Chapter 421 – Two Blacksmiths

It seemed Shion and the others had finished getting their clothing sizes measured and were now experimenting with hairstyles and hair accessories.

They told me it was fine to enter the room… Apparently, Marlene could create a dark curtain using dark spirits for them to change behind. Hmm. I wonder if that’s really okay.

“Charlotte-chan, your curly hairstyle is so cute.”

“But it looks difficult to maintain…”

“Fufufu. This can be done with life magic.”

“Oh!”

Charlotte, Sigritta, and Marceska were getting excited. Charlotte was explaining how to create vertical rolls by first wrapping the hair around a comb and then using magic.

“Um… I really don’t think cute things like this suit me…”

Meanwhile, Shion was standing awkwardly with her shoulders slightly hunched as they tried hair accessories on her.

“…Shion likes cute things, but she seems resistant to wearing them herself.”

Sigritta said this while watching Shion blush.

“Hmm… I think ribbons would suit Shion-san since she’s cute, but if she’s uncomfortable with them, perhaps we should try a different style. We’re going shopping, so do you have any preferences?”

“Well, that… I prefer something more… knightly, I suppose?”

“Like a surcoat?”

“Ah, that would be nice.”

When Grace asked, Shion nodded. I see. They’re gathering information for the shops they’ll visit during their shopping trip.

Meanwhile, Forset—wearing the loose fortune-teller’s clothes given to her by Rosemary—emerged from behind the dark curtain.

“In my case… it seems the clothes Rosemary-sama brought will work fine.”

“That’s right. They’re made to allow plenty of room for movement.”

Rosemary hid her face behind her feather fan as she made this innocuous statement… but in reality, these clothes were conveniently designed to hide magic tools and such.

Since they were made with activities from autumn to winter in mind, they looked warm. In a way, they might be perfectly suited for her.

The girls continued to enjoy themselves, discussing topics like whose hair was softer or more lustrous, and playing with each other’s hair.

“Hmm. Theodore’s hair quality is quite remarkable too, isn’t it?”

Tephra, who seemed in high spirits after having Marlene braid her hair, looked at me and said this, drawing everyone’s attention my way.

“Well… I think mine is still different from everyone else’s.”

I attribute my hair quality to using Savona Tree shampoo and such… but based on how it feels when washing in the bath or touching it in the bedroom, everyone else’s hair seems much softer, with more luster and shine, and a smoother texture. Plus, there’s Tephra’s hair that looks like flames but isn’t hot. Personally, I’m more curious about that… but everyone’s interest seems to have shifted to me.

“Theo’s hair quality… I think he takes after Lady Lisa.”

“Hmm. That makes me curious.”

After hearing Grace’s comment, Floria looked at me. Her face practically said she wanted to touch it.

“…Well, I don’t mind if you touch my hair.”

When I answered, they began stroking my hair and combing it with combs and fingers. They didn’t go as far as tying it up, but they did try various styles like parting or lifting my bangs. It was a bit ticklish… but well, if it makes everyone happy, I suppose it’s fine.

“Theodore’s home is warm and comfortable, isn’t it?”

Marlceska smiled.

Currently… we had finished dinner and were moving to the game room. Shion and the others had changed back into their original clothes, but they seemed to find my home comfortable to spend time in.

“It does get chilly in the mornings and evenings, so be careful not to catch a cold.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

When I answered, Marceska nodded with an unburdened smile.

“…I like this house. It’s interesting.”

“It’s magic construction, isn’t it? This house was also made by Theodore-sama?”

“Mhm. Theodore made it.”

When Shion looked around the hallway and asked, Sheila nodded. Since Halvaronis was also a town created through magic, it seemed Shion could tell from the seams and such.

“This is quite…”

When we arrived at the game room, Forset let out an impressed voice.

“This is the game room. It’s for entertaining guests, but we also use it to spend time together when we’re free. Feel free to use this room as well.”

“Thank you very much.”

“There are all sorts of things here.”

Marlceska’s eyes sparkled as she looked around.

“Yeah, this is billiards, and that over there is darts.”

“You can even make cotton candy and shaved ice here…”

“Somehow… I feel like if I don’t exercise self-control, I might end up spending all my time here.”

“That’s very true. The outside world… or rather, around Theodore-sama, there seem to be many interesting things. Dinner also had many ingredients that are rare for us.”

“Shellfish… delicious.”

Regarding dinner after the dress-up session—well, since we can obtain various ingredients in the labyrinth, Forset and the others generally seemed to like it. They particularly seemed to enjoy the fish and shellfish from the magic light water vein. Cecilia and the others are also good cooks.

“Forsset-sama! Let’s play together!”

“Fufu. Understood.”

When Marceska, holding a cue, invited her, Forset broke into a gentle smile.

“…Um. You hit the numbered balls with the cue ball and sink them in order… I see.”

Forset was nodding as she read the instruction manual.

The three of them—Shion and the others—seemed to have good physical coordination from the start, as they quickly grasped the basics of darts and billiards. The sight of them enjoying games with Forset gave the impression of close sisters getting along.

And so… they enjoyed themselves until quite late at night, and when morning came—

Since we went to bed somewhat late last night, we woke up a bit later, but the weather was nice and I was in a good mood. It was a typical clear autumn day.

After breakfast, we had various things to do. Regarding the greenhouse… we’ll need to arrange for materials and start work once they’re gathered. Since we’re maintaining the plants’ condition with a magic array, there shouldn’t be any immediate problems. As for training-related matters, we just returned so we have a few days off.

That being the case, our priorities should be expressing gratitude to Grand Duke Debonnis, shopping for Forset and the others, and then stopping by the workshop.

The highest priority should be greeting Grand Duke Debonnis. Since he might leave once his business is concluded, it’s relatively high priority.

But we don’t know Grand Duke Debonnis’s location and schedule in Termwills, and Princess Elham also wants to greet him. We decided it would be best to first hear from Alfred at the workshop, then meet up with Princess Elham and proceed from there.

“—Hey Theo-kun, good morning. I’m glad you’re safe.”

“Good morning, Theodore-san.”

When I headed to the workshop, Alfred and the others greeted me as soon as we met.

“Good morning. I’m just glad all of you look well too.”

“Ever since the hot spring was completed, we’ve been doing great.”

“That’s certainly true.”

Alfred smiled while Talcott stood a step back with a wry smile.

“First, we should introduce each other.”

I introduced everyone from the workshop to Forset, Shion and the others, and vice versa.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Alfred Brightwelt, magic engineer of Brightwelt Workshop.”

Alfred smiled as he greeted them.

“I’ve come from Halvaronis. My name is Forset Frestina.”

Forset and the others also introduced themselves to Alfred and his group. While this was happening, a carriage arrived in front of the workshop. The ones who got out were Princess Stephania, Princess Adriana, and Princess Elham. We immediately went from the workshop to the courtyard to welcome them.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Theodore.”

“Good morning. It’s a lovely morning, isn’t it?”

The three princesses bowed respectfully.

“Yes, it’s quite refreshing weather today.”

Yesterday was windy, but today seems calmer. The sunlight is pleasantly warm, so Shion and the others seem to be in good spirits. Well, that aside. I should probably introduce Princess Elham to everyone at the workshop too.

“This is Her Highness Elham, the Second Princess of the Kingdom of Baharzad.”

“Baharzad’s…”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Elham Baharzad.”

Princess Elham bowed.

Talcott and the others were wide-eyed with surprise, but Alfred, who knew the circumstances through the communication device, wasn’t as shocked. After introducing himself to Princess Elham, he proceeded to introduce each workshop member one by one.

“Her Highness Elham wishes to engage in technical exchange at the workshop. She has experience as a katana blacksmith in Baharzad.”

“A Baharzad katana blacksmith…! That’s fascinating. I’ve heard that in Baharzad, they make strong blades with mysterious temper patterns…”

The one who reacted was, of course, Viola.

“I was also looking forward to meeting Viola-san. I heard the weapons Theodore-sama and the others use were also forged by Viola-san.”

Princess Elham bowed.

“Regarding Baharzad swords… well, I’m still inexperienced, but I’ve prepared these.”

“Ah… this is the real thing…!”

“Um, c-could I also take a look at that sword hanging over there? I’ve been curious about it since earlier.”

“Yes! Please, go ahead!”

Viola and Princess Elham were nodding in mutual admiration while looking at each other’s works—whether you’d call it technical exchange or something else. The blacksmiths had immediately hit it off.

…Hmm. It’s still relatively early, so we probably can’t go see Grand Duke Debonnis right now. Well, maybe I should bring up that matter here and now.

Waiting for the right moment when Viola and Princess Elham had finished appreciating each other’s works, I glanced at Rosemary. Rosemary smiled faintly at the corner of her mouth as if to say she understood, then took out a chunk of orichalcum from her magic bag and placed it on the table.

“Hm…? Theo-kun… is that?”

“Actually, I received this orichalcum as a reward from the Kingdom of Baharzad.”

When I answered, Alfred and the others’s expressions and movements froze.

“…Wh—whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?”

And then… after a few seconds’ pause, the workshop members all shouted in unison with astonished voices.