The Duke-sama turned Grand Master said to us while smiling. We cocked our heads as the question 'when and where?' popped up in our minds.
"I had participated in the last meeting between my fellow grand masters as the representative of the Lovile Kingdom's guild. Your childlike appearance, which was far more surreal since you didn't even look like a teenager, had left a striking impression on me."
He proceeded to say how we were now veterans with more than 30 years of experience being an adventurer under our belts and chuckled to himself. Then his expression turned serious after that as he looked at us.
"Thank you for your assistance in resolving the abduction case by the underground organization in the northern region of our Kingdom."
"............ Ohh."
I gasped slightly, recalling the kidnapping incident done by the poor bandits and the underground organization's members behind them who had attacked the abandoned mine's town.
"We were able to smash several branches of the underground organization that had spread from the southern nation after interrogating the members you had caught. They were a source of headache for even our Kingdom."
Never did I think I would be thanked for what I had done at that time here.
"Well, you don't need to be so grateful. We just caught them given the occasion. Besides, we already got our share of the rewards after handing them over."
I also heard from him how he had great relations with the Gard Beastkin Nation's Prince... Ah, he's now archduke, Archduke Gyunton, and his aide Rollwalker when he was serving as a diplomat.
Time flies really fast, huh? I couldn't help but think so while listening to his stories.
"So, what kind of request have you two decided to take on?"
Same as in the guild in the northern region's harbor town, we told him our plan to stay in the capital city for a while mainly dealing with the unpopular requests.
"We're going to relax for a while and occasionally take some requests. Though I would prefer it if the request's duration isn't too long."
"We're waiting for the floating island! We also have to take care of Kuro so we can't be away from home for too long!"
"Don't want long-term requests, and waiting for the floating island? I don't quite get it but very well."
Our initial plan was to wait for the floating island while accepting requests in the royal capital. And then to return Kuro to his fellow Cat Sith group when the floating island appeared.
In the meantime, we planned to sightsee the sea's scenery that is impossible to visit at the «Empty Wilderness» or check out the goods that had gathered here from other nations.
He first appeared surprised to hear there even existed adventurers who mainly dealt with unpopular requests that were frowned upon by many others, then it was followed by a relieved expression as if a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
"Well we also have our pet, so I wonder if we can rent a house anywhere here since staying in an inn with a pet would cause inconvenience."
"Though I can suggest some inns where having a pet, your familiar, wouldn't be a problem but alright, I'll look for a house among the properties maintained by the guild and see which one can be borrowed for the long term. I'll also arrange the left-out requests that you guys are asking for."
After finishing our talk, we received our pay for the escort request, picked a recommended inn that didn't mind us bringing a pet, and decided to call it a day from there.
It was an inn closer to the sea so we were able to enjoy delicious fish saute and seafood soup.
The couple running the inn were apparently big animal lovers, and that was one of the reasons why the inn was open for people with familiars so catered to Kuro delightfully.
We were finally able to have a proper bed after a long time and we slept on it that night. Then we spent time looking around the properties of the guild the following day and decided on a house among them.
"This property's rent will be ten silver coins per month."
"Not a problem. Here is this month's pay."
We rented a two-story stone house located in the suburbs of the city and went through the rental procedures right then.
It was apparently a house designed while keeping adventurers in mind as it has a wide layout and a big open garden. Though it didn't have a bath, I thought of building one with magic as there was no problem constructing something according to the rental agreement.
"Let's set up the furniture and the «Transfer Gate», and then visit the «Empty Wilderness», I guess."
"Okay-nanodesu!"
I quickly took out the transfer gate from the magic bag and installed it in the corner of the room.
A lone service doll, as if it was just waiting for us, welcomed us when we passed through it and returned to the «Empty Wilderness» after being gone for two weeks.
«Welcome back, Master, Teto-sama.»
"We're back."
"We're back-nanodesu!"
«Meow~»
Kuro jumped from my shoulder and landed in front of the service doll who welcomed us.
«So we also have a cat visiting this time.»
The service doll crouched on the spot and began to pat Kuro.
Her expression appeared to be as unchanged as before but I could feel it from the air she was exuding. I didn't know if it was my imagination, but I even saw an illusion of a tiny flower blooming behind her.
«Welcome back, Master, Teto-sama. My, is the kitten there a Cat Sith?»
"We're home, Baretta. Do you know about them? Even though I have equipped him with an illusion and camouflage magic tool."
I canceled the function of the magic tool temporarily by lightly touching the red choker with the bell on Kuro's neck, which made his fairy wings visible.
«Yes. They were living with people as their pets or good neighbors 2000 years ago.»
Well, there has been a drastic change in the world since then, so creatures like the Cat Sith that were once commonplace were now being hailed as mythical beasts given their scarcity.
Then Baretta's gaze shifted to the service doll who was happily petting Kuro, an elegant curve forming on the corner of her mouth as she gave a beautiful smile.
«Congratulations on your evolution to Mechanoid. It seems you're the first one to gain a soul.»
«...... Really?»
Given how she was of the same species, Baretta must have sensed a change in that service doll.
I quickly cast my appraisal magic and indeed, the service doll in front of us had evolved into a Mechanoid species of the demon race.
«You're the fastest among your peers to gain a soul. However, I expect you to continue to take care of the Master like usual.»
«I will, Baretta-sama!»
«That aside, you have just been born into this world. There's the tradition where a newborn is given a name from the closest person as a blessing. So, your name will be一一Ai.»
Baretta named her in such a manner, and the newly evolved Mechanoid species Ai also accepted the naming without a fuss and went back to her usual duties.
"Fufu, you should just be honest and be happy when it's a joyous occasion, you know."
"Majou-sama is right-nanodesu! You have gained a new comrade so be happier, Baretta!"
Baretta brushed over our words saying she was on duty but whatever her words were, it was visible from her appearance that she was also slightly happy.
"But how did that girl evolve first, I wonder?"
«It's just my one-sided observation, but AI, the first one to evolve among her peers, has a particular interest in living things individually. She was put on the duty of managing the breeding of creatures that have been released in the forest of the «Empty Wilderness» with the Master's attempt to build an ecosystem and is learning about the lifecycle of these animals and creatures and their reproduction. So my conjecture is that there's a chance her compassionate heart may have given birth to a soul when she saw the Cat Sith Kuro-sama just now.»
"Umm, this topic is too difficult for Teto to understand."
«In simple words, she's an animal cuddler.»
It was strangely jarring to see Baretta talking about animal cuddlers 一 those people who can't resist petting and cuddling animals 一 with a serious expression and I almost burst into laughter.
«Does it sound funny, Master? But it is a well-recognized word in the ancient magic civilization as published in the 7th newest edition of the Cultural language encyclopedia 2000 years ago.»
Baretta said so in full seriousness.
I felt a bit nostalgic after hearing her. After all, whether it was the other world or civilization 2000 years ago, the deeds of humans... More like no matter the time or world, there was never a lack of animal cuddlers.
«Meow?»
Then I gently rubbed Kuro's head, who cutely tilted his head while being hugged by Teto.
