Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"Has Lord Rahden received official benefices?"
It was the bishop who answered Lawrence's question.
"Allow me to speak on behalf of the records in Salonia." The bishop cleared his throat, beginning his statement with an odd prelude. "I suppose it was about forty years ago—the land was donated to him by the noble family that once owned it. He had served as representative for a church that reportedly once stood in the area. That does not, however, make him a member of the clergy that has received benefices."
Lawrence held back the grin that threatened to cross his face when the bishop said a church that reportedly once stood in the area. In translation, that meant there was a possibility that Rahden had received a donation of land while impersonating a member of the Church.
"But Lord Rahden's act did save many people," the bishop said, almost as though he had read Lawrence's mind. "Forty years ago, Salonia was the front line in the war against the pagans. Our annals state that it was a time of terrible chaos. It was then that Lord Rahden appeared, built a pond in an inhospitable mountain, raised fish, and took in people displaced by the war. Our records state that the fish from the Rahden Bishopric staved off starvation when fish could no longer be caught from the corpse-polluted rivers."
"I see."
Lawrence could see why Elsa wanted to support them.
Sulto then spoke up, impatience in his voice.
"Our home had been consumed by the war. I was young—newly married—so I took my wife and my newborn and headed for Lord Rahden's village, clinging to the rumors of salvation. When we finally made it to the village, we were exhausted, smoke still billowing from our singed clothes, and Lord Rahden greeted us by throwing us a net he had been weaving himself. I remember it like it was yesterday. He is a godsent man," Sulto said, almost in prayer, grasping the Church crest that hung around his neck.
As Lawrence watched the mayor, he slowly inhaled and held his breath. The villagers had poured into the church because all of them had experienced the same past, and they had all been saved by Rahden. Not only that, the man was not an official member of the clergy despite having done so many good deeds, and Lawrence now understood why that did not seem to sit well with the villagers. They could not stand to see Rahden without the proper accolades, so they had come to Salonia.
But accepting a benefice was commonly accompanied by bribery, so it was hard to imagine that the money borrowed for the purpose of becoming a bishop would be used for anything but.
Curious to know how that was working out, Lawrence glanced at the bishop, who gave him a knowing nod in turn.
"In terms of granting him bishophood, the pope's office has heard of Lord Rahden's faith directly. So your apprehensions of...bribery are not an issue here."
Lawrence turned to look at Elsa, and she nodded wordlessly as she pointed to her priest's stole. She was married and had children, yet she had been ordained as a priest. The Church had been tremendously shorthanded in this time of change, so they were willing to grant priesthood to anyone they could find, especially capable individuals such as herself.
They had set eyes on Rahden because they likely wanted to incorporate someone who was already well-known for his faith—someone who could easily win the hearts and minds of the people.
If that were the case, then there was one thing Lawrence did not understand.
"Then what are you planning on doing with the money?"
Sulto sighed. "We were told that if Lord Rahden were to become a bishop, then he would have to go south to the pope's office, and that might take more than a year."
Lawrence wondered if it would be used for travel and living expenses, but he had a feeling that they could raise donations in town.

Output:
The man sounded like someone who was staunch in his obligations.
Lawrence was about to nod, impressed, but he paused. "Um... But I have heard that things are going relatively well with deer hunting and related crafts."
Surely, they could manage, even without the hatchery.
Sulto looked at Lawrence, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "You heard correctly. It's always Lord Rahden who is helping us, so we started searching in earnest for industry that could replace the hatchery long before there had been any signs of illness among the fish. And thank God, when the Vallan Bishopric, on the other side of the mountain, started growing again, that caused many deer to appear around the village. Our livelihoods are now supported by venison, deer hides, and leather straps."
The Vallan Bishopric had once been developed as a mine and had gone bare.
But Tanya, the squirrel spirit, had worked hard to replant the trees in the forest and life had returned to the area.
Lawrence, a former merchant who brought distant lands together, was delighted to learn of the link between these two places. He quietly reminded himself to tell Tanya what had happened.
"That is why we believe God was the one who brought this opportunity to him. This will allow him to be away and take a break from work in the village for a while, and his faith has been recognized to the point where he can be formally recognized as a bishop. We urged him to take it on. But he said no, that he cannot be away from the village while the hatchery's future remains uncertain. Perhaps it's because we are too inexperienced."
"So, is this a loan to help revitalize the hatchery?"
Sulto did not nod in confirmation, nor did he deny the statement.
"We want enough money that Lord Rahden can leave the village with peace of mind."
***
The mayor likely thought that revitalizing the trout hatchery was going to be difficult. Due to the nature of it being a pond, all the fish within the hatchery would be lost in an instant at the first signs of disease, so it was also likely that he thought it would be best not to rely so much on it in the future.
But Lawrence was painfully understanding of their motives. He did not even need to look at Holo to know that the villagers were only acting with Rahden's best interests in mind.
He understood why Elsa wanted to help, and also why the Salonia church was looking for a reason to lend a hand.
On the other hand, the truth remained that he was not sure under what pretext the church should lend them money.
In truth, it would be best if they could borrow money from one of the companies in town, but if they got wind that it was so Rahden could become a bishop, then any company would rightfully think twice.
The biggest issue was the current trend: the scrutiny under which the Church existed grew harsher day by day.
And it was very likely that the amount of money they were asking for was enough to hold sway over the entire operations of the village, so that was another reason to step back.
Lending money to someone in power was a move that required courage, because there was no guarantee that they would pay the money back. Those related to the Church especially stood out; they could easily insist it was considered a donation, and the money would never be returned.
If there was anyone who could help, it would be the Church, but if records showed that the village leader became a bishop soon after receiving the money, then others would likely point out that it was corrupt money meant for bribery.
On the surface, there was every indication of something shady going on.
"Well, Mister Lawrence? All of us here at the Salonia church would like to help the people of the Rahden Bishopric in any way we can," the bishop said, turning his attention to Lawrence. "When I asked Pastor Elsa if we might be able to secure your help in the matter, she said that you would be willing so long as there is no corruption at play."


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
The man sounded like someone who was staunch in his obligations.
Lawrence was about to nod, impressed, but he paused. "Um... But I have heard that things are going relatively well with deer hunting and related crafts."
Surely, they could manage, even without the hatchery.
Sulto looked at Lawrence, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "You heard correctly. It's always Lord Rahden who is helping us, so we started searching in earnest for industry that could replace the hatchery long before there had been any signs of illness among the fish. And thank God, when the Vallan Bishopric, on the other side of the mountain, started growing again, that caused many deer to appear around the village. Our livelihoods are now supported by venison, deer hides, and leather straps."
The Vallan Bishopric had once been developed as a mine and had gone bare.
But Tanya, the squirrel spirit, had worked hard to replant the trees in the forest and life had returned to the area.
Lawrence, a former merchant who brought distant lands together, was delighted to learn of the link between these two places. He quietly reminded himself to tell Tanya what had happened.
"That is why we believe God was the one who brought this opportunity to him. This will allow him to be away and take a break from work in the village for a while, and his faith has been recognized to the point where he can be formally recognized as a bishop. We urged him to take it on. But he said no, that he cannot be away from the village while the hatchery's future remains uncertain. Perhaps it's because we are too inexperienced."
"So, is this a loan to help revitalize the hatchery?"
Sulto did not nod in confirmation, nor did he deny the statement.
"We want enough money that Lord Rahden can leave the village with peace of mind."
***
The mayor likely thought that revitalizing the trout hatchery was going to be difficult. Due to the nature of it being a pond, all the fish within the hatchery would be lost in an instant at the first signs of disease, so it was also likely that he thought it would be best not to rely so much on it in the future.
But Lawrence was painfully understanding of their motives. He did not even need to look at Holo to know that the villagers were only acting with Rahden's best interests in mind.
He understood why Elsa wanted to help, and also why the Salonia church was looking for a reason to lend a hand.
On the other hand, the truth remained that he was not sure under what pretext the church should lend them money.
In truth, it would be best if they could borrow money from one of the companies in town, but if they got wind that it was so Rahden could become a bishop, then any company would rightfully think twice.
The biggest issue was the current trend: the scrutiny under which the Church existed grew harsher day by day.
And it was very likely that the amount of money they were asking for was enough to hold sway over the entire operations of the village, so that was another reason to step back.
Lending money to someone in power was a move that required courage, because there was no guarantee that they would pay the money back. Those related to the Church especially stood out; they could easily insist it was considered a donation, and the money would never be returned.
If there was anyone who could help, it would be the Church, but if records showed that the village leader became a bishop soon after receiving the money, then others would likely point out that it was corrupt money meant for bribery.
On the surface, there was every indication of something shady going on.
"Well, Mister Lawrence? All of us here at the Salonia church would like to help the people of the Rahden Bishopric in any way we can," the bishop said, turning his attention to Lawrence. "When I asked Pastor Elsa if we might be able to secure your help in the matter, she said that you would be willing so long as there is no corruption at play."

Output:
"By corruption, you ultimately mean...that no record should remain of the church directly lending money to the village, correct?"
"Yes. It sounds like a bad thing when you put it that way, but—"
"No, I understand. Just because facial hair is natural does not mean we should not be diligent in shaving. Ledgers are much the same."
Elsa looked terribly troubled, as though she wasn't sure if she should laugh or not, but the bishop smiled gleefully.
"If you would please, then, Mister Lawrence."
"Of course. I can't guarantee I will have a plan for you, but I am willing to help if you're happy with what wisdom I can offer. I feel like this may be a problem that a money order could solve."
"Ohh!"
A broad smile crossed the bishop's face, and Sulto stood with wide eyes.
"Oh, I'm just musing aloud here. It's not like I've come up with a way to fix this yet," Lawrence hurriedly said as a disclaimer in response to their delight.
He had to make sure there was no direct line between the village and the church while still being honest about where the money was going.
There were several things a merchant could do at a time like this, but they would take a little work.
"Oh yes, of course. But you are Lawrence! The one who magicked all the debt away in town! I believe you will be able to come up with something for us, too."
The bishop's flattery brought a smile to Lawrence's face.
"We must inform the rest of the villagers right away. They must be beside themselves with nerves," Sulto said, rounding the table to firmly grasp both of Lawrence's hands and bow to Holo.
But unease suddenly came over Lawrence as he watched the mayor. Though he had said he would take on the job, he had a feeling he was missing something.
He was not nervous about how the money would get lent—nothing as technical as that. It was as though he was missing something even more fundamental...
Though the thoughts churned in his head, he could not think of anything. With a nettled feeling in his chest, he watched as Sulto moved to exit the room.
It happened as he placed his hand on the door.
"Hmm?" Holo hummed. A moment later, they heard excited voices coming from the hallway.
Sulto curiously pressed his ear to the door and glanced back at Lawrence and Holo.
But it seemed he knew what was going on.
"The villagers sound excited. I should go quiet them right awa—"
He only managed to say that much.
"Wait!"
"Please wait!"
They heard shouting from the hall.
"Please wait, Lord Rahden!"
Lawrence's eyes widened just as the door flung open.
"Lord Rahden?!"
Sulto was the first to speak up, and it was then that Lawrence realized what he had overlooked. He had come to learn of how the village in the Rahden Bishopric came to be, how it was faring in the present moment, Sulto and the other villagers' motives, and their passionate feelings for Rahden.
But there was one thing that never came up.
And that was what Rahden himself thought.
"Sulto! Why did you leave me behind in the village?!"
His voice was as loud as a mountain bear; he was no old hermit who spent his days in contemplation and prayer. Though his clothes resembled those of a monk, his head was shaved, and his wrinkles were so deep they seemed to be carved into his skin; he was so stout that he looked like a towering tree that had grown legs and started walking. His thick hands, the kind that were only found on those who toiled hard for years on end, were a testament to how tirelessly he had worked.
Rahden seemed much less like a fervent clergyman and more like a dutiful artisan who prioritized human feelings and relationships.
The man had complicated emotions coloring his face—ones that made him seem desperate to scream, but also desperate to cry—as he untangled himself from the villagers who tried to stop him.
"Lord Rahden! Why are you—?"
As Sulto began to speak, a young boy peeked out from beside the furious Rahden.
"Granddad! You can't hold talks without Lord Rahden!"
"Baum! Did you bring him here?!"


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"By corruption, you ultimately mean...that no record should remain of the church directly lending money to the village, correct?"
"Yes. It sounds like a bad thing when you put it that way, but—"
"No, I understand. Just because facial hair is natural does not mean we should not be diligent in shaving. Ledgers are much the same."
Elsa looked terribly troubled, as though she wasn't sure if she should laugh or not, but the bishop smiled gleefully.
"If you would please, then, Mister Lawrence."
"Of course. I can't guarantee I will have a plan for you, but I am willing to help if you're happy with what wisdom I can offer. I feel like this may be a problem that a money order could solve."
"Ohh!"
A broad smile crossed the bishop's face, and Sulto stood with wide eyes.
"Oh, I'm just musing aloud here. It's not like I've come up with a way to fix this yet," Lawrence hurriedly said as a disclaimer in response to their delight.
He had to make sure there was no direct line between the village and the church while still being honest about where the money was going.
There were several things a merchant could do at a time like this, but they would take a little work.
"Oh yes, of course. But you are Lawrence! The one who magicked all the debt away in town! I believe you will be able to come up with something for us, too."
The bishop's flattery brought a smile to Lawrence's face.
"We must inform the rest of the villagers right away. They must be beside themselves with nerves," Sulto said, rounding the table to firmly grasp both of Lawrence's hands and bow to Holo.
But unease suddenly came over Lawrence as he watched the mayor. Though he had said he would take on the job, he had a feeling he was missing something.
He was not nervous about how the money would get lent—nothing as technical as that. It was as though he was missing something even more fundamental...
Though the thoughts churned in his head, he could not think of anything. With a nettled feeling in his chest, he watched as Sulto moved to exit the room.
It happened as he placed his hand on the door.
"Hmm?" Holo hummed. A moment later, they heard excited voices coming from the hallway.
Sulto curiously pressed his ear to the door and glanced back at Lawrence and Holo.
But it seemed he knew what was going on.
"The villagers sound excited. I should go quiet them right awa—"
He only managed to say that much.
"Wait!"
"Please wait!"
They heard shouting from the hall.
"Please wait, Lord Rahden!"
Lawrence's eyes widened just as the door flung open.
"Lord Rahden?!"
Sulto was the first to speak up, and it was then that Lawrence realized what he had overlooked. He had come to learn of how the village in the Rahden Bishopric came to be, how it was faring in the present moment, Sulto and the other villagers' motives, and their passionate feelings for Rahden.
But there was one thing that never came up.
And that was what Rahden himself thought.
"Sulto! Why did you leave me behind in the village?!"
His voice was as loud as a mountain bear; he was no old hermit who spent his days in contemplation and prayer. Though his clothes resembled those of a monk, his head was shaved, and his wrinkles were so deep they seemed to be carved into his skin; he was so stout that he looked like a towering tree that had grown legs and started walking. His thick hands, the kind that were only found on those who toiled hard for years on end, were a testament to how tirelessly he had worked.
Rahden seemed much less like a fervent clergyman and more like a dutiful artisan who prioritized human feelings and relationships.
The man had complicated emotions coloring his face—ones that made him seem desperate to scream, but also desperate to cry—as he untangled himself from the villagers who tried to stop him.
"Lord Rahden! Why are you—?"
As Sulto began to speak, a young boy peeked out from beside the furious Rahden.
"Granddad! You can't hold talks without Lord Rahden!"
"Baum! Did you bring him here?!"

Output:
Lawrence had completely forgotten to ask what Rahden thought of them borrowing money to give him peace of mind.
But the answer to that question was rather obvious.
"I understand you are the mayor, Sulto, but you were specifically instructed not to ask!"
"B-but, Lord Rahden! We were simply thinking of you and—"
"No, I've had enough of your impertinent talk! We are going back to the village, Sulto! The fishes are waiting for us!"
"Lord Rahden, please, listen! We came here because we are concerned for you and the village!"
The villagers tried to push Rahden back, but one twist of the waist and one grab of the arm had a grown man pulled into the air and tossed around like a cat.
Sulto was on the verge of tears; the boy, Baum, had raised his flag of rebellion against Sulto and the other villagers and brought Rahden to Salonia to fight alongside him.
The smooth-talking bishop was bewildered, and Holo was smiling in amusement at the sudden commotion.
What is going on? Lawrence sighed.
"Stop this at once!"
Hands slammed onto the table with a loud bang.
Everyone turned to look at Elsa—her brows knitted upward in rage.
"This is a church! A house of God! Under no circumstances will you cause a commotion in here!"
Her power was enough to make her fringe shudder; it surely came from constantly scolding three boys and a husband at home.
Rahden's, Sulto's and of course Baum's eyes widened. All the villagers reacted the same.
"Do you not understand that God is always watching?! Have you no shame?!"
Her reprimand was like a lash of a whip, and all the men drew up their shoulders at once.
The only sound in the quiet hall was Holo cackling quietly.
"Father, please show Mayor Sulto and the rest of the villagers to another room."
Sulto was about to protest, but when Elsa planted her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at him, he shrunk down like a little boy.
"Lord Rahden, and...young Baum. Stay here with me."
Rahden and Baum were certainly far enough apart to be grandfather and grandson, but the way they exchanged glances made them seem like friends.
"Come on! The rest of you, get to work!"
Elsa's command spurred the people into motion like a herd of sheep.
Sulto looked back at Rahden with regret, and though Rahden realized what was going on, he made no move to meet the man's gaze.
The manner in which Elsa brought the drink and poured some for everyone made it clear that she had hurt her throat raising her voice that way.
Rahden struggled to squeeze his large frame into a chair and remained silent as he peered into his cup.
"My name is Kraft Lawrence," Lawrence first introduced himself.
And as he thought, Rahden, being the frank man he was, lifted his head.
"...Rahden."
His reply was brief.
"That's an unusual name. Is it your family name, or...?"
"Lord Rahden's just Lord Rahden," the boy Baum interjected. "My name's Baum. Sulto's my granddad."
Holo took a liking to the fearless Baum in the blink of an eye. She smiled with delight when he turned to Elsa and asked, "Don't I get any wine?" and Elsa scolded him.
"So, Mister Lawrence, are you on my granddad's side?"
The boy got straight to the point.
Though he was the mayor's grandson, he was going against his will.
"I'm on no one's side right now."
"But weren't you cozying up with the church and going to do exactly what my granddad said just now?"
"I was going to, only because he asked, but this situation seems a little more complicated than that. I want to hear what you two have to say. That's why we had Mayor Sulto and the others leave."
Baum stared hard at Lawrence before scoffing and looking away.
"Was the mayor trying to borrow money from the church?" Rahden finally asked, and Lawrence nodded in response.
"Was this not a unanimous decision in the village?"
***
Rahden fell silent, and Baum spoke up instead.
"Everyone besides Lord Rahden and people like me who are on Lord Rahden's side agreed with borrowing money."
Lawrence got a general sense of where things stood in the village.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
Lawrence had completely forgotten to ask what Rahden thought of them borrowing money to give him peace of mind.
But the answer to that question was rather obvious.
"I understand you are the mayor, Sulto, but you were specifically instructed not to ask!"
"B-but, Lord Rahden! We were simply thinking of you and—"
"No, I've had enough of your impertinent talk! We are going back to the village, Sulto! The fishes are waiting for us!"
"Lord Rahden, please, listen! We came here because we are concerned for you and the village!"
The villagers tried to push Rahden back, but one twist of the waist and one grab of the arm had a grown man pulled into the air and tossed around like a cat.
Sulto was on the verge of tears; the boy, Baum, had raised his flag of rebellion against Sulto and the other villagers and brought Rahden to Salonia to fight alongside him.
The smooth-talking bishop was bewildered, and Holo was smiling in amusement at the sudden commotion.
What is going on? Lawrence sighed.
"Stop this at once!"
Hands slammed onto the table with a loud bang.
Everyone turned to look at Elsa—her brows knitted upward in rage.
"This is a church! A house of God! Under no circumstances will you cause a commotion in here!"
Her power was enough to make her fringe shudder; it surely came from constantly scolding three boys and a husband at home.
Rahden's, Sulto's and of course Baum's eyes widened. All the villagers reacted the same.
"Do you not understand that God is always watching?! Have you no shame?!"
Her reprimand was like a lash of a whip, and all the men drew up their shoulders at once.
The only sound in the quiet hall was Holo cackling quietly.
"Father, please show Mayor Sulto and the rest of the villagers to another room."
Sulto was about to protest, but when Elsa planted her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at him, he shrunk down like a little boy.
"Lord Rahden, and...young Baum. Stay here with me."
Rahden and Baum were certainly far enough apart to be grandfather and grandson, but the way they exchanged glances made them seem like friends.
"Come on! The rest of you, get to work!"
Elsa's command spurred the people into motion like a herd of sheep.
Sulto looked back at Rahden with regret, and though Rahden realized what was going on, he made no move to meet the man's gaze.
The manner in which Elsa brought the drink and poured some for everyone made it clear that she had hurt her throat raising her voice that way.
Rahden struggled to squeeze his large frame into a chair and remained silent as he peered into his cup.
"My name is Kraft Lawrence," Lawrence first introduced himself.
And as he thought, Rahden, being the frank man he was, lifted his head.
"...Rahden."
His reply was brief.
"That's an unusual name. Is it your family name, or...?"
"Lord Rahden's just Lord Rahden," the boy Baum interjected. "My name's Baum. Sulto's my granddad."
Holo took a liking to the fearless Baum in the blink of an eye. She smiled with delight when he turned to Elsa and asked, "Don't I get any wine?" and Elsa scolded him.
"So, Mister Lawrence, are you on my granddad's side?"
The boy got straight to the point.
Though he was the mayor's grandson, he was going against his will.
"I'm on no one's side right now."
"But weren't you cozying up with the church and going to do exactly what my granddad said just now?"
"I was going to, only because he asked, but this situation seems a little more complicated than that. I want to hear what you two have to say. That's why we had Mayor Sulto and the others leave."
Baum stared hard at Lawrence before scoffing and looking away.
"Was the mayor trying to borrow money from the church?" Rahden finally asked, and Lawrence nodded in response.
"Was this not a unanimous decision in the village?"
***
Rahden fell silent, and Baum spoke up instead.
"Everyone besides Lord Rahden and people like me who are on Lord Rahden's side agreed with borrowing money."
Lawrence got a general sense of where things stood in the village.

Output:
"That's why you rushed here on horseback?"
"Exactly. Lord Rahden can't ride a horse alone, you see."
The image of Baum taking the reins and Rahden sitting behind him was a rather strange one, but it brought a slight smile to Lawrence's face.
"Please pretend all this talk about a loan never happened," Rahden said. "The village has never needed a loan. It will not need any in the future."
"But Sulto said that you expressed some worries about the village's prospects in the future. He wants to borrow money to ease your worries."
***
Rahden fell silent.
"Are you worried because the hatchery isn't doing so well?"
Rahden made no motion to confirm or deny Lawrence's question, only stared into his cup.
"I think the hatchery didn't succeed because of the tanning," Baum interjected, his voice scarcely containing his annoyance. "We just need to stop tanning hides. Then we can let fish into the pond. Village goes back to normal."
There was no doubt that the tanning process could pollute the water. Lawrence glanced over at Holo because he thought investigating whether or not the tanning process was the cause was an option.
But Rahden turned to look at Baum and said, "The tanning has nothing to do with this. The water sources are clearly separated."
"But—"
Baum was about to argue, but Rahden's look was enough for him to keep quiet.
"I am worried," Rahden turned to look back at Lawrence. "The deer hunting is...not sustainable. I want to reestablish the hatchery in the village."
His unaffected language made him sound like a tree spirit. But a being who was one with nature currently sitting beside Lawrence seemed to twitch her ears ever so slightly under her hood.
"And I am not suited to becoming a bishop."
"Are you sure about that?" It was Elsa who spoke this time. "From what I have heard, you are more like a bishop than a great many who already wear the robes of one."
She sounded like she was stating an obvious fact—black was black, white was white—and it was oddly convincing.
Rahden was about to say something, but he eventually decided not to.
Elsa seemed slightly annoyed with him for a moment before continuing, "I have often been asked to manage the ledgers in churches across the area. Every bishop in every church I've visited has an impressive work history, but none have devoted themselves to studying the scripture, and they are all careless with money. I have always thought that such people need to be removed and replaced with bishops who are truly faithful."
Elsa's words caused Rahden to close his eyes with a wry smile.
"I know you are staunchly faithful," he said. "To hear that from you is a relief. It tells me that I have lived my life the way I should."
Though appearances made him seem as though he approached every problem with brute strength, his word choice made him sound like a genuine bishop.
"I am simply being honest," Elsa said.
Rahden's eyes snapped open and he turned to Baum, almost as though he was trying to avoid the problem.
"Everyone is overestimating me."
"Lord Rahden..."
There was a hint of frustration in Baum's voice, and Rahden sighed.
"Sir Lawrence, was it? My name is Rahden. Just Rahden. I left my hometown when I was young, around Baum's age. It's been about forty years now. All those who knew my real name have likely departed this world by now."
Years of hard labor outside had left their mark on his skin—giving it a particular leathery quality created by the tanning process that was sweat, dust, and the sun. Rahden's bald head and hands were the same; he looked down at his hands as he continued.
"My home is the poor village of Rahdelli. You've heard of it, haven't you?"
Lawrence found himself unconsciously holding his breath when Rahden mentioned the place.
"I have, yes, but...are you really from that far away?"
Holo turned to look up at Lawrence, her head tilted.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"That's why you rushed here on horseback?"
"Exactly. Lord Rahden can't ride a horse alone, you see."
The image of Baum taking the reins and Rahden sitting behind him was a rather strange one, but it brought a slight smile to Lawrence's face.
"Please pretend all this talk about a loan never happened," Rahden said. "The village has never needed a loan. It will not need any in the future."
"But Sulto said that you expressed some worries about the village's prospects in the future. He wants to borrow money to ease your worries."
***
Rahden fell silent.
"Are you worried because the hatchery isn't doing so well?"
Rahden made no motion to confirm or deny Lawrence's question, only stared into his cup.
"I think the hatchery didn't succeed because of the tanning," Baum interjected, his voice scarcely containing his annoyance. "We just need to stop tanning hides. Then we can let fish into the pond. Village goes back to normal."
There was no doubt that the tanning process could pollute the water. Lawrence glanced over at Holo because he thought investigating whether or not the tanning process was the cause was an option.
But Rahden turned to look at Baum and said, "The tanning has nothing to do with this. The water sources are clearly separated."
"But—"
Baum was about to argue, but Rahden's look was enough for him to keep quiet.
"I am worried," Rahden turned to look back at Lawrence. "The deer hunting is...not sustainable. I want to reestablish the hatchery in the village."
His unaffected language made him sound like a tree spirit. But a being who was one with nature currently sitting beside Lawrence seemed to twitch her ears ever so slightly under her hood.
"And I am not suited to becoming a bishop."
"Are you sure about that?" It was Elsa who spoke this time. "From what I have heard, you are more like a bishop than a great many who already wear the robes of one."
She sounded like she was stating an obvious fact—black was black, white was white—and it was oddly convincing.
Rahden was about to say something, but he eventually decided not to.
Elsa seemed slightly annoyed with him for a moment before continuing, "I have often been asked to manage the ledgers in churches across the area. Every bishop in every church I've visited has an impressive work history, but none have devoted themselves to studying the scripture, and they are all careless with money. I have always thought that such people need to be removed and replaced with bishops who are truly faithful."
Elsa's words caused Rahden to close his eyes with a wry smile.
"I know you are staunchly faithful," he said. "To hear that from you is a relief. It tells me that I have lived my life the way I should."
Though appearances made him seem as though he approached every problem with brute strength, his word choice made him sound like a genuine bishop.
"I am simply being honest," Elsa said.
Rahden's eyes snapped open and he turned to Baum, almost as though he was trying to avoid the problem.
"Everyone is overestimating me."
"Lord Rahden..."
There was a hint of frustration in Baum's voice, and Rahden sighed.
"Sir Lawrence, was it? My name is Rahden. Just Rahden. I left my hometown when I was young, around Baum's age. It's been about forty years now. All those who knew my real name have likely departed this world by now."
Years of hard labor outside had left their mark on his skin—giving it a particular leathery quality created by the tanning process that was sweat, dust, and the sun. Rahden's bald head and hands were the same; he looked down at his hands as he continued.
"My home is the poor village of Rahdelli. You've heard of it, haven't you?"
Lawrence found himself unconsciously holding his breath when Rahden mentioned the place.
"I have, yes, but...are you really from that far away?"
Holo turned to look up at Lawrence, her head tilted.

Output:
"Ha-ha, I do remember that myth."
In order to reach Rahdelli from Salonia, one had to head west and then take a boat from there.
It was entirely possible to travel partway on foot, but crossing the steep mountain range that blocked the way made it a life-threatening journey.
In one way or another, it would take at least three months to get there—six, in a worst-case scenario.
One would have to go to the southernmost point of the continent, and then once one encountered the warm, glittering seas there, one would have to take a boat across several islands to reach the opposite coast.
It was so far that Lawrence had only ever heard of its name.
"Rahdelli... Is that why you're named Rahden?"
Lawrence was certain that no one would ever find anyone else from Rahdelli in this area. There was no way Rahden would ever find someone who would know his real name, which is why he had taken on the name of his homeland.
He understood that mindset after living on the road for so long.
"My village was run-down, dying. And the warm seas were full of sharks, so we could never catch enough fish. We...well, I'm not sure how you'd say it up here, but we made our living by searching for treasures in the sea. We rarely found any; maybe once a year. We were like pirates."
Treasures that could be found in the sea were typically amber that washed up on the beach after a storm, but when Rahden said they were pirates, Lawrence wondered if he commanded a famous group or something.
"After three years with no harvest, my village fell apart. I was all alone by that point, so I felt drawn by the land across the sea and wanted to see what was beyond. I got onto a trading vessel as a rower. I was strong enough after searching for sea jewels, so they put me to good use."
Rowing a ship was hard labor often used as punishment. That must have been what gave Rahden his physique.
"I went from ship to ship and eventually found myself in a cold land. The war between the Church and the northern pagans was at its peak then, and every boat had fervent clergy aboard. That was when I learned of God's teachings."
"Is that when you came to the area?" Lawrence asked.
"Hmm? Oh, yes. My master...I suppose you could call him that—I stuck right by his side and made my way to the site of the battle. But things were in a horrible state back then, and I couldn't move past this place. I couldn't abandon all the people I saw fleeing the very place we were headed for."
Rahden himself had left a destroyed village, so perhaps he found it even more difficult to leave them.
"When I left my master's side, he secured me all the privileges for the land where the village currently sits as a parting gift. He was charismatic enough to convert a bird with his sermons, so I suppose it was easy for him."
Realizing that it was not Rahden who had obtained the land originally brought Lawrence some relief.
"I decided I was going to live out my days here. I decided I was going to make this a home for people who had lost their own homes. I vowed to give my all to this place, so I dug up a puddle that had been filled with leaves and built a pond."
"Why a pond?"
Holo asked, almost in spite of herself.
Lawrence agreed. He also wanted to know why he had decided to build a fish hatchery.
A bashful look crossed Rahden's face.
"Because of the first passage I memorized from the scripture. God brought one loaf of bread and one fish to a starving people. The people ripped the loaf in two and gave one half to their neighbor, and someone else ripped their fish in two and gave one half to their neighbor. And so, one loaf of bread and one fish staved off hunger for a thousand people."
The bread-and-fish story was an allegory for loving one's neighbor, and Rahden had very nearly taken a literal interpretation of the tale.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"Ha-ha, I do remember that myth."
In order to reach Rahdelli from Salonia, one had to head west and then take a boat from there.
It was entirely possible to travel partway on foot, but crossing the steep mountain range that blocked the way made it a life-threatening journey.
In one way or another, it would take at least three months to get there—six, in a worst-case scenario.
One would have to go to the southernmost point of the continent, and then once one encountered the warm, glittering seas there, one would have to take a boat across several islands to reach the opposite coast.
It was so far that Lawrence had only ever heard of its name.
"Rahdelli... Is that why you're named Rahden?"
Lawrence was certain that no one would ever find anyone else from Rahdelli in this area. There was no way Rahden would ever find someone who would know his real name, which is why he had taken on the name of his homeland.
He understood that mindset after living on the road for so long.
"My village was run-down, dying. And the warm seas were full of sharks, so we could never catch enough fish. We...well, I'm not sure how you'd say it up here, but we made our living by searching for treasures in the sea. We rarely found any; maybe once a year. We were like pirates."
Treasures that could be found in the sea were typically amber that washed up on the beach after a storm, but when Rahden said they were pirates, Lawrence wondered if he commanded a famous group or something.
"After three years with no harvest, my village fell apart. I was all alone by that point, so I felt drawn by the land across the sea and wanted to see what was beyond. I got onto a trading vessel as a rower. I was strong enough after searching for sea jewels, so they put me to good use."
Rowing a ship was hard labor often used as punishment. That must have been what gave Rahden his physique.
"I went from ship to ship and eventually found myself in a cold land. The war between the Church and the northern pagans was at its peak then, and every boat had fervent clergy aboard. That was when I learned of God's teachings."
"Is that when you came to the area?" Lawrence asked.
"Hmm? Oh, yes. My master...I suppose you could call him that—I stuck right by his side and made my way to the site of the battle. But things were in a horrible state back then, and I couldn't move past this place. I couldn't abandon all the people I saw fleeing the very place we were headed for."
Rahden himself had left a destroyed village, so perhaps he found it even more difficult to leave them.
"When I left my master's side, he secured me all the privileges for the land where the village currently sits as a parting gift. He was charismatic enough to convert a bird with his sermons, so I suppose it was easy for him."
Realizing that it was not Rahden who had obtained the land originally brought Lawrence some relief.
"I decided I was going to live out my days here. I decided I was going to make this a home for people who had lost their own homes. I vowed to give my all to this place, so I dug up a puddle that had been filled with leaves and built a pond."
"Why a pond?"
Holo asked, almost in spite of herself.
Lawrence agreed. He also wanted to know why he had decided to build a fish hatchery.
A bashful look crossed Rahden's face.
"Because of the first passage I memorized from the scripture. God brought one loaf of bread and one fish to a starving people. The people ripped the loaf in two and gave one half to their neighbor, and someone else ripped their fish in two and gave one half to their neighbor. And so, one loaf of bread and one fish staved off hunger for a thousand people."
The bread-and-fish story was an allegory for loving one's neighbor, and Rahden had very nearly taken a literal interpretation of the tale.

Output:
"Our trout is really good! Did either of you try it?"
When Baum asked, Lawrence shook his head.
"This is our first year here. We were so disappointed when we heard we couldn't have any."
"Oh..."
Baum was genuinely upset. Rahden smiled at him and continued his story.
"It was one thing after another, and forty years passed in the blink of an eye. So much time has passed—Sulto had been burned out of his home and arrived with a newborn in his arms; that newborn grew up and had his own child, who's already gotten this big."
Baum's lip curled in embarrassment under Rahden's tender gaze.
"I have followed God's teachings all my life. But I have no intentions of becoming a bishop. I will protect my village, and I will die in my village. That's all I pray for." Rahden's gaze lifted up to the ceiling, as though peering up to the heavens. "I wish to be buried by the pond, for plump trout to gather in the shade of the tree that will grow from my corpse. That is how I wish the village to be." He lowered his gaze and said quietly, "That is all I want."
There was strength in his voice despite his age, but that only served to season the tones of sadness of a man in his elder years.
Holo's head was drooped, her hands balled into fists in her lap. Though aloof she seemed, she had the kindest heart, and these kinds of stories affected her more than anyone else Lawrence knew.
"Even if the church here lent the villagers enough money to never have to work another day in their lives?" Lawrence asked, almost jokingly, and Rahden only gave him a tired smile.
"I will not go to the pope. I have no reason to leave the village."
Lawrence thought he saw Holo's ears twitch beneath her hood, but she was likely more affected by the wish Rahden ultimately confessed to them.
Lawrence glanced at Holo before saying, "All right."
Rahden studied Lawrence for a moment before silently bowing his head.
The people of the Rahden Bishopric had come to town without arranging for a place to stay ahead of time, so the bishop decided that they would be allowed to stay the night at the church. Lawrence wanted to say it was a fitting decision coming from the church, the embodiment of God's mercy, but the bishop did not seem to be the type to sweat the details—he had likely made the decision on the fly. Elsa, who would likely be charged with keeping them under control due to her peerless work ethic, was weary.
"Things have taken an odd turn..."
When she had come to see Lawrence and Holo off, her words then had also been heavy with exhaustion.
"I'd say this is much better than uncovering the problem after talks have progressed."
There was the stubborn Rahden, and then Sulto and the people of the village, who respected Rahden so much that they would act rashly on his behalf even if it meant going against his wishes.
This was not a logical matter, which meant there was no correct approach to the problem; Lawrence only hoped that they could settle this in a way where they could fondly look back on this in several years' time and laugh.
"I'll come again tomorrow."
"Thank you. I will keep watch to make sure the Father doesn't bring out any ale."
The bishop was not a bad person, but it was clear that he was not a very attentive clergyman, especially since he had thrown a merchant in prison simply because he felt it was something he should do during the whole kerfuffle over debts.
"Good night, then."
"Good night," Elsa said, tired, and went back into the church, her shoulders slightly hunched over.
Once the moment had gone, Lawrence turned to Holo beside him.
"You're going to be up for a little while after we get back to the inn, right?"
After choosing the whisky that would be used in the festival the night before, Holo had drunk herself silly in a drinking contest.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"Our trout is really good! Did either of you try it?"
When Baum asked, Lawrence shook his head.
"This is our first year here. We were so disappointed when we heard we couldn't have any."
"Oh..."
Baum was genuinely upset. Rahden smiled at him and continued his story.
"It was one thing after another, and forty years passed in the blink of an eye. So much time has passed—Sulto had been burned out of his home and arrived with a newborn in his arms; that newborn grew up and had his own child, who's already gotten this big."
Baum's lip curled in embarrassment under Rahden's tender gaze.
"I have followed God's teachings all my life. But I have no intentions of becoming a bishop. I will protect my village, and I will die in my village. That's all I pray for." Rahden's gaze lifted up to the ceiling, as though peering up to the heavens. "I wish to be buried by the pond, for plump trout to gather in the shade of the tree that will grow from my corpse. That is how I wish the village to be." He lowered his gaze and said quietly, "That is all I want."
There was strength in his voice despite his age, but that only served to season the tones of sadness of a man in his elder years.
Holo's head was drooped, her hands balled into fists in her lap. Though aloof she seemed, she had the kindest heart, and these kinds of stories affected her more than anyone else Lawrence knew.
"Even if the church here lent the villagers enough money to never have to work another day in their lives?" Lawrence asked, almost jokingly, and Rahden only gave him a tired smile.
"I will not go to the pope. I have no reason to leave the village."
Lawrence thought he saw Holo's ears twitch beneath her hood, but she was likely more affected by the wish Rahden ultimately confessed to them.
Lawrence glanced at Holo before saying, "All right."
Rahden studied Lawrence for a moment before silently bowing his head.
The people of the Rahden Bishopric had come to town without arranging for a place to stay ahead of time, so the bishop decided that they would be allowed to stay the night at the church. Lawrence wanted to say it was a fitting decision coming from the church, the embodiment of God's mercy, but the bishop did not seem to be the type to sweat the details—he had likely made the decision on the fly. Elsa, who would likely be charged with keeping them under control due to her peerless work ethic, was weary.
"Things have taken an odd turn..."
When she had come to see Lawrence and Holo off, her words then had also been heavy with exhaustion.
"I'd say this is much better than uncovering the problem after talks have progressed."
There was the stubborn Rahden, and then Sulto and the people of the village, who respected Rahden so much that they would act rashly on his behalf even if it meant going against his wishes.
This was not a logical matter, which meant there was no correct approach to the problem; Lawrence only hoped that they could settle this in a way where they could fondly look back on this in several years' time and laugh.
"I'll come again tomorrow."
"Thank you. I will keep watch to make sure the Father doesn't bring out any ale."
The bishop was not a bad person, but it was clear that he was not a very attentive clergyman, especially since he had thrown a merchant in prison simply because he felt it was something he should do during the whole kerfuffle over debts.
"Good night, then."
"Good night," Elsa said, tired, and went back into the church, her shoulders slightly hunched over.
Once the moment had gone, Lawrence turned to Holo beside him.
"You're going to be up for a little while after we get back to the inn, right?"
After choosing the whisky that would be used in the festival the night before, Holo had drunk herself silly in a drinking contest.

Output:
The hustle and bustle of town in the late hour was even greater than it had been during the day, and most of the revelers were inebriated.
"Aye. I desire fatty meat."
"Okay, okay."
They entered a nearby tavern at her insistence.
Lawrence sipped his ale as he watched Holo sink her teeth into a lamb chop.
The great market was where all the agricultural products came together, so it was not just the town distillers who were showing off their wares—there were also those who used their own stills and secret techniques. What Lawrence was drinking was made of barley smoked in wood hewn from fruit trees, imparting a fruity flavor.
It was easy to drink; he had a feeling Holo could down an entire barrel if left to her own devices.
"Whose side do you think we should take?"
"Mm?"
After washing down the greasy mutton with her own ale, Holo turned to Lawrence, a thick foam mustache adorning her lip.
"I'd normally approach this like a merchant and weigh things on the scale, if it were a matter of logic."
There was a lot of emotion involved in this disagreement between Sulto and Rahden.
"Or maybe I shouldn't get involved at all?"
An outsider meddling in these affairs usually made things worse.
The debt plaguing the town just happened to be an issue that was easier for an outsider to solve.
That said, this particular problem did not seem as steep a hurdle, but neither was it one that they could solve themselves.
"For what reason would you want to help them?"
Holo took the clean lamb bone in hand and frantically waved down the tavern girl who was carrying around food.
"Because it'd be a waste if I didn't."
"Would it?"
Holo, biting into the roasted beans that had come with her lamb, looked at him with surprise.
"A merchant you've never seen before is selling really high-quality mutton in the market. But he doesn't realize the quality of the meat himself, so he's trying to sell it off cheaply to people who cook meat together in a hodgepodge at their cheap stalls."
"What a fool! Good mutton has an herbal scent to it, and is best cooked in a bread oven or something of the sort. Meat scraps taste best boiled!"
"See? You'd want to speak up, wouldn't you?"
Holo nodded.
"Do you mean to say this is no different?"
"Exactly. He's reclaimed land obtained through dubious means and built such a wonderful little village. People have taken to calling him a bishop, but he's not a man of the clergy at all. One day, however, an invitation to actually become one comes directly from the pope, and he turns that down for some reason?"
A bishop was a very high position in the clergy. It was typically a title only obtained after deep study of theology of one's own will, mastering high-level canon law while serving at a church, then taking a slow journey up the Church's ladder starting as assistant priest.
It was not attainable through faith alone; one needed cunning and political chops and to give plenty of gratuities to senior clergy in order to cross these barriers.
But to be given the opportunity to skip all of that and immediately become a bishop, only to turn the position down? Anyone would call that a waste.
"Perhaps he simply isn't interested. Little Col loves the scripture, but he is not the type to swagger about a church, no?"
"I have a feeling this is a bit more than just plain old interest. If he were to become a bishop, then his village would become the formal seat of a diocese. There is real benefit to that happening, and anyone who is genuinely concerned for the village's well-being should be able to see that."
"Mm."
Holo gave a halfhearted response; either she was not sure what Lawrence was getting at, or it was because she had just seen them take out a hunk of mutton from the oven in the kitchen.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
The hustle and bustle of town in the late hour was even greater than it had been during the day, and most of the revelers were inebriated.
"Aye. I desire fatty meat."
"Okay, okay."
They entered a nearby tavern at her insistence.
Lawrence sipped his ale as he watched Holo sink her teeth into a lamb chop.
The great market was where all the agricultural products came together, so it was not just the town distillers who were showing off their wares—there were also those who used their own stills and secret techniques. What Lawrence was drinking was made of barley smoked in wood hewn from fruit trees, imparting a fruity flavor.
It was easy to drink; he had a feeling Holo could down an entire barrel if left to her own devices.
"Whose side do you think we should take?"
"Mm?"
After washing down the greasy mutton with her own ale, Holo turned to Lawrence, a thick foam mustache adorning her lip.
"I'd normally approach this like a merchant and weigh things on the scale, if it were a matter of logic."
There was a lot of emotion involved in this disagreement between Sulto and Rahden.
"Or maybe I shouldn't get involved at all?"
An outsider meddling in these affairs usually made things worse.
The debt plaguing the town just happened to be an issue that was easier for an outsider to solve.
That said, this particular problem did not seem as steep a hurdle, but neither was it one that they could solve themselves.
"For what reason would you want to help them?"
Holo took the clean lamb bone in hand and frantically waved down the tavern girl who was carrying around food.
"Because it'd be a waste if I didn't."
"Would it?"
Holo, biting into the roasted beans that had come with her lamb, looked at him with surprise.
"A merchant you've never seen before is selling really high-quality mutton in the market. But he doesn't realize the quality of the meat himself, so he's trying to sell it off cheaply to people who cook meat together in a hodgepodge at their cheap stalls."
"What a fool! Good mutton has an herbal scent to it, and is best cooked in a bread oven or something of the sort. Meat scraps taste best boiled!"
"See? You'd want to speak up, wouldn't you?"
Holo nodded.
"Do you mean to say this is no different?"
"Exactly. He's reclaimed land obtained through dubious means and built such a wonderful little village. People have taken to calling him a bishop, but he's not a man of the clergy at all. One day, however, an invitation to actually become one comes directly from the pope, and he turns that down for some reason?"
A bishop was a very high position in the clergy. It was typically a title only obtained after deep study of theology of one's own will, mastering high-level canon law while serving at a church, then taking a slow journey up the Church's ladder starting as assistant priest.
It was not attainable through faith alone; one needed cunning and political chops and to give plenty of gratuities to senior clergy in order to cross these barriers.
But to be given the opportunity to skip all of that and immediately become a bishop, only to turn the position down? Anyone would call that a waste.
"Perhaps he simply isn't interested. Little Col loves the scripture, but he is not the type to swagger about a church, no?"
"I have a feeling this is a bit more than just plain old interest. If he were to become a bishop, then his village would become the formal seat of a diocese. There is real benefit to that happening, and anyone who is genuinely concerned for the village's well-being should be able to see that."
"Mm."
Holo gave a halfhearted response; either she was not sure what Lawrence was getting at, or it was because she had just seen them take out a hunk of mutton from the oven in the kitchen.

Output:
"I...suppose that could happen, yes."
"But if a real bishop were in charge of the bishopric, then the Church would side with them in a tough situation like that. The noble would have to really fight if they wanted the land back in that case. It'd be the same as fighting with any other landowner."
Just as Lawrence finished speaking, the sprightly tavern girl, her red hair tied back with a ribbon, set the plate of freshly grilled mutton on their table.
Holo asked for seconds of her drink as the tavern girl passed by before taking her knife and carving a line in the meat.
"All this is mine."
She was putting territorial dispute into practice.
"And if the town falls into financial trouble in the future, then it would be much easier for the Salonia church to lend a hand. People rarely question when money passes between churches, nor do they think it very problematic."
"I understand that. Back when I was naught but your traveling companion, 'twas quite painful to simply have a meal because you would always be paying. You should know how much it eases my consciousness now that I am your wife."
***
Lawrence turned to her wordlessly, his lips drawn in a strained smile, and in turn she gave him a sweet-yet-sinister smile in return. She then cut into the meat with joy and bit into it.
"Well, if Rahden does become bishop, that title comes with all kinds of perks, you see. Even if the worst of the worst happens to the village, he wouldn't need to worry nearly as much."
After crunching her way through the cartilage, Holo spoke without bothering to wipe her mouth. "There must be disadvantages, too, no?"
Of course that was where her mind would go. She was the wisewolf.
"Of course. He'd be a part of the Church, so whoever assumes his position would be in a position higher than the mayor."
"Mm. I can imagine this would be a particular handful of an individual."
"I think that might be what Rahden's worried about."
Rahden had nurtured and developed the village up under his own personal care. He would not be very happy if an outsider came in and started acting like it was their own.
As those thoughts crossed Lawrence's mind, he took a piece of mutton, smaller than the smallest portion Holo had cut for him, and bit into it. The sweet fats filled his mouth.
"And you noticed something while Rahden was talking, didn't you?" Lawrence asked. Holo, who was hunched over as she munched into her mutton ribs, lifted her gaze at him with rounded eyes.
"'Twas nothing notable. He said deer hunting was unstable, so he was hoping to bring the hatchery back to the village, no?"
"Was he lying?"
Holo shrugged her slender shoulders; she stared fixedly at the stripped bone, then sunk her canines into a sinewy piece of meat that still clung to it.
"You said that his deer hunting was going well. Perhaps the fool simply dislikes the thought of it."
The way she spoke made it sound like she was deliberately putting emotional distance between her and him. Lawrence sensed that she was not keen on touching the heart of the issue, though it did not seem to be major enough to consider her to be hiding something.
As he wondered why that was, he recalled what Rahden had said.
"Maybe Rahden built the lake in the mountains not to get rich, but because he was sentimental about the home he left behind."
The man had said that the first passage he learned from the scripture had guided him to do so, but it was still rather unnatural to build a lake, of all things.
Holo did not respond right away; after munching on her bone with loud crunching noises, she placed it down with a sigh.
"I know not how people think."
Her remark sounded heartless, but Lawrence knew how she felt deep inside.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"I...suppose that could happen, yes."
"But if a real bishop were in charge of the bishopric, then the Church would side with them in a tough situation like that. The noble would have to really fight if they wanted the land back in that case. It'd be the same as fighting with any other landowner."
Just as Lawrence finished speaking, the sprightly tavern girl, her red hair tied back with a ribbon, set the plate of freshly grilled mutton on their table.
Holo asked for seconds of her drink as the tavern girl passed by before taking her knife and carving a line in the meat.
"All this is mine."
She was putting territorial dispute into practice.
"And if the town falls into financial trouble in the future, then it would be much easier for the Salonia church to lend a hand. People rarely question when money passes between churches, nor do they think it very problematic."
"I understand that. Back when I was naught but your traveling companion, 'twas quite painful to simply have a meal because you would always be paying. You should know how much it eases my consciousness now that I am your wife."
***
Lawrence turned to her wordlessly, his lips drawn in a strained smile, and in turn she gave him a sweet-yet-sinister smile in return. She then cut into the meat with joy and bit into it.
"Well, if Rahden does become bishop, that title comes with all kinds of perks, you see. Even if the worst of the worst happens to the village, he wouldn't need to worry nearly as much."
After crunching her way through the cartilage, Holo spoke without bothering to wipe her mouth. "There must be disadvantages, too, no?"
Of course that was where her mind would go. She was the wisewolf.
"Of course. He'd be a part of the Church, so whoever assumes his position would be in a position higher than the mayor."
"Mm. I can imagine this would be a particular handful of an individual."
"I think that might be what Rahden's worried about."
Rahden had nurtured and developed the village up under his own personal care. He would not be very happy if an outsider came in and started acting like it was their own.
As those thoughts crossed Lawrence's mind, he took a piece of mutton, smaller than the smallest portion Holo had cut for him, and bit into it. The sweet fats filled his mouth.
"And you noticed something while Rahden was talking, didn't you?" Lawrence asked. Holo, who was hunched over as she munched into her mutton ribs, lifted her gaze at him with rounded eyes.
"'Twas nothing notable. He said deer hunting was unstable, so he was hoping to bring the hatchery back to the village, no?"
"Was he lying?"
Holo shrugged her slender shoulders; she stared fixedly at the stripped bone, then sunk her canines into a sinewy piece of meat that still clung to it.
"You said that his deer hunting was going well. Perhaps the fool simply dislikes the thought of it."
The way she spoke made it sound like she was deliberately putting emotional distance between her and him. Lawrence sensed that she was not keen on touching the heart of the issue, though it did not seem to be major enough to consider her to be hiding something.
As he wondered why that was, he recalled what Rahden had said.
"Maybe Rahden built the lake in the mountains not to get rich, but because he was sentimental about the home he left behind."
The man had said that the first passage he learned from the scripture had guided him to do so, but it was still rather unnatural to build a lake, of all things.
Holo did not respond right away; after munching on her bone with loud crunching noises, she placed it down with a sigh.
"I know not how people think."
Her remark sounded heartless, but Lawrence knew how she felt deep inside.

Output:
And despite all that, Lawrence had brought up the topic of recreating a lost home.
A problem that was typically kept buried, one that was unsolvable, showed its face at times like this.
Though he understood why she would want to distance herself from the concept, there was still one thing he did not understand.
"But that doesn't really have anything to do with becoming a bishop."
So what did that mean?
Lawrence sat thinking, mug of ale in hand, but his thoughts didn't lead him to a clear conclusion. In all honesty, it seemed preposterous that Rahden would turn down the position of bishop. He also could not find a sensible reason for him to be so harsh on the busybody Sulto, or for it to turn into the big scuffle it did at the church.
There had to be another reason why Rahden would refuse the position.
As those thoughts ruminated in his mind, he noticed Holo was looking at him from across the mutton with a weary look on her face.
"Hmm? Wh-what is it? What's wrong?"
He brought his hand up to his face in surprise, wondering if something was stuck to him, then looked down at the mutton, also wondering if he had accidentally cut a piece of the fatty part for himself, which was Holo's favorite bit.
When she saw his reaction, she sighed.
After a moment of heavy hesitation, she opened her mouth.
"Dear, I think—"
Just as she was about to continue, a loud voice cut her off.
"Well, well! If it isn't Sir Lawrence!"
They looked up in surprise to see a man with a bald head, full beard, and round belly—Laud, the very picture of an elderly merchant. He was the owner of the company that first presented his loan bonds to them when Salonia was in an uproar over debts.
Ever since then, he had come to see Lawrence as the hero of mercantilism.
"Your wife is beautiful, as always."
Though Holo typically was the kind to readily accept compliments like that, she only offered a vague smile in return, having been interrupted just as she was about to say something.
"You know, I heard that the church was swarmed by folk from the Rahden Bishopric, and that they called for you specifically, Sir Lawrence. That was about whether Lord Rahden is going to be a real bishop, wasn't it?"
Everyone knew at this point since Sulto had discussed the matter with many trading companies.
"Yes... They say that the merchants in town turned down their requests for loans."
Lawrence's tone was teasing because he knew that Laud was one of the ones who had turned them down. Laud himself shrugged, mug filled to the brim with ale in one hand, at the implication.
"We wouldn't have minded a small loan...but they asked for quite a bit, and you know how things have been. And if Lord Rahden was to become a real bishop, then the problems would start once someone comes to take his place. There is more than a small chance of us never getting repaid."
Lawrence had considered that very issue; any merchant could think of at least one or two real-life examples of such a thing happening.
"But my business partners and I agree that it would be a good thing if it were to become a real bishopric. When I saw you, I had to find out what you think."
"I don't think this will be quite what you're expecting, but..."
Laud took a sip of his drink and gave a sympathetic smile. "Lord Rahden himself doesn't sound too enthused about the idea, does he?"
It sounded as though he knew that already.
"Why do you think that is?" Lawrence asked.
The outer edges of Laud's eyes, red from the alcohol, drooped as he replied, "Hmm... You know, I find that strange, too. Speaking logically, being made bishop is like being a country girl that a prince wants to marry. I know it'd be a lot of work, but if someone's inviting you to take the throne, you'd take it, wouldn't you?"
Lawrence laughed in spite of himself, but the metaphor was indeed accurate.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
And despite all that, Lawrence had brought up the topic of recreating a lost home.
A problem that was typically kept buried, one that was unsolvable, showed its face at times like this.
Though he understood why she would want to distance herself from the concept, there was still one thing he did not understand.
"But that doesn't really have anything to do with becoming a bishop."
So what did that mean?
Lawrence sat thinking, mug of ale in hand, but his thoughts didn't lead him to a clear conclusion. In all honesty, it seemed preposterous that Rahden would turn down the position of bishop. He also could not find a sensible reason for him to be so harsh on the busybody Sulto, or for it to turn into the big scuffle it did at the church.
There had to be another reason why Rahden would refuse the position.
As those thoughts ruminated in his mind, he noticed Holo was looking at him from across the mutton with a weary look on her face.
"Hmm? Wh-what is it? What's wrong?"
He brought his hand up to his face in surprise, wondering if something was stuck to him, then looked down at the mutton, also wondering if he had accidentally cut a piece of the fatty part for himself, which was Holo's favorite bit.
When she saw his reaction, she sighed.
After a moment of heavy hesitation, she opened her mouth.
"Dear, I think—"
Just as she was about to continue, a loud voice cut her off.
"Well, well! If it isn't Sir Lawrence!"
They looked up in surprise to see a man with a bald head, full beard, and round belly—Laud, the very picture of an elderly merchant. He was the owner of the company that first presented his loan bonds to them when Salonia was in an uproar over debts.
Ever since then, he had come to see Lawrence as the hero of mercantilism.
"Your wife is beautiful, as always."
Though Holo typically was the kind to readily accept compliments like that, she only offered a vague smile in return, having been interrupted just as she was about to say something.
"You know, I heard that the church was swarmed by folk from the Rahden Bishopric, and that they called for you specifically, Sir Lawrence. That was about whether Lord Rahden is going to be a real bishop, wasn't it?"
Everyone knew at this point since Sulto had discussed the matter with many trading companies.
"Yes... They say that the merchants in town turned down their requests for loans."
Lawrence's tone was teasing because he knew that Laud was one of the ones who had turned them down. Laud himself shrugged, mug filled to the brim with ale in one hand, at the implication.
"We wouldn't have minded a small loan...but they asked for quite a bit, and you know how things have been. And if Lord Rahden was to become a real bishop, then the problems would start once someone comes to take his place. There is more than a small chance of us never getting repaid."
Lawrence had considered that very issue; any merchant could think of at least one or two real-life examples of such a thing happening.
"But my business partners and I agree that it would be a good thing if it were to become a real bishopric. When I saw you, I had to find out what you think."
"I don't think this will be quite what you're expecting, but..."
Laud took a sip of his drink and gave a sympathetic smile. "Lord Rahden himself doesn't sound too enthused about the idea, does he?"
It sounded as though he knew that already.
"Why do you think that is?" Lawrence asked.
The outer edges of Laud's eyes, red from the alcohol, drooped as he replied, "Hmm... You know, I find that strange, too. Speaking logically, being made bishop is like being a country girl that a prince wants to marry. I know it'd be a lot of work, but if someone's inviting you to take the throne, you'd take it, wouldn't you?"
Lawrence laughed in spite of himself, but the metaphor was indeed accurate.

Output:
When Lawrence had asked if Sulto was going to revive the hatchery with the loan, the mayor had given an evasive answer.
He must have thought that putting money and effort into a difficult-to-maintain hatchery while the deer business was going well was not the best course of action.
"And Lord Rahden set up that whole pond because he wanted to re-create the ideal seas from his hometown, didn't he?"
"So that is the reason why, isn't it?"
It had been nothing more than their own speculation before this conversation, so Lawrence latched on to what Laud said.
"Obviously. Better if there was a nice pond out there to begin with, but he went through all the trouble to dig a hole and fill it with water. Tugs at the heartstrings, doesn't it? The mayor and his friends should help him out, I say, even if it doesn't make them a fortune." Laud sounded disappointed. "All that fatty fish was so tasty, too," he murmured; that was likely how he genuinely felt.
But something about the pond and Rahden re-creating his ideal hometown did not quite add up in Lawrence's mind.
"But didn't his dreams come true already?"
"Hmm?" Laud hummed in reply.
"I hear it's written in Salonia's annals—the fish were so abundant one year that it saved Salonia from famine."
"Oh, yes, that was back when I was a snot-nosed brat. I remember. It was the tastiest trout in all the world."
Which then begged the question: Why was Rahden still so attached to it?
"By the way, the mayor and the others didn't say anything about filling up the lake, did they?"
It was a worry of all men who worked away from home that something would happen to their secret savings while they were gone.
When Laud heard the possibility, he howled with laughter.
"Ha! Who'd be so stupid? If the bishop were to give up on the hatchery, then they'd use that water for tanning, anyway! I'd say the mayor and his friends would only deepen their faith in it, thinking since Lord Rahden made it, it might even be a miracle spring that could save them twice!"
When he put it that way, he was likely right. Though it was not the same picturesque ocean from the man's hometown, it was still put to good use for the villagers.
Rahden would be gone for just one year to get the formalities done that would make him a bishop. And judging by the way Laud spoke about it, it was hard to imagine Sulto and the others turning the pond into a tanning workshop while Rahden was away.
In that case, Rahden should be fully able to return from becoming a bishop and get back to reestablishing the hatchery.
As Lawrence hummed in thought, Laud suddenly thrust his face toward Lawrence's, a teasing remark accompanied by breath that stunk of alcohol.
"The lads and I think that Lord Rahden might be close to realizing a second dream of his."
"What?"
"They used to search for gems at the bottom of the sea back in his hometown, didn't they?"
"Or so I've heard, yes... What?! Wait, but how—"
Lawrence honestly wondered how they were supposed to find treasure from a hole in a mountain that they built, and Laud's shoulders shook with laughter.
"Ha-ha-ha! That's just tavern banter! But it is hard to see how any of it makes sense without something like that, you know."
"Yes, it is puzzling."
"Heh. People have come to talk to the other merchants in town about the very same thing. Everyone comes to the same conclusion. But everyone says that it'll be different because you're around this time."
Lawrence understood now.
"We're all betting on how this'll end, you know."
Laud had come to gather information from him so that he would have an advantage on his bet.
He winked mischievously.
"I wonder what that treasure could be. Sadly, I can't seem to figure it out," Lawrence mused.
"Hmm?"
"Up in the northern seas, you can find amber washed ashore after a storm. Or...pearls, perhaps?"


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
When Lawrence had asked if Sulto was going to revive the hatchery with the loan, the mayor had given an evasive answer.
He must have thought that putting money and effort into a difficult-to-maintain hatchery while the deer business was going well was not the best course of action.
"And Lord Rahden set up that whole pond because he wanted to re-create the ideal seas from his hometown, didn't he?"
"So that is the reason why, isn't it?"
It had been nothing more than their own speculation before this conversation, so Lawrence latched on to what Laud said.
"Obviously. Better if there was a nice pond out there to begin with, but he went through all the trouble to dig a hole and fill it with water. Tugs at the heartstrings, doesn't it? The mayor and his friends should help him out, I say, even if it doesn't make them a fortune." Laud sounded disappointed. "All that fatty fish was so tasty, too," he murmured; that was likely how he genuinely felt.
But something about the pond and Rahden re-creating his ideal hometown did not quite add up in Lawrence's mind.
"But didn't his dreams come true already?"
"Hmm?" Laud hummed in reply.
"I hear it's written in Salonia's annals—the fish were so abundant one year that it saved Salonia from famine."
"Oh, yes, that was back when I was a snot-nosed brat. I remember. It was the tastiest trout in all the world."
Which then begged the question: Why was Rahden still so attached to it?
"By the way, the mayor and the others didn't say anything about filling up the lake, did they?"
It was a worry of all men who worked away from home that something would happen to their secret savings while they were gone.
When Laud heard the possibility, he howled with laughter.
"Ha! Who'd be so stupid? If the bishop were to give up on the hatchery, then they'd use that water for tanning, anyway! I'd say the mayor and his friends would only deepen their faith in it, thinking since Lord Rahden made it, it might even be a miracle spring that could save them twice!"
When he put it that way, he was likely right. Though it was not the same picturesque ocean from the man's hometown, it was still put to good use for the villagers.
Rahden would be gone for just one year to get the formalities done that would make him a bishop. And judging by the way Laud spoke about it, it was hard to imagine Sulto and the others turning the pond into a tanning workshop while Rahden was away.
In that case, Rahden should be fully able to return from becoming a bishop and get back to reestablishing the hatchery.
As Lawrence hummed in thought, Laud suddenly thrust his face toward Lawrence's, a teasing remark accompanied by breath that stunk of alcohol.
"The lads and I think that Lord Rahden might be close to realizing a second dream of his."
"What?"
"They used to search for gems at the bottom of the sea back in his hometown, didn't they?"
"Or so I've heard, yes... What?! Wait, but how—"
Lawrence honestly wondered how they were supposed to find treasure from a hole in a mountain that they built, and Laud's shoulders shook with laughter.
"Ha-ha-ha! That's just tavern banter! But it is hard to see how any of it makes sense without something like that, you know."
"Yes, it is puzzling."
"Heh. People have come to talk to the other merchants in town about the very same thing. Everyone comes to the same conclusion. But everyone says that it'll be different because you're around this time."
Lawrence understood now.
"We're all betting on how this'll end, you know."
Laud had come to gather information from him so that he would have an advantage on his bet.
He winked mischievously.
"I wonder what that treasure could be. Sadly, I can't seem to figure it out," Lawrence mused.
"Hmm?"
"Up in the northern seas, you can find amber washed ashore after a storm. Or...pearls, perhaps?"

Output:
"It won't be amber or pearls," Laud said. "What did he say...? It's not something you hear about too much up here. It was, uh..." He patted his smooth head, and his eyes widened in an instant. "That's right! Coral!"
"Coral?"
"Long ago, I saw a traveling handicraft merchant present a sample of their wares to a noble. It was beautiful, red and gemlike. It had silver filigree on it, so it was rounded, but I hear it used to be like a tree that grows in the sea."
A tree that grew in the sea—though Lawrence had only heard about it in passing once, that was precisely the impression he had of it.
He couldn't form a clear mental image of it, but it did make sense that out of all the things in this wide, wide world, a tree of gems could grow in the sea.
"They grow at the bottom of the ocean, and it's hard to get down there and harvest them. That's why they make hooks to attach to metal rods that look like the Church crest, wrap rope around them, and drop them into the water. They pull the hooks up again, then dunk them back in. The whole job's based on luck—it's absolutely disheartening. And those trunks have to be thick enough in order to carve jewels out of them, which makes the whole ordeal even more luck-based."
"I see..." Lawrence was impressed; there was still so much about the world he did not know. He gave Laud a tired smile. "I highly doubt they could re-create that in a pond, though."
"But dreams are dreams, right?"
Laud was right.
"Well, guess we still don't know. Lord Rahden won't give his reasoning based on anything but the hatchery."
That told Lawrence that going to ask the man himself would not give him an answer.
"Either way, if it looks like Lord Rahden might become a bishop, just let me know. I'd want to donate something to him as a symbol of our acquaintanceship."
Laud gave a businesslike smile and returned to his own seat.
Lawrence was relieved that the man's large and overbearing presence was gone, but the emptiness in his chest almost felt like everything had been in vain.
"Hmm... Now I'm even more confused than before," Lawrence murmured with a sigh, folding his arms.
They could not force Rahden into becoming a bishop if he himself was not interested, but from the outside, it seemed like a total waste if he did not take the opportunity. Both Lawrence and Laud, of course, were secretly invested in this situation, because it would mean another ally in the Church for them.
And Lawrence also felt a sense of understanding to how forceful Sulto's actions seemed in contrast to Rahden's motives.
Sulto and the other villagers were genuinely thankful for all Rahden had done for them. They likely saw this as their chance to repay their debts to him.
Rahden, especially, had apparently traveled all this way with the Church's teachings serving as the wind in his sails. It would make sense if he wanted to become a real member of the clergy, and would think that this was his God-given chance.
But in fact, seeing an elderly individual who had led people all their lives, plus all the people around them who greatly respected said individual, was a common sight in the Nyohhira baths.
There could be two generations of nobility who come to the baths. The father is so old that he no longer has any teeth, yet he still insists that he can keep up with the youths. His son might be old enough to have pronounced wrinkles on his face, yet he grumbles about how his father keeps patrolling their land on horseback and keeps participating in complicated manorial affairs that last well into the night for days in a row.
The father will never listen, no matter how much the son insists he rest, so the son drags his father all the way out to Nyohhira in order to get him to slow down for a moment.
It is only then that the father realizes it is time to retire.


Instruction: Given first part of the popular LightNovel spice and wolf as input, continue the story the best you can.

Input:
"It won't be amber or pearls," Laud said. "What did he say...? It's not something you hear about too much up here. It was, uh..." He patted his smooth head, and his eyes widened in an instant. "That's right! Coral!"
"Coral?"
"Long ago, I saw a traveling handicraft merchant present a sample of their wares to a noble. It was beautiful, red and gemlike. It had silver filigree on it, so it was rounded, but I hear it used to be like a tree that grows in the sea."
A tree that grew in the sea—though Lawrence had only heard about it in passing once, that was precisely the impression he had of it.
He couldn't form a clear mental image of it, but it did make sense that out of all the things in this wide, wide world, a tree of gems could grow in the sea.
"They grow at the bottom of the ocean, and it's hard to get down there and harvest them. That's why they make hooks to attach to metal rods that look like the Church crest, wrap rope around them, and drop them into the water. They pull the hooks up again, then dunk them back in. The whole job's based on luck—it's absolutely disheartening. And those trunks have to be thick enough in order to carve jewels out of them, which makes the whole ordeal even more luck-based."
"I see..." Lawrence was impressed; there was still so much about the world he did not know. He gave Laud a tired smile. "I highly doubt they could re-create that in a pond, though."
"But dreams are dreams, right?"
Laud was right.
"Well, guess we still don't know. Lord Rahden won't give his reasoning based on anything but the hatchery."
That told Lawrence that going to ask the man himself would not give him an answer.
"Either way, if it looks like Lord Rahden might become a bishop, just let me know. I'd want to donate something to him as a symbol of our acquaintanceship."
Laud gave a businesslike smile and returned to his own seat.
Lawrence was relieved that the man's large and overbearing presence was gone, but the emptiness in his chest almost felt like everything had been in vain.
"Hmm... Now I'm even more confused than before," Lawrence murmured with a sigh, folding his arms.
They could not force Rahden into becoming a bishop if he himself was not interested, but from the outside, it seemed like a total waste if he did not take the opportunity. Both Lawrence and Laud, of course, were secretly invested in this situation, because it would mean another ally in the Church for them.
And Lawrence also felt a sense of understanding to how forceful Sulto's actions seemed in contrast to Rahden's motives.
Sulto and the other villagers were genuinely thankful for all Rahden had done for them. They likely saw this as their chance to repay their debts to him.
Rahden, especially, had apparently traveled all this way with the Church's teachings serving as the wind in his sails. It would make sense if he wanted to become a real member of the clergy, and would think that this was his God-given chance.
But in fact, seeing an elderly individual who had led people all their lives, plus all the people around them who greatly respected said individual, was a common sight in the Nyohhira baths.
There could be two generations of nobility who come to the baths. The father is so old that he no longer has any teeth, yet he still insists that he can keep up with the youths. His son might be old enough to have pronounced wrinkles on his face, yet he grumbles about how his father keeps patrolling their land on horseback and keeps participating in complicated manorial affairs that last well into the night for days in a row.
The father will never listen, no matter how much the son insists he rest, so the son drags his father all the way out to Nyohhira in order to get him to slow down for a moment.
It is only then that the father realizes it is time to retire.

Output:
She had been quiet ever since Laud came by, but she looked pale as well. Though her cheeks were reddened, she seemed abnormally pallid besides that. She'd only had two or three mugs of ale, this was right after a hangover, so perhaps it was having an adverse effect on her.
There was still a bit of mutton left, too—a sure sign that she was not well. It seemed as though their best option was to wrap the food up and take it back to the inn.
"Let's go back, Holo."
He plucked the mug of ale from her hand as she drowsily nodded off, paid the bill to the redheaded tavern girl, hoisted Holo onto his back, and took the pack of mutton.
Exasperated, he wondered how many times he had carried her back to their inn so far, but she likely had her guard down because she knew he would do this for her.
He did sometimes wonder if it was an act, but he, of course, always pretended not to notice.
It was a merchant's pleasure to meet the demands of the customer.
If his princess was going to beg for attention, then he was going to spoil her rotten.
"Sure is chilly."
When they left the tavern, the air was heavy with signs of autumn. He wondered if he should have placed a blanket over Holo, but he grimaced at the thought—that would be a bit too much.
He readjusted her on his back as she seemed about to slip off, and slowly headed back toward their inn.
"I feel like she's getting heavier every year..."
He thought it strange, considering how her appearance never changed, but then it dawned on him that she was not the one changing. Holo was not getting heavier; Lawrence was the one withering away.
One day, him carrying Holo on his back to bed would become a distant memory of the past.
He wondered if the reason why he was so quick to answer her demands was because he would always imagine things from her perspective.
Only Holo would stay young forever; only Lawrence would grow old with age. Whenever he pictured the day he would leave Holo behind in this world, he found himself desperate to indulge her. Sometimes, he felt like it would never be enough.
He could not protect her forever. They had vowed in their marriage to stay together "till death do us part," and they had always known that Lawrence would be the first to go.
Lawrence forced a smile as the customers gathered around the bar outside the inn hooted at them. The innkeeper silently stepped ahead of him to open the door for him and prepared a small bucket for them just in case.
As Lawrence, tired, was about to place Holo on the bed, she stirred awake.
She stretched out her legs to get down and sat on the bed with a forceful thud.
"This is starting to feel familiar." Lawrence smiled.
Holo curled up and groaned.
"You feeling okay?"
There was more color in her face now, but when he asked her, just in case, she nodded. Of course, he did not trust her, since she did not loudly claim she was handling it fine, but she did more than just nod.
She reached out to grab his sleeve in a gesture for him to sit beside her.
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
Holo looked much younger when she was weak. They often said that a person became more childish the older they became. He sat on her right side, and she placed her forehead on his shoulder.
"I apologize, I cannot hold my liquor..."
She was telling him what was wrong, which meant she was feeling much better.
Lawrence wrapped his arm around Holo and grasped her hand with his own free one.
"Laud did drop by in the middle of our conversation. Bet you felt lonely, huh?" he teased her, and she gripped his hand even tighter. "I'm sorry," he said, and kissed the base of her ear.
She cared for her tail using expensive oils, which gave it a sweet floral scent. But there was a different sweetness to her ears—they smelled like her.
He restrained himself, though, because he knew she did not like it when he sniffed her too much, when she suddenly spoke up.
"Lonely is likely an apt descriptor."
***
In his shock, a pacifying smile reflexively crossed his face.