Chapter 29

December 30th.

The commotion over the goblin extermination five days ago has ended without any major incidents, and peaceful days have returned once again.

The morning after the extermination, it seems that Mel and Sharon were in an uproar over my absence, but other than that, nothing else happened.

Regarding the recent status of my reform plans, everything is progressing smoothly for the most part.

The mobile classroom where Ridi serves as a teacher is also going well, and Nicholas told me that Ridi is very popular with the children. He also mentioned that children over ten years old and adults, who are not part of the target group, are starting to show interest.

Regarding distillation, Scott, the distillation supervisor, has become very enthusiastic since we named the young distilled liquor that had been aged for three months "Scotch." The reason for naming it Scotch was to foster his attachment to the liquor and to prevent him from being poached by wealthy merchants or nobles. I admit it's a rather cunning approach, but if the distilled liquor becomes a huge hit, the likelihood of Scott being poached is high. This is a preemptive measure to prevent that.

We have also completed the distillation of Mar—distilled wine pomace—and about ten barrels of Scotch and Mar are now stored in the warehouse. Fruit liqueurs are also being made by soaking fruits in jars, and it looks like we will have nearly twenty bottles of fruit liqueurs.

The soap project is also progressing smoothly and is being well-received in the homes of the vassals. Nicholas and Kate discovered the manufacturing method, and we are having it produced by the Marlon family, Hector, and the Jakes family, Guy, to verify the quality. So far, there have been no issues, and it seems that the current manufacturing method is sufficient for sales.

Regarding the toilet and organic fertilizer, we are experimenting by mixing horse and cow manure with straw and leaf mold collected from the forest, and then adding human waste. The leaf mold from before autumn is turning into compost smoothly, but we are still waiting for the results from the colder months.

Although it didn't make it in time for this year's work, we have commissioned the carpenter, Craig, and the blacksmith, Bertram, to manufacture the wheeled heavy plow. The prototype is expected to be completed by spring.

For now, everything is progressing smoothly.

During the winter, I plan to start producing dried pasta, and in the spring, I will consider beekeeping and sweetener production.

In terms of my own training, my sword skills are at level three, and my magic, particularly wind magic, is also at level three.

According to what I've been told, it's more efficient to specialize in one attribute before branching out to others, so I am currently focusing on wind magic, which Ridi is skilled in.

Wind magic involves manipulating gases, which can be difficult to visualize, and I have been struggling with how to connect it to offensive spells. Ridi often uses Wind Blade and Air Hammer.

Wind Blade is like a transparent boomerang that can easily cut through a branch about five centimeters thick. Air Hammer is a spell that strikes with compressed air, and if enough magic power is poured into it, it can blow away a heavily armored cavalryman and his horse.

My magic power is still only at ninety-one, so neither spell has much power. For now, I am repeatedly casting Wind Blade to increase my wind magic level.

My Wind Blade has a range of about thirty meters, a speed of about thirty meters per second (or one hundred kilometers per hour), and can cut a branch about one centimeter in diameter at a distance of ten meters.

The main issue is its slow speed, but if it hits a vital point like the carotid artery, it has enough killing power. I think it's quite impressive for a four-year-old's combat ability.

The downside is that my control is not very good. Even at a distance of ten meters, there is an error of about twenty centimeters. Ridi says that visualization is important, but perhaps because it's a boomerang, I lack precision.

Feeling frustrated, I am secretly developing a new spell without Ridi's knowledge. The image is a swallow with vacuum blades.

While it is slower than Wind Blade, it can be moved freely, significantly improving its accuracy. It is also beautiful to watch, with a transparent swallow flying freely, but it uses a lot of magic power, so I can only practice for a few seconds.

Casting a spell can save magic power, but it requires a name for the spell. I am currently trying to come up with a name, but I find it difficult to think of something that doesn't sound too cheesy.

Speaking of magic, Sharon's training is also progressing well. By November, she was able to manipulate magic power, which surprised Ridi.

However, since it is still dangerous for a four-year-old to use magic, she is only practicing magic manipulation. Ridi said that she will start training with simple spells—Sharon has both fire and wind attributes—after the New Year.

According to Ridi, Sharon is a genius and can become a full-fledged mage by the age of fifteen without attending a magic academy.

It has been snowing since this morning.

Grandfather's training continues as usual even when it snows.

Training is only canceled during storms, as it is necessary to be prepared for emergencies. Grandfather says, "The enemy will attack regardless of rain, snow, or storms, so training should be adjusted accordingly."

When I go outside, it is still dark, and the snow illuminated by the magical lights sparkles, creating a fantastical scene.

As usual, we exchange morning greetings and start our sword practice.

While practicing, I see two lights swaying up the hill from below.

These are the lights held by Sim and Mel, and Dan and Sharon.

They are also serious about training and always come, rain or shine. While there is a reason that the children of vassals must train if the Rockhart family does, I am always impressed by the sight of these young children climbing the hill with red cheeks in the biting cold.

Mel's energetic greeting echoes, and the voices of the other children overlap.

Grandfather and I continue our practice without stopping to return the greetings.

It's a routine day, but it is an irreplaceable part of my life.

Today, December 30th, is New Year's Eve, the last day of the year 3006 in the Tria calendar.

In this world, a month has thirty days, and a year has three hundred and sixty days, so December only has thirty days.

The start of the year coincides with the winter solstice.

The day before, New Year's Eve, is a time to thank the gods for a safe year and pray for a peaceful new year. This is similar to the customs in my original world.

Training is held regardless of rain or snow, but not on New Year's Eve today or New Year's Day tomorrow.

Ridi's mobile classroom is also on break today, and after the morning training, we should have a leisurely day.

After the training, we head to the dining room, but the house is lit by magical lights.

This mansion has no glass windows, only wooden ones, and in the cold, all windows are closed to improve heating efficiency. As a result, even on a clear day, we rely on magical lights during the day in winter.

These magical lights are relatively inexpensive, long-lasting, and use little magic power, making them an eco-friendly lighting option.

Even I can easily light them. I once measured the MP usage, and a light that lasts for about two hours uses only ten to fifteen MP. It is said that ordinary children can light four or five of them.

We have breakfast in the soft light of the magical lights and then spend the day in our own ways.

I play snowball fights with Mel and others, and later study magic with Ridi.

By evening, the table is set with more elaborate dishes than usual.

Pork and beef, slaughtered for the New Year, are roasted in the fireplace and beautifully arranged.

There is a thick, stew-like soup and winter vegetables dug up from under the snow.

A large, sweet cake similar to a pound cake is also placed on the table.

The adults have silver glasses, rarely used, filled with wine, "Scotch," and diluted fruit liqueurs. My and my brother's glasses contain diluted fruit liqueurs.

On this day, Walt, Molly, and Tricia, who work in the house, also join us at the table.

Everyone sits quietly, and the sound of the burning logs in the fireplace is the only sound in the dining room.

Once everyone's glass is filled, Grandfather begins the dinner with a few words.

"This year, Einos and Jean were married, and Lydia joined our family. Next year, we will have new family members. Perhaps even at Einos' place."

Grandfather smiles at my parents, Walt, and Molly, and then glances at me.

"This year, we tried many new things. The results are not yet clear, but I believe next year will bring good results. Let us thank the gods for a safe year and pray for a better one next year."

Grandfather raises his glass and says, "To the gods. Cheers."

Everyone follows suit, raising their glasses and saying, "To the gods."

The meal begins quietly but soon turns into the usual lively dinner.

My brother is particularly eager to hear about the goblin extermination, and Grandfather's stories become more animated as he drinks.

I talk with Ridi, and my mother, Molly, and Tricia discuss the upcoming baby.

The peaceful time passes.

In a few hours, it will be the fateful year 3007.

Thinking about it always makes me anxious, but when I look worried, Ridi always takes my hand.

"Don't worry. I'm here."

I nod and smile, "Yes, I know."

(Many things happened this year, but the most significant was meeting Ridi. It's a cliché, but I met my "fated woman." What will next year bring? Will I meet another "fate"?)

We spent the evening more joyfully than usual. Thinking that this time is precious, just like in my original world, I wanted to cherish it.

The year 3007 in the Tria calendar has arrived.

There is no morning training, but I still wake up at the usual time.

(Finally, the fateful year has come... No, I won't think about it. Thinking won't change anything...)

I lay in bed for a while but eventually got up without going back to sleep.

It was still dark outside, but I could hear the sound of Walt drawing water from the well, so I took my wooden sword and went out to the courtyard as usual.

The snow had stopped, and the sky was clear.

After about ten minutes of sword practice to warm up, the sky gradually changed from a deep indigo to a vivid blue.

I exhaled a white breath and gazed at the sky in the east, which was gradually brightening.

(The first sunrise. It's been decades... Since I went to a shrine with my family as a child. About forty years, I guess...)

The eastern sky above the Aquila Mountains began to turn red.

The snow-covered mountain ridges were dyed orange.

Then, a deep orange sun slowly rose above the jagged ridges, illuminating the snow-covered roof of the mansion.

As the rising sun lit up the hill, the trees in the forest cast long shadows.

I couldn't help but close my eyes and bow my head slightly.

(I've never felt this way before, but seeing such a scene naturally instills a sense of reverence. Is it because I'm Japanese?)

"Sure enough, you're here."

Ridi called out. She was hugging herself to keep warm and seemed to be shivering slightly.

I greeted her in Japanese, "Happy New Year."

"What? Was that from your previous world?"

She looked at me curiously.

"Yes. It's a greeting to express gratitude for the new year. It's like the first greeting of the year."

She shivered from the cold and asked, "Hey, teach me that phrase."

I taught her the phrase, breaking it down into syllables.

"A-ke-ma-shi-te-o-me-de-to-u. Is that right?"

I nodded vigorously, "Yes, that's right. Happy New Year."

I took her cold hands and led her back into the house.

Looking back, I saw the snowfield dyed in the orange light of dawn.