Chapter 42: Preparation
Everyone sat around the massive lotus-shaped conference table, the atmosphere unusually serious. Sharp gazes followed my every movement as reports and documents were arranged neatly across the polished surface.
I sat at the head of the table, lazily resting my cheek against my hand while wearing the new outfit the dwarves had personally crafted for me.
Yeah… this definitely screams final boss energy.
I should make this my official battle outfit.
The black and violet fabric shimmered faintly beneath the crystal lights, elegant yet intimidating. Honestly? The ambiance was immaculate.
I gestured toward Yamada, who stood beside the table holding several stacks of papers.
"As you all know," he began professionally, adjusting his glasses, "the development of the Ethereal City has progressed wonderfully over the past few months.
Agricultural production has increased dramatically, and we've divided our products into two categories: local consumption and commercial exports."
He paused briefly before glancing at me for approval.
"What products currently have the highest demand?" I asked.
"Healing potions and enchanted fruits, Shiori-sama."
Makes sense.
The potions produced here were absurdly effective compared to ordinary healing medicine. While they obviously couldn't revive the dead or regenerate entire missing limbs, even severe injuries could heal with barely any scarring.
Not to mention they were cheaper than most high-grade alternatives on the market.
Honestly, we were basically destroying the healthcare economy.
"The artificial products we invested in are also complete and ready for distribution," Yamada continued.
Beside him, Haru practically radiated pride.
"Oh?" I leaned forward slightly. "Do elaborate."
Haru cleared his throat dramatically.
"We successfully developed luxury skincare products under the brand name Lotus Paradise."
"…That actually sounds really cool," I admitted with sparkling eyes.
"Right?!" Haru grinned proudly.
"There are already stores prepared for launch in every nation we've visited,"
Kyokota added calmly. "Workers have also been hired and trained."
Dang. They really worked fast.
"The crimson cross has remained inactive so far," Ryu reported, crossing his arms.
"However, members of the White Lotus are still investigating their movements."
"As for the management of our financial assets," Kuro continued, "alongside
research concerning the whereabouts of your younger brother… final decisions have yet to be made."
I hummed softly, interlocking my fingers as everyone waited patiently for instructions.
"Very well.
The room instantly straightened.
"Ryu, you'll oversee all investigations regarding the crimson cross while I'm attending the academy."
"Yes, Shiori-sama."
"Shinso and Yuishiro will manage the commercial stores."
The two nodded immediately.
"Haru and Eliot will oversee production and distribution for Lotus Paradise."
Haru looked seconds away from crying tears of joy.
"Kuro, Kyokota, and Libara will focus on information gathering and intelligence acquisition."
"And everyone else will remain on standby while protecting the Ethereal City."
"Yes, Shiori-sama!" everyone answered in unison.
Ryu suddenly raised his hand.
"In that case, perhaps I can negotiate with potential new residents."
I blinked.
"New residents?"
"The fairies."
My eyes widened slightly.
…You mean those fairies? 😰
........
Deep within the forest—
BOOOOM!!!
A loud explosion shook the trees as several fairy youths crashed violently into the ground.
"This is a nightmare!" Emma cried dramatically.
"We're literally going to die out here!" Lance groaned, faceplanting into the grass like his soul had already left his body.
Marcus slowly stood up while holding his bruised shoulder.
"You two are overreacting…"
His entire body trembled from exhaustion, yet somehow sparkles still shined behind his eyes.
"This training will improve our survival skills! If we become stronger now, we'll stand a better chance against future enemies!"
Emma stared at him with admiration.
Lance, meanwhile, looked ready to ascend spiritually.
"You dense idiots!" he snapped. "I am NOT suffering through this just so you maniacs can fight stronger monsters!"
Storming away dramatically, he grabbed several unfamiliar strawberries growing nearby
"I'm eating these and ending it all."
"WAIT!" Emma shouted.
"Those could be poisonous!" Marcus added.
Lance ignored them completely and shoved one into his mouth.
Silence followed.
Then—
"Huh…?"
The others stared as Lance's eyes widened in absolute awe.
"…These are dangerous," he declared seriously while stuffing more into his mouth. "I'll personally dispose of them."
"…Lance."
"…You're not fooling anyone."
"EVERYONE!" Marcus yelled excitedly. "WE FOUND FOOD!"
......
I see… Maybe hiring professional massage therapists for the city wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.
"Feel free to access my memories if you don't understand something," I said while standing from my seat. "Meeting adjourned~"
Later that evening, I sat comfortably in my study reading romance novels while sipping tea.
"I wonder if those girls will survive…" I muttered.
Flashback
"These are the maids who will accompany you to the academy," Ryu explained, gesturing toward three goblin girls standing proudly in a line.
"My name is Daisy!"
"I'm Lily!"
"And I'm Rose!"
"Ohhh…" I blinked.
FlashbackEnds
The girls had already organized my luggage and travel preparations perfectly. My academy entrance exam was still a month away, so there wasn't any rush.
"Most of my friends are probably back in school by now…" I muttered thoughtfully.
"Felix, Eliot, and Nate should all be second-years now if I remember correctly…"
Mochiko suddenly poked my cheek.
"Oh right," I said while lifting him into my arms. "Should I take you along too?"
Just then, Ryu and Kuro entered the room.
"Oh? What's up, you two?"
Ryu sighed.
"About the academy… are you truly going alone? Wouldn't it be safer if one of us accompanied you?"
"That would only attract attention," I deadpanned.
The two immediately looked unconvinced.
"The goddess still doesn't know about the demi-plane or any of you," I explained gently. "If something goes wrong, you all are basically my hidden trump cards."
"Very well," Ryu sighed. "But there is another matter. We plan to establish a store in the Draco Capital—the same city your academy is located in."
"Oh?"
"Perhaps Shinso and Yuishiro could accompany you while handling the business operations?"
"That's fine."
Then I suddenly remembered something.
"Oh! I almost forgot!
I hurried over to one of the shelves and grabbed several plastic cases before returning.
"Here," I said while handing them over. "A parting gift."
The moment they saw the title—
"ONE PIECE…?!"
Considering how ridiculously long the series was, they probably wouldn't even have time to miss me.
"Shiori-sama…" they sniffled emotionally before tackling me into a hug.
Worth it.
"Shiori-sama! I have a request!"
Dayama suddenly approached while I wandered through the garden.
"Hm? What is it?"
"It's about the fungal . He wishes to see you."
"Huh?"
A few minutes later, Libara sat nervously across from me during tea.
"It's about Ciel," she explained. "Since I now serve you, technically… Ciel belongs to you as well."
"Oh?"
Tiny mushroom butler acquired?
"However…" she sighed, "he doesn't know how to properly serve you since most of your needs are already handled by others."
"I see."
Poor thing was probably having an identity crisis.
"Very well," I nodded. "I'll speak with him tomorrow."
Libara immediately brightened.
"Really?! Thank you!"
She genuinely cared about him a lot.
The next morning, I adjusted my outfit in front of the mirror before hearing a knock.
"Come in."
The door opened slowly, revealing Ciel dressed in elegant Victorian clothing.
"…Looking good," I complimented honestly.
"Thank you, my lady," he bowed politely.
Too cute.
Seriously unfair levels of cute.
I knew he was far older than he looked, but his appearance combined with those obedient mannerisms made him resemble a well-behaved child.
"Alright! Let's go!"
I grabbed my umbrella dramatically like magical-girl Mary Poppins.
"Where are we going, Lady Shiori?" he asked curiously.
"That's a surprise~"
No One's POV
Kuro searched the mansion frantically.
"Has anyone seen Shiori-sama?!"
"Oh," Libara answered casually, "she's currently on a date with Ciel."
Silence.
"…WHAT?!" every male present screamed simultaneously.
"WHERE DID THEY GO?!" Kuro demanded desperately.
Libara tapped her lips thoughtfully.
"Well…"
.......
Ciel and I rode together through the forest atop a Komori Wolf.
"This is my favorite place in the kingdom," I smiled. The moment we arrived beneath the massive glowing wisteria tree, Ciel gasped softly.
"It's beautiful…"
"I usually come here whenever I want to relax and read novels."
Once we arrived, I spread out a picnic blanket beneath the tree before placing a basket of food down.
"Alright! Let's eat!"
Ciel hesitated nervously.
"What's wrong?"
"…I actually prepared a bento for you," he admitted quietly. "I used your memories to determine your preferences… though now I realize your own chefs likely prepared something superior."
HE MADE ME A BENTO?!
Despite believing I might never eat it?!
What a devoted little butler 😭✨
"I humbly accept," I declared dramatically.
Opening the box revealed adorable sweets and neatly prepared dishes.
I took one bite of the egg roll.
My eyes sparkled instantly
"Yummy!"
"There are so many sweet dishes…"
"Yes," Ciel nodded softly. "The head chef informed me you adore sweets."
Excellent.
He understands me already 😌
After finishing our meal, we sat beneath the falling wisteria petals.
"Thank you for bringing me here," he smiled gently.
"No problem."
I tilted my head.
"But… you've seemed restless all day."
He stiffened.
"It's nothing serious—"
"Ciel."
"…Very well."
He looked down quietly.
"Please give me an order."
"Huh?"
"Anything at all. I wish to serve you properly."
I blinked slowly.
"What exactly makes you so eager to serve others?"
"…Serving my master gives me purpose," he admitted honestly. "And now… that master is you."
"Don't you care how people treat you?"
He smiled faintly.
"I'm not worth much otherwise."
…Ah.
So that's the issue.
"I see," I said softly. "Then I have an order for you."
His eyes lit up instantly.
"Please tell me!"
"I order you… to stop trying to be useful to me."
Silence.
Ciel looked absolutely devastated.
"…Are you certain?"
"Very."
"V-Very well…"
A few minutes later, he sat perfectly in formal seiza posture beside me.
"…You're being useful again," I deadpanned.
"Hm?"
"You're too cute sitting like that. It's healing my soul."
"I-I'm sorry!" he panicked while standing up.
"Now you're being cute while panicking."
"…Then I shall hide."
He immediately hid behind a tree.
"…Is this acceptable?"
"Still cute."
At that point, Ciel summoned a Komori Wolf and dramatically fled the area.
"…Huh?"
....
Back home, Ciel collapsed dramatically onto the floor beside Libara.
"I don't understand her orders!" he cried.
Libara stared blankly.
"…What exactly are you two doing?"
........
"It seems you're still failing to follow my command," I teased once he returned.
"I cannot help it," Ciel admitted sadly. "No matter what I do… I seem to be useful to you."
He hesitated briefly before speaking again.
"Then there is only one way to obey your order."
"And that is?"
"I would need to cease existing."
I immediately bonked him lightly on the forehead.
"Wrong answer." He blinked.
"The fact that you exist already helps me," I said honestly. "You don't need to earn your worth by serving others."
His face turned bright red.
"So just be yourself, Ciel."
He stared at me silently before smiling softly.
"Your wish is my command."
"That's NOT the point!" I whined.
Oh lord.
Here we go again 🤦♀️
Hidden nearby in the bushes, several retainers watched the wholesome interaction with watery eyes.
"I want a wholesome moment with Master too~" Kuro complained bitterly.
"Same here!"
"Master is too kind…"
Meanwhile, Shiori could clearly hear every single one of them…
…but chose peace.
"Are you two ready?" I asked Yuishiro and Shinso.
Both nodded calmly, dressed in casual clothing to avoid attracting attention.
…
Unfortunately, they still looked absurdly handsome
I said blend in, not become walking thirst traps. 🤦♀️
"Alright then," I smiled while climbing into the carriage. "Let's go, Madara!"
The Komori Wolves began running as the carriage rolled forward.
Everyone waved goodbye while I hugged Mochiko happily in my lap.
Next stop—
The Draco Academy! ✨