Clink clank, drip drip

Sounds echoed from all over the room as I sat in a chair, watching droplets of liquid fall at about the rate of an IV drip from the equipment lined up on the desk.

Right now, I’m in Fiora’s lab located beneath the mansion. I’m here to hear about her progress on her work.

I don’t even know what she’s making though!

Yesterday, I went to the Commercial Guild on an errand from Seriana, and the message was that the potions being made here would be prioritized for stockpiling instead of being distributed to the town.

Even though potion shops in the city also carry them, the guild handles that kind of adjustment. It’s about keeping the market from going into chaos.

It’s not like stores are going to jack up prices just because the supply is a little low, but these are matters of life and death for adventurers, so it’s just a precaution.

On the way back, I also picked up something from the Commercial Guild for Fiora, and passed it to her along with what Seriana had sent. Fiora checked the contents on the spot and told me to come by today because she’d be making the requested item by the end of the day.

And now, I’m waiting for Fiora to finish packing everything up…

It’s been about twenty minutes already… is she still not done?

The lab is currently running at full capacity producing potions, but the alchemists working here don’t usually interact with me. They all have this look like they don’t know how to act around me, so even while working, the atmosphere feels awkward.

As I was thinking that, Fiora appeared from the back carrying a wooden box.

I thought it’d be just one potion, but… there’s a bunch of stuff in there.

“You waited long, didn’t you? I ended up taking time since I prepared a few other things that might be necessary… You all, I’m heading upstairs, so take care of things here, alright?”

“Yes, leave it to us.”

“Sera, let’s go. Would you open the door for me?”

Fiora gave brief instructions to the subordinates staying behind and then prompted me to open the door.

Well, both of her hands are full…

And the fact that she doesn’t try to open it with her foot or butt—how refined.

“Alrighty… here you go.”

“Thank you.”

Anyway, I opened the heavy, sturdy door and stepped into the hallway with her.

◇

“So, what is that?”

I asked Fiora, who was riding on a 【Small Orb】 next to me, what the luggage was.

I could see not only documents, but also something like potions in bottles inside.

She just got that package yesterday, so what could it be?

“This? Just a little charm, really. I figured it might be necessary, so I put in a request. It uses special materials, and they don’t make it over there either, but I decided to try crafting it.”

“…Huh.”

Doesn’t feel like a regular healing potion…

…Is it poison or something?

That suspicion must’ve shown on my face.

“Hehe… It’s not dangerous. It disperses miasma. Kind of like Zigh’s blessing.”

Fiora chuckled.

Hmm… I don’t know where you’d need something that disperses miasma, but if it’s not dangerous, then okay?

“Huh? Zigh-san’s blessing is 【Water’s Garment】, right? Can that do more than just protect from heat?”

“? It certainly does protect from heat, but…”

Fiora looked puzzled at my question.

…Wait, am I misremembering something?

“It’s the one Luban’s wife has, right?”

“Luban’s…? Ah, that’s 【White Mist】. Zigh’s blessing forms a membrane of water infused with mana. It defends against magic, heat, and even has some physical defense. It’s closer to your wind than 【White Mist】 is.”

“…Got it.”

Looks like I remembered wrong… but the effect is close enough, so OK, OK!

We chatted like that, talking about blessings and items, enjoying a rare bit of small talk with Fiora until we reached the room.

◇

That night, as has become routine since deployment, we all gathered in Seriana’s bedroom.

Since I mostly run errands through the underground tunnels, I barely know what’s going on in the city.

Teresa keeps going back and forth between the office and the Knight Order headquarters, and Fiora is holed up in her lab underground.

We’re all a bit cut off from each other’s information. Seriana and Elena are mostly stationed in the office, so they probably have a good grasp of the capital’s overall situation, but conversely, it’s hard for them to see what’s going on out in the field.

That’s why we hold these tea parties to exchange info and organize what we know.

“So… there’s still been no issues from Liesel and the others being gone?”

“Yes. The 1st squad is patrolling thoroughly, and both the citizens and adventurers are going about their days without causing any trouble.”

According to Teresa, the town was peaceful again today.

Well, the townspeople were never the type to cause chaos to begin with, and the adventurers probably want to earn all they can before next month’s rainy season. No time to slack off in town right now.

“Fiora, how about your side?”

After exchanging a few more words with Teresa, Seriana turned to Fiora.

Fiora’s lab operations are usually stable, but she’s started something new since yesterday. She did show her face in the office for a bit during the day but went right back, so we hadn’t had a chance to talk.

Still…

“…Yes. For now… it’ll stay like this.”

Fiora answered Seriana absent-mindedly, clearly preoccupied.

Even though it’s a private setting, it’s still not ideal to respond so vaguely to a question from the lady of the domain… but everyone understands, given Fiora’s current state.

After all, she was on the bed receiving a massage from me!

“I see. Then that’s fine.”

Seriana continued the meeting without pressing the issue.

Seriana serves as acting lord, with Elena assisting her. Teresa oversees the Knight Order, and Fiora is in charge of the mages and alchemists.

Everyone’s under a lot of pressure, so I also take this opportunity to provide therapy for them here.

Fortunately, the city is still problem-free. Just like the knights, they all need to be in top shape in case something happens—so we make sure they’re refreshed here.

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

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・【Power Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・10 cards