Chapter 97

After finishing our lunch, we left the restaurant.

Incidentally, Therese paid for everything.

I offered to pay, but she told me to use that amount for the three girls, so I reluctantly agreed.

Then, we retraced our steps and returned to the branch.

"Ah, Siegwalt, the chief called for you."

As we passed by the reception, the receptionist called out to us.

"He's as impatient as ever, isn't he..."

"Master, you shouldn't talk about him like that, right? I agree, though."

"That's right. He's our top guy. I agree, though."

Everyone thinks the same, don't they?

"Anyway, I got it. I'll go to the magic stone production team's studio and then head there."

"Thank you."

We went up to the third floor and returned to the shared studio of the magic stone production team.

There, I saw four ingots on the desk and picked them up one by one to examine them.

"Wow, the pressure..."

Senpai Korinna made a face as if she didn't like it.

"No, I just thought they were impressive."

They were all perfectly shaped and precisely the same size.

Indeed, a professional with experience is different.

Not like our three girls.

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

I don't know what level this person is, but the elite from headquarters is different.

"Senpai Korinna is my master."

Master Marta... So, she won't come even if I recruit her.

Adelheid said it would be impossible.

"Hey, Marta, can I ask you something unrelated to work?"

"What?"

"Is Adelheid popular?"

"What? Why suddenly?"

Ah... What should I do?

Should I say it?

"No, it's just that A and W seemed to be interested in Adelheid, so I was wondering..."

"Oh, August and Wolfgang, huh."

She knows...

"Can you understand?"

"They're the closest in age. Besides, I've heard from Adelheid. What? Did they bother you?"

"Probably? They asked about our relationship."

Focus on your work.

"Oh, it's a rumor. Adelheid chased her boyfriend to Leit."

"I've heard that too. Normally, would you think that?"

"Well, from headquarters to the border of Leit, right? Normally, no one would volunteer for that. There must be a reason. When you think about it, it's not strange that Sieg would come to mind."

Hmm... I don't understand.

I don't have that much interest in others, and if someone transfers, I just think, "Oh, that's nice."

"It's not like that..."

"I heard it from her, so I know. But the guys don't know, and they probably think that. Adelheid is beautiful, and since she was at the reception, everyone knows, of course."

Everyone except me...

Even Chris knew and had talked to her a few times...

"She seems to have had a lot of trouble."

If workplace relationships go well, it's a good thing, but if not, it just causes trouble.

"Maybe. She seemed to have a lot on her mind, so she probably went with Sieg when he asked. He must have been kind to her."

That's what she said, more or less.

"By the way, would you like to come to Leit? It's a good place."

"No. I don't want to leave my home, and Senpai Korinna is my master."

Someday, you'll have to leave home.

"Senpai Korinna... I heard she has a husband."

"Yeah. And he's newly married, so he absolutely doesn't want to go on a solo assignment."

It seems impossible to recruit her from headquarters.

What would August's reaction be if I asked him?

I definitely won't ask him.

"We have to work hard with four people... Then, I'll go to the chief. Thank you for your help."

"It's the chief's job, so it's fine."

"Tell Adelheid I said hello."

"Good luck."

I should have just said a simple thank you...

That alone could change the relationship dramatically.

"Can I come with you, Sieg? I'm free."

Dorothee flew over.

"Sure, but Leonora is studying at the hotel, so she won't be there."

"I won't disturb her studies, and I'll go home at night. I know you're busy, but being with Therese makes me feel gloomy."

Probably, Therese thinks the same about you.

You'll be a distraction to her, so I'll take you back.

"Come on."

Dorothee perched on my shoulder opposite where Helen was.

"Black cat and crow, it looks good. The aura of mystery has increased."

Both are symbols of misfortune...

Helen is cute, though.

"Let's go..."

We left the room and climbed the stairs to the fifth floor.

We stopped in front of the chief's room and knocked on the door.

"Chief, it's Siegwalt."

"Sure, sure. Come in."

I opened the door and went in.

The chief was at his desk, writing something.

"Working?"

"Yeah. I'm busy, too."

The chief is busy.

The branch chief seems to have free time.

"I heard you called from the reception?"

"Yeah, I talked to the king, and he said money is no object. So, make a lightning magic sword for me."

What a wasteful king.

"Understood. I've already received the lightning ore and iron ore from the magic stone production team, so I can start the work immediately."

"How long will it take?"

Hmm...

"About a week..."

"Does it take that long?"

"Someone wants to sightsee in the capital, so it will take a bit of time. They're here on a fake business trip, helping with the exam."

I see... Well, do as you please. It's important for you to have some flexibility.

"Also, I can only make the blade. Please take care of the hilt and scabbard."

"Understood. We'll prepare those. Where will you work?"

Hmm... What should I do?

"Here?"

"People come in and out a lot."

People from headquarters come to report, and there are visitors.

I don't want to run into them, and it would be a distraction.

"I feel a bit hesitant to use Therese's studio."

"The magic stone production team is... at a critical point now."

"Even though you sent them to Leit?"

"You chose them. They're quiet and easy to understand."

I understand, but it's a bit pitiful.

Maybe I should bring them some snacks?

"The hotel is not good, and is there any other place? What about the studio where I used to work?"

"That's occupied by someone else. Hmm..."

Maybe I should rent a meeting room?

"Sieg, how about using Chris's studio? He's not here..."

Don't get gloomy, gloomy crow.

"Is it okay to go in?"

"I'm here, and since you're from the same school, it should be fine. You won't snoop around, right?"

Of course not.

I have no interest.

"Then, I'll use it. The three girls will come for a few days."

"Yay, Leonora is coming."

You really like blondes, don't you, crow?

"Chief, I'll be using Chris's studio for this reason."

"Understood. I'll call Chris tonight."

"Thank you. I'll start the work now."

"Count on you."

I bowed and left the room with Helen and Dorothee.

Then, we went down the stairs and headed to Chris's studio on the third floor.

Thank you for reading.

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