172 Changeling (2/2)

What is it really?

Kyouka and Shirone also nodded their heads.

By the way, Kyouka has hardly spoken to the elves.

Well, considering the nature of the elven princesses, she knows that she can't talk to them, so she's glad that she doesn't.

It was fortunate that Kyouka happened to be out with Kaya.

The elf princess definitely looks down on humans, especially women.

I got the feeling from her that she looked down on us ladies, aside from the beautiful Rage, who was a beautiful woman.

I don't care if you want to fight with her, the only way to deal with someone with such a personality is to go out poorly.

That's why I couldn't let Kyouka, who couldn't go out poorly, take advantage of me.

But thanks to that, it was hard for Shirone.

Sahoko was there too, but I had to direct the supper, so I couldn't deal with her.

'I'm sorry for your loss.

'But I'm glad you came home early. It seemed to be a lot of work to come up with a menu for the meal.

Kaya said and they all nodded.

The elves don't like meat, so the meals we can serve are inevitably limited.

We can't use fish sauce, which we like, and most of the seasoning is salt and fruit oil.

Also, since the ingredients are vegetables, the menu is limited, so we were lucky to have them leave early.

'What's going on, are we all here?

As we were talking about this, Rage and Sahoko entered the room.

Rage had gone out with Sahoko because he had an errand to run.

Apparently, the errand was over.

And that's when they were about to take their seats.

'Sahoko-sama!　Sahoko-sama is back, isn't she!

Suddenly, there is a knock on the door.

I tell them to come in and someone comes in.

The person who comes in is a maid who serves the palace.

I think it was Neria.

And she must have been the valet for Rage and Sahoko's daughter Sanako.

She's very upset for some reason. What's going on?

What's going on?　Calm down, what do you want from me?

Sahoko calms the maid down.

'Oh my God!　Lady Sana!　Lady Sana won't stop crying!

Neria says in a panic.

Sanako is often called Saana in this world's style.

That's why we call her Sana too.

''Eh?　What about Saana?　What do you mean you won't stop crying?　What's wrong with you, Kouki?

Sahoko questions Neria.

Sahoko says that Kouki-kun is a boy who has been deposited in the temple of Raina on the palace grounds.

I don't know how he was deposited there.

I've never met him, but he seems to be a pretty beautiful boy.

I'm not sure if Rage is particularly interested in Kouki, or if he thinks of him as nothing more than a babysitter, and he's never met him.

For some reason, Saana has taken a liking to this Kouki.

When he is around, Saana is in a good mood and stops crying.

That's why Sahoko leaves Saana in charge of Kouki when she has something to do.

'He will be by Saana-sama's side. But he does not stop crying. And the way he cries is different than usual.

Neria doesn't seem to know what to do.

It's like this has never happened before.

We look at each other.

It would be better to go and check on her. So we all decide to go to the Temple of Raina.

The Temple of Raina is a small building on the palace grounds.

We don't want to let the religious forces in as much as possible, but as expected, we can't eliminate them all.

In the first place, they don't even intend to be hostile.

The Raina cult doesn't particularly care about it either, or they only sent one priest.

The priest has hired several servants, one of whom seems to be Kouki.

When you enter the temple, you are greeted by a woman. It's the priest, Haurena.

She seems to be in some kind of hurry.

''Oh, Saintess!　We've been waiting for you!　Please!　Please!　Get Mr. Kowki!　Please help Mr. Kouki!

When we see Sahoko coming, Haurena hangs on to Sahoko.

We look at each other again there.

Wasn't it Saana who was in trouble?

As you enter the temple, Haurena shows you around.

We enter one room and see a boy and a baby laying side by side on a bunk, with the maids around them at a loss.

The baby is Saana, and he's crying like crazy.

What's the matter?　Sarna?　Why are you crying?

Rage approaches and picks up Saana.

Then Saana stops crying a bit.

Apparently, it's normal to just cry.

'Hmm?'

Rage makes a dubious noise.

His eyes are on the boy next to Thana.

We move closer too.

The boy next to him is sleeping soundly. He's a reasonably good-looking boy.

This must be Kouki.

Kouki is still sleeping in spite of Saana's crying so much. He must be very tired.

I take a good look at the boy's face.

'Huh?　This girl: ......

And I find out the hard way.

'Chiyuki-sama. Kouki-san doesn't wake up ....... Normally, when Saana-sama starts crying, she wakes up ....... Normally, this shouldn't be happening .......

Haurena makes a troubled sound.

It seems that for Haurena, Kouki isn't just a servant boy.

Kouki is in a panic because he's in trouble.

However, the maids at the side are our servants, so sometimes the only one who is worried is Saana.

Nelia, who came with us, is also worried about Saana alone.

However, it's not Saana that's in trouble. It's Kouki from next door.

'Apparently, it's not Saana-chan that's in trouble, it's the girl next door.

Reno said and they all nodded.

'No wonder Saana is crying.

Sahoko muttered as she received Saana from Rage.

'This can't be happening. ......

Nao was right, there was no way Kouki was going to wake up.

'Who could have done this to me?'

'Miss. They're the only ones who would do this.

Kyouka and Kaya say, and Haurena looks at them curiously.

'What do you mean by that?　What's happening to Mr. Kouki?

Apparently, Haurena didn't see it.

'Watch. Priest Haurena.

I hold my hand over Kouki's forehead.

Then Kouki's body turns into a piece of board.

'What?　What do you mean?　This!　Mr. Koki is out of the board!

Haurena and the maids let out a surprised cry.

'No, no. The itinerary was turned into Kouki-kun. There was never a Mr. Kouki here in the first place.'

I'll explain.

Kouki was not there.

That's why Saana didn't stop crying.

'Chiyuki. Is this ......, no way?

'Yes, yes Silone, this is ......'

He nodded to Cyrone at the words, took a breath, and continued.

'It's a changeling.