Irene sat with one pale, delicate foot crossed over the other, enjoying the feeling of Heine drying her hair. She showed not the slightest interest in Kabe's invitation either.
"I have no interest in a mage guild, a place for children to play house.
Once we reach Magnolia, I will first determine the physical condition of that Dragon Slayer called Natsu.
After that, I will find a quiet place and begin my research."
She paused, then glanced at Juliet, who was standing obediently at her side, before adding,
"Or perhaps I will buy a shop and leave it to Heine and the others to manage, selling magical tools I create whenever I grow bored."
"That actually sounds pretty good. It would not be too tiring, and it would not be boring either."
Brandish suddenly changed her mind. Raising a hand, she actively volunteered,
"Lady Irene, take me in too while you are at it. I can be your security guard."
Irene gave a light nod and accepted her offer without refusing.
Seeing that they all already had plans of their own, Kabe could not really keep persuading them. He could only let out a regretful sigh and inwardly lament that they simply had no fate with the guild.
'Sigh... well, I tried. At least if the old man asks, I can say I made the effort.'
"All right, all right. Then it is settled. Once we get back, I will help keep an eye out for a suitable shop.
That is enough for today. Pack your things tomorrow morning and get ready to leave."
With that, Kabe took off his shirt and headed toward the bathroom. As he pushed the door open, he turned his head and called to Juliet,
"Come here. Help scrub my back."
"Eh? M-me?"
"Why, is that a problem? Heine was willing. Do not tell me you are not?"
"Ugh... f-fine. I am coming."
Juliet shuffled unwillingly toward the bathroom, her big eyes darting now and then toward Irene, full of silent hope.
But Irene acted as though she did not care in the slightest, coldly ignoring her.
With a stab of pain in her heart, Juliet could only helplessly accept her fate. Girding herself as though heading into battle, she finally arrived at the bathroom door.
'Do not be afraid, Juliet. Your true form is only a sword. No matter what, no normal person would actually make a move on a sword!'
Thinking that, she finally gathered her courage, pushed open the bathroom door, and stepped inside.
"Eh? You really only want me to scrub your back? You do not want to do anything strange to me?"
"Less nonsense. Hurry up and start."
"Nooo, Lord Kabe, do not be fooled by how I look. I actually know a lot too!"
"Hey, Irene, your little attendant seems like there is something wrong with her head. Come fix her."
"Please, I am begging you, use me however you like! Otherwise what was all that mental preparation just now for? I would be so embarrassed!"
"Knock it off, you shameless pervert! I am not interested in you at all!!!"
...
Listening to the noisy clattering and bickering coming from the bathroom, Irene raised a hand to stop Heine, who looked like she was about to say something.
Then she rose gracefully, smoothed down her skirt, and walked straight toward the door.
As she passed the bathroom, she paused and, in a voice neither too loud nor too soft, called out,
"I am heading back first. See you tomorrow."
After saying that, she did not care whether Kabe had heard her or not. She simply opened the door and left with absolute decisiveness.
Kabe: "Get back here! Take this crazy shameless woman with you too!!!"
Juliet: "Do not hold back on my account. Please, just come at me with everything you have, Lord Kabe!!"
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