Before the Meal

Monica wasn't upset at Edward for calling out her real age. She generously introduced her adventure team members to everyone.

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

The three quickly bowed to everyone. As mercenaries or adventurers at the bottom of society, few could ever rise to become formal "noble" professionals; Apprentice Level was their ceiling. Meeting a "Big Shot" naturally made them nervous.

Edward smirked inwardly. His "little sister" had roped in three more "rookies" to use as cannon fodder. Just like he used to be. Those Brotherhood guys she'd fleeced before had been left stripped clean yet still followed her without complaint. He was the odd one out, wasn't he?

Just then, Monica asked the three: "How much did the steam crossbow repair cost?"

"Haven't paid yet. This boss wants two Golden Eagle Coins. If we add modifications, another gold coin." The giant Vincent answered honestly.

"Call him boss? He's my brother! Call him Big Brother!" Monica scolded.

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

"Don't... let's keep our own titles. Don't make me sound old." Edward's face was full of black lines. The young Mage and Baby-faced Pastor beside him covered their mouths, snickering. Even the stern-faced Princess Andrea couldn't hold back a laugh.

"Since that's settled, leave the steam crossbow here. Go find yourselves some fun. The fast ship to Rainforest Country is full; the next one leaves in three days. Come back three days from now in the morning." Monica instructed.

Edward wanted to be polite and invite the three to stay for a meal, but Monica pulled out three gold coins from somewhere and tossed one to each, saying:

"The repair money for the steam crossbow is saved. These three gold coins are a reward from Big Brother. Hurry up and thank Big Brother!"

"Thank you, Big Brother!" The three each took their gold coins and left happily. Three gold coins were enough for them to enjoy themselves on the back streets of Flower Street for three days. Such was a mercenary's life—drink today, worry tomorrow.

"You're that generous? Don't let them come back as three limp shrimps in three days." Edward teased.

"The fast ship to Rainforest Country takes half a month. That's plenty of time for them to get 'hard' again." Monica said with a seductive charm, then noticed the strange looks from everyone around her. Realizing she'd misspoken, she stuck out her tongue awkwardly, suddenly making her seem adorable.

Seeing everything was settled, Edward pulled down the shop's roller shutter and called everyone to the backyard for a meal. A note was pasted outside the shop: "The shop owner has a happy event today. Closed for half a day." It highlighted the owner's capricious nature.

As soon as Monica entered the backyard and saw the luxuriously decorated house and the huge swimming pool, she whistled in admiration:

"Edward, you still love enjoying life. Back in the Magic Academy..."

Suddenly realizing she'd slipped up, she stopped herself. The Knight Princess, who had been eavesdropping, was deeply disappointed. Alice, who didn't care about such things, pressed on:

"Sister Monica, what happened to the boss back at the Magic Academy?"

Monica thought for a moment and decided it wasn't worth keeping secret, so she continued:

"This brother of mine, Edward, back when he was in the student dorms at the Magic Academy—though he had a single room, it was very cramped. He dug out several rooms underground like a ground rat, including a bathroom, dining room, and swimming pool. Even the furniture was made by himself. He really knows how to enjoy life!"

"Enough, Monica, don't expose my secrets," Edward interrupted. "Put your luggage in your room. It's the one directly north on the second floor. It has a full bathroom and washroom. Toiletries, bed sheets, and quilts are all new, sealed in the cabinet. Take them out and use them. You can go wash up first. Dinner will take a while to prepare."

"Then where's your room?" Monica asked.

"Across from yours."

"That far? Switch me to one closer to you." The beauty pouted and started acting spoiled.

Edward wasn't having it and urged her on: "I gave you the best room. It gets sunlight. Go on now, stop being picky."

Just then, Princess Andrea seemed to finally understand and asked:

"Why is Miss Monica staying here?"

Monica turned back with a smile: "Princess, since I'm passing through White Eagle City, of course I'm staying at 'big brother's' place. Look at me, a girl staying outside—how inconvenient."

Princess Andrea let out an "oh" with no further reaction, then said to the Alchemist: "Edward, your house is too hot. Could you give me a guest room so I can take off my armor? Wearing this is really inconvenient."

She had already taken off her White Fox Fur Cape when entering the shop, and her maid Lulu had been holding it behind her.

"Of course. It's my honor that you've come to my home dressed so 'formally.' I've been remiss. Allow me to arrange things first, then I'll lead you upstairs."

After that, Edward had Harry and his girlfriend entertain Reinhardt and Pastor Elvin in the living room to prepare for the meal, while he led the ladies upstairs, including the restless Alice. Last time, she'd wandered around the second floor, peeking here and there, but all the rooms were locked, so she didn't dare go in. This time, the curious young Mage was ready to explore.

Edward went up the stairs on the south side of the yard. The second floor was a corridor-style structure with a room on each side—east, west, south, and north. He opened the south guest room and pushed Monica inside, saying:

"Everything inside is the same as before. You should know how to use it. Go wash up quickly." Ignoring Monica's huffing, he led the princess and her party forward, explaining:

"I divided the second floor into four suites. The north and south ones are larger. The south is my bedroom, and the north is the largest guest room. The east and west guest rooms are smaller. I apologize for the inconvenience, Princess. After all, you only need a place to change clothes."

The princess said nothing, but Alice piped up with a question:

"Boss, why don't you live in the north-facing, sunlit room? The south room faces the cliff and doesn't see sunlight all year."

Edward couldn't say he'd hollowed out part of the cliff behind for a lab and storage, with his bedroom there for security, so he gave another excuse:

"It's a bit nostalgic. My childhood bedroom was there. There's a fill light, so it's bright as long as the weather's good."

With that, he arrived at the east guest room, opened the door, and invited the ladies in. Inside, a large bed with snow-white sheets greeted them. Beside it were a nightstand, dressing table, writing desk, and a wardrobe that blended into the wall—all in round wood style. The floor was matching solid wood. Edward turned on the fill light, and the room brightened instantly. The whole space felt simple and luminous.

"Since this room faces the city wall, the curtains are always drawn. The door's been shut too, so the air's stale." Edward casually cast a Cleaning Spell, and the already clean room became fresh.

"Let me show you the bathroom. There are some little gadgets I made that you might not know how to use." Edward led Princess Andrea and her maid Lulu to the bathroom, ignoring Alice, who was happily lying on the white bed, bouncing up and down.

Though it was a relatively small guest room, the bathroom was spacious, tiled in blue-and-white mosaic that gave a calm, comfortable feel. Opposite the entrance were a sink and a dressing mirror.

Edward personally demonstrated the shiny silver faucet on the sink:

"This is a water valve I made. Lift it for water, left for hot, right for cold."

He pointed to the toilet behind him:

"This is a flush toilet. After use, just press this button to flush. Very convenient."

Princess Andrea and Lulu were a bit shy yet curious, looking at the strange toilet. Hearing the water, Alice ran over and asked:

"What's wrong? Why is there still water running? Andrea, you have no idea, that big bed is so comfortable, even softer than my spring bed."

Then she pointed curiously at the pool on the south side and asked, "Boss, what's that for?"

"Oh, that's a bathtub. You can soak in it—just open the water valve and fill it up. Wood would be too much trouble, so I just built it out of stone," Edward explained. Things that seemed perfectly ordinary to someone from his previous life felt brand new to these people.

"No wonder your sister said you know how to enjoy life! You really do! This place is more convenient than the Duke's Mansion—there, I'd have to have the maids fetch water. I usually just use Water Creation Technique and Fireball Technique to heat my own water," the young mage said, not missing a chance to show off the convenience of her magic.

"Then I won't disturb you all any longer. I'll go prepare lunch," Edward said, not lingering any longer as he quickly withdrew.

After Edward left, Alice leaned in close to the princess, who was being helped out of her armor by Lulu, and asked:

"Andrea, did you notice? That Monica definitely isn't the boss's sister!"

"If she's not his sister, then what is she?" the princess asked back, having just removed her breastplate.

"I don't know, but that woman definitely has some secret with Edward! And she's no ordinary person either."

"I don't know what profession that Monica is, but I sense she's an Intermediate Professional like me, and she's definitely not a Caster."

"You think that woman is a Great Knight? No wonder I couldn't sense her strength!"

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

"It seems this boss is no simple character either," Alice remarked.

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

"Are you really okay with that Monica living here?"

"What's there not to be okay with? Edward is a good man. It's not like he's going to eat the girl," the princess teased.

"Hmph, aren't you afraid that woman will 'eat' him?" the young mage said, wise beyond her years.

"Don't talk nonsense, child! Careful, if Auntie finds out, she'll spank your bottom!" The princess had already taken off her armor and placed it on the cabinet beside her. She stood up, put on a stern face, and walked into the bathroom to wash up.

When Monica walked out of her room, she had already washed off her heavy makeup, revealing a fresh, youthful face. Her slightly wavy long hair was tied into a ponytail, with a big red silk ribbon tied into a large bow, and she had changed into a cool white gauze dress. After all, it was as warm as summer here.

As she left, she ran into Princess Andrea, who had taken off her battle armor and was now wearing only a blue dress. The outfit made her look elegant and noble. Monica couldn't help but sneer inwardly. That lecher Edward—this dress was definitely his design.

The two exchanged polite smiles and then went downstairs one after the other. Waiting for them was a round table already laden with a rich spread of ingredients.