As I stepped out of the window and made my way toward the slope connecting the mansion to the town, I noticed a carriage coming up the path.

It was the mansion’s carriage, so Teresa was probably inside.

If she had only been visiting a facility in town, she could have just used the underground passage and walked. But today, she had gone outside the city…

Now then… what should I do?

Clinging to the carriage window would be a bad idea, right?

“Anyway… I guess I’ll just call out to the coachman. Hey!”

As I waved and approached, the other party seemed to notice me as well. While they didn’t slow the carriage, they did wave back.

That should be fine.

“Good work. Is Teresa inside?”

“Yes. Also, the young lady accompanying her. Are you getting in…? Teresa-sama—”

Just as I was asking the coachman if this was the carriage I was looking for, a small window connecting to the interior opened, and Teresa peeked out.

“Princess, please, come inside.”

“Ah… alright.”

For some reason, I exchanged glances with the coachman. I suppose the conversation would continue inside.

The small window closed, and in its place, the carriage door opened.

It wasn’t moving too fast, but keeping the door open while in motion was dangerous. I should hurry inside.

Still, a young lady accompanying her… Did he mean a female soldier?

◇

Inside the carriage, a young woman sat across from Teresa.

She wore a plain outfit consisting of a dress commonly seen in this city, with an additional layer draped over it. Her hair was tied back into a single ponytail near her back.

She had the look of someone returning from training.

Perhaps because she was sitting directly across from Teresa, she seemed somewhat tense.

But as soon as she saw me, her expression softened in relief.

“A guest?”

She was in plain clothes while riding in the carriage, so this likely wasn’t a work-related matter.

However, I also couldn’t imagine her having personal business at the mansion… What was going on?

“She’s here on behalf of the lady of the house… Princess, could I trouble you to escort her to the lounge and inform the lady of her presence? That should be enough.”

“Huh? Just that?”

“Yes.”

Teresa smiled warmly.

She didn’t seem inclined to explain any further… Was this some kind of duty of the lord’s wife?

Well, if all I had to do was pass along a message, then that was simple enough.

“Got it. I’ll go tell her.”

With that, I left the carriage and made my way toward Seriana’s room via the route of the 【Floating Orb】.

Before moving on, I turned back for a moment to glance at the carriage… It looked like it would take at least ten more minutes to arrive.

The path wound its way up from the base of the hill, passing by Alec and August’s mansions before finally reaching the destination.

I usually traveled by air, but for everyone else, it must have been a hassle.

While mulling over these thoughts, I soon found myself standing before Seriana’s room.

“I’m back.”

“Welcome back. Who was it?”

As I entered the room, Seriana was already waiting by the window.

She immediately asked about the person accompanying Teresa… but now that she mentioned it, who was she again?

I hadn’t caught her name. I hadn’t asked the names of each individual soldier either…

“Uh… She was one of the female soldiers, but apparently, she’s a guest of yours and is to be shown to the lounge. Teresa said that just saying that would be enough. Do you understand?”

Even as I said it, I felt like I wasn’t making much sense.

However, Seriana nodded as if she understood perfectly.

“Was she in uniform? Or plain clothes?”

“Hm? She was in plain clothes.”

Did that detail matter?

“Good. Then let’s head to the lounge. Sera, bring that with you.”

“Huh?”

Seriana pointed to a sacred statue resting on a shelf in the room.

It wasn’t mine, but Seriana’s.

If she was bringing this… Was it for a gacha?

“Oh… Right. Only lords or churches have access to sacred statues, don’t they?”

Since I had my own, I often forgot, but overseeing gacha draws was one of the lord’s duties.

Just like Müller’s estate, this place also had a small chapel in the garden, which nobles and adventurers occasionally used.

I had never witnessed one myself, but the lord was responsible for monitoring the results and ensuring nothing suspicious happened.

As things stood, the only person in Riana conducting gacha draws under Liesel’s supervision was—

Ah, so this woman’s closest and most reliable connection was Teresa.

After confirming whether she wanted to meet Liesel or just use the gacha, they must have decided that Seriana should oversee it.

“Exactly. Let’s go.”

Seriana nodded at my words, then picked up a document from her desk and headed toward the door.

“Wait, hold on!”

Panicked, I grabbed the sacred statue and hurried after her so I wouldn’t get left behind.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Sera・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind Garment】・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】・19 cards

Seriana・【Area Identification】・【】・34 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・9 cards