By Zephyria 
It had been a week since we arrived in Cambion.
Life at the villa was bustling compared to the inn at Viper. It was because the group, who had spent their days roaming the capital streets after leaving Rubel, myself, and Samantha at the inn, had nowhere else to go. Marianne, Boulder, Benjamin, and Bailey, making a total of seven, ate meals together and often spent their leisure time together as well.
Marianne and Boulder spent most of their free time reading or debating in the drawing-room. Benjamin usually sat by Marianne, cleaning his sword. Samantha and Bailey spent a lot of time with us in the drawing-room, but they spent even more time exploring the villa, checking for hidden spaces.
Rubel and I spent three hours every morning on Rubel’s rehabilitation exercises. After lunch until dinner, we mingled with the group in the drawing-room, and after dinner, we would retreat to our room to spend time together. Most of the night was spent massaging Rubel and helping him relax his muscles.
And then there were seven more to add.
The six spirits and one goblin mostly played in the garden. The spirits, running around together, getting into and out of the garden statues’ eyes and mouths, were a delightful sight. However, seeing the goblin with a muzzle, digging holes in the ground, was baffling. What on earth did it eat to become so plump and shiny?
And then there were seven more to add.
The four laborers who had accompanied us the entire time, and the three laborers Ivan had left behind in Cambion. These seven took charge of tidying the rooms, preparing meals, and running errands. Their skill in moving like shadows made me secretly wonder if they were also from the information department of the Nobility Yearbook.
At this very moment, five people were sitting in the drawing-room.
Rubel and I sat side-by-side on the sofa, watching the view outside the window. Occasionally, the Sylphs and Undines, who had been playing amongst themselves, would approach with nonsensical chatter. I would release Mana to feed them and soothe them, then send them back to play. After being fully fed with Mana, the spirits shone even more brilliantly blue than before.
Benjamin was polishing his sword again today. Marianne was engrossed in turning the pages of a book, her body sunk deep into the plush sofa. Mage Boulder was once again wrestling with the quill and inkpot left behind by the stone statue.
Lately, Mage Boulder had become much quieter. He had acted quite human-like in the early days after leaving Yulan, but recently, he had been showing increasingly suspicious behavior. Ever since he started reading the Black Magic books Marianne lent him, he would often mumble to himself even when we were together, stare at the corner of the wall, or suddenly pull out a notebook and scribble down Magic Formulas.
This wasn’t the only thing that bothered me.
Even today, crows were lurking around Ikyun from a distance. I was never one to strongly dislike or welcome whatever animals did. However, the sight of the crows at King Vivian’s castle lingered in my mind, and every time I saw them, I felt an urge to drive them away.
As I kept glancing out the window, Rubel, sitting beside me, gently covered my hand with his and stroked it. Only then did I shift my gaze back to Rubel’s cheek. The child had a look of utmost gentleness. A pang struck my chest.
I still hadn’t revealed my feelings to Rubel.
With each passing day, my courage waned. I thought, perhaps it would be best to be content with the current situation, as Rubel openly showed his affection for me without me having to confess it aloud. Was I truly such a timid man? I suppressed a sigh and forced a smile to meet his gaze.
“Does it bother you a lot?”
“Yes. If only I could catch them…”
Marianne, who seemed not to be looking this way, quickly lifted her head and chided me.
“No. Increasing unnecessary deaths will only lead to an increase in uncontrollable Contaminated Mana.”
“…I know. It’s just uncomfortable because they seem to keep looking this way.”
“What would they know just by looking? It doesn’t matter if they look. We’ve laid down two layers of recognition inhibition magic circles, you know. Even Black magicians are bound by Circles. Let’s trust Mage Boulder.”
“…Yes.”
As I reluctantly agreed, Rubel stroked my head as if in praise. He carefully slid his fingers through my curly hair and pulled me towards him. I yielded to his lead and rested my head on his shoulder.
Lately, Rubel often wanted to touch my hair like this. More precisely, he liked to embrace me and have me rest my head on his upper chest or collarbone. Was he imitating me because he liked how I let him sleep on top of me every night?
At first, I was greatly embarrassed to show such affection in front of others. But I thought, what were other people’s gazes compared to Rubel’s desires? So, I let him do as he pleased.
Listening closely, I could hear Rubel’s heartbeat, a soft, rhythmic thudding.
“By the way, when will Hyoo Senior arrive?”
“Hmm… I suppose he’ll come within the next week…”
“Ivan will probably return the day after tomorrow or the day after that, right?”
“Probably.”
I wish Hugh Benson wouldn’t come. With every vain and wicked thought, a corner of my heart felt hollow.
Marianne abruptly closed the book she was reading and sat up straight.
“When Senior arrives, will we go to the Lake of Memories immediately?”
“If there are no major health issues. First, I’ll hear about what happened in Felix, then take a day’s rest, and then we’ll depart.”
“Are we all going together?”
“…Of course?”
Rubel’s voice resonated through my chest with a soft vibration. I wrapped my arms around his waist and took a deep breath. The rich dahlia scent tickled my nose.
I lifted my head slightly and rested my chin on Rubel’s shoulder. As I looked closely at the faint redness of his earlobe, the fine hairs on it sparkled like jewels.
I forced myself to compose my breathing and joined the conversation.
“Wouldn’t it be better to select a few people to go?”
“…I’m all better now?”
“That’s not it.”
Although Rubel had recovered significantly, it was uncertain if he could run as long as before. His chest had been injured. It was natural to become breathless after running for a long time. What would come out if the Seal of the Lake were to break, and yet he intended to take Rubel?
However, instead of saying that, I said something else.
“Hundreds of the Imperial Knights have already been kidnapped. Could it be… I fear the evil god covets the knights and is making a move. It would be best to select a few of the most skilled individuals to go.”
“…That…”
“It’s at most half a day’s journey. It’s so close that it takes less than an hour if I run at full speed. So, I’ll be back quickly.”
Marianne also sided with me, nodding her head.
“That’s true, and besides, there’s the message left by the quill. If it’s truly a god calling, they might want to summon only Michael for something… I think I’ll stay here with Rubel Senior.”
“…Miss Philodendore?”
“Yes. Mage Boulder can sufficiently handle unsealing the magic circle… He’s the type who will follow even if I tell him not to.”
Marianne turned to me and smiled brightly. I was grateful for her playful shrug. She was a magician too, so how could she not be curious? She was staying to protect Rubel for my sake.
“If Contaminated Mana bursts out, I’ll be the only one who can stop it. So, let’s not worry about the Grand Sword Master and take care of ourselves. I’ll do well.”
“…”
Rubel bit his lower lip, so I offered my index finger for him to bite instead. Rubel, who had furrowed his brow for a moment, bit my index finger a couple of times before letting go with a weak smile. His expression was better than before. The child, who seemed to be contemplating, let out a long sigh.
“…Alright, do that.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed my head in thanks and rested my head on Rubel’s collarbone again. Rubel slowly ran his fingers through my hair, stroking it. It felt strange to be constantly contemplating anxiety amidst such peace. What if I ended up separated from Rubel forever?
…Indeed, I want to say something before the Seal of the Lake is broken.
I’ve never blamed myself for my lack of eloquence like this. Now that I’ve given up on flowers, there are only a few things I can say. It was a shame that the single word “love” couldn’t encompass all my feelings.
❖ ❖ ❖
Ivan returned.
Ivan had left with two carriages but returned with five. I wondered why he brought so many for such a short stay, but I fell silent upon seeing the purchase manifest. He had said that preparing three meals a day for about seventy people, a large group, would be no easy task, and I nodded in agreement.
He had brought something else as well.
“After receiving the contact from Yulan the other day, Count Ernhardt sent people. His messengers were wandering in Centrum, so I received the items on their behalf.”
“Items?”
“Yes. They gave us a lot of wine. We also received ham and cheese. Just in case, Michael, what did you tell them at home? You didn’t say you were having a party, did you?”
“…”
I remembered drinking the grape juice my father had sent on my Debutante day. Alcohol? Why would my father, who couldn’t drink, offer alcohol to his son like this? I was encountering so many of the territory’s specialties in a foreign land that I hadn’t even tasted in Count Ernhardt’s Viscounty.
What did I say I was doing? I said I was going to conquer the Yuil Mountains.
I felt both embarrassed and amused. Now that I’ve grown up, I should go and have a proper drink with him sometime, but I don’t know when I’ll be able to return home like this. Staring at the wine bottles, a wave of longing washed over me.
“Are there any other messages?”
“I received a letter. You can read this later…”
I took the letter he handed me and tucked it into my chest.
“So, shall we open those today?”
There were a total of twelve bottles of wine in small boxes. The Knights would arrive soon and need to prepare for battle, and fifty more knights were expected to arrive. It would be best to finish them before they got here.
As a courtesy, I first asked Rubel for permission.
“…Is that alright?”
“Of course. Please thank Count Ernhardt later.”
“Yes. I will.”
I’ll get to taste alcohol after a long time. It was rather welcome, given how troubled I had been.