Several days have passed since he came to the Labyrinth City of Arcadia and met Ester.

He was starting to get used to life a little.

On that day, Sylvia and Ester had a fierce clash over Christophe, but Christophe's proposal to "cooperate with both clans" led to the formation of something like a united front.

As a result of Sylvia and Ester's discussion, Ester also began visiting this house more often, based on the logic that Christophe-sama should live at Sylvia's house, and therefore it's only fair that she lives there too, a reasoning that Christophe didn't quite understand.

So far, life surprisingly has been peaceful. In the meantime, Christophe was tending to the medicinal herbs in the garden Sylvia had prepared for him.

The work he was doing in Greenbear Village was the same, and it calmed his mind. In his life in the city, the time he spent touching the soil had become an important moment of healing for Christophe.

And above all, he thought it might be helpful to Sylvia and the others, and when he thought that, strength naturally flowed into him.

"Christophe-sama, it's almost time for breakfast."

As he was bent over in the field pulling weeds, Ester came over.

Since it was still early in the morning, he wasn't wearing casual clothes, let alone any equipment.

"It's about that time, isn't it? ...Well then, shall we go?"

Christophe slowly stretched his back. Perhaps because he had been squatting for a long time, it felt like his lower back was creaking and groaning.

Honestly speaking, his body is starting to show its age in various places upon having passed forty.

Patting his lower back with one hand, he let out a sigh. Thinking he can't push himself like he used to when he was younger,

"...Oh?"

Ester tilted her head slightly as if she had noticed something as her gaze had drifted towards the entrance of the house.

That was exactly the moment.

The doorbell at the entrance rang loudly and persistently, as if it were about to break down the door.

That sound clearly conveys an unusual sense of urgency and an undeniable air of intimidation.

"...That's rough. Is she always like this?"

"No, no, I'm afraid she doesn't. Is it a visitor for Sylvia-san? Or perhaps something urgent..."

They didn't know what was going on, but it piqued their curiosity, so the two of them quickly went back inside the building as well.

As he entered the hallway, he met up with Sylvia, who was heading towards the entrance. She had a somewhat puzzled expression on her face.

"Oh, Christophe-san and Ester-san! I'm sorry for the sudden noise."

"I'm fine, really… But, is there some kind of emergency?"

"I don't know. But I heard the guild master came."

"...Why is the guild master here?"

"I thought she was on vacation right now... What could it be?"

When Sylvia voiced that question, Ester laughed at her teasingly.

"...Could it be that Sylvia did something rude, and the guild master is angry? If you would like, Christophe-sama, I can take care of you in my clan."

"No problem at all. Shall we go?"

Christophe and the others weren't in the mood to split up there and eat ahead, so they headed for the entrance with Sylvia.

When Sylvia opened the heavy front door of the mansion, a beautiful woman with brown skin was standing there.

However, her demeanor was clearly not normal. Her eyes held an unusual sharpness.

And Christophe recognized that figure.

(...I think that was Fana, right? I seem to remember treating her a long time ago... She was a bit of an unusual child...)

Christophe was vaguely dredging up memories of that time. Sylvia simultaneously tilted her head curiously and opened her mouth.

"Guild Master, what kind of―"

The next moment Sylvia was about to ask what she wanted...

As if there were no obstacles, Fana shoved Sylvia aside with a forceful push, slipped past her, and leaped in front of Christophe.

"Master... Master... I have finally been able to meet you...!"

Fana's voice trembled as if she were overcome with emotion, and she firmly clasped both of Christophe's hands. It even looked as though tears were welling up in her ruby eyes.

"Fana? It's been a while."

"It's been a while, Master! This Fana has come this far for you! Now, let me show you how I will save Master from this accursed place!"

"...Fana. Could you calm down a little?"

When Christophe said that, Fana's eyes widened.

"I'm perfectly calm!"

"No, you are not calm. Look, let's take a deep breath first."

"Hee hee hoo... Alright, I have calmed down, Master. Now, I should rescue Master from this place! Once I have rescued you, Master, please, by all means, reward me..."

"..."

Christophe looked at Ester as if seeking help. Unable to bear it any longer, Ester interjected.

"Please calm down, Fana. What exactly is going on?"

"...That's right. What's going on?"

Sylvia and Ester call out, speaking to the slightly out-of-control Fana.

Fana glanced at the two of them, then glared.

"You there. Why is Master here? What is the relationship between you and Master?"

"That's what I want to know, too. What is this, Master's business? What exactly is going on?"

" Master means Master."

"No one's asking about the meaning of the words... Honestly, why don't we go somewhere quiet and talk?"

When Sylvia said that, even though the situation was tense, Fana also glanced around.

"Master, weren't you kidnapped?"

"I... I'm here because those two invited me."

"...Hmm? ...Alright. I suppose I will hear the details."

"...Honestly. Well then, let's go to the reception room. Follow me."

It was Christophe speaking as Fana was listening calmly, and then they would move the discussion to the reception room.

Chapter 24