Watashi - Chocolat the Servant - was stirring the pot.
　At last, we're going to defeat the Demon Sea Warlord, but first, we've decided to take a "holiday".
　We planned to take Magnus's Towngate back to the royal capital, Laxtia, and spend a day relaxing in our new home with Aria.
　And I'm devoting myself to cooking for the two of you to have a more enjoyable day.

　I was trying to make the day even more enjoyable for the two of you, but I was caught off guard and was distracted.
　It's because of that thing.
　I kept looking back at the Sword of the Rumblings, which is standing in the cupboard next to me, over and over again.

　Why do I have this thing?
　How did this happen?

　It was right after we met the spirit siren on the island of Andres.
　Pauli stayed behind with Siren because she had something to talk about, and we went back to the temple on earth.
　Then Lord Lawrence suddenly said to us...

　　　　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.

You will defeat the Demon Sea Lord, won't you, Lord Magnus?

"The 'Mere Old Man' asked, holding the 'Mere Old Man' sword.

Yes. Yes. Let us do the rest.

　Master Magnus answered proudly.
　I know that this "we" includes Chocolat, of course. I was so happy to hear him say it that I kept nodding my head in approval.

　Seeing my gesture, Master Magnus smiled at me, but Lawrence, with a stern look on his face, said, "I'm going with you.

I will go with you. Let me fight with you.

　What encouraging words!
　As a top-notch swordsman, you're no stranger to the use of the Maid of Honor, I'm sure Lawrence is no stranger to the Maid of Honor. You couldn't have asked for a better helper.

　However...



　Master Magnus clammed up.
　Master Lawrence, on the other hand, with a face and tone of firm determination, said, "I know.

'I know. You mean to tell me you don't know if you'll make it out alive?
Yeah, that's right. He's one of the Eight Demons, the highest boss monster in the world.
I've had some experience with the skill set of a few of them, but........ I'm sure you're not the only one. But I can't just sit here and do nothing. I left my wealthy family behind to join the Marine Police (Cagliostro) in order to protect law and order here in Kajuu. I'm not going to risk my life now. That's the way I've always tried to deal with criminals.

　Master Lawrence insisted so hard.
　That's how determined he is. He must be a "watchdog of the law" to the very core of his being.

　And yet, the Lawrence of today is different from the Lawrence of the past.
　I apologize for sounding a bit cocky - but Lawrence has matured through the hardships he's been through.
　Whereas before Lawrence was a man of inflexibility, for better or worse, he has changed his mind with a newfound flexibility," he said.

"-but this is selfishness on my part. I don't care if I'm powerless to die, but I can't stake my future on that.

　I trusted him with the Mummy's sword.
　How dare he! To me!

Huh?
You're stronger than me. Then you should use this one.
'No, no, no, no, no!　It's true that Watashi won in Domon Island, but it was because of Magnus-sama's love (buff)!
I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time in the field. I'm sure that my sword is nothing more than a sword that can be used against people. So I want you to take it.

　I'm surprised and astonished to hear you say that.

I agree with you, Chocolat. In fact, I was originally going to have you use it as part of my plan.
'I thought you were going to use Master Magnus!
I'm a wizard.　The sword is useless.
"So, then, after being utterly useless at sea, how about letting Gladius-san use you?
'The standard (size) is too different. We can't equip them in the first place.
'So, you're going to have the best in the water, Mr. Marid, to use it?
How do you expect me to equip a man whose body is made of water with a sword...?

　Master Magnus said with a bitter smile.
It's time to get a grip," he said with a wry smile.

　I looked back at Master Lawrence with trepidation.
　The whole time I and Master Magnus were communicating with each other, Master Lawrence was in the same position, holding out the Sword of the Sea to me. He said he wouldn't move, not even with leverage, until I took it!

　If it comes to this, there is only one answer for Chocolat.

"Kajuu's future, I'll take care of it.

　Seriously and sincerely, I accepted the "Mere Old Man's Sword of the Sea" from Mr. Lawrence.

　　　　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.

　That's what happened.

'-- and I'm pensive again. My hands are stopped.'

　I stir with a rasping ladle to keep the pot from burning.

Chocolat-san... Can I help you with something, too?

　Then Aria-sama came out to the kitchen.
　She was in a very good mood, probably because it was the first time in a long time that she and Magnus-sama were able to make out and romp around alone. I'm fine with that, aren't I?

I'll do the cooking, so you can go ahead and make out with Magnus. It's a good thing that you're a good friend of mine. If possible, I would advise you to use the two fine weapons on your chest with great skill. I assure you that Master Magnus will be more than pleased. This is the advice of a faithful servant who knows Master Magnus better than anyone else, so you can be sure of that.
Doesn't the word have a lot of spine to it...?

　Aria-sama confronted me about it, but I just shrugged it off.

　Even though she was angry at my attitude, Aria-sama just smiled bitterly at me and said she was beside me.

'Is this the reason for Chocolat's tingling~?

　He poked at the "Mere Old Man's Sword" and said, "Did you see that, Mr. Aria?

"As expected of you, Miss Aria, you see through me.
'I mean, Magnus is worried and fidgety. I didn't think that Chocolat would be so nervous," she said. Ugh, he really doesn't understand women's minds, does he?
"So, I see that Lady Aria has come to check on me for you.

　I think this kind of consideration and kindness from Lady Aria is befitting of Magnus' future wife. Yes, it's so annoying!
　If Aria-sama had been a b*tc*, Chocolat wouldn't have been able to fit into the current "mascot" category, and she would have gone for the "legitimate wife" category without reservation. Magnus-sama is a rewarder, isn't she?

　Aria-sama continued to stand next to me and helped me prepare the next dish.

'As for me, I can't help but be envious of Chocolat-san, who can fight by Magnus-san's side, though~' "I've been sentenced to stay behind to defeat the Demon Sea Generals.
''Please don't peek at me so bitterly, Lady Aria. It's not good.''
But in order to defeat the "General of the Sea", Chocolat-san fighting with the "Sword of the Rumblings" is an important position, isn't it? Is the pressure still on?
'Of course, Aria-sama. The future of Kajou, and thus the fate of the world, rests on Chocolat's tiny shoulders. It's no less than a great responsibility.
But what does it matter?
"Huh?

　I'm astonished at Aria-sama, who says something outrageous out of the blue with a bare face.
　I can't help but stare at her profile. I stop stirring the pot again.

　Lady Aria takes the ladle from me and continues to stir it for her.

'I honestly see things differently than Magnus-san, or maybe I can't catch up, but I don't really feel the fate of the world when people say it's the fate of the world.
'Sparrow-chan can't see what's with you when you're flying high up with Mr. Ootori, or something like that.'
That's about it. So, for me, it's all I need is for Magnus-san and, by the way, Chocolat-san to come back safely.
"Am I an optional extra?
"Uh-huh.

　You laughed at my tsukies and tried to cover it up.

'Anyway, you don't want to take it easy, do you, Chocolat?　If I mess up, or if I think I can't win, I can use the Town Gate or whatever it is and run back.
'Ehh, can we run away?!
Well, it's a good thing when you're no match for them. Is there any reason not to?
I hadn't thought of that!

　This is exactly what I mean when I say "scales".
　At the same time, the heavy feeling in my stomach and shoulders that had been hanging over the chocolates felt like a lie.

Are you no longer feeling overwhelmed by this nonsense?
'Yes!　But the pressure is still on.'
"Eww, my pep talk is meaningless!

　That's not true. I swing my head around from side to side.

"I will do my best to protect you, Magnus-sama, so that you can come back alive.

　Even if you can't stand up to the Demon Sea Warlord for now.
　The fate of Kajou and the world are in jeopardy.
　This is the only thing that matters to Chocolat.

　I took the ladle from Lady Aria, stirred the pot, and said, "I hope you feel like you're on a big ship, like the Maria of Hope.

I hope you feel like you're on a big boat, like the Maria of Hope.
Thanks. But even Chocolat-san has to be safe, right?
"Yes, I'm just here to add to the list.
Yes, it's a nice touch as an added bonus.

　Lady Aria said that with a big smile on her face.
　I could not have received a better encouragement than this.

　That's right, not an order, but a pep talk.
　What Chocolat the Servant wants is an order, but Aria-sama really doesn't give it to me. She's mean.
　She's mean, and she's a very sweet future wife.

　Chocolat has decided to do his best for the sake of Madame Magnus and for the sake of Aria.
　The pressure isn't going to keep me down.
"The battle with the Demon Sea Generals is right around the corner.