Marine Biology Research (1)

-Clop-clop, clop-clop, clop-clop.

“The weather’s nice, Lilith.”

“Indeed, Ethan Young Master.”

Another week had passed since the day I bought swimsuits at Lizzie’s clothing store.

Ethan and I were heading south as usual, driving a carriage to attend ‘Marine Biology Research,’ the last exploration class of this semester.

Compared to when we usually went to exploration classes, the carriage carried a little more luggage and one more person than usual.

“…If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have learned how to drive a carriage. Even so, I never thought I’d be sitting in the main seat all by myself….”

“It’s fine, don’t feel burdened, Isabelle. It’s just that I prefer Lilith’s side seat, so I’m sitting with her.”

“…Why don’t you return inside the carriage, Ethan Young Master? Isabelle seems to be quite burdened by being left alone in the carriage.”

“Well. Then I’d have to make Lilith drive the carriage all by herself, and I’d feel too bad. I’ve already been relying on Lilith so much during this exploration class.”

“Ugh, ughhh….”

By Ethan sitting next to me, Isabelle, who was making sounds as if she was dying of apology, had her wishes neatly ignored.

Although we were both maids, I had undoubtedly spent a much longer and deeper time with him than Isabelle had, so it was inevitable that Ethan would unintentionally appear to be giving preferential treatment.

‘Well, I had somewhat expected this situation from the moment the three of us got into the carriage like this.’

For reference, regarding why Isabelle was in the same carriage for the Marine Biology Research class, it was because, as mentioned earlier, this was the last class of the semester.

After attending the Marine Biology Research class, instead of the hassle of returning to the Academy, we were planning to return directly to the Blackwood Territory. To avoid leaving Isabelle alone in the dormitory for several months during that process, there was no choice but to travel together like this.

Of course, in her case, where she didn’t necessarily need to take the Marine Biology Research class, there was also the option of returning home with Harold….

‘No matter how I thought about it, making her return home alone with that doting, talkative person was too cruel.’

Also, all the way back to the mansion, he would probably tell stories of his war hero days, or recount past stories with his wife, or boast about Ethan’s doting achievements, so listening to that would clearly be far more arduous than the current situation.

Coincidentally, Isabelle also said she had never seen the sea in her life, so it was a good opportunity for her too. I even thought about going to buy her a swimsuit in case she wanted to enjoy swimming in the sea, but she vehemently refused that.

Saying she felt sorry just for interfering with Ethan’s and my trip, she couldn’t just play around and had to focus on her maid duties.

There were many accommodations near the Marine Biology Research class, so it would be easy to find a place with a small room for Isabelle to stay, and even at the Academy dormitory, she used a different room in the same dormitory, so there was no particular reason for Ethan and me to feel uncomfortable with her accompanying us.

“Now that I think about it, this might be my first time going out to the sea like this too. Since the Blackwood Territory is inland, there’s no reason to go all the way to the beach.”

“Is it your first time seeing the sea too, Ethan Young Master?”

“Have you ever been to the sea, Lilith?”

“…Not never.”

…It was, of course, a memory from my previous life, not my current one.

Of course, even when I played 『Luminor Academy』, I experienced the Marine Biology Research event quite a lot, so strictly speaking, I must have visited the sea in this world at least a dozen times.

“Really? Then can you describe what the beach is like?”

“First, the sea in the south is mostly known for strong sunlight and high temperatures. Dry soil with little moisture spreads out, and waves occasionally roll in from the water. For reference, since seawater contains salt, even people who can’t swim float better than usual….”

“Wow, that’s amazing. Then Lilith, perhaps at the sea….”

Listening to my explanation about the sea, Ethan looked at me with eyes full of anticipation, and Isabelle’s voice occasionally chimed in from inside the carriage.

Carrying one Young Master and two maids, the Blackwood carriage leisurely made its way towards Pliana Beach in the south.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

The Blackwood carriage, carrying Ethan and Isabelle, arrived at the seaside accommodation.

Perhaps because we departed a little early, Kyetmajosyegigot’s party didn’t seem to have arrived yet, so Ethan and I first took our time to secure an accommodation with a sea view.

‘The beach villa would likely be used by Kyetmajosyegigot, so it would be better to find a suitable inn nearby.’

The accommodation that was good for raising the affection of all party members at once was the beach villa for this Marine Biology Research class.

Although it was an accommodation that could roughly accommodate 8 to 10 people, squeezing into the already full Hero Party’s accommodation with 8 members wasn’t really what I wanted.

In the final boss battle of Marine Biology Research, we would inevitably have to cooperate, but there was no need to stay in the same accommodation, eat, and sleep together.

“If there’s a triple room with an attached private room, could I rent it for a week? And also, the horse feed and carriage storage fee for a week….”

Actually, the class, like other exploration classes, would end in 4 nights and 5 days, but the reason I specifically booked it for a week was because I wanted to spend a little more vacation time with Ethan on this occasion.

Although we had a slight deviation during the last Necromancy Exploration class, that was honestly less of a vacation and more like a brief respite found amidst a crisis.

In contrast, Pliana Beach was clearly a map created by the game company for swimsuit events, a setting explicitly made for playing. As I already mentioned while coming in the carriage, it was a place difficult to visit even once in a lifetime, so since we were here, we might as well make the most of it before returning.

Ethan had already agreed to this part, so there was no particular problem. Isabelle too.

“His party doesn’t seem to have arrived yet.”

“That guy… Ah, are you referring to Kyetmajosyegigot the Hero’s party?”

“Yeah. The Hero said last time that he was also taking the Marine Biology Research class, bringing all his party members too.”

“……?”

…Without me knowing, when did they get close enough to even have private conversations?

It seems that fighting while entrusting their lives to each other during the last Humanities Exploration class, or using the same accommodation, helped them become closer.

Indeed, after all, they were in the same year and the same department from the start, and both were main characters in 『Luminor Academy』, so it might even be more accurate to say they became close too late.

Other than that, the three of them moved their luggage while casually talking about their recent Academy life or acquaintances they’d met.

It wasn’t just luggage for staying a few days to attend the exploration class, but they had to move all the luggage to be taken to the Blackwood Family residence, so the amount was quite significant.

“Phew, looks like this is the end of it.”

“You’ve worked hard, Ethan Young Master. Also, it was originally Isabelle’s and my duty, but we made you help with it, so I am truly sorry.”

“No need to be sorry, Lilith. I did it because I wanted to. If we move it quickly like this, we can rest together sooner.”

“That is also true. Of course, that doesn’t change the fact that you put in effort, Ethan Young Master, so I will express my gratitude.”

As we were unpacking the luggage moved into the accommodation and debating whether to organize the items we’d use today first or go downstairs for an inn meal, the sound of a carriage was heard from outside.

One splendid imperial carriage and another equally splendid holy kingdom carriage were seen entering, making it easy to guess that it was the Hero Party.

-Clop-clop, clop-clop, clop-clop….

‘No matter where they go, they’re destined to stand out.’

From around Part 4, the Hero Party’s movements couldn’t be publicly announced, so they wouldn’t use those flashy carriages anymore, but the current story was still in the middle of Part 3.

Especially Seraphine, who was imperial royalty, and Celista, who was a saintess, were figures who constantly had to report their whereabouts and movements within the Empire, so no matter what, they had no choice but to travel in those splendid carriages.

“Ugh, h-huhh…!”

“…W-we’ve finally arrived, Hero-nim! Is this where we’ll be staying during this Marine Biology Research class?”

“Yes. We’ll be staying here for the next five days, so remember that. Especially Silena, don’t just go into any house that looks similar, and properly remember what’s written on the nameplate here.”

“Do you think I’m a child? Don’t underestimate an elf’s memory.”

“…That’s enough, just go inside quickly. If you’re going to chatter, you can do it inside….”

The Hero Party, who seemed to have arrived with all 8 party members, just as they were configured during the Humanities Exploration class before.

As I idly watched, thinking if the members were still unchanged, another splendid carriage quietly pulled up behind them.

-Clop-clop, clop-clop….

‘……Um?’

A little later than when the two carriages arrived, another imperial carriage followed.

‘Who is it? Is it just a luggage carriage? If it’s imperial royalty other than Seraphine at the Academy, it’s probably Mezlen and….’

“Lilith, let’s have dinner first. We can organize the luggage and bathe after dinner.”

“…Understood, Ethan Young Master.”

Due to Ethan’s call to go down for a meal, I couldn’t confirm who was getting out.

…Seraphine, who had many things to pack, like Ethan and me, I could only assume she had brought her luggage for returning home with her.