This is the main street in King's Landing.
　Me and Odette are standing in front of the shop.
　Lumia is in the shop, picking out a souvenir for those in the realm.
　This is the place Odette introduced me to, and the bat Dick is hidden in the bag I gave Lumia. Security is excellent.

　Odette said, "We need to talk to you," so we came out of the store like this, but...

In fact, I will remain in King's Landing.

　Suddenly, Odette said.

''While Yuki and His Highness Iris are out patrolling the territory, I'm going to work on the 'Magic Guild'. That's why I can't go with them.''
Well that's a shame.

　I sighed.

'It would have been a relief if Odette had come with me.
'I'm sorry too. I would have loved to travel with Yuki and His Highness and see the lands near the Empire.

　We're standing in line, in front of the store.
　Lumia is talking to the clerk. Dick's been sneaking around in his bag, sticking his wings out.
That's a "safe" sign. I think it's safe to talk for a while longer.

"If you're working for the Magic Guild, you'll be working directly with Odette?
Yes. "Yes, I would like to use my wizard to help me investigate the staircase leading to the fifth level of Elysian.
That staircase with the rubble and the metal blocking it?
That's the staircase that Yuki paved the way for.

The stairs to the fifth level of Elysian are blocked by debris, rocks and metal.
　There are no gaps for people to pass through.
　We'll have to do something about this obstacle before we can investigate the fifth level.

　The guild's sorcerers recommended to His Highness Prince Cain and old Zamel to use the "Lord's Horseman" to clear a path, but it was rejected.
　It's because you don't know what's beyond the obstacles.

　It could be because of the presence of a demon, or it could be a trap.
　It's a good idea to have a good time and also to have a good idea of what to do.

It's a good idea to use the messenger to search beyond the rubble.
I have a snake charmer on my side. It's perfect for investigating small places.
"Odette summoned me with a demon on the way to King's Landing in the carriage.
It's... well, it is, isn't it?

　Odette looked suddenly flustered.

That's right. I wanted to show Yuki that I have a powerful messenger, too!　Even this time. I'll surprise Yuki and the others with results while they're on the trip!
Why are you angry?
I'm not angry!　I'm not mad at you!
Anyway, just be careful out there. Lyle said it's dangerous on the fifth level.
Yes. I'll be very careful, but...
What's going on?
'Yuki doesn't make messengers like snakes and rats?　Yuki's messenger is so powerful, it should be easy to investigate, right?
I guess I can't use snakes and mice. It's because you need their consent in order to make them an errand boy with 'Myster Blood'. We have what's called compatibility.

　Bats are a good match for them. They can turn a group of them into an errand boy.
　Individually, they can be dogs or foxes. Or wolves.

　But not snakes and mice. Especially snakes we tried to turn them into demons so that they would stop eating chicken eggs, but that didn't work. I had no choice, so I put a coalition of bats and owls on guard at the chicken coop.

　There was another.......demon that I was able to turn into an errand boy.
　I haven't seen them since my reincarnation. It's handy to be able to use them as errand boys.......I wonder if they're in the dungeon.......

Therefore, I don't think we can use them for this investigation.
It can't be helped. In any case, Yuki has to go patrolling the territory as a "guardian knight". You can't say it's unreasonable.
You too, Odette. Take it easy.
I don't know. I've got a desire to get ahead in life.

　Odette smiled with a huff.

''If the guild asks me to do something, I'll make sure it pays off. I don't want to be left behind by you all the time.
I didn't mean to leave you.

　The reason I'm raising my family's baronial status is because I want to legally take Iris in.
　I heard that in order to get the princess as a wife, you have to join a high ranking nobleman.
　In order to do so, it's a quick and easy way to achieve success in the 'Magic Guild'.
　Becoming a C-level magician was just a matter of chance.

''That's not what I meant.''

　But Odette shook her head.

'Because you and your highness will be gone from the world of men one day, won't you?
Yeah.

　I don't age. I will probably stop growing in my early twenties or so.
　After that, I won't age, and I'll stay young for the rest of my life.

　It's the same with Iris. We are not immortal, but we will live on without aging.
　It's difficult for us to live in the world of others.
　Not everyone is as generous as the people in Fira Village.
　We will have to get away from the world of others.

　That's why Iris and I plan to disappear together in the future.
　It'll happen naturally. It will look like an accident. I have a few ideas on how to do that.

Yeah. You're both going to disappear from the people world. That's why I want to be strong. I want to be able to achieve well without Yuki.

　Odette declared.

Odette declared, "I pray that we can protect people from the threats of the Empire. At the very least, I hope to be able to protect my family and Yuki's family...

　I don't know why I had to turn my head to the side.

　I knew it, Odette is awesome.
　If everyone was like her, we'd all be living in people's world.

　But you see, Odette is wrong about one thing.

I'm going to take care of the Imperial side of things.
...What?

　Odette is awestruck.

"What... what?　But....
For my part, I'm not going to just disappear and leave the Empire and the First Priest to fend for themselves. It's possible that the First Priest has the technology to become immortal, and that's something Iris and Martha need. To begin with, I kept my family out of trouble when I died in my previous life.

　I didn't expect Lyle and the others to run off with their hatred of the 'Sanctuary Church' after my death, though.

'I'm a little more powerful now than I was in my previous life. With what Lyle has left me, I can at least get to the 'First Priest'. What happens after that, though, remains to be seen.
Well, of course you do.
''I think this territory patrol is just as good for gathering information. If it's lands near the Empire, there might be people who know about the remnants of the 'First Priest' and the 'Sanctuary Church'. It'll help us figure out how to deal with them, right?
..........
''In some cases, I'll take action after they go missing, but anyway, my father, Brother Xellos, Lumia, Odette, and Rodelia.......Anyway, I'm going to take measures to make sure my people don't get in trouble with the 'Sanctuary Church'. Otherwise, they won't be able to go missing for a long time..........so, Odette?
It's nothing.
'....Is your stomach hurting....or is that face....biting back a laugh?
'Don't analyze it dispassionately ... at all.

　Odette wiped the tears away with her fingers as she laughed too much.

'Yes, I was. That's the kind of person you were, wasn't it? I forgot that you were 'the village's' ... no, 'the village's' beloved guardian god.
Why did you say it again?
It's not. Oh?　It looks like Mr. Lumia has finished his shopping, don't you think?

　Odette was right.
　At the front of the store, Lumia is waving at me.
　He's holding........sweets, I guess.
　It seems that he's going to feed them to everyone in the Barony.......not the Countdom.

　In the bag, Dick is nodding. There didn't seem to be any trouble.
　Lumia walks out of the shop with a satisfied look on her face.

''Thank you for waiting. Brother Yuki, Odette-sama.''
I knew you'd bring back some candy.
Yes. Like Brother Yuki said, I chose something that would last for a long time.
Okay.
The rest is a gift for Brother Xellos, but that's for Brother Yuki to choose, isn't it?
'Yes but this is the hard part. Father said, 'Xellos are learning about territory management these days,' so I want to give them something that will help them.
''Brother Xellos, he also said he'd like to patrol the territory when it gets warmer.
Maybe I'll have to use the saddle or stirrups.
'It's quite expensive...'
'Brother Xellos is a serious man, so I'd like something useful to work with.
Lumiere bought you a snack on the move, right?
Something that will last a little longer.
Speaking of which, Brother Xellos has been in the library a lot lately, hasn't he?
''Then I'd like a book on estate management. But ... those things are expensive.

　Me and Lumia ponder.

'If it's about managing a fiefdom, I have a copy.

　Odette, who was watching, clapped her hands.

'If you don't mind, I'll give it to you. As a gift for Yuki's brother.''
''Well that's too expensive indeed. It is.
'It's all right. They are like notes in a book on the management of a fiefdom, only the important parts are transcribed. The children of the duke's family are told to memorize it by further transcribing it. As Yuki would understand, the best way to remember is to copy it down.
You mean you have what Odette transcribed?
That shouldn't be a problem, right?
'Notes from the book of estate management, transcribing only the most important ones...'
That shouldn't be a problem, right?
I'm having a problem with that.
What is it?
If there's such a thing, I want one too...
It's Dame. Leave it to your brother to handle it this time.

　Odette chuckled.

I'll make another batch for you.
That's very helpful, but I don't know if it's a good idea.
'Or, perhaps, because that's what you'll do for me that I can't pay you back.
All right. Well, I'll look forward to it.
Hmm. You should be grateful.

　J.....

　Huh?

Brother Yuki and Odette are very close to each other...

　When I noticed, Rumia was staring at me and Odette.

"When you belong to the same party in the guild, you can become good friends regardless of your rank........ Lumia, I was surprised.
I know that Yuki and I are in league with each other, fighting for our lives.

　Odette squatted down and locked eyes with Lumia.

─ That's why your brother considers me as one of his own. Of course I intend to return the favor.
Dear Odette.
''Speaking of which... if Yuki is my relatives, then Lumia-san is my sister, right?
'Really?!'
Yes. Your brother seems to think of me as one of his own.

　Then Odette spun around and looked at me.

''So, my relatives, I and Lumia-san would like to have a tea party at your quarters from now on.
'Yes. Lumia would like to talk to Odette-sama about things too!
Yeah. I don't mind that.

　I'm worried about Odette's fearless smile, though.

''Lumia will be returning to the county soon, you know. Good. Before that, let's have a tea party.
'Yes. Now let's get Martha and Remy together and talk about Yuki.
I agree!
We didn't get to talk as much as we would have liked the other day because of all the things that happened...

　I guess that was when Lumia stayed at Odette's place.
　It's true, I had to spend a lot of time that time dealing with the black-robed guys and so on.

''So, today, we'll talk together until the evening.
Yes, sir. Dear Odette.
Of course Yuki will be there, right?

　Odette - hmmm, sniffed and declared.

''It's an exchange of information before you go out on your territory patrol. You should make sure you know what your relatives think of you. Hey, Yuki.