Then, a few hours later...

"So, it's done. ......!

　Allen's voice was muffled and his fists clenched tightly.

　He was currently in a laboratory in a secluded part of the mansion. He uses it to mix potions on a daily basis, and since there are many dangerous chemicals in it, Charlotte and the others are not allowed to enter.

　The room is crammed with weird lab equipment, flasks, and magic kilns, all of which are currently in full operation.
　Among them, the one making the biggest bubbles must be the huge glass culture tank in the center of the room.
　Filled with a lime green liquid, a small shadow could be seen inside.

　Allen gazed at it with satisfaction and wrote a note on a piece of paper in his binder.

"Okay, now we just need to fine tune the--
"Wow. It's pretty good, isn't it?
Whoa!

　Suddenly, someone speaks to you from behind, causing you to drop the binder.
　He turned around in a panic, and Allen's eyes rolled back in his head.

I'm not sure what to say.　You're alive?
You can't just kill someone without permission.

　The one with the half-lidded eyes is Dorothea, the Dark Elf.
　She still wears the same Zborra style of a stretched shirt and bare feet.

　She is the former owner of this house. She had been holed up in the basement and disappeared without anyone noticing, and the house was sold to Allen to live in.
　The house was sold and Allen took up residence. There was a bit of a dispute over the ownership of the house,......, but in the end, many things happened and he disappeared from the house.
　Dorothea smiled brightly and said.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. My work has settled down, and Yol-san ...... got permission from the editor in charge, so that's why I came back!
You're back, are you ...... going to live here after all?
Of course I am. But don't mind me. I think I'll stay in the basement for a long time. I think I'll get some sunlight once every six months or so.
"Are you a cicada or something?

　Dark elves are a rare species, and they rarely come down to human settlements like this.
　Just meeting and talking to them is of great academic value. But why is it that I don't appreciate it at all?

　When Allen looked at Dorothea with a reluctant face, Dorothea looked into the culture tank with great interest.

By the way, this is very well done. ...... Why are you making this again, Mr. Allen?
"Oh, you know...

　Allen explains briefly.
　I've been in love with Charlotte for a long time. But he didn't know that her birthday was tomorrow. I was preparing a birthday present for her.
　When I told her this, Dorothea's head tilted more and more.

"So ...... this homunculus is your birthday present?
"That's right!

　Allen pointed triumphantly into the incubator.
　A small figure was floating in the green medium, holding his knees. She looked to be a girl of about ten years old. Her eyes are closed tightly, and she is sleeping soundly.

　But it's not a real person.
　It is a homunculus, an artificial human being created by the best of magic and alchemy.
　All you have to do is put a pseudo-soul into it, and it will perform simple household chores without any problems.

I made it to help Charlotte. I made it to help Charlotte out. She's a very caring person, so I thought a child form would be easier for her to adapt to.
"I think that's fine. ...... Hmm.

　The homunculus he made this time was one of the best Allen had ever made.
　However, Dorothea only stared at the incubator with a reluctant look on her face.
　Allen raised an eyebrow.

'Well, there's probably nothing wrong with the operation. Or is there something you've noticed about the dark elf?
"No, I think it's more of a general point of view, elf or not.

　Elves are generally a race that is skilled in magic. I'm not sure how much of a sociopath I am, but an elf is still an elf. I'm sure you'll find that point helpful.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help.

"This homunculus ...... looks a lot like Charlotte, doesn't it?
"What about ............?

　Allen froze for a few seconds.

　Allen froze for a few seconds, then slowly turned his gaze to the incubator.
　There, floating and sleeping, was a homunculus baby girl.
　Her innocent face was just like Charlotte's. Except for the white hair, he might have believed her when she told him she was a child.

　Allen gulped and squeezed out the words.

"You look like ...... .............
I'm sure you're unconscious.

　Dorothea claps her hands in agreement.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. That's what you get when you make a gift with the recipient in mind. I'm glad you guys love each other so much!　I'll have to hear all about it later!

　She took out a notepad and began to chatter away, her main occupation, I think, was a romance novelist.


　While remembering such useless things, Allen covered his face with his hands and opened his mouth.

"Hey, ......, it's Dorothea.
"What is it, Mr. Allen?
"What do you think of a man who sends his girlfriend a ...... homunculus for her birthday?
Yeah, I guess so. If I may be frank with you, ......

　Dorothea stroked her chin with a suggestive grin, made a straight face, and assured him.

I'm sure you'll be surprised.
I knew it!

　At about the same time that I was screaming, a crow cawed behind a window that was tinted with dusk.
　Charlotte's birthday was less than six hours away.