Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter

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“Excuse me, Pumpkin-san.”

“Is that you, Lowizc?”

Lowizc entered the room donning an air of ignorance.

After pulling off a variety of ruses, Pumpkin was protected by the First Prince’s army and was able to recover for almost a week in a reasonably secure area of Senkonoto Castle.

Even if it was a masquerade, he was wounded to a certain extent, so it was understandable regarding recuperation. In truth, all he wanted to was simply receive the reward for rescuing the hostages and retreat to Samsara Egg Village, but he also had to deal with postwar rewards, interviews, and other things of that nature.

He figured it was alright because it was preferable to the summoning of the God of Destruction’s main body and there was no penalty for not eliminating the Fourth Prince’s trump card.

“Ah, so only Pumpkin is here?”

“You’re back to your true personality as soon as you find out I am alone.”

“What’s wrong with that? It’s easier this way.”

Lowizc adopted a tone that was more masculine than her girlish appearance after she learned that Pumpkin was the only person in the room.

Pumpkin had met Lowizc by chance about a year ago, but he was still having trouble getting used to how rapidly she shifted her tone.

“How are your wounds?”

“I can conveniently sunbathe because the south wall has collapsed. Just within moments, all of my wounds are healing.”

“Your body is as useful as ever.”

“I guess so.”

Lowizc occupied a seat at a desk in the room and moved her fingers a few times to use her magic.

Hmm, is it sensory concealment or disruption or something like that? It feels slightly different, though.

“So what’s your business? I assume it’s something related to Lean-sama since you went to the trouble of using concealment magic.”

“Well, to put it simply, it’s a request for payment. Here.”

“Hmm?”

Lowizc handed him a piece of paper when she finished speaking.

The content is… hmm, I don’t really understand it, but it looks like a bill of some sort.

“I mean, what’s the point of me looking at it? About this.”

“The client should be able to see it through your eyes, so there’s no problem. And, incidentally, the payment should have been sent using your location.”

“Hmm? I don’t get it but well…”

[The bill has been verified.]

“!?”

“See, I’m sure the message got through.”

Lean’s voice then abruptly resounded across the room.

It would appear that Lean really did understand the situation in some way, just as Lowizc had said.

[Let me send you this as payment. Pumpkin. Put your hand in front of you.]

“Ah, ye… s!?”

“Oh, so this is… it!?”

A ribbon suddenly materialized in Pumpkin’s hand as he extended it and slipped out of his grasp.

The moment Pumpkin and Lowizc observed the ribbon… they both uncontrollably stopped moving when they realized how much magic power it contained.

The ribbon may not be as strong as the staff given to Pumpkin at the time of the arm of the God of Destruction, but it still possessed enough magic power to make a person’s cheeks convulse.

[This ribbon is a thing that I have used regularly for several decades to imbue it with magic power and divine protection. It’s a reasonable payment.]

“U-Um… please accept it.”

“Y-Yes.”

Lean offered it as if it were nothing, but Pumpkin got the impression that this was definitely rewarding Lowizc excessively.

Because the way Lowizc’s cheeks were twitching was unbelievable. And so was Pumpkin.

“T-Then, I will take my leave.”

“O-Oh, take care.”

[I look forward to working with you in the future.]

Lowizc left the place by using some kind of magic to make herself disappear. Perhaps she used some kind of teleportation magic.

Lean’s voice and presence then vanished along with it. Even if it wasn’t, the fact that she emerged so quickly was presumably due to Lowizc’s spell of concealment.

“Anyway, I’m going to sleep while sunbathing.”

Pumpkin muttered to himself and decided to fall asleep while basking in the sun to focus on healing his wounds.

——————-

“Hmm? Is it night already?”

By the time he came to, it was nighttime.

The outside air was streaming in through the broken wall, making it somewhat chilly.

He then heard someone’s footsteps approaching his room.

“May I come in, Pumpkin-san?”

“Yes, please.”

The approaching footsteps halted in front of the door, knocked it twice, and then shouted for Pumpkin.

“I’m here to assist Pumpkin-dono guide the evening’s banquet on behalf of His Majesty Akito and the First Prince Saku.”

“Oh, I can’t eat, and I’m not very adept at formal settings like that… and I’m also wounded.”

When Pumpkin expressed this to the soldier, who claimed to be there to guide him, the soldier shook his head and continued.

“Even so, you should at the very least show up. There is no way that you, who was employed by First Prince Saku for this matter, will not be present at tonight’s banquet, which is both a victory party and the Crown Prince’s installation and engagement ceremony.”

“Mmm.”

“On the other hand, once you arrive, everything will be taken care of and your reputation will be saved.”

“Well, if you put it that way, it’s true. It can’t be helped, I’ll just have to drop in, get a few drinks to show up, and then I’ll be on my way.”

“Thank you for your time.”

Pumpkin dressed himself and followed the soldier’s lead to the hall where the banquet was to be held.