Chapter 19: The Two Depart
In the kitchen, Lydia was making a pie using the pumpkin she had harvested earlier.
Since it was Leohart’s favorite, she had been making it often lately.
She happened to look up, and through the window she saw the two of them standing and shaking hands.
“Fufu, they look like they’re having fun.”
Leohart had never liked talking much about his past since he was little.
It seemed he hadn’t had many good experiences with people, and he tended to avoid those topics.
That was why seeing him talk so naturally with a friend like that surprised her, and at the same time, put her at ease.
She felt relieved that it hadn’t all been bad memories.
She poured the pumpkin she had been simmering into a cloth, let it cool slightly, and began mashing it with a spatula.
‘I wonder if Mr. Erdo will be staying here for a while.’
Thinking that if he stayed over, she would need to prepare the guest room, she crushed cookies to make the crust, mixed sugar and milk into the pumpkin, and continued making the pie.
Then, after she put it into the oven and some time passed, Leohart and Erdo came into the house.
When Leohart asked her somewhat hesitantly,
“Is it okay if Erdo stays over tonight?”
she nodded readily.
“Of course.
Then I’ll go prepare the guest room.”
“Then I’ll start making dinner.”
Erdo’s eyes widened in shock.
“Wait, Leohart is cooking?
…You’re not going to soak dried meat in water or something, right?”
Wondering if he used to cook like that in the past, Lydia laughed softly.
“Leohart is very good at cooking.
His quiche is delicious, and his galettes are absolutely amazing.”
“Quiche and galettes?
Those are unbelievably stylish dishes.”
“Yes, they’re my favorites.”
Erdo nodded as if convinced.
“Ah, I see.
So you practiced making Lydia’s favorite dishes, huh?”
“…You’re a bit noisy.”
Leohart dragged Erdo off to the kitchen, telling him to help.
Lydia began preparing the small guest room on the first floor.
After a quick cleaning, she put fresh linen on the bed and gently laid a soft cotton pajama set on top.
When she headed to the dining room, the table was already filled with food.
There was salad, stew, roasted meat, Lydia’s favorite galettes, and even the pumpkin pie she had just made.
The three of them toasted with the wine Erdo had brought and began enjoying dinner while chatting about trivial things.
Partway through, Leohart spoke up seriously.
“After tomorrow, Erdo and I will head two mountains over for a subjugation.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah, we’re hunting a chimera.”
“A chimera?”
Lydia tilted her head.
“What kind of creature is a chimera?”
“It’s a magical beast made up of different animals for its head and body.
Since it has each animal’s traits, it’s pretty strong.”
Since it could be dangerous for a mage alone, Leohart would be going along as a knight.
“I see.
Please be careful.”
“It’ll be fine.
After all, Leohart is the man once called the ‘Jet-Black God of Destruction.’
Well, he seems a lot gentler since spring came.”
“…You should be quiet.”
Lydia didn’t really understand the meaning, but it was amusing, and she laughed softly.
Normally, Leohart felt like a mature, dependable man, but when he talked with Erdo, glimpses of his age-appropriate side showed through.
‘It feels like I’m seeing a different side of him.’
That made her feel very happy.
After dinner, leaving the two of them to talk a little longer, Lydia went to bed first.
Starting the day after he stayed at Lydia and Leohart’s house, Erdo began casting defensive magic on the wall.
It seemed to be a very large-scale spell, requiring embedding magic stones in various places and casting the spell multiple times.
Then, a few days later.
As soon as the defensive magic was completed, Leohart and Erdo prepared to depart.
Standing at the gate, Lydia handed the two of them a large bundle.
“Take this with you.
It has sandwiches and quiche inside.”
Leohart accepted it with a happy expression and thanked her.
Then, with a serious face, he reminded her again.
“I’ve said this many times, but no matter who comes, do not open the gate.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Even if they say they’re my acquaintance, absolutely not.”
Lydia laughed softly.
“Honestly, you’re such a worrier.”
“Yes.
You already have a record of letting Erdo into the house.”
“…That’s true.”
Hearing their exchange, Erdo gave a wry smile.
“Well, you’re certainly overprotective.
But you don’t need to worry that much.
If anyone tries to enter, lightning will strike them.”
Lydia’s eyes widened.
“Eh?
Really?”
“Yep.
The moment they try to get in, zap, zap, just like that.”
Seeing Erdo smiling, Lydia shivered slightly.
She had never intended to let anyone in, but she vowed firmly never to do so.
Incidentally, small animals like squirrels and rabbits could come and go without any problems.
After that, the two of them departed.
Lydia watched until Leohart, who kept turning back again and again, disappeared from sight, then slowly returned to the house.