Album learned about kindness from Pancake Girl as well.
Being nice to someone meant they would be nice to you in return. Album learned what it meant to be nice to other people.
Gradually, Album started to spend more time with Pancake Girl than he did at the Lichtenberger home. He wanted to put in the hard work it took to become a member of a knights’ squadron.
But one day, he suddenly felt a big sense of isolation.
That was because Pancake Girl showed up with a new black griffin, having already formed a contract with him.
Whenever Album tried to get close to Pancake Girl, the black griffin kept him in check. He told the fairy it might be impudent of him to stay at her side all the time when they didn’t even have a contract together.
The black griffin had a point. Album’s contract was with Lord Lichtenberger, so in any normal circumstance, it was the marquess he should be spending so much time with.
Album realized that Pancake Girl was putting up with him because she was so kind. He especially hated hearing that from the brand-new member of the group, of all people.
But there was nothing actually tying Album to Pancake Girl at all.
One morning, Album witnessed Pancake Girl lovingly brushing the black griffin’s coat. Album had been with Pancake Girl much longer, but she’d never looked at him like that or brushed his fur at all.
He couldn’t bear to watch, so he fled the scene right then and there.
Soon enough, he arrived at the Lichtenberger manor—the place where Album was supposed to belong. Album trudged along until he ran into Marquess Lichtenberger, who scooped him up.
“Eeeeeeek! I’m scaaaaared!”
“What are you scared of? I’m your master, aren’t I?”
“His voice is scary tooooo!”
“What a rude little creature you are.”
Marquess Lichtenberger brought Album to his office and placed him on a table.
“I don’t taste good, I promise! Please don’t eat meeee…”
“Don’t be stupid. I’d never eat you.” Marquess Lichtenberger let out a long sigh. Then he spoke, his voice incredibly deep in tone. “The knights have been saying good things about you.”
“Huh?”
“They tell me you’ve been working hard in your unit, even though your master isn’t around.”
“Ah… I see. Well, yeah…I guess so!”
Album had only started helping the Second Expeditionary Squadron with the ulterior motive of eating Pancake Girl’s pancakes, but he never expected to have so much fun on missions with her and her likable comrades.
But Album didn’t belong in the Second Expeditionary Squadron. His purpose was to stay in the Lichtenberger manor without raising a fuss.
“You won’t get up to more trouble, will you?”
“Nope. It’s more beneficial to do good things instead of bad.”
“Very well. In that case, I’m going to dissolve our contract.”
“Huh?”
Album couldn’t believe his ears. “Wh-Why?!” he shouted back.
Marquess Lichtenberger responded with clear irritation. “Did you hear me? I’m setting you free!” With that declaration, he placed his large hand on Album’s forehead.
The marquess’s hand was warmer than Album expected. As he noticed this, a magic circle appeared overhead and erupted with a snapping sound.
“Whoa!”
The magical energy inside Album’s body was no longer restrained. Marquess Lichtenberger had truly ended his contract with Album just like that.
“Huh?! Are you sure this is okay?”
“I already said it’s fine.”
“Ah…right. Um…thank you…for everything.”
Album bowed deeply. He’d been frightened of Lord Lichtenberger’s face, aura, and voice, but he turned out to be not so scary in the end. Not once did he give Album orders or lock him away in a cage. When Album asked to go and help Pancake Girl, his master allowed him to leave. Though his looks and voice were frightening, the marquess turned out to be a kindhearted person after all.
“Are you just going to stand there? Hurry up and get out of here.”
“Eeeeeeek!”
He took it all back. Album realized he was, indeed, terrifying as he scampered away.
The weasel fairy returned to his room and packed his belongings. It wasn’t as if he had very many in the first place. There was the apron Pancake Girl made for him, his sacred tableware called Gud Eetz, and a few tree nuts for emergency rations—that was all. He wrapped them up in a paisley cloth and carried the bundle over his shoulder.
The servants smiled at Album and asked where he was off to. They were completely unaware that his contract with Marquess Lichtenberger had been dissolved.
Just when he was about to say goodbye, his voice faltered. The thought of never seeing them again was far too sad.
His voice trembling, Album could only answer, “I’m just going out for a bit.”
He left the Lichtenberger manor at a quick pace, turning back to take one last look at the massive house and gardens. Everyone had been so kind to him—excluding Marquess Lichtenberger and his daughter, Liselotte.
Before the tears in his eyes could pour out, he turned and ran from the property.
Album walked around, trying to decide what to do next.
The only option on the table seemed to be returning to the tree sap forest. If Album was going to do that, he needed to apologize to the forest fairies and get their permission to live with them again.
He could always search for a new forest full of friends. Album had been separated from his family for life, but perhaps there was another forest out there with lots of other weasel fairies. It wouldn’t hurt to try and find such a place.
But the word “friends” made the faces of the Second Expeditionary Squadron appear in his mind.
The captain, with his bandit-looking face, was a very accepting man who’d allowed Album to come along on missions.
Velrey, the vice captain, would sometimes give Album head pats.
Garr, the wolfman, shared his sweets with Album from time to time.
Ulgus, the normal boy, always played with him.
Zara, the pretty man who cross-dressed, liked to chat with Album.
Liselotte, the mythical beast-loving noblewoman, hadn’t been staring coldly at Album as of late.
Then there was Charlotte, the Second Expeditionary Squadron’s personal maid. She liked to ask if Album was hungry, and if he was, she gave him some of her desserts.
Mell, also known as Pancake Girl, always treated Album so kindly no matter what.
It was so hard to say goodbye. He couldn’t even bring himself to say it to the servants at the Lichtenberger home. Saying goodbye to Pancake Girl after all the time he spent with her would probably be devastating.
If he left without saying a word, he wouldn’t feel so sad. With that decision in his heart, Album was about to take a step forward, only for his tears to instantly pour out.
No, he needed to say goodbye before he left the royal capital. Album spun around on his heel. He headed straight to the Second Expeditionary Squadron’s barracks.
Pancake Girl was there, making something in the kitchen. A sweet scent tickled Album’s nose. It appeared she was baking biscuits to bring on expeditions.
Album snuck into the kitchen, but Pancake Girl spotted him right away.
“Ah! Album. I see you’re here again today.”
“Ah, yeah.”
When he hopped up on the counter, Pancake Girl smiled at him.
“These are rations for expeditions, so no taste testing, okay?”
“Okay.”
Album was already on the verge of tears just from seeing Pancake Girl. He moved his paws around nervously, trying to find the words to properly say goodbye. However, he couldn’t muster up anything.
“What’s the matter, Album?”
“Huh?”
“You’re acting a little funny. Are you hungry?”
“N-No, it’s not that. It’s…”
“I bet you ate something off the ground, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t. I’m fine.”
“You don’t have an appetite?”
“It’s not that either.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“Nothing…”