Wrong Answer

It had only come up in passing, but Ramiza-san taught me various things about Elemental Stones, including alchemical knowledge.

However, regarding methods to restore the Wind Elemental Stone's magic power, it seemed we'd have to take the long view after all.

She said she could figure something out at her workshop if I paid a hefty consulting fee, but it was an amount I couldn't possibly afford.

At worst, I'd be paying Ramiza-san for the rest of my life.

By the way, this was already her friend price with only material costs included.

I thanked her and left Ramiza-san's shop.

I promised to bring some sweets along next time I delivered the tea.

"This is just something we can't do anything about."

"That's right…"

Alexia and Azu peered at the Wind Elemental Stone.

Their faces were reflected on its surface, but that was all.

Even when the spirits appeared, there was no reaction.

"I'll just use it as a home decoration for a while. If Alexia replenishes its magic power when she has time, it should speed things up a bit."

"That's fine, but it would only be a stopgap measure…"

"I don't think I can be of much help."

"It's about division of labor. I'll have you work hard in other areas, so don't worry about it."

"Yes!"

We returned home, and this time I prepared for the trip to the Alsarm area to meet Duke Baroba.

We'd secured operating funds, and the fatigue from the journey would be gone by tomorrow. Good timing.

Duke Baroba had gone to the front lines as a military commander.

I'd heard the war situation was at a stalemate, but the situation could shift at any moment.

I wanted to deliver the crown fragment while I still could.

Restoring the crown to its complete form.

Only then could I repay the debt of gratitude for King Izard's help.

I planned to take a portal to Alsarm and then travel by carriage from there.

There wouldn't be time to unload cargo in Alsarm, but it would be a waste to go with an empty wagon bed.

The soldiers on the front lines were probably starving for entertainment, so maybe I'd sell some things they'd enjoy at a discount along the way.

Alcohol… would definitely be appreciated, but that would be too problematic.

I thought about what else would be hard to get on a battlefield.

Food and water should be supplied from Alsarm, but luxuries like tobacco, coffee, and sweets would likely be put on the back burner.

What else might a sutler handle…?

What about daily necessities and hygiene products?

Were they getting enough towels and soap?

The Alsarm army probably had ample budget, but it was hard to believe spare supplies would reach every soldier.

Maybe some soldiers would want them.

With volunteers included, there were several thousand soldiers.

Even if I loaded the carriage with as much as it could carry, it should all sell.

And even if it didn't, that would be fine.

After all, we're a shop. I'd just be bringing inventory.

"I thought we could finally relax."

"If we work together, it'll be done quickly. Here, start with this."

"Alright, alright. I won't defy my employer."

I grabbed Finn, who had been doing stretches to loosen up, and Elza, who had been offering prayers.

I also had Orleans come to keep an inventory list.

With five people, loading the carriage was easy.

It would have taken a whole day alone.

The wagon bed had really gotten bigger.

The inside was magically expanded, making it a larger space than it appeared from outside.

Even after deducting the area where Azu and the others would ride, we could pack in quite a lot of supplies.

And with the weight also magically reduced, it was nothing short of wonderful.

The only downside might be that it looked quite impressive from the outside.

That was good for status, but people might think we were wealthy.

With Azu and the others as guards, we didn't need to fear bandits, but I should probably stop riding the carriage alone.

"Oh, is that all?"

When Elza carried a box of towels to the carriage, all the boxes scheduled for loading were gone.

I checked with Orleans, and it matched the inventory list.

That was quick. We were ready to depart at any time.

"Then we're dismissed!"

Finn withdrew immediately as if the troublesome work was over.

"You can all rest too. Starting tomorrow, you'll be bouncing around in the carriage again and getting tired."

"Then I'll take you up on that. What about you, Orleans-chan? Want to stay over?"

"Then I'll take you up on that… sir, is that alright?"

"That's fine. You'll have to sleep on blankets on the floor, though."

"I'm used to it, so it's fine."

"Then let's chat."

Azu pulled Orleans along.

Alexia also returned to her room, and when I saw Elza about to return as well, I called out to her.

"Elza. Come to my room for a bit."

"Yes, understood."

I brought Elza to my room.

Before, I'd had her sit on the carpeted floor, but that was to instill the hierarchy.

There was some personal preference involved too, but that wasn't necessary anymore.

I stopped Elza as she was about to sit on the floor and brought out a chair.

When Elza sat in the chair, she folded her arms, emphasizing her chest.

"Master, so what is it? I don't approve of secret trysts while the sun is still up."

"That's not it."

"Oh, is that so?"

She unfolded her arms and said that with her usual smiling face.

Unlike Azu or Alexia, Elza hadn't changed at all since coming here, for better or worse.

This perpetual parallel track was somewhat unsettling.

I decided to address Elza's true identity.

"Elza, you're actually…"

"Yes."

Gulp. I swallowed.

Elza also wore a solemn expression as she waited for my words.

"You were the Pope or some high official of the Creator King faith, weren't you?"

"… Um?"

The Creator King faith had been defeated in war and erased from this continent by the Church of the Sun God.

You could no longer find anyone who could be called a believer.

Yet Elza had sold herself to the slave merchant as a priestess of the Creator King faith and was bought by Yohane.

I thought perhaps she'd been fleeing persecution but had reached her limit.

There was also how she knew things that ordinary priests wouldn't know, and how she didn't seem unrelated to the god Oscar and his apostles.

If she had held a position like Pope, it made sense.

Her detailed knowledge of the Creator King's Apostles could also be explained by that.

"I'm sure you had reasons you couldn't tell me. The Church of the Sun God is a terrifying bunch."

"That's a bit off, but…"

"Don't worry about it, Elza. Even if that were the case, I wouldn't change how I treat you. I can't free you from slavery, but I intend to continue providing a comfortable environment as before."

"Master, um…"

Elza looked like she wanted to say something.

Surely she wanted to apologize for keeping quiet until now.

But I'd knowingly brought someone connected to the Creator King faith into my household.

There was no need to worry.

"I just wanted to say this while I could. That's all."

"Um, well… that's fine."

After hesitating several times, Elza finally said that.

So it was true after all.

Her looking drained must have been because she'd been tense until now.

The reason she'd tried to seduce me was probably so she wouldn't be abandoned if the Church of the Sun God found out.

I wouldn't abandon her over something like that at this point.