When Alice returned to her little cottage, she happened to see Lili directing Bell from Hestia's familia, putting him to work.
"You're doing great, Bell! Keep it up!"
Lili praised the hard-working boy, then walked over with a cup of tea in hand and offered him a drink of cooled water.
"Here, this has just cooled down. Take a little break—the basic frame is done. Next comes the exterior."
"Yes, Miss Lili!" Bell was drenched in sweat, but his face beamed with a bright smile.
Lili had been putting Bell to work all morning.
Although Alice planned to reopen her shop and add another room to serve as the storefront, she wasn't around, and Lili didn't know how to direct the puppets.
Plus, since Alice hadn't come back all night, Lili wasn't sure whether they were opening today or not. But since Alice had mentioned adding a room, Lili decided to get a head start on preparations.
She hadn't discussed the design with Alice yet, but she was confident she could make the new room blend well with the rest of the cottage.
So, since they couldn't open the shop, Lili focused on building the basic framework first, planning to consult Alice once she returned.
However, Lili was, after all, a Pallum—small in stature and not very strong. A project like building a room was still too much for her alone.
Hiring outside help was an option, but Lili didn't trust outsiders.
Just as she was wrestling with this, Hestia suggested having Bell come over to help.
After some thought, Lili decided to take her up on the offer.
For one, Bell was from Hestia's familia, and Goddess Hestia was on good terms with Alice. Alice didn't dislike Bell, either.
Besides, Bell was trustworthy—he wouldn't go blabbing about her and Alice's affairs.
And most importantly—Bell came cheap.
Bell tilted his head back and gulped down the water Lili had given him. He handed the cup back to her. "Miss Lili, may I have another, please?"
After working all morning, he was truly parched.
Lili smiled gently. "Just Lili is fine. I was only a supporter before, you know."
She took the cup and poured him another drink.
"So, how's the workout this morning?" she asked with a smile. "It might not compare to diving into the Dungeon, but at least it's safe. And for a rookie adventurer like you, this kind of labor is much more manageable, right?"
"Yes!" Bell replied excitedly. Even though he hadn't updated his status, he felt deep down like his stats were soaring.
Of course, he knew it was just an illusion—but it was enough to make him happy.
"Take a short break. Lady Alice's puppets have made lunch. Let's eat together, and we can continue this afternoon—"
Just as Lili was about to head inside, she spotted Alice and immediately lit up, dashing over to her.
"Lady Alice! You're back!!"
Her face was full of joy.
Seeing Lili run toward her, Alice smiled softly.
"I'm back." Alice walked with Lili to the entrance and noticed the framework Bell had just built. Curious, she asked, "Lili, were you planning to build the new room I mentioned?"
"Hehe." Lili scratched her head sheepishly. "Since you didn't come back last night, I wasn't sure what to do today."
"So I called Bell over to help me start on the new room."
"Is that so? You've done very well, Lili." Alice patted Lili's head.
"Ehehe." Lili giggled happily at the touch. "By the way, have you eaten yet, Lady Alice? The puppets just finished making lunch. Let's eat together!"
"Lunch, huh…"
Alice seemed a bit distracted.
Because she'd been drinking last night, she had woken up fairly late.
And on her way back, she'd been ambushed by Apollo's familia. By the time she finally made it home, it was almost noon.
"I'll pass. I only came back to give you some instructions, but it looks like that won't be necessary now." A faint smile touched Alice's lips.
Her original plan had been to tell Lili that they wouldn't be opening today and, if possible, to start work on the new room.
But Lili had already taken care of it.
So there was no need to say anything.
"Alright, I made plans with Loki's familia to head into the Dungeon today. I also need to replenish the puppets' magic. I'll be heading out again soon."
Alice pushed the door open and stepped into her cottage, making her way toward the kitchen.
"That said, I might bring some lunch along. Those two probably didn't pack any food." Thinking of Lefiya and Ais, Alice's lips curled into a smirk.
"Lili, I'm taking all the lunch. You and Bell can wait a bit—the puppets should have another batch ready for both of you in about ten minutes."
Alice replenished the magic of every puppet in the house.
After gathering the lunch the puppets had prepared, she got ready to leave.
"Oh, and Lili—if any strangers show up, go inside right away. Bring Bell in with you, understood? If Hestia comes back, pull her inside too. If I don't return by tonight, have Hestia and Bell stay here with you."
Just before leaving, Alice remembered Apollo's familia. She didn't think they'd target Hestia or Bell—at least, not within the next couple of days—but it was better to be safe.
If they did make a move, her cottage would at least offer some protection.
But the puppets alone wouldn't be enough.
So Alice walked a full circle around her cottage and laid down a defensive magic array.
She tossed Lili a magic crystal and instructed her:
"Lili, if anyone attacks, pour magic directly into this crystal. If your magic isn't enough, place other magic crystals nearby—they'll supply additional energy."
"Alright, that's all I needed to say. Someone's waiting for me at the Dungeon, so I'm off."
With everything arranged, Alice hurried away.
Her actions were swift—from returning to leaving, less than ten minutes had passed.
Lili could only stare in a daze.
Still, she understood the meaning behind Alice's instructions.
'Has Lady Alice run into danger…?'
--+--
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