“Shall I show you around?”
Argio descended from the dizzyingly high chair and welcomed Ater.
“Now, those over there are the little ones from our home. Some were born here, and some were brought here. Most were brought here, though. The people who come here are usually afraid to have children.”
“…Ah, I see.”
“The people debating over there are mostly commoners. Hmm, yes. Do you see those few with comparatively pale faces? They used to be nobles. They possess a great deal of knowledge, so they are sharing it.”
“…….”
“And those people are… Oh, they are making ornaments for me. As you know, I rather like glittering things. Ah, if only all the wealth in the world could rest in my nest.”
His bright red hair swaying, Argio led Ater onward.
“This is the children’s bedroom. Mm, many also use separate rooms of their own. Those who form families here inevitably need homes reserved for them… Fortunately, this place is truly vast, so we have been able to respect their private time.”
“No, um, I… didn’t want to hear quite that much.”
“Does our dear librarian have no plans to marry? Ha-ha! Please don’t take offense. I was simply curious. Bonds in this world are not formed as easily as one might think, are they? Now, now, don’t stand there. Come this way.”
Argio also showed him an enormous farm.
“This is where my friends cultivate the land themselves. Though it is barren because no sunlight reaches it, the yield is not poor, so everyone seems reasonably satisfied.”
“…A few torches certainly couldn’t sustain farmland of this size. Even so, the crops appear remarkably healthy for plants that receive no sunlight. Did you improve the varieties?”
“You could say that. More than anything, they…