Chapter 537: Actively on the Move

It seemed that Erwin-sama had noticed how our once-pleasant dinner was gradually sinking into a somber mood. From that point on, he began telling us stories from the days when he roamed across the Raven Kingdom as a lone knight.

They were tales of true misadventure. He spoke of boldly challenging unfamiliar foods and failing spectacularly, of being attacked by bandits only to turn the tables on them, and even of reforming those very bandits afterward—either persuading them to form self-defense groups for towns and villages or recruiting them into the knight order itself.

…What on earth have you been doing, Erwin-sama? Your life has been far more tumultuous than mine ever was. No wonder you’d think nothing of challenging a Bone Dragon.

And watching Sophia-sama listen to his stories with such open delight, I couldn’t help but think that this might be exactly why she had fallen for him.

“Erwin-sama, you’re amazing. I don’t think I could ever do anything like that.”

“Is that so? I think Julius-sama is amazing too, in a very different way.”

Erwin-sama smiled wryly. It seemed Sophia-sama had told him quite a lot about me. And Sophia-sama had probably heard most of it from Sister-in-law Daniela. Best not to poke around any further—stirring up trouble would only invite disaster.

“I’ve heard that men long for adventure. Is that true for you as well, Julius-sama?”

“Not really. I prefer making things.”

I’d already had my fill of adventure over the years. Unless there was some material I desperately needed, I doubted I’d ever go adventuring again. Besides, I was still the third son of the Heine Frontier Count’s Family. There was no way I’d be allowed to wander off so easily.

“Julius-sama, when you do go on an adventure someday, please take me with you.”

“Fabienne? There’s no chance of that happening, so you can relax.”

For some reason, Fabienne’s eyes sparkled. Was she secretly yearning for adventure? Maybe she’d been reading too many books. Or perhaps traveling more often lately had whetted her appetite for it. This was troubling.

Fortunately, Sophia-sama gently talked Fabienne down, and the situation was somehow resolved. There was a mischievous side sleeping inside her. I had to be careful it never woke up.

After dinner ended and we returned to our room, Nero was already back. Lionel was there as well.

Just as Sophia-sama had said, the materials for the magical device had been delivered. With these, I could make an additional phonograph.

“How was dinner for you two? I had a great time listening to Erwin-sama’s stories.”

“It was delicious. We joined Giovanni-sama and the others partway through and checked on how things were going over there.”

Always thoughtful, that Lionel. I’d been too busy since evening to check on the alchemists myself. He’d even helped Fabienne with potion-making, so I’d been wondering how everyone was doing.

“The alchemists of the Raven Kingdom were getting proper rest, right?”

“Yes, it seems so. Thanks to that, they said they were able to use the mixing room quite comfortably.”

“That sounds like Giovanni-sama.”

Fabienne and I exchanged smiles. That must have been why they managed to prepare so many beginner stamina recovery potions in such a short time. We were saved thanks to that. I’d have to thank him properly later.

“I’m going to work on the phonograph now. You can all go take a bath in the meantime if you’d like.”

“I’ll bathe together with you, Julius-sama.”

Nero said it firmly, as if declaring his duty. He really didn’t need to stay glued to me all the time. Sometimes I wished he’d relax and enjoy himself  without worrying about me. I felt a little guilty.

“I’d like to bathe with you too, Julius-sama…”

Fabienne looked up at me from beneath her lashes. There was no way I could refuse that. She’d brought a swimsuit, so there was no problem. I wasn’t being perverted. Definitely not.

“Alright, Fabienne. Let’s bathe together then.”

“In that case, I’ll go ahead first. Please make sure you don’t recklessly leave the room until I return.”

“Got it, Lionel. Take your time and enjoy the bath.”

He frowned slightly, then nodded once and left the room. Was he not trusting me? Come on…

It would’ve been nice if every room had its own bath, but that was asking too much. And skipping a bath wasn’t an option either.

“I can finish making the phonograph today, but the recording will have to wait. Tomorrow we’re scheduled to make purification powder.”

“You can use soundproof magic, can’t you, Julius-sama? In that case, wouldn’t it be fine to borrow the music room after your bath?”

“That’s a good idea. We can’t keep Her Majesty the Queen waiting.”

I’d use the same piece as before. Better to avoid complications. Playing the same thing over and over was exhausting anyway. It would be troublesome if my performance skill increased and pushed me toward becoming a professional musician.

Thinking that, I completed the phonograph. For the design, I incorporated the Queen’s favorite flower, which Sophia-sama had told me about during dinner. Of course, I also included the flag of the Raven Kingdom. And I couldn’t forget to engrave Her Majesty’s name.

Someday, if it passed into someone else’s hands, it might even become a collector’s item. And knowing that its original owner was royalty might encourage them to cherish it.

Once Lionel returned, we all headed to the baths together. Along the way, I asked a servant about borrowing the music room. By the time we finished bathing, word should have reached the right people.

“So we’ll get to hear another live performance from you, Julius-sama. I’m very much looking forward to it.”

“I didn’t realize you were anticipating it that much. It’s just for recording, so please don’t make too much noise.”

“Of course.”

Hmm… Her eyes were shining. And it wasn’t just Fabienne—Nero looked happy too. Naturally, Nero would be coming along. Lionel as well. It was starting to look like a small concert.

That’s what I thought—but it seemed things weren’t going to stop there.