Chapter 741: Midnight Snack with the Retainer ① (2/2)

In the middle of the night, on the day that brought a great change for both Isis-san and Iris-san, I unexpectedly woke up just as the date was about to change.

I don't know if I hadn't slept well, or if I was a little stimulated after seeing such a tremendous battle, which I normally wouldn't have been able to see before thanks to the glasses Shiro-san had given me, but despite waking up in the middle of the night, my eyes were rather clear.

Once I got out of the bed, I picked up the levitating Lighting Magic Tool in my pajamas and walked down the hallway towards the kitchen.

I was slightly hungry…… I didn't really want to gorge myself on food or alcohol, but I still wanted to eat something light before I went back to sleep.

I usually eat my meals at Lilia-san's mansion, but of course, my home also has a dining room and kitchen as well. I did have food in my magic box, so I can actually just munch on something in my room, but since I'm in the mood, I thought I'd make something for myself for dinner.

Though I say that, I really just want to eat something light…… so thinking that I should make some thinly sliced bacon and scrambled eggs seasoned with salt and pepper, I arrived at the kitchen…… I noticed that there's light leaking through the crack in the door.

When I opened the door, wondering if there's anyone there, I found someone I didn't expect inside.

[M- Master!?]

[……It's quite a coincidence, isn't it, Anima?]

The person in the kitchen was Anima. She had a towel wrapped around her head and an apron over the pale blue pajamas I had bought for her back then…… It was a different look than usual, but her outfit certainly is refreshing.

[Y- Yes. Ahh, m- m- m- my apologies! S- Showing up dressed like this……]

[Ahaha, you don't have to mind it. I'm in my pajamas too, you know…… Is Anima also having a midnight snack?]

[Y- Yes…… My duties took quite a while, I just finished bathing and thought I'd have something to eat before bedtime……]

[I see, thank you for the good work.]

[I- I'm unworthy of your praise.]

The slightly flustered, yet embarrassed look on Anima's face looked kind of charming that I couldn't help but smile.

Since we've stumbled upon each other like this, I guess it might be a good idea to have my midnight snack with Anima……

<Afterword>

I have been repeatedly getting the same questions, so I'll answer them here.

Q : Can Iris increase the number of other Heart Tool Users?

A : She can't. Strictly speaking, Iris and ἀποκάλυψις are ”part of Ἑκατόγχειρες”, so only Alice can increase the number of Heart Tool Users.

Q : Can Demons also use Heart Tools?

A : No, they can't. As Alice slightly explained when she gave Kaito a Heart Tool, the Heart Tools can only be given to humans. However, once it is summoned within one's heart, it can still be used even if one's species changed.

Q : Ozma showed his power in the final battle, but will he still be a Count-rank?

A : Alice-chan will soon be expanding the title ranks, so there is going to be making some major changes to people's rank soon (Some of the Count-ranks will be upgraded to Duke-ranks, while the current Duke-rank will be upgraded to a rank higher than that), and Ozma-san is going to be changed to a Duke-rank at that time.

Q : Two years have already passed, why can't they change it then?

A : A certain maid said ”There's no need for anything more. In the first place, I'm only in this position for convenience because you insist on it, and I don't need any sort of peerage. In fact, I'd rather be considered outside of that criteria of yours, if you don't mind.”, and Alice-chan was thinking of a way to persuade her. Rather, ”I did think of an idea”, but Alice-chan, you see, has been having second thoughts if she should make ”that” as a rank higher than Duke-rank.