Life in Another World as a Maid Mage

The nearby flames and magically conditioned air gently warm the boundaries. The cold air that crawled up from the ground was also blocked by the snow bear tent and the fur that lay inside, maintaining a pleasant warmth.

Spicy. The fire raised the fire powder and exploded. The ascending fire powder cools and melts away in the night sky. While serving as a watchman, Alec, who was following it with his own eyes, eventually lost sight, rolled up the pontoon behind him, and saw Theoli and Louis sleeping in the tent.

Lori is still sleeping like a puddle. I touched it thinking maybe it wasn't cold, but it was unexpectedly warm. According to Shiori's guess, most of the nutrients consumed are burned and turned into heat because there is no excretion. Unfortunately, I couldn't understand half of her words, which line up the difficult things about burning heat.

Speaking of which, Siori fell asleep wrapped in a blanket so as to stay close to Louis. Sleeping with your knees drawn to your chest and your body rounded up was like trying to protect yourself from something.

It's like a fetus protected by my mother's womb, like a chick in a shell.

Shell.

Thin walls.

Though I've gotten close enough, I sometimes feel something stuck between me and her at the moment. It is a thin wall that refuses to step forward from a certain line while being within reach.

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

On the surface, I was pretending to look the same as usual, but I noticed a clear change from that moment on. A faintly smiling expression characteristic of Shiori dropped out, and a faceless, empty face appeared.

With that look on your face, you won't be all right.

Inside the thin wall, I hid my heart. I pushed something in that would obviously be scratched. Is it to protect the wound on the soft spot of the heart, or to prevent it from getting scratched any more? Or both.

Even if you reach out, you won't allow me to step in the middle of it. I understand that I don't want to show my weakness. Because that's something I can say to myself.

But that was too...

"Don't you want to rely on it?

Alec, who was pouring hot wine with lightly roasted smoked meat, echoed Zach's words. He sipped the ale with a difficult face and then exhaled to show it.

A private room in an izakaya that was brought here the night Siori asked me to escort him to dinner because it's not too late. Unlike the hustle and bustle, it's a quiet place for conversation and cooking. Surprisingly, Zach likes these kinds of shops.

No matter how close you get, Shiori (the guy) will never rely on you. Unless you need it for work, you can't rely on it personally. "

Was it really thoughtful at first, or was it not?

Even if you don't bother asking the union (guild) for escorts this time, if you ask us, we'll get you as many as we want. Clement and Nadia are here, and now you are. There are a lot of other people who are close. I don't suppose you'd be willing to hang out with me. "

It became more prominent from a certain period of time. I stopped relying on people. From the [Dawn] incident.

─ I'm sure there was a cut, but the person insisted that the memories of those days were vague and not well remembered. We didn't realize he was weird. "

Zach's pale eyes blanked out as he spoke.

At that time, we were deliberately separated from him. They were cleverly adjusting the timing of the request so that they wouldn't get in touch with each other as much as possible. That's why it was almost too late when I realized. It was no coincidence that they received a personal request from an Imperial aristocrat at that time. While we gather the evidence and find out where he's under house arrest... they'll take him out... "

"... it was almost planned."

"Oh, it's a secret. Externally, it's treated like trouble at a party. When it comes to credit issues, it's obvious that the union (guild) master was involved in a" case "at the time. Whatever happened in the labyrinth, there were no more witnesses. Theori also knows when she's barely conscious and doesn't remember. Thanks to them, they were still left alone."

I feel strong remorse from Zack, who scratched red hair hard and leaned down. You still blame yourself for failing to realize the situation even though you are S-Class.

I didn't notice. I couldn't protect you - I almost let you die.

That's why I can't tell him I love him anymore.

I opened my eyes to a sudden confession. I can't see his face lying down.

You, it's...

"... oh, that's right."

A self-taunting smile floats on the edge of her slowly raised face.

I've been pointed out to you before that I don't want to let go... but that's a picture star. I don't hate people who work hard against adversity. As I watched him desperately trying to find a place... "

Long breaths are dropped.

But I'm not qualified to get him if I can't protect him. The elves could only become his brother and give him the position of a sister. So, hey, Alec. "

The pale eyes that looked at me enhanced the gentle color.

I was surprised when you showed interest in him because I thought you hated women, but I was happy inside. You look just like him. You know exactly what to do with a wounded opponent. I don't want to lick each other's wounds, but I'm sure you would... "

--I did receive the thoughts Zach gave me.

Touch the loosely gripped Shiori's hand. Hands of workers rough with water work. And a gentle hand that warms your broken heart. There is no good reason for such a gentle hand to be enclosed in a lonely shell.

He slipped his finger into his hand, which was a little smaller than his own, and held it firmly. A pale gold bracelet glows on the wrist beyond. A bracelet with a plum blue stone embedded in it.

(You've been wearing it for a long time.)

It was like I gave it unilaterally, but it was worn like this without hesitation. Even if it seemed like it was hidden in the wall, I knew it wasn't rejecting my connection.

They really want to get out of the wall. Otherwise, you can't say such things as wanting a place. Beyond the wall, which seemed slightly clear like thin ice, I felt like I could see a twist and my heart hurt terribly.

"--I won't hurry. I won't force you to open it."

(Suddenly) I don't want to increase the scratches.

"But like you warmly filled my heart, I want to fill you up again."

If you slowly fill it up and warm it up, either way.

While holding her hand, she gently fell off her lips as she slept.

---Just trying to melt the thin ice walls, put in the heat.