Chapter 1083 - Intermission: In the Backyard
Behind Lilia’s mansion and Kaito’s home, there are grounds even larger than the front yard, including a stable that is mainly managed by Lilia’s mansion, the home of Kaito’s pets, Bellfreed and Lindwurm, as well as functioning as a training ground.
In one corner, next to a small field that Nebula manages, is a table that Nebula and Illness often use to drink tea together after work.
Today, too, they were chatting at the same table. Thereupon, Lilia arrived, accompanied by Lunamaria.
[Ahh, there you are, Illness.]
[Oyaaaa? Miladyyyy?]
[Ahh, it’s alright to remain seated. I’m just here for a little consultation……]
Illness was about to stand up when Lilia arrived, but Lilia stopped her and as she sat down in an empty seat, she spoke.
[Luna, you can sit down too.]
[Well then, if you’ll excuse me…… Illness-san and Nebula, what were you doing today?]
At Lilia’s urging, Lunamaria sits on a chair as well and asks Illness and Nebula. In front of them, what looks like carving knives and paints were laid out on the table.
[I’m making wooden cups with Illness-san. The materials to make them were readily available from my main body after all.]
[We juuuuuust finished our work at the same tiiiiiiime, and had nothing to dooooo.]
[I see…… These are quite the fine articles.]
While answering Lunamaria’s questions, Nebula placed two wooden cups in a position that is easily visible to the both of them. The two cups were carved with three-dimensional, magnificent paintings of trees and spirits, and the two cups seemed to be a pair, even looking like a painting when put together.
The light coloring of the cups was also superb, and they looked as if they could be displayed in a museum.
The material used was also an extraordinary one, as it was made from the World Tree. Although Nebula and Illness made it sound like it’s easy to process, the wood of the World Tree is originally an extremely hard material that isn’t suitable for woodworking.
[……However, these ones are “lacking”, don’t you think?]
[You’re riiiiiiight…… “Let’s throw it away theeeeeen”.]
[W- Wait a minute! Throw that away? It looks like it could be displayed in a royal museum though…… What’s wrong with it?]
However, for the people who made it, the cups seemed to be failures, and were about to discard them with unconvinced expressions on their face, making Lilia fl.u.s.tered and as she asked them what was wrong with the cups.
Thereupon, the both of them replied to her, looking as if they were talking about the most obvious thing in the world.
[The cups are too ornately decorated and are difficult to hold.]
[They areeeeen’t very practical as cuuuuuups.]
The cups may have had an artistic appearance, but for the two of them, they are difficult to use. In the first place, the two of them didn’t really want to make artistic cups, but having that they had free time, they talked about making wooden cups and started making them.
They did manage to create the cups, but they were over-decorated because the both of them were very particular with their work.
[……Errr, if you don’t need them, how about giving them to me instead? I have an acquaintance who collects woodwork.]
[I don’t miiiiind.]
For the both of them, these cups were really just something they made in their spare time, so they easily complied with Lilia’s words and gave the cups to her.
Thereupon, Nebula tilted her head and spoke.
[By the way, Lilia-san. Didn’t you have something to discuss with Illness-san?]
[Ahh, that’s right. I got distracted…… Rather than just Illness, I’m actually here to discuss something with the both of you. Can I ask you to give us some of that crafted sugar you showed us before?]
[Milady’s aunt, a d.u.c.h.ess, is scheduled to visit soon, and since she is famous for her love of tea and since Milady would like to strengthen our ties with her, she would like to give her something as a gift that she thinks will please her.]
Lunamaria followed up Lilia’s words. Lilia is also a n.o.ble, so it’s only natural that she sometimes invites other n.o.bles to her mansion.
This time, since the other party is also an important business partner, she wanted to make sure she leaves with a good impression of her if possible.
[I’ve looked everywhere else, but I just can’t find anything as good as those sugar you crafted, but of course, only if you have some extras and don’t mind it.]
[I see. In that case, I have just the thing for you.]
After nodding to Lilia’s words, Nebula brought out her magic box in her palm. Although Nebula’s abilities may have been a bit downgraded, she is still a quasi-omnipotent powerhouse, and even without a magic box, she can still use s.p.a.ce-time Magic to store her belongings.
However, since this magic box was bought for her by Kaito, she uses this magic box instead of s.p.a.ce-time magic.
From the magic box, Nebula took out a wooden box that looked luxurious
.
[When Rosemary-san visited us before, we had thought someone might want them as a souvenir in the future, so I made an a.s.sortment box for souvenirs together with Illness-san.]
[The jaaaaaar contains five different kinds of sugaaaaars. I’ve also included a piece of papeeeeer with the sugars’ description on iiiiiiit, so it would be easy for them to understaaaaaaand.]
[This is wonderful. The box is also elegant…… I would like to buy them.]
As a sidenote, the box is also made from the wood of the World Tree.
[You don’t need to pay for them. Rather, we have too much surplus, so we will give you about 10 boxes, and you can use them as you like.]
[We suuuuuure made too many of theeeeem~~]
[The both of us had too much free time after all~~]
[Kuhihi, riiiiiight~~]
Thanking Nebula and Illness for giving her these boxes with an apologetic look on her face, Lilia left the table with Lunamaria.
They may have already decided on a gift to give, but they still need to make other arrangements as well.
[Illness-san, what should we do next?]
[Let’s seeeeee. How about a vaaaaaase?]
[That sounds great! The cup had a forest design, so I’ll make something that feels like the sea.]
Smiling at Nebula and Illness who started to talk happily about what woodwork they’ll make next, Lilia and Lunamaria returned to their mansion.
Just as they had entered though, Lunamaria seemed to have remembered something and muttered to herself.
[……With all that work they did, how in the world do they have free time? Those two……]
[They’re just as usual…… or rather, I don’t know if it’s just my imagination or not…… but doesn’t it feel like Illness “have been working even faster lately”?]
[She’s getting better and better. The work she did before was overwhelming already, but lately, the quality and speed of her work seem to be even more polished…… I also shudder at the thought that she may become even better than that.]
Illness (Current Maid Power : 330,000)
As a result of becoming good friends with Nebula, doing various things and learning various things from her, various aspects of her life have grown explosively.
As a Count-rank, she had been at a disadvantage for being born with little magic power…… but after “Nebula secretly adjusted her capabilities”, her magic power has also been increasing lately.
Because of her improved skills and the fact that Nebula helps her with her work these days, she usually finishes all her work in the morning, so she and Nebula usually spend their afternoons making things while having tea.