Ch. 43: The Morning at the Research Lab

    It was the morning after the interrogation with the Royal Magecraft Knights.

    They offered to take me home, but I refused their offer and walked home.

    Werner: “It’s bright.”

    The morning light burned my eyes after staying up all night.

    But the cold air that cut through the winter morning felt nice.

    As I returned to the Marquis’ Mansion, my sister was waiting for me.

    Werner: “I’m back.”

    Bridget: “Welcome home. Could you tell me how it went?” Werner: “I just got back from answering many questions during the interrogation…”

    Bridget: “Let me hear about it regardless. You can do it while you eat breakfast.”

    Werner: “Fine. But I don’t need breakfast. I’ve been up all night, and I’m pretty sleepy.”

    And I give my sister a short report.

    But even though I am summarizing, I am not skipping over details about the incident.

    I am, however, skimming over the details concerning the Magecraft Artifacts.

    At the Royal Magecraft Knight’s headquarters, I had to explain what each artifact did and its effect.

    I didn’t have to explain the artifacts in such detail to my sister, so the conversation only lasted for 20 minutes or so.

    With all the explanations provided, I returned to the Research Lab.

    Werner: “That reminds me… I was baking the first experimental bread in the Bread-Baking Magecraft Artifact.”

    If the Magecraft Artifact works as designed, then the bread should be baked by now.

    I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome, but I would like to take a nap before we taste it.

    As I made those plans in my head, I disengaged the Barrier and opened the door.

    Hati: “My Lorrrrrrrrd～”

    Hati came running up crying and jumped into my arms.

    Werner: “What’s wrong?”

    Hati: “(hic)........when Hati woke, my Lord was not here so…….(sob)....”

    Werner: “Ah, I see.” Since I was nowhere to be seen when she awoke, Hati thought I may have abandoned her.

    Werner: “A lot happened last night.”

    Hati: “What is meant by a lot?” Hati began pushing her head against my chest.

    I got a good bit of her tears and boogers all over my chest.

    She is an Infant Dragon, so it was to be expected.

    Werner: “Last night, some bad guys came andーー”

    As I carried Hati in my arms, I explained last night’s events.

    This is the 3rd time I’m having to do so.

    I pat her head as I speak, and Hati seems to have calmed down.

    Werner: “So that’s why I had to head out to answer some questions.”

    Hati: “I see～ OH! My Lord! I smell something good! Is it dried ration bread perhaps?”

    Now that she’s calm, she noticed the smell of freshly baked bread from the Magecraft Artifact.

    Werner: “Ah, yes. Last night, I completed the Bread-Baking Magecraft Artifact.”

    Hati: “That’s amazing! Will we get to eat it?”

    Her tear-stained face with a runny rose had now drool added to it.

    She really is still an Infant Dragon.

    Werner: “I don’t know if the bread will be good though.” Hati: “Hati would still like to try it!”

    Werner: “All right. Let’s try it.” I open the lid of the Bread-Baking Magecraft Artifact.

    As soon as I did so, steam immediately rose out.

    Hati: “Ohhhhh～”

    Werner: “The smell and look of it gets passing marks.”

    I take out the bread and cut it with a kitchen knife.

    Werner: “The inside of it also looks good.”

    Hati: “It looks delicious!”

    I hand Hati a sliced piece of bread.

    Werner: “You can try it.”

    Hati: “Thank you! I will!”

    Hati began furiously nibbling and eating the bread.

    Werner: “How does it taste?”

    Hati: “It is very delicious!”

    Werner: “That’s good to hear.”

    Hati: “My Lord, you will not eat any?” Werner: “No, I will.” Hati: “It tastes even better when we eat it together!”

    And Hati continued to devour the bread.

    It looks like she’s really enjoying it.

    I also tear off a piece and taste it.

    Werner: “Oh, it’s good.”

    Hati: “My Lord, this bread is very delicious! It’s the most delicious bread I’ve tasted so far!”

    I think she’s over-exaggerating.

    But it was indeed a delicious bread.

    Werner: “I think the Bread-Making Magecraft Artifact is complete.”

    Hati: “Well done, my Lord!”

    And I place more ingredients inside the Bread-Making Artifact and turn it back on.

    It’s to be able to eat some bread after I wake up.

    Since I stayed up all night, the bread might have just tasted better due to the fatigue.

    Werner: “So I’m going to sleep. I didn''t sleep at all last night.”

    Hati: “Understood! Hati will protect my Lord while he sleeps!”

    Werner: “Thank you, Hati.” I got into bed, and Hati sat on top of me.

    She plans to protect me from there.

    I patted Hati on the head as I closed my eyes.

    Although I was feeling sleepy, I could not fall asleep immediately.

    So much has happened last night, so my body may still be excited.

    As I was thinking about those thingsーー

    Hati: (*snore～～)

    I heard Hati breathe as she slept.

    Looks like she fell asleep already.

    She might have even woken up last night and stayed awake through the night.

    And realizing that I was not here, she may have been too worried to go back to sleep.

    As I listened to Hati breathe, I fell asleep at some point without realizing it.