Before the Meal

Monica wasn't angry when Edward exposed her real age. She generously introduced the members of her adventuring party to everyone.

"This is Vincent, the Steam Crossbowman." She pointed to the two men behind the giant. "The dark-haired one is John, a Swordsman Apprentice. The yellow-haired one is Jimmy, an Apprentice Hunter."

The three hurriedly bowed to everyone. As mercenaries or adventurers at the bottom of society, few of them ever became proper professionals who could join the ranks of the nobility. Apprentice Level was the ceiling for people like them. Naturally, they couldn't help feeling nervous in front of Big Shots.

Edward chuckled to himself. His "little sister" had just roped in three more "weaklings" to use as her shield. Just like he used to be, the men of the Brotherhood had been completely taken in by this woman and had never held it against her. Maybe he was the odd one out?

Monica turned to the three men and asked, "How much did it cost to repair the Steam Crossbow?"

"We haven't paid yet. The owner wants two Golden Eagle Coins. If we want it modified, that'll be one more," the giant Vincent answered honestly.

"Why are you calling him 'owner'? He's my brother. Call him Big Brother!" Monica scolded him.

"Big Brother!" the three greeted Edward in unison.

"Don't... Let's each call each other whatever we like. Don't make me sound old." Edward's face darkened. The young Mage and the Baby-faced Pastor beside him covered their mouths, giggling. Even Princess Andrea, who had been wearing a stern expression, couldn't hold back a laugh.

"In that case, leave the Steam Crossbow here and go find somewhere to enjoy yourselves. The fast ship to the Rainforest Country is full, and the next one doesn't leave for three days. Come back three days from now, in the morning," Monica ordered.

Edward was about to politely invite the three to stay for a meal when Monica somehow produced three gold coins and tossed one to each of them. "You saved the money you would've spent repairing the Steam Crossbow. These three gold coins are a reward from Big Brother. Hurry up and thank him!"

"Thank you, Big Brother!" Each of the three caught a coin and happily went on their way. The coins were enough to let them live it up for three days in the backstreets of Flower Street. That was the life of a mercenary: drink while there was drink to be had tonight, then wake up tomorrow and risk their lives to earn more.

"You're awfully generous. Don't come back in three days with three men who can barely stand," Edward teased.

"The fast ship to the Rainforest Country takes half a month. That's plenty of time for them to get 'back on their feet,'" Monica said with a seductive smile. Then she noticed everyone around her looking at her strangely. Realizing she'd misspoken, she awkwardly stuck out her tongue, suddenly seeming quite adorable.

Seeing that everything was settled, Edward lowered the shop's rolling shutter and invited everyone to eat in the backyard. He also posted a note on the shop that read, "The owner is celebrating a happy occasion today. The shop will be closed for half a day." It was a clear display of the owner's caprice.

As soon as Monica entered the backyard and saw the lavishly decorated home and enormous swimming pool, she whistled in admiration. "Edward, you still love enjoying life. Back in Ailande..."

She suddenly realized she'd said too much and stopped. The Knight Princess, who had been listening with perked ears, was sorely disappointed. Alice didn't let it go and pressed her. "Sister Monica, what about the boss back in Ailande?"

Monica thought for a moment and decided there was no reason to keep it secret. She continued, "My brother Edward used to live in the student dormitory at Magic Academy in Ailande. Even though he had a single room, it was very cramped. He dug out lots of rooms underground, like a mole. There was a bathroom, a dining room, and even a swimming pool. He made all the furniture himself, too. He really knew how to enjoy life!"

"That's enough, Monica. Don't air my dirty laundry," Edward interrupted. "Put your luggage in your room. It's the room at the north end of the second floor. It has its own toilet and bathroom. The toiletries, sheets, and bedding are all new and sealed in the cabinet. Just take them out and use them. You can wash up first. It'll take a little while to get the food ready."

"Where's your room?" Monica asked.

"Across from yours."

"So far away? Give me a room closer to yours." The beauty pouted and started to wheedle him.

Edward wasn't falling for it. He urged her on. "That's the best room. It gets sunlight. Hurry up and go. Don't be so fussy."

Princess Andrea seemed to understand only then. "Why is Miss Monica staying here?"

Monica turned back with a smile. "Your Highness, I'm passing through White Eagle City, so of course I'm staying with my 'brother.' You can imagine how inconvenient it'd be for a girl like me to stay somewhere else."

Princess Andrea said, "Oh," but didn't comment. Then she turned to the Alchemist. "Edward, it's too hot in your house. Could you give me a guest room so I can take off my armor? It's very inconvenient to wear this."

In fact, she had already taken off her White Fox Fur Cape when she entered the shop. Lulu, her maid, had been carrying it behind her ever since.

"Of course. It's my honor that you've come to my home dressed so 'formally.' I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Please let me make the arrangements first, then I'll show you upstairs."

Edward asked Harry and his girlfriend to show Reinhardt and Pastor Elvin into the sitting room and help them get ready for the meal. Then he led the women upstairs, including Alice, who could never sit still. Last time, she'd wandered around the second floor, peeking into the rooms, but all the doors had been locked, and she hadn't dared go inside. This time, the curious young Mage was ready to explore.

Edward took the stairs on the south side of the yard. The second floor had a gallery-style layout, with a room on each side: east, west, north, and south. He opened the southern guest room and ushered Monica inside. "Everything in here is just like before. You should know how to use it all. Hurry up and wash up." Then, ignoring Monica's indignant scowl, he led the Princess and the others onward, explaining as they went.

"I divided the second floor into four suites. The north and south rooms are larger. The south room is my bedroom, and the north room is the biggest guest room. The east and west guest rooms are smaller, so I'm afraid you'll have to make do, Your Highness. After all, you only need somewhere to change."

The Princess didn't say anything, but Alice raised a question. "Boss, why don't you live in the sunny room to the north? The one to the south is right beside the cliff. It doesn't get sunlight all year."

Edward couldn't exactly say that he'd hollowed out part of the cliff behind the house to make a laboratory and a storeroom, and that his bedroom was there because it was safer. So he casually gave another reason. "I suppose I'm sentimental. My childhood bedroom was there. There's a light that mimics sunlight, so it's quite bright whenever the weather's good."

As he spoke, he reached the eastern guest room, opened the door, and invited the women inside. The first thing they saw was a large bed with snow-white sheets. Beside it stood a nightstand, a Dressing Table, and a writing desk, while a built-in wardrobe blended into the wall. All the furniture had a natural log finish, and the floorboards were Solid Wood in the same color. Edward switched on the sunlight-mimicking light, and the room immediately brightened. The whole place felt simple and airy.

"This room faces the city wall, so the curtains have always been drawn. The door's been kept shut, too, so the air doesn't circulate well. It's a little stuffy." Edward casually cast a Cleaning Spell. The already-clean room immediately felt fresh.

"I'll show you the washroom. There are a few little contraptions I made in there that you might not know how to use." Edward led Princess Andrea and her maid Lulu into the washroom, paying no attention to Alice, who had thrown herself onto the white bed and was having fun bouncing on it.

Although this was a relatively small guest room, the washroom was very spacious. Blue-and-white mosaic tiles covered the walls, creating a peaceful, comfortable atmosphere. Directly opposite the entrance were a sink and a vanity mirror.

Edward demonstrated the shiny silver Water Valve on the sink. "I made this. Lift it to turn on the water. Hot water is on the left, cold water on the right."

Then he pointed to the toilet behind him. "This is a flush toilet. Just press this button after you use it, and it'll flush. Very convenient."

Princess Andrea and Lulu looked at the strange toilet with a mixture of embarrassment and curiosity. Alice heard the sound of running water and hurried over. "What's going on? Why's there water running? Andrea, you have no idea—the bed is so comfortable! It's softer than my Spring Bed."

Then she curiously pointed to the pool on the south side. "Boss, what's that for?"

"Oh, that's a bathtub. You can soak in it. Just turn on the Water Valve and fill it up. Making one out of wood would've been too much trouble, so I built one directly into the room," Edward explained. To people from his previous life, such things were perfectly ordinary, but in this life they were all novelties.

"No wonder your sister said you knew how to enjoy life. You really know how to live! Your place is more convenient than the Duke's Mansion. At the Duke's Mansion, they still have to make the maids carry water. I usually just use the Water Creation Technique and Fireball Technique to heat water," the young Mage said, showing off how convenient her magic was.

"I'll leave you ladies to it, then. I'll go prepare lunch." Edward didn't linger and quickly took his leave.

After Edward was gone, Alice moved closer to the Princess, who was taking off her armor with Lulu's help. "Andrea, have you figured it out? Monica definitely isn't the boss's sister!"

"If she's not his sister, what is she?" asked the Princess, who had just removed her breastplate.

"I don't know, but that woman definitely has a secret with Edward! And there's more to her than meets the eye."

"I don't know what profession Monica has, but I think she's an Intermediate Professional like me. She definitely isn't a Caster, either."

"You think that woman's a Great Knight? No wonder I couldn't sense how strong she was!"

"She's definitely not a knight. A thief or assassin is more likely," the Knight Princess said casually.

"So the boss isn't simple, either," Alice said.

"When has our new Guild President ever been simple? Don't go prying into other people's secrets," Princess Andrea said with a sigh.

"You're really okay with Monica staying here?"

"What's there to worry about? Edward's a good person. He's not going to eat her," the Princess teased.

"Hmph. Aren't you worried that woman will 'eat him'?" The young Mage was wise beyond her years.

"Don't talk nonsense, little girl! Your aunt will spank you if she finds out!" The Princess had taken off her armor and set it on a cabinet. She stood, put on a stern face, and went into the washroom to wash up.

By the time Monica left her room, she had washed off her heavy makeup, revealing her naturally youthful, lovely face. She tied her slightly curly hair into a ponytail and added a large red bow. She'd also changed into a cool White Gauze Dress. After all, it was as warm here as in summer.

As she went out, she ran into Princess Andrea, who had taken off her armor and was wearing only a Blue Dress. The Princess looked elegant and noble. Monica gave a quiet snort to herself. Edward was such a lecher—he'd surely designed that dress himself.

The two exchanged polite smiles and went downstairs, one after the other. Waiting for them was the Round Table, already laden with an abundance of ingredients.