The roaring sound of rushing water echoed through the vast stone crypt.
　Water gushed out from the ceiling and cascaded down the stone walls, passing through the channels around the room and flowing away to an unknown place.

　In the room, which had the atmosphere of an underground water supply facility, there were three insanely large devices in the shape of balances set up in a row.
　A two-legged and three-legged pipe protrudes from the ceiling, aiming at the saucer of the balance.

　While holding the floor switch, which was large enough for one person, with his own weight, Rene observed the balance mechanism and gave instructions in a loud voice that was not lost in the sound of running water.

"Mr. Miaranse, the last one is the lever on the far right!　If you move it, water will flow into the right and middle balances and balance everything out!
Is it this way?

　Underneath Rene's feet is the switch that activates the whole contraption.
　Mihranze didn't understand how it worked or why it worked, but if he didn't step on it, the mechanism that caused the water to flow into the balance wouldn't work.
　Next to the large balance room, in a small room full of levers, Miarandze was operating the mechanism, but he couldn't see what was going on with the balance and had to rely on Rene's instructions.
　In other words, it is a large-scale dungeon gimmick that requires cooperation between those who give instructions while continuously pressing switches and those who operate the mechanism.

　When Miaranse lowered the lever, he heard the sound of a large amount of water falling from the balance room, followed by the oddly loud sound of a lock coming off, which Miaranse could hear.

It's all here!
The door is open. ...... Now we can go on.

　The three balance plates were lined up horizontally, and the door to the next level opened.

The three balance plates lined up horizontally and the door opened to proceed.
　I'm not sure if this is a hobby of the Chief of Staff or the work of the elves.

　Miarlanez felt a sense of incomprehension about the situation.
　In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find it on the web.
　Fortunately, there are no dangerous traps that can kill or injure you, and there are no dungeon guards to attack you.

　However, even if the Elven Forest was a godforsaken place, it didn't seem right to build such an artificial and human-like structure.
　Perhaps it was a product of what Everis called "interruption processing".
　I don't know how much longer I'm going to be forced to do this, but for now, I have no choice but to push forward, believing that there is a way out after solving the gimmicks and tricks.

　The newly opened door led to a narrow staircase.
　Despite the location, it was luxuriously lit with magical lights.
　At the end of the stairs was a room with a number of cooking stoves and a large cooking table.

"Oh, is this the ...... kitchen?

　He had been walking around underground for a while, but he seemed to have come back to the surface.
　Well, even though they were back above ground, it was still pitch black outside. The windows are sealed with a strange power, and I've already tried to open and break them, but it's impossible.

　There was no sign of anyone living in the house, but strangely enough, the hearth was lit and something was boiling in the pot, giving off an indescribably delicious smell.
　On the kitchen table, a large pie was baking, steam rising from it. It seemed to have been well coated with egg yolk before baking, and it looked shiny and glossy.

This pie is still warm. It looks freshly baked. ......
"No, Rene!

　When Rene, who was checking the temperature of the pie with his hand, reached for the cake knife beside him, Mihranze shouted with slapping force.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in your life.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea. You will not be able to return to the original world.
I'm sorry, .......
No, you startled me. ...... I'm sorry.

　The tone of voice was harsh because of the moment.
　In the event that you've got any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

I'm fine. I'm not hungry. ......
　But I was wondering if you would eat it.
"Oh my God!　Thank you for your concern. I didn't know that. I'm ......
No, it's okay. You were trying to protect me, weren't you? Thank you so much.

　Mihranze fought back tears of joy.
　Rene was a good boy, almost too good.

...... We can't eat or drink, but let's take a break here. You've been on the move for a while now and you must be tired.

　In the corner of the kitchen, at the work desk, there were two chairs just sitting there.
　When Miaranse pulled out a chair, Rene jumped onto the higher chair and sat down.

　Miaranse, out of habit, starts to prepare a cup of tea, but then remembers that this is not possible.
　It's unsettling not to be able to do anything to take care of the Lord, but it can't be helped.

　As Miaranse looked around the kitchen and spotted a place where something might be hidden, he noticed that Rene was looking at him with a glint in his eye.

You see, Mr. Miaranse. Can I touch your ears ......?

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

"Please, feel free to do as you please.

　He knelt down in front of Rene and held out his head.
　Then she touched the ear, squeezing it softly.

"Wow, ......!

　Rene squealed and began stroking up and down the soft ear, enjoying the feel of it, and then began rubbing it madly, as if combing her hair.
　Miaranse's hair is moist, more like a cat's body hair than human hair.
　It was always unpleasant to be stroked by a perverted nobleman who found it amusing, but being touched by Rene was not so bad.
　Miaranse's throat rumbled. He wanted to lick Rene's forehead with his coarse tongue.

"Mr. Mehranze. I've never seen anyone like you before. Who are you?
If you mean 'what kind of race are you', then I'm one of the very few Ketsi-humans. It's no wonder you've never seen me before.
I didn't know that.



　René responded with a look that said he was simply thinking, "I see. That was comforting to Mihranze.

"...... Hmm.
"What's wrong?
No. I just thought that you are a good ...... person like my father.
　You didn't despise me or hate me when you found out I had beastman blood.
I think it's sad and wrong to disparage or throw stones at others because of their appearance or blood .......

　When he heard René's choppy words, Miarandze realized that he had not been thinking correctly.
　It's not just about being a good boy or a good person. It was because René knew the pain that he did not separate Miaranse by bloodline or appearance.

　Miaranse was so distracted by the abominable execution that she was unaware of how René had lived his life up to that point.
　In Ciel-Teirah, she was considered an abomination, with silver hair and eyes. I wonder how much hardship, hostility, and malice Rene has been subjected to just because she was born that way.
　In that sense, René was in some ways similar to Miallanze.

"Yikes!
...... You've been through a lot, haven't you ......?

　Miaranse couldn't help but stand up and hug Rene.
　Her long silver hair touched Miaranse's hand. It was as if she was being touched by a clear breeze.
　Rene's body was inexplicably small. It seemed so fragile that she could have crushed him if she had not used enough force.

　My chest tightened.
　What a terrible fate for such a child.
　And I realized how foolish I was for trying to cling to Rene. I had thought that I could just leave everything to René, but such a thought now seemed too unreasonable.
　What was he thinking of putting on such a child's shoulders? Before we can cling to them, before we can entrust them, we must walk with them.

"Um, ......?
...... Excuse me, excuse me.

　I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Rene was confused, not knowing why he was suddenly hugged.

I'll get you out of here, I promise. I will get you out of here. I will get you to the outside world.
"Yes, yes. Thank you, ......?

　Miaranse vowed with renewed determination.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

How many keys do you have now?
I have a blue key that I found in a jar, a heart key from a puzzle, and ......
　The blue key I found in the jar, the heart key from the puzzle, and the square chunk of iron behind the cat picture are also keys?

　Rene placed the items he had found in the pocket of his dress on the desk.
　It seems to be the pattern of this museum that if you solve the riddle and get the key, or virtually the key, you can go on.
　I still didn't understand the situation, but my search was going well despite my incomprehension.

Let's go back to the hall we just left. There might be a door we can open...

　There might be a door that can be opened..." A warm feeling appeared on Miaranse's cheek.

"What?

　The questioning voices of the two of them overlapped.

　It was so sudden.
　It was as if an invisible swordsman had been there and swung his sword, and Rene had been slashed from his left shoulder to his right side, ripping his clothes and tearing his flesh, and the splash of blood on his cheek.

"Rene!

　Miaranse held Rene as she collapsed in a heap of blood, covered in her own blood.