My mansion was surrounded by a strong lattice of iron bars .
It was at least twice the height of an adult human .
Milka was talking to a man from the other side .
“Like I said, Mister Locke is not home now . ”
“Then when will he be back?”
“I don’t know… Some time or another . ”
“But couldn’t you let us wait inside?”
“I can’t do that . Very sorry . ”
I might have to teach her the proper way to treat guests later on .
You were expected to be a little more polite to outsiders .
That being said, she was right to not open the gate .
The entire mansion was protected with magic, and there were also magic locks .
You could not penetrate the place unless someone opened the gates from the inside .
The second person, who was standing next to the man, began to speak .
“I have important business with Locke . ”
“I can’t help you with that . ”
“Hmph . I can sense Locke right now . He must be inside?”
“No, I told you . He isn’t home . ”
“Do not hide him from me . It really is rather important!”
“Like I said–”
It was a girl who began to press Milka . She had a cute voice and was wearing a hooded robe .
The hood was pulled over her face, so I couldn’t tell what she looked like, but she was quite short .
“We are getting nowhere!”
So saying, the hooded girl grabbed the gate .
“MMGGGGERRR!!”
She tried to open it by force .
“That’s no use . ”
“Shut up . ”
Just as she shouted this,
–Bang!
There was a loud spark as the girl went flying into the air .
“GAAAA!”
She had tried to open the magic lock by force, and so the security measure had activated .
“I told you…”
Milka said with an exasperated look .
I approached the girl from behind .
“And what is your business with me?”
“Ah, Mister Locke . This annoying person was trying to force her way into the mansion . ”
“Milka, sorry about all the trouble . You can leave the rest to me . ”
“Okay . I have to prepare for dinner!”
So saying, Milka returned to the mansion .
The man who was with the girl looked very troubled .
“I am terribly sorry about this . We’ve caused quite a scene . ”
“What do you want?”
“Yes, she…”
He said as he pointed at the girl who was still lying on the ground .
“She came to my restaurant and ate and drank without paying…”
He was a restaurant owner .
He said that the girl had eaten an incredible amount of food before claiming that she had no money .
“I was thinking about throwing her to the city guards, but she said that she would borrow money from an acquaintance…”
“And I am that acquaintance?”
“Yes . She said she knew a rich man by the name of Locke . ”
“Hmm . ”
He said hesitantly .
“You are Mister Locke, are you not?”
“I am . ”
“Do you know her?”
He said . Then he pulled back the hood of the unconscious girl .
She had large horns .
But I had no idea who she was .
“…I don’t know her . ”
“I see…”
His shoulders slumped with disappointment .
“I am terribly sorry to have disturbed you . ”
He said as he forced the girl to her feet .
“Mmm . . rmrmmmm…”
Her mind was still hazy it seemed .
She would probably be sent to the authorities now .
“Well, wait a minute . ”
“Yes, what is it?”
“How much was it?”
“30,000 rucks . ”
“30,000?”
“Yes . She ate a great deal . ”
That was an understatement .
“Alright . I shall pay . ”
“What? Do you mean it?”
“She did come all this way here . And even if I don’t know her, it’s possible that we are connected somehow . ”
“Thank you very much . That makes things much easier . ”
I paid him the 30,000 rucks and he bowed repeatedly before going on his way .
I picked the girl up .
“Ggg…”
She was still not fully conscious .
“Was the defense magic too strong?”
“But it won’t have much meaning if it’s any weaker, will it?”
Philly said . She was right .
“She has horns on her head . Perhaps she is a demon like me?”
“You might be right . ”
Just as I said this, I felt something move near her bottom .
There was a very large tail .
It was thicker and longer than Shia and Nia’s tails . If anything, it was larger than her legs .
“Th-that is a great tail . ”
“Do people of your tribe ever have tails…?”
“I don’t think so . ”
Luchila shook his head .
Grulf sniffed at her and then whimpered .
“Grulf? What is it?”
“Grrr…”
Apparently, Grulf had an idea . Or so it seemed .
Nia saw this and began to sniff at the girl as well .
“This smell…”
Just as Nia was about to say something, the girl opened her eyes .
“Ah!”
She jumped up .
“Locke! It is you, Locke! So you are the owner of this house after all?”
“I am . ”
“I followed your scent, presence and traces of magical energy . What a relief that I found you . ”
“I see . Well, enough of that . Who are you?”
“What? Have you forgotten me already?”
This appeared to cause a great shock to the girl .
“Uh, no . I don’t believe we’ve met before . ”
“But we only just met during the day! It is I! Kathe!”
“Huh? You’re Kathe?”
“Indeed!”
“She does have Kathe’s odor . ”
Nia said .
Well, odors didn’t lie .
“I see . You’re Kathe . ”
“Gahahahaha! You finally understand . ”
Kathe said with a smug, very pleased face .