Lady Elinora and Lady Silvio were practicing in the courtyard of the Suroletto family where I work.

　I was sitting at the edge of the courtyard watching them in a daze.

　Normally we should be relaxing in the common room drinking tea in the middle of the afternoon, but since Lady Elinora and Silvio started practicing on their own, I had to take care of them.

　To be more precise, it was composed of Lady Elinora forcing Lady Silvio out.

　Oh, if it were true, I had important business to attend to at this time of day.

　At this time of day, Bartolo-san would start preparing dinner in the kitchen. So I'm going to take advantage of that time to beg them to change the dinner menu to hamburgers... even though I'm going to go negotiate with Bartolo-san!

　However, when I returned to the break room, my arrogant boss and his ruthless junior colleague told me to go work.

　He told me to take care of Elinora-sama and Silvio-sama's personal affairs rather than interfere with Bartolo-san's work. It's terrible.

　I had no intention of interfering with Mr. Bartolo's work. Since Saara is also my junior, I think it's okay for me to show respect for my senior, that I'll take over here.

''Ha!''

　Out of the corner of my eye, Elinora-sama stepped sharply to her right foot and approached Silvio-sama, slashing the wooden sword up from below.

''Kook!''

　Silvio-sama is at the mercy of Elinora-sama's quick movements, but he manages to catch it with the shield equipped in his left hand.

　The dry sound of the wooden sword and wooden shield clashing with each other can be heard.

　Elinora-sama, whose wooden sword was blocked by the shield, immediately goes around Silvio-sama's side and strikes the wooden sword. Silvio-sama guards with his shield without danger.

　Even though she is protected by the shield, Elinora-sama doesn't mind, she thrusts, swings, cleaves, and strikes down with a powerful series of blinding blows.

　However, Silvio-sama is not to be outdone. She accurately assesses Elinora-sama's stormy barrage and uses her shield and wooden sword to block it.

　He deflects the wooden sword by angling his shield and using the wooden sword to deflect Elinora-sama's cleave.

　Silvio-sama's figure is very reliable as she sits back and deals with it calmly.

　It's strange that her body is usually so slender that even for me, a woman, it seems to break down.

　Silvio-sama catches Elinora-sama's swing with her shield and quickly swings down the wooden sword on her right arm.

　Perhaps Elinora-sama was expecting this, and easily withdrew from the interval in which she stepped in.

''You're really only good at defending yourself!

No, it's not!

　When Elinora-sama said in a somewhat exasperated voice, Silvio-sama desperately denied it for some reason.

　I wonder why. It's obvious that Silvio-sama's defensive skills are high.

　That should be something to be proud of, so why is she strongly denying it?

''........Why are you getting so pissed off? I was praising you.

　You are complimenting me on that one. Dear Elinora, it is very difficult to understand.

'This time I'll go this way!

　Silvio-sama raises her shapely eyebrows and approaches Elinora-sama.

　This time it looks like Silvio-sama will be the one to attack.

　Silvio-sama swings down the wooden sword held in his right arm. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about it.

　However, it's probably because I saw Elinora-sama's flowing series of attacks just now that even I, who don't have a background in swords, didn't seem sharp enough.

　Why is that?　It's not like I feel something strange........ Is that how great Elinora-sama's sword handling is?

　I feel that there is about as obvious a difference between the hamburger made by Mr. Bartolo and Master Alfried and the hamburger made by me.

You should step in more forcefully and aggressively. Use your entire body's strength to swing the sword with all your might!

　While Silvio-sama attacked, Elinora-sama seemed to have the luxury of giving advice.

''Take a gui.......like this?

No. That's zmut, right?

I don't see the point.

Why?

　It can't be helped. Elinora-sama must be the kind of person who has a genius skin. I'm sure she sees the world differently than we do.

''That's why it's different!

　Silvio-sama, who has been attacked by Elinora-sama, is rolled repeatedly by Elinora-sama, wondering where his earlier stability is.

　Each time, his body is covered in sand, but Silvio-sama shows a strong will and stands up.

　Although Silvio-sama doesn't like to be kept up with Elinora-sama's training, I think it's great that he takes it seriously, for what it's worth.

　Normally, she would lose motivation or give up, but it's amazing that she takes it seriously and keeps going until the end.

　After years of training since he was a small child, his mental capacity must be different. It's a commendable feat considering how serious Silvio's character is.

　As expected of a Dragonslayer-sama's son.

　........Ah, it looks like I'll have to do some laundry from now on today as well.

''d*mn!　How about this!

　As I was languidly thinking about that, Silvio-sama charged at Elinora-sama with his shield at the ready.

''Silvio Bash!''

It's a shield bash!

　Elinora-sama was surprised by Silvio-sama's charge with her shield, but she calmly ducked by stepping to the right side where the shield was held.

　Then, as if flowing, he strikes down the wooden sword on Silvio-sama's back. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

　It's a perfect defense, so perfect that it's hard to believe it's the person who was attacking without a snap just now.

　As I thought, Silvio-sama has a talent for defense.

''Ow, that hurts!

　One would have thought that Silvio-sama's rear guard would have prevented Elinora-sama's attack, but this was not the case.

　The Elinora-sama Boki Sword had not struck Silvio-sama's back, but rather Silvio-sama's leg. Apparently, Elinora-sama's last swing was a feint.

　I was watching from afar, and I was also fooled.

　However, I've seen that swing somewhere before.

''.........Hmmm, swinging hey. It's still uncomfortable and not as sharp as it should be, but it looks useful. Al's swing seemed to strike the opponent's consciousness, but it doesn't match my sword, and I'll have to fix it...

　Ah, I'm convinced. .........What a cowardly blow that seems to strike outside of a person's consciousness.......The clever blow was an imitation of Alfreet-sama's sword, wasn't it?

　Apparently, Elinora-sama is absorbing the best parts of other people's swords in her own way in order to enhance her own sword.

　That greedy craving for strength is amazing.

''Look, Silvio, stand up!　I was kind of rough on him, so it can't hurt too much, right?　We're going to strike again!

'What?　Wait a little longer. I'm not as tough as Al!

　Oh, I wonder how strong Elinora-sama will become.

　I've also heard that Elinora-sama will soon be mixing in with the knights' training in the royal capital.

　I can't imagine how strong Alfried-sama will be by the time he returns from his sightseeing.

　However, I can only know for sure that Alfried-sama will go to hell.

''Oh, I hope Al doesn't come back soon...''

　Lady Silvio's mournful murmurings drifted smoothly into my ears.

　Absolutely. Alfried-san has to make new sweets every day.



　◆ ◆ ◆



I think that's enough for today.

　The sun is going down and it's getting dimmer by the hour. Lady Elinora says in a plaintive voice.

'Uh-huh,'

　To that, Silvio-sama replied with an exhausted voice.

　That means my work as a maid is over for once, and I was relieved too. It's about time my stomach complained of hunger and I'm sad.......

　It makes me angry to think that only Mel-san and Saara are eating the delicious snacks and urging Bartolo-san to eat her favorite menu.

'Meena!　Give me a cold towel!

　Elinora-sama called me over, and I ran over with a chilled towel and water bottle. I don't know how many times I've replaced my water bottle and towel in today's practice alone.

'Yes, a towel and a water bottle,'

Thank you, Meena.

　But I don't think that matters when she thanks me with a refreshing smile, Elinora-sama.

　After all, it's nice to have someone work on what you've done.

''Ah, that feels so good.''

　Lady Elinora seemed to cover her face with a cooling towel to cool the heat on her burning face. I've done that many times, cooling my own towel.

　When I sweat, I can't stop cooling myself down with the cooling towel at once because I have a tremendous feeling of exhilaration. This is the season when it gets hotter and hotter. The cold towel seems to come in handy in this season when it gets hotter and hotter.

　Mr. Alfried is the best for figuring out how to make it before going to Kagura. And by the way, if you develop a new hamburger dish, I won't have any complaints.......

　While thinking about that, I hand Silvio-sama, who is sitting down, a cold towel and a water bottle.

''Are you okay, Silvio-sama?''

Uh-huh. That's okay, meena. Thank you.

　Silvio-sama expresses his gratitude despite his exhaustion.

　Huh, I pity you. I had heard lightly about the state of the mansion when I and Alfried-sama were in the royal capital, but I didn't expect it to go this far. Elinora-sama's training is even harder than I expected.

　I can see how well Alfried-sama usually gets around with Elinora-sama.

　After Elinora-sama and Silvio-sama wipe off the sweat and remove the mud, it's time for bathing and dinner.

　It will be a busy time for us maids.

'Silvio!　You can go in the bath first!

　Lady Elinora's voice echoed from the dining room.

'Shouldn't Sister Elinora go in first?'

I'll take care of it later. If you're sweating, I wiped it off with a cool towel.

Well, I'm going to have to go in first.

　Silvio-sama is leaving the dining room, looking a little happy, as if she wants to take a bath quickly.

　However, she seems to be tired from her daytime practice and seems somewhat lazy to walk.

Oh, Silvio-sama. If you want to change your clothes, I'll bring them to you later.

Thanks. I didn't want to move my hands and feet too much.

　When I unintentionally suggest it, Silvio-sama smiles calmly.

　It's only natural if Elinora-sama squeezes you that much.

''Well then, I'll bring you a change of clothes later.

　Just bring Lady Silvio a change of clothes and you can skip the busy pre-dinner chores. Wouldn't that be perfect?

'Oh, wait!'

　I am about to go get a change of clothes for Silvio-sama, but I am suddenly stopped.

　What's the matter?　I don't want to be late and have to help serve the food if Silvio-sama doesn't bother me. I can't help but feel that Mel will be upset with me for where I was selling the oil, and I can't have the cookies in Lady Silvio's room.

'Who made the bath today?'

Well, Lady Erna and Lady Elinora, I think it was.

　That's right, when I tried to use the hot water magic tool to make hot water, Elinora-sama happily brought Elna-sama to boil the water with her magic.

　She said it was just perfect for Elinora-sama to practice her magic, after all.

''........I knew it.''

　Hearing my words, Silvio-sama nods with a divine look on his face.

　I don't understand the meaning of those words, and I nod my head involuntarily.

''Thank you Meena. For now, bring your clothes with you.''

　As Silvio said so, I headed upstairs where Silvio-sama's room is located.

　Then I went to Silvio-sama's room to pick out some underwear and long-sleeved, long pants clothes. I tried to give him as many rough choices as possible, but Silvio-sama's clothes were often very tight.

　Since we're in a mansion, I think it's fine to wear clothes as loose as Alfried-sama's....

　With that in mind, I chose relatively comfortable clothes to move around in and headed to the changing room. Of course, I don't forget to get a cookie from the wooden box on the desk as a tip for the maid.

　I arrive at the changing room while letting the taste of the sweet, sweet cookies prodigalize my expression.

''...?''

　I thought Silvio-sama had already taken off her clothes and washed herself, but there were no clothes for Silvio-sama in the changing room.

　I peeked into the back of the room, wondering. The door to the bathhouse was fully open. Silvio-sama's figure was nowhere to be found.

''........Huh?　It's funny. Lady Silvio is nowhere to be found.

　However, the heat drifting from the bath is strangely hot. Was the steam wafting from the bath such a hot thing?

'Oh, Meena. You're not allowed in the bathrooms.

　As I was tilting my head while thinking about that, Silvio-sama and Bartolo-san came into the changing room.

''Yeah?　

　In the mansions of high-ranking noblemen, there are times when servants such as maids are made to wash their bodies. However, there is no such thing in this mansion, so I thought it would be easy, but this was the first time I knew there was such a job.

　I didn't know that Silvio-sama was also not a maid who was a woman, but a gory Bartolo-san washed her up....

　It's a situation that would make the women in the village very happy.

''Not (because)!''

　I asked, pointing my finger fearfully, and received a strong denial from both of them.

'Is that so?'

I'm just here to take a temperature.

　When I said that, Bartolo-san nodded strongly.

　I turned my gaze to Silvio-sama and said with a bitter smile, "No," he said.

　Apparently, it's not really that kind of relationship. ........I'm sure.

''Step back for a moment.

　As Silvio-sama told me that, I moved from the front to the edge of the bathhouse door.

　Then Silvio-sama and Bartolo-san entered the bathhouse without even taking off their clothes.

''Well that's hot for bath water.

　Then, wondering what to do, they bent down and looked into the bathtub.

''...Bartolo, how many degrees does it take for little bubbles to bubble up from the bottom of the bathtub and the walls of the bathtub to be puffed up with bubbles?''

That's true. If it's the same as cooking, it's about 80 degrees Celsius. It's about twice as hot as normal water.

　...This is a bath for humans, right?　Why does it go up to 80 degrees?

　I knew that Elinora-sama wasn't very good at adding or subtracting magic, but it was more than I expected.

　It was probably because she had some knowledge of the temperature that she invited Bartolo-san to join her. I'm convinced.

　By the way, it's a bit weird when Mr. Bartolo is respectful.

''Well, we'll just have to see what happens as we add more water.

Good thing I made sure of that.

Sylvio?　How's the water?

　As they were nodding to each other with a mysterious look on their faces, Lady Elinora came into the changing room with a pause.

'Sister Elinora, this sucks,'

What?　Is it warm?　What's the matter, you're not in it yet.

　Looking at Silvio-sama, who replies with a sigh, Elinora-sama frowns.

''Reverse, reverse!　You'll get burned if you go in there like this!

'Really?　I thought it would be okay this time.

Then go in there and see for yourself!

　I think you're absolutely right, but I guess I'm somewhat afraid of myself.

　Sullenly looking at the two people arguing, Bartolo-san and I mutter sullenly.

''........If only the monk were here, I could prepare a bath in a flash....

''It's true. For the time being, I guess I'd better use my magic tool to fill up with hot water.

　Because Alfried-sama is an all-around good thing to have in the family.