My name is Orica.
　Orica Flaverim.
　I'm the maid of honor at the mansion of the master - Jiro Ayase.

　The master has been trapped in the mirror for many days now.
　Everyone is looking for a way to fix the mirror, but so far they haven't found anything. But Rebecca and the priest have been looking for it. I'm sure they'll find it soon enough.

　So, I'll do what I can.
　The main function of a maid is to protect the mansion.
　Right now, it's my job to support everyone in the mansion who is working hard.

　The first thing is cooking.
　I cook for everyone in the house, and of course, I make sure to cook for my wife as well.
　I can send the food to the other side.
　That's why I make a nutritious meal for them every day. The master eats well and returns the dishes to me. It's not that there is no food on the other side of the world, but that's a different story. I can't imagine not making food for the master.
　Anyway, as long as he's eating, I'm relieved.

　As far as food is concerned, I'm more worried about Lady Diana's health. She's not eating at all.
　Shamash-san said that since there are no more wards to hold the spirit power, it's difficult for even high elves ...... to be active all the time without eating food, but regardless of race, I think you have to eat your food properly.

　In that respect, Marina-san is great.
　Even Marina is supposed to be having a hard time, but she's behaving so well. Aeon-san says that she's trying too hard to train painfully hard, and that's not a good thing .......

　Ms. Aeon does a great job as a maid of honor, and she learns her job very quickly.
　He has an amazing vocation, and I heard that he has a triple job as a 'General', 'Holy Knight' and 'Magician'.
　I don't know why such an amazing person works as a maid in the mansion, but she's extraordinarily beautiful, so there must be something in it for her.
　Anyway, thanks to Aeon-san's visit, I have more time to work.

　There's one more thing I can do.
　There is one more thing I can do.
　Let's get this done with the help of everyone else.



　◇◆◆◆◆◇



　On the day of the parade, I was there to support the women in the parade.
　After the parade, a simple party would be held in the central square of Elishe.
　As an entertainment for the party, there will also be a mock battle between Shamash-san's summoned monster beasts and the knights.

　Everyone, Aeon-san and Etoi-chan will also be participating as part of the female knight squad, so it will be just me and Danna-san who will be doing the backstage work.
　I wanted to take part in it, but the master is with us, so there's nothing wrong with being behind the scenes.

　The master brought snacks and drinks from Japan, and the food that Aeon and I cooked, and we set up the venue.
　We heard that the master was going to be a little late, but he didn't show up. Maybe it can't be helped that he had to attend to some business, but...
　At least everyone has been briefed on the ceremony arrangements, and we had a rehearsal yesterday. In the unlikely event that Nanna can't come, it's okay: .......

　In the end, Danna-sama never came.
　The parade itself was a great success, and the party and entertainment went off without a hitch.
　The food and snacks were well received, and it was cool to see everyone in the knightly corps receiving their souvenir badges from the mayor.

　Of course, I guess that doesn't mean that the entire female knight corps will be accepted immediately.
　I heard a few glimpses of people in the audience saying that knights are ...... even though they're women, and that they're no different from lowly mercenaries ...... even having demons and turks.
　But for the most part, people were friendly, at least on the surface.

　I don't know what's going to happen to the Knights in the future, but Rebecca said that she got some jobs, and like Danna-sama said, maybe things will change slowly but surely.

　As we were preparing to leave after the parade was over, a stinky, merchant-like man spoke to Deanna-sama. He looked like some rich merchant with a number of escort warriors attached to him, jingling and wearing a lot of jewelry.

　The man who grinned and chuckled as he spoke, apparently knew Deanna-sama well.
　But he doesn't seem to have a good relationship with her, and Deanna-sama seems to be blatantly uncomfortable with him.
　Hetty is standing right next to Deanna and casually listening to the conversation with her. I wondered if Hetty knew her, too.

　I was somewhat curious and went over to the cossack's side to listen in.
　Apparently, the merchant-like man was praising the knights and Lady Diana.

''With a knighthood as great as this one, there are plenty of opportunities for them to play an active role in the imperial capital or in Marishella, I'm sure. I can do it. If you want, it might be possible to advise the emperor and promote them as an official knighthood ......, right?

　He's rattling off some kind of dreamy story.
　Like an emperor or an official knighthood. I wonder if he's such a great man. It doesn't look like it.

I can't afford to have that kind of story told to me.

　Deanna's reply, which is only a lucky one.
　This feeling is really a pattern of disinterest.
　Deanna-sama is a person who isn't truly interested in what she isn't interested in...... or rather, she's quite strict with everyone but her own relatives. In return, though, he's sweetly kind to his people.

''This squad belongs to my master. That includes me.
What?　But, Princess Diana. What have you done with your slave crest, my dear?
I cancelled my contract once for this parade. So what?
Oh, I see. Oh, I see. Then you don't belong to anyone else. Isn't it?

　A chubby merchant who spits out such lines with a determined face that looks like it could be a wink.
　I get goosebumps that I can see on Mr. Hetty's arms.

'It doesn't matter what the slave contract is. I, and the knights, belong to my master.''
Heh. ....... So, I guess we'll have to talk to your master and his people. And where do you suppose the master is located?

　A man with a theatrical gesture, scurrying around.
　It's kind of a very unpleasant feeling.

'I'm running a little late for an errand today, sir.
Am I late?　With the parade and the party already over?
...... What do you mean by that?
No, no. I hear it's a tough neighborhood these days.

　A man smirking and laughing.
　It's very, very disgusting.

...... Well, it doesn't matter. And, Princess Diana, what's going on with your example guidance?　I'm here as the Solo family's namesake, so even if you don't mention the knights, I'd like your guidance to be accomplished as soon as possible. If you can't achieve it, then we'll have to do some work on our end, so hey ......
Your guidance should be achieved soon.

　I know about Deanna-sama's special guidance because I overheard her and Marina talking in the garden in the middle of the night a long time ago with Danna-sama and Deanna in hiding.
　Deanna-sama had left home to accomplish that guidance, and it had been two years since she had left. It seems that the beginning of her relationship with her husband is also related to that guidance.

Well, that's good.

　The man shrugs.
　Mr. Hetty thumps his fingers around, crossing his arms in frustration.

'But we can't afford it as a solo family, either. We can't let you play around with a man who can't even help you achieve your guidance forever. ...... Isn't that master and his master ...... who Princess Diana is huddled up with right now, unrelated to the guidance?
...... No, there's no doubt about it.
'Ho. But why couldn't he come today?
What do you mean by that?
No, what if?　When that guy died - that was the fate that was set by your guidance: ....... Isn't that what it was supposed to be?
That can never happen .......

　Finally numbed by the merchant's mannerisms as if things were caught in his back teeth, Hetty drew her sword with unseen speed and stopped it with a snap at the man's throat.
　The warriors of the guards can't even move a step fast enough.

'...... what the hell are you. You are rude, who do you think I am?

　He doesn't even look at the sword against his throat, but glares at Mr. Hetty with increased verbal intensity and says

'Of course I know. You are the brother of the head of the Solo family who kidnapped the only daughter of the Barbacro Trading Company and took over the trading company.
'Oh, you ......!　That voice is ............!

　The man screams in astonishment.
　When Hetty took off her mask and revealed her true face, the man's face turned pale in a flash.
　It seems that he was an acquaintance after all.

He ...... Henrietta ......!　You ...... why are you here ......?　No, my brother told me you're dead .......
'Hmmm, I can't die. By the way, I'm one of these knights, uncle, do you still want this knighthood?
'Jeez, no kidding. ......!　What kind of idiot would want to have the Reaper in his pocket?
You bet. At ......, uncle. You're a Barbacro merchant, you're a wealthy man, and it's strange that you want this kind of knighthood now?　Sure, it's grainy, but still, you can prepare as much as you want, can't you?
That's not true: ....... Good people are hard to get.
'Heh. ............ That's a lie. Your uncle must be looking for Lady Diana. I didn't know what he wanted at first, but if you think about it, there's no need for you to move in person otherwise.

　The man's face turns even paler.
　Apparently, it's a figurehead.

That's why I was with you on this side of the ...... bypassed. Hey, uncle. I wonder what has happened to my Mr. Jiro. I've heard you say some very interesting things.　Depending on your response, it's ...... pompous ......?　...... I've just been itching to kill you for so long.

　Wow, Hetty-san is so cool.
　I've heard that Hetty-san was a pretty famous mercenary in the past, but his aura, or rather, his vibe, is much different.
　Even the slaves who were supposed to be the man's guards just jittery and look at him, but they can't move at all.

''Shh, I don't know!　I didn't do anything.
You can't be mysterious. Answer me.

　Mr. Hetty says in a bottom-chilling tone of voice.

'I don't know what I don't know!　Besides, how could I possibly know about a man who hasn't been here!

　The man was dripping with greasy sweat and shirking that he didn't know.
　He's quite desperate to see if he's so afraid of Mr. Hetty.

'But you were going to do something, weren't you?　You weren't thinking that you were going to kill Jirou-sama anyway, and snatch everything from him with your mouth and your hands?　Oh, no, no, no. Why do Solos have to be so naive? I'm so sick of the idea that I have blood in my veins. I wonder if "hair-raising" is the right word to use.

　Hetty spits out a really disgusting look.
　I'm going to kill you ....... What, are you saying that your husband was targeted ......?
　So you couldn't come today because of ......?

'Silly ....... I'm not going to use that kind of trickery against these country merchants. I thought a little tightening up and letting them grab a bag of gold coins would be enough!
Hmm, is it true?　What does Becky think?

　Ms. Hetty pointed the water at Rebecca, who was checking on her at a little distance.
　Rebecca, too, shrugged her shoulders, as if she didn't understand.

　I don't get it either. I don't know, but they were trying to do something, and this guy is the reason why your wife is behind: ...... I think that's a strong possibility.
　But you can't just kill them for the sake of possibility,.......

'Well, I can't help it. I'll let you off the hook for today. And I want to talk to Jiro-sama. Besides, it's boring to sully the unveiling of the knight squad with your blood. ...... But remember, I can kill you anytime I feel like it, even if it's your uncle .............
"d*mn. ......

　Hetty drew her sword and the man left with his escort slave as if to escape.

'He...... Hettie......?　Now we're talking about ...... your ...... master is ......?

　The man leaves, and Lady Deanna, who had been acting stoutly, asks Miss Hetty with a quiver of her lips.

'I'm sorry, Lady Deanna. I didn't expect him to come directly after Lady Giraud: ....... No, it was my fault for leaving him alone, even though there was a good chance of that. ...... To be honest, I thought that as long as I arrived before that man, the rest would be a matter of course. If anything, I thought I would lure him in and kill him. I can't deny that I even had that extra thought.
Stop!　Stop it!　Your master is fine: ......!　It should be okay: ......!　I even gave him a substitute bracelet. ......
'Of course, I don't think you'll be hit so easily: ....... No, I'll have to check. Was it after you've already done something, or was it still to come: ......

　What?　What?　
　I knew you were going to be targeted and possibly killed by your husband ......?
　Bullshit ....... It's okay ......, right?　
　Even Marina has always bragged about how powerful you are, master. ......

　Hetty told everyone what happened and decided to go back to the house anyway.

...... That's because I wasn't doing it right. If I had left Marina as an escort, ....... You've been floating around ...... with the knights and the parade and all that.
It's not bad for Tycho. Marina is ...... Marina, I've always decided to never leave the Lord ...... and I've never left him.
What the hell, you two!　The master is all right!　I'm just running a bit of an errand over there today: ......!　It should be all about ...... that's all there is to it: ......

　Everyone has a sad look on their face.
　The parade went well, and we were just getting started, so we were devastated.
　I don't know how it happened yet, but people die unexpectedly and easily.
　In my village, there was a boy my age who got sick and died in the blink of an eye. Rebecca and Hetty, who have lived in a world of rage, must have had a stronger sense of this than I did.

　We had just gotten out of Elishe when Lady Diana screamed.
　Part of the ground on the street was stained reddish-black with goo.

''Remnants of Spiritual Power ....... It looks like a substitute bracelet was used here .......
So the blood is Ayase's.

　Deanna-sama said that she had given her husband a substitute bracelet that shattered once it had been fatally attacked.
　There are signs that it was used here. This means that he was attacked and fatally wounded by someone here.
　But the nanny is nowhere to be found.

"...... Ah!　It's a black one!　Black!

　A horse comes running up to Marina-san and noses at her.
　It's the master's favorite horse, Kuro.
　The rider is absent.
　I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm talking about.

...... Anyway, let's go back to the mansion. Just be careful on the ...... road, too.

　Rebecca says.
　Be careful on the road, too.
　I wonder if that means that there might be a dancer down somewhere .......
　I shook my head, trying desperately to shake off the bad feeling.
　I still haven't been able to repay her in any way for her kindness.
　I didn't expect to say goodbye like this.

　When we reached the front of the mansion, Diana-sama let out another scream.
　Shamash-san is also examining the area with a grim expression.

'Do ...... what's going on?'

　For a moment, my heart jumped, as if the woman had been found in a tragic state.
　But that's not the case, the 'warding' on the mansion had apparently been broken. I don't understand it, but Deanna-sama and Shamash-san can understand it.

　We hurriedly ran to the mansion.
　One of the windows in the mansion is broken.
　We hurriedly entered the house. We searched the whole house, but no one was there.
　The only thing left is that room.

　And the man was there.
　The magic mirror was cruelly broken, and she was trapped inside the shard.


　◇◆◆◆◇


　The girl who seemed to be the one who had attacked the master and broken the mirror was standing at the scene. She was just standing there with empty eyes and a bong.
　Shamash caught the girl (though there was no resistance) and opened her back with a bang.

It's called 'Automata' and it's a doll that runs on spirit stones and magic stones. Apparently, they used this child as an assassin. Now, I just got a spirit stone, so it's just as well.

　When Shamash-san took out the spirit stone from the girl's back, the girl closed her eyes and collapsed on the spot. It's a very well-made doll.

　I heard later that this automaton is a relic from the spirit civilization era, and Shamash has only seen it once before.
　It is said that if you give it a spirit stone and a magic stone as its power, it will faithfully follow its master's words as a moving doll.
　It seems that the fact that it is here means that it may have been sent as an assassin ...... or it may have been sent as an assassin.　
　But the doll, from the looks of it, is just a little girl. I'm not sure that such a well-trained master could do it.　
　I guess I was caught off guard and got beaten up.
　She's a cute little girl, and maybe she is.

　While I was thinking about that, the spirit stone was handed over to Deanna-sama.
　Deanna-sama looked so pale that she thought her soul had fallen out, and she didn't seem to be able to accept the shock.
　Deanna-sama began to chant magic as Shamash-san begged her to do so.
　It seems that she intends to use spirit magic with spirit stones to fix the mirror.
　I was told that Deanna-sama could only use magic on a limited basis, but--

　The dimly lit basement was bathed in bright light, and Deanna-sama's spirit magic was released into the mirror.

'Ah ......'

　However, the mirror didn't accept the light and became several light balls that popped and disappeared.

'Was it ............ no ......? I didn't expect you to accept it at all. After all, it's probably the quickest way to find the maker ...... but with an item like this, it's probably definitely a relic ...... of the spirit civilization era to fix... .........

　Mr. Shamash shakes his head.

'...... no, what is it ......?　Hi, even the princess can't do that. ......?
Marina: "Marina: ......

　Marina shakes Deanna-sama's shoulder and clings to her.
　There are large tears in her deep purple eyes.

'It's okay, it's at ......, right?　Look, look, the Lord is looking at you: ......!　If you have such a sad look on your face, ugh ...... u............
"I'm not the only one who has to deal with this ...... thing ............

　--And so we are now separated from our world and your world.
　A tiny piece of mirror was the only thing that could connect us.


　◇◆◆◆◆◆.


　After that, Deanna and Marina spent some time crying.

　After a while, Marina stood up and said, "I must become stronger and stronger and be able to absolutely protect the Lord," and she began to train from morning to night.

　Lady Deanna has been confined to the mansion for a long time, not letting go of the piece of mirror for a moment.

　Mr. Shamash has been studying something all day every day, saying that he has to solve the mystery of the mirror.
　That mirror is cleverly woven with spirit magic and witchcraft, and I know that much, but on the contrary, I've been pondering over the fact that I only know so much.

　Shamash had tried all sorts of things to see if he could communicate with the man on the other side. But he couldn't get through to her.
　Lady Diana, who was afraid that the mirror might break or lose its function if she became too reckless, stopped letting Shamash touch it.

　Shamash-san re-stretched the wards in the mansion with almost the same ones.
　We were told that it was a strong ward that no one but clan members could enter, and indeed, no one could reach the village to deliver vegetables or fodder to them. The previous ward was woven with quite advanced magic, and even Shamash said that it was difficult to recreate, even for him.
　She laughed to herself as she was reminded of how clumsy she was, but she was strangely impressed that even someone who could call up even a dragon could have trouble.

　Rebecca has been working with Mr. Hetty to find a way to fix the mirror outside.
　Apart from that, she has decided to kill the fancy merchant and is in the middle of calling up "Hetty's ex-mercenary children" to track him down.
　However, it seems that Rebecca wants to have her husband kill them himself and is putting a stop to Hetty. She says it's the best chance she's ever had to kill someone.
　Rebecca is just a normal, kind older sister when she's with you, but in reality she's a very strict and scary person.
'We mustn't let Mr. Rebecca be the only one to be offended.
　Everyone in the village knows this.

　Aeon-san has been going along with Marina's training while also doing the work of the mansion.
　She's been training hard, and she comes home exhausted every day, but maybe that's because she's so serious, or maybe she's just trying to do the work at the house, and it's hard to stop her.
　But I'm worried about Marina-san alone, and Aeon-san is the only person who can keep her company at the moment. I'm glad you're here, Aeon-san.

　Elepippi and Etowah are protecting Elishe's shop together.
　The new shop has been put off opening for now.
　They actually wanted to open the shop while the parade was still hot, but they can't let their apprentice open the shop without the owner.
　The mansion was pretty well stocked with enough stock to keep the original shop going, so they'll be fine for a while yet.
　However, it will be gone eventually, so we might have to think about ...... what happens after that, Etowah was worried.
　Our lives depend entirely on the sales of Elishe's shop.
　It will be some time before the Knights will be able to generate income.


　If .......
　If this is the case.
　Will I no longer be able to stay in this mansion?
　Maybe the debt for the spirit stone will be cleared up, but it doesn't matter. I wanted to serve you.

　The master who watched me study in my free time at night.
　The word "Nihongo," which is the language of the master's hometown, was difficult for me to understand.
　I didn't even have a dictionary, so I had to make up my own notes, word by word.
　I haven't made it at all.
　Even though I was instructed to learn another language.
　My vocation is to be a scribe, and yet.

Oh. I see.

　I should write a letter to your husband.
　It occurred to me that I should.
　The master can't read the Lusadian script and can't speak Lusadian.
　But he can communicate with me in Japanese.
　Why didn't I notice it right away, I hated myself for being so stupid.

　But the Great Spirit must have given me this vocation and guidance for this moment.

　Once I decided to do so, I acted quickly.
　I still don't know enough about Japanese to write a letter at all.
　Writing a sentence, let alone a word, is tough.
　But there's no point in whining about it. I don't know how she's feeling on the other side of the world.
　Besides, you'll get a reply from your husband.
　It may be hard to decipher, but it can be done.

"Okay, ......!　Mr. Aeon, Marina. Can I have a word?

　I told them both what had happened and asked them to help me with most of the work at the mansion.
　I'll need some time to write my letters.
　I wouldn't be able to do it single-handedly, as I had been doing.
　They were willing to help me.
　Instead, they wanted me to give them a message.
　Of course, I had planned to do that from the beginning, so I readily agreed.
　Let's collect the messages for all of us.


　◇◆◆◆◇


　It wasn't until about 20 days later that I finished the letter.
　It's mostly all "hiragana", but I think it's well written.
　I hope I got the meaning right: .......

　The messages from everyone have already been collected by Marina, so I've written those down properly too.
　Now all that's left is for Deanna-sama.

'Oh, um, ...... Deanna-sama.
What's going on?　Orica.
"I wrote a letter in Japanese to my wife ....... I wrote about what I've been up to and how everyone is doing .......
I know.
'So, I've been getting messages for everyone: ...... and just for Deanna. What would you like to do with the message for your husband?

　Lady Deanna is smiling gently, but she has lost some weight in the last month or so.
　She looks like a flower on the verge of falling, so fragile, so beautiful, so painful.
　I'm sure she'd feel a little better if she heard back from you.

'So can you write ............ like this?'

　Write a message from Lady Deanna.
　Okay, now all I have to do is give it to her--

Orica. Do you mind if I write a little bit of it myself?
Yes, but Dear Deanna: ......
'I know. Just one word.

　Lady Deanna wrote one word of love in Lusadic letters.

　The two of them were really good friends, even from my point of view. They were always together and I never saw them stop smiling.
　Now, both Diana and Danna are in the midst of their own mortification.

　It's too small to return the favor, but I hope this letter will make them happy, even if it's just a little.

　I sealed the completed letter and wrote "Dear Danna-sama, From Orica" on the front.
　In fact, there's a message for everyone, so maybe "From all of you" would be better.　I thought that was a good idea, but it's ...... good.

　The letter is handed directly to you.
　Occasionally, your wife will hold out her hand from the mirror to you, so you can give it to her at that time.

　I asked Deanna-sama for the letter and handed it to her, and the next thing I knew, a little girl appeared in the air with a clunking sound.

''Ah!　What, yeah?

　I've heard from someone who has achieved guidance.
　He said that the Spirit-sama was holding a walking stick in his hand, wearing a cute hat with curly blonde hair and a cute hat, and floating fluffily with his little wings shaking.
　Now, right in front of me, this girl is exactly--

'Se-...... genie. ......?　So, then: ......?
Yes, sir. You did a great job, Orica. Congratulations on your first 'guidance' achievement.
'Eh, but it's not quite mastery yet, properly ......'
'Properly, if you can communicate your thoughts with words, then you can say that you have mastered it. Then this will be your first spirit stone. Use it carefully.

　With a clunk, the genie-sama disappears.
　In my hand, I hold a transparent spirit stone.

　Without hesitation, I choose to ask him to give me the stone along with it.
　With this, I can only return one favor.
　It is said that with one spirit stone, one can live for a year.
　This will give me some time to spare before the mirror is fixed.

　I let out a breath of relief after confirming that the letter and the spirit stone had been received by the man.

　Now, I have a lot of work to do at the mansion. I'll have to work hard on that one too!