Happy anniversary DaikyunTL!!! xD

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Rond de Terra, Grand Foyer

「So you're Matsus.h.i.+ro Kouta? Welcome. You must be tired from all the travelling. I have heard about you from Liz… … No, Her Highness. I am Erica, Erica Aurenfert fan Flame. You can call me Erica. 」

– He seems like a person 「full of sleepiness」.

Such was Erica's first impression of Kouta. Firstly, his hairstyle was terrible. Although there weren't any cowlicks, but couldn't he have made that head of short messy hair less messy? His outfit… … Hmm, although she had never seen that outfit before, but if it was described as 「some weird fas.h.i.+on trend from the countryside」, no one would doubt the claim. The problem were his eyes. Those eyes that looked half-open half-closed, gave out the feeling of-

「… … seems weak. 」

「Huh? 」

「Nothing. Please take care of me. 」

「Oh… … Very well, please take care of me, Erica-sama. 」

「You can just call me by my name. You're older than me, right? You can ignore the honorifics. 」

「Umm… … I'm sorry but I can't do that. I'm not used to casually addressing a girl by her name. 」

「Surprisingly old-fas.h.i.+oned, huh. However, adding 『sama』 to the end of my name sounds unnatural, so please just call me by my name. 」

「… … Then, what about 『Miss』? 」

「Sure, it's decided then. Please take care of me Kouta… … Is it fine to call you Kouta? Also, could you not be so panicky? This problem is our 『Flame Kingdom's』 fault; you don't have to be so apologetic. Please, don't be so humble to us. 」

On the other hand, being angry at us is understandable, you know? Kouta smiled when he heard Erica's words. Seeing his reaction, Erica looked at Kouta with surprise in her eyes.

「Is there a problem? 」

「Nothing. It's just that you and her Highness truly are siblings. Her Highness said the exact same words. 」

「Is it that surprising? 」

「Honestly, it was quite surprising. In my mind, royals would act all high and aloof from the ma.s.ses. 」

「One should apologise for their wrongdoings, no matter if they are royals, n.o.bles or peasants. This time, it is obvious that we are at fault. As the elder sister of the Queen of Flame, I also apologise. Please accept my apology. 」

「You don't have to mind it that much. 」

「It would be disrespectful if I were to keep apologising, so allow me to take you up on your offer. 」

The girl lifted her head, her light blue eyes looking straight at Kouta. Her pair of dazzling blue eyes was contrasted by her snow white skin resembling those of Europeans.

「… … Kouta, your black hair and eyes are very uncommon in Flame… … Right, would you mind if we say that you are from the Yamite Empire? 」

「The 『Yamite Empire』 that you mentioned is… …」

「An island nation off to the east of the Orkena Sea. Although normally it would be really hard to find a person from Yamite here on the Orkena continent… … But in this case, that would be very convenient for us. 」

Kouta nodded, expressing his agreement. Since the reason for Kouta to come to Terra was to make the 「hero summoning ritual」 secret, he wouldn't mind if he was regarded as a person from Yamite or some other country as long as he could blend into society.

「Hmm, although that outfit of yours is a bit conspicuous, but… … Oi, you and that outfit of yours… … Or should I say, do you prefer that kind of outfit? 」

「I honestly could not straightforwardly answer 『no』. Even though outfits such as suits should only be worn during work… … To be exact, as of now, it is my only form identification in this world. Now that I think of it, someone also said so in the carriage, but is it that weird? There are five sets of clothes in the carriage they made for me in the capital as a parting gift… … 」

「You said they are called 『suits』? Although it isn't weird… … but it gives of an old-fas.h.i.+oned feeling, like what a nostalgic person would wear. If you are fine with it, feel free to do so. 」

「Really? If it causes any inconveniences, I can always change to another set of clothes though? 」

Erica smiled when she heard Kouta said so. She lightly touched her hat and continued:

「It's fine. People have their own preferences. Furthermore, since not much Yamite people come to Rond de Terra, it would be fine if we were to say it's a 『Yamite fas.h.i.+on trend』. From today onwards, please do regard Terra as your hometown and live freely. If you have any problems or need anything, please feel free to call us. 」

Kouta thought for a while. Since he would be staying here, the thing that bothered him was whether he should speak his mind or not … … But since the host herself had said so… …

「… … Then, can I borrow some 『books』? 」

「『Books』? What books do you mean? 」

「Honestly, anything is fine… … However, it would be best if the books are about geography and history. Although I don't know how long I will stay here, but since I will be staying in this country from now on, I figured I should at least have some common knowledge… … It would be troubling if a person from Yamite does not know where Yamite is, right? 」

「… …That is true. Then we will select some books and send them to your room. Then, Kouta, I have things to do, we shall meet again at dinner. 」

Erica bowed slightly while lifting the edges of her skirt slightly. Kouta watched as she disappeared into the mansion.

「Then… … Sorry for intruding. 」

Kouta adjusted the bag in his hand, and walked into the mansion… … And met with a problem.

「Umm… … Where is my room? 」

Afterwards, due to Kouta not daring to intrude any of the rooms and instead choosing to wander around the mansion, he b.u.mped into a group of guards alerted to「a suspicious person walking around in front of the lord's mansion」. In the end, Erica had to go to the guard house to retrieve Kouta while mumbling 「I admit it's partly my fault… … And I know I gave you permission to move around freely but could you not do things that will trouble the guards? 」 under her breath.

But that's a story for another time.

TL: Kei

Editor: Minoo