"No, not us, but generally."

"I don't know. I've only gone out for drinks with you, Adel, and the branch manager."

In my previous life, there were business dinners, but no women were present.

"Hmm... Zieg is special... So, you don't have a good impression of women like that?"

"I don't like stupid people. But, the atmosphere suggests they're easy to take home. Well, it's probably a book for women who are waiting to be taken home."

I don't like women who set up such honey traps.

"Wow..."

When Adel understood, Leonora stood up and came over.

"Helen is so cute."

Leonora said something obvious.

"Can't you see that?"

"Can I hold her?"

"Ask Helen."

"Helen, is it okay?"

Leonora tilted her head and asked. Helen, who was curled up, woke up, stretched, and yawned. Then, she jumped up and landed in Leonora's arms.

"Oh, so cute! I love cats—"

So that's it...

But, she's making a strange voice again...

"Indeed, it suits you."

Leonora holding Helen looked very picturesque.

"Does it?"

"Your outfit looks like a witch's, and a black cat suits you."

"Thank you. Helen, will you be my cat?"

Hey...

"I'm sorry, but I'm Zieg's familiar."

"That's great. Zieg is so lucky."

"Indeed. Helen's existence is my reason for living."

"Zieg..."

Helen's eyes were moist.

Why is she so cute?

"So? What is this?"

"What is it?"

Zieg and Helen looked up at Leonora's face at the same time.

"It says to fully affirm what men like. How was it?"

Hmm...

"That was effective. The sense of closeness and trust increased significantly."

Thinking back, I think Erika initially thought I was a good person because she said Helen was cute.

"Hmm... Ah, Helen, I'm sorry for waking you up."

Leonora placed Helen on the desk.

"No, no. I was happy to be praised."

Leonora patted Helen, who said this, and returned to her seat.

"If you read this pickup book and the other one, you'll become a good person who is liked by both men and women, won't you?"

Leonora showed me the two books.

"I bought them thinking that."

"Zieg, don't do it. I'm telling you for your own good."

Adel tried to stop me.

"You're right. At least, I don't think I'll become a good person."

Erika also thought so...

Hmm, the hybrid of a pickup man and a carnivorous woman doesn't sound good...

Thank you for reading.

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