The night before the first day of school, a month ago.
I've got a visit to the Devil's Forest in three days, and my dad wants to know if Leo and Lena can join me.
　Shelly invited me to visit the Devil's Forest.

(Come to think of it, this was the same time three years ago.)

Is this Leo's parents' house? I want to go!

Okay. I'll tell your father.

Yes, please. I haven't had a bath in a while.

(I've only been in it once, but I can't get over how good it feels.)

(Are hot springs really that pleasant?)

(That's a nice surprise when you get there.)

(If you say so much, I'll look forward to it.)


　And three days later.
　I left Imperial City in the Emperor's carriage.

　There are two carriages and I'm riding in one with Sherry and Lina.
　Shelly and Leena haven't been able to leave their home (castle) lately, so they are enjoying the view from the carriage.

　Maybe it's because it's a royal carriage, or maybe it's just because it's going so fast, but the carriage barely shakes at all.
　If we keep going at this speed, we'll be there in less than a week.

　By the way, since the last party was attacked, there are not a lot of knights but special forces guarding this inspection.
　There was a suspicion that a knight was late on purpose at the last party, so they didn't give him escort this time.

　And eight days later.
We're finally in the City of the Brave.
　Then Sherry looks out the window at the shopping district.

It's a busy town.

Yeah. There's a lot of good stuff for sale.

I'd like to see what they have for sale later.
　Then Shelley asked me to do it.

'I'll have to ask the Emperor about that: ....'
　I gave him a troubled look.

I'll ask him later.

Don't expect too much.
　I don't think he'd allow it, considering what happened before.

　And so on.
Oh, here we are. You have a big house, Leo.

It's a duke's house.
　I say, and I open the door.

　And I saw my mom and dad standing there.
Welcome back. Leo.

I'm home.
　And with that, we got out of the carriage.

　And out comes the Emperor and the Princess in the next carriage.
Long time no see, Diork.

It's only been a month or so.
　Grandpa's funeral was about a month ago.

Well, don't get hung up on the details.

I'm surprised you even thought of taking a vacation this time.

'Is this about the last attack? We're here because of the attack this time, remember?

On vacation?

There's no way!
　The Emperor was loud and angry .

''The inspection of the Demon Forest is an event that shows the Empire is safe both at home and abroad, so in a time like this, we have to do it even more: .....

I see. The emperor's got a lot of work to do. Well then, let's have lunch.


　Then, over lunch.
What do you want to do now? I'll go to the hot springs for now, though.

'Oh, I want to go shopping in that mall over there!

Then you and Damien can hang out after the spa.
　The emperor gave his permission without any pretense of considering it.

Yay!

'It's easy to get permission to...'
　Oh, come on, it's okay: ....

　And the emperor.
Well, I'm sure you'll be fine, Leo.

'Really? I'm just a kid.
　I'm only eight years old.

After what you did last time, you're kind of an adult now, Leo.

Oh, did I hear that Leo was active?
　My father will ask the Emperor.

Yeah. You're a huge help.

'That would have been nice to see: ....'
　Mom gave me a disappointed look.

Yeah, and Leo's a nobleman now.



It's only temporary until I give you the land.

But now you don't have to worry about your future.

I don't think you need to worry about Leo's future.
　Dad said, and everyone nodded in agreement.

"Well, let's go to the spa.

　Then we took a carriage ride to the hot springs.
　It's been a long time since I've been to a hot spring, soothing to the body and soul.
　The hot springs were the best after all.


　And now I'm going to go shopping.

So stay close to me, then.
　Pops has to be careful with us.

""Yes."
　The three of us replied.

I'll be off then.

　I walked down the shopping street.
What's that round brown thing?
　Quickly, Leena pointed to the stall and said.

'That's .... It's called takoyaki, and it's the food that the brave man (dad) taught the previous owner of this store.

It looks good.

I'll get it.
　I'll buy you a Takoyaki.

"Oh, it's hot!
　They both put the hot takoyaki in their mouths and are very happy.

It's hot, but it's delicious.

Right? They come all the way from other countries for this.
　You came from another country looking for octopus balls?

That's as good as it gets.
　He finished his takoyaki right away.

　And as I walked down the shopping street
What is that white thing this time?
　And Leena points again.

It's called ice cream, and it's cold and sweet.

That looks good. Leo, please.

Uh-huh.
　I'm a natural buyer.
　I think some mesmerizing magic was used: .....

　And I'm going to buy it.
It's cold! This is sweet.
　I ate the ice cream in a flash.

　And then some more.
Now I want to eat what's on that skewer.

Uh-huh.
　My body has bought it on its own.
　This is definitely a mesmerizing spell. .....

It's called yakitori, it has sauce and salt, and it's delicious.
　The uncle looks at me and laughs as he introduces the yakitori.

"It's good too. I prefer salt.

Yeah? I like the sauce.

I like them both: ....

So let's move on to the next one, shall we?
　This is how the shopping street food tour continued.


　And the next day.
　Today you and your father have a week-long trip to the Devil's Forest.

So take care of things, okay?

Yeah, okay.

Well, I'm off.

""Have a good day."

　The farewell party is over.
Now, let's see what we can do: .....

I'd like to be taught non-attribute magic.

'Oh, that's a good one, Damien-san couldn't teach me the only non-attribute magic.

Well, unattributed magic takes a long time to learn to do.
　It took me two months to perfect my technique.

Really. So you're going to help me get it right.

　Well, there's nothing else to do, okay?
Yeah, sure. So why don't you get your clothes on and we'll play in the yard.

　Then go out into the garden and start the non-attribute magic lecture.
''Then try running with your magic as if you were strengthening your body.

Yeah, I'll try.
　We both try to run, but ..... Just like I did, you lose the momentum of your legs and fall.

"It looks like you got your strength right.

This is a tough one.

It's just a matter of practice. In the meantime, let's try to run a lap around this house in a week while using non-attribute magic.



Uh-huh. Just teach me how to do it.

The trick is to figure out which parts of your body need to be strengthened. The trick is to figure out which parts of your body need to be strengthened, but not all of them, because you won't improve.

Yes?

　Then a week.
　Shelly and Leena fell down again and again, inch by inch, gaining more and more distance.

　And finally.
One lap at last, that's the goal!
　Shelley throws his hands up in the air as he finishes the job.

　I'm a little late.
Yay, I made it through a lap too!
　And Lena made it to the finish line.

You managed to make it in a week.

Yeah, that was good.

It's a great accomplishment.

Good, good. Okay, I'm going to take a bath and sweat it out, and then I'll wait for my dad and the others to come home.
　Then I suggested that she take a bath.

　And then...
Okay. So, why don't you join us for a bath, Leo?
　Then Shelley said the most outrageous statement of all.

'What? Okay, you two should come in.
　Actually, this house is a mixed bath.
　My grandfather made the bathroom big enough for the family only.
　When guests are staying, we divide the time between them.

Come on. Let's go in.
　No way. ..... Even Leena.

No, no, no.
　I try to say no.

If you're embarrassed, I'll let you do this.

　This could be...
Can we take a bath together?

Yes, sir.

　I knew I'd used my charm magic: .....

　And an hour later, we were greeted by the return of my parents.

　Huh?
　How was the bath?

　It's ....
　Let's just say that I got through it mindlessly: .....