NOVEL NEXT Chapter 101
Chapter 101 – Doll Maker Luca 10
Floating gently, I arrived at Luca’s house. I wonder if she’ll be surprised?
I cancelled the Wind spell and rang the bell at the entrance.
I didn’t expect anyone to answer, but it seemed like Luca was waiting today, as the door opened and she came out.
“Aix! You’re late.”
Though angry, Luca looked happy and smiled while freezing in place. Oh, what a good reaction.
Probably the best one so far.
“Aix, what’s that?”
“How is it? It’s amazing. I’ll make one for you too later, Luca.”
Luca’s face turned pale, and she exclaimed, “No, it’s Stage 3!”
“Huh?”
That’s what she’s concerned about.
When her eyes met Hollow, it tilted its head slightly.
“Why are you so relaxed? Did anyone see you on your way here? Awakened magic users could be dangerous, so it wouldn’t be unexpected if you got eliminated.”
“Well, I think it’s okay. After all, I have the princess’s seal of approval.”
When I answered like that, for some reason, Luca’s worry disappeared, and she became expressionless. It was like the calm before the storm, and her beautiful eyebrows twitched.
Is she angry? Where did I step on a landmine?
“Aix, can you tell me more about that story?”
“Well…”
“You’re so helpless, Partner.”
“Sigh, you like to play the hero, don’t you?”
(TLN: Hero tend to have harem)
“Yeah!”
Leaving me, who was being taken away under suspicion of harem-related charges, I watched as the innocent Hollow cheerfully chased after the rabbit corps and went on an exploration of Luca’s house.
Traitor. This might be your fault, you know?
With cups of tea poured, the tense atmosphere turned into a tea party (interrogation). I was the suspect, and Luca was the judge. The charges were unclear.
I wonder which way the deliberation will go.
The rabbit-chan who brought the tea hugged me gently, giving me warmth and courage. Apparently, she’s going to be my lawyer.
“Thank you.”
“It’s okay, don’t worry about it.”
Currently, only the Mother Rabbit is speaking, but I wonder if the rabbit squad in the audience, who are poking their needles disinterestedly, will also become lively when they awaken.
I shuddered as I looked into Luca’s clear eyes.
“No wonder you were in such a hurry to go home before.”
“Ugh.”
Did the slime pillow get exposed? Luca doesn’t have one, after all.
“Hey, Aix. Are you thinking of something pervert?”
“No.”
Scary.
Huh? What? Rabbit girl, are you giving me cookies? I appreciate the gesture, but this isn’t the right time for that kind of air.
Come on, I’m being questioned by the annoyed Luca.
“So, who’s the princess?”
“The third princess, Rula.”
The rabbit-chan keeps eating cookies and fiercely appealing for me to eat them, but I ignore it. Troublesome. It’s a difficult case, while the intense atmosphere lingers, the skilled lawyer and I just can’t seem to cooperate.
“Oh, really?”
“The princess is a dreamy child who calls me the Great Magician-sama, so there’s no need for Luca to worry about such things.”
The lawyer’s hand reaches out and forcefully stuffs a cookie into my mouth!
Sweet. This is an elegant sweetness! The elegant sweetness overwrites the tense atmosphere.
Hmm!?
Could it be… a new flavor?
Rabbit-chan nodded to me. Well done. It’s like dried fruit popping in my mouth, delicious!
“Then ….”
“Munch munch. I didn’t believe it at first, but it seems, Luca, that when you call me the Great Magician, it seems to be true…”
I drink tea because I’m thirsty, and after the crushed cookie disappears in my mouth, I’m enveloped in the lingering aroma of tea. A feeling of happiness spreads.
“Tell me seriously. What kind of deal did you make with the royal family?”
“Deal? Oh yeah… maybe I didn’t make one after all.”
Luca looks at me with an anxious expression. It hurts to know that they worry about me.
“Did you get anything?”
“Oh right! They sold me a house at a low price. It’s even bigger than the guild, and recently I played hide-and-seek with the street kids I protected in the slums, and I couldn’t find them. Nitra was stuck on the ceiling…”
As I excitedly share my original plan, my words dissolve in the air like bubbles.
I didn’t want to see that face.
Luca looks lonely and looks away.
“I see…”
I thought Luca would be happy with me. Why?
Maybe Luca doesn’t have any friends other than me… Did she feel excluded because of that? Sorry, I didn’t notice.
“Would Luca like to come too? Let’s play hide-and-seek inside the house together.”
I nervously invite her, but it seems to be the right answer, as their despaired demeanor turns into a smile.
“I’m going!”
Not guilty!
(Panting) “Geez, you should have said that earlier!””
“Sorry about that…”
The court is now closed.
I’m relieved.
Luca starts humming a tune and seems to be in a great mood.
Hehe. Going to a friend’s house for the first time is always exciting, isn’t it?
“Master, everything turned out well.”
“Hehehe, the plans have changed a bit, but I’m looking forward to it, Crazy Bear.”
Luca, unable to resist her excitement, starts busily preparing without even touching the cookies. She packs clothes in a suitcase, and I wonder what that tool is for? She even packs a piano. Hmm. Isn’t it a bit too enthusiastic?
I understand the excitement, but I don’t think so much preparation is necessary for just a day of play.
“What? Luca, you don’t have to go that far.”
“Do you think so?”
“What are you saying, partner? Master wants to take everything with her.”
Huh? Everything?
As I tilt my head, the rabbit whispers in my ear.
“Well… Since you seem clueless, let me tell you. Luca is planning to move to your house, Aix-san.”
Huh?
Is that so?
Living under the same roof as a girl of that age makes me a bit nervous.
But that’s not acceptable. I’m not a flippant guy, and I need to put my foot down here.
“Luca…”
“What is it, darling? Oh, this is still a bit embarrassing.”
“Master, it’s suffocating.”
Luca, in a state of euphoria, flashes a melting smile, then blushes and tightly embraces Crazy Bear before running off.
Uh, yeah.
I’m glad she’s happy.
There are times when you shouldn’t drive a wedge in.
“By the way, Rabbit-chan, aren’t you going to help with the packing?”
“No way.”
What a liberty.
“Oh, okay.”
“I have capable subordinates, you know.”
Well, technically, there are capable subordinates. There are also useless ones who always fool around.
“Yay!”
See, the rabbit underling who was happily chasing my Hollow suddenly bumps into the suitcase they were packing and messes everything up.
Staring with a cold gaze, Rabbit-chan becomes immobile and pretends to be a doll.
Hey, isn’t that cheating?
“Aix-san, can you help?”
“Yes, sure.”
I feel a little excited.
Luca and the others are coming to my new home.