80. Request for Cooperation

Miraedia’s party arrived safely in the town of Sotohaim. Their stay would be at the guesthouse adjacent to the Amandale Border Lord’s manor.

The next day, the relevant parties were summoned.

Everyone gathered in the grand hall of the guesthouse.

On the Sophia side: Sophia, Shestia, Albert, Aria, Sherina and Altia, and Shiro and Mitoka.

On the lord’s side: James and his eldest son Steven, and the butler Freddiek.

On Miraedia’s side: Miraedia herself, and her three personal guards, Nadia, Alexei, and Alan.

“Lady Sophia, it’s been a long time.”

Miraedia greeted Sophia with a broad smile.

“Ah, Mira, you’ve grown up. And look at you—so refined, so beautiful. You’re sixteen already?” Sophia asked.

“Yes,” Miraedia replied with a grin.

“Mira-chan, it’s been a while,” Sherina said.

“Sherina-san!” Miraedia exclaimed in surprise.

“The seal’s been broken, isn’t it?” she cried.

“Yes, thanks to Shiro. I was shocked—five years passed in an instant. You’ve grown so much, I hardly recognized you,” Sherina said.

Elsewhere, Altia and Nadia, Alexei, and Alan were celebrating their reunion. They had been knight companions in the past.

“Shall we begin?” James called out to everyone.

Miraedia withdrew a letter.

“Lady Sophia, I’ve been entrusted with a letter from the Emperor,” she said, handing it to Sophia.

Sophia read the letter. Then she relayed its contents to the others.

"A formal request from Their Majesty the King. Anomalous Miasma outbreaks in the capital, increased aggression in the monsters, and the risk of a stampede triggered by these events. The Goddess herself is said to have issued a divine prophecy regarding the stampede. To prepare for it, she’s requested our cooperation—me, Sophia, and the Apostle, Shiro. Unusually, it’s a joint appeal signed by the royal family, the temple, the Adventurer Guild, and the Mage Guild," Sophia explained.

"Ah, I see... No issues between me and Mitoka. We were already planning to head to the capital for investigation, after all. It is the country's capital, isn't it? Curious, I suppose. Besides, Shestia says there's a proper castle there," Shiro said lightly.

"Haha. You're light on your feet, Shiro. City-hopping your real passion? Well, it's been ages since I've been to the capital—fine by me," Sophia replied.

Thank you, Lady Sophia, Lord Shiro.

And, Miradia chuckled softly, politely, at Shiro’s awkward wording, her face bright with a smile as she thanked the two of them.

Afterward, following the discussion, it was decided that Sophia’s family and everyone from Aria’s party would go together.

Sophia hadn’t been to the capital in ages—she wanted to make the rounds. And Shelia and Altia were finally unsealed, so this was both a notification of their release and a reunion with an old friend they hadn’t seen in five years, as far as anyone else was concerned.

Aria's party decided, naturally, that if Shiro and Mitoka were going, it would be a party — and they'd all go together.

Departure is in three days.

◇

That night, a welcome party was held in the castle.

Of course, Shiro ended up joining as well.

Was thinking I don’t even own a dress for something like that, but I was told my usual combat gear would do, so I’ll just purify it and wear it.

And as I was getting ready, Mitoka and Shestia arrived at Shiro's room.

Fufufu. Shiro, how do you like my dress?

Mitoka smiled brightly, her dress swaying as she looked at Shiro.

“Wait! Is that…?” Shiro recalled. The one and only dress he’d designed for a character in a self-made game. Something he’d tested out in a certain fashion design software—something he’d proudly thought turned out pretty well.

A deep red, gothic-style evening gown—perfectly suited to Mitoka.

Seeing her in person—the ideal girl I’d imagined, standing right before me, looking into my eyes and smiling—my heart skipped a beat.

"……a-ah, Mitoka, you look good in that," Shiro said, swallowing hard.

"What about mine?" Shestia asked too.

Shestia wasn’t without a certain youthful air, but there was a distinct allure to her—something that comes with a girl becoming a woman. Perhaps because she had elven blood, or simply because she was beautiful, her cuteness and elegance were perfectly blended. Her dress was a soft, subdued blue evening gown.

"Yeah, Shestia's cute too," Shiro replied.

They approached Shiro, grinning from ear to ear.

Shiro, let's go.

And Shestia grabbed Shiro’s arm, pulling him along.

Unexpectedly, Mitoka came along later.

Shiro had been sure Mitoka would playfully take the other arm, so he stared at her in surprise at her unexpected move, and Mitoka, noticing his reaction,

"Shiro, you want both arms?" she whispered telepathically.

No, no—this is a bit of a mess. Sorry, Mitoka, I’ve put you through trouble.

Mitoka, with a sly smile, said, "No, just one loan."

(… ) Shiro couldn’t help but want to retort, *Where on earth did you pick up that phrasing?*, but he held it in.

And so, Shiro and the others stepped out of the room.

The banquet hall was a standing party—guests mingled, sipping wine and enjoying their meals at leisure.

The dishes were lavish, their quality leaving Shiro astonished. He savored every bite. At first, he’d been all set to use his cooking cheat code, but once he actually lived here, there’d been no time for that. So it was a relief to find decent food at a decent civilization level.

"Lord Shiro," someone called. Shiro turned—and froze.

Miradia stood there.

A pale yellow dress draped her form. Naturally, as royalty, the quality of the fabric and her poise were impeccable.

"Aha, well, well, Miradia, are you looking radiant today?" Shiro stammered, flustered.

"Ahaha, no need for such formality, Lord Shiro. Call me Miria," she giggled, smiling at him with a charm that drew the eye.

"Ah, right. Sorry. I’m still not used to these kinds of gatherings," Shiro said.

"Of course, no problem. By the way, I heard you’ve only just arrived here—this town, no, this country, no, this world—still quite new to you. Are you getting the hang of things?"

"Ah, well, I was shocked by a lot at first, but I think it’s a fascinating place. Sotohaim’s a great city, the food’s delicious, and everyone’s nice," Shiro replied with a smile.

“Fufu. The capital’s even more impressive. Just wait and see. I’ll show you some great restaurants too. Well, once everything’s settled and calm, that is,” Miru said with a smile.

"Yeah, I'll be sure to do that," Shiro replied with a smile.

“Shiro. Like Miradia? She’s beautiful, great figure—your type?” Mitoka leaned in, grinning, her breath warm against my ear.

Shiro, slightly drunk, thought he couldn’t afford to lose—

"……Shiro, you're the one who's cuter," Mitoka replied to that.

Mitoka’s face flushed crimson at Shiro’s unexpected reply, and she fell silent, caught off guard.

“Mitoka, why’s your face red?” Sheshtia asked with a smile, her eyes not quite reaching her smile.

"…I-I think I might have had a bit too much to drink," Mitoka said.

"Shestia, you shouldn’t be able to drink alcohol. You can’t even eat," Mitoka chimes in.

Haha. Shestia, cut it out already. You’re cute, Shestia.

And, Shiro says, Shestia flushes too, murmuring, “Ah, that’s the reason.”

On this day, Sophia, Shirena, Altia, Albert, and Aria were naturally present as well. All dressed up, they mingled and chatted with the city's elite gathered here.

Shiro watched them, feeling a quiet sense of wonder—this was the first truly vibrant event he’d witnessed since arriving in this world.

Interacting with all sorts of people, touching lives—each moment makes me feel real, alive in this world. Inside, I’m quietly happy, thinking this kind of life isn’t so bad after all.

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