令嬢はまったりをご所望 (HIATUS)

V3 Chapter 3.2

2 How to drink alcohol deliciously

The next day. I woke up from my nap in a shock.

"... I forgot again."

As much as I wanted to see off the members of the DemiMercSquad, I once again indulged myself in a fluffy sleep.

"About what?"

Asked today's guard, Shize-san. The rest had departed for work, and I was left alone with Shize-san in the lounge.

"I wanted to see off the others as they go to work... but I overslept once again."

"...I see. Then do it tomorrow."

I resolved myself to not forget to do so tomorrow.

Since it was a rare chance, I wanted to whip up a feast as a sign of my gratitude for the past few days.

"Today's the day, we're going drinking."

After saying so, Shize-san offered his puffy jet black hand towards me.

He had promised a drinking appointment today with the Spirit of the Forest, Orphedot. We tried to invite Sez along, but he declined and went out just moments ago.

As I place my hand on Shize-san's, I tapped the floor with my boot.

A teleportation magic circle appeared, and the light embraced us.

The next moment, a bright red sunset filled our sight amidst the emerald green forest. The warm rays of light passed through the gaps between the trees.

"Let's look for Orphedot" I closed my eyes and tried to search for his presence. As we are bound by a magic contract, we are able to feel each other's current location.

"Over there. Shall we?"

While still holding hands with Shize-san, we continued walking through the forest brightened by the reddish-sky.

"Fufu. It somehow feels like a date to me." saying so while holding on to me with his squishy and puffy hand, Shize-san squeezed my hand a little.

"... I guess so."

While feeling the squishy paw, we continued walking through the warm sunset towards Orphedot's direction.

While walking, I indulged in breathing the fresh air.

As we approach closer to where Orphedot was, we arrived where the tree spirits gathered, and our path was obstructed.

But as soon as the spirits realized I was there, they quickly opened up a path for us to continue through. The spirits looked like big withered trees, but as one took a closer look, one could see their eyes, noses and mouths. Their bodies were brown, and their limbs were long enough to reach the floor. I touched one of those hands, and greeted them with a 'Good evening'.

Passing through the spirit of the trees, we reached an open place. There stood a big white tree. This tree is called a Spirit Tree.

**please do not confuse 木の精霊 with 精霊の木. The 'tree spirit (木の精霊)' is the spirits that look like trees that obstructed Rhonya & Shize's path. The 'Spirit Tree (精霊の木)' is the white tree. I'm capitalizing the 'Spirit Tree' to emphasize.

Orphedot was sleeping beneath the mystical looking Spirit Tree lit by the warm sunset-sky while leaning his back on it. Looking from afar, Orphedot might have been mistaken as a part of the Spirit Tree itself.

As I threw a glance towards Shize-san, he slowly released my hand to allow me approach Orphedot. But Orphedot showed no signs of waking up. I softly placed my right hand on top of his hand, which looked like a young branch.