Chapter 155
Chapter 155
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 155
Chapter Title: Farther Than Love, Closer Than Friendship (3)
“So, the core data didn't end up in the Magic Tower's hands, right?”
Ahem. When it was just the two of us.
“...Yeah. Alina. Then, can you tell me about the data the Magic Tower has?”
I'll compile it later and send it over.
Alina's face was practically dripping with smiles.
Nothing to say to that. She's just that happy about it.
Anyway, she said she'd send the documents through the transfer gate later, so I'd just trust her on that and wait patiently. There didn't seem to be any urgent issues popping up right away, so taking it easy for a bit made sense.
After all, if you're too busy, you can't perform at your best.
This time, for real, I'd take a proper break, and if demons showed up again later, I'd deal with it then.
“So, that's all for today?”
Yeah. That's it.
“Honestly, I'm still not used to that tone of yours.”
I can speak like a normal girl too, you know.
“Well, sure. I guess you can.”
But it was a little burdensome.
Getting caught in a communication like this would spark a scandal. If it were just dry business talk, I could brush it off as collaboration even with a noble from another country.
If things went wrong, it'd be engagement for sure.
I still needed time to mentally prepare.
“No other urgent matters?”
No.
“Then, shall we end the call here?”
Wait a sec.
With that, Alina stood up from her seat for a moment and came back with something.
And what she proudly pulled out was a pillow with a heart design and some embarrassingly skimpy lingerie.
I-I'm ready anytime!
I shut my mouth.
How was I supposed to respond to this? While I racked my brain for a way to avoid hurting her feelings, Alina cut the connection with a look like she was about to die of embarrassment.
Isn't this straight out of a guy's fantasy?
The pure maiden who doesn't refuse even naughty things for him, understands his otaku-like hobbies, and approaches first despite his lack of social skills.
Maybe because I've been acting like a block of wood, Alina was starting to feel more like an imaginary creature. I couldn't help but worry about it.
“At this point, I can't just say 'no'...”
No matter how I thought about it, my nose was already pierced—my fate was sealed. I gave up thinking about it.
I could see a future where I'd humbly accept it.
Even in her embarrassment, she handled business cleanly. A note flew in through the transfer gate next to the communication crystal.
This must be the list of documents she'd send.
I pocketed the note and headed downstairs, where Big Sis Mina—who hadn't been there before—was now slumped face-down on the table next to Big Sis Leimi, waiting.
“Hey, hey. Shopkeeper's here.”
“Oof.”
At Big Sis Leimi's words, she snapped her head up and toddled over, climbing onto my back. The back this time.
She usually clung to the front, so maybe her mood had changed? I carried her piggyback-style to the coffee machine.
I rarely let anyone into my kitchen-like domain. It was different if they helped like Riza, but Big Sis almost never came into my workspace. She rested her chin on my shoulder and peered at the machine.
It was called an espresso machine, but it was actually a magic-powered device with buttons arranged for my convenience, quite different from my previous life's versions.
“Can I press it?”
“Sure. One sec.”
I poured milk for Big Sis Mina, who was pointing at the steam button from my back, and prepped for steaming.
When I signaled it was ready, she reached out from her piggyback perch and poked the button.
A pssh sound followed as steam entered the milk, foaming it up. Watching it whirl, Big Sis said,
“Shopkeeper.”
“Yeah.”
“Where do you come up with stuff like this?”
“Just experimenting to see what makes it tastier.”
“Hmm.”
“You can't have milk anyway. Never offered you any separately.”
Big Sis Mina didn't ask more. She stayed piggybacked while I brewed my coffee, then hopped down once it was poured.
She tugged my sleeve, leading me to sit with Big Sis Leimi. The three of us settled in.
“Shopkeeper.”
“Yeah.”
“If demons move near Lebedev lands, the elves will too.”
“Pardon?”
“Elves are sensitive to favors owed. My clan because I get along with Shopkeeper. Spiegel said they'd help due to last time's debt.”
“Whatever my relationship with your father, that's something to be grateful for.”
Big Sis made a V-sign with her fingers and sipped her slightly cooled coffee.
She'd had time to reflect on her reality, sorted her foggy mind while cleaning, and with no rush now, we could spend the time leisurely.
Big Sis Mina sipped her coffee for a while before broaching the topic again.
“How are the kids at the Academy?”
“From the messages coming in, seems like they've gotten some fresh air. Few territories are as close to the front lines as Lebedev lands, so it's probably made them think.”
“Yeah.”
Put another way, assuming I fully returned to noble society, it was a chance for them to realize what standing by my side meant.
In a game, marriage ends it, but reality demands thinking beyond.
Ermina's status wasn't high regardless. Even if she got with a target guy, lifelong happiness wasn't guaranteed.
“How about you, Shopkeeper?”
“Me? Better than I thought.”
“Good.”
“Not gonna ask why?”
“If you're okay, that's all that matters.”
At that, Big Sis Leimi pinched Big Sis Mina's nose.
“Trying to score points all by yourself with pretty words.”
“It's the truth.”
“People are usually too embarrassed to say their true feelings.”
“Scaredy-cat.”
“Am not.”
Watching them bicker brought back memories of our carefree cafe days, making me smile unwittingly.
We'd spout nonsense and have pointless chats, but it wasn't bad.
It felt like a past I could never return to, leaving a pang of regret deep down.
**
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ermina was feeling a bit down. How to put it—everyone around her was rubbing her the wrong way.
It was an incredibly rude assessment, but she couldn't think of another way to express it. They always greeted her with smiles, but every action and word felt creepy and unsettling.
No other place to go out to, but when she stepped out to buy a snack, the room would be impeccably tidied in her absence, perfectly straight.
“...So you came to see me because of that?”
“Yep.”
Selene, hearing it all, began explaining.
“Student Ermina, this is a place where mages dedicated to research gather. Naturally, it's all run by magic from start to finish.”
“Then that person too...”
“Probably not human.”
“Ugh.”
No wonder it was so overly accommodating and eerily precise. Ermina's hands trembled with discomfort. Helping with research here? Just thinking about it soured her mood.
Selene gave a wry smile at her reaction.
“Not necessarily bad, though. Data auto-deletes to protect privacy, so no one peeks into your life.”
“Riiight. I'll try to think positively...”
“And since you're the Tower Lord's acknowledged VIP, no one approaches with bad intentions... except a few.”
“A few?”
“Researchers aren't politicians. But some fund research, so can't call them all bad. Still, parasites clinging to the 'Saintess of Light' name? Definitely.”
Ermina realized anew that the Magic Tower wasn't much different from the Academy. If anything, far more hostile to her.
At the Academy, when issues arose, there was Christoph with his reputation and Yulius, gentlemanly in aid if not romance.
Not a greenhouse flower, but she'd gotten plenty of help, so no major problems.
Though it meant lots of jealousy and no friends.
“Thinking of Yulius?”
“Eh?! No, that's not...”
“He was excellent. Even ignoring his student status, patient, considerate, a true gentleman. Flaws? Insensitive to women's feelings and subtly defensive in relationships.”
“Defensive...”
“Accepts others' feelings but doesn't give his own—chooses the side that hurts less if ties break.”
Even with that, a fine person. Selene murmured, gazing afar.
“Wish I'd been like that from the start.”
“Doesn't Professor Selene get along with everyone?”
“Everyone starts clumsy and inept.”
Unease flickered behind her smile, so Ermina quietly sipped her tea in reply.
Another uncomfortable day passed for both.