The carriage moved slowly along the official road, the rhythmic sound of its wheels rolling over the gravel entering the carriage.
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his armchair, his golden eyes gazing at the rapidly receding scenery outside the window.
Reisen Udankein Inaba sat opposite him, her hands neatly placed on her knees, her back ramrod straight.
When Higashino Makoto recalled the information he had obtained, it seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
"Owner."
Reisen's voice broke the silence in the carriage, soft and respectful, with a hint of the timidity typical of rabbits.
"Um."
"You... didn't sleep well last night?"
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Good."
You have dark circles under your eyes.
"That's because we stayed up too late last night."
That's a lie. With the stamina of a level 100 player, I wouldn't feel tired at all after a whole night.
Reisen's face flushed red.
Water welled up in its crimson eyes, and its rabbit ears stood up straight on its head, the extra-long ears rubbing gently against the roof of the carriage, making a soft rustling sound.
"Master, you... you shouldn't say that..."
"Why?"
"Because--because--it will cause misunderstandings--"
What's the misunderstanding?
Reisen's face turned even redder.
She lowered her head, her long, pale purple hair falling down and obscuring her face.
Those crimson eyes peeked out from between the strands of hair, carrying a hint of grievance.
"Master, you're bullying me."
"Um."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
I'm just bullying you.
Reisen's lips trembled slightly; she seemed to want to say something, but nothing came out.
She just sat there, her rabbit ears trembling slightly, like a bullied rabbit that dared not fight back.
Higashino Makoto looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Reisen.
"Exist."
"Are your ears real?"
Higashino Makoto knew this was true, of course, but he needed a reason to flirt with his secretary.
Reisen paused for a moment.
"Really--"
"May I touch it?"
Reisen's face turned red again.
"Master, you, you--"
"No?"
"It's not that it can't be done--it's--it's--"
What is it?
Reisen took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"Can."
Higashino Makoto reached out and gently touched the rabbit ears on her head with his fingertips.
Those exceptionally long ears trembled slightly beneath his fingers, their wrinkles rising and falling gently with his breath.
The button-shaped ornaments at the base gleamed with a dull sheen in the sunlight.
"Soft."
Higashino Makoto withdrew his hand.
"Softer than I expected."
Reisen's ears were still standing straight up, and her crimson eyes were filled with tears.
"Master--Have you finished touching me?"
"I'm done touching."
"Then... then could you... please stop touching me?"
"Why?"
"Because--because it's too sensitive--"
Higashino Makoto looked at her.
"So?"
Reisen took a deep breath, then another, and then-
"Master, you are really bad."
"I know."
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
"Wake me up when we arrive."
"Yes, sir."
Reisen looked at him, her crimson eyes flashing with a complex light.
She lowered her head, looking at her hands, her fingers gently rubbing against her knees.
"Owner..."
She spoke softly, so softly it was almost inaudible.
Are you asleep?
"No."
"Then... could you... really take a nap?"
"Why?"
Because you look very tired.
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Are you worried about me?"
Reisen's face turned red again.
"I--I just--"
"Just what?"
I just didn't want you to be too tired.
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
"Okay, I'll take a nap."
He closed his eyes.
Reisen looked at him, a gentle light flashing in her crimson eyes.
Goodnight, Master.
"Um."
The carriage fell silent.
The carriage entered the border of the Vollachian Empire in the afternoon.
Higashino Makoto lifted the curtain and glanced outside.
The city was more prosperous than I had imagined; the streets were wide, the buildings were neat, and the pedestrians looked relaxed.
The air was filled with the aroma of bread and spices, mingled with the clamor of voices from the distant market.
"Good."
He drew the curtains.
"Better than the Re-Estize Kingdom's Royal Capital."
Reisen sat opposite him, holding a notebook in her hands, her crimson eyes fixed on him.
"Master, where do we go next?"
"Let's wander around first, gather some information, and then have dinner."
"Yes, sir."
The carriage stopped in front of a tavern.
Higashino Makoto jumped off the carriage, stretched, and his bones cracked and popped.
Reisen followed behind him, her long, pale purple hair gleaming softly in the sunlight, her rabbit ears standing straight up, and her crimson eyes curiously looking around.
"Master, it's so lively here!"
"Um."
Higashino Makoto took Reisen for a walk all afternoon, only stopping when night fell.
Higashino Makoto strode into the bar, Reisen lifted her skirt and followed him.
The tavern wasn't big, but it was very clean.
A dozen or so tables were scattered throughout the hall, with a few guests sitting here and there.
Merchants, adventurers, travelers.
The air was filled with the aroma of beer and roasted meat, and the cacophony of voices echoed beneath the low ceiling.
Higashino Makoto sat down at a table in the corner, and Reisen sat down opposite him.
What would you like to eat?
"The master has made the decision."
Higashino Makoto beckoned to the proprietress and ordered two set meals, a cup of black tea, and a cup of water.
Reisen sat opposite him, her hands on her knees, her back ramrod straight.
His crimson eyes swept over the surrounding guests, a strange glint occasionally flashing in his pupils.
That was her instinctive reaction; even without her conscious effort, her eyes were automatically analyzing the mental state of everyone around her.
Reisen.
"Exist."
"Relax, there's no danger here."
"Yes."
Reisen took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders slightly.
The rabbit ears on its head, which had been standing upright, now drooped slightly, and the pair of extra-long ears rested on its shoulders, making it look like two lazy rabbits.
Higashino Makoto picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Black tea is slightly astringent, but has a sweet aftertaste.
"Owner."
"Um."
Do you think this world is safe?
Higashino Makoto put down his teacup and looked at her.
"I don't know. But at least for now, I don't sense any danger."
Reisen nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
The food has been served.
Toast, soup, grilled steak, and vegetable salad.
Higashino Makoto picked up his knife and fork, cut off a piece of steak, and put it in his mouth.
The meat is tender, cooked to perfection, and seasoned simply yet richly.
"Good."
"If Master thinks it's good, then that's good."
Reisen also picked up her knife and fork and ate in small bites. Her movements were elegant and restrained, as if she were carrying out a task.
Higashino Makoto watched her eat, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Reisen.
"Exist."
The way you eat is a lot like a rabbit.
Reisen paused for a moment.
"Master, I am a rabbit."
"I know."
Reisen looked at him, her crimson eyes flashing with a complex light.
"Master, are you praising me?"
What do you think?
I feel like you're bullying me.
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"Maybe."
Reisen lowered her head and continued eating. But a faint smile lingered on the corners of her mouth.
Then the world changed.