Chapter 539 – On a Long Winter Night

After touring the botanical garden, soaking in the hot springs, and having dinner… we spent a leisurely time before parting ways.

“Well then, good night, Theodore.”

“Be careful on your way home.”

“Then we’ll meet again at the workshop.”

“Yes. Let’s meet again. Please take care.”

I exchanged greetings with Princess Stephania and the other two. The members of the Verdgar royal family would be returning directly to Seorem.

As for us, we would first escort the Flower Fairies back to the botanical garden, then return home.

Since it had gotten quite dark, Viola and Miriam decided to stay overnight at my house.

Queen Eldorene and her party would also be staying at my house. This was according to Queen Eldorene’s wishes. Her escorts, Weltes and Eckels, would be staying as well. Tephra was also coming to my house to visit.

Elliot would return to his own home. Since he lives in the Eastern District neighborhood, he would share the carriage.

As for the Dwarf craftsmen… they said they were heading out to a tavern for a drinking party. This aspect of them was quite consistent, for better or worse.

“Well then, Theodore.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Good night.”

After finishing our greetings, everyone boarded their respective carriages and began their journeys home. Corulis, Flamia, and Ramriya accompanied the royal carriage as escorts from above. Corulis and the others also waved to us as a farewell gesture. Flamia manipulated flames and Ramriya manipulated sand to each form a human hand before waving – a clear sign of Corulis’s influence.

We waved back, and Corulis and the others followed the carriage. Hmm. Just to be safe, I should send Caduceus along to escort them to the Royal Castle.

I transformed Caduceus into a crow’s form. Caduceus flapped his wings and flew alongside Corulis, following the carriage.

Right. Now, first – let’s escort the Flower Fairies to the botanical garden.

We moved through the hot spring town with the Fairies in tow and returned to the botanical garden.

“See you later!”

“Good night, everyone!”

“Indeed. We shall visit again to play another time.”

Seraphina waved energetically to the Flower Fairies, while Floria and Tephra called out to them. The Flower Fairies nodded at their words or waved back happily as they returned to the botanical garden. Perhaps the warm environment made it more comfortable for the Flower Fairies to stay.

“–Please use this room for your rest.”

After seeing off the Flower Fairies, we rode the carriage back home and guided Queen Eldorene and her party to the Guest Rooms.

“Ohh. So this is…”

Queen Eldorene, shown to the guest room by Cecilia, looked around the room with keen interest.

This might be less because it’s a land-based building and more because she’d heard stories from Rovisa and Marion. Her interest in the air conditioning Magic Tool and the Loft probably stemmed from that.

I had initially considered giving them separate rooms, but according to Queen Eldorene, being alone in a large room felt dreary, so Rovisa and Marion would share a room with her.

Weltes and the others also stated there was no need to separate their rooms, so they would stay in shared rooms, divided into groups of three.

After each group placed their luggage in their rooms, I next guided them through the various facilities in the house, leading them to the Game Room. The plan was to relax in the Game Room until bedtime.

As for Belius… he lumbered over and sat down in a corner of the Game Room, looking quite relaxed.

“You have worked hard. You all should relax today as well.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Now then, Sir Eckels.”

“Understood, Sir Weltes.”

Weltes and Eckels sat facing each other across a table and began a game of chess. Gymnos had taken up a position nearby and seemed to be intently watching the movements of both players’ pieces.

The atmosphere suggested a serious match… but considering Weltes and the others’ personalities, they were probably genuinely enjoying themselves in their own way.

“Indeed. Then we shall make ourselves comfortable as well.”

Queen Eldorene watched Weltes and the others with a gentle smile before settling down. Then she looked at me and inquired.

“Sir Theodore, you plan to head to the Labyrinth tomorrow and beyond, correct?”

“That’s right. I need to observe Belius’s capabilities in actual combat. Also, the Aerial Combat Gear adjusted for Sir Weltes and Sir Eckels should be ready for delivery at the workshop by tomorrow. Although this is a provisional version, of course.”

The Aerial Combat Gear for Weltes and the others was planned to incorporate water flow manipulation and water-walking magic, among other features.

It was essentially an upgraded version of the Aerial Combat Gear Ashley used. Magic Stones imbued with water properties were incorporated, providing pure Enhancement. That was part of the reason the delivery was relatively quick.

Since it could create and envelop the user in water, it was expected to not only enhance mobility for Weltes and the others but also serve an auxiliary role in both offense and defense… Well, we would likely need to make Improvements based on the two men’s feedback. I wouldn’t call it complete yet.

Anyway, once they wore that Equipment and became somewhat accustomed to handling it, Weltes and the others would also descend into the Labyrinth and participate in practical training alongside the Demon-Slaying Knight Order.

“We also need to meet with the Water Dragon Parent and Child.”

“Ah. Yes, indeed.”

I nodded at Claudia’s words. We needed to inform the Water Dragon Parent and Child of the Magic Light Water Vein about the possibility of Grantios’s people coming to our nearby waters.

Those Water Dragon Parent and Child are acquainted with Claudia, cooperative with Verdgar, and live in near-seclusion. They are quite rational, so they probably wouldn’t make a fuss about territory or such, but that doesn’t mean we should say nothing.

“Um… would it be possible for me to accompany you as well? It concerns the people of Grantios. I believe it would be proper for me to meet the Water Dragon directly and offer greetings.”

Hmm… That is true.

Queen Eldorene looked somewhat apologetic; perhaps she was thinking it would be difficult if we had to escort her deep into the Labyrinth. She seemed like she might give up if told it was impossible.

“Understood. Then would you accompany us to the Labyrinth once?”

“My apologies for the trouble.”

“Not at all. The area where the Water Dragon Parent and Child reside has no Monsters, so it’s not particularly dangerous.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Though she seemed slightly surprised, Queen Eldorene’s expression brightened.

The perception that the Labyrinth is a dangerous place full of Monsters isn’t wrong. When it comes to places where Dragons like the Water Dragon live, one might imagine various things and become cautious. However, the actual destination is the Water Spirit Hall, so it’s actually rather safe. Of course, if one were hostile toward the Water Dragon, safety couldn’t be guaranteed.

“Just in case, I’ll provide you with a Red Transfer Stone for escape. If we get separated, please don’t hesitate to use it to escape immediately.”

“Indeed. Understood.”

Queen Eldorene nodded with a solemn expression.

“Well, in practice, I’ll ensure there’s minimal danger, so you don’t need to be overly tense.”

“That is reassuring.”

With escape preparations, some briefing about the Labyrinth, and having Caduceus along as an Escort, it should be reasonably safe for now. Weltes and Eckels would also likely come along as escorts.

The usage of the Red Transfer Stone was also straightforward – just smash it somewhere and an escape Gate would open. Unlike adventurers, since Exploration isn’t the goal, there’s no risk of mistiming the escape.

I explained these details to Queen Eldorene while we drank tea.

Since the discussions that needed to be had with the Verdgar side were already concluded, once we met with the Water Dragon, she should finally be able to relax properly.

The Queen hasn’t visited the theater yet, but apparently, there’s an arrangement that when the full moon comes, she’ll go with Auria to watch Irmhild and the others perform.

“Well then… since we’ve finished our discussion, how about a game of chess?”

“With pleasure.”

After finishing explaining the precautions for the Labyrinth and such, when I made that suggestion, Queen Eldorene smiled and nodded.

Well, there aren’t any particularly urgent matters, so staying up late like this today and starting a bit later tomorrow should work out just fine.