A Creative Alchemist Enjoys His Freedom – After Being Banished from His Hometown, He Is Now Free to Create Magical Items with Incredible Effects Under the Control of the Demon King - Episode 24

Episode 24: “Mabel and Agnis have a secret conversation”

　After a while, it was time for the bathroom to open properly, so we decided to go our separate ways.

　I returned to my room, and General Raizenga went to report to Demon King Luquier about this incident, but…

“…Ma-Mabel! Can I talk to you for a second?”

　Agnis called out to Mabel as she was about to go back.
　Then she said she wanted to talk to her alone.

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　──Mabel’s point of view──

　Mabel and Agnis headed to the castle’s balcony.

　The sun was already setting, and the ridgeline of the mountain was stained red.
　There was no sign of anyone around.
　It was just the right place for secret talk.

“Thank you… so much this time. For coming with Thor-sama. And for lending me your maid outfit. Thanks to you, I was able to calm down and experiment with this pendant.”
“Yes, Agnis-sama.”
“I will wash the maid uniforms and return them to you. Also, when I return to the territory, I will properly prepare gifts of gratitude for Thor-sama and Mabel. And then… and then!”
“There’s no need to panic.”

　Mabel was smiling gently in the sunset.

“I won’t disappear. I’ll always be in this castle… at Thor-sama’s side.”
“…That’s nice, Mabel.”
“Yes. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be Thor-sama’s caretaker.”

　Mabel said as she closed her eyes and put her hands together in prayer.

“It’s hard to believe that it’s only been a few days since Thor-sama came to the Demon King’s territory… I feel that it’s natural for me to be by his side.”
“Mabel…”
“But His Majesty didn’t say that there should only be one caretaker. If you would like to take on the same role, Agnis-sama, why don’t you talk to His Majesty the Demon King about it?”
“…I…I still don’t think it’s possible.”

　Agnis blushed and shook her head.

“I’ve only just gotten to the point where I can take my armour off, so I think I need to get used to this lifestyle first. Right now, I want to study various things so that I can properly “user support” Thor-sama.”
“Agnis-sama… you’re impressive.”
“Otherwise I might cause trouble for Thor-sama and Mabel, right?”

　Agnis laughed, her hair fluttering in the evening breeze.

“When I’m able to properly support Thor-sama, then… I may take on the same role as Mabel. I look forward to working with you then, Senior.”
“I understand. At that time, we will be the caretakers, senior, and junior.”

　Mabel took Agnis’ hand and nodded.

“I’m looking forward to it, Agnis-sama.”
“Yeah”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know that you had thought that far ahead of me, Agnis-sama, so I said something without your permission.”
“You don’t have to apologise.”

　Agnis had a troubled look on her face as she looked at her childhood friend in front of her.

“Mabel is always like that. She has a habit of putting other people’s needs before herself.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. When Agnis burned Mabel when we were children, you were crying… You were shaking, but you said, ‘It’s nothing’.”
“That was a mistake. I should have just laughed and said it properly.”
“…Come on, Mabel.”

　Agnis took Mabel’s hand.

“But I’m glad. I got to be friends with Mabel again.”
“Me too, Agnis-sama.”

　Mabel smiled gently and stroked Agnis’s hair.

“However, when there are other people around, you should probably be more careful with your choice of words. General Raizenga has forgiven me, but I do have a certain status and position after all.”
“I know. That’s why, when the two of us… no, including Thor-sama—are together, I want to try not to worry about it.”
“Okay. But only when it’s just the three of us?”
“Okay. And then… this.”

　Agnis took out a black stone from the pocket of her maid uniform.
　It was a tiny rock, no bigger than the nail on my pinky finger.
　Holding the stone in both hands, Agnis said,

“This is a stone that Agnis found in the territory some time ago. I want you to give this to Thor-sama.”
“It’s the alchemy material, right?”
“Earlier, Thor Regus-sama said he wanted something that could be used as an alchemy material. This one is too small, though, so it might not be of any use.”

　Agnis continued, gazing at the small black stone.

“This is a mysterious stone that does not melt even at high temperatures. That’s why I kept it as a talisman. I thought maybe Thor-sama would be interested in it.”
“I understand. But wouldn’t it be better if Agnis-sama handed it over to him in person?”

　Mabel tilted her head.

“I think Thor-sama would be pleased with that.”
“Th-that’s…”

　Agnis’ cheeks turned red.
　She pressed her white palm against the chest of her maid uniform.
　Seeing that the skin was gradually turning red, Mabel was reassured that the [Health Promotion Pendant] was working smoothly.
　She nodded and waited for Agnis to speak.

“Right now, I feel a bit embarrassed to face him. From the time we first met until now, Thor-sama has seen a lot of things.”
“That’s… perhaps.”

　Mabel instinctively clutched her hot cheeks.

“You mean when you jumped without underwear on earlier? But that was just for a second, so there’s no need to worry about it that much…”
“…………”
“Huh? Is something wrong?”
“…Th-that’s…”
“Please tell me, Agnis-sama. I will use it as a reference when I serve Thor-sama.”
“Are you using this as a reference?!”
“I am also indebted to Thor-sama. This Mabel… at the very least, can do something like what Agnis did earlier… Well, if that is what you wish, I can…”
“…Wa, what.”
“…Ah, what else have you done, Agnis-sama?”
“……Umm.”
“You look embarrassed. The [Health Promotion Pendant] is also glowing. That means it must be the same as the jump from earlier.”
“M-Mabel? Don’t do the deduction!!”
“But, but… I’m in charge of taking care of Thor-sama. I’ll also be Agnis-sama senior. If it makes Thor-sama happy, I am prepared to do the same thing as Agnis-sama…”
“W-wait, Mabel. Wait.”

　Mabel and Agnis were bubbling away.
　Mabel nodded as if she had made up her mind, while Agnis held her bright red face.
　Then, suddenly, Mabel looked up and said,

“Now that I think about it, Thor-sama and Agnis met in the bathroom yesterday, right? Does that mean something happened there? Maybe the salamander from the water heater area knows something…”
“I give up, Mabel; you have too much reasoning ability! I’ll tell you!!”

　Agnis then told her how yesterday she had been practicing with the Salamanders in the water boiler’s room, without any clothes on, to control the “magic of fire”.
　By the way, she also told her how Thor reacted to that.
　In the end, Mabel and Agnis made a promise to keep this a secret from everyone except Thor, but…
　Mabel came up with a new event to serve Thor, but that was another story.