It can be quickly understood that this day is what’s called special, by watching the various people passing by.

    The town has been animated since early in the morning, many street stalls can be seen in the plaza.

    Moved by the spending on presents for the family or such, this the real deal itself to the merchants I suppose.

    Rather than just selling or just buying, I’m unmistakably enjoying the atmosphere that’s different from normal.

    Among the temporary stores there are also food and drink type stands, fragrant smells and cheerful voices wafting up from every direction are truly that which is a festival.

    Giving thanks to family and home, friends, and neighbors, celebrating this year’s harvest by offering meals.

    That is, Alseid kingdom’s thanksgiving festival.

    「Great festival isn’t it, I’ve always liked these haven’t I!」

    I became engrossed in a stall’s katanuki.

    Chiku chiku chiku chiku, to speak of the sense of tension while carving out a candy bar with a thumbtack!

    ……Having them fall apart with the very first stab has happened more times than I can count.

    In any case, I’ve set out with Ilya since morning, the town’s enthusiasm makes my heart dance.

    「Ojousama, did you not call for Eclair-sama?」

    Wasn’t I turned down?

    And, please stop tilting your head, Ilya.

    「……Kohon, I did. But it seemed like her store will be busy so. I told her to come stay at our house for the night.」

    「I see, then everyone-sama will be staying over tonight won’t they.」

    「Un.」

    Aim and Rin-chan too right.

    「And oneechan is also helping at the church since morning.」

    And Saira is assisting the maid-sans at home.

    This sort of thing might be the most fun with preparations.

    So that I also will not be idle, it might be best to go around and do something.

    But maa it’s not the case that I’m sadly attending the festival on my own, look, since Ilya is here.

    「Fufu, this seems fun doesn’t it, ojousama?」

    「Is it? It might be, because of Ilya right.」

    「Those words are more than I deserve.」

    As always the one hanging back one step and following after is, this child.

    She only acts to elevate me doesn’t she.

    「Ilya is stubborn isn’t she.」

    「That which is called position isn’t something that should be made vague, ojousama.」

    How far will we go on these sorts of parallel lines.

    「If the two of us walk around town like this, in what manner will we be seen?」

    「Master and servant, ojousama.」

    「Rejected.」

    That isn’t the word I desire, servant.

    「Then, superior and subordinate?」

    「Please separate from above and below.」

    「Female and female?」

    「……」

    「……」

    Female and female?

    「You’ve gotten strangely, strangely literal haven’t you.」

    「No, I have simply tried stating the facts but, is there a problem?」

    Your specialty is moving out of my intended destination right, Ilya is……

    Furthermore, this is purposeful isn’t it.

    Even though friends who get along or, family or, that sort of thing are fine.

    Ma～whatever.

    「Let’s go about the festival together today okay, Ilya?」

    「Hai, ojousama. On that note it’s grown rare for us to do the sort of things where it’s just the two of us hasn’t it.」

    「Is that the case?」

    「It is. When we set out on a journey, the pair of ojousama and I have always been acting together.」

    「I suppose so……」

    Till quickly vanishes doesn’t she……

    Since we left Rinal, I’ve always been protected by this child.

    「Thank you, Ilya.」

    「That sort of appreciation……I am――」

    It seemed like she would say those words so, I put a finger against Ilya’s mouth and stopped her.

    「Don’t say that Ilya, since I’ll give you your freedom at any time.」

    「I have no excuse for my actions, the sort of thing that would cause injury to ojousama’s heart……」

    Taking the hand I used to seal Ilya’s mouth, she expressed apologetic words.

    Certainly I may have fulfilled a transaction with a proper exchange but, that seems ethically heavy.

    This transaction, hereafter and until now is only with Ilya.

    「Nevertheless, it isn’t the case that I want to let go of my connection with ojousama.」

    「……Actually, I’m the same. So I’ll never release Ilya.」

    「That isn’t something that should concern you, ojousama. That’s something normal for a master and, to me it’s something to be happy for.」

    Even though if not for the matter of magic power, this child could live on anywhere couldn’t she……

    「Ojousama’s heart is very beautiful. It very tranquilly, makes peaceful feelings.」

    Though that might simply be because I was raised in that sort of era.

    「However ojousama, have you read the contract well?」

    「From when I bought Ilya?」

    「Hai, in order to release me ojousama’s will alone is not sufficient.」

    「Eh! Is that so!?」

    「Within the presence of the company, with ojousama’s acknowledgment, it is necessary that I pay back the monetary sum that was received in my purchase.」

    I see, there must be an observer for the release, so that the master isn’t deceived or taken in her sleep I guess.

    Since within this world there exists charm magic or the like right.

    That occasion would, make Kran extremely angry……

    Maa Ilya wouldn’t do such a thing so, this is just a general conversation.

    In short……

    「40 gold coins?」

    「Hai, thinking about it normally it’s completely impossible, ojousama.」

    「B, but the current me seems to have collected quite a lot……」

    I provide wages for Ilya as well you know?

    「That is ojousama’s authority, as it is ojousama’s power, it is not something that is mine. Something like 40 gold coins is to myself, extremely.」

    In short that is to say that Ilya has no intention of using the money she receives from me.

    On that note I’ve received platinum coins recently, I got a mansion, I got maid-sans, I earned even more in profits and I’m numbed by how incredible it’s become but, since a gold coin is quite the amount isn’t it.

    ……That is why, Aim broke her heart as she collected that sum.

    「So, then, that means that Ilya will be at my side until she messes up and dies doesn’t it?」

    「Hai. However to use this body to its end is, something I feel glad for.」

    「Ilya……」

    Without expecting to I placed my hand on Ilya’s cheek, and drew my face close.

    Kiss……As much as I want to, looking closely Ilya’s expression is alluringly beautiful.

    ……But this is a public road beneath the open sky.

    I clearly understand the gazes facing us from the people passing by.

    「……Did you know?」