Aaaaah so sorry for the late update (＞人＜;)

Then a white smoke that looked like cotton candy appeared. And from the smoke, a pure white cheetah emerged. 

「Ojou, kawaii~!」

Ryuse-san quickly turned back into a spoiled cat. I took a step back as his face was too close. However, that big cat shuffled forward and closed the distance while wagging his tail. 

(lilies: they're definitely more beast than they are man ahaha)

「Manager」

At that time, a low voice reverberated throughout the store. Looking at the direction of the sound. I saw s.h.i.+ze-san staring at us while lying on the table.

「I'm hungry.」

「Ah, right. Excuse me.」

He seems upset and hungry. I moved in a hurry to s.h.i.+ze-san to take his order. 

「Will you be having the bacon steak as well, today?」

「A large portion」

「Noted.」

「One fondant.」

「Ok, one chocolate fondant cake.」

「And, I want to drink your coffee.」

The hand that was jotting down the orders stopped as I couldn't help but stare at s.h.i.+ze-san. 

He wants to drink my coffee......

A warm feeling started welling up in my chest. 

As happy as I felt, being stared at by those amber eyes still made me feel a little embarra.s.sed and I swiftly s.h.i.+fted my gaze. 

「Manager~, I want an extra large portion as well. Do you still have cherry juice? I want that as well!」

I s.h.i.+fted my gaze to Chise-san who was calling out his order to me. 

「One large serving of bacon steak and for your drink, cherry juice.」

「If I don't eat your food, my appet.i.te can't seem to be satiated, so I came here on the fly today.」

Chise-san plopped himself on the sofa in a relaxed manner. 

「Your words......make me very happy.」

I'm really glad to hear those words, not just from s.h.i.+ze-san, but from Chise-san as well. I tried to maintain my expression that was starting to come apart and turned to Sensan who was sitting at the side. 

「What would you like, Sensan?」

「I'd like an egg sandwich and pastrami sandwich, as well as a latte.」

「Noted. What about you, Ryuse-san?」

「I want bacon steak and latte.」

「Understood. Latte with less milk right.」

I went to the kitchen to prepare their drinks. Then, I served everyone their drinks and returned back to the kitchen. After seasoning the large cut pieces of bacon, I began making the sandwiches. At the same time, I cooked the bacon with the help of magic. In times like this, it's very convenient to use magic. Once all the dishes were ready and plated, I headed out to the dining area. 

「Woah——」

Ryuse-san muttered to himself. I think he saw how I worked in the kitchen from the counter seat.

「Sorry for the wait.」

I first served a plate of steak to Ryuse-san, then to s.h.i.+ze-san, followed by Chise-san. And lastly Sensan. 

「The food came out faster than usual! Itadakimasu~」

Chise-san dived straight into his food, grinning from ear to ear. 

「As expected, your food is the best.」

「Thank you very much......If you'd like, I could prepare a beefsteak for you tomorrow.」

「Really!? I'll definitely come tomorrow 'cause it's a beefsteak! Right, s.h.i.+ze!」

Chise-san's eyes were sparkling. He might have been too excited that he transformed into a blue wolf there and then. s.h.i.+ze-san took a glance at Chise-san, then nodded with a grunt. Which elicited a chuckle from Chise-san, with his teeth in plain sight. 

Fufu, beefsteak it is.

「Hehe! Manager really likes us!」

Chise-san said as he wagged his tail. I shyly covered my mouth with the tray and whispered 「Yes.」

After their meal, I served another round of drinks along with desserts. I served them in order, with s.h.i.+ze-san last. After placing the cup of black coffee on the table, s.h.i.+ze-san picked the cup up and lifted his head to stare at me wordlessly. 

Ah, could it be too hot for his cat tongue?

I activated snow magic. Soon, powdered snow-like light particles appeared and slowly melted, lowering the temperature of the coffee. 

I was relieved to see s.h.i.+ze-san drink his coffee contentedly. 

(lilies: I relate to this so much （ ;  ; ）if only I had a Rhonya too)

After that, I went to wash up the dishes in the kitchen and returned to the cafe with a book I was reading. There was a cheetah at the counter looking for a chance to snuggle with me, so I decided to sit opposite Sensan. Sensan who was reading took a quick look at me, then immediately went back to his book. 

I suddenly noticed that the book in his hand was t.i.tled [Book of Demons].

「Aiya......is that a book about demons?」

I couldn't help but ask. Sensan answered me while reaching for his mousse cake. 

「Since we might battle with one. It's best to be prepared.」

Hearing those words, I blurted out. 

「......I don't want you guys to fight him.」

「Ah? I guess you think that we'll lose.」

I turned around to see a grumpy Chise-san with cream all over his mouth. 

「......If it were a proper and fair fight, I'm sure you guys would win. Based on brute force, the Beastmen race would have the upper hand. However, the demon is cunning——it's a being that leads to the destruction of others. Its magic allows it to easily manipulate monsters and those with negative emotions. Of course, I'm also able to use magic as well, but this is completely different from the fights you're used to.」

「Gruu......magic is indeed troublesome......」

Chise-san growled regretfully. On the other hand, Ryuse-san puffed out his chest with confidence.

「It doesn't matter if the demon can control things or use magic. I'll just have to rip his head off. Even with magic, won't it be resolved as long as I defeat the magic caster? It'll be alright.」

After hearing Ryuse-san's proclamation, Chise-san seemed to have regained his confidence 「T-That's right!」

Although Sensan and s.h.i.+ze-san didn't say anything, they just looked at me as if to say that all will be fine. 

「......Um, can I bless you with magic? This will protect you from being affected by the demon's magic. I too have been blessed with protective magic. While I don't know if you'll really encounter the demon, it's better to be safe than sorry.」

This was a magic that had been cast on the majority of the residents in the capital. And of course, students of St. Crisante had been blessed with this magic as well. As I observed everyone's reactions to my proposition, Ryuse-san was the first to speak up. 

「Ojou is going to cast magic on me? Really? Yay~!」

「Of course, this is free right?」

Sensan asked jokingly while leaning his head to the side. 

「Yes, it's free. Would you get rid of the demon for free as well?」

I said half-jokingly, to which Sensan laughed in response.

「Yeah, it's a special treatment.」

It felt like proof of our friends.h.i.+p and my smile deepened at those words. 

「How does it feel like when the magic is being cast? ......Will it be itchy?」

Chise-san asked, a little hesitantly.

「You'll just be wrapped in magic.」

I answered with a smile. s.h.i.+ze-san nodded quietly to convey his consent. Seeing how Chise-san seems to recoil from the idea, I applied to magic on the others first. Although both s.h.i.+ze-san and Sensan were in their human form, perhaps it was due to my magic, the two of them transformed into beast form. Finally, it was Chise-san's turn. He looked like he has given up and nodded his head. 

Just like that, I cast the protection magic on everyone. And we spent the rest of the time relaxing.  Eventually, s.h.i.+ze-san got up and stretched. It was a signal that they had to go back and prepare. To maintain the security of these streets, they had to go to the border today as well. I hope that they would be careful......not to get hurt. 

As I thought about it, my mouth opened unintentionally. 

「Ittera.s.shai」

It must've been really unexpected, as everyone froze in place. I, myself was surprised by my own words.

「I......Ittekimasu......」

Ryuse-san said with a shy smile while swaying his tail. Chise-san who seemed like he was affected by Ryuse-san also responded with a shy expression on his face, 「Oh!」 Then they exited the store together.

「Ittekimasu.」

Sensan said, while slowly wagging his tail. With a smile, he followed behind Chise-san and Ryuse-san. s.h.i.+ze-san was the only one left. He gently placed his black paw on my head.

「I'll come tomorrow.」

Then, he left the cafe. And the door closed with the sound of the bell.

「......Uwaaah」

I couldn't help but squat down holding my flushed cheeks in my hands. Though it was something that came out of my own mouth, I still felt very embarra.s.sed. After a while, a glowing pale green circle appeared in the middle of the store.  

Countless Lotos jumped out of the glowing circle. They cried out adorably 「Wah!」 and pounced at me. They must be here to comfort me seeing how dejected I was yesterday. 

「Thank you......I'm alright. Fufu, those who want to eat the remaining cake, raise your hand~!」

After making such an announcement, all the Lotos raised their hands at once, with s.h.i.+ning eyes. Even the children clinging onto my dress raised their hands, causing them to roll down. Despite so, the Lotos desperately raised their hands. I inadvertently laughed at this sight. 

(lilies: These gluttons lollol)

——The next day, I prepared the beef for the Beastmen Squad. I bought the most expensive meat from the butcher with gusto. Since I always receive lots of tips from everyone, I could buy a lot of expensive meat, no problem. 

I will season the meat with red wine as the base. The preparations were perfect. After the morning s.h.i.+ft and finis.h.i.+ng up with lunch, the time was just past noon. I decided to read my book at the bar counter with a cup of latte. They should be arriving soon. 

While I whiled the time away.

——Suddenly, I felt a gust of hot air pa.s.s through my body and my chest started to feel hot...... This is a sign of magic. It's a type of wide-area attack and I'm within its range. 

I've felt this before. It was when I battled the demon in Orphedoto's forest. I immediately grabbed the Amethyst placed on the kitchen counter. However, no matter how hard I searched. I couldn't sense ominous magic of a demon. This doesn't seem to be a demon attack. I let go of the crystal and looked out the window.

What I saw was a sunset-coloured sky. However, it was just past noon, so this is clearly not from the sunset.

Boom!

The ground shook at the same time the loud noise was heard. Cries could be heard from outside the store. I dashed out the door in a hurry and there was a flaming rock embedded in the ground, in the middle of the plaza. Fire and black smoke were coming out from the surrounding buildings. Screams were heard everywhere as people fled in all directions. 

「What is happening!?」

I saw a regular at the cafe and asked. 

「The Beastmen squad is fighting bandits nearby! The opponent is using magic! You'd better evacuate soon, Rhonya!!」

BOOM——!

Then, the ground shook and the loud sound was heard once again. Shrill screaming and shouting could be heard everywhere. At this rate, the town would be destroyed. In the commotion, I took a deep breath and——

「"——I, protect the peace. Reject the destruction and safeguard everything——"」

After I chanted, magic gradually spread out from my feet. Soon, the entire town was encased in my magic. This is a barrier that blocks out magic attacks.

Not everyone was capable of using this spell. Only those who learnt how to use it and have sufficient magic power can use it. If you have enough magic, you'd be able to notice the barrier. Having said that, I don't think that there's a magician in this town that could see my barrier.

There was a dull noise overhead. This was the sound of the flaming rocks. .h.i.tting the barrier. When the rock was deflected by a white light, the rock bounced off like a firework and disappeared. The explosive noise was too m.u.f.fled to be heard clearly within the barrier. 

The people fleeing in panic were surprised to see the rocks rebound one after another. When they realised the flaming rocks had stopped raining down on the town, they all had a relieved expression on their face. 

As I maintained the barrier, I contemplated if I should get out of town. 

If possible, I'd like to help the Beastmen squad. Though the sounds were m.u.f.fled by the barrier, numerous dull sounds could still be heard. And the ground would quake from time to time. What if they were caught in a tough fight. I could probably help since I can use magic. 

——In the end, I went back to my store. I'm not good at barrier magic, so I need to really focus to maintain a spell of this scale. If the magic were to come apart halfway through, I would only be a burden to them. 

They made a promised with me yesterday. They said they could come to eat my beefsteak today. Therefore, to keep this promise, they'll definitely come. They'll probably laugh it off, saying it was an easy fight then take a break in the store. I looked at the direction of their battle and prayed for them. 

I hoped they would win and safely fulfil our promise——

3 Promised Victory

Domuskasa is a town located far southeast of the royal capital. A little further away, The Beastmen squad was engaged in a fight with bandits. Flaming rocks fell from the sky, with sparks flying everywhere. The bandits had swords and guns in hand, but to the Beastmen squad, other than the flaming rocks, this didn't pose much of a threat. 

The blue wolf Chise beat up an enemy and clicked his tongue.

「Dammit! What a half-a.s.sed spell!」

The flaming rocks. .h.i.t, not only the Beastmen but the bandits themselves as well. The caster had no control over it whatsoever. The bandits they were fighting had been trying to invade Domukasa for some time now. Though the bandits were considerably strong and they've had tough times with these bandits. The bandits had never come this close to the town before. However, this time with a newly learnt spell as their trump card, the bandits were able to come this far. 

「......What a hindrance!」

The white cheetah, Chise, slashed at the bandits with his sharp claws before jumping back to avoid the flaming rocks. He heaved in irritation as he used his arms to block the sparks flying in the air. 

Another rock attack with no end in sight. Even if he tried to aim for the caster, the bandits would block him with their advantage in numbers. This was taking a toll on his body and Ryuse was getting tired of this. When he got worried and turned back to look at the town. He realised that it was being protected. 

「Hmm, what is that? Is that barrier magic?」

Before the flaming rocks could fall into the town, it would be deflected by a white light and destroyed. The town seems to be protected by an invisible dome. The green jackal, Sena, took down an enemy and exhaled deeply to readjust his breathing.

「......There should be only one person who can do that.」

Sena said before someone could ask 「who's magic is this」

In the town of Domuskasa, there was only one person capable of erecting a barrier over the entire town. 

「This is her magic......」

「Ah, ojou must've been worried about us.」

Ryuse pushed his hair back and his dangerous expression softened. He kicked away the bandits who were trying to attack him from behind and happily wagged his long tail.

「Let's quickly finish up here and go to the cafe. After all, didn't we make a promise to go today?」

As his smile deepened, he dug his leg into the ground and ran out with a speed that couldn't be followed by the human eye. With that speed, he kicked away as many as five enemies.

「Ah~ I'm hungry! We're having beefsteak today! I want to eat the Manager's beefsteak as soon as possible!」

Chise roared almost howling. He grabbed on to oncoming enemies and threw them away.

「Do you think ojou will say okaerinasai?」

Ryuse asked, though he deep down he knew that was unlikely. 

(lilies: my interpretation)

「I doubt so.」

Sena replied calmly while dodging bullets and firing a shot straight into the enemy's chest. Ryuse looked a little disappointed and sighed once again.

「Ojou was really cute yesterday, saying stuff like itterrashai and liking us......Hot!」

A spark of flame landed on his tail, causing Ryuse to jump in a panic. 

「Stop wasting time and clean this up, Ryuse. Our job is to protect Domuskasa and its people. Which means we have to protect Rhonya, yet we've still troubled her. Let's finish this up as soon as possible.」

Seeing Sena lecture Ryuse, Chise smiled happily.

「We need to give her a reward! Though she'll probably say that it's alright.」

Ryuse jumped over the flaming rocks and crushed the enemy before looking back at the town. 

「Because there's Rhonya, I want to return early......Just the thought of her waiting makes me impatient.」

She must be waiting for them in town, worrying for them. Just the thought of her figure would naturally make you smile. Ryuse held his chest and said 「Ah~, this make me so shy.」

「Let's hurry up and remove these guys who are affecting ojou's rest.」

「......Yeah.」

Sena s.h.i.+fted his gaze from Ryuse and turned around. 

「Right? Boss」

He was referring to the black lion, s.h.i.+ze. He removed the jacket that indicated his ident.i.ty as a member of the Beastmen squad and threw it. 

「The few of you get rid of the small fish.」

s.h.i.+ze orders as he flashed his claws. That low voice reached Sena and the others, over the sound of the falling rocks and the screams of the bandits.

「——I'll crush the caster.」

Following his word, Sena, Ryuse and Chise took on an offensive stance. 

「Let's go!!」

「——Uooh!!」

The three of them answered the lion's roar. And then, the Beastmen squad went on a rampage like actual beasts. If you got in their way, they would howl, bite and tear you apart. The opponents' strength was diminis.h.i.+ng. 

In order to fulfil their promise to her. To return to the side of the person who would send them off with a warm smile. 

I decided not to translate "itterrashai", "ittekimasu", etc cos I feel like the essence really can't be captured in english. 

Edit: For those who don't know the meaning of the terms above, you can refer to this !!

Sorries I should've considered that some may not know the meaning of such terms 囧

It's so cute (´･ω･`) I cannot gah plus Rhonya is so cool!! It's getting a little action-packed and my english is really being tested. Lol I feel like as I translate,  part of my english dies a little ╭(╯^╰)╮

And like how to translate when every chapter leaves me half-dead from all the feels uwuu

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and have a great day!!

peace lilies~