Chapter 20

"Make! Over here!"

"Maul, it's dangerous to run."

"Meala, you worry too much."

Following behind Maul, who was walking ahead, Meala and I walked along.

*Hmm, what a refreshing breeze. I feel like running, Lady.*

Behind us, Entia followed.

We were at the grassland where I had collapsed a few days ago.

Yes, the place where it all began.

Today, we had come to this grassland for a picnic.

The weather was nice, and it was a perfect day for a picnic, so I suggested we come here, also as a way to take Entia for a walk.

"Hmm... But it really is a nice breeze."

The tall grass swayed in the cool breeze flowing from the mountains.

Amid the rustling of the grass and trees, the chirping and flapping of flying birds could be heard.

Looking up, the sky was a deep blue, and the sun shone brightly, with clouds drifting by.

It was a scene that I would never see in the real world.

...No, I suppose I could have gone to such an outdoor place if I wanted to, but I had never spent a leisurely holiday like this.

Even on my days off, I would receive inquiry calls from the store one after another.

"Ah, here, here, right around here."

When we reached a certain spot, Maul stopped as if he had noticed something.

"Right around here?"

"The place where we first met Mako."

That's right, I was lying here.

Hmm, thinking about it, I was involved in a very strange phenomenon.

I thought I had gone home and fallen asleep, but when I woke up, I was in this world.

Sometimes, I wonder if this is just a very long dream.

I think I might wake up at my front door, lying on Entia's fluffy body.

However, there has been no sign of waking up from this dream so far.

I don't understand, but... well, there are no other clues.

I might have to accept that I have really been reincarnated into another world.

...Well, I don't really mind.

I'm only a little disappointed that I can't watch the current Kamen Rider.

"Alright, let's have lunch right away, shall we?"

"Yay!"

From the bag Entia had carried, I took out a cloth sheet and spread it on the ground.

We sat down on it, and then I placed a wooden box in the center.

This was a wooden basket I had made recently through DIY.

"Hehehe, then you two should tremble in fear at my cooking."

"Why do we have to tremble in fear?"

"Hurry up, hurry up! I'm looking forward to Mako's lunch!"

Looking at Meala's calm rebuttal and Maul's excited wiggling, I opened the basket.

"Wow! Amazing!"

"I feel a bit embarrassed when you react like that. It's just sandwiches, you know."

I smiled wryly.

Inside were sandwiches I had made using ingredients I had bought in town.

There were simple ones with ham and lettuce, and others with tomatoes from Maul's garden and thick slices of cheese.

I also made some with scrambled eggs.

I tried to make them colorful.

Maul and Meala immediately picked up a sandwich each and started munching.

"How do they taste?"

"Delicious!"

"Yeah, good."

Maul and Meala praised them.

I sighed in relief.

Behind us, Entia was gnawing on a bone with meat.

It was a very peaceful and harmonious time.

* * * * *

"Huh?"

When we returned from the picnic to Abatos Village, I saw the villagers gathered in the square.

And behind them, I saw a familiar black carriage.

...I saw it just yesterday.

So, it must be...

"Ah! Lord Mako!"

As soon as he spotted me, the head of the Weeble family ran over at lightning speed.

Just as I thought.

By the way, this guy's energy level is always so high.

He reminds me of Shuji Matsuzaka.

"Lord Mako! It's terrible! The tomatoes we received from Lord Uga were so popular at the tasting event in the city that they sold out immediately!"

"Wow! That's amazing, Uga!"

Behind the head, Uga stood with his nose in the air, smiling proudly.

"I would like to request a continuous wholesale contract!"

"Well, um... That's not up to me to decide—"

"I don't mind, Mako."

Uga answered nonchalantly.

But then his expression turned thoughtful.

"But, the harvest from yesterday sold out in just one day, right? I think my harvest alone won't be enough."

As Uga thought about what to do, he seemed to have an idea.

He turned to the other Beowulfs gathered and shouted.

"That's it! From now on, let's all work together to create more fields and grow more vegetables! That way, we can ship more vegetables!"

"“““““Yeah!””””"

The others seemed enthusiastic as well.

"Mako, how about it? Would it be too much to ask for fertilizer for all our fields?"

"Huh? Well, I don't mind."

"Great! Thanks, Lord! We'll make even more money from now on!"

Uga was all fired up, patting the head on the shoulder.

By the way, the head of the Weeble family is someone they dislike.

Yet, Uga was interacting with him with a smile.

"Ah! Thank you so much!"

And the head was now interacting with these beastmen without any prejudice.

They respected each other.

...When I first came to this village, I thought it would be nice if they could change their prejudices against humans a bit, and I did various things.

It seems that my efforts are starting to bear fruit.

"This is a small token of our gratitude for this matter! Please enjoy it with everyone!"

Saying that, the head removed the cover from the back of the carriage, revealing a pile of high-quality ingredients, including vegetables, fruits, and meat, that he had bought in the city.

"Wow! You're the best, Lord!"

"Awesome! Another party tonight!"

"Yay!"

The crowd was getting excited.

"Oh, everyone looks so happy."

Orchidea, who had somehow appeared beside me, smiled, placing her hand on her cheek as she watched the excited Beowulfs.

"Since Mako came, the village atmosphere has become much brighter."

That's right, Maul said happily.

"......"

Being thanked and making people smile...

I think it's the first thing in customer service, but I had forgotten that feeling in the midst of my busy life.

Watching everyone's excited faces, I felt a tickle in the depths of my heart.

...It wasn't a bad feeling at all.