'Why are you following me around like it's natural...'

　The complaint that leaked out of his mouth was to his own master. It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of it.

''It's a master's duty to watch his apprentice's workshop!
Convenient....

　I pressed my forehead and looked up at the sky, which was already dark. The number of people on the street was beginning to dwindle and the inn would already be occupied.

''Master got paid for today's request, so you could have stayed at the inn.

　Daisy's request today was all done with Lurimes' help, so the reward was given to her. As for Lace, I have no complaints about that per se.

　The problem is that Lurimes is going to stay at Lace's house.

'I don't care, I don't care,'
I care.

　Nevertheless, Wraith is not a demon enough to force his master to stay in the field. He lets Lurimes into the house without.

''Hm?　Ray, are you going to open a store?
'I'm interested, but I'm thinking about it. To be honest, it's not something I can touch lightly.
Oh, yeah.

　Rulimes looked at the empty shelves and accessory displays and nodded lightly.

''It's surprisingly spacious...''

　From behind the counter to the workshop. Rulimes lightly spun around the central room and gave his impressions.

''Yes, it looks comfortable and I like it!
Are you sure?

　Lurimes seems content as he rolls over in his nap hammock. Wraith, who doesn't even feel like protesting, settles down once.

''Are you planning to stay here while you're in the kingdom?''
Yeah, I'm gonna do that!
Well, I suppose...

　So. So Wraith would also have to cook his master's meals and collect abandoned laundry and other things. Drunken Rulimes quickly take off their clothes, and this has always been a problem for the Wraith.

"Ray-kun, I'm tired after a long journey. I don't have any alcohol!
Consider my age. I can't drink yet.
Uh....

　He gives me a look of protest, but I ignore it all. There's no way Wraith, who is not old enough to drink in the first place, has alcohol in the house.

　Even if she did, though, I really don't want her to drink it.

''I mean, where have you been, what have you been doing?
'Hmm?　Well, I guess I'm going to be doing a lot of things in a lot of places - gathering materials, meeting people I know,
Wow.

　Since Rulimes can use transition magic, it's relatively easy to move around the country. That amount of magic consumes a large amount of magic power, though, so it's not possible to use it continuously.

''Rei-kun, why did you come out to the royal capital?
'There were demons in the vicinity of that hut, so I had no choice. I didn't have any money, so I was selling potions and stuff.
Well, that was tough.

　Since I left the hut, I've certainly had a lot more to do. It's a drama about escaping from a demon, helping Sylvia, and completing a large number of nomination requests.

　Now it's a request from the royal family and a reunion with Lurimes.

''I hope it's nothing...''

　Wraith speaks of a longing wish, but inwardly he is dimly aware that it will not come true. I look at Rulimes' scowling face and sigh.

''Shall we have dinner?''
Whoa, you're ready?
Master doesn't want to move.
Well, I don't know how to cook.
No, I didn't mean it as a compliment.

　Lace got up to make dinner, while Lurimes didn't move as if from his hammock. He just lies there looking happy.

''Why is it that you can do alchemy and magic, but you can't cook.......

　Wraith shook his head in wonder. Magic and alchemy require a certain degree of manual dexterity.

　Hence, it's not strange if you can cook. Rulimes can't cook to the point of being able to assertly cook at all. Wraith once ate something that looked like a stew made by Lurimes, but it was so bad that he couldn't move for a while because of a stomachache.

　Since that day, Wraith had decided to cook for himself.

'You can lie down, but don't go straight to sleep, Master.
Don't worry, there's plenty of time and I'll check out the other rooms.
Don't do anything weird!
I know.

　Lurimes decides to take a look around the workshop while Lace cooks. He listens to Wraith's advice with half a story and moves with a light step.

''Hmmmmm.''

　Lurimes walks with a humming voice. Although he had visited the Iron Fist, he was in a good mood because he hadn't seen Wraith's face in a long time.

''No, after all, you're growing taller too!

　It has already been seven years since Rulimes met Wraith. Lurimes, who had watched Wraith grow up, missed him a bit. Wraith, who was still younger than now, missed Lurimes a lot. At that time, Wraith's feeling was that she was an older sister who came to the house once in a while.

　After he became a master, though, his reputation would be reversed.

''Well now, let's check on the growth of such an apprentice!

　Rulimes opens the door with a smug look on her face.

It's cold.

　After about two seconds, he closed the door.
　As soon as he opened the door, a cold wind hit Rulimes mercilessly. It was even snowing in the room, and it was obvious that magic power was being used.

It's a good thing that you have a good idea of what you're doing. Well, this room is fine.

　Rulimes gave up looking at the room in front of him and went to the next room. He looks at the material storage rooms divided by season - spring, summer, fall and winter - and is impressed.

''Yeah, it's well-managed!''

　The plants that were being grown were so laborious that it was obvious at a glance. It's proof that Wraith is working hard, and I'm proud of him as my teacher, Rulimes.

　And so, while enjoying it, I was walking around thinking a little bit like a master.

''Hmm?''

　A new door appears in front of Rulimes' eyes. I've almost finished touring the workshop, so the room in front of me is probably the last one.

　Rurimes excitedly opened the door, wondering what kind of room it would be in at the end.

''...?''

　The room is dimly lit and a bit damp. Rulimes can't help but stare at it.

'Is there ... something ... in there?'

　Countless silhouettes float in the darkness. Rulimes has a bad feeling, but waits for his eyes to adjust. After a few seconds, the identity of the silhouettes was revealed.

　At the same time, the gaze is focused on Lurimes.
　The gaze of the 'bugs' in the room.

''----!

　Letting out a high-pitched scream, Lurimes instantly retreated to the outside of the room. Perhaps it was because he dropped too vigorously, but he lost his stance and fell on his ass.

''What the hell?!''

　Hearing a sudden scream, Wraith appears in a panic.
　He then ran up to Lurimes, who was sitting down.

''What's going on, Master?''
Ooh, the bug!　A lot!　Worms!
Bugs?　

　Lurimes, tears and snot dripping from his nose, presses his face against Wraith's trousers.

'Come to think of it, Master wasn't very good with bugs, was he? Well, they're useful bugs, though.'

　The insects in the room do not have wings and have the characteristic of spitting out special fibers. The Wraiths keep the bugs for the purpose of those fibers.

　However, it would certainly be hell for someone who doesn't like to have a large number of bugs in a room. Wraith feels a little apologetic and gives her an embarrassed look.

''Ah, yes.''
...?

　Wraith sounded as if he had an idea as he took his master's hand and made him stand up.

'Master, I need your help with something after dinner, okay?'

　Rulimes nodded quietly as he stood up, wiping away tears, and nodded quietly.