Chapter 47

"Kazura-sama, the stone walls used in this building are joined with something between the stones, right?"

"Yes, they are joined using a mixture of plaster and sand. Plaster is also used to join smaller stones and bricks."

"(Plaster... I wonder if it's the same plaster used in plasterboard, which I've heard of as a building material. I remember seeing it at the home center.)"

Hearing the word "plaster," Ichirou recalled the plasterboard commonly used in Japan, a typical building material for walls in houses.

However, he thought that the plasterboard used in Japan likely contained other materials mixed in, so it couldn't be considered pure plaster.

"Interesting... By the way, what else is used to join stones besides plaster?"

"Besides plaster, clay is also used. However, I'm not sure about the details of its usage, so I'll gather information from the town's architects and compile it for you. I'll have it ready by tomorrow."

"Oh... I'm sorry, I seem to have given you more work. Thank you very much."

While Isaac, with a determined look, was about to take the initiative, Ichirou felt a bit of admiration for him but also thought to himself,

"(I don't really understand, but it's good to see him so enthusiastic.)"

and let out a sigh of relief.

"Also, I have one more question. Have you heard of lime, Isaac?"

"Yes, isn't it the white powder used to repel insects in places like under the floor? I believe there are places within our territory where it can be obtained."

The reason Ichirou asked this was not because he needed an insect repellent, but because he wanted to know if mortar existed in this world.

Over the past two days, he had been compiling construction records and maps of Isteria, but he had been so focused on this task that he had completely forgotten to investigate the existing technology.

Before planning any water management projects, it was essential to know what materials were available and what were not.

By the way, the mortar Ichirou was thinking of was a mixture of lime, soil, and gravel, known as lime mortar.

In Japan, it is a common building material used by plasterers to coat walls and fences.

From the fact that Isaac immediately mentioned insect repellent when he heard "lime," it seemed that mortar might not have been invented in this world yet.

"Kazura-sama, if you need lime, I can arrange it immediately."

"For now, it's fine. I'll let you know if I need it."

"Understood. Besides, for insect repellent, there are other methods such as burning herbs to produce smoke. I can also investigate and compile information on insect repellents..."

"Oh, no, that report isn't necessary right now. I haven't started working on hygiene issues yet."

Ichirou hastily stopped Isaac, who was trying to add more work to his own plate.

It seemed that Isaac had misunderstood and thought Ichirou was considering hygiene measures upon hearing "lime."

"Is that so... If you need anything, please let me know. I will prioritize it and handle it immediately."

"Yes, thank you."

"Also, from today, Isaac and Havel will serve as your aides. We will do whatever you instruct, so please use us as you would your own hands and feet."

"Eh, aides? Does that mean you'll be my subordinates?"

Ichirou was surprised by this sudden announcement.

He hadn't heard anything from Nelson or Zirconia beforehand, so it was natural to be surprised when Isaac suddenly said, "I'm your aide now."

Perhaps Nelson had intended to tell Ichirou about this at breakfast this morning.

"That's fine. You can think of it that way."

With that, Isaac stood up from his chair, knelt on one knee, and bowed his head.

"From now on, I will protect you with my life, Kazura-sama. I will serve you with all my heart and soul, so please treat me well."

Receiving a salute that resembled a knight's, Ichirou responded,

"O-Okay."

But in his heart, he thought,

"(This feels heavy.)"

While Ichirou and Isaac were talking, Havel was preparing the carriage in the courtyard of the Nelson estate.

The carriage was still without a driver, and Havel was the only one around it.

"Oh, Havel! It's been a while!"

Havel, who was loading a wooden box containing maps and construction records of Isteria onto the carriage, turned at the sound of a voice behind him and frowned when he saw the speaker.

"Brother..."

Without his notice, his older brother, Arond Rousseau, was standing right behind him.

Arond was about 180 cm tall, 15 cm taller than Havel.

As a result, Havel had to look up when his brother was nearby.

Arond's face was sharp and intelligent, in contrast to Havel's slightly childlike appearance.

He was 25 years old, five years older than Havel.

"Hey, that's not a very nice reaction to your own brother. It's been a while, so try to look a bit happier."

"...You're back much earlier than expected."

Havel inwardly sighed at his brother's exaggerated shrug.

According to the schedule he had confirmed with the butler of his own estate, Arond was supposed to return to Isteria the day after tomorrow.

If everything had gone as planned, Havel would have left for Gricia Village with Ichirou early the next morning, and he wouldn't have had to see Arond at all.

However, for some reason, Arond had returned to Isteria earlier than scheduled.

"The negotiations in Gregoria went faster than expected. I could have gone sightseeing, but I rushed back because I wanted to see my dear little brother's face!"

"Is that so. However, I must leave on a mission soon. Unfortunately, I don't have time to keep you company."

"What, this early in the morning!? Usually, it's not even breakfast time yet!"

"Time flows differently for those in the military compared to those in the noble society like you. You know I go to the military office early every morning, don't you?"

Havel sighed while dealing with Arond, who was wide-eyed in surprise.

Dealing with this man always made Havel irritable.

He tried not to show it, but every time Arond made a deliberately casual comment, Havel's irritation would show in his expression and attitude, which he had almost given up on hiding.

"Hmm, oh... right... wasn't it?"

"..."

Arond, who seemed to have been completely oblivious to Havel's absence at the breakfast table every morning, said with a feigned expression.

What was the point of calling Havel his "dear little brother" just now?

...He must be doing it on purpose.

As Havel's cheeks twitched at Arond's attitude, a familiar middle-aged man appeared at the entrance to the courtyard.

"Havel, is that you?"

"Father, good morning. Welcome back from your long journey."

Havel immediately turned to his father, Noël Rousseau, and bowed slightly.

"Ah, Havel, you haven't changed, have you?"

"No, I'm fine. But, Father, you must be tired from the long carriage ride from Gregoria. You should rest a bit..."

"No, I need to report the results of the negotiations and inspections in Gregoria to Lord Nelson first. After that, I'll take a break."

Seeing his father, who looked energetic despite the long journey, Havel let out a sigh of relief.

If his father had fallen ill or worse during the journey, the family estate would have been inherited by his older brother, Arond.

While that wasn't the only reason, it was important for his father to stay healthy for a long time.

"That's a good idea. ...By the way, Father, I have a request."

"What is it?"

"Starting the day after tomorrow, I will be away from Isteria on a military mission for a while. During that time, I would like to take Marie as my attendant..."

Marie was a young maid who worked at the Rousseau estate.

Four days ago, when Ichirou and his companions stayed at the Rousseau estate, she had taken care of their daily needs.

When Havel made this request, Noël showed a slightly hesitant expression.

"...Havel, I know you understand..."

"Hey, what are you going to do with that girl? You're..."

"Arond."

Noël, who had been feigning ignorance, silenced Arond with a look of disgust.

"Alright, you can take her. But don't get any funny ideas. She is my property, not yours."

"Yes, I understand."

With Noël's approval, Havel answered with a relieved expression.

"...Tch"

Watching this exchange, Arond clicked his tongue in obvious displeasure.

That night,

Havel was standing in front of a room in the building where the servants lived on the estate grounds.

It was past midnight, and most of the people in the estate were asleep, except for a few private soldiers and servants.

Havel had spent the day inspecting Isteria with Ichirou and helping to organize construction documents and maps. Just before leaving, Ichirou had said,

"You should go home and rest."

Havel had thanked him and headed home.

On his way out, Ichirou had given him a small, dark-colored food item that tasted very sweet.

Perhaps due to the accumulated fatigue from working from early morning to late at night for several days, the sweetness of the food had felt particularly satisfying.

"She's probably already asleep..."

In the quiet, dark corridor, Havel muttered to the door in front of him.

If any of the servants were still working, there would be a light leaking from under the door.

"...Havel-sama?"

Just as Havel was about to turn and head back to his own room, a voice came from inside the room, and the door opened to reveal a young girl.

"Marie, you're still awake?"

"Yes, I was waiting for Havel-sama to return, but it was so late that I thought you might not come back tonight..."

Marie answered in a low voice, mindful of the surrounding noise.

Marie was not in her maid's uniform but in a long, rough tunic that reached her ankles, which she used as a nightgown.

While she looked composed in her uniform, in her nightgown, she appeared more innocent and young.

Marie was 13 years old.

"May I come in?"

"Sure."

Havel entered the room at Marie's invitation and sat on a simple wooden bed against the wall.

The room was small, about the size of a 3-tatami mat room in Japan, and contained only a bed, a small table, and a clothes hanger.

"Today, Lord..."

"Marie, come over here."

Havel smiled and patted the space next to him.

Marie, looking a bit hesitant, moved to sit next to Havel on the bed.

"Earlier this evening, Lord told me that I would be accompanying Havel-sama out of the estate starting the day after tomorrow. ...Thank you. I..."

"Marie."

Havel gently placed his hand on Marie's head, who had been looking at the floor, and stroked her hair tenderly.

"You can call me 'brother.' No one is around."

"...Brother."

Marie looked up at Havel, who was smiling gently, and responded with a stiff smile, then rested her head on Havel's shoulder.