A Family Outing

"—In other words, Old Man Jewel, in order to save himself, and also so that you don't flatten the Clock Tower, plans to send you to a parallel world to avoid trouble?"

After returning to the apartment and hearing Naoki's story, Aoko unconsciously sighed: "Haaa, those Clock Tower people really haven't changed. Although according to their rules it's not a problem, the issue is that they basically twist the facts to fit their own rules. Especially that group from the Department of Law, they say they look at facts and speak with evidence, but in reality, it's all based on their own imagination and nonsense."

"Aoko seems to have a lot of complaints against the Department of Law?"

"In these past 10 years, I've been troubled by them quite a bit—so Naoki, have you decided to accept Old Man Jewel's proposal?"

Naoki nodded: "There's no loss in it either, just consider it going on a trip. Besides, I've already passed all the basic courses and transferred to the Department of Spiritual Evocation, so from now on, I don't need to go to lectures every day. At most, Touko-sensei's doll study group will be delayed."

Saying this, Naoki looked at Touko: "Old Man Jewel told me I don't have to go alone, it's fine to bring a few people along, so I wanted to ask Touko-sensei if she'd like to go with me."

"Hoho?"

Touko's expression and gaze instantly filled with mischievousness: "Young man, is this you asking me to elope with you? Or elope to a parallel world, if you call it romantic, it's quite romantic too."

"It's not like that! Gray, don't look at me with that kind of gaze either, do I look like that kind of person?" Naoki resignedly rolled his eyes, "I just want Sensei to continue teaching me about dolls, where are your minds going?"

"Well, just kidding." Touko smiled, then lit a cigarette, "Go to a parallel world huh... hmm, I won't go, too troublesome, and Garan no Dou also hasn't planned to close yet, I still want to keep it open for a few more years."

"As for learning about dolls... if you don't mind, Logos React should be able to reproduce me. As long as I input my knowledge into it, it can also teach you. I'll connect it to my thoughts later."

This was indeed a solution.

Naoki nodded: "Then I'll ask for your help later, Sensei—and then Gray."

"Yes, I'm here, Big Brother." Gray approached Naoki, "We're going to a parallel world, right?"

"Um, I plan to take you with me. I'm really uneasy about leaving you here alone. Of course, if you don't want to go, it's fine too, I'll ask a few people to take care of you."

Merlin was out of the question, but Riddel should be fine. After all, she was a Lord, taking care of one person should be within her capabilities.

Gray shook her head: "No, I'll go to the parallel world with Big Brother. Wherever Big Brother goes, I'll go too. Besides, if I'm not there, Big Brother definitely won't be able to take good care of himself."

"It's not that bad, before you came, I was living just fine."

Although he said that, Naoki was also relieved that Gray was willing to go with him.

'Then there's the matter of Merlin.'

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

"Eh? Go to a parallel world?"

In the dining room, while listening to Naoki's explanation on the phone, Merlin glanced at Riddel, who was drunk at the dining table, drinking to relieve stress from too much work.

"I thought after that night, you were finally calling to pour out your love for me, but it turned out you were asking me to go on a honeymoon with you, and to a parallel world at that. Your Majesty the King, sometimes you're quite bold."

[As for confessing my love, my life is basically over]

"Ara, didn't you say in your dream before—"

[Shut up! That was a dream, so it doesn't count!]

"But I remember clearly, you said such affectionate words to me. Although as love words they were a bit cheesy, Your Majesty the King, you need to learn more about how to coax girls."

[I'm hanging up]

"Don't, don't, don't!" Merlin hurriedly called out, "I just haven't teased you in a long time, wanted to joke with you. After that night, you didn't call me at all, I thought you didn't want me anymore."

[You're so dramatic. And it's only been a few days? Three days?]

"For a girl in love, even a second of not seeing her beloved feels like a long time!" Merlin casually uttered words that could petrify Riddel instantly, fortunately, she was now completely drunk and fast asleep.

[Then, would you like to go to a parallel world with me?]

Go to a parallel world.

Merlin played with the ends of her hair: "Hmm... I won't disturb your little world with little Gray. Have fun out there. But Your Majesty the King, I don't expect little Gray to come back carrying a baby."

[Who would do something like that!]

"Well, actually, the main purpose is just wanting to leave you a home to return to. If I go with you, next time we come back, this apartment might not exist anymore. I have to leave you this 'home'. You don't want to return without a home, right?"

"So, I'll be good at home, being a good wife, cleaning the house nicely while waiting for you to return. How is it? Aren't I very considerate? Moved?"

[If you hadn't added that last sentence, I might have been a little moved. Honestly, you being this self-aware makes me a bit unaccustomed]

"Oh dear, don't think I'm that bad. I occasionally want to do good things too."

Merlin glanced at Riddel again, making sure she hadn't woken up, then continued: "Oh yeah, the spell I previously set inside your body can still be used, so if you're looking for me, just say my name in your heart before going to sleep, and I'll immediately run into your dream to give you a comfortable, beautiful dream."

[What are you saying.... alright, see you later then, take good care of yourself. And please send my regards to Waver and Riddel, I won't call]

"Okay, okay, okay~"

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The next day, noon.

Still in that park.

Seeing Naoki and Gray carrying large suitcases, Zelretch smiled: "I thought there would be more people."

"Yeah, it's just Gray and me. The others also have their own affairs, no time to go with me for five years." Naoki looked at Gray, "Besides, honestly, just Gray and I together is enough."

"Me too, being with Big Brother is enough."

"Truly a touching sibling story—then let's begin."

After Zelretch finished speaking, a magic circle appeared beneath Naoki and Gray's feet. The increasingly strong light gradually enveloped the two of them until it completely swallowed their figures.

And as the light disappeared, the park was already empty.