Our Respective Errands (5)

'The director gave a thumbs up. But the kingdom doesn't allow refugees in though?'

'Thx. I know what to do. They will arrive at noon.'

"Good, with this it's settled."

"Um.. what were you doing?" Gabriel asked in a voice full of suspicion.

"I was healing the child."

"I get that but.. you were looking at something just now.."

'What did Prune say?'

'Green light.'

'What's a green light?'

'It means 'yes'.'

"Juliet-chan, is it alright if we move you to an orphanage?"

"Orphanage? Which orphanage?"

"You mean that one?" Nine asked, looking at Gabriel.

"Hah? You mean the one I always go to?" Gabriel didn't hide her shock. It was inevitable, since I lacked any other options.

Though, I believe this to be the best.

"Then, you three wait here for a moment, I'll bring these two there,"

"Huh?"

""Eh?""

Holding onto the now recovered child with silver hair, his name being Ian, I teleported to the front entrance of the orphanage.

Ah.. how disorienting. It always feels unpleasant when teleporting far distances.

"W-WHAT?!"

"Keep it a secret alright?"

"Y-yes!"

"Good girl. Now let's go."

I led her past the flowery gate.

"Ah.. it's Liliath oneesan!!"

"Liliath-oneesan!!"

What a warm welcome-- Juliet hid behind me.

"Hm? Good afternoon, so these are the two children you were talking about?" Sister Alysia who was waiting at the entrance caught onto my arrival. I knew about her from Prune.

"Has Prune-san mentioned it already?"

"Yes. What pitiful children, is the youngest alright?"

"He's alright, he just needs some rest."

"And this is?"

"She's Juliet-chan, say your greetings," I prodded.

"G-good afternoon.."

"Juliet-chan nice to meet you, I'm Daichi!"

"Nice to meet you, I'm Sally!"

Though wary, the other kids were polite and kind to introduce themselves.

"Then Juliet-chan, are you alright with staying at this place?"

She for a moment looked up and met my eyes, that incredulous yet grateful expression of her's flashed in my eyes for a moment before she turned to Sister Alysia.

"Yes. T-thank you," she lowered her head to bow.

"Welcome to our home then Juliet-chan," Alysia said in a warm voice, "Hope we get along."

I passed the chile in my hands, Ian, to Sister Alysia.

"I believe it isn't wise to ask how you brought them in?" She asked in a whisper.

I nodded and smiled, "Are there any problems in regards to their citizenship? I believe not?"

"No, no problems at all. I hope to be in your care too Liliath-san."

"Likewise. Thank you very much for agreeing with this selfish wish of mine."

Sister Alysia nodded.

"Liliath..san. Here."

"Hm? My thanks."

Juliet looked away and followed Sister Alysia inside.

Waving the kids goodbye, I returned.

"Oh, you're back, so how did it go?" Nine asked.

"They should be alright."

"Uh.. did you just.. teleport to.. to.." Jennifer stuttered.

"No way.. you're an arch mage?!" Gabriel shrilled in a suppressed voice. Her disposition was similar to those fanatics of idols back in the modern world. Quite distressing.

"Now, shall we return?" I held the locket up to them in hopes it would cut off their matching incredulous looks. Was teleporting that amazing? Noel's reaction when he was shown this spell wasn't half as extreme as theirs.

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"What?! You found it?" Avice yelled in a hush voice.

"Yup, thanks to Liliath-san here," Nine said.

I believe part of the credit belonged to not me, but Noel as his Unique skill was what allowed us to discover the location of the item to begin with.

"That's good, congratulations then. I'll go contact the guild admins. Is it alright if you wait for the client to arrive? She said she wanted to meet the party that found her pendant if it happened."

"No problem."

"Here, the rewards, first and foremost. The reward for the locket will be from the person herself so keep the locket well. If you need lunch, then I recommend you eat at the guild tavern."

"Alright. Thank you Avice-san."

"Nurin-san, take over for me for a bit," Avice tapped the shoulders of another guild receptionist as she left for the back room together with the quest paper.

We went to the cafeteria.

Though we bought our own lunch of simple pastry, since it had come to this, I suppose we'll leave that for tea break.

The meal this time around was mashed potato-like oatmeal together with a side of dried meat, bread and light soup.

"Liliath-sama, be my mentor," Gabriel said.

"Refused."

"How many times have you asked that Gabriel-san? I thought you wanted to go work at a company like your parents and become a big boss," Jennifer-chan said, tearing the jerky in half and she chewed on it.

"I give up on that. Liliath-sama is just too amazing, how can you teleport like that anyways? It's not everyday you get to meet someone so strong like her! How old are you, Liliath-sama?"

"I.." I pondered for a moment. I couldn't remember actually? Was I 14 or 15? I had been locked up for so long, I couldn't tell time. "I don't remember.."

'Liliath, you're 14, from appraisal.'

'Whats?! That's ridiculous!'

"No, my age is 14," I believe I heard Noel decided that number for me. I didn't think it was correct.

"Just two years.. two years.." Gabriel muttered whilst counting her fingers.

"Don't get your hopes too high. I am a special case after all.." I said with a difficult smile. I'm a demon.

"Ah.. that's right.." Jennifer said as if realizing.

"Wait, there's nobody at the mana donation machine.." Nine said.

"Ah-ha? What about it?" Gabriel asked.

"Time for my revenge."

"Revenge?" Jennifer looked at him a little confused.

Nine took off from his seat and proceeded to the machine. His gait and confidence was so exuding, it attracted the attention of those in the vicinity.

Though I did not get to see how he did, the fact that he brought back a silver coin together with his triumphant smug surprised me a little. I wondered how much mana he used.

'Enjoy your lunch everyone.' Noel's message appeared.

'Enjoy your lunch Liliath. Hope you're alright.' It wasn't for another few seconds when another one appeared in my personal chat.

With a fuzzy warmth that started to sprout from my heart, I replied.

'Happy lunch Noel. All's well here, love you.'

And send.

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It seems the client of the locket search was, as I guessed, a noble.

She had wavy hair in a beautiful snow colour shade that was closer to blue than Prune's. She came by carriage and invited us for some tea. Though we had just eaten lunch.. I heard that girls had another stomach for dessert so it should be alright?

"Pleased to meet you four, I am Corine of the Ignis House, thank you very much for returning this locket of mine," she said, holding the item close to her chest.

"No problem. We kinda just found it along the way," Nine said.

"Nine-san, can I refer to you as such? You're the party leader, correct?"

"Something like that."

"Yes, he's the temporary leader," Jennifer said.

Gabriel remained silent. She was probably thinking that this role should have been mine, a slightly difficult expression on her face.

"I owe you my gratitude, this locket was something passed down from my great grandmother. I thought I'd lost it forever. Right, I heard adventurers lead busy lives, I shouldn't delay the rewards, mister Tiflez."

The butler that stood behind her bowed and presented a bag of coins while I tried the tea from this tea house.

Oh, how pleasant. I wish to know what tea this is.. ah, it's made from fermented Roxi flowers?

"It exceeds the reward that was set.. again, it might be a meagre in comparison to the worth of this locket-- please accept it."

"S-seriously?!" Gabriel couldn't contain her shock.

If I were to be honest, I was of the same mind despite having it not shown on my face. The degree of luck required to pull this off.. this was as Noel and Nine worried about wasn't it? Protagonist correction?

"Tiflez-san," Corine called.

"Are you sure milady?"

Corine beckoned. The butler leaned in.

"Please. It would be good if we could create some connection with this opportunity," she said in a whisper.

"Understood," from his pockets, he took out four invitations and placed them on the table, "This is an invitation to the wedding ceremony between Miss Eryl Ignis and Earl Hugo Harriot, we anticipate your arrival."

"Um.. thanks?"

"Please come to the party alright? It's my elder sister's wedding, you better come alright?" Corine said with a childish laugh.

"C-can I really join?" Gabriel looked to and from the envelope and Corine.

"Yes, please do. The more the merrier."

"Thank you!"

Corine showed a gentle smile.

"Jenn-chan? What's wrong?" Nine asked.

"Um.." she turned to Nine and I, " You do know this is actually the wedding venue my mommy told us to decorate, right?" with a troubled expression, she said.