''Lelius-senpai. ...There's someone who says he has something to do for you, senpai.
For me?　Who is it?
It's a woman.
What's your name?
It was a woman.

　I get a jittery look from Lystina.
　I'm sure they'll tease me about this again.

　Just in time for work to be less busy. After checking with my stepfather, I headed towards the receptionist.
　The only people who would need me would be Krua-san or Linial-san.
　When I went to the reception desk, I saw a familiar woman in monastic clothes - Ms. Linial.

　She noticed me and raised one hand in a light tone of voice.

'Long time no see.'
It's been a while.
'I've come to tell you that the bishop has set a date for you to meet him. Four days from now is fine, right?

　Mr. Linial had confirmed to me beforehand that he had a day off.

'Yes. That day will be fine.
All right. Well, I'll tell him that. I'll be waiting for you at the church entrance that day. What time will you be there?
''Well, yes. Is about ten o'clock okay?
No problem. Okay, I'll see you another day.
Yes. Please.

　Mr. Linial said just that and left with one hand raised.
　'You can meet the bishop, huh?
　Does this solve some of the mystery about the blacksmith?

　When I headed to the cafeteria with that in mind, Ristina-san was still looking at me.
　She wasn't in her usual teasing tone.

''What is it?　Are you really that concerned about me and Mr. Linial?
What?　No, no, not really!　What are you talking about?!

　I was a little curious and when I called out to Ristina-san, she shook her head in a panic.
　.........What kind of reaction is that?
　I just asked her normally.

　As I was snickering, she looked at me with a slight stain on her cheeks.

''........What kind of relationship do you have with the person you just met?''

　For some reason, he looked a little serious.
　It wasn't like he was asking me to tease me or anything.

'You said before that you were going to work on the underground water system?
Oh, was it the rat hunt?
'That's it. That's who I worked with at the time.
...You mean your workmates?
'Well, yes. It's kind of like you, Lystina.
Well....

　Lystina exhaled lightly.
　Her expression relaxed a little and her mouth relaxed.

''I'm glad to hear that. I thought for sure you had a girlfriend, senpai!''
He's not here. Not now.
'Yes, of course!　Well, I was in a hurry to see if my senior had beaten me to it!
'Ah, so that's why you looked so serious.
Yes!

　At that moment, my mother-in-law, who was working in the dining room, chuckled and looked at me.

''You two are as close as ever already, aren't you?''
We don't get along...

　Ms. Ristina calls out in a panic.
　Just then, a guest enters and takes a seat.
　Ristina-san headed towards it, her cheeks coloring a little.


　'00'


　It was the day of my promise to Mr. Linial.
　I had just brought my sword with me to give it to Mr. Linial.
　When I went to the entrance of the church where we were to meet, Linial-san was already there.

'Good morning,'
Good morning.
I'm coming in the back. Follow me.

　Mr. Linial walks out and follows his back.
　When shall I give him the sword?
　Would it become a burden if I gave it to him now?

　Would it be better to give it to him after I talk to the bishop?
　While thinking about this, I enter through the back door of the church.
　The back of the church it's not a place I would normally see so much.

　A number of grave markers are lined up there. Just then, one of the sisters was tending to it.

"Oh, Linial. ...With a man?

　The woman said teasingly with a calm voice.

'No, no. I brought you here at the bishop's behest.'
'Oh, I see. And the bishop, not the bishop?
'I know. I'll do right by the bishop when I stand before him.
Just have a good time, okay?
I love you.

　I bowed lightly, too, and then walked away from the woman.
　The church came into view. A short distance away was what looked like a small hut.
　'That's the quarters where the sisters and knights stay,' Mr. Linial told me.

　I guess that's why I was staring at it.
　It's mainly used by knights, he said. They stay there and take the night's watch.

　As I walked through the garden, there were a few benches, perhaps for a break along the way, but it didn't happen to be empty, or that anyone was sitting there.
　We walked in through a door made to be embedded in the wall.

　I glanced to my left and saw an altar.
　There weren't many, but I could also see people.

'I've got things to do today, this way.

　They took me to the right side of the room.
　There was a narrow passage and several rooms.
　At the far end of it - that's where we go.

　It was probably the bishop's room. It was a bit more luxurious than the other doors.
　After Mr. Linial stopped, he knocked on that door.
　Shortly, there was an answer and the door opened.

　It was the Sister who appeared, but she could also see an elderly man through the door.
　He entered through the door and went out into the hallway as the sisters replaced him.

'Welcome, thank you for coming, Mr. Relius,'
It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry, but I had to ask you to be selfish.
No, don't worry about it. I'll have the sisters fix you a drink in a moment.
Oh, no, I'm fine.
Not at all. I've got something I wanted to talk to you about as well.

　The bishop smiles softly at me.
　I sit down on the sofa, thinking that he seems like a warm-hearted person.

''Lelius-san. You came here today to ask me about the blacksmith, right?
''Yes, I know. I heard that the blacksmiths were being treated unfairly, but the bishop stopped them from doing so. I was wondering if there was a reason for that.
''Well yes. I don't know a lot by any means, but I'll tell you as much as I can.

　The door opened and the sisters brought me a drink.
　I listened to the bishop's words as I sipped on it.