> Ellie PoV

“Very well, Mrs Quasse. I will take that into account.” (King Fred)

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Then, we shall take our leave.” (Kira)

“Until we meet again, Mrs Quasse!” (Grandmaster)

Looks like it’s finally over!

We start walking out of the audience chamber.

“Now then Kilroy, tell me about this underwater cave thing!” (King Fred)

The king and the Grandmaster start talking about that cave that’s supposedly full of pearls.

Well, our part in this meeting is over, so that’s none of our business!

Fred wanted to hear Kira’s input on what to do with for the first issue of the Wyvernews bi-monthly newspaper.

They’re going to distribute several thousand copies to all major cities using wyvern express mail starting next year.

That’s where the name came from, you see.

It’s a trial run, so the first issue is a small booklet of only 12 pages.

The first two pages will be an article describing the new Ministry of Progress and the king’s hopes for the future.

The next four pages are going to be about other major events that have happened in the last few months.

The Elder Dragon attack and that old fart’s failed coup are part of that.

Pages 7 through 10 will belong to the Adventurer’s Guild.

That section is mostly going to be focused on information useful for adventurers, as well as articles about promising newcomers.

It’s because Kira convinced them to become a sponsor.

'If the Crown has more money, then our department will also have more money' was the reason she did it.

The Grandmaster liked the idea, so he brought the proposal to some guild meeting and it was accepted.

The Guild and the Crown may be completely different organizations, but they get along pretty well.

Ultimately all three major sections of this first issue will involve Kira and me in some way.

Kira demanded they keep our names out of it as much as possible, though.

She doesn’t want fame to interfere with her family life, so she was really insistent.

There may have been some musings about the probability of the ocean swallowing up the royal castle in a giant wave.

Or how it was natural for Adventurer’s Guild buildings to disappear into the ground for no discernible reason.

Well, they both understood her wishes, so it all ended well.

Me?

I was there because the last two pages were meant for entertainment.

In other words - 16 Sudoku puzzles and a brief introduction to the game.

The king seems sure it would catch on among the general populace.

I think he just wants an excuse to get more puzzles out of me.

Well, Nano’s the one who made them, I just had to hand them over.

As we exit the audience chamber, we see Lara waiting for us.

Wait, what!?

“Hey Mom and Mom! You took a while!” (Lara)

They were supposed to be having fun with Shalia!

“Lara! Why are you out here by yourself! Did that airhead not listen to me!?” (Kira)

And Ariel was supposed to keep an eye on them!

“Huh? But the king said we could do what we wanted here as long as we didn’t disturb the old guys…” (Lara)

No, you two are not being escorted so that you won’t cause trouble!

You’re being escorted because we want you to be safe!

I mean yes, the royal family is here so the place is very well guarded, but their personal safety is not something we can trust anybody else with!

Kira kneels down and grabs her shoulder with a worried face!

“Lara, we’ll talk about that later! Where’s your sister?” (Kira)

Ack, she’s not here at all!

I should have noticed earlier, I’m a failure as a parent!

They’re always together, so I assumed she was nearby!

“She’s having tea in Shalia’s room with her and miss Ariel.” (Lara)

She pointed to somewhere deeper in the castle.

“Then why are you out here standing in the hallway like this!?” (Kira)

“I was waiting for you to finish… was it bad?” (Lara)

“Yes! I mean… only because you were by yourself! Next time bring your sister and Ariel along, got it? I worry sick whenever you run around unsupervised like that!” (Kira)

“Wha!? But you let us do it all the time in Runetap!” (Lara)

Well, that’s mostly because Nano’s drones silently keep an eye on them.

Plus his butler android is always nearby.

It’s not stalking okay, he’s just making sure nobody suspicious attacks them again!

But he can’t do that inside this massive castle!

Right, time to put the proverbial foot down!

“Lara mil Quasse!” (Ellie)

“Uh oh… full name…” (Lara)

“Please understand it’s for your own safety, okay? We don’t want any more bad people to come and take you away from us ever again.” (Ellie)

Lara’s eyes widen in shock and then she hangs her head.

“... Yes. I understand. I’m sorry Mom.” (Lara)

We share a brief three-way hug.

She’s a good kid, but she gets carried away sometimes.

While I don’t want the memories of that incident to haunt her, she shouldn’t forget it happened.

“So why were you waiting for us in the first place?” (Kira)

“Uhm… Can Shalia come over to our house to play?” (Lara)

* * *

I’m escorting the three girls back to our house.

Kira and Ariel already went ahead.

Kira wanted to give Ariel a rather extreme scolding for losing sight of Lara.

Ariel was looking forward to it though...

I don’t think we can trust her with the girls anymore.

But Kelly is way too busy with Nano’s project so she wasn’t available.

Fluffles or Puff would be excellent bodyguards once they get older though.

Gryphons are tough, smart and have sharp instincts.

“Thank you for agreeing to my selfish request.” (Shalia)

The princess smiles at me for bringing her along.

Apparently she really wanted to see our flying house.

We got permission from the Queen first, of course.

The king can’t really be trusted when it comes to his daughter.

He spoils her way too much and instantly gives her what she wants without question!

“It’s okay. Since you’re my daughter’s friend.” (Ellie)

“Really? We thought it wasn’t allowed to have guests…” (Sophie)

“Yeah Mom! You never invite people over!” (Lara)

“Nobody’s really asked to visit before. I wonder why that is, though...” (Ellie)

“Maybe cause our house is hard to get to?” (Lara)

Ah, that’s true.

It’s either flying or behind a password-protected [Gateway].

“Yeah, even we can’t leave whenever we want.” (Sophie)

Well, that’s mostly on purpose though…

Maybe we’re stifling the girls too much?

I should have a talk with Kira later, see if we can’t come up with something.

“Speaking of which, how are we going to get up there?” (Shalia)

“Hmm? By flying of course.” (Ellie)

“F-Flying?” (Shalia)

“You’ll see Shalia! It’s really fun!” (Lara)

“Yeah! Mommy’s air rides are the best!” (Sophie)

Speaking of which, we should be close enough.

“Uhm… I think I f-forgot my, uh, woah! WAH!” (Shalia)

“Wee!” (Lara)

“Yaaay!” (Sophie)

I gently picked up the three with my Telekinesis.

Huh?

[ ]

Hey Mister Author! You dropped these: (╯°□°）╯

AN: Hmm? Oh crap! Uhm! Just leave them! I use those things completely at random anyway!

Really? Is that okay? Your readers are pretty understanding, so it’s okay, right?

AN: Lines, Ellie! Do your lines!

Right! Sorry. Ahem.

I gently picked up the three with my Telekinesis.

Shalia is surprised since it’s her first time experiencing it.

She’ll get used to it soon enough.

I take out my sword and start pouring mana into it.

“------- [Flight]” (Ellie)

I start slowly, but surely ascending, carrying the three of them along.

There’s no need to rush.

“Mommy, why did you use magic?” (Sophie)

“Waaah! We’re flyiiing!” (Shalia)

“What do you mean?” (Ellie)

“Can’t you give yourself an air-ride?” (Sophie)

Hmm, it’s difficult to explain…

The brain acts as a linchpin, so using my own Telekinesis field to move myself around would cause-

Oh, I know!

“You know how this thing is like an invisible set of arms, right?” (Ellie)

“Yes?” (Sophie)

“Please put me down! And don’t drop me!” (Shalia)

“Which is it you want, Shalia?” (Lara)

“Well, can you pull yourself up with your own arm?” (Ellie)

“Neither! I mean both! Aaaah!” (Shalia)

“No... Ohh! I see! Still, I wish I could do what you do…” (Sophie)

I keep quiet since I don’t know how to respond.

I mean, the chance isn’t zero, but it’s extremely unlikely.

Plus, I don’t want my daughter to suffer through nanite bonding.

It feels like someone’s ripping out all of your nerves at once!

…

I remembered something bad.

Must be running low on love and smiles, I should recharge with Kira soon!

“Woah! It’s way bigger up close!” (Shalia)

Oh!

Her highness the princess seems to have snapped out of her panic!

That’s good, maybe she won’t flail about as much next time.

I land inside the black wall and let the three of them down.

“Thanks for the lift, Mom.” (Sophie)

“That was a good experience… I think…” (Shalia)

“Piyaaa!” (Fluffles)

“Oh hey Fluffles! Look we brought Shalia over!” (Lara)

“Uwaah!” (Shalia)

She hides behind me, scared of the approach mass of feathers and fur.

This princess really is too sheltered, isn’t she?

“It’s okay Shalia! This is our pet gryphon! He’s real nice!” (Lara)

“Yeah, go say hi, Fluffles!” (Sophie)

“Pikyo.” (Fluffles)

He greets her with a curt, but perfect curtsy.

Come to think of it, he got noticeably bigger in just a week.

Puff is growing up splendidly as well.

I can’t really tell if Lara or Sophie have grown much in height, though...

“... You’re sure it’s safe?” (Shalia)

“It’s fine! Look! Hup!” (Sophie)

Sophie climbs up on his back like she’s riding him.

Well, she really just wants to hug his feathery neck from behind.

He affectionately rubs her head his with his own.

“He’s sooo soooofft!” (Sophie)

“Uhm… Hello Mister Fluffles.” (Shalia)

Oh, she's greeting him properly!

“Pyo.” (Fluffles)

“That’s the spirit! You should meet Puff too! He’s just as soft!” (Lara)

“Puff? What? There’s another one?!” (Shalia)

“Yeah! Puff was hatched by our moms! He does some really neat tricks!” (Lara)

“Fluffles is cuter though.” (Sophie)

The four of them are getting along perfectly from what I can tell.

Now then, I should go find-

{Attention everyone! Brand’s coming back! He’s about 2 kilometers out and headed this way.}

What, already?

It’s only been 18 days, he’s a bit early.

{However... Umph is with him.}

Uh oh.

“WHAT!?” (Kira)

*SLAM*

“As if dealing with one worthless bird-brain wasn’t enough! I’ll smash him to bits!” (Kira)

She came out of the tower with a huff.

Shalia is staring at her in mute shock while Lara and Sophie are petting Fluffles.

Kira is wearing the same face she had when that High Dragon showed up!

This is bad!

The Capital will definitely not recover from this!

{They say they’re bringing in a lot of Titansteel. Apparently your idea was a huge success, so they sent you a gift.}

Kira freezes mid-stride, at the very good news, hesitating as to what to do!

An opening!

“Kira!” (Ellie)

She turns toward me as I jump at her with arms held out.

*Pomf*

With a flawless motion, she receives the flying hug with both arms and spins me around in a full circle.

*Mmmmmwah*

There we go, much better!

“Well hello to you too, Ellie ~♡!” (Kira)

“Kira. I’m critically low on love and smiles.” (Ellie)

“Oh my ~♡! We better do something about that right away ~♡!” (Kira)

In an instant she’s already sitting cross legged on the grass with my head in her lap.

*Scritch scritch*

“Nyaaa…. Nyaaa…” (Ellie)

“Huhuhuhu!” (Kira)

Kira’s touch heals me faster than any potion!

I have no idea why I had so much stress built up, but it’s all flowing away now!

“Wow… I think I understand why their kids behave like they do…” (Shalia)

“Hmm?” (Lara)

“Huh?” (Sophie)

“Peyo?” (Fluffles)

“No, never mind. So where’s Puff? I want to meet him too!” (Shalia)

The four of them go off towards the other end of the yard looking for Puff.

*Scritch scritch*

“Nyaaa… Nyaaa… Nyaaa… Nyaaa…” (Ellie)

Hmm?

I spot Umph silently drop off Brand and a huge crate out of the corner of my eye.

Hopefully this lasts until-

*THUD*

“Just a sec, Ellie ~♡!” (Kira)

Uh oh.

The crate made a sound.

She stands up and swings her staff around!

Distraction mission failure!

“------ [High Thunder]” (Kira)

*KRAKAKOOM*

“GYAHHH!” (Umph)

Umph takes it like a champ and just flies off at top speed!

Smart decision!

I thought he wanted to call Kira’s bluff for a second!

{Good work, Ellie. We avoided the worst case scenario!}

I silently nod in acknowledgement.

“I’m not done with you! Come back here you stupid, worthless waste of space!” (Kira)

Kira’s waving her staff in anger at Umph’s retreating form.

“You called, Mistress!?” (Ariel)

“GAAAH! --- [Thunder]” (Kira)

*KRAKOOM*

“Haburabura!” (Ariel)

*Plop*

Ariel collapses with a thin layer of smoke rising from her head.

She’ll be alright though, if that blissed out face she’s making is any indication.

“Huff, huff, huff… Fuuu… Now where were we?” (Kira)

“Love and smiles.” (Ellie)

“Oh, that’s right ~♡!” (Kira)

*Scritch scritch*

“Nyaaa….” (Ellie)

That’s better.

My heart’s reservoir isn’t going to fill by itself, you know!

Psst! Binary Soul: Lip Service got updated!