When he returned to the room, as expected, Rowy was still deep in sleep.
‘In this situation, it would be better to wake him early so he can have a proper meal later.’
Even while thinking that, Van couldn’t bring himself to wake the soundly sleeping Rowy. Having settled by the bedside, Van gently stroked Rowy’s hair. After some time had passed, Rowy finally stirred.
“Master.”
“Mm… Van?”
“It’s time to wake up now. You need to eat.”
“Ugh….”
Rowy groaned and reached out his arms to Van. Van lifted such a Rowy and sat him on the bed.
“Here, have some water and come to your senses.”
“I’m tired.”
“You’ll feel a bit better after eating.”
“I have no appetite.”
“Even though it’s strawberry cake?”
“Hm?”
Strawberry cake? At those words, Rowy’s half-closed eyes snapped open. Seeing this, Van smiled and took out the cake he’d bought earlier onto the table.
“What, where did this come from?”
Having said he was too tired to even move his body, Rowy sprang up at the sound of cake and scurried over to the table. To such a Rowy, Van laughingly pulled out a chair.
“This morning I asked the staff here about a place good with desserts and bought it.”
“……”
“You’ve been having such a hard time. I thought you might feel a bit better if you ate something sweet.”
At the unexpected consideration, Rowy couldn’t continue his words.
‘I didn’t think he’d prepare something like this….’
Unusually deeply moved, Rowy hugged the waist of Van standing beside him.
“Master?”
He heard Van calling him, but Rowy only buried his face deeply in Van’s stomach.
“…Thank you.”
Though it was a small voice, Van wasn’t one to miss it. Not at all. Van whispered in a voice mixed with laughter while embracing Rowy back. To such a Van, Rowy acted more spoiled than usual and kept burrowing into his arms.
“Hehe.”
“Does the cake taste good?”
“Mm.”
With even the cake being delicious, Rowy’s mood now completely soared to the sky. He was so happy that he even took the initiative to give Van a kiss on the cheek. Thanks to that, Van couldn’t stop smiling the entire time Rowy ate the cake.
“Where did you buy this? I want to go and eat more.”
“Yes. Let’s go together later.”
Having fed Rowy a proper meal while he was excited about going to the dessert shop, Van finally conveyed the story he’d heard earlier.
“…So they say they’ll use a magic circle in Banayl.”
“Mm, I see. A spatial movement circle in Banayl… Then that means we’ll be here for a while.”
“Yes. Oh, I’d like to go to the communication office—would it be alright to stop by briefly before we go to the dessert shop later?”
“Hm? The communication office?”
At the sudden words, Rowy tilted his head.
“Why there?”
“I have something to convey to the temple.”
“We haven’t even been gone that long, and you’re already sending your regards?”
He knew well that Van’s personality was inherently affectionate, but… still, it’s only been a few days since they left and already? Rowy, who never contacted friends unless something special happened, tilted his head.
“Ah, it’s not that… I’m going to report what happened in the Penter Mountains.”
“The monster rampage?”
“Yes.”
Hmm, that was certainly strange… Rowy nodded.
“But why tell the temple? …Because it seems like demons?”
Rowy asked carefully. Van nodded.
“I suspect that. Or, was there perhaps any sign of magic?”
“No, it wasn’t magic.”
Rowy stated definitively. If Rowy, a high-level mage, said it wasn’t, then it definitely wasn’t… Van’s face became a bit more serious.
“Then the probability increases even more. You should be careful for the time being.”
“But why would they do this? Even if they send monsters in hordes, with this group of people there’s no problem anyway.”
“Demons always hide traps in everything they do. Even now, there might be another conspiracy we don’t know about in progress.”
At Van’s serious expression, Rowy unconsciously nodded.
* * *
When long-distance contact was needed, most people visited the communication office. The giant magical communication device installed in the communication office could connect to anywhere on the continent as long as you knew the exact coordinates.
‘Of course, the farther the distance, the more the cost increases….’
Still, since it was a much faster and more efficient method than traveling directly, the communication office was always crowded with people. So Van also planned to go to the communication office to contact the temple. But… Rowy seemed displeased about something.
“So you’re going to go to the communication office every time you need to contact the temple?”
“Yes? But I don’t have a personal communication device.”
“Why not? You should have brought one with you while you were there.”
Rowy rebuked him. At those words, Van made an aggrieved expression. Of course, it would be convenient if he had a communication device as Rowy said, but….
“Communication devices are so expensive. Who has that many communication devices in the first place?”
At those words, Rowy made a pitiful expression.
“What am I saving it for? I’m here. All I have is money!”
“……”
“Wait. I’ll get one for you.”
After that, Rowy really did get a communication device. Not just one that transmitted voice, but a video communication device capable of even video. Portable communication devices can only connect if you directly share devices that share the same magical formula. But when asked how he got a communication device when he’d already left the temple and come all the way to Velstra….
“Well, of course I had Seilan do it.”
“Ah….”
Van couldn’t find words to say and closed his mouth. He seemed to hear Seilan’s grumbling in his ears. Of course, Rowy paid no heed to Van’s reaction and simply thrust the communication device at him.
“Here, you do it.”
Though he felt sorry for bothering Seilan because of him… Van carefully accepted the communication device.
“Now I can contact them anytime.”
“…Thank you.”
“No, I should have given it to you before leaving. I didn’t think you’d want to contact them.”
“……”
…Whose master is this kind? Van subtly pulled Rowy into an embrace. Though Rowy opened his eyes coyly, he didn’t avoid such a Van. In such a rather close position, the two activated the communication device.
-Haha, you two are still getting along well.
“Hello.”
He’d naturally thought one of the priests would answer… but surprisingly, it was Shane who received the communication. After briefly waiting for Rowy to wave and greet, Van began talking with Shane.
“You remained at the temple.”
-It seems I’ll be at the temple for a while.
At those words, Van nodded. The temple was currently pursuing the demon summoners who attacked the Holy Sword and the demon who cursed Rowy. Being a temple short on people, Shane also seemed to be only helping with temple matters for the time being.
“Has there been any progress in the investigation?”
-Not yet…. But we’re looking into it diligently, so don’t worry. By the way, what’s the occasion? I was flustered receiving a communication device so suddenly.
“I contacted you because I have something to ask. …Have you passed through the Penter Mountains recently?”
-The mountains, I’ve crossed them often while escorting merchant companies.
“Was there anything unusual?”
-Anything unusual….
Shane paused briefly to gather his thoughts. However, as if nothing came to mind, he quickly shook his head.
-I don’t think there was anything in particular.
“A monster rampage occurred.”
-Pardon?
“It wasn’t a normal rampage.”
At those words, Shane’s eyes immediately became serious. Even without saying more, he’d realized it was a matter involving demons.
-Then I’ll look into this.
Van, who’d grown up with him, knew Shane’s abilities better. Still….
“Be careful.”
-Yes, don’t worry.
Shane answered with a smile at Van’s worried voice. The communication ended like that. At the call that ended so quickly, Rowy, who’d been quietly listening to the conversation from the side, grumbled.
“Aw, they haven’t found out anything.”
“It’s only been a few days. Besides, the temple is short on people right now… The Flame Knights might be faster regarding the monsters.”
“Mm, then let’s wait until Edner finds out something.”
“Yes, don’t worry. Nothing will happen. I will definitely break your curse, master.”
At Van’s voice filled with strong will, Rowy nodded roughly. In truth, Rowy had little motivation for all these matters. Even with the demon’s curse and whatnot… he really couldn’t feel any difference from usual anymore.
‘My memory is a bit hazy… but still, I’m not particularly depressed now, and my head doesn’t hurt. Come to think of it, I haven’t been suddenly waking up crying at night at all lately.’
Of course, that was because Van always kept watch by his side every night…. Anyway, Rowy had already lost quite a bit of interest in things like demons and curses. Still, since Van kept worrying like that, now that he was going to the Empire anyway, he’d break the curse with that holy relic or whatever… he thought he hoped everything would end quickly.
‘After that, I’ll return to the castle in Seraphila. When I return, I really won’t come out for twenty years.’
He didn’t know if it would work out as he wished, but…. Sigh, having let out a sigh, Rowy burrowed into Van’s arms again. Everything was exhausting. And when his head was complicated like this…
“…Let’s go eat more cake.”
As expected, he should eat something sweet.
