Life in Another World as a Maid Mage

He carried a backpack packed with food, cooking utensils, bedding, linens, and other camping luggage to change his spare chemicals, sewing equipment, and just in case, checked again the contents of the pouch, large and small, attached to his waist, and then dropped his gaze on Louis at his feet. I've been nervous since last night, but I've been moving around all this morning with excitement.

"Calm down. I'm not running away from home."

When I spoke, I trembled with the usual momentum of about 50%. He seems to be so happy.

Hmm, if you're so happy, maybe you should do it more often.

Luli's homecoming takes place semi-annually. This is the second time, but maybe I can go a little more. The distance is not that far.

Recently, Lori asked me to come home. I didn't speak a word, but I knew that was how it was done. From the windows, you can gaze at the direction of your hometown or take a keen look at the map around Tris.

Still, I know you care about yourself. If you're not comfortable with this, maybe you're going home alone. But I won't let you go silently. It is also the concern of this mysterious friend.

― ― Louis' hometown is so close to where the abominable incident took place.

But Louis is a dear friend, saving his life. Because I think you should accompany me.

(... I don't like being accidentally crushed by other adventurers on my way home...)

It is rare, but it seems that some adventurers and knights who don't know about it may kill a wizard during another operation. There are many relatively unusual species that are chosen as user magic, so it is said that they are targeted at experience points and materials.

(It's not unusual because it's slime, but you're worried.)

I can endure a little for my sweet friend.

Well, let's go.

Louis bounced happily.

As he went downstairs, Alec was waiting for him in his outfit. Last time it was Zach, he was the one who commissioned this escort. He was laughing with Larsch while he waited. When I noticed this sign, I broke my face. Larsch compares herself to him with a smile.

"I'm sorry I kept you waiting even though I asked for you."

"No, I don't mind. It's not too early for the appointment. You ready to go?

"Yes, thank you."

I waved to Larsch to say a prayer for safe journeys and set off.

The destination is the Blue Forest. It was a two-day walk along the street leading from the west gate.

I would like to stay in an inn if I could during the winter months, but it is difficult at times. There are of course villages and post towns around the street, but there was a possibility that accommodation could not be obtained due to the high number of travelers and pilgrims. In the first place, unlike a big city like the territorial capital, there aren't many inns where you can bring in magicians. It naturally becomes a wild inn.

I feel like I miss the home reservation system at these times. Only upscale people can make reservations in this world.

"I hope we get a place to stay tonight."

Well, that would be difficult.

Alec's opinion was the same. Looking back and forth, there are more people going down the street and more carriages passing by than usual. Near the birthday festival, most of them are tourists looking for beautiful decorated Tris townscapes and cathedrals.

"But with you there's no problem. It may be a hassle for you."

That's what Alec laughed at.

"No, that's my job."

The skills of domestic wizards are useful in times like these. Now that the range of magic that can be used has increased, it is more and more driven by various requests, but it is the original job to provide a comfortable environment even in campsites. The harsh season of cooling is a particularly valuable skill.

More work than summer is during the winter when temperatures drop below freezing. Participation in the experimental short-term snowmarch was found to be problem-free, which prompted a request to participate in a high-difficulty request during the winter period from last year, when he was promoted to Class C. Minor lack of preparedness and sudden weather irregularities often led to death, and camping during the harsh winter period with adequate rest was already becoming indispensable for Shiori's participation. It's a big responsibility.

I look at one person and one person walking next to me as I try to work hard again this year. Alec looked at Louis as he jumped around dancing, laughing happily.

Every inn was full as expected on the first night. Travelers who had lost their rooms had given up and decided to stay in the wilderness, and had already started setting up campsites on open spaces and outside plains. There is a warm fire here. While walking around searching for the establishment site, Alec's suggestion that he saw an unusual Oriental woman and opened his eyes to men who used color on Ciori dared to set up a campsite on the edge of the forest about an hour away from the village.

"If you touch Lori's scales, you can't swallow them all."

That's his valve.

(If you melt the bones and turn them into darkness, it will be a complete crime!

Though Shiori was angry enough to think about things like this, he felt sorry for Alec, who seemed to be in a bad mood while throwing a magic beast boundary stake around him.

"... I'm sorry..."

If it was true, it would have been much better to set up near a village where it was easy to buy and respond to emergencies.

"Oh, no, don't worry, it's not your fault. They're the worst."

He laughs bitterly when he says that they are much poorer than the poor beast.

While thanking Alec for his care, he filled the boundaries with warm air made of synthetic magic. I have to call you back a few times because it will get cold again after a while, but if you want to stay warm in the winter campsite, I won't spare you this much effort.

Nevertheless, it is convenient to get rid of this beast boundary. The boundary stakes that can be obtained at religious institutions such as shrines are said to have been created by the saint magicians after years of research. The interior surrounded by this pile forms a boundary to protect against evil. It seems to have little effect on large and dangerous beasts such as manticore and dragons, but since it has enough functionality to be used as a beast repellent in campsites, it was popular with adventurers, travelers, and knights with many wilderness lodgings.

Incidentally, inside the boundary, something different from the outside occurs. The two magic elements do not mix together, and for this reason, a "magic wall" is formed on the boundary. With this, it was possible to develop magic that works only within the boundaries. This is the perfect space to deploy your own (original) magic, air conditioning magic.

After checking that warm air was flowing within the boundary, I unpacked the load and took out two small tents. It is a lightweight, durable, and winter-specific tent made of snow bear skin with excellent thermal insulation properties. One is for sleeping. This is Zach's back. The other is a bath tent that is made of the same material and has a structure that saves the floor. It was a specially ordered item, but it was an exciting item that was indispensable for a comfortable bath.

"What about today's bath?

"No, not today. I'm not that sweaty."

"That's right... then, let's use footbaths"

Footbath?

Suggesting footbaths that were very popular in last year's march, it seems surprisingly unusual for him to come.

"This is a warm bath that soaks in hot water just under your knees. You don't have to take off your clothes, and if you soak it enough, it'll warm you up. You can't clean your body, but if you just want to warm up, we recommend."

"Sounds interesting. If so, please give me that footbath."

"Okay."

While Alec puts up a sleeping tent, he puts up a footbath. Speaking of footbaths, if it's too small, the temperature will soon drop, so the size is necessary. Nevertheless, the depth is sufficient to soak under the knee, and the support is good.

Develop earth magic to shape the ground into an elongated hot tub. If you put more hot water in there than usual, you'll be all set. Insulated fur was placed on the seat to keep the hips cool.

When I finished installing the tent and handed Alec the towel, which I was looking at interestingly, I took off my boots and socks and rolled up my hem, soaking my toes in the water. After all, it looks cute and sneaks out under the hidden hand of the mouth.

Deeply exhaling, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the water, and eventually murmured with his sigh.

"This is... good."

The loose expression of comfort seems kind of happy. I'm glad you like it. Ruli soaked herself in a footbath just at the edge of her body and returned to a reservoir of vegetables. It seems that I've been too tired since morning. Looking at the place where it's not moving, it looks like he's falling asleep.

Well then, please warm up. I will prepare the meal. "

"Oh, please."

I smiled at each and every one of them who were completely relaxed, and then worked on supporting the meal in the simplified kettle that I installed. That said, it won't take much trouble. We use homemade freeze-dried rice and soup, so just boil the water. The main dish is grilled with pork ginger, which is just grilled because the meat is soaked in sauce.

When I started cooking meat in a pot by boiling the water, Alec reacted quickly.

"... this smell..."

"It is pork ginger grilled. You'll love this."

He looks as if he were a boy. It was above all a reward for me to see the happy faces of my friends at the camp. The smile also warmed my chest.

(I like this moment)

I will spare no effort to see the smiles of my friends.

─ That's obvious. You can only cook rice. "

Someone's voice grabbed the back of my head and my hand stopped.

I hadn't remembered it for a long time. No, I was deliberately pushing it out of my consciousness when I almost remembered it.

"What's wrong?

Alec called out carefree, wondering why he suddenly stopped moving.

"... no. Nothing."

I failed to pretend to be calm and had a surprisingly flat voice myself. Did you feel something, or did something seem strange? He quickly wipes his feet, puts on his boots and walks up here.

A warm hand was attached to my back. Gently stroked.

Looking up, I saw him lowering his eyebrow buttocks as if he were in a bit of trouble. You must be worried about me.

"... I just remembered something I hated a little bit. But it's okay."

"... is that so? Don't push me."

I'll ask you if you want to talk. I felt as if I had been told so, and Theori smiled thinly.

Alec is very kind.

The eyes of purple blue were slightly opened. After a little, the line of sight was diverted. I smiled at him again with a slightly illuminated expression and then started feeding him again.

Place the rice back on a deep plate in boiling water, then place the baked meat on top of it and sauce stored at the bottom of the pan. Alec seemed to like this sauce a lot, so I put it in a bowl so that I could eat it. Hand Alec a deep dish standing on his side, and he'll make an expression like "oh." Looks like you liked it. The rest is done by adding homemade freeze-dried soup to the mug and returning it to hot water.

When she noticed Louis, the other slime was sleeping in the tent after drinking the footbath water. It looks warm when I fall asleep wrapped in it. Place your share on a plate with that in mind.

Alec, who was lowering his hips first on the fur he laid in front of the fire in Kamado, slapped an empty spot next to him. He said to sit next to me. After hesitating a little, I lowered my hips next to him. It is warm where I touched it slightly.

Alec narrowed his eyes and then murmured to the dish.

"N.Delicious."

No way! Um, just make sure you know how much you hate it. "

He smiled satisfactorily while chewing, and someone complained with a bitter face overlapped. The chest that was starting to warm up is making a loud noise and getting cold.

Now I sipped the mug soup while dressing up as if I didn't eat anything.

The soup, which was supposed to be delicious, slipped down his throat without taste, as if it had completely cooled down somehow.