Magical Tool Master Dahlia Never Compromises ~ Starting Today: Life as a Freelancer ~

Irma walked slowly up from behind the furious Dahlia.

"Oh my god, Marcella. You messed up Mr. Wolff's clothes like that... Did you want to see his abs?"

"Yeah! He really does have six-pack abs."

"M-Marcella."

"As expected of a monster-slaying unit, they're well-trained."

"Mr. Wolff maintains his physique very well. The muscles in his limbs are perfectly firm..."

"What the hell are you talking about! It's time for dinner, I'll go get the plates!"

Dahlia raised her voice and walked quickly back to the Green Tower.

Leaving the couple who were trying to hold back their laughter and the bewildered Wolff there.

"Dalia looked down from the window, looking worried. Even though I told her you were just playing around and there was no need to worry, she still rushed downstairs, falling down on the way..."

"Dalia doesn't have any brothers, so she's probably not used to this kind of playful situation, right?"

"Yes, that's why she thought you were fighting. And she wouldn't listen to my explanation..."

Irma smiled bitterly.

"I feel a little guilty and want to apologize to her for making her worry."

"Me too, I got carried away without realizing it."

"Then let's go back upstairs and apologize to her."

Wolf went to pick up the Sirius bracelet, and Marcella put on the engagement bracelet again. Then the three of them followed Dahlia into the Green Tower.

The magic lamp in Irma's hand illuminated the dim staircase.

"Marcella, that's where Dahlia fell. There's a chip on the staircase."

"Wait a minute, I'll make it up right away."

Macella extended his right hand and poured magic into the chipped corner. The dark grey stone filled the small dent, until no trace of damage was visible.

"Mr. Marcella, you have earth magic."

"A little bit."

Irma listened to the conversation between the two and walked back and forth on the stairs with the magic lamp in her hand.

"Marcella, there's one here too. It's just a small crack, but it'll be dangerous if it gets bigger."

"I'll fix it. Well, since Tobias's gone, there's no one to fix it... Sorry, just forget what I said."

Marcella shut her mouth in annoyance.

"You mean Dahlia's ex-fiancé? He can fix stairs?"

"That's right."

"What else is there that he used to do that bothers Dahlia that no one is doing now?"

"Mr. Wolfe, aren't you and Dahlia 'friends'? Why are you asking this?"

"Because she takes good care of me, I want to help her as much as I can."

Irma heard the conversation between the two and turned around, staring at Wolf with her garnet eyes.

"Mr. Wolfe, people outside say you're 'taking care' of Dahlia."

"We're just friends, not that kind of relationship."

"I don't know if she's tired or not, but Tobias usually does all the manual labor for her. Like carrying things when she goes shopping, moving materials, repairing the fence, and so on. Now he's outsourcing that to delivery companies and related businesses."

Marcella kicked the stairs lightly with her toes and continued:

"The only things I do secretly, without her knowledge, are repairing the stairs and floors. After all, it would be terrible if she fell. I'll let her know when I find out and help as much as I can. I'll also secretly handle difficult customers and accept complaints about magical tools on her behalf to prevent her from getting scolded or picked on. Now that Mr. Ivano is here, I don't have to worry about that anymore."

"Marcella."

Irma called out to him, perhaps to stop him or perhaps to keep Wolff from knowing more. Even so, the man continued to speak.

“What that guy did to Dahlia was awful. I’m not trying to defend him, but he used to be a hard worker. He’s more of an overprotective brother than a fiancé.”

“…I see.”

Wolfe just listened quietly and said nothing in particular.

Then the three of them climbed up to the second floor without saying a word, repairing several visible cracks on the stairs.

Going up to the second floor, I saw Dalia holding a black T-shirt. Wolfe had borrowed it before.

"Wolver, change your clothes. You look like you've been robbed."

"Thank you. I'm sorry for what happened."

"I'm sorry, Dahlia. I went too far."

"Really, you two, there's no need to play to the point of getting your clothes torn..."

Her tone shifted from anger to concern, making Wolfe feel even more guilty.

Just as he was thinking about how to apologize, Marcella nodded.

"Yeah, you should take off your shirt."

“…Marcella.”

"How about both of you take off your shirts and have some fun? Dahlia and I can bring our drinks and chairs and watch from the courtyard."

"I don't want to! You guys set the table first, I'll bring out the food."

After handing Irma the plate and a handful of knives and forks, Dahlia walked alone to the kitchen. She walked so fast that Wolff had no time to speak to her.

"Dalia is angry..."

"I think the joke's gone too far. Irma's cat used to do that, too."

"cat?"

"Yes, Irma's mother's cat. It used to hiss when it saw me, and its expression was exactly the same as Dahlia's just now."

It was a rude comparison, but Wolff had to agree. Dahlia had indeed become different from her usual self, a little difficult to approach.

If he wasn't careful, the other person might start lecturing him or keep his distance with a cold smile, both of which he wanted to avoid.

"Our cat used to avoid Marcella. Marcella was often traveling between the capital and other places, delivering boxes of medicinal herbs."

"It can't be helped, because I'll be stained with the smell that cats hate. But now I've become their favorite target."

"Because you're really good at pleasing it now."

Wolff cast an expectant look at Marcella.

Maybe this can be used as a reference to help Dalia feel better.

"How do you please it?"

"Feed him his favorite foods and pet him wherever he feels comfortable. The base of his ears, his neck, and his back are the most recommended areas."

"oh……"

This method was completely useless and made Wolfe's head ache dully.

After Dalia brought the first dish, everyone helped out, bustling back and forth between the kitchen and the dining table.

Wolfe took out the ale and wine, put the ice cubes into an ice bucket, and took it to the living room.

"Wolf, Marcella, drink some healing potions before you toast. You have so many bruises on your arms."

Everyone sat down at the dining table, and Dahlia placed a bottle of recovery potion on the table.

"These bruises are nothing. They can't even be called injuries."

"I'm fine too... No, Mr. Marcella, let's just drink half each."

"But this is expensive, right?"

"Let's drink before things get serious. I'll pay for this time as a souvenir of the dinner, and you can buy me a drink later."

"……All right."

The green eyes gazing at the two men were somewhat terrifying. If they refused now, Dalia would likely give them a heartfelt speech about righteousness over a table filled with wine and delicious food. Feeling Dalia's intense gaze from across the table, Marcella agreed.

"Okay, I'll let you treat me this time. I'll treat you next time."

"Then I'll pour out half of it first."

Just as Wolf was about to take the glass, Irma suddenly picked up the small plate at hand.

"Wait, Mr. Wolfe. Pour me some."

"Ms. Irma, are you hurt?"

"It wasn't me. Didn't Dahlia just fall down the stairs? Show me your hand."

"……fine."

Dahlia looked away awkwardly, but Irma ignored her and grabbed her hand.

"Here, open your hands. It looks like you're alright."

Irma dipped her fingertips in the potion and pressed it onto Dahlia's hand. Dahlia felt a stinging sensation and narrowed her green eyes. Even though the potion clearly contained no alcohol, she blew into her palm repeatedly.

"Next is your knee. It must be scraped. Pull up your skirt... Ah, gentlemen, turn your heads and drink your potion."

"Okay."

"it is good."

Wolfe obediently turned his back and drank the potion with Marcella.

Behind her, Dahlia let out a strange wail because the wound on her knee was irritated by the potion, which made people feel extremely sympathetic.

"The recovery potion is really effective! My foot pain is gone instantly."

The man couldn't help but exclaim in admiration after drinking the potion in one breath.

Wolfer looked at his arm. The bruise was indeed fading. The dull ache in his foot, which he had barely noticed before, had completely disappeared.

"Marcella, if you said the potion worked, does that mean you were really injured just now?"

"You fell down the stairs, but you recovered, didn't you?"

"Really? I'm not kidding."

"Dalia, Dalia, please stop. Marcella is just a troublemaker. If you keep talking, the ale won't be cold anymore."

"You are my wife, shouldn't you be devoted to me?"

"Is there anything more important than the delicious food Dalia made right now?"

"That's right, of course not."

Wolff agrees.

Irma ignored Marcella who deliberately lowered her head and smiled at Wolf.

That look, like Dahlia's, treated him as an individual, which made Wolf feel deeply at ease.

Then the four of them could finally have a good toast.

"Wolf brought the ale, Marcella prepared the fruit, and Irma made the sandwiches. You can eat the chilled vegetables with mayonnaise or sauce, if you like. This dish is lightly salted."

On a plate covered in ice cubes were chilled cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, along with blanched cauliflower and carrots, all cut into bite-sized pieces. On a nearby plate were thinly sliced ​​daikon radish and eggplant.

There were also thick sandwiches, an assortment of sliced ​​fruits, grilled kraken with fish sauce, and a cheese platter. However, the largest plate in the center was empty.

"I'll fry the chicken again."

"Do you need any help?"

"No, I'll be back soon."

Dahlia smiled back and returned to the kitchen. Wolf watched her back and finished his glass. Although the Black El was cool and delicious, he was not at peace.

"Mr. Wolfe, it's okay. She'll be back soon."

"I really wish I could be of help."

"Just help clean up later."