“Luria? What’s that stick?”
“A cool stick.”
“…It doesn’t have any insect eggs on it, does it?”
“Nope.”
“Then it’s fine.”
After receiving my mother’s permission to keep the stick, I held it as I entered the secondary residence.
It was said to have been years since anyone had used it, yet the place was immaculately clean.
“Has someone been cleaning it every day?”
“Yes. Although the caretaker is currently away to avoid catching the red fever.”
“I see.”
“Now then, Luria, Sara, come here.”
“Got it.” “…Alright.”
My mother moved briskly forward with the maid, and Sara, Dau, and I followed behind. Carro was perched on my shoulder.
After walking for a bit, my mother and the maid entered a room.
We followed them in and found ourselves in what appeared to be a study and lounge combined.
The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with books. There were desks, chairs, and a long sofa as well.
“I’ll prepare some tea.”
“Thank you. Please do.”
The maid went into the adjacent room, where it seemed tea-making facilities were located.
“Luria, put the stick on the floor. It’s improper to carry it around indoors.”
“Okay.”
Not wanting to risk losing my beloved stick, I obediently leaned it against a chair.
“Now, Luria, Sara, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“I’m not worried.” “Yes.”
“That said, things will be a bit different from usual. The servants are busy with security and maintaining communication with the main estate. There’s only one maid to handle your daily needs.”
She gazed gently at Sara and me as she spoke.
“Got it. We’ll have to manage on our own a bit, huh?”
“Exactly. But since none of us—myself, Luria, or Sara—are used to this, we’ll all need to try our best.”
“Luria can do it!”
“That’s wonderful to hear. …The key is to minimize the maid’s workload. You understand, don’t you?”
“Yes.” “Understood.”
Dau and Carro also listened attentively, their expressions serious.
“Still, you’re children, so don’t overthink it.”
“Got it!” “Yes!” “Woof woof!” “Kyuu!”
Dau and Carro enthusiastically barked their agreement.
“You don’t need to concern yourselves so much…”
The maid returned with the tea and a tray of sweets.
“Young ladies, please enjoy some sweets as well.”
“Thank you! Sara, have some too.”
“Thank you.”
Sara carefully took the sweets with both hands, nibbling on them like a little bird.
“Hmm-hmm.”
Dau rested his large head on the table, clearly signaling his desire for a treat.
“Peep.”
Dau let out a pitiful sound, pleading.
“Alright, alright.”
I broke my portion of the sweets in half and gave him some.
“Woof!”
Dau devoured it instantly, wagging his tail in delight.
“…Kyuu.”
Carro hopped down from my shoulder onto the table, staring at me with eyes that clearly said, You’ll give me some too, right?
“Alright, alright.”
I shared some of my sweets with Carro as well.
“Kyuu kyuu!”
Carro held the sweets with his tiny hands and nibbled on them, looking much like Sara.
“Is it tasty?”
“Woof!” “Kyuu!”
“It’s delicious. Ehehe.”
Sara let out a cute little laugh, her joy audible.
As we enjoyed the sweets, the maid declared confidently,
“Please leave everything to me. Even with just me here, I’ll ensure you feel no inconvenience!”
“My, don’t overextend yourself.”
The maid seemed to have her own sense of pride.
Still, I thought, tasks like tidying up toys and changing clothes should be things we handle ourselves.
As I swung my legs, they bumped into the stick leaning against the chair.
“Oh, Sara! Let’s go exploring!”
The stick reminded me of the staff an adventurer might carry.
“Exploring?”
“Yep. Let’s figure out what’s where! Mother, is that okay?”
“Don’t go outside the mansion, alright?”
“Of course!”
“And you mustn’t leave through the windows either, understood?”
“O-Of course not.”
I’d climbed through the window earlier, so I was a bit startled. My mother couldn’t have seen me, though—it must have been a coincidence.
“There are also areas you mustn’t enter…”
“Where are those…?”
I was extremely curious.
“Well, it’s easier to show than explain.”
“Hmm?”
“Listen, if the attendants say an area is off-limits, you mustn’t go in.”
“Got it!”
“Good. Dau, Carro , take care of Luria and Sara.”
“Woof woof!” “Kyuurr!”
With my mother’s permission, I turned to Sara.
“Let’s go, Sara!”
“Alright.”
Holding my stick in my right hand, I took Sara’s hand in my left, and we left the room. Sara carried her stick-like doll in her free hand.
“Sara, this is our base.”
Standing just outside the room, I pointed at the lounge with my stick.
“Base?”
“Yep. If we get separated or something happens, we meet back here.”
“Understood.”
Establishing a base was essential for exploration. I’d read that in a book.
“Alright! Let’s go, Explorer Sara!”
“Explorer?”
“We’re an exploration team! And I’m the leader.”
“Got it.”
Sara nodded seriously, her expression resolute.
“Dau and Carro are team members too.”
“Woof!” “Kyuu!”
Chosen as members of the team, Dau and Carro looked proud.
Taking the lead, I began walking through the mansion.
The mansion was two stories tall and seemed to be rectangular in shape overall.
