Chapter 43

Im currently sitting down by myself taking a short break after our meal .

Todays dinner was better than normal though my mothers mushroom gratin is still the best .

I ate a bit too much though and its lying a bit heavy in my stomach, however, this feeling of fullness is pretty good .

Everyone else has gone into the workshop . My father learnt Ray was interested in making swords so he enthusiastically took him to the workshop .

Misha and Sasha also disappeared .

Its been a while and they still havent come back, however, I can hear laughter from time to time so they are still chatting away .

Leaning back in my chair I can hear noises from the kitchen .

My mother? Lets take a look .

It was actually Misha inside .

What you doing?

Misha turned around with her usual deadpan expression .

Gratin .

I can see the stone ovens lit . Is she actually making gratin?

Weve finished eating though .

What about it?

Making it .

You are?

*Kokuri* Misha nods .

Arnos mother is good .

Well I wont argue with that but why?

Misha blinked a couple times .

Taught me .

Sasha and Misha did help out when preparing dinner . Did my mother teach them how to cook it at the same time?

Practising by myself .

I see .

You wanted more practice making gratin?

Nn .

Well, my mothers mushroom gratin is the best there is .

Misha nods again .

Arnos favourite food .

. Does that mean you are practising because its my favourite food?

Its only a little bit but Misha suddenly looks shy .

I like Arnoss happy face .

Shes saying something cute .

Im glad .

Misha smiles at my words .

Arnos is close with Sasha .

Thats right .

Sasha exposes all her emotions without holding back and talks to me rudely . Shes also meddlesome and unintentionally amusing at times . I had no such subordinate 2000 years ago .

Something wrong with that?

Its nice . Misha stares into my eyes . But Im a little lonely .

I see . Does it feel like Ive stolen your older sister?

Mishas eyes opened slightly and she shook her head .

Opposite .

Misha suddenly points at me .

Me? By Sasha?

Misha nods slightly .

Unusually for Misha, shes assertively looking me in the eyes .

I made friends first . Her voice becomes thinner . . But Sasha is closer now .

I unintentionally laugh .

So even Misha can think like that .

She looks down and says in a small voice .

. . Jealously is not good

Our feelings dont always go the way we want them too .

Im not on better terms with Sasha than you .

Really?

Misha stares doubtfully at me .

She just talks more

. . I speak less

Mishas voice gets even quieter .

Thats one of your good points Misha .

Her face relaxes slightly .

Really?

Yeah . I can feel calm when Im talking to you .

*Fufu* Misha laughs shyly .

Im happy .

Fumu . This misunderstanding seems to have been solved .

Ah .

Misha suddenly notices something and puts on some mittens before fetching a pot from the oven .

A delicious scent of white sauce and cheese drifts out .

I did it .

Misha joyfully puts the pot on the table before taking a wooden spoon and scooping up some gratin, blowing on it to cool it down and then eating it in one gulp .

Did it go well? Mishas nodding while tasting her gratin .

Is it delicious?

Misha turns around to face me with her deadpan expression before scooping up some more gratin and pointing the spoon at me .

Eat?

Ah, no, I just ate a while ago .

. . I see

Misha stares at the gratin on the spoon .

She somehow looks lonely .

Oh, she did say she liked seeing my happy face so thats why she was practising .

In that case, no matter how full I am I will eat it .

Fumu . Actually, Ive changed my mind . Im a bit peckish . Can I have it?

Misha smiled happily and nodded before blowing on the gratin .

Moving forward she brought the spoon to my mouth .

Here .

Mishas demanding that I open my mouth .

. .

Im not a baby . I can eat by myself .

When I didnt open my mouth she tilted her head to one side .

. . Aaahn

Did she think her intention wasnt communicated? Shes asking me to open my mouth again .

Whatever . Its fine I guess . Do what you want .

I opened my mouth and Misha fed me the gratin .

Umu, this is exquisite . Shes only just learnt from my mother but she can already perfectly replicate my mothers mushroom gratin taste .

. . How is it . . ?

Exquisite .

*Fufu* Misha laughed .

One more?

Lets have it .

Misha brings it to my mouth again .

Aahn .

Did you think I wouldnt open my mouth if you didnt do that?

Misha feeds me the same way again .

I was already stuffed but in the next 10 minutes, I managed to eat another dish of gratin .

It was delicious . Mishas good at cooking .

. Normal She says a little shyly . Ill make it again .

Dont overdo it . You dont need to make it to remain friends with me .

Misha falls silent and looks troubled .

No good?

Apparently, it was an unnecessary concern on my part .

If you actually want to make it then please do .

I like making it .

She must be a creative person . Shes also good at Construction Creation .

Will you let me eat it again?

Promise?

Yeah . I look forward to it .

I touch the plate and spoon and activate my magic . Theyre quickly washed before floating in the air and returning to the cupboard .

Did you go to the workshop?

Not yet .

Shall we go then?

Nn .

I head to the workshop with Misha but inside theres only my mother . No one else is in sight .

Wheres Ray?

My mother raises her index finger and puts it in front of her mouth in a shushing motion .

Near to her is Sasha wrapped up in a blanket and sleeping .

Sasha-chan became tired .

To be fair she used a lot of magic power in the test .

Ray-kun and the others have gone to the garden to enjoy some night air . My mother says in a quiet voice .

Shall we go to the garden?

We leave the workshop and head outside . The sun may have gone down but the moons pretty bright tonight .

Where we live is very densely packed with houses so light spills out from them as well .

But thank you for today .

From our garden, I heard the voice of Misa .

Peeking into the garden I see Misa sitting down amongst the roots of a tree with Ray standing by her side .

In what way?

Fufufuu . You invited me . If Ray-san hadnt spoken up I dont think Arnos-sama would have let me join the group so thank you for that .

Ray smiled .

That wasnt my intention .

Ah, how modest . Youre kind .

Misa laughs then smiles .

Its the first time Ive met someone like Ray-san .

Like me?

. . Hmmm . How to put it . You dont care about being royalty at all?

Ray laughs .

I think both those Necrons are also the same though .

Ahaha . . but its a bit different with you, right? Sasha-san and Misha -san know about the meaning of royalty and understand it but still became Arnos-samas subordinates .

Im different?

Yes, you are . Royal lineage or mixed blood . Neither matter to you . You dont seem to be interested in the blood of the founder . I cant find the right words but what Im trying to say is you just dont seem to care?

Ray laughs again .

You might be right . Like I said in the group test Im not good at it .

Ray looked away from Misa and stared into the distance .

I only really want to think about the sword . How can I swing faster? How can I cut something that cant be cut? Anything beyond that is troublesome .

Anything beyond that? Are there no circumstances where youll think about anything but the sword?

Misa asks a simple question .

Well, theres various things if you are alive . Theres eating for example .

Misa burst into laughter .

Youre just lazy Ray-san .

My origin is an easygoing fellow .

Ray turns his eyes back to Misa .

Therefore I wont be entering the unification faction . The royalty arent in the right though .

Ah, no . I had no such intention .

Misa panicked and waved her hands before putting on a serious face .

I did think it though . A person like Ray-san might be the ideal person for the unificationists . Whether you are royalty or not, the mazoku are split in two . Its troublesome and I dont care . The person who can say that is surely someone who doesnt discriminate against people .

Its embarrassing if you lift me up that much . If you say that then theres Arnos . He really doesnt seem to care about anything .

. . Arnos-sama . .

Since you want him to be the face of your cause cant you see him with calm eyes?

Misa looks at Ray in surprise .

Thats very forthright .

Ray doesnt answer back . He just looks at Misa who looks away awkwardly .

For us, theres no other way than to believe in Arnos-sama . I know it might not be a good thing for Arnos-sama .

I think its okay .

Misas face took on a surprised look again .

No matter what Misa-san does he wont be influenced even the slightest bit .

Misa buried her face in her knees having no answer to give back .

He truly doesnt care . I honestly believe that . Is it useful? Is it bad or poor looking? Arnos doesnt have that perspective at all . A bucket of water thrown into the ocean will not make a wave . To me, hes transcended all that .

Youve only just met him . How can you be so sure?

Ray laughs again .

Its just my intuition . Im not good at thinking about difficult things .

Misa laughs .

I feel a bit more easy somehow .

Can I ask you something?

Misas face takes on a curious expression .

Yes

Is Misa-san a half spirit half demon?

Yeah . .

Is your bodies condition not worsening?

As if not understanding Misa cocks her head to the side .

Errrm . welltheres times when I feel a little unwell but basically Im always fine . Why do you ask?

Ray closes his mouth for a moment then speaks with an unusually earnest expression .

Id heard that half spirits half demons dont have very long lives .

Eh . . ?

But as far as I knew there were no lively half spirits who could use spirit magic . I think Misa-san is special .

Is that so? I dont know myself

Ray stretches his hand out to Misa .

Shall we head back? My bodies getting cold .

Ah, yes .

Misa took Rays hand and stood up .

Thank you very much for today . I will do my best to make a society where people like Ray-san are the norm .

As soon as she spoke Misa made a face like shed made a mistake .

Sorry . I shouldnt have said something so bothersome .

Its fine .

Ray laughs .

Ill support you . Because Im a royal and a member of the chaos generation Im honestly tired of being pushed around all the time .

Misas face blooms into joy and she makes a fist .

Please leave it to me . Ill do my best so the day Ray-san can relax will come .