โLuria? Whatโs that stick?โ
โA cool stick.โ
โโฆIt doesnโt have any insect eggs on it, does it?โ
โNope.โ
โThen itโs fine.โ
After receiving my motherโs 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.
โHas someone been cleaning it every day?โ
โYes. Although the caretaker is currently away to avoid catching the red fever.โ
โI see.โ
โNow then, Luria, Sara, come here.โ
โGot it.โ โโฆAlright.โ
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.
โIโll prepare some tea.โ
โThank you. Please do.โ
The maid went into the adjacent room, where it seemed tea-making facilities were located.
โLuria, put the stick on the floor. Itโs improper to carry it around indoors.โ
โOkay.โ
Not wanting to risk losing my beloved stick, I obediently leaned it against a chair.
โNow, Luria, Sara, thereโs nothing to worry about.โ
โIโm not worried.โ โYes.โ
โThat said, things will be a bit different from usual. The servants are busy with security and maintaining communication with the main estate. Thereโs only one maid to handle your daily needs.โ
She gazed gently at Sara and me as she spoke.
โGot it. Weโll have to manage on our own a bit, huh?โ
โExactly. But since none of usโmyself, Luria, or Saraโare used to this, weโll all need to try our best.โ
โLuria can do it!โ
โThatโs wonderful to hear. โฆThe key is to minimize the maidโs workload. You understand, donโt you?โ
โYes.โ โUnderstood.โ
Dau and Carro also listened attentively, their expressions serious.
โStill, youโre children, so donโt overthink it.โ
โGot it!โ โYes!โ โWoof woof!โ โKyuu!โ
Dau and Carro enthusiastically barked their agreement.
โYou donโt need to concern yourselves so muchโฆโ
The maid returned with the tea and a tray of sweets.
โYoung ladies, please enjoy some sweets as well.โ
โThank you! Sara, have some too.โ
โThank you.โ
Sara carefully took the sweets with both hands, nibbling on them like a little bird.
โHmm-hmm.โ
Dau rested his large head on the table, clearly signaling his desire for a treat.
โPeep.โ
Dau let out a pitiful sound, pleading.
โAlright, alright.โ
I broke my portion of the sweets in half and gave him some.
โWoof!โ
Dau devoured it instantly, wagging his tail in delight.
โโฆKyuu.โ
Carro hopped down from my shoulder onto the table, staring at me with eyes that clearly said, Youโll give me some too, right?
โAlright, alright.โ
I shared some of my sweets with Carro as well.
โKyuu kyuu!โ
Carro held the sweets with his tiny hands and nibbled on them, looking much like Sara.
โIs it tasty?โ
โWoof!โ โKyuu!โ
โItโs delicious. Ehehe.โ
Sara let out a cute little laugh, her joy audible.
As we enjoyed the sweets, the maid declared confidently,
โPlease leave everything to me. Even with just me here, Iโll ensure you feel no inconvenience!โ
โMy, donโt overextend yourself.โ
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.
โOh, Sara! Letโs go exploring!โ
The stick reminded me of the staff an adventurer might carry.
โExploring?โ
โYep. Letโs figure out whatโs where! Mother, is that okay?โ
โDonโt go outside the mansion, alright?โ
โOf course!โ
โAnd you mustnโt leave through the windows either, understood?โ
โO-Of course not.โ
Iโd climbed through the window earlier, so I was a bit startled. My mother couldnโt have seen me, thoughโit must have been a coincidence.
โThere are also areas you mustnโt enterโฆโ
โWhere are thoseโฆ?โ
I was extremely curious.
โWell, itโs easier to show than explain.โ
โHmm?โ
โListen, if the attendants say an area is off-limits, you mustnโt go in.โ
โGot it!โ
โGood. Dau, Carro , take care of Luria and Sara.โ
โWoof woof!โ โKyuurr!โ
With my motherโs permission, I turned to Sara.
โLetโs go, Sara!โ
โAlright.โ
Holding my stick in my right hand, I took Saraโs hand in my left, and we left the room. Sara carried her stick-like doll in her free hand.
โSara, this is our base.โ
Standing just outside the room, I pointed at the lounge with my stick.
โBase?โ
โYep. If we get separated or something happens, we meet back here.โ
โUnderstood.โ
Establishing a base was essential for exploration. Iโd read that in a book.
โAlright! Letโs go, Explorer Sara!โ
โExplorer?โ
โWeโre an exploration team! And Iโm the leader.โ
โGot it.โ
Sara nodded seriously, her expression resolute.
โDau and Carro are team members too.โ
โWoof!โ โKyuu!โ
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.