There's luck in leftovers.
At the site of the fire—brought here to restore it, with Lissa in tow.
A few buildings stood at the center, completely blackened, their surroundings hollowed out like a donut.
Thanks to Mira following my orders and dismantling the surrounding structures with the slave cards' 'Dismantle' ability, the damage had been kept to a minimum.
"Master."
"Ah. Go ahead."
Lissa nodded, then ran off.
She listened to the residents waiting there, then set up the magic circle in the designated spot.
"Hey?"
As soon as the circle was drawn, materials were immediately fed into it.
Not slaves—residents already present.
Apparently, they'd prepared in advance.
"Master!"
Mira returned just as Lissa left.
"Report the situation."
Yeah! The fire started at that middle house—flames shot out from there and spread to the three surrounding ones. The rest went out on their own once we burned everything that could burn, just like the mistress commanded.
"So that's it. Injured people or something?"
"None of them were there. Looks like they all bolted right away."
"Yeah."
That was good.
Well, the house’s structure’s simple for now, so unless something really bad happens, we can always get out, right?
"So, what caused the fire?"
“Huh? Um… uh…”
Mira’s eyes swam.
She hesitated for a moment, then answered.
I'm sorry, I don't understand that.
"No, it's fine."
I ran a hand over Mira’s head, smoothing the sharpness from her thoughts.
That’s the sort of thing for police or detectives—requires specialist knowledge.
Expecting that from a slave is asking too much.
"But..."
What’s wrong, my lord?
No, thinking about fires... I really do need to consider firefighting too. Can't keep wrecking the whole neighborhood every time, can we?
Really?
Say, if a fire broke out... what would I do if none of the slaves were in town?
Ah...
Mira stiffened. She’d just pictured what I’d described.
"Can't break things down right away, so the flames would spread."
"If that happens... it’d be a disaster!"
Mira scanned the area.
The buildings here were packed tight.
If a fire started and we didn’t immediately tear down the surrounding structures? The whole block would burn to the ground.
"So what do we do?"
"You’re here, aren’t you?"
Huh?
Mira blushed.
"M-me?"
"That’s right."
He stepped right in front of her, gripped her shoulders, leaned in close—stared straight into her eyes.
She turned even redder.
"Mira... I have something I want you to do."
—Leave it to me! I’ll do anything for my master.
"Right. Then go to Nina’s place now."
……eh
Her face went pale in an instant.
I felt a bit sorry for her—just a little—but I’ll make it up to her later, with plenty of affection.
I hardened my heart and said more.
Go to Nina’s place. Tell her about the fire. Develop something useful from it. You can use up to two hundred thousand units of magic.
It’s expensive, sure—but necessary.
Not bad.
……
"Mira?"
Peering into Mira’s face, unresponsive and still.
"Have to go no matter what?"
Ah, no way around it.
Uuu…
Mira, her eyes watering.
A rather rare reaction for an Eternal Slave who’s supposed to obey commands without question—even your master’s exhaustion is a source of pride.
You really hate it that much?
I figured I’d get even later with some affection, but this far in, I’m starting to second-guess myself.
“Master…”
By the time Liasa returned, I was still caught in thought.
“Ah, what is it?”
“I’m done with my work.”
Through Liasa, I saw it—magic circles scattered everywhere, residents hauling materials into them.
“Good job.”
“Is there anything else I should do?”
Liasa asking for more work. Typical of an Eternal Slave.
…Yeah, I suppose.
Mira’s trembling, and I’d rather not send Liasa to Nina’s place.
“Sorry, Liasa, but I need you to go to—”
“No!”
Mira shouted.
“Mira?”
“I’ll go!”
“Wait, you don’t have to—”
“No, I don’t *want* to—”
“—But honestly, I really, really hate it. Like, *incredibly* awful. Unbearable. I can’t even stand it.”
“Is it really that bad?”
I felt it—right in the gut.
"But for my master, I’ll do anything! Fire, water, even hell itself!"
"Is this hell-level?"
I thought, is it really that bad? But if she says she wants to go, there's nothing I can do about it.
Got it, then go ahead, Mira—
"Hey!"
Just as she was about to speak, Lysa cut in this time.
Don’t know where we’re going… but it’s definitely dangerous.
"More than just risky, I'd say."
A dangerous place, this one.
"Then I'll go!"
“Huh?”
I’ll repay the kindness my master has shown me!
Didn’t do anything that could be called a favor, really.
"My lord, let me go."
No, let me go.
Mira and Risha, both of them, come at me saying "me, me," over and over.
I'll do anything for my master!
I’ll go anywhere too!
Neither of them would yield.
I was moved by her determination.
Got it. Mira, you go.
Yes!
Mira nodded happily, then dashed off at once.
She vanished from sight before I could change my order.
……
Meanwhile, Arisa, who hadn’t been given a command, looked downcast.
“Don’t make that face. You’ve got another task. A vital one.”
“Really!? Really!?”
Her expression lit up instantly.
“Yeah, really. I need your help.”
“Yes!”
Arisa nodded with a wide, beaming smile.
No joke—this was truly important work.
“Then, how about we grab something to eat first?”
“Huh?”
Arisa blinked, stunned.
Mira and Nina would be burning through vast amounts of magic developing something for the fire brigade.
To replenish that magic, I’d decided to lavish Arisa with all my affection.
That’s right—after authorizing two million units of magic, I’d made up my mind to spoil Arisa senseless.