Chapter 98
Chapter 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Still 4 Years Too Early (6)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Depending on how it's phrased, there could be misunderstandings, but without a doubt, the most powerful organization in Astraea is the Adventurer's Guild.
A very realistic and practical issue: the world's order tends to be maintained largely by force. And because Astraea runs on the spoils from the labyrinth, even merchants have to respect adventurers.
In the end, this means the Adventurer's Guild holds most of Astraea's information and authority. It also means they can identify anyone passing through the city gates via standard procedures.
Naturally, since I'm in contact with Big Sister Cosetica, I have access to some of that information. So I knew Big Sister Mina had returned even before she showed up at the cafe.
Even if I didn't want to know, Big Sister Cosetica tips me off anyway.
Anyway, I prepared all her usual favorite dishes for Big Sister, who probably hadn't eaten my food in ages.
For Karin, who lately seemed to be losing her grip on taste, I packed hearty meals to keep her from wearing her bones down to nothing. She has a bit of a ditzy side, but not like this—recently, it felt like her brain had been pickled in something sexual.
In the end, I picked up Karin by shoving my hands under her armpits like last time and shoved her off to the corner seat. She kept glancing at my lower body and then fleeing over and over. What the hell has she been thinking lately to turn out like this?
Anyway, as I turned my eyes from the now subdued Karin, I caught Mr. Dras smirking at me and Big Sister Reimi eyeing Karin with a subtle expression.
"What a nice show on such a rare visit."
"...I have no idea why she's acting like that."
"Isn't she past puberty age? Should I call that innocent?"
"Yeah. If she wasn't staying at our house, I'd suspect some curse."
Unfortunately, I could confidently say it wasn't a curse—Karin had just turned weird as a person. She groaned every night, so she must be having strange dreams, but that wasn't something I could fix.
As far as I knew, the only one who could dispel nightmares was Ermina.
She absolutely refused to say what the problem was, so there was no way to know the details.
"Well, she's in her twenties, so not exactly a girl... but understanding a woman's heart is still full of difficulties."
"No, I don't get it either."
"When the age gap is over five years, it's a different species."
"You damn old fart."
Big Sister Reimi glared at him.
Mr. Dras was basically a gentleman, but his occasional barbs were sharp. It was hard to tell where those aggressive words came from on that friendly face sipping coffee with a chuckle, but he sometimes teased Big Sister Reimi or Big Sister Mina with jokes mixed in.
Everyone knew he didn't mean it seriously, so Big Sister Reimi quietly returned to her seat and took a sip of coffee.
Everyone except Karin, who was fuming in the corner, was spending the time leisurely when Big Sister Mina entered, her vibe slightly changed from before she left.
"Cafe Manager."
"Feels like forever."
As I came out from behind the counter, she toddled over and hugged my waist.
She had more accessories than before, and each one screamed extraordinary power both visually and in aura.
It felt like the same kind of power as Ermina or mine, but a bit more refreshing.
Describing mana or energy in words is tricky, but if I had to, unlike the warm energy of the goddess, this had a cool sensation.
She clung to my waist, sniffing and rubbing her face all over me, then tilted her head and dragged Karin to the bathroom.
There was a brief commotion, and then Karin burst out clutching her clothes with all the buttons undone, while Big Sister Mina followed with a dissatisfied look.
"She smells like Cafe Manager. And she's wearing weird underwear."
"Huh? Don't know about the underwear, but the smell's probably because she's been sleeping in my bedroom lately."
"Together?"
"No way."
What the heck is 'weird underwear' anyway? I'd pulled out clothes for her a few times and hadn't seen anything odd.
As Big Sister Reimi looked curious, Big Sister Mina leaned in to whisper, but I spotted it and covered my ears.
After some hushed talking, Karin's face turned beet red and she slammed her head on the table, while Mr. Dras looked at the two sisters with pity.
What was it?
What kind of underwear gets that reaction?
Anyway, it seemed the talk was over, so I uncovered my ears and spoke up.
"It might be rushed, but if you're in a hurry, when can you enter the labyrinth, Big Sister Mina?"
"I could go right now today. I'm totally fine."
"Then let's go together starting tomorrow."
"Yeah. Of course."
She flashed a thumbs-up, saying to trust only her, and sat in her usual spot. I brought out the food I always made for her.
Seeing it, tears welled up in her eyes.
"I wanted to eat this."
"It's not that special."
"When I think back to those days eating vegetable scraps alone at taverns..."
Big Sister had spent so long being summoned day and night that she probably ate haphazardly. That's why she loved the meals I made or the bentos I packed occasionally so much.
Come to think of it, maybe that's when she started liking me.
I love cooking and love when others enjoy my food, so I always gave generously to her when she ate it with such relish.
Anyway, with Big Sister's OK, we set the schedule to enter tomorrow.
I gave Karin, whose face looked boiled, some cold water, then sat at my spot cleaning glasses.
For the first time in forever, it felt like we were all gathered, enjoying a relaxed time.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Ermina went to see Rias.
She showed up at the dorm unannounced, prepared for a cold reception, and sure enough, Rias opened the door with an uncomfortable expression.
She led her to the drawing room, trembling at the mouth, looking quite different from before.
The unnecessary flashy decorations were mostly gone, and the servants around looked more at ease, not dealing with pointless tantrums.
"It's quite different from what I expected."
"Don't say you know what I was thinking. I'm practicing not getting mad."
"Then shouldn't you hold back when something annoying happens?"
"Are you trying to make me mad?"
"No. Not at all."
Ermina politely denied it to Rias, who grinned while grinding her teeth. Being denied seemed to irk her more, so she turned away for a deep breath before facing back.
"So, what's up?"
"Rias is the second daughter of a prestigious noble family."
"Hah. I thought you'd cut ties with status."
"Yeah. But no matter how I think about it, Julius seems like someone who'll rise high anywhere."
Here, Rias caught on to Ermina's intent. She slammed the table while setting down her tea, startling the servant about to serve. Cursing herself for not holding back, Rias pinched her brow.
"...Hey. Don't be ridiculous. I heard about it too, same as Yustina, so I'm trying, okay? You think I need to mess things up here?"
"I'm already working with Julius every weekend."
"What?"
"And Karin too."
Rias sucked in a breath with a hiss, trembling like she'd been caught red-handed, then spoke cautiously in a careful voice.
"Can I... just once... come too...?"
"Julius might object."
"No. Still. Whatever it is, I might be able to help."
"...First, the reason I came."
"I'll tell you. I can even give lessons. So just say it."
"O-Okay. Got it."
She hadn't meant to pressure her like blackmail. Anyway, it was good that Rias now had a chance to learn noble etiquette and courtly speech, but seeing her so emotionally unstable didn't feel great.
Still, Ermina had no right or reason to meddle in the issues between Julius and Rias, so she kept quiet.
Just like she was trying to change, Rias was making her own efforts.
With that in mind, she discussed with Rias what to do going forward.
Knowing she could contact Julius herself, Rias was careful even with single words.
If Rias was like this, what about Yustina?
The girl who measured everything by Julius—what expression, what thoughts, what life was she living now?
It probably wasn't good, so Ermina didn't even want to go see her.