I hadn't noticed amidst the confusion, but a cup of tea Luna had poured for me at some point was sitting right in front of me. I took a sip.
To be honest, I couldn't tell the difference between good tea and bad, but after encountering such an extraordinary situation, my throat was parched. It tasted incredible.
“...This is delicious herbal tea.”
“I am honored by your praise, Kusunoki-sama.”
So it wasn't black tea, but herbal tea. I didn't know the first thing about such sophisticated drinks...
“Now then, let us resume the explanation. As I mentioned earlier, we invite a Hero from your world once every ten years. Because of this, we have a certain level of understanding regarding the differences between your world and this one, so I will explain things in order.”
I see. If they had been inviting people from another world once every ten years for a millennium, then by simple math, a hundred people from another world had visited this place. In other words, Lilia-san and the others already knew exactly what they needed to explain... Though we were something of an irregularity this time, the explanation might be a bit different from what a Hero usually received, but the gist was likely the same.
“First, regarding the one-year duration. The calendar of this world progresses through the Month of Fire, Month of Water, Month of Wood, Month of Earth, Month of Wind, and Month of Light. After the Month of Light, it returns to the Month of Fire and continues to the Month of Wind again, but finally, instead of a second Month of Light, we have the Month of Heavens. Each month is uniformly thirty days, making it three hundred and sixty days in a year. Incidentally, today is the thirtieth day of the Month of Heavens—the day we transition into the new year.”
So it went: Fire, Water, Wood, Earth, Wind, Light, then Fire, Water, Wood, Earth, Wind, and finally the Month of Heavens to complete a 360-day year. It seemed safe to assume it would feel almost the same as the world we came from.
“Therefore, the time you will be able to return to your original world will be the thirtieth day of the next Month of Heavens. Next is time; I have heard that this is exactly the same as your world. One day consists of twenty-four hours. Do you have any questions so far?”
“No, I'm fine.”
“Then next, regarding money. There are six types of currency in this world: the 1R Coin, Iron Coin, Copper Coin, Silver Coin, Gold Coin, and Platinum Coin. The unit is called Rila. A 1R Coin is simply 1R, an Iron Coin is 10R, a Copper Coin is 100R, a Silver Coin is 1,000R, a Gold Coin is 10,000R, and a Platinum Coin is 100,000R. The typical monthly income for a citizen is somewhere between 2,000 and 4,000R.”
So, compared to my old world, 1 Rila was roughly 100 yen, and there weren't any units smaller than that? If you had two or three Silver Coins a month, or about four Gold Coins a year, you could live comfortably? Yeah, okay. I was still following.
“For the time being, I will give each of you fifty Silver Coins—50,000 Rila—so please feel free to use it for sightseeing or whatever you wish. Gold and Platinum Coins cannot be used at stalls or other shops with low unit prices, so I have provided it in Silver Coins.”
“Pffft!?”
““Eh!?””
As Lilia-san announced this with a smile, Luna lined up beautiful pouches filled with coins in front of us.
Fifty thousand Rila. Converting that to Japanese yen meant she had just plopped down five million yen per person. As expected of a Duchess, she was playing on a completely different level...
“Ah, um... This is a bit much...”
“I understand if you feel it is too little. Even considering your sudden summons to another world, I realize this will not serve as a sufficient apology.”
“Ah, no...”
It was the opposite. It was way too much. It certainly seemed like an amount one could live on for a year without hardship, but for a mere student to suddenly be handed such a large sum? I was nothing but bewildered...
No, wait. If this included living expenses... Since I didn't know the standard of living in this world, maybe this was a reasonable amount to maintain a lifestyle similar to the one we had back home.
That made sense. Even when she said she’d guarantee food, clothing, and shelter, she probably meant arranging an inn or something, not letting us live in a ducal mansion.
“Of course, food, clothing, and shelter will be provided separately, and none of you will have any tax obligations. Please use that money for sightseeing or hobbies.”
It didn't include living expenses?! Then it really was too much!
“Th-That... isn't that a bit too much?”
Well said, Kusunoki-san. That was exactly what I wanted to say.
“Kusunoki-sama, there is no need for concern. For someone like me who has involved you all in this, this is the only way I can apologize. So please, use it all... If it's not enough, I will provide more whenever necessary.”
“By the way, the funds provided are my lady's private assets, so there is no need to hesitate. She is the head of a ducal house with no expensive hobbies, let alone a husband or even a potential suitor. The amount she has hoarded is quite substantial.”
“Luna, Luna... Why do you insist on gouging my heart? You are my maid, aren't you?”
“Yes, I, Lunamaria, am a maid who has sworn to offer my body and soul to Lady Lilia, and I am always on my lady's side.”
“……”
Lilia-san had it rough. No, really... Also, it seemed Luna's formal name was Lunamaria. I should remember that.
“Now then, My Lady. While I understand your feelings regarding missing your chance at marriage, it is nearly time...”
“I never once mentioned that topic, did I?! You’re just adding that on your own!! ...Anyway, regardless, we certainly cannot continue talking here for too long. Everyone, I would like to move to my home before explaining the common sense of this world and such... Would that be alright?”
“Oh? Is this not... um, Lili—Duke Albert's home?”
“Miyama-sama, it is fine to call me by my first name, Lilia. No honorifics are necessary, and you may speak in whatever casual tone is comfortable for you.”
“Ah, um, then I'll call you Lilia-san. Also, Kaito is fine for my name... for my first name. No honorifics for me either.”
“I understand. Then, I shall call you Kaito-san from now on. Now, regarding your previous question... Yes, this is the Temple of Hero Summoning, and it is not my private residence. Let us save the long talk for after we move.”
Lilia-san's gentle smile was truly lovely; she was beautiful enough to make me lose myself staring for a moment. Hmm, she was beautiful, kind, and had status and money, yet she was single. The world was a mysterious place.
Then, after Lilia-san went to check on Mitsunaga-kun's progress, she excused herself. The three of us were left in the room with Lunamaria.
“Would anyone like a refill on their tea?”
“A-Ah, thank you. Um, Lunamaria-san?”
“Yes. What is it, Yuzuki-sama?”
“This might be a blunt question, but... Lilia-san is so beautiful and has a great figure, and on top of that she seems so kind... Why doesn't she have... a boyfriend...?”
“Hina-chan... You...”
“Ah, no, look, you're curious too, aren't you, Senpai?”
It seemed Yuzuki-san had gained some composure thanks to Lilia-san, as she asked Lunamaria the very thing I had been wondering about. The fact that Kusunoki-san didn't stop her suggested she was curious as well.
In response to our doubt, Lunamaria gave a wry smile as she poured the tea.
“Actually, the current King—which is to say, my lady's older brother—is quite obsessed with Lady Lilia, who is much younger than him. Yes, truly... There are even rumors that 'if a man approaches Lady Lilia, he will disappear the next day.'”
“Wait, does that mean...”
“Yes, it is quite a problem. Thanks to that, everyone in the House of Albert, including the servants, is female, and 'entry for men is normally prohibited.'”
“……”
Wait a second. I wasn't sure I understood what she was saying... In other words, the King was a severe siscon? And Lilia-san's house was basically off-limits to men? And the conclusion drawn from that was...?
“Miyama-sama, congratulations. This is a feat unprecedented since the founding of the Albert family. Well, my lady's generation is the first, though...”
“……Huh?”
“……It was Miyama-san, wasn't it? It was a short acquaintance.”
“……Heh?”
“……Even after I return to Japan, I won't forget you, Miyama-senpai.”
“……Eh? Eeeeeeehhh!?”
Dear Mother, Father—the other world was peaceful. But—there really was a death flag.