Chapter 153
Chapter 153
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: 14. Farther than Love, Closer than Friendship (1)
"Ugh, it was so long."
"Yeah. I had a tough time cleaning up after getting back too."
After returning to Astraea yesterday and sending the emperor back to the imperial palace via transfer gate, the first thing we'd done was clean. A building left empty really wears down fast. Add in the time spent with the dwarves and the trip back home, and we'd been away from the cafe for nearly three weeks combined.
Even with magical disinfection measures in place, dust still piled up, and cobwebs formed in every corner—there was no stopping it.
My favorite thing is sitting alone in the cafe, passing the time, so I meticulously cleaned the dusty floors, tables, and glassware until they shone.
No matter how strong I am, fighting dust just means diligently sweeping and scrubbing. It took nearly the whole night, but I managed to restore everything to its original state.
"I was too lazy and just left it."
"You sure that's okay?"
"Nothing's gonna break from a little dust... I just tidied the bedroom."
"That doesn't sound healthy."
"...You're telling me to clean it up, right? Got it."
"I'll come help if it gets too tough later."
Leimi Big Sis's face lit up at my words. She really can't handle housework. Catching my subtle expression, she spoke up defensively.
"No, no. I just didn't do it 'cause I was tired? I clean fine."
"Honestly, I can't picture it."
"Ow. I'll clean everything spotless and show you. Oh, and you know the communication crystal in my shop that links to the Magic Tower? There was another message left there."
"Huh, something about me?"
"Kinda. The Imperial Guard Knights who returned first handed that dragon analysis request to the Imperial Magic Corps. Some materials got transferred to the Magic Tower 'cause they'd be easier for them to interpret."
"The Magic Tower's less trustworthy than the imperial side, though. We don't even know who's really pulling the strings there."
"True. But they've got the skills."
Hmm. Leimi Big Sis lowered her eyes and sighed in agreement with my skeptical remark.
I was worried about the results being misused or info leaking, but there wasn't much we could do about it.
"So, what was the vibe of the message?"
"They need a light attribute magic user, so they're contacting that Ermina girl from before. And as a bonus, someone named Professor Selene would be helpful too."
"Huh? Well... Professor Selene is an expert in familiars and artificial life forms, among other things."
"First I've heard of her."
That makes sense—she's from another country and not officially with the Magic Tower.
Not liking my lukewarm reaction, Big Sis pouted and took a sip from her warm coffee mug with both hands.
"Sounds like you're close with this Professor Selene."
"Close... isn't quite the word."
"Hm?"
"More like a bond of trust. She won't stab me in the back."
Big Sis eyed me with a hint of doubt but seemed to decide there was nothing more to pry, so she took a bite of the cake I'd made at dawn and stashed in the fridge.
I'd used up most ingredients before leaving, so it was slapped together from what was left, but she was eating it well.
"Mina's busy with labyrinth stuff. The geezer's still with his family and hasn't come back."
"Karin, Sophia, and Natalie all headed back to the academy too."
"Finally just the shopkeeper and me alone, and I go bringing up boring topics."
"So, what should we do?"
"Nothing comes to mind."
I sat down across from Big Sis, who was mumbling face-down on the table. With no new customers coming, I figured we'd just chat and catch up.
Noticing me sit, she pondered for a moment, then moved from across to beside me and laid her head on my thigh.
"Heehee. Gonna rest like this."
"Make yourself comfy."
"Love that the shopkeeper doesn't push away the skinship."
"I'm starting to realize it's about time I made up my mind too."
"Sounds good."
As I stroked Leimi Big Sis's red hair, Rias's face inevitably floated to mind. Back in our really young days, I'd been pretty handy and would braid or tie up her hair.
Pushing aside those not-bad memories, I focused on the present.
She must've been exhausted from the journey itself—she was out like a light under my touch in no time.
The sun slowly setting. Through the west-facing window, I could see the red sky and sun.
Even if my mindset had shifted, the sun and stars moved the same as ever.
It'd been a while, but it was just another ordinary day too.
**
"This is tricky."
"Pardon?"
"A professorship isn't just handed out. You have to contribute to the academy, and with things already so chaotic, stepping away feels iffy."
"...So you'll turn it down?"
"No, Student Ermina. I still have to go."
Professor Selene spoke with a resigned tone.
Selene hated showing any unsightly side to others. The perfect self I'd imagined—helping the good, smiting the wicked.
She'd vowed not to back down from any power or mighty foe.
"Can't just send you alone, Student Ermina. I'll end up sneaking off for my research anyway once we're there..."
"Ah, they said it's because I can help with something, so it'll be fine!"
"Yes. Hope so."
The Magic Tower was an untrustworthy bunch. An eternal truth, no matter how time passed or power shifted.
Selene felt a twinge of unease but decided to focus on the task at hand.
"Ugh, probably wishful thinking?"
"What do you mean?"
"Maybe Yulius showing up."
"With what happened in the empire, if he's involved, he might."
"Not banking on it, but it'd be nice if..."
"That'd disrupt Yulius's peace, though."
Ermina's beaming smile froze at those words.
"...Guess I'm an idiot. Even after getting chewed out like that."
"Everyone messes up. That's why reflecting matters."
"You always seem so sharp, Professor."
"...Repeated childhood mistakes shaped me. Ah, Student Ermina. Time for class."
Ermina bowed politely and dashed off to her practicals building. Selene watched her go with a blank expression, then sensed the next visitor and opened the door.
"My, Student Christoph. First time you've visited."
"Tch. I didn't wanna come either."
"Still, using polite speech now instead of before makes me happy."
"Hmph. Straight to the point—one favor."
"What kind?"
"My sister's hunting for Yulius."
Selene rarely frowned at that.
Canila Imir. If Christoph Imir was a brat, Canila was downright vicious.
A runaway locomotive charging after any man who caught her eye.
Even their father the king couldn't fully rein her in. Her recent quiet spell was first because Yulius had been in the academy, and second due to her confinement punishment keeping her grounded.
Now both were lifted. Predicting her next move was beyond even Selene.
"Embarrassing to admit."
"Yes."
"You know I hate Yulius."
"More like your one-sided inferiority complex, honestly."
"I know. Awareness doesn't make the hate vanish. Anyway, I was tracking him to embarrass the jerk when he swiped all my data."
"Good lord."
The siblings were both stalking him.
A prince and princess, no less.
Selene's head throbbed at the reality; she took a sip of water.
Wanted something cooler than water.
"No clue what that sister might pull long-term."
"Nothing good, I'd bet."
"Indeed. Honestly, whatever trouble Yulius gets into, I'd just laugh. But with the royal prestige on the line..."
"So you came to me, figuring I'd keep quiet and help."
He shrugged; Selene drank more water.
With help from Namei or Yumin, they might quash it before it blew up, but if Christoph wanted it 'discreet,' asking them would be a no-go.
"Student, I'll be away often for this Magic Tower commission, so helping won't be easy."
"Ah, damn."
"Better find someone else."
Christoph pinched his brow, bowed, and left.
Selene couldn't hold back and grabbed a fizzy sugar water from the magical fridge in her office, chugging it.
Acting mature, but these requests always churned her stomach.
"...This is rough."
Perfectly soundproofed as a professor's private office, her murmur went unheard. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇