CH 87

After Gatoga and Rose visited the Knights’ HQ, the days passed peacefully without anything happening.

Ever since I came to Baltrain, I didn’t even actively try to put myself in every major event. All I had to do is train the Knights live my new life with Miu, and I’m finally getting used to both.

By the way, a few days after she entered the Academy, Miu was really exhausted.

She said she was having a hard time because there were so many people talking to her and taking her around the campus. She whined, “No, no more…” but as I told her, it was her first step to a proper life and she should do her best.

However, there were also things Miu was glad for.

Apparently, classes are divided in the Magician’s Academy like general education schools, but Miu’s teacher seems to be Ms. Quinella.

I was concerning myself with all manner of Miu’s troubles, and I’m glad that someone who knows Miu will be in charge of her for now. For some reason, Miu seemed happy about that, too.

I still vividly remember her voice and facial expression at the table, she was relating it shyly but happily. It’s a permanent memory in my mind.

“It suits you well.”

“Oh, is that right…? Hahaha,” I said.

So, what was I doing now?

I was putting my arms through the sleeves of my new clothes, at the same store I had visited with Alexia before.

Yeah, I chose it myself, but I can only feel uncomfortable.

Unlike my usual clothes, the torso is a little tight. It’s natural to have formal clothes for an audience with such high-ranking people, so I can’t object to it, but even so, I think it’s a little too tight.

Is this really adjusted to my size? A feeling of strangeness hits my upper body.

The clerk just praised me, I look at myself wearing the jacket in the mirror.

It’s a jacket based in a shade of black, which you could say was the exact opposite of my usual. I think the decorations on the shoulders and collar are good accents.

In a nutshell, however, it’s like putting clothes on a carthorse. I certainly look better than in my rugged daily wear, but this is more like I’ve been stuffed into these fancy clothes than me choosing to wear them.

By the way, I bought a matching set of bottoms, too. They’re also black but plain pants. Even if you decide on the top with a jacket, if the bottom is my usual clothes, the contrast will look out of place.

Yeah, but it’s hard to say anything from my personal opinion. Alexia and the others seem to praise me unconditionally, and I’m sorry to say it, but why don’t I ask Miu, who’s rather blunt and cynical, about her impressions?

“The bill will amount to 65,000 dalc,” the clerk said.

“Oh. Right,” I said.

I pay the bill, including both the clothes plus the tailoring.

Hmm, I get why it is, but it’s a pain. If you haven’t used more than 10,000 dalc for one outfit, my wallet will shrink even more.

My salary as a Special Instructor and the reward from Ibroix is not bad for someone like me. And to start with, it’s not very good for the heart to get huge amounts of money. Because this is for Miu, I can bring it out without hesitation.

I hesitate to invest in myself. But this time, appearances were important, so it can’t be helped.

“Thank you for your patronage!” the clerk said.

Well, now that I’ve got what I came for, should I go home?

It’s probably not a good idea, but let’s wear this outfit and go home in it, to get used to these clothes. It may look a little conspicuous to walk around the city in this getup, but I have to wear it even if I don’t like actually moving around in it.

So, I packed the clothes I wore coming in into a leather bag and then went home.

Although I feel the tightness of the clothes, it seems I shouldn’t be surprised that the material is good or that movement is unhindered. If this is the case, it seems that I will be able to move without problems in the unlikely event of an incident happening. I just pray that something won’t.

“It’s really crowded, after all,” I said.

The Central District is usually a lively location, you could tell just by walking in it, but recently, it’s become even more so.

I heard that the Supheniardvania delegation visits every year, and there is a bit of a celebration in Baltrain.

To be more precise, it seems that around this time of year a festival is held annually here in Baltrain, and the Supehniardvania Delegation comes along as a sign of friendship.

When I lived in the countryside, I didn’t really participate in these festivals.

However, it seems that there are plans to tour this lively city, so from my point of view, it’s a place where I can’t relax. I can’t just enjoy the festivities myself.

Well, it seems that the annual visits come and go without incident, so I don’t think I’ll need to be so wary. Alexia has a lot of talents such as Henblitz, Gatoga, and Rose, which it would make pretty hard to try anything.

By the way, I heard said that the First Prince of Supheniardvania will be coming, but it seems that the Third Princess of Rebelis is also joining him.

I’m not familiar with it, but when welcoming guests from other countries, it seems customary to have people of the same rank present. That’s why the Princess will come with.

So, the Knights of Rebelio, like Alexia and Henblitz, will mainly be escorting Her Highness. The Knights of the Faith will do the same for His Highness.

My placement in the escort detail wasn’t decided, after all. Perhaps even the upper echelons had disagreements about where to put a Special Instructor.

I’d just like to kick back and pal around with the Garrison and the street patrols. It seems there’s little hope for that since I had to get these formal clothes, though.

“I’m home,” I said.

Please help me find a station at some quiet corner.

With that in mind, I open the door to my new home, which I’m now familiar with.

“Mm, Welcome back,” Miu said, which is also becoming familiar to me.

“… What’s with that outfit?” Miu continued, clearly confused.

“Ah, there’s a delegation coming to visit?” I said. “I went to pick up these clothes today and then went home wearing them.”

“… Hmm,” Miu grunted.

I wonder what’s wrong? Miu’s expression is unreadable.

If I had to guess, it would be a “Woah…” sort of face. Doesn’t it look good on me? This old man’s a little depressed.

“… Maybe it doesn’t look good on me?” I asked.

“… Not that. It doesn’t look bad,” Miu said.

“Ah, I see,” I said.

I asked with an open mind but the reply I got was ambiguous. I wonder what was with that brief pause? I’m curious.

No, she thinks I look good too, right? I didn’t mean to ask her like that, but it seems to be drier than I expected, or it doesn’t seem to be a good reception, so I was a little shocked. Even though the clothes I bought were at such a high price.

“But more importantly than that, dinner is ready,” Miu said.

“Oh, right, yeah, I got it,” I said.

This is the treatment I get. It’s sad.

I can’t get my clothes dirty, so I wonder if I should change before eating. I chose black so that it could get a little filthy, but it’s still better to keep it clean.

“… You look your coolest when you’re dressed like usual,” Miu mumbled.

“Hmm? Did you say something?” I asked as I took off my jacket.

“Nothing. Don’t mind me,” Miu said.

I felt Miu was saying something but I couldn’t hear it very well.

Well, let’s take this as being than being told that it wouldn’t suit me or that I should take it off. Alexia said the clothes were boring, but she didn’t say they didn’t look good. As long as I can’t trust my own aesthetics, I have no choice but to believe her words.

“Now then, here we go. Shall we eat dinner?” I asked.

“Mm,” Miu replied.

I changed into my usual clothes and headed to the living room. After all, for some reason, this look is the most calming.

The food is cooked and served today, simmered dishes like before. I’m used to the smoked meats I bought in the West District before. It’s hearty and looks delicious, doesn’t it?

But, I have to gradually increase Miu’s cooking repertoire. Boiled food is certainly easy, but it is not training for Miu if she does just that.

Still, the cutting of vegetables and meat has improved a lot. I would be happy to see progress in these areas as well.

“Time to eat,” I said.

“Mm. Time to eat,” Miu said.

Under one roof, I will eat with Miu today.

It was before the Supehniardvania Delegation would arrive, two days from now.