❝𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄❞

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙞𝙭𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙬𝙤

chapter sixty-two: “crowfeather kaburaya.”

Quick summary:

THOMA: “Ms. (n/n), you remind me of my chores.”

(NAME): “Why?”

THOMA: “Because I always need to do you.” *with Housekeeper and Inazuman rizz*

—

     “YOU'RE NOT GOING TO ENTER, MS. (N/N)?”

THE CHIEF retainer questioned, noticing the disguised Queen wasn't entering the teahouse. The Traveler and Shirasagi Himegimi already entered, leaving them alone (and another woman taking care of those entering the Komore Teahouse)...

     "I'll just stay here. No need to worry about it, Mr. Thoma," she assured the worried servant. "You better keep an eye on Ms. Kamisato. She's your mistress, after all."

     "I don't think she needs me. I'm sure she'll be able to take care of the plans now that Traveler is here," he said before sitting beside her. "I'm sure they'll keep each other company for a while."

     "I hope so... But I don't doubt the Traveler's skills," (Name) chuckled. "I just wish she won't get into serious trouble while we stay here in Inazuma."

     "Speaking of you guys, what was your intention on visiting here?" Thoma asked, curious.

     "Well... I'm also an adventurer, like the Traveler. Then again, I don't have any specific reason why I'm here," she replied hesitantly o̶r̶ r̶a̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ c̶a̶r̶e̶f̶u̶l̶l̶y̶ t̶o̶ a̶v̶o̶i̶d̶ s̶u̶s̶p̶i̶c̶i̶o̶n̶. "I'm willing to support my companion's desire, but I'm selfish at times. I tend to satiate it."

     "Is that why you leave Ritou?"

     "That's one of the reasons! But yes, it's why I also left Ritou and my companions," she jested and he laughed at it. "I never really had a focused goal whenever I go somewhere and just plan on the spot as long as I have the time."

     "That sounds fun honestly. Doing anything you desire on the spot," he agreed. "You're a fun person to be with, Ms. (n/n). I would gladly be the traveler if it means hanging out with you."

     "She'll disagree with you, based on her current situation. Thank you for the encouragement, I appreciate it," the Queen patted the retainer's shoulder. "Not that I mind you hanging out with us. You can be an adventurer if you want."

     "I'm the chief retainer of the Kamisato clan, so house chores are often left to me..." He laughed, remembering when he left the Kamisato siblings for a day h̶e̶'s̶ h̶a̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ w̶a̶r̶ f̶l̶a̶s̶h̶b̶a̶c̶k̶s̶. "So all in all, even if I want to join you I can't just leave them alone."

Thoma still remembers the time Ayato almost burned the whole kitchen and Ayaka failed to create a dough that all of the starch spread throughout the room. He was just buying some groceries and went to another island to get some ores, he swore he won't leave them for too long again...

     (Name) just patted his shoulder, "Must be hard."

     He nodded, "Yes it is." He agreed, then he noticed the burnt mark on her hand. In instinct, he took it, "Are you okay? This burnt mark looks nasty."

     "Don't worry about it! It's nothing!" She denied it, stealing her hand away from him. "I was just ambushed by some electric smiles—"

     "From the Narukami Shrine...?" Thoma raised an eyebrow, looking intently at her. "Are you sure you were just attacked by some electric slimes?"

     "Fairly certain. Don't worry much about it," she told him as she hid the bruise. 'Yae was right on Ei being rough towards me... Should I go back to Lilia to heal this?'

She returned her attention to Thoma, who is now nowhere to be found. She panicked she must've scared him away, desperately searching for where he possibly went. Not until the Komore Teahouse's door opened, the housekeeper was holding a bunch of medical supplies...

     "That is a very bad bruise, Ms. (n/n)!" He exclaimed, removing her jacket to show the other wounds. "How many electro slimes attacked you anyway?"

     If she estimated Ei with slimes, probably be their whole army. "I'm not sure, but it's larger slimes. The yellow ones mostly," (Name) replied as he vigorously applied some alcohol to the wounds I̶T̶ B̶U̶R̶N̶S̶. "Don't worry much about it, I said. It'll heal soon."

     "It doesn't look like it'll heal soon, Ms. (n/n). Now, hold still while I apply some antibiotics to it!" He chided, holding her in place. "Imagine if it gets infected, then it'll turn into a worse wound. A deadly disease even!"

     "You sound like my former wife, Thoma..."

     The housekeeper blushed at it, "Is that a compliment...?"

     "I mean, my former wife was kind. He's caring, always looking after me... So I guess you could accept it as a compliment."

Ayaka and Lumine were eavesdropping—one was giggling at how they acted and the other was glaring at them. Paimon, on the other hand, was trying her best not to yell at Thoma to back away or it'll ruin the mood...

     "Don't they look good together, Traveler?"

     "Sure, sure."

— TENSHUKAKU

The Shogun is currently observing one of the paintings within her home. She usually doesn't care about it, but one of them caught her attention—a portrait of the woman sharing the features of the one who proclaims to be her Creator's spouse. However, instead of seeing two small black horns, she saw larger ones...

     "This must be her archon form then. How strange," she commented while tracing the art. "She can already reach the top of the door, too? How peculiar..."

     "You called for me, Almighty Shogun?" A woman with short purple hair, paired with an intimidating gaze questioned. She was bowing against the puppet, "Do you have any orders for me to do?"

     "Indeed... I want you to find the adventurer who calls herself (n/n) and take her vision," she ordered. "Search for her. Now."

     "Is she a threat towards Inazuma, Almighty Shogun?"

     "Very much so."

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マレウス