Chapter 011: A Diligent Yet Helpless Morning
"Archbishop Regulus will come again tomorrow, right?" Pandora explained with a smile as she observed their puzzled expressions.
Hearing this, Fortuna widened her eyes.
"So, you already knew I would come to you and ask for this favor?"
To be honest, when she thought about that white-haired man returning, she felt somewhat relieved that Pandora hadn't left.
If she had gone, their settlement would likely have been instantly flattened...
"Yes, that's right." Pandora quite enjoyed Fortuna's sudden realization. "But this is only because I'm a superior who cares about her subordinates, not because I want to gain your trust."
After all, when she had read about Fortuna and Geuse's story in the novel, she had felt deeply saddened too—and since she could change it now, she naturally would.
"What kind of excuse is that..." To think she claimed she never intended to gain her trust from the beginning...
"Besides, isn't that Regulus your subordinate..." As she spoke, Fortuna automatically trailed off.
When comparing Regulus with Geuse, the difference became immediately apparent.
What kind of subordinate would call their superior a "stinking woman" and "kill" their superior...
"Alright, don't overthink it. Since the purpose of your visit was already achieved before you even came, please go keep Geuse company now." At this point, Pandora shook her head and said, "Miss Fortuna, you're not planning to leave him alone in an empty room, are you?"
"Sigh..." Hearing this, Fortuna instead sighed. "Are you really a Witch?"
"Yes, the Witch of Vainglory." Pandora nodded with unusual seriousness.
"Fine, fine, Witch-sama..." As if teasing, Fortuna stood up and saw Emilia's pleading expression. "I'll entrust Lia to you tonight..."
She also said with a sigh.
"Mm."
Just looking after a little sister? What could possibly go wrong?
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Several hours later
"Alright, the Lesser Spirits need to rest too..."
"But just a little longer, please?"
Watching Emilia playing incessantly with the Lesser Spirits before her, Pandora retracted her earlier thought.
She really wasn't cut out for handling children after all...
"Then I'll go to sleep first." Pandora knew Emilia had just woken up from an afternoon nap that lasted until dinner time, so she didn't say anything more.
"Mm, good night, Sister Pandora." Emilia nodded at this and began conversing with the Lesser Spirits again.
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Strange, why did she keep feeling like something was clinging to her?
"Uh..." Using the faint morning light from outside, Pandora could see the current situation clearly.
An octopus...
She was being clung to by an octopus...
"Mr. Lesser Spirit... smells so good..."
Emilia, who was hugging Pandora, occasionally murmured in her sleep.
"When did I become a Lesser Spirit..." This made her both amused and exasperated.
However, she realized that although she was being hugged by a young girl, she didn't feel any particular emotions in her heart—only peace and comfort.
Is it because Emilia is still a child at this time?
She couldn't help but think this, but...
As someone who proudly waved the banner of "lolis are supreme," she actually... What a failure!
"Mmm..." Seemingly awakened by Pandora's voice, Emilia groggily opened her eyes. "Good morning, Sister Pandora..."
As she spoke, she suddenly felt something was off.
"Sorry... sorry..."
After removing her "claws," Emilia quickly apologized.
"It's fine." Pandora simply shook her head in response. "Go back to sleep for a while."
"Okay, but what about you, Sister?"
"I want to go out for a walk."
"I want to go too! I want to go too!"
In an instant, Emilia, who had been somewhat sleepy, sprang up.
"I'm sorry, but you can't go out until I allow Emilia to."
"Wh-why?"
"Because that very fierce big brother from yesterday might appear at any time today."
"Uh... okay, I understand..."
Just thinking about that white-haired "violent maniac" from yesterday made Emilia shudder uncontrollably.
Creak!
Opening the door and looking at the little birds singing on the green trees outside, Pandora showed a satisfied smile.
This place... is simply heaven!
No worries about whether there's enough to eat, no confusion about what will be on tomorrow's exams.
Oh no, I'm getting lazy... What should I do...
"Hey..." Before closing the door, Pandora looked at Emilia sitting on the bed. "How about having your Lesser Spirit keep you company until I return?"
As she spoke, colorful specks of light swirled around her fingertips.
"Yes, yes!" Watching those sparkling lights, Emilia nodded vigorously. "Thank you, Sister!"
Creak!
After stepping out of the room and closing the door, Pandora noticed—many people were already up.
Are they all hanging laundry?
"Ha~ Good morning, Lady Pandora..." Just as she was observing and thinking, a voice came from nearby.
"Good morning, Roshi." Pandora waved in response.
"What's wrong?" Noticing Roshi staring at her, Pandora felt somewhat puzzled.
"Uh..." Only when Pandora spoke did Roshi snap back to reality, somewhat embarrassed as she fidgeted with the hem of her clothes. "It's nothing..."
How could she tell Pandora she'd been staring because she was captivated? That would be too embarrassing!
"What is Lady Pandora looking at?" Feeling Pandora's gaze, Roshi quickly changed the subject.
"Is it like this every morning?" Not understanding what was going on with Roshi, Pandora didn't press further and instead pointed to the scene not far away.
"No, it's only like this when Lord Geuse and the others deliver supplies." Roshi nodded. "Other times, we wake up a bit later."
"I see..."
So, because Geuse brought books and clothes yesterday, the spirits are washing and hanging them now...
"It should have been done yesterday..." Roshi spoke up again. "But yesterday was Lady Fortuna and Lord Geuse's..."
"Hmm..."
So it was postponed because of the "wedding celebration"...