When I arrived at the lord's house, I got off the carriage with Oligor and headed for the lord's room as guided by Soma.
It may have been a little awkward for Oligor to spontaneously take my hand on the way there and enter the lord's room while holding my hand.

''Nice to meet you, Alchemist-dono. I am the lord of this city, Walkas. Thank you for your time today.''
Not at all. It's nice of you to arrange the carriage for us, too.

What an unexpectedly low profile.

'Oh, you seem to be on good terms with Oligor.
My brother and I are good friends. Hey.
'Yes, we became friends on the road. More importantly, I understand you're not feeling well, are you all right?
'Yes, sir. You seem to be feeling better today. I'm usually bedridden.
Well that's good to hear. So, what can I do for you?

Hmmm.....

Well then, let me tell you this while I'm feeling well. It's about Renge-dono from yesterday's Red Line.
"Law.

Well, that's it, of course.

''I have heard all the reasons from Lord Yashis yesterday. He told me about your situation and how you behaved.
So you're saying I didn't do a good job?
'No, that's fine. That's all well and good, because the result is the whole truth. As a result, you were not injured. The fact of the assault can no longer be confirmed, and if no one will testify to it, then it is not true.
So why do you put yourself through it?
I'm not feeling well. So I thought I'd say a few words to your recent troubles. I beg you, don't make trouble. I beg you, don't do anything that I have to do with.
'Well I have a feeling it's hardly my fault, but I understand. I'll keep that in mind.
Yes, I'm aware of that, but it seems to me that the problems range from the smallest to the largest and they all revolve around you, and I fear they will continue to do so in the future.
'I see. I certainly don't want to cause any problems for me, and I don't want to get involved, so I'll be careful.
That's right! He said he just wants to live a quiet life, not do anything and not cause anything to happen, and he gave me this too.

Oligor hands the potion I handed him to Walkas.
I don't mind since I already gave it to him, but it looks like he's going to let Warchus use it.
Well, he can use it to cure his illness.

You can use it, Grandpa. I don't drink.
Thank you for this. This should help slow the progression of the disease.
I suppose so. I'm sure it will cure your disease.
....
How can I help you?
'Have you noticed? Did I miss anything?
'Inadequate, or rather, you're right that I thought it was somewhat strange when Oligor showed up. From what I've heard, I've heard that the lord doesn't have a spouse or children. But suddenly, his grandson, you know. I thought something was going on. Am I right?　Mr. Origor?
I see. So you've always been suspicious of me.
Well. You know, I thought, since I'm so young, you must be older than me, you know?

Well, half the time it's just a prediction.
I was careful not to be rude, though, because I wouldn't want to be wrong if I hadn't predicted it.

'I beg your pardon, Miss Oligor.
It's all right. I thought Warchus' performance was very good. Oh, I think it'll cure your chronic disease. It's not very good for me.

So then, Oligor was pushing his illness to ride in the carriage to see me.
But to be a lord with this appearance........
No, I think it's common knowledge in this other world that people are not what they seem.
In fact, Yashis can't see the depths of his belly to the extent that it's hard to tell from his appearance.

What is this Origor's disease?
My disease?　Does it bother you?
Well. We got to know each other in the carriage. If I could fix you, wouldn't it be natural for you to want to fix me?　In fact, it sounds like you've given him a lot of trouble.
"Hmm. I thought we were on a temporary basis, but you're pretty uptight. Gosh.

No matter how it looks, if a child is coughing in pain, any sensible person would be concerned about it.

'Well, it's all right to talk about it. This of mine is poison, poison. It's a gradual progression, gosh, but all the restorative medicines don't work. I have to admit I have had a bit of a nightmare. I didn't think one of my stewards, whom I trusted, would betray me.
The butler?

Excuse me, but I glanced at Soma.

'It wasn't me, sir. He was a colleague of mine, but........ He is a foolish man. To be taken in by such a lowlife.
'Lowlife?　Did someone instigate it?
Yeah. Kehoe. Your brother knows this guy well. Do you know him if he's called Dardaril?
Don't you think it's pretty bad to be seduced by that guy?
He is the son of one of the most likely candidates for the next lord. The reason for this is that he will be the chief steward when Darwin becomes the lord. When he saw that I asked Hayato for a quest, he must have panicked. It's a good idea to have a fast-acting poison for the second time, but even I was wary of it.
Is he dead?
Yeah. I guess. I feel like a fool for being set up by such an idiot.
Have you talked to Reinrich about it?　I'm sure he can fix it somehow.

It's strange to think that Rainrich would be able to cure me even if the poison is ineffective.

'Gehogeho. ........of course. The result of that was the fact that it could only be cured with an elixir. That's why I decided to ask Hayato to clear the dungeon for me.
A dungeon?
''The elixir is always in one of the treasure chests when you traverse a dungeon, without exception. Fortunately, no one has ever stepped through a dungeon near this city.
I see. So the reason I was rescued by Hayato is, in a sense, because you brought him to this town?
It's a long way from here, but I guess you could say that.

Haha, he smiles in amusement, but still his complexion is not excellent.
Apparently, he was completely overwhelmed.
And yet, is it the pride of being a lord that he is still talking to me while standing with me instead of lying on the bed?
Even if it's painful, as long as I'm a taxpayer-funded citizen of this Ainshail, the background that I won't show my shameful appearance was hidden.

''But apparently Hayato isn't going to make it in time. Just the other day I received word that one of my companions was injured, and he said he was sorry, but he's going to return to town once. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be able to make it back in time. I'm a halfling, you know. Because of my small size, the poisoning progresses quickly, and I don't think I'd be able to make it back in time even if I had to go again.
...is that so?
Well, you know, I had to. I've decided to give up and enjoy the rest of my life. Not as a lord, but as a halfling, Oligor. That's why it's been so much fun talking to you today. I enjoyed the idle chatter, but the stories of your world were very interesting. I never thought I'd see an iron horseless carriage running.
Well my dear old master Origor...

Soma lets out a sob when she sees Oligor's carefree smile.
He must be a trustworthy steward who has served her all along.
And she must be admirable enough as a lord to receive that trust.
It's not hard to see why, since he or she is ruling a city that is in chaos and demonic territory with Yassis, Darwin, and Reinrich like this.

I'm not sure. Hayato's errand was Oligor's medicine, wasn't it?
Yeah, but you don't have to worry about it. But you don't have to worry about that, geez. The next lord is probably going to be Darwin, but he's just a different type of guy than me. I don't think he'll do much of anything horrible to get the people of this city in trouble, goofing off.
He's going to be a pain in the ass.
I'll take care of it, if I ask.

Oligor was smiling the whole time.
I know you're in a lot of pain, but I can't wait to get to bed and rest.
If that's the case, the best thing I can do is leave early.

Well, don't worry about it. I had a good time today. I'll be happy to hear that. But as I said before, please try to stay out of trouble, because I'll miss out on my very little free time. As I said before, I don't want you to cause any problems, because it would take away my very limited free time.
'Stop with the self-deprecating gags, man. It's not funny.
Ha-ha. You're a hard-ass. I've never seen you before today, and you don't have to be so involved.

That being said, it's my nature.
I don't think it's any use.

Well, I should probably get some rest now. I have a lot more to say to you, but it's the only thing I can do about it.
Okay. Well, I'll leave you to it.
Yeah. If you have time to talk to me again, if I'm still alive, we'll talk again.
Yeah. We can do it all the time. You should come visit us. It's your home now, isn't it?
Yeah. I wish I could have taken a bath in it. I would have loved to see what they made of that basement.
So you can come see me any time you want. I'll be waiting for you.
Ha-ha. You were asking a lot. But, yeah. I'll do my best to get to a good day. I'll see you soon.
Of course. Bye.
Yeah. See you later.

You smile at the end of the day, but you still look sad.

Well, I'll say goodbye to that face today.
I've made it, but I guess that's something.
It's partly because you helped me, even if indirectly.
Thanks to being alive, I met White and Wendy, and I got to meet Aina, Sorte and Renge.
If you think about it that way, it's a small price to pay.

You know, you didn't give that potion you gave to Origor to that old man. Then I'll give you this instead.

That said, he took out a single vial.
A potions that I was able to make in the morning for some reason.
The timing is no longer just for this reason.
You'll be able to find it by chance, and it's not too shabby.

So long. Take it, even if you don't like pills.

He handed the potions to Soma and waved his hand behind his back as he headed home.

''I'll arrange for a carriage now, my dear!
That's fine. I'll walk home. Make sure he takes his medicine.
'Mr. Oligor!　Please take this medicine!
What's the matter with you, Soma? You're not going to be distracted by anything.

I closed the door and walked to the exit.
I handed it to her with apologies and thanks, which is probably what she wants most right now.
If she doesn't have any free time, she can make it.

Well, I'm sure she'll be coming to take a bath at my house soon.
She's energized by the elixir, and she'll probably come in with a cheerful smile on her face.
I'll have to clean the bathroom for that day.
I left the lord's house with the sound of an elderly man crying in the background.

There are three men arguing with the gatekeeper at the gate.
All three of them have their tails upside down and look as if they are about to strike out at any moment.

I don't know what to say.　If you don't have anything to offer, then get the hell out of here and let us in!
If you interrupt me, I'll force my way through.
No!　But if the need arises, I'll lend a hand.
No, you can't do that in a moment.

Breaking into the lord's house or something like that is completely out of order.

''Lord!'' Master! My Lord!
'This, Master Alchemist. Thank you for your help....
'I'm sorry, Mr. Gatekeeper. My stuff is causing trouble.
No, it's part of my job.

The gatekeeper smiles bitterly.
I'm sure it must be a constant source of concern........
Next time I come, I'll bring you something to bring in, I'm really sorry!

So, are you going home?　I'll have a carriage for you in a minute.
No, I'm just going to walk home and get picked up.
Yes, sir. Have a good day, then. Please come back.
'Yeah. If it's not a short notice, I'll come visit you with a souvenir.
'Haha. I'm sure Master Oligor will be pleased.

So, I raise my hand to say goodbye, and the three men in front of me are blocking the front of me with puffy faces.

"Lord, we were worried about you.
You. The moment you think he's gone, he gets into his lord's carriage and goes away, what are you thinking?
Well, it's just a normal summons.
It's still my fault, isn't it...
'Hmm. Well, yes and no. More than that.

I hug the three of them together and hold them tight.

"Hmm, Lord, that's painful.
"Abba!　Nah, nah, nah!
"Hot embrace!　Is this going to be eaten by all three of us today?
Don't make fun of me. Thank you for your concern.

I could tell that the three of them really cared about me, and I hugged them with happiness.
See, I'm happy to be alive.
It's still a small price to pay for such happiness.

'Hmm. Lord, were you scared?
Nope. Not at all.
Then let go of me, d*mn it. The gatekeeper keeps looking at you.
You must be jealous. I would never give it to you.
Your husband can be a bit of a child sometimes, can't he? All right. You want to sleep on your lap today?
The lower half of my body--
Oh, no, I think I'll pass.
Chi.
I clicked my tongue. You pervert.
Lord-like.

I thought I could go with the flow.
That's a shame.
Such a shame.

Well, let's get out of here, shall we? How's Wendy and Aina?
'We don't want to pass each other, so we're staying. I had a hard time getting Wendy to stay. I stopped her because I thought she was going to put a spell on the lord's house if she didn't,
I'm proud of you, White.
We stopped it, too!
"Wendy, you know, it's easy to lose your shit when it comes to you...
Yeah, yeah. Thanks, both of you. So why don't we buy you a little something to cheer you up and get you home.
"Meat.
I need something sweet.
I need a drink!
'Yes, yes. We'll be passing through the shopping district, so let's let the shopkeeper know Renge is safe and then we can do some shopping.
'Oh, that's good!　I want to apologize to the manager of the bear, and I have to report this to the rest of the store as well!

Thus, the four of us went back home, shopping through the shopping district in the northern part of the city.
I got a lot of free stuff from the merchants who knew about Renge on the way, and I felt bad that I had to do a lot of unnecessary shopping, which was probably a necessary expense.

I'm sure it's not my fault that the four of us had to endure a hunger strike after returning home, as Wendy didn't leave her hug and couldn't even cook for a while, but that's not my fault.