A few days after we talked about buying a house in King's Landing while hunting with Noll and the others.

''Okura-san, we have a request for your appointment!

What, you're asking for the appointment?

　When we went to the Adventurer's Society, the receptionist told us that she had a nomination request.
　When it comes to the person to nominate us in Queres...............................is it Christia?　I wonder if he wants to ask me for research material again.
　When I received the request form with that expectation, the client was a request for an escort from Arderbel-san.
　The destination is written as Sting.

''Oh, it looks like Arderbelle-san and the others are going back to the royal capital,''

You asked for an escort, sir? You've been here for quite a while, haven't you?

　It's been a long time since I came to Queres after receiving Arderbelle-san's request for an escort.
　I was wondering when you were going to return since you said you would take care of the return if it was convenient, but you're finally leaving.
　We were also talking about the royal capital, so it's just the right time for us to go home.
　........Huh?　There's something else on the bottom of the request, besides the contents of the request.

　When I read the remarks-like section of the request form, it said that I must bring Esther to Arderbel-san's house before I leave Queles.
　She said she would tell the Society the day she could go, and they would pick her up in a carriage on that day.

'Before you leave Queles, he has something to do with us. He wants you to bring Esther home with you.

Oh, it's true. If you're going to make sure Esther is there.......is that what she's asking for?

'Hmm, I suppose that's what you mean when you say you want Esther.

　I think it's definitely a request from Annelie.
　Is there some reason you want to see her before requesting an escort?
　I'm taking it as a request, so I guess we'd better go with you.
　I heard that when Estelle went to visit Annelie's house, it was an amazing house, so I'm interested in it.

●

　I returned home and told Esther this story.

'What? I'm asking for Annelie's escort!

Yeah, but first, he wants you to come to his house once.

'I wonder what you want. Hmmm. Either way, I'm looking forward to it.

　When Esther heard the story, she laughed happily and put her hand on her cheek.
　She seemed reluctant before, but now she's as innocent as she looks.
　When I return to the royal capital, I want to give you more opportunities to play with Annelie-chan.
　In that case, maybe it would be good to set up a base in the royal capital after all.

　As I was thinking about that when I saw Esther's happy appearance, Luna, who was sitting on Sisha's lap and being stroked on her head, opened her mouth with a gut-wrenching voice.

''You're requesting an escort again?

Where do you think he is escorted from here to where?

'From Queles to Sting. It's a request for Mr. Arderbel and the others to return.

Well, Queles to Sting...

　Sisuha frowns and looks blatantly uncomfortable.
　Don't make that face........

''Luna-san is going to be alone again for almost ten days, aren't you?

It's a request. You're going to have to be patient with me.

That's right. Go ahead and make the request.

But...

'Don't worry, I'm sleeping just fine. I've been given home security.

　Luna is giving me a thumbs up with a smug look on her face.
　No, I'm grateful to you for convincing Sisha, but to say that you're proudly guarding my home is a bit........

''Ugh, if you say so, Luna-san, it can't be helped.......''

Does that satisfy you, sir...?

　Huh, while letting out a sigh, Sisha seems to have given up by hugging Luna.
　
　Well, well, it's fine if he's convinced for now.
　But it's still a long time to take nearly 10 days.

If we could use a beacon or something like that, we wouldn't need to spend so many days on this kind of escort request.

Oh, that's right. That's not the only way. Why don't you try it this time?

'No, no, you don't. No matter how trustworthy you are, I wouldn't want you to do anything that would reveal the presence of a beacon.

　If it's Arderbelle-san and the others, I think it's safe to ask her not to say it, but there's no chance of her accidentally slipping up.
　At worst, it's Esther's magic, so it's possible to cheat and use it.
　But I don't think they would use a beacon to that extent in an ordinary escort request.
　The fact that there is an easy way to travel a distance that would take 10 days should be as unbeknownst to others as possible.
　That's why I thought of setting up a base in the royal capital to reduce that risk.

''Well then, I guess it can't be helped........ Hah, if it's safe to use it in public, it seems like there are many ways to utilize it.''

If I had a job that involved transportation, I'd be in demand.

　Beacon transport, huh? If it's possible, there will certainly be a demand for it.
　It's a dream come true to be able to move from town to town in an instant. That's enough money to make me not have to work at all.

　........wait?　Rather, they could use it as bait to get people to help us collect our magic stones... haha!
　Oh no, I couldn't help but get an evil idea when I thought about the magic stone.
　If I did that, various troubles might happen, so I should still use it while hiding it.

●

　A few days after we gave the association the word, we got into the carriage that came to pick us up and drive to Mr. Arderbel's house.
　We got in the carriage that came to pick us up and went to Mr. Arderbel's house.
　Egon-san is the one who is taking care of the driver.
　As Estelle's companion, me and Noll are also with her.

　Noll was terribly frightened when he rode in the carriage, but now he is in a good mood and excitedly looks out the window.
　As expected from a rich man's carriage, it seems to be a well-built carriage with little shaking.
　Since the road is well maintained, the ride is much more comfortable than the previous carriage we rode in.

　The carriage has finally arrived or the carriage stopped as I was swinging for a while and looking out, and then I looked out the window.
　Then we looked out the window and saw an imposing, gated mansion that was much larger than our house.

'Huge!　Well, that's a rich man's house....

It's great, isn't it!　Is this what a mansion is all about!

The main residence in King's Landing is a lot bigger than that.

　The garden is so large that I don't know how many square meters it is.
　A white path leading from the gate leads up to the front door of the house, and the area around it is paved with green grass.
　........I had heard it was great, but it's this big? It's big enough to exceed the size of 10 of our houses with room to spare.
　I was stunned and dumbfounded, but then the carriage door opened and I came to myself.


'Thank you, Egon-san,'

No, don't thank me. We're the ones who called you.

　I got out of the carriage and thanked Egon and we were led towards the mansion.

'Haha, it's beautiful!　It's sparkling!　It's not like our house at all!

Don't stare at me like that. It's embarrassing.

But it's really great!　We even have a servant!

Yeah, I was surprised when I first arrived.

　Immediately after entering the mansion, Noll looked around inside, his hands buzzing up and down as he shouted.
　Even though it's the front door, it's crazy big. The walls are all white and shiny.
　There was even a staircase that led up to the second floor just around the corner.
　The ceiling was high, and there was a chandelier with a luminous object hanging from it that looked like a magic light stone.
　Obviously, there were also things like vases and statues that looked expensive, and from the moment I entered, I felt out of place tremendously.

　Even more surprising was the beautiful blonde maid who greeted me inside.
　I should have been used to seeing beautiful women because of Sisuha and the like, but seeing someone dressed like this makes me feel like.......excited.

'Welcome to the house.'

Oh, hello. Oh this is the maid. ........hmm?

　As I stared at the real maid for the first time, I felt a fierce gaze from right beside me.
　When I glanced in that direction, I saw Esther staring at me with a big smile on her face.

''Ah--Well, it's not good to make her wait, so let's get going!

Yes, yes....

　While I felt cold sweat on my back when I saw that, I immediately asked the maid to show me around to deceive me.
　Sisha always said something about being scared of being seen by Esther, but seriously, I'm scared.......

''Annelie-sama, Okura-sama and the others are here to see you.

"Oh, let them come in!

　Jumpy, we followed the maid upstairs and followed her upstairs, and after a short walk, we reached the room we wanted.
　The maid knocked on the door to let us know we were coming, and I could hear Annelie's cheerful reply.
　The maid who gave us permission opened the door for us, so we quickly went in.
　Then, Annelie-chan ran up and hugged Estelle.

''Esther!　You're here!

Well that's Anne-Lee for you, isn't it?

　Esther is smiling at Annelie-chan, who is hugging her and rubbing her cheeks while hugging her, as she pats her head back.
　Oh no, the scene of two cute girls getting along with each other is so wonderful.

Hmmm, Esther feels so much better when I hold her close.

Yes, yes, I know exactly how that feels.

　Annelie-chan's words, Noll nodded in agreement with her.
　When I was staying at the inn, I used to fall asleep while hugging Esther every so often. I wonder if it's that comfortable to hold her........

　As I was having these thoughts while looking at Estelle and the others, I noticed that there was another girl in the room.
　A girl with short, light blue hair........Myra.

''Esther, it's been a while.''

Oh, Myra's here too.

'Yeah, I'm going back to King's Landing and I wanted to see you before that. Estelle is going with me, so I thought it would be a good idea to meet her here.

　Apparently, Myra-chan was also invited to join us.
　I see that you will not be able to see each other for a while after you leave Queress, so you wanted to get together before that.

I'm so glad to hear that. Huh, that's nice to hear.

I'm glad to see Esther again, too.

　Hearing Myra's reply, Esther frowned a bit.
　Hmm?　It was a normal greeting, but was there something about it that bothered you?

You've got Mr. Strange. Christ, Myra's always been so stiff. Come on, why don't you relax a little?



Oh yeah, Myra's usually too serious! Oh, come on, smile.

..........stop.......tickling..........

　Estelle put her palms on both of Myra's cheeks, squeezing and lightly pushing and pulling.
　Taking advantage of this, Annelie-chan started tickling her sides from behind.
　Myra-chan's face is deformed, but she's desperately trying to hold it together and stifle her laughter.

　Come to think of it, you told me not to put your name on it before. That's why you frowned a bit.
　Well, the three of you seem to be getting along really well with each other. I wonder if they were playing like this the other day.

'I guess we'd better be out there.

That's right. It's a good thing that Estelle is so innocent.....

　Noll and I walked out of the room so as not to be noticed by the three of us who were jostling each other.
　Then, Arderbel-san was walking towards this room, perhaps just as she was coming to this room.

'Oh, Okura-kun,'

Oh, hi. Hi. Sorry for the interruption.

I'm sorry to disturb you, sir.

No, no, I'm sorry I asked you to come over here for my daughter.

　After a quick greeting, Mr. Arderbel asked if we could have tea, so we decided to have a cup of tea together and talk.
　We were taken to another room, which was also magnificent, and had milk tea.

''Mmmmph!　These sweets are delicious!

　Seeing the cookie-like, wheat-colored pastry served with it, Noor is eating it with high-pitched delight.
　Oooh, like a human thermal power plant......................because he ate too much!

Hey, don't eat your food too fast!

'Haha, there's plenty to go around. Eat as much as you want.

Are you sure?

Haha I'm really sorry.

　The maid brought extra cookies and Noll crunched on them.
　Mr. Arderbel said it was fine, but a little bit of discretion........
　I started to talk to Arderbel-san while being dumbfounded by the Noor next to me.

I'm glad I was able to ask you guys for a request again. It's a good thing that I'm not the only one who's been in a position to do this.

I'm glad you trust me.



You're a good girl. Good luck this time.

　Halfway through, Noll stops eating and asks me to leave it to him, thumping his chest.
　I've been fed some delicious snacks, so I'm sure he's full of motivation.
　His face is hidden by an eye mask, but his eyes must be shining now.

I'd like to ask you guys to help me out again when I come to this town. This time, though, it will be during the Magic Festival.

A witchcraft festival?

'Is the name of the festival magical?　It sounds like a lot of fun.

　I thought it was just a casual conversation, but a word I didn't know came up.
　Magic Festival........I know from the name that it's an event related to magic, but....

You guys didn't know that? It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about it.

You have such an event?

'A magical event sounds like fun!　I want to go there!

It certainly sounds interesting, but...

　Hmmm, is it like a cultural festival?
　Myra-chan will be joining that, so that means Annelie-chan will be coming to Queres again.
　I'll have to think about it so that Esther can go with me then.