The next morning.
Aesc's eyes fluttered open to a soft, gentle touch. Reflected in her gaze was a ceiling adorned with luxurious patterns and a chandelier that looked like solid gold.
This wasn't her original room.
"Oh, right… I remember. Naoki did this…"
Her room had been completely renovated by Naoki yesterday. Honestly, the change made it a bit hard for Aesc to adjust.
Sitting up from the incredibly soft mattress beneath her, Aesc held her slightly dizzy head. Her fingers brushed against a small body.
"Totorot?"
Beside her, Totorot was sleeping soundly, drool dripping from her mouth.
She hadn't woken up yet.
No wonder—after camping in the wild, she was finally sleeping on a real bed, and one this soft. It was only natural she'd sleep deeply. In fact, Aesc herself had slept incredibly well last night.
A deep sleep she hadn't experienced in who-knows-how-many years.
Since receiving memories from her Pan-Human History self, Aesc had constantly worried about future crises. Even in sleep, those thoughts never stopped.
Thus, she hadn't slept soundly in thousands of years.
And yesterday, with the arrival of Naoki—the one she'd awaited for millennia—Aesc had slightly let down her guard and vigilance…
(I let my guard down… I can't be this relaxed again, Aesc.)
Controlling her expression and mood, Aesc got out of bed, changed clothes, and tidied herself in front of the mirror.
(The crisis in Britain never ends—it only worsens. This isn't the time to relax, Aesc. Stay focused.)
Last night's rest was enough. Now, she had to pour her full attention back into work.
Of course, breakfast came first. Aesc remembered a communal dining area across from their house.
(Today I'll eat there, then talk to people on the street to gather info from while I was away. After understanding the situation, I'll meet the managers and plan human-side policies. Plus Uther's Magecraft training… So much to do. One step at a time.)
Thinking this, as soon as Aesc opened the bedroom door—she froze.
Outside, like inside, Naoki's Imaginary Manifestation had transformed everything into something utterly unfamiliar. Though she could see the stairs to the first floor, the visual shock—like stepping into a palace hallway—left her stunned.
(Naoki… I'll ask him to change it back later.)
Though comfortable, Aesc felt a bit out of place in a house like this.
Following the stairs down, fortunately, the front door was right across from them. She could head straight out.
But…
"Hmm? This smell…"
Descending the stairs, a delicious aroma wafted into Aesc's nose. It came from the left.
Naoki had only changed the exterior appearance, not the overall layout. Aesc recalled that direction led to the kitchen.
"Is someone using the kitchen?"
Curious, Aesc went to the kitchen and saw Naoki busy at work.
From Morgan's memories, Aesc knew Naoki always cooked for her whenever she visited a place called Glastonbury—and his skills were excellent. But seeing it firsthand…
"Hmm? Aesc, good morning."
Naoki seemed to hear her footsteps. He glanced back slightly. "You look refreshed. Sleep well? Last night's welcome party was lively. I thought you'd sleep in."
Last night's party?
(Oh, right. I did hold a party last night—to welcome Naoki… I finally remember…)
"Thank you for escorting me home last night." Aesc said. "I think I accidentally drank too much."
"No big deal. Sit at the table for a bit. Breakfast is almost ready. There aren't many ingredients here, so I could only make something simple. This Fairy Nation really has no culture at all."
The core of the Fairy Nation was fairies—and fairies created no culture of their own because they didn't understand it. Though they made humans and gradually built cities through human reproduction, culture here remained barren.
Take food, for example.
"I woke up hungry and wanted something to eat. I went to that communal dining spot and found it wasn't human food at all. Livestock feed? Well, I can imagine why humans eat it."
Humans were originally created by fairies as tools for amusement—or rather, livestock. Naturally, their food was feed. Fairies didn't need to eat, so human food was understandably terrible.
Over the years, humans grew used to it. Even after rebelling against fairies, their eating habits stayed the same.
When they returned yesterday, some still considered plain roasted potatoes a rare delicacy—though it could be seen as a unique treat.
So—
"You decided to cook yourself because you couldn't eat the feed fairies gave humans?"
"Yes. Since you all want to defeat fairies… or coexist with them, this aspect needs improvement too—Here, try this."
Naoki poured the pot's contents into a bowl and served it to Aesc.
"Just simple white rice porridge and a few side dishes. This is all I could make with what's available. I'll figure out how to vary it later."
"Thank you. I'll eat."
Though she planned to eat outside with everyone, since Naoki prepared it, Aesc had no intention of refusing.
Sitting at the table and taking a spoonful…
"This is delicious."
"Good." Naoki said, sitting across from her with his own bowl. "If you said it wasn't, that'd be bad. As thanks, I can't let you eat bad food."
"Thanks?"
"Yes. As gratitude for letting me stay, from now on I'll handle meals for you, Totorot, and Hector. You can't cook, right? Eating feed isn't fitting."
(This is too much trouble for you.)
—Aesc wanted to say that, but the unfamiliar taste stopped her.
(So good. Just porridge, but such a delicious breakfast.)
Compared to this, Aesc suddenly found her previous breakfasts unpalatable. Though in truth, they were unpalatable feed.
"Then I'll trouble you, Naoki. Sorry."
"Why apologize? Are you Sigfried?" Naoki laughed. "I don't want to stay for free. Cooking for you all is my rent—There's more in the pot. Help yourself if you finish."
"…"
After a brief silence, like Artoria, Aesc quickly and gracefully finished her bowl—and immediately refilled it.