Chapter 44

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After a month, we had all grown accustomed to living together as a group of four.

The day after we moved into this mansion, I had Sharu and Aru register as adventurers. It was more convenient for entering and leaving the city.

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Both of them were beautiful, even by ordinary standards. Walking through the city, they would attract attention, and when I took them to register at the Adventurer's Guild, it caused quite a commotion. They were invited to join various parties.

Tired of the endless recruitment, Miria suggested we form a party of three.

The hostility from the other guild members was all directed at me.

...Just thinking about it makes me shudder.

And in the mansion, Natalie, who was supposed to be the eldest, was the one who received the most care.

This lively life might not be so bad.

When I was in Japan, my days were spent going back and forth between work and home, and when I got back, I played online games.

Now, I drink tea and enjoy the conversation of the three of them.

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"Toya! I'm the most charming, right? More than these two inexperienced girls!"

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I can't help but spit out the tea I was sipping.

I can't help but smile at Natalie's triumphant face, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

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"Toya-sama! I'm more charming, right? More than this flat-chested lolicon!"

"Who's flat-chested?! I'll burn your horns with my magic!"

"Come on, both of you... Toya-sama is troubled too..."

"Shut up, you skinny brat!!"

"Shut up, you both!!"

"What did you say?!"

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After a month, Sharu still calls me 'Toya-sama,' but Aru has started calling me 'Toya-san.'

Their once dark expressions have gradually brightened, and I feel relieved.

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Just then, we received a summons from the guild.

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"Toya, I'm sorry to trouble you. It's about that armor..."

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Ebrand, sitting across from me, began to speak.

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"So, what happened...?"

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At my words, Ebrand made a face as if he had bitten into a bitter bug. Then—

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"A messenger from the Kingdom of Generate has come to the lord. They say that if any royal family members who fled from the empire are in this country, they should be handed over immediately. You... Could those two be...?"

"They are not royalty... I hope. I've also heard from Natalie that they are noble daughters. What would happen if they were royalty?"

"That... The guild master and the lord are discussing it. It's fortunate that we had an alliance with the Lunette Empire, but there's a possibility that the Kingdom of Generate could invade this country... In the worst case..."

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He didn't finish his sentence.

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"---I have no intention of handing them over."

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I stated firmly.

It was my true feeling. Over the past week, I had been drawn to them, at least to some extent.

Handing them over might lead to a peaceful life as before, but I would surely regret it.

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"I see... I'll handle it on my end. But you should be careful. The lord and the guild master might act in their own self-interest."

"I understand. I'll be cautious."

"I also need you to stay in this town. You're the top earner in the guild now. I can't afford to lose you."

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I smiled as Ebrand spoke with a laugh.

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After leaving the guild, I walked through the town, thinking.

...Just in case, I'll store the ingredients in my dimensional storage. Who knows what might happen.

I was heading towards the mansion but decided to go to the market to buy ingredients.

By the time I finished shopping and returned to the mansion, the sun was already setting.

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"I'm home."

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Feris greeted me as soon as I returned to the mansion.

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"Welcome back, Toya."

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Feris could now converse normally. Natalie, while saying, "I don't know anything about this," also enjoyed normal conversations.

Entering the dining room, the three of them were sitting around the table as usual.

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"I'm home, everyone."

"Welcome back, Toya-sama."

"Welcome back, Toya-san!"

"I'm hungry!"

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I ignored the last person's comment and said, "Alright, I'll start cooking," as I entered the kitchen.

I took out the ingredients and started cooking.

I minced the orc meat, mixed it with eggs and spices, and shaped it into patties. I fried one side, then flipped them, added wine and water, and steamed them with a lid.

While doing this, I prepared a salad with some vegetables.

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"Alright, it's ready."

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On the table were the hamburgers, salad, and the soup I always keep on hand, along with bread.

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"Hamburgers!! I love these the most!!"

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Natalie's hamburger had a flag on it. She liked it so much that I was asked to put it on every time, even though it was a joke at first.

Are you the most childish one here...?

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After the meal, as we were drinking tea, I decided to tell them about what happened at the guild.

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"Everyone, I have something to talk about. Is it okay? It's about what I was told at the guild today—"

"Why not have a drink while we talk? I got some good wine."

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Natalie took a bottle from her dimensional storage.

Aru nodded and went to the kitchen to get glasses.

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We lined up the glasses and poured the wine into each one, distributing them.

...I don't usually drink. This is rare...

I thought as I took the glass.

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"Let's have a toast first. Cheers."

"Cheers."

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We raised our glasses and took a sip.

The alcohol was strong, but the sweetness spread in my mouth.

It was completely different from the ale I usually drank.

It was so delicious that I almost drank too much.

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"This is delicious..."

"Of course it is. This is a special blend I made. It's supposed to be delicious."

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Natalie said with a broad smile.

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...What did she just say?

...“I made it?”

"Natalie, what did you make—"

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That was the last thing I remembered.

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Thank you always.