After we finished discussing the minor Demon King and the legendary Hero, I received a general overview of the Kingdom of Sinfonia and its surrounding cities.
"……Well, I shouldn't try to cram too much into your heads at once. I’m sure you’d all like some time to organize your thoughts, so let’s end the explanation here for now."
"That sounds like a good idea. It's about time we prepared the rooms—oh……"
"Luna?"
"……My apologies, My Lady. It seems I’ve had a lapse in memory. Regarding Kaito-sama's clothing……"
"Ah……"
Just as things were settling down, Lunamaria-san wore an expression of sudden realization. When her face then shifted into a look of concern, I understood the situation immediately.
Only women lived in Lilia-san’s mansion. That meant there were no men's clothes available.
"Luna…… is there still time?"
"Yes. However, I’m afraid I cannot judge things such as undergarments on my own."
"……Kaito-san, I am truly sorry. This was my oversight. Since there are no men's clothes in this house, we haven't been able to prepare a change of clothes for you."
"……I don't really mind wearing these for another day……"
"No, fortunately, it is still early evening. We can simply go buy some…… but as for sleepwear and the like, it would be difficult for us to choose for you. I’m sorry to ask this when you must be tired, but could you go into town with Luna and pick out some clothes?"
"Oh, sure."
Honestly, I didn't think going one day without a change of clothes was a big deal…… but since Lilia-san had declared she would guarantee my food, clothing, and shelter, this was likely a point of pride she wouldn't compromise on.
"My Lady, what is the budget?"
"Let’s start with 100,000 R. Please purchase five outfits, including spares."
"Pffft!?"
"Understood."
Wait a second! Wasn't 100,000 R equivalent to about ten million yen!? That isn't a normal amount of money for buying clothes, is it? Is it standard for nobles to think a single outfit costing a million yen is normal?
As I stood there dazed, Lilia-san and Lunamaria-san quickly prepared the funds.
"Ah, I almost forgot. Kaito-san, Aoi-san, Hina-san. If you have any items known as 'electronic devices,' I will take them into custody. Since they are concentrated artifacts of otherworldly technology, we must entrust them to the Goddess of Law for safekeeping."
"Electronic devices…… like smartphones?"
"I’m unfamiliar with the term 'smartphone,' but in the past, a 'machine' carried by a Hero was targeted by thieves. Now, it is customary to entrust them to the Goddess for one year of storage."
I see. Mechanical products were high-tech artifacts that didn't exist in this world. It made sense that people would want to steal them; it was a reasonable precaution. Besides, I couldn't charge a smartphone here anyway, and taking photos might cause all sorts of trouble.
We placed our smartphones and digital watches into the elegant boxes Lunamaria-san provided for each of us. I wondered what I’d do for a watch, but she lent me a pocket watch in its place. I could tell just by looking at it—this thing was incredibly expensive. Carrying something like this felt more terrifying than not having a watch at all.
After a ten-minute carriage ride and a few minutes on foot, we arrived at a clothing store in a town that looked like it had been pulled straight out of medieval Europe. I purchased five outfits, plus undergarments and sleepwear.
As expected of a shop frequented by a Ducal House, every piece of clothing felt impossibly soft and high-quality. I felt completely out of place.
I thought I had selected relatively plain clothes, but the total came to 25,000 R…… 2.5 million yen. Two and a half million yen! Can you believe it? And all I did was buy some basic clothes.
"……Cheaper clothes really would have been fine……"
"Kaito-sama, you are a guest of My Lady—the guest of a Ducal House. If your clothing was too cheap, it would reflect poorly on My Lady's dignity."
"Is that really how it works?"
"……Nobility is, in many ways, an exercise in keeping up appearances. Even so, I intentionally selected a shop that carries relatively simple attire."
"That was…… simple?"
I chatted with Lunamaria-san as we walked along the evening streets, which were crowded with people. I’d seen some incredibly flashy outfits back in the shop, but apparently, even those were considered "modest" by noble standards.
"There sure are a lot of people out today."
"The timing was unfortunate. Tomorrow is the New Year, after all."
Ah, that’s right. My internal clock was set to "just before summer vacation," but in this world, it was the end of the year. I didn't know how they celebrated New Year here, but since this was the royal capital, it was bound to be festive.
As I pondered this, we passed a square with a large fountain. My eyes caught sight of something that looked like a carriage bed floating in the air.
Oh, is that magic? I’d been hoping to see something like that after hearing about Preservation Magic. As expected of another world! I was genuinely moved to see magic integrated so naturally into daily life.
"Lunamaria-san, that floating thing is—huh?"
I should have only been distracted by the floating carriage for a few seconds, but when I turned back, Lunamaria-san was gone. I looked frantically to my left and right, but the crowd was so thick I couldn't find her.
The blood drained from my face. This was it, wasn't it? Without a doubt, this was exactly what it looked like.
"……I’m lost?"
This is bad, this is bad! I lost her! To make matters worse, there were way too many people to search effectively, and since we’d come part of the way by carriage, I didn't even know the route back.
What should I do? In movies, they say it’s better not to move, right? But if I just stand here, I’ll get swept away by the crowd…… Oh, I know! I’ll wait in front of that large fountain!
Panicked by the realization that I was alone in a strange land, I managed to push through to the fountain, hoping it would serve as a landmark.
I’ve really done it now…… Local knowledge or not, becoming a "lost child" immediately isn't funny. I’m sure Lunamaria-san has realized it and is looking for me, but can she actually find me in this sea of people? My anxiety was through the roof. Seriously, what do I do?
"Is something wrong? You look like you're in a bit of a bind."
"……Eh?"
As I stood before the fountain with my head in my hands, a voice reached me clearly despite the surrounding noise. I reflexively turned toward it and froze. Or rather, it might be more accurate to say I was captivated.
The person standing there was a child who looked to be under 140 centimeters tall, but the aura they radiated was extraordinary. They had silver, semi-short hair that seemed to glow, golden eyes so beautiful they made gemstones look dull, and an adorable face that could have belonged to either a girl or a boy. Clad in a large black coat—which looked like a robe because the sleeves were so long—the child stood bathed in the light of the setting sun, sparkling with an otherworldly, artistic brilliance. I found myself staring, mesmerized.
"Um? Are you okay?"
"Ah, uh……"
"You're from another world, aren't you? Are you lost? I don’t mind helping you if you need it~"
"What!?"
With an adorable smile like a blooming flower, the child spoke in a gentle voice…… But how did they know I was from another world?
"Your magic power feels similar to a Hero’s, and your clothes are a style I don’t see very often, so I just figured that was the case~"
"U-Um……"
I could understand the clothes, but was "magic power" that energy used to cast spells? Can people actually see it?
"Instead of 'seeing' it, maybe it’s better to say I can 'feel' it."
"Ah, I see…… wait, what?"
I didn't say that out loud, did I? Is this kid a psychic?
"Ahaha, everything you're thinking shows right on your face. You're very easy to read."
"Ugh……"
"Ah, sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to tease you. I actually like people like that."
Watching the child laugh with such an adorable expression, I felt some of my tension melt away. Even though they looked and spoke like a child, there was something undeniably mature about their voice and presence.
"Well, putting that aside…… I may look like this, but I've lived hundreds of times longer than you have. If you're in trouble, I can help."
"……Hundreds of times?"
"Yep! Oh, that’s right, is this your first time seeing a Demon? My name is Kuromueina…… you can call me Kuromu, Eina, or just Kuro. Whichever you like~"
A Demon!? Did she just say she was a Demon? She looks completely human……
"Would it be better if I had horns? All right, how's this!"
"Why is a horn growing out of your nose!?"
"Fufufu, I know quite a bit about other worlds, you know! There’s a story where a horn grows when you tell a lie, right? Just like that!"
"No, that’s the story about the nose growing……"
"Oh?"
I don't know how she did it, but she confidently sprouted a horn from her nose, forcing me to deliver the punchline. The Demon calling herself Kuromueina gave a wry smile and made the horn vanish, her cheerful expression never wavering.
"So, what's your name?"
"Ah, I'm Kaito Miyama……"
"Kaito-kun, then! Nice to meet you~"
"N-Nice to meet you. Um, Kuromueina-san?"
"No need for formalities. You can just call me Kuro."
"Th-Then, nice to meet you, Kuro."
"Yeah! Now then, as a sign of our friendship…… here, have one~"
As I was swept along by her pace, Kuro reached into her coat with a delighted smile and pulled out a paper bag. Wait, didn't that just emerge directly from the fabric of her coat?
Inside the bag she offered was a sweet, fragrant snack I recognized.
"Is this, maybe……"
"That’s right! It’s a snack from your world, right? A Heavy Cocktail!"
"It's a baby castella."
"Oh? Well, whatever. Here, they're delicious."
It seemed Kuro had a somewhat fragmented knowledge of other worlds. She’d mentioned other Heroes earlier, and despite her appearance, she claimed to be incredibly old, so she probably heard stories from the Heroes of the past.
Overwhelmed by her innocent smile, I popped a baby castella into my mouth. A familiar, gentle sweetness spread across my tongue, and I felt myself finally start to calm down.
Watching me, Kuro smiled brightly and continued talking while snacking on her own castella.
"So, Kaito-kun, what’s the problem? You’ve been looking around restlessly for a while now……"
"Oh, right. I got separated from my companion and I don’t know the way back. Hey, Kuro, do you know where the Ducal House of Albert is?"
"Hmm…… sorry. I don’t actually live in this country, so I don’t know the location of specific houses."
"I see……"
"But don’t worry. I can help you find the person you lost."
"Really!?"
Smiling as if to cheer me up, Kuro reached into her coat again and pulled out a necklace adorned with a black gemstone.
"Here, this is for you! Take this and picture the person you were with~"
"Eh? Oh, okay."
Following her instructions, I held the necklace in my palm and pictured Lunamaria-san. Suddenly, a thin line of black light extended from the gem.
"W-Whoa!?"
"If you follow that, you’ll find them. I’ve cast Search Magic on that necklace~"
"Th-Thank you! But…… is it really okay for me to have this?"
"Ahaha, there’s no need to be so reserved while you’re young. We’re all in this together!"
"Young, huh…… Even though you look way younger than me, Kuro……"
"Ah, now that you mention it, I guess I do."
Warmed by Kuro’s constant, cheerful chatter, I thanked her several more times. This was a literal lifesaver. Thanks to her, I’d be able to get back.
I thanked her once more as she laughed and told me not to worry about it. Just as we were about to part ways, a question occurred to me.
"……By the way, Kuro, are you a boy or a girl?"
"Me? I can be 'either one.' Though I’m a girl right now."
"……Is it normal for Demons to be able to change their gender whenever they want?"
"No, it varies. Some have two genders like Humankind, some have no gender at all because they don’t reproduce, and some are like me and can change however we like~"
"I see. This world is full of mysteries."
As I thought, my common sense was useless here. But I couldn't stay here being surprised forever. Lunamaria-san was probably looking for me, so I had to go find her.
"Anyway, thank you so much!"
"Don't worry about it~ Let’s talk again if we get the chance."
"Yeah."
"See ya, Kaito-kun~"
I thanked Kuro one last time as she waved with an innocent smile, then followed the black light out of the square.
Dear Mother, Dear Father—I got lost in another world today, but I was saved. I met a mysterious Demon—someone who was childlike yet mature, ignorant yet knowledgeable, and elusive yet somehow instantly reassuring to the soul.
In the fountain square where the sun was slowly sinking, a quiet voice spoke from behind the small Demon after she watched the young man's back until he was out of sight.
"I have come to escort you, Kuromu-sama."
"Hmm? Are the preparations finished?"
"Yes. The King of Sinfonia is waiting."
"Got it. Let's go, then."
At the words of the black-armored knight who had appeared from nowhere, the Demon began to walk.
"……You seem to be in high spirits."
"Yeah. I met an interesting 'Nihonjin'~"
"……I heard the one summoned as the Hero was at the castle……"
"He was probably a mistake in the summoning. I suspect that’s why the King went out of his way to ask for a meeting today."
"I see."
"Well, for my part, I'm just happy I had a good encounter~"
A small shadow walked away, followed by a knight. The sight of her happily eating baby castellas was that of a mere child, but in those golden eyes looking quietly toward the future—there resided an unmistakable majesty.