Chapter 43

"Good morning, Master."

"Mmm... Good morning."

I wake up sluggishly at the sound of Ryuuko, who is both an artificial maid and a familiar. A wagon is smoothly brought to my eyes, and a bucket filled with water is offered to me. After washing my face with the cold water, I finally start to feel more awake.

"Here you go."

"Mmm."

I wipe my face with the towel smoothly offered to me, and Ryuuko gently takes it back.

"Would you like to have breakfast in the living room or the bedroom?"

"In the living room, please."

"Understood. I have prepared your clothes for changing. Please proceed."

Ryuuko bows and exits the room silently. At first, she tried to help me change, but I found it embarrassing and asked her to stop. Once I asked, she didn't insist and now prepares my clothes in an easy-to-wear order, thoroughly washed every day. Yeah, it's really convenient.

After changing, I head to the living room, where freshly baked bread and tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet) are already laid out. Drinking the stamina potion-infused tea, my sleepiness disappears completely.

"Today's schedule: You have a meeting with Kail in the morning. There are no plans for the afternoon."

"Ah, I remember. Kail said he wanted to consult about the interim results from the field."

The land where the dragon was defeated was being transformed into a large-scale farm, with rocks and other obstacles removed. Thanks to the initial settlers and farming horses, the project was significantly accelerated, and it was already a large wheat field, even serving as an experimental plot.

"I hope it's going well..."

In part of the field, the alchemical fertilizer I created is being used. One of the studies that spread Mr. Jabir's name was alchemical pesticides, which make plants less prone to disease and increase yield per unit area. However, the high cost of production means they are only used on rare herbs.

I read through Mr. Jabir's books and, using the knowledge gained from the emblem's whisper, developed an alchemical fertilizer that can be mass-produced and is relatively inexpensive. Using an alchemical cauldron, it can be produced in larger quantities and with greater potency, but for the experiment, I provided a version that a regular alchemist with an emblem could make. Since it was a test, I didn't give much.

"But it still tastes incredibly delicious."

"Thank you. It's thanks to good eggs."

"Ah, so the poultry farming is going well, too."

I haven't gotten involved in poultry farming, but apparently, a skilled poultry farmer has moved in and is running a large-scale operation. Eggs, which are both nutritious and easy to store, are apparently very popular.

"Thank you for the meal. Well, shall we go? ...By the way, what does Ryuuko do after I leave?"

"Today's plan is to clean. Otherwise, she handles the usual household chores."

"Is that so? I always appreciate her help. I'll be going now."

"Yes. Have a good day."

At that moment, I felt a slight sense of unease, but couldn't figure out why. I mounted the Black Dragon and headed to Kail's residence.

◆

"Hmm?"

In front of Kail's house, preparations for the horses were underway. I could see Kail's beloved horse, White Fang, along with a two-legged bird and a two-legged lizard. I remembered that Persia and Alphard had used the dragon slaying reward to buy expensive two-legged birds and lizards, which had finally been delivered by Akindo. There was also a pony.

"Ah, Craft brother."

"Hey. Isn't there a meeting today?"

"Yes, that was the plan, but after reading the report, I decided it would be better to go to the site."

"That's good, but can you ride a horse now?"

"I'm practicing."

"Kail is a hard worker. His gallop is still unstable, but his trot is fine."

"Then it should be okay."

The farm isn't that far away. White Fang is a genuine warhorse and a famous steed that Kail has owned from the beginning. Although he couldn't ride it due to his condition, it was used for work like the other farming horses and ended up growing more splendidly than my Black Dragon.

"Both of you got your mounts, then."

"Yeah. A while ago. I've been giving them Craft-branded potions, and they're quite impressive."

Alphard patted his impressive two-legged lizard. These lizards are tough and strong, especially in harsh environments, but they are also quite expensive. Alphard's mount, in particular, is a reddish-brown color and is the toughest of the two-legged lizards.

"Good horse... I mean, lizard."

"Yeah, it's called Red Flame. Take good care of it."

"Good name."

Its fierce appearance is like a burning flame. You found a good one. Akindo did a great job.

"Persia went for the two-legged bird, right?"

"Yeah. When I heard Alphard was getting a lizard, I thought I should prioritize mobility."

"Makes sense. Two-legged birds are fast and agile. Have you named it yet?"

"Of course. Come on! Tebasaki!"

"..."

A two-legged bird with yellow feathers ran over. What did you just say?

"Good, good. You're such a cuddly one, Tebasaki. Haha!"

Ah, so it wasn't a mishearing... I didn't expect your naming sense to be on Jitaro's level...

I decided not to comment on Persia's naming and instead called out to Jitaro, who was strangely preparing something.

"If Kail is going, I understand why Alphard and Persia are coming, but why is Jitaro here?"

"Why not? I'm free today."

"I thought your purse was warm from the last hunt... but whatever."

Jitaro can be a decent fighting force. By the way, Jitaro is riding a pony named Super Jet. I thought he lacked a naming sense, but I didn't expect to find someone at the same level. The pony was bought with the dragon slaying reward. Unlike Jitaro, it's a very cute one, so I had it fed with the usual stamina potion mixed in its feed. It hasn't changed in appearance, but it's cute, so no problem.

If I kept nitpicking, it would be dark by the time we got started, so I decided to focus on the task at hand. As I waited for everyone to get ready, Maya came over and raised her arms.

"Hmm?"

"What? You want a ride?"

"Hmm."

"Kail?"

"With this group, it should be fine to bring her, but it might be a bother for Craft brother."

That's a bit sneaky. I don't think you're doing it on purpose, though.

"No, it's fine. Maya, do you want to come with me?"

"Hmm."

It seems she's okay with it, so I let her ride with me. The Black Dragon can probably carry a hundred Mayas! Maybe. Maya, who seems to like animals, was in a good mood sitting in front of me.

Reefan, who doesn't own a personal horse, seems to have borrowed one from the town. Since the preparations were complete, I approached him.

"So, what's the problem?"

"I'll explain on the way, but it seems the farm is in trouble."

"What?"

The farm is the future breadbasket. Reefan's serious expression made me have a bad feeling.

◆【Bonus】◆

"Alright..."

After confirming that the Master had left, Ryuuko glanced up at the roof.

"He's gone."

"Hey, why not just capture him and sell him for a high price? He's a great alchemist, right?"

"I considered it, but he seems to be a former adventurer."

"But I heard he was useless?"

"That information is outdated. Though unconfirmed, he apparently participated in the dragon slaying."

"Maybe he was just an advisor or observer?"

"Perhaps. But don't push it. Besides..."

"Right. If we can get that legendary potion..."

"Exactly—"

At that moment, a shadow fell over the two men. Despite the clear sky.

"May I ask what business you have with this household?"

"——!!"

The two men on the roof, the thieves, turned around as if they had been startled. There stood a maid in a maid uniform, a beauty of the highest caliber. Her beautiful emerald green eyes were not human. They were cat-like, vertically elongated pupils, coldly looking down at the thieves.

The mysterious maid, despite the unstable roof, stood perfectly still on the narrow edge. She asked in a voice devoid of emotion.

"I don't seem to have an appointment."

"Damn!"

One of the thieves, a professional and an assassin, threw a dagger with lightning speed. The other thrust a kris, a wavy-bladed knife with high lethality against flesh. The thieves were confident in their victory. No matter which attack was dodged, the other would surely hit. The one who threw the dagger was already in position to follow up, having already drawn his kris.

"Indeed, you must be skilled to sneak in so early in the morning."

"What!?"

The thieves, professionals in their field, screamed in a decidedly unprofessional manner. The maid had stopped the dagger and kris with her fingers. If she had dodged, they wouldn't have been so shocked.

Moreover, the thief who had thrust the kris with all his weight didn't budge. It was as if the knife was fixed in mid-air.

"Damn!"

The thief, giving up on the immobile knife, tried to kick. The maid, with a slight movement of her hand, made the thief spin ten times in the air and slam headfirst into the roof. Naturally, he lost consciousness instantly.

"!"

Realizing he couldn't win, the thief tried to flee. Or rather, he tried to flee. The maid, without moving her clothes, was already standing behind him with a cold expression.

The thief turned around again, only to see his unconscious partner.

"Ah!"

What the thief was about to say is unknown, as he collapsed after receiving a palm strike from Ryuuko.

"Entering the house that Master Reefan and Master Maya built is not allowed, and stepping in with dirty feet is unforgivable."

Later, the two thieves, reduced to rags, were delivered to the Adventurer's Guild. The guild, which now handles security, interrogated the thieves with a slight sympathy, investigating any possible connections. The thieves, surprisingly cooperative, were likely influenced by the maid.

As usual, the report was submitted to Reefan and Kail later.

"Cleaning complete."

It was a peaceful daily routine that Craft was unaware of.

Reefan: "Craft, you can't talk about other people, you know?"

• Status Update •

I'm sorry, but I'm currently facing some issues in my real life, which has significantly reduced my writing pace. I hope to resolve it soon, but I expect the update schedule to be irregular for a while. Thank you for your understanding. m(_ _)m