Al Appears

“Um, what exactly is going on here?”

Kent said that in front of Caro, who had returned to her usual twin-tail hairstyle.

“This morning, Al-chan came to my house and asked me to take her along because she would be useful… But Kent-san had asked Al-chan to help at the shop, so I did refuse once.”

Caro said that apologetically.

“It can’t be helped now that I’m here. Let’s all live happily as a family of three.”

“Who are you calling a family?”

“Haugh!”

Kent unintentionally retorted to Al. He had certainly felt that the hair ornament Caro was wearing was strange, but Kent had never imagined that its true identity was Al.

“You didn’t tell Marie-san that Al was coming here, right?”

Kent asked Al to confirm.

“I did tell her. I received permission from Marie-sama. She asked me to make sure I protect you if anything happens.”

Al answered casually.

“Marie-san is worried about you too, Kent-san. I do think it was wrong to keep quiet, but I would appreciate it if you could understand.”

“I’m grateful that she’s worried about me, but I’m worried about the shop too…”

“Kent-san, you are forgetting one important thing.”

Caro said that to Kent with a serious expression.

“Marie’s Bakery will be unable to stock goods without you, Kent-san, so the business itself will become impossible to run. If the shop is important to you, then ensuring your safety becomes the highest priority. That is more important than being short-staffed.”

“Ugh, when you put it that way…”

“So please do not worry and let everyone at the shop protect you. Of course, I am one of them too.”

Caro said the last sentence shyly.

“Kent, Caro, have you finished organizing your luggage?”

The door was suddenly opened, and Verna came in.

“Huh? Who is this child?”

Verna noticed Al and said that.

“My name is Al. I’m Father and Mother’s child.”

Al usually spoke in a firm tone, but she said that to Verna in a slightly childish way.

“Huh? Kent and Caro had a child?”

Verna said that in surprise.

“That’s right. Actually, this child’s existence was discovered by our parents, so the three of us fled to this town.”

““Whaaaaaat?!””

At Caro’s explosive statement, Verna and Kent both raised their voices in surprise.

“That is true. If you had such a large child while still being students, you would want to run away from your parents. But you hid her well until now.”

“Actually, Kent-san lives alone in a detached house. That was why we were able to hide her until now, but because of a certain incident, my parents found out…”

“That must have been difficult… I see. I will support the two of you. So please live here without worry while you are here.”

Verna, who had a strong tendency to jump to conclusions but was fundamentally a good girl, seemed to believe what Caro and Al said.

“Then I must add one more portion for dinner.”

“Actually, this child is sick right now and can only drink water.”

“Is that so? How pitiful. I understand. I will prepare delicious water.”

When Verna said that, Caro added a new setting.

“Thank you, Big Sis.”

Al said that to Verna in a childish, lisping way.

“Leave it to Big Sis.”

Verna also seemed to have gotten into the mood, and she left the building to prepare.

“Is it really all right to do something like this?”

Kent said that to the two of them, worried about what would happen from now on.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. If it comes down to it, with the lord’s authority…”

“I may not look it, but I am an intermediate fairy, so it is fine.”

Kent’s head hurt because of Caro, who said something dangerous, and Al, whose confidence had unclear grounds.

“Well then, shall we start organizing the luggage?”

“Yeah.”

“Should I help with something too?”

The three of them pulled themselves together and began organizing the luggage.

“Something like this, I guess.”

“Yes. Starting today, the three of us can sleep side by side like a family.”

Even though they had said they had a lot, it was still only luggage they could carry while moving, so sorting it did not take much time. Caro used the extra time to carefully make the beds.

“Ah, that’s right. We also need to place tissues and a trash bin nearby…”

Caro was already apparently in battle readiness.

“Doesn’t it bother you that Al is here?”

“It does bother me, but there is no need to hold back… Or rather… There is also a promise, so I must not hold back.”

“What do you mean?”

“You will understand eventually.”

Caro answered Kent’s question suggestively.

“Father and Mother were playing night wrestling. When I asked them to let me join too, they told me it was still too early for a child and that I should go to sleep. I want to grow up quickly and play wrestling together with them.”

“Al, what was that statement that sounded like a child’s essay?”

“I thought it would make you happy.”

“It doesn’t.”

Kent was troubled over just how much he should retort.

To change his mood, he looked around the room again.

The building itself, to put it politely, was far from the sort of room an Acting Lord should sleep and stay in. It was maintained, but the building was simple, and it reminded Kent of his own house when he had reincarnated into this world. Fortunately, storage shelves and two beds were provided as fixtures, so aside from not being able to cook for themselves, it seemed there would be no problem with sheltering from the wind and rain.

“Kent, Caro, Al. The meal is ready.”

After a little time passed, Verna came to call them, saying that the meal was ready.

“We’ll come now.”

Kent answered, and guided by Verna, the three of them entered the Town Head’s house. They were shown to the office. A simple table had been placed there, and food including portions for Verna’s family had been prepared.

“It is a little cramped, but please bear with it. I actually wanted to use the room we used before, but the Acting Lord is scheduled to arrive today, so we cannot use it. I am sorry.”

Verna said that apologetically.

“It’s all right, so please don’t worry about it.”

Caro told her not to mind.

“So, Al, are you really fine with only water?”

“Yes, water alone is fine.”

Verna asked Al to confirm.

The prepared meal was, to put it politely, different from what Kent and the others usually ate, and could not be called good. However, Kent and Caro did not voice any dissatisfaction and ate it while showing consideration for those around them, making it look delicious.

“Thank you for the meal. We are tired today, so we will rest early.”

“Good night.”

“Kent, Caro, Al. See you tomorrow.”

After finishing their meal, the three returned to their room.