Satou's here. Maybe due to the fact that we could frequently send mails even to a far away place, unlike in the past, I feel that I rarely felt distant.
But, it sure is mysterious when you directly meet and various things come to be talked about.
◇
"Grandfather asked if you'd like to have a breakfast with him."
After greeting each other, Sera cut to the chase.
It'd have been a tempting invitation if the other party were a young woman, but since the it's an old man, and an authority of a nation at that, 'breakfast' probably means more like a meeting.
Now then? The duke probably invites me to a breakfast in order to solicit me to come under his wings.
We're not only explorers who hold Mithril Plate, but there's the matter of Liza defeating the first seat of Shiga Eight Swords too, so the possibility is high.
"I am honored, but is it alright for a low ranking noble like me to be summoned to Duke-sama's breakfast?"
I can't imagine those carefree Duchy Capital nobles ostracizing me, but not all of them should think favorably of me.
People from Marquis Lloyd's and Earl Haku's faction are probably alright, but people from Earl Bobi's faction who are related with Wings of Liberty seem like they'll bear a grudge.
"It's fine you know. Because even Ane-sama approves Satou-san."
"--I feel honored."
By Ane-sama, she's talking about Ringrande, Hero Hayate's attendant right?
I don't remember doing anything that would make her approve me, but perhaps, she did because I won against Hero?
It's not like I can decline anyway, I tell Sera that I'll be attending the duke's breakfast gathering, and get Toruma and Karina who have been treated like air up until now to join the conversation, telling each other's situation.
"Then, you're saying that Head Miko-dono isn't feeling well?"
"No, it's not that she has fallen ill, however, she doesn't seem energetic. She rarely ever comes out of the consecration inner room, let alone the temple."
I wonder why?
Did she receive a new oracle or something?
"No the only new oracle was the one about the destruction of the newly appeared demon lord in the Labyrinth City."
Come to think of it, it should be near the time for Hero Hayato's call.
I have to ask what's happened to the demon lord that was prophesied to appear in the Weasel Kingdom.
....The are only five of them remaining isn't it?
Please don't appear all at once in the world.
I throw away that ominous thought far beyond the beyond, and add the plan [Visit Head Miko] on the Memo Pad in the Exchange Column.
I'll go visit her once the business in the Royal Capital are all over.
Toruma then speaks some strange thing, probably to change back the flow of conversation.
"According to my brother, Satou-dono is also popular in the Labyrinth City."
What's with the [Also].
Since when was I popular--No, I guess I'm relatively popular with younger girls.
"Elderly and children seem to be fond of me since a long time ago."
"My, oh Satou-san."
Sera gracefully laughs to me who replied jokingly, but Lady Karina reacts questionably.
"....It's not only little girls."
Lady Karina muttered so, it was a voice so small only me who had [Attentive Ear] skill could hear.
I see, they all looked younger from my point of view, but with this body, there were girls who were the same age and older.