Chapter 437 – Leslie's Return

“Mmm. This is delicious. Somehow, the ingredients here have flavors I’ve never tasted before,” Sion said, her expression brightening as she tasted the soup. What Sion was eating was a seafood soup – a richly simmered broth filled with abundant ingredients like shellfish, white fish, vegetables, and more, cooked for a long time.

Indeed, in Halvaronis, seafood was something you couldn’t hope for.

“Truly. You could say it has depth in its flavor…”

Not just Sion, but Princess Elham, Forset, Marceska, and Sigritta all seemed to have no problem with the sea smell, which was a relief.

The sight of Sheila and Sigritta sitting side by side, silently eating their lunch, was quite surreal in its own way. They were probably enjoying their meal in their own fashion.

“Is it to your liking?”

“Yes, it’s delicious. Everyone else seems completely absorbed in it too,” I replied with a smile.

“That’s wonderful to hear,” the Duke said, smiling as he personally fed ore to Corulis.

Corulis was having lunch with everyone too… but the Duke had requested Princess Stephania to allow him to personally feed ore to Corulis. He was already sitting in a rocking chair, feeding ore to Corulis and happily patting its head. …I’d heard he was fond of new things, but he’s quite fearless.

Lunch was relaxed under the blue sky. Though we sat on mismatched chairs and sofas, giving it a makeshift feel, that very impression perfectly matched the repair work site, making it quite charming in its own way.

While the chairs and tables were makeshift, the food was first-class. Seafood soup, fluffy bread, several types of smooth cheese, thick cuts of meat carefully roasted over time to seal in the juices, fresh fruits, and more… Even with the kitchen unavailable, it truly felt like a ducal household’s dining table.

“So, similar equipment to the hot spring facilities will be installed in the bathtub later?”

“That’s correct. Since it’s a Magic Tool, it functions by being placed under the bathtub,” Oscar and Miriam were discussing what seemed to be business matters. Apparently, they were talking about whether to install a jacuzzi-style bath.

“It’s quite affordable for a Magic Tool. Father, wouldn’t it be fine to decide on this?” Vanessa asked.

The Duke showed a slightly thoughtful expression but nodded. “Hmm. Indeed. But I had decided to first experience the real thing at the Fire Spirit Hot Spring.”

“Then… shall we arrange for delivery after the reconciliation date with the Grand Duke’s family?”

“Understood.”

It seemed the introduction of the jacuzzi bath had been decided too.

I hadn’t heard yet whether they would visit the Fire Spirit Hot Spring on the day of the Duke and Grand Duke’s reconciliation, but at least it seemed that the Duke’s Termwills tourism would finally be permitted after the reconciliation.

Just then, a carriage stopped at the main gate, and Leslie and Clark stepped out, accompanied by knights.

Seeing this, the Duke, Oscar, and Vanessa stood up to welcome Leslie.

“Uncle!”

“Oh, Leslie! Are you alright now?”

“Brother. Everyone… and Ambassador… I apologize for the trouble. The Magical Inquisition was handled quickly… His Majesty Melvin has given me permission to return to the ducal household.”

Welcomed by the ducal family, Leslie showed a gentle smile and bowed toward me.

“You seem to have better color in your face. That’s wonderful.”

“Thank you, it’s thanks to you, Ambassador.”

I exchanged such words with Leslie. His quiet impression remained unchanged… but somehow he seemed more relaxed in his demeanor. Perhaps it was because time had passed since the Nightmare left him, and his physical condition had recovered.

“Come now, Lord Leslie. Please, this way. Have you already had lunch?”

“No, actually not yet. Well, I’ll have a light meal then.”

Guided to the dining table with smiles from the servants, Leslie and Clark joined the lunch circle.

With worries about Leslie diminishing and the repair of the villa largely on track… perhaps because there were many positive topics, the Duke remained in high spirits throughout.

——After lunch, Irmhild played the Lute, and Seraphina sang along to it… We spent a harmonious, cheerful time.

Marlene, sitting in a slightly oversized chair, happily swayed her feet along with Seraphina’s song – a truly heartwarming scene.

After taking a leisurely break, from the afternoon we began the work of moving the repaired furniture into the rooms.

All repairable damaged parts had been repaired, and cleaning of the garden, corridors, and rooms was mostly complete. So all that remained was to carry the fixed items into the rooms and arrange them, which would complete today’s work.

“Which room should this bed go to?” Grace asked, floating the bed with a Levitation Magic Tool.

“This was in the second-floor guest room on the west side. I’ll guide you.”

“Yes. Thank you for your assistance.”

The ducal maid smiled brightly and went with Grace to transport the floating bed.

The servants knew well where the furniture belonged.

“Marceska. I’ll carry one of those vases.”

“Okay. Let’s carry them one by one.”

“Then I’ll take this one.”

“Everyone, handle them carefully.”

“Yeees!”

Sion and the others seemed to be enjoying their work. Forset appeared somewhat worried about letting three people handle breakable items… but well, they didn’t seem to be handling them roughly. Using Levitation, the three of them carefully carried the vases as if embracing them, following behind the servants.

“Then, please think of these black cats as the eyes and ears of the Golems.”

“Understood. I’ll guide you.”

As for me, I took the approach of having the ducal servants support the combination of Golems and Familiars. Well then, let’s proceed with the remaining work.

——And by dusk. With most work completed, we relaxed drinking tea in the living room where cleaning and furniture arrangement were finished… and it was time to discuss taking our leave.

“Today… no, including matters from recent days, thank you very much, Ambassador. The ducal household’s current state is thanks to you and everyone.”

The Duke, who had come to see us off to the main gate, bowed quietly.

“Not at all. I should be thanking you for today. The lunch was delicious.”

When I replied, the Duke nodded with a happy expression.

“Theodore-sama. Thank you very much.”

“It would be an honor to meet you again.”

Oscar and Vanessa both offered greetings appropriate for nobility.

“Truly, I don’t know how to thank you enough. This life you saved, Ambassador – as a noble of the Kingdom of Verdugal, I intend to repay you by properly fulfilling my duties.”

Leslie said quietly with his eyes closed.

“Yes. But please don’t push yourself for a while and take your time to rest properly.”

When I replied, Leslie nodded with a gentle smile.

“The next time we meet… might be at the reconciliation with Grand Duke Debonnis. Though it won’t be that long, I’ve heard you delve into Labyrinths too. Please take good care of yourself.”

“Thank you. I’ll be careful.”

Exchanging such words, everyone boarded their respective carriages.

“Ah, that’s right. Your Highness Stephania.”

“What is it?”

Remembering the talk about delving into Labyrinths, I stopped Princess Stephania and decided to discuss the matter of Sion and the others with Corulis.

“Actually, I was thinking about having Forset-san and Sion’s group gain experience with Labyrinths by delving into the old mine together with Corulis.”

“Yes, in that case, you’re always welcome.”

Princess Stephania showed a smile.

“Then, let’s coordinate schedules and decide on a day to descend into the Labyrinth.”

“Well then——”

Exchanging brief, meeting-like conversation, I bid farewell to Princess Stephania, Princess Adriana, and Princess Elham.

“Then, until next time.”

“Yes, see you later.”

I waved back to Corulis and Ramriya who were waving their hands, bowed to the ducal family, and boarded the carriage.

The members of the ducal family who had come to see us off to the main gate continued watching until our figures disappeared from view.

Thank you for always reading my work.

Thanks to you, I’ve been able to reach the 100,000 Points mark that I had secretly set as a goal.

This is entirely due to everyone’s support.

I would be delighted if you would continue accompanying my work for a long time to come. ＜(_　_)＞