After wandering around the food stalls and sampling various treats, we returned to the mansion. Inside, the female swordsman and the old man who had greeted us earlier were there to welcome us back.

"......"

I felt a rather sharp gaze from the woman, but I managed to shrug it off with a wry smile as we entered the mansion.

"The differences in culinary culture often reflect the level of civilization’s development. Célie is larger and has a longer history than the kingdom. It carries the weight of those factors," Katya remarked.

"The variety of seasonings is vast, and the range of dishes from meat to fish is impressive. Especially the fish—fresh ones, not just dried—are readily available. This must mean their transport systems are well-established," she continued.

"Not to mention the affordability of ingredients, and on top of that..."

As I listened to Katya’s commentary, I began to feel drowsy. Come to think of it, I hadn’t had the chance to nap during our journey, and last night I slept in a sleeping bag, which wasn’t particularly restful.

The fatigue from traveling to a foreign country must have caught up to me. With my guard down, my head felt heavy and clouded.

"...Hey, Bruno... Are you okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yes... I’m fine."

"Mii!"

Ivy cast a healing spell on me, which cleared my head somewhat. However, the fatigue wasn’t completely gone. It was likely more mental than physical exhaustion.

"Well, no matter. Yaaawn... I admit, even I am tired today. I’ll have the servants help me change and then go to bed. You’re free to do as you please after that," Katya said.

Under normal circumstances, I’d stay up to stand guard, but if exhaustion prevented me from fulfilling my duties properly, it would defeat the purpose.

"Mii!"

"I’ll keep watch," Ivy declared, puffing up her tiny chest with pride. She floated over and perched herself on Katya’s shoulder.

Though the narrower shoulder initially threw Ivy off balance, she quickly adapted and stood firmly on her four legs.

"With Ivy here, it’s enough. Bruno, you may retire for the night."

"Understood. I’ll do just that," I replied.

Since Katya had given her approval, I decided to rest quietly in the room designated for the guards.

Yawning, I walked through the mansion. I’d walked this path several times already, and even someone as directionally challenged as I am thought I’d remembered the way by now. But...

"Where am I...?"

I had gotten lost.

I’m not proud of it, but my sense of direction is terrible. Even if I’ve been somewhere multiple times, I only remember a few landmarks, which helps me figure out the general route. But inside this mansion, where the scenery looks the same everywhere, I couldn’t avoid getting lost.

The maids I passed greeted me with friendly smiles but didn’t offer to guide me. And I lacked the courage to speak to such beautiful women first.

As a result, I continued my aimless journey through the mansion.

"Hm, what’s that..."

I spotted a set of double doors ahead. Beyond them, I could see the outside world. It appeared to be a balcony.

Maybe if I looked outside from there, I could figure out my current location!

Grasping at this sliver of hope, I broke into a light jog toward the balcony. Just as I stepped forward to take in the view...

"—Kyah!?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!?"

I collided head-on with a woman who had burst out with considerable force.(TL/N: What are the odds that she is the saint?)