Today is the day of the fishing tournament.
I head to the beach with Lela and Mars, and see there’s a big turnout today.
“Oh? There are a lot more people than before.”
“It’s clearly over a hundred. What happened?”
Mars and Lela are surprised as they look at the crowd of people. I can’t hide my surprise either. There really are over a hundred people here, so the tournament really is popular.
Did a fishing boom start without me realizing it?
“Ooh! Look! The great mage is there!”
“Kyaaah! It really is Mister Loyd! I knew he was handsome!”
“It’s true, we can meet Mister Loyd here in the fishing tournament!”
People raise their voices while pointing at me. It’s like a big star has entered the scene.
“Looks like you were the cause, sensei.”
Says Mars while turning to me.
“I haven’t done anything.”
“As your pupil, I am very proud to see you get the recognition you deserve.”
Says Lela, with her lips loosening into a smile.
Mars is also all smiles. It’s clear that people having a positive impression of me makes them happy.
“Sensei, you might as well give them a wave.”
“Yes! They will all be happy!”
I do that, and receive shrill cheers in return.
“Kyaaah! Mister Loyd waved at me!”
“Not at you, at me!”
“Mister Loyd is the best!”
This is nice. It’s like anything I do will get a positive response.
I’m feeling good, so I give them a demonstration by casting the highest rank spell Ice Valkyrie in front of them.
“Uoooooh!?”
“W-what is that ice statue!?”
“Awesome!”
They cheer even louder.
Some are excited about the magic, and some are too surprised to stand. Both reactions give me a smug expression, as I turn to Mars.
“Did you know, Mars? A popular person can’t slack on the fanservice. This is the way of Loyd, the master rank great alchemist.”
“You’re getting carried away so much that it’s almost refreshing.”
“This is a great example of how when people are set loose after being restrained, they don’t know when to stop.”
Says Lela, coldly analyzing me.
Just saying whatever they want, these two, but I don’t have to mind it too much.
No matter who it is, treating people with kindness is definitely not bad.
They acknowledge me, and I give them the greatest amount of respect. It’s a win-win.
“Ah, there you are.”
Now it’s Noir who is here.
“What? Do you want an autograph too?”
“Eh? Nope.”
“Uwa, lame…”
Mumbles Lela.
“Nevermind that. I know this request is sudden, but can you handle a VIP that’s on the way?”
“VIP? Who is it?”
A rich merchant? An important noble? Royalty?
“You can look forward to seeing that yourself. But you know this person.”
“???”
“Mars, Lela, I’m borrowing this guy for a bit.”
“Sure, use him all you want.”
“Noir x Loyd. This pairing might not be too bad.”
This girl really ships everything… Hasn’t she heard of a thing called pure love?
Oh well. Dealing with that VIP is what’s important now. And since these two agreed, I’m leaving with Noir.
I follow her, and then see the VIP Noir was talking about.
“I am Iris Elzerbel Quarte, the acting saintess of Minerva. Thank you for having me today ♪.”
Iris appears in front of me, holding a double peace sign with an angelic smile on her face.
This VIP is making my brain crash.
W-why? Wasn’t Iris just a saintess?
…No, a saintess is more than enough to be called a VIP.
Maybe it’s because we always talk so casually, but I completely forgot that Iris is in a high position.
Here in Merzelia, Iris is just under the queen and the saintess Cornelia. She’s like a court official. It’s actually the way Noir is treating her that makes sense.
“Thank you for having me on such short notice.”
“I don’t mind at all. I want more people to know how wonderful fishing is. Anyone who wants to fish is welcome.”
“Thank you for the consideration. And thank you for having me as well, Mister Loyd.”
Iris bows.
Also, Till is standing behind her, watching us with a smile.
We say hello to each other too, and then head back to the beach.
Well then, Iris and I will be fishing on a boat. Since she’s a VIP, she’s borrowing a boat from a civilian, that’s going to be exclusive for her.
It fits more than twenty people, so Noir, Till, and I accompany Iris, along with ten attendants for her.
She had three when we first met, Till, Sephilia, and Nero, but she hired ten more in this half a year.
Till is the head maid, so gives orders, and the others move around to create the best environment for Iris to enjoy fishing.
A table is set, tea is made, and everyone moves briskly.
“Iris, isn’t Sephilia here today?”
“Sephilia has been on leave since two days ago. She is going to the Flame Temple with the demon king.”
“Why there?”
“To make something called a scarlet light talisman. It’s almost Till’s birthday, so she wants to give it as a present.”
Iris whispers to me, so Till doesn’t hear.
Scarlet light talisman is a high rank magic item that reduces fire damage.
I’ve collected materials to make it a few times during work. It’s monsters like fire golems and fire metal armors that drop the scarlet magic stones required to make it. I’m sure that’s why she’s going to the Fire Temple.
“Till’s birthday is almost here?”
“Yes. I was thinking about making her handmade cookies in Nero’s cafe.”
“That’s very much like you, Iris.”
“Hehehe. I want to make a lot, and eat a lot.”
No, they’re not for you. She really is an airhead.
We keep talking about what’s been going on lately, as we enjoy fishing together.
◆ ◆ ◆
An hour after we start fishing, Iris speaks with a formal tone.
“…I wish this fun time could continue.”
It feels like she’s hinting at something. There’s some darkness in her expression too.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“…I had a nightmare last night.”
“Nightmare?”
“Yes. A large group of monsters big enough to cover the whole town swarmed it, and people I care about died one after the other.”
Iris’ nightmare is pretty shocking. Almost all the inhabitants of Minerva died in it.
All those people were involved in a disaster where they were eaten or crushed.
“That is alarming.”
“I still tremble when I think about it.”
“But worrying too much is bad for you. In the end, it’s just a dream.”
I say to try to reassure her, although I feel like between this and that red light I saw last night, it’s getting pretty ominous.
I have no way of knowing if the two things are related, but I just don’t want to worry Iris.
“Did you see anything strange last night, Mister Loyd?”
Immediately after I think that, she throws me a question that’s hard for me to answer.
I did see something weird last night.
I could brush it off, but I don’t want to lie to her, so I tell her what happened.
“That was probably an evil red moon.”
“You know about it, Iris?”
“In the Emeraude religion, this is an omen that a country will be destroyed.”
“Destroyed!?”
“It is just an hypothesis. I don’t know if it really was an evil red moon either.”
But you do look very serious.
Noir also notices my surprised voice while fishing, and turns my way.
Don’t tell me my fulfilling life in Minerva is going to end right after it began.
“That’s a pretty threatening omen. Do you know exactly what would happen to destroy it?”
“It is said that a hundred and fifty years ago, the Kingdom of Gazelbia was done in by fairy life, a fairy dragon.”
The Kingdom of Gazelbia was a small country to the southeast of the central continent, pretty far from Merzelia.
Its army was very wary of the danger of the curse of Area Zero. I knew it was destroyed by that fairy life, but I’ve never heard of that evil red moon.
“If that’s true, I need to buy a shooting star.”
Says Noir with a serious tone.
“Shooting star?”
“An S rank rod necessary to catch a golden fish.”
“Eh? Why are you talking about fishing now?”
“That’s my line. Don’t talk about depressing stuff like countries being destroyed and nightmares during a fishing tournament. You’re letting all these fish escape.”
“S-sorry.”
Iris bows, sounding apologetic.
“You too Iris, when it’s time to have fun, focus on that. We can all help if you need advice, after the tournament. If you only talk to Loyd, you will put all the weight on him, and nothing will get resolved.”
Declares Noir, and Iris opens her eyes wide, and goes silent.
Noir’s idea is pretty simple. There’s no point in carrying all that herself, or talking to just one person. The more difficult something is, the more you have to share information, or you’ll be carrying it alone.
“Yes… You’re right. I can’t push it all on Mister Loyd.”
“That’s all right. Put up a request in the guild if you are worried. I’m sure Isolte will put people on it. And if you know people are cooperating to work on it, you will feel better, right?”
Then Noir smiles, and Iris turns to her with respect in her eyes.
I have to take my hat off to her too. She’s not just crazy about fishing.
“I agree with Noir. Lady, regardless of whether your nightmare will become reality, let us get over this evil red moon together. The more people work on it, the better the outcome will be.”
Till agrees with Noir, and so do I. To be honest, I don’t know if I could handle that on my own, but with Till and others, I’m confident that we can solve this.
“I’m sorry Mister Loyd.”
“You don’t need to apologize. In fact, I’m glad you can come to me for advice.”
I like Minerva. I wouldn’t say I can beat it, but if that dragon comes to attack, of course I’ll fight it.
I hold my staff tightly with my right hand.
Iris smiles, and grabs my left hand.
“Mister Loyd, let me join you when the time comes. I also love Minerva.”
She declares.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You don’t have to, you are very kind.”
We both smile, and vow to take down that evil red moon.
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