[Event: 2nd Anniversary - Tarot of Destiny-]
Before reading this butler's card story, please be aware that this story contains spoilers for the "2nd Anniversary - Tarot of Destiny-" event.
We recommend reading up to chapter 16 of the event story first.
If you want to avoid spoilers, go back using the button in the top left corner.
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Episode 1: Thanks to his charisma
A few days after arriving in Maginaria, on an ordinary day...
(Like in December, I was busy... A lot of work has piled up.)
Ugh. Even so, I hope to finish it somehow today. Well, let's see, the next document is...
Nac: Lucas-san. Despite it being New Year's, you haven't stopped working for a single moment.
Lamli: That's right~. And that's even though it's our rest time.
Lucas: Ah, both of you... I'm sorry, did I worry you? Don't worry about me. You can rest in peace.
Nac: That cannot be. Lucas-san, you are working too much. So, for that reason, today... I, Nac, will take charge of your work, Lucas-san.
Nac: Don't worry. As for the content of the work, I have already understood it for the most part.
After all, I have been your assistant for a long time. I will only ask you to verify later the parts that strictly require your approval.
Lamli: Yes, yes! Of course I will help too!
If it's just about writing addresses and taking them to the mail, I can certainly do that!
Lucas: Thank you both for being so considerate. But, I'm fine. I'm not that tired either.
Nac: No. Please, take a rest.
Lamli: I know perfectly well that yesterday you were working until late at night too!
If you push yourself too hard, you'll end up damaging your health... Taking moderate breaks is also important, Lucas-sama ♪
Nac: Yes. This time, at least, Lamli is right.
Lucas: Nac-kun, Lamli-kun... Thank you. Then, I think I will accept your offer.
I'll go take a breather somewhere.
Lamli: That sounds very good! The weather is very nice today, so it will surely be very pleasant to take a walk ♪
Nac: Ah, that's true... How about you invite our Master to the temple? If you escort our Lord, I'm sure it will make them very happy.
Lucas: Fufu. Then, I will do that. I will leave right now, and I will be back before sunset.
Nac: Understood. Please, enjoy the time. Have a good trip.
Lamli: Lucas-sama, have a lot of fun!
Lucas: Yes ♪ Thank you both.
(Fufu... I am a lucky person to have been blessed with such kind and reliable companions...)
【Temple of Fire in Maginaria】
That day, following Lucas's invitation, I accompanied him to the Temple of Fire.
Lucas: Here we are, my Lord.
"Thank you for inviting me."
Lucas: Not at all, on the contrary. Thank you to you for accompanying me. In this beautiful temple, I have been wanting to spend a quiet moment with you once more.
Oh? There is a step right there... Please, take my hand.
Lucas: Come, let's move a little further inside.
Lucas: Uff... Still, it is a beautiful space. Both for its aesthetic architecture and the air that floats in this place.
You can perceive the history of the people, the passage of time; you can feel many different things. These types of spaces isolated from the earthly world are really pleasant.
Wow. Excuse me, my Lord. Stretching in front of you, I have relaxed too much.
"It seems you are a bit tired."
Lucas: Fufu, can you tell? In fact, I have been busy processing the work that had accumulated during these last few days... Nac-kun and Lamli-kun, seeing me like this, offered to do the work for me.
To be honest, I wanted to take a breather, so it was a big help. Besides, being able to have this 'date' with you... I have to be grateful to Nac-kun and Lamli-kun ♪
Lucas: Wow, excuse me. It was an inappropriate choice of words for a butler.
It seems that, after all, I am a little tired ♪
(That sounds a bit faked...)
Lucas: Fufu. I feel like continuing to enjoy the sightseeing with you until night falls. Unfortunately, I have to return to the inn before dusk.
After all, when it comes to medical supply documents as a doctor, I must review them personally.
"Don't push yourself too hard."
Lucas: Fufu. Thank you for worrying about me. But, don't worry. Now that you are by my side, everything will be fine.
For me, being by your side is my greatest comfort. By the time sunset arrives, surely the fatigue will have disappeared completely. ♪
Let's rest quietly until then.
"Yes, let's spend a quiet moment."
We walked slowly together, observing the interior of the temple illuminated by the flames. I felt the warm and kind heat of the flames; I truly felt as if the fatigue in my body began to disappear.
Lucas: Fufu. Even so, I am a truly lucky person. Surrounded by companions who help me without asking for anything in return...
"That's how Nac and Lamli are."
Lucas: Yes. They really have a kind heart. It is a huge change compared to who I was before.
"The Lucas from before...?"
Lucas: Yes... I am referring to the me when I was young, immature, and too sure of myself.
I wish I had been a person with the same kindness as Nac-kun and the others. Back then, I also used to take care of everyone's work, but... That was only because 'it's faster if I do it myself.' By no means was it an action born of kindness.
The tarot that was dealt to me... As the 'Hierophant' card indicates, it is the polar opposite of what 'high cooperative capacity' or 'mature spirit' indicate.
Without thinking of the feelings of others... My actions sometimes ended up hurting the other person's pride. That is why no one around me helped me. On the contrary, they ended up moving away.
Fufu. Well, it was my due, after all.
Lucas: However, even being like that, since I became a butler of the Devil, I was able to change. I have managed to get companions who cooperate with me without expecting anything in return.
At first, it was Berrien...
And later, a best friend named Miyaji...
Lucas: Zzz...... Zzz...... Mmm......
(Eh...? I was supposed to be organizing the documents...)
(............ I see. I fell asleep from fatigue.)
Miyaji:You're awake already.
Lucas: Mmm...? Eh, Miyaji...? Why are you here...?
Miyaji: No... I entered the room and found you sleeping, so I didn't want to wake you up by force, I waited for you to wake up.
Lucas: I see. Thank you for being so considerate. It seems I fell asleep while sorting the documents.
Miyaji: Ah... So it seems. While you were sleeping, I finished that paperwork for you.
Miyaji: Yes... I thought maybe it was intrusive.
Lucas: ....... Not at all. All the documents are finished to perfection. Besides, such a quantity; how impressive, Miyaji.
Miyaji: I'm no match for you. Anyway, I'm glad I could be of help. It's just that you always accumulate the work all by yourself.
I'm not as efficient as you either, Lucas.
If there is anything I can help with, please lean on me. After all, we are partners.
Lucas: Partners..... Eh...... Yes, thank you Miyaji.
Miyaji: Ah. You're welcome.
Lucas: Fufu. Thanks to you, Miyaji, the work finished faster than expected.
Since I have free time now, what do you think? Shall we have a glass of wine together?
Miyaji: Heh... I knew you would say something like that, Lucas. In fact, I just bought an excellent wine in town today.
Lucas: I see. That is quite... Ah, so maybe... Did you come to visit me with the intention of inviting me to drink from the beginning?
Miyaji: ...Well, something like that. I was thinking of a new appetizer menu.
Lucas: Heh, a new appetizer from Miyaji... Is that something extremely spicy?
Miyaji: Don't worry. For your portion, I have reduced the spice level.
Lucas: That's great Miyaji ♪ You are an understanding friend.
Lucas: A long time ago, we also had such pleasant conversations like that. After that, however, we drifted apart...
I was fortunate to have been blessed with a friend like him.
"You are still friends, right?"
Lucas: ............ Yes... that's right.
Although, it can't be exactly the same as in the past. Little by little, we have managed to exchange words with each other.
Fufu... In fact, the other day, I drank with him. Even with Lamli-kun, Berrien, and even Nac-kun, who cannot drink alcohol, joining us.
They organized a small drinking party for Miyaji and for me.
And, that that situation has become possible was thanks to the fact that my Lord pushed me to confront Miyaji.
My Lord... Allow me to thank you again. Really, thank you very much.
I was only able to do a little to push Lucas to move forward, but I felt sincerely happy that they could return to being the kind of people who share a drink as they used to do before.
Lucas: Well, although it pains me to leave it, it is time for us to return to the inn.
"Haven't you rested yet? Are you okay?"
Lucas: Fufu, I'm fine. Being with you has helped me regain my energy.
Hmm...? I hear footsteps in the distance.
Lucas: My Lord, hide behind me. It's okay, please stay calm. No matter what happens, I will protect you.
(Someone approaches running)
Lamli: Master! Lucas-sama!
Lucas: Oh? It's you, Lamli-kun...
Lamli: Indeed, you were here. Hehe, I'm glad I arrived before you left ♪
Lucas: Lamli-kun, what exactly is happening?
Lamli: Yes. In fact, just a moment ago, I finished all the paperwork. There is no pending work left... So, both you, Master, and Lucas-sama, can take your time and stay a little longer!
... And, I came to tell you that ♪
Lucas: Eh? But, the documents related to medical issues... Are you sure it wasn't necessary for me to take a look at them?
Lamli: Ah, about that... Miyaji-san checked them.
Lamli: Yes. After you left, Lucas-sama, Miyaji-san came. Upon hearing about the situation, he helped me with them.
He said that 'he would take responsibility'... And, he checked absolutely all the medical documents!
I brought those documents with me, just in case. Do you want to see them?
Lucas: I see... No, if Miyaji checked them, then there is no problem.
Lamli: Understood! Then, I'll go send these documents by mail.
Both of you, enjoy the rest of your visit and keep walking peacefully!
Lucas: Yes. Thank you, Lamli-kun.
Lucas: ........ I see... so Miyaji...
Lucas: Yes... It is something that is truly appreciated.
...I have truly been blessed with good companions and friends.
Thank you, Miyaji... Also to you, Nac-kun, and to you, Lamli-kun...
To everyone, I am very grateful. With this, I will be able to spend time with my Lord until the morning ♪
Lucas: Fufu, just kidding ♪ Although the part about spending time until the morning was a joke. If I monopolize my Lord for so long, the other butlers would get angry at me ♪
When it gets dark, let's return to the inn properly. Right, my Lord?
Lucas:Fufu. Until then, let's spend a relaxed time the two of us together.
The time I spend with my friends is also important, but right now, I want to enjoy the time with you, my Lord.
Lucas words at the end managed to surprise me. Perhaps he felt embarrassed by the kindness received from his former best friend.
I hope that someday, the day will come when Miyaji and Lucas can return to the relationship they had before.
Thinking about those things, I also enjoyed that time alone with him.
