I finished treating Minea-san and was now floating around inside the mansion.

The destination was the guest lodging facility located somewhere on the grounds.

While the regular soldiers stayed at inns in town, the executives like Alec and the others apparently stayed there.

It was a bit away from the main building where I currently was—more than a ten-minute walk.

I could fly through the window and get there instantly, but living here in the past was one thing; coming as a guest now, that would be pushing it.

Besides, it wasn’t just members of the Müller family anymore—there were people from other territories here as well.

So, I obediently followed my guide as we moved through the mansion.

However… occasionally passing servants felt different. It seemed like the faces had changed even more since my last visit.

Seriously, most of the people who worked here back when I did must be gone by now.

I hadn’t seen them this time, but surely the head chef and head maid remained, right? Still, I can’t believe they find new staff for the lord’s mansion so easily.

Riana still needs to keep working here for a long time…

“Hmm…”

“Is something the matter?”

“Ugh!?”

I must have been lost in thought, because apparently I’d let out a sound.

The servant walking ahead called out to me.

I didn’t know her either.

Since she was assigned to Minea-san’s room, she must be competent…

“Oh, no… I was just thinking. By the way, I wonder if Eizen-sama or Flora-sama are around?”

I took the chance to ask about them while trying to brush off my distraction.

Normally, my father or Minea-san would mention something about them, but there was nothing this time.

Maybe they’re away in town.

“Yes. Eizen-sama was acting as the master’s deputy, but since the master returned, he’s been relieved of that duty. Now he has been appointed commander of a new monster hunting squad and left with soldiers this morning.”

“Oh, really…”

At our place, Seriana had been Riesel’s deputy, but here, Eizen was around.

He had been studying to be the next lord for many years and probably handled it well, but he actually went out on a monster hunt…

Before noble academy admission in spring, it’s normal for every territory to organize units to hunt monsters and bandits, and once Alec and the others returned and the fighting force was restored, we’d start preparing too.

But my father just got back yesterday and left this morning.

They must have hurried the handover a lot.

Well… it’s a good chance to visit the territory and assert the existence of the next lord.

“Flora-sama has been inspecting various places in the territory along with Luciana-sama since the rainy season ended. They will return around spring.”

“Oh, I see…”

Now that I think about it, they were doing something like that before too.

Eizen is definitely the next lord, and Luciana, with adulthood coming next year, must be busy as well.

What exactly do noble kids do? Meeting people…?

Well, all three seem well, which is what matters.

We continued moving while chatting casually.

“Well then, Sera-sama, I will take my leave here.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

The woman who had been guiding us gave a slight bow and went back into the mansion.

So then…

“Anybody in? Open up!”

I knocked on the door loudly and called out.

◇

Invited inside, I headed up to the second floor where Alec and the others were.

I planned to greet them first since it had been a while, but…

“This place is pretty spacious…”

The words slipped out without meaning to.

“Yeah. Jig and I would be fine staying in a town inn… but, you know, because of our positions.”

Alec shrugged at my comment.

Zighart, sitting next to him, smiled wryly.

The building where Alec and the others stayed resembled the one where Zighart and his group lived on Riana’s lord’s estate grounds, but this one might be almost twice as large.

Well, this was a place for distinguished guests to stay with servants, so I guess this size was necessary.

But hearing that multiple buildings of this scale were built within the grounds makes you wonder just how huge this place is.

Riana’s lord’s mansion is on the highest hilltop, so lateral space is limited.

Instead, they have been expanding underground, so in terms of area just for the mansion, it’s quite large.

But considering the entire grounds, this must be easily more than double the size.

Having wide grounds like this means they can prepare all sorts of facilities.

“Well… whatever. Long time no see. I’m glad you’re all doing well. The ladies were happy too.”

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

Sera・Blessing・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind’s Garment】

Blessed Items・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】+1【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】【Monkey’s Arm】・8 cards

Seriana・【Area Recognition】・【】・0 cards

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

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・10 cards