“Fortunately, Allen was here.”

Fairy mint flower seeds slumbered within the seal stones. Though I couldn’t extract the seeds separately, I discovered how to sprout them instead. The method involved burying them in soil surrounded by plants, but most importantly, blessing them with powerful divine energy.

“So this is why people have failed to grow fairy mint all this time.”

Now that I’ve provided all the necessary conditions, they should sprout soon. Perhaps one or two flowers will bloom? Either way, the Vice Archmage would be pleased since I’ve saved him the trouble of sprouting them, and he might even obtain separate seeds from them.

With my mind at ease, I asked Noah generously, “Are you having fun, Noah?”

“Yes.”

“Have you thought about what you’d like for your victory wish?”

“Yes!” Noah answered energetically, as if he’d been waiting for this question. “I want to play hide-and-seek. All of us together!”

“Hide-and-seek?”

“Yeah. It was fun when we went treasure hunting before. I want to play like that again.”

Hide-and-seek. It’s been ages since I heard those words. When was the last time I played it? I can’t quite remember—perhaps I was too young.

Regardless, having accepted Noah’s wish, I gladly gathered everyone together. They all seemed excited about playing hide-and-seek even before we started. Even Dietrich was grinning. I swung my hand toward his face.

Slap!

“Ow! Why did you suddenly slap my cheek, my lady?”

“Your smile was irritating me.”

“That terrible temper, seriously.”

Dietrich glared at me incredulously, not realizing I’d used my ability on him. Well, that’s just an excuse—I simply wanted to slap him.

He cleared his throat and suggested to Noah, “So, fish poop, where are we playing hide-and-seek?”

“In the garden.”

“Isn’t the garden too obvious for hiding places? Everyone will end up in the same spots, which won’t be fun. How about setting new rules?”

“Okay.”

“Since you’re the main character, you should make the rules.”

“Okay.”

What’s going on? Noah wouldn’t normally be this compliant with Dietrich.

Noah caught my eye and flinched, quickly looking away before continuing, “Then, as the green pepper… teacher suggested, I’ll set the rules. We’ll designate specific zones where each person can hide.”

“Eh.”

“How is that even hide-and-seek?”

Though Imelen and Mihail objected, Noah remained firm.

“I’ll divide it into four parts, centered around the fountain. First, Saint and Brother Mihail will be in the same zone.”

Noah, who had called Imelen “Saint,” momentarily tensed and glanced at Dietrich and me. Neither of us showed any particular reaction. So he noticed it too.

Only then did Noah relax. “Noah, please switch me. If I move with the Saint, I’ll end up being the sacrificial lamb.”

“No, brother.”

Imelen snickered behind the dejected Mihail.

“Next, Saint Allen and Green Pepper will be in the same zone.”

“I suppose one can’t always have good fortune…”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Saint?”

Allen quietly prayed while Dietrich fidgeted.

“Uncle Raul and Head Maid will be together.”

“I-I’ll hide you, Miss Lina! If necessary, hide behind me!”

“My, thank you. But my shoulders are broader than yours, you know?”

Raul suddenly burned with enthusiasm while Lina compared her shoulders to his, wearing a strange expression of victory.

And finally, “Lady Calliphe and Duke will hide in the zone with the greenhouse. I’ll be the seeker.”

With my and Lynen’s locations decided, all preparations were complete. Noah, now in the garden, wore an expression brimming with anticipation.

“Then I’ll count to 100 and come find you. Ready… start!”

Rumble!

Mihail was dragged away by Imelen, and even the adults ran off excitedly. When you think about it, they enjoy playing even more than the children do.

I slightly lifted the hem of my dress to run properly. “Let’s go too, Ly… nen?”

“Too slow.”

Whoosh. Lynen rushed past me and disappeared. Don’t tell me you’re excited too?

“95… 94…”

Noah’s countdown continued to decrease. Anyway, I needed to hide.

“But there’s only one hiding place in this zone.”

Dietrich’s point about the garden having limited hiding spots was valid. The annex garden was mostly open, with few suitable places to conceal oneself.

“The only place to hide in my zone is the greenhouse.”

As easy as it was to hide there, it would also be the first place someone would look. Perhaps this was intentional when the zones were assigned.

It might be ridiculous, but since this was for Noah’s award, I should probably let him win. 

I headed to the greenhouse as Noah intended—a beautiful space with paths winding through lush flowers and trees.

“Ahem. Lynen, are you here too? This is my territory, so you should leave.”

“…”

There was no response.

Well, it wouldn’t matter if he was really here. The greenhouse was spacious enough.

“Let’s see. That spot looks good.”

As I looked around, I discovered climbing vines covering the greenhouse wall. Pale pink wisteria flowers hung down like clusters of grapes. Unlike common wisteria, these were autumn wisteria that bloomed in fall.

They would conceal me well, and I wouldn’t have to crouch undignifiedly—a spot that preserved my dignity.

Hidden behind the vines, I waited for Noah to finish counting.

* * *

“2… 1. Ready or not, here I come!”

Noah, who had been facing a tree, spun around. Everyone had hidden themselves well—not a soul in sight, except for Dietrich, Noah’s co-conspirator.

“Calliphe and the Duke went toward the greenhouse, just as expected. Heh, everything’s going according to my plan.”

“Both of them?”

“That’s what I said! If I were the seeker, they’d both be desperately hiding. D*mn, suddenly I feel annoyed.”

“That’s good… But the Duke is a Sword Master. What if I can’t find him?”

“Of course, if the Duke really tried, someone like you would never find him. But he won’t do that.”

Dietrich answered while casually picking his ear. “This game is meant to entertain you, so he’ll go easy. Why do you think he went into the greenhouse in the first place? Stop being unnecessarily pathetic and get moving, fish butthole.”

“Stop calling me butthole!”

“Yes, yes~”

Noah glared at Dietrich, who was mockingly imitating his speech pattern, before moving on.

He entered the greenhouse, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes.

Thump, thump.

Noah’s footsteps echoed unusually loud in the quiet greenhouse.

Meanwhile, Dietrich, who had muffled his steps, examined the greenhouse walls. As expected, he spotted a red dress hem among the vines.

Tap, tap. Dietrich touched Noah’s shoulder and pointed to the fabric.

‘It’s Calliphe.’

‘It’s Lady Calliphe!’

The two nodded at each other.

Soon after, they spotted the toe of Lynen’s shoe some distance away. Both were hiding behind the vines.

Having confirmed the location of both targets, Noah deliberately made noise as he began searching through the flower beds.

“Ah, I should check over here too!”

Rustle, rustle.

Beside him, Dietrich made conducting gestures with both hands. Following his lead, Noah slowed his approach to the wall, pretending to search elsewhere.

“Could it be here?”

Then.

Sway, sway.

Calliphe’s dress hem began moving along the wall—toward where Lynen was hiding.

“I guess I should look here too.”

Noah checked behind the vines where Calliphe had just been.

Flick, flick. Dietrich pointed forward with his index finger, directing the pursuit.

“Or maybe over here?”

As Noah slowly closed the distance, Calliphe’s swaying movements became increasingly frantic.

When she reached the spot where Lynen was hiding—

Rustle!

The outer branches of the vines sprang up once before hastily quieting down.

Confirming this, Noah and Dietrich exchanged grins and silently high-fived each other.

Noah stopped searching and left the greenhouse alone to attach a pre-prepared sign to the entrance door:

<Under Construction – No Entry>

“Now it’s up to Green Pepper to do his part well.”

Dietrich remained in the greenhouse, insisting that proper tension was necessary for a successful operation.