“……Huh? Seriana, are you coming too?”

I had activated 【Hideout】, but just as I was about to go inside, Seriana placed a hand on my shoulder.

Was she planning to come along?

“Yes. I’m going to make it more manageable for me.”

The way she said that was a little curious… but it seemed she was going to help out.

“…Hmph. Well, if you’re helping, I appreciate it. Alright then, I’m heading in.”

With that, I stepped inside along with Seriana and the wooden boxes.

◇

“…Weren’t you just cleaning up a little while ago?”

That was the first thing Seriana said when she entered the living room after we got into the 【Hideout】.

Apparently, the room didn’t look clean to her.

“I just arranged things so they’re easier to use, you know?”

I had stacked books around the living room table and sofa for easy access, and even laid out a comforter so I could flop down and relax anytime.

Meanwhile, the bedroom was filled with sorted monster materials and boxes holding monster cores from the dungeon, which I kept as snacks for Akame and the others.

It might look a little cramped, but I usually sleep in Seriana’s bedroom anyway, and when we stay overnight in the 【Hideout】 during long-distance travel, Teresa sleeps in the living room, so the bedroom ends up being used only by me.

So this setup works just fine…

“I’ll tidy it up next time.”

Seriana clearly didn’t appreciate the functional beauty of the arrangement. With just that one sentence, she turned and headed back to the entrance.

“You’re helping carry stuff too.”

She called out to me from over there.

Honestly, she uses this kitchen more often than I do, so maybe she’s more motivated than I am?

“Okay~! Heave-ho!”

I answered and headed toward the entrance, activating 【Prayer】 as I walked.

As we passed each other, Seriana was casually carrying a wooden box full of dishes.

I couldn’t fall behind now.

“Alrighty!”

First, I wrapped my tail around one wooden box.

Then I lifted another one and used 【Monkey’s Arm】 to assist.

Nice.

Though I was dragging the one with my tail, I could still carry both at the same time!

I raised the altitude of the 【Floating Orb】 that was hovering near the floor and made my way toward the kitchen near the living room.

There, Seriana was already unpacking and washing the dishes at the sink.

This girl’s unexpectedly domestic in weird ways.

I thought she’d just put them straight into the cupboards…

As I silently apologized in my heart, Seriana glanced over with an exasperated look.

Did she read my thoughts again…?

“You… can’t you move a little more like a normal person?”

“Huh?”

So she was exasperated with me?

“This is really convenient, you know.”

For someone like me with no physical strength, this tail and extra arm are essential.

By now, I feel like I can use them almost like parts of my own body.

“…Well, whatever. Anyway, I’m going to wash everything, so take the contents out of the boxes. Then bring the boxes to the other room.”

She seemed like she had more to say but held back and gave me instructions instead.

Apparently, she was also going to wash the pots and pans.

“Got it.”

In that case, I might as well carry the boxes to the storage room quickly.

The contents are out, so… think I can handle three at once?

◇

“Good work. Are you done tidying up?”

Teresa, who had stayed behind in the office, seemed to have been working the whole time, but she paused and greeted us as we came out of the 【Hideout】.

“The boxes are put away, but the room itself wasn’t cleaned. I’ll need to do that later.”

“Nah, it’s fine like that, really.”

“Well I don’t like it. There’s enough storage space, so I’m going to clean it properly.”

“Ugh…”

I find it easier to use that way though…

Teresa smiled while watching us bicker, then headed to the kitchen in the room to make tea.

Meanwhile, Seriana made her way to the sofa.

As usual, she picked the black cat one… Though, the cushion I ordered a while back should be arriving soon.

I’d also ordered some monster plushies—wonder when those will be ready?

“Ah!”

Thinking about the craftsmen reminded me of what happened at Rob’s shop.

Might as well ask her now.

“What’s wrong?”

“Yeah, it’s something that happened at Rob’s shop today…”

As I explained, Seriana muttered an “Ah…” under her breath.

She seemed to recognize something, but took a moment before responding.

Unusual for her…

“It seems that deliveries to some of the small western countries have hit a snag. There’s no problem with the Empire or the Allied Nations, and everything should be resolved by winter, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“…Really?”

If there’s no issue with those two major powers that cover nearly half the western continent, maybe it’s not that serious?

“Yes. The Commercial Guild probably has some information on it, but… maybe I should have Liesel explain it to you soon.”

“I see…”

Well, sea routes are still relatively new, so it’s not strange for little issues to crop up now and then.

I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but if Seriana and the others are aware of it, then it’s probably not something I need to worry about.

Once those craftsmen know what’s happening, I’m sure they’ll feel more at ease too.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Sera ・【Hideout】+1 【Prayer】 【Blessing of Mira】 【Wind’s 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】 【Monkey’s Arm】 ・4 cards

Seriana ・【Area Recognition】 ・【】 ・39 cards

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

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