Chapter 27

Climbing the mountain, which was gradually becoming steeper, from a gentle slope.

Someone must come to gather mountain vegetables regularly, as there was a relatively well-trodden path that was easy to walk on. In the lush forest unique to summer, there were surprisingly many shadows, so the heat was not a problem. Today, the wind was blowing just right, making it cool for summer. It was a far cry from Japan's climate. There was no need for ice magic. Or rather, I didn't want to use ice magic for a picnic.

The current order was: Elinora, Emma, me, and Sheila.

I was happy that Emma was concerned about me. She asked, "Is it okay here? It's getting steep," and even held my hand.

However, thanks to Elinora's words, "Al has been practicing swordsmanship, so this is no problem for him," Emma let go of my hand.

Ugh, why did she have to say that? Emma's hand, which had calluses from holding a wooden sword, was soft and feminine.

Emma and Sheila apparently started participating in the self-defense group's training two years ago. They were inspired by seeing Elinora sparring with the self-defense group members and wanted to be strong like her.

Already, the strongest person in this village is a woman...

"Alfred, have you been practicing swordsmanship since this spring?"

"Yeah. Not every day, but I'm made to do it often. Father Nord and Elinora are both strict."

"That's normal. Normal."

"Lord Elinora and the lord are very strong. I always lose easily."

Ahaha, Emma laughed wryly.

"Let's eat around here, okay?"

From behind, Sheila groaned while hugging her bento box. How many times has she said this since we started climbing today?

"Just a little more, be patient."

Sheila's spirits sank at Elinora's words, and she readjusted her grip on the bento box.

Her chest... The bento box... disappeared?

I shuddered at the sight.

What's going on there? Could it be spatial magic?

"With such a good smell. Not being able to eat yet is torture."

"Shiela, just a little more, okay? Alright?"

"Okay."

Encouraged by Emma, Sheila started walking again.

Reluctantly, I kept my eyes forward and continued climbing the mountain.

"We made it!"

Without any particular dangers or incidents, we reached a height from which we could overlook the entire village of Coriatt.

For me, even if Sheila just trips, it's an incident.

She fell without putting her hands out and didn't hit her face. What's that? Is it like an airbag that inflates automatically when a car crashes?

"Bento! Let's eat the bento quickly!"

As soon as I spoke, Sheila immediately sat down on the grass.

"From here, we can see the whole village of Coriatt."

"Lord Elinora's mansion is the largest, so it's easy to see."

"Quickly! Let's eat!"

"Shiela really loses her composure when it comes to food."

"That's cute, different from her usual self."

Wow, Elinora is giggling and smiling with Emma. It's a bit creepy.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Let's eat here."

We sat down on the soft grass. Thanks to the good ventilation, the wind blew, cooling our heated bodies and rustling the grass and trees.

"The wind feels nice."

"Then, let's eat."

"Yes!"

"Okay."

Everyone exclaimed as they opened their bento boxes.

"Wow!"

"It looks delicious!"

"Balto is amazing."

"..."

All yellow. I thought. Balto had complained about not having enough time and materials, so there was no preparation. Only my bento had an unusually high amount of tamagoyaki. It was already past lunchtime, and I had said I didn't need it, so it couldn't be helped.

Feeling embarrassed by all the yellow, I stored a few pieces of tamagoyaki and replaced them with meat sauce, grilled mushrooms, and carrots with butter.

Shiela immediately stabbed the tamagoyaki with her fork and stuffed it in her mouth in one bite.

"Wow! It's so sweet and rich, it's melting in my mouth!"

"Hehe, then I'll... What's this white thing? Lord Elinora?"

Emma pointed at something white in her bento and asked Elinora.

Elinora, who was also curious, looked at the white thing in her bento with a puzzled expression.

"What is it? I've never seen it before. Al, do you know? You helped make it, right?"

"That's an onigiri. You can eat it with your hands. It has salt, but it's delicious with meat."

"Really? I've never seen it before."

"Me neither."

"Foohihi, it's yummy."

"Shiela, it's not polite to talk with your mouth full."

"Okay."

She swallowed and replied with a soft smile. She's so innocent and childlike, it's cute.

"Onigiri is quite delicious."

"Really? ...Really! It's a bit chewy, and the more you chew, the sweeter it gets!"

"That's right."

It must be a lie. There's no way Elinora would come up with such a comment. Probably something like, "It's a bit sweet. It's soft." or something like that.

She even said the spaghetti was "interesting and delicious."

Elinora is looking at me.

Probably with a look like, "Why didn't you let me eat it sooner?" I sent her an eye contact message, "I'll treat you to warm onigiri at the mansion," and quickly changed the subject to onigiri.

"It's even better when it's warm."

"Really? Is it a new dish that Balto developed?"

"Yup, that's right."

Whatever, it's fine. I don't want to spread it too much, or weird people might come. Father Nord chased away a strange merchant the other day. The rights to Reversi were sold to Tori, so it's useless even if they come.

"It goes well with fish too."

Shiela happily swayed her body while eating the onigiri.

I think to myself, the treasure of Coriatt Village is here.

After a peaceful meal, we lay down in the shade and enjoyed the view.

"Fuhi! Fuhi!"

What a silly bird.

Curious, I asked Elinora, who was lying next to me.

"Elinora, what's that bird? It has a really strange voice."

"Oh, you've never heard it before? It's a slightly larger bird that lives at this height in the mountains. It's called a Fuhi bird."

"Really?"

"Of course, with such a unique voice."

"Does it have any other characteristics?"

"It runs on the ground, and it often trips."

"...What a strange bird. By the way, how long are you going to keep up that authoritative voice? Do you always talk like that outside?"

"I'll pretend I didn't hear the second part. Women have their reasons."

Elinora's approach is scary.

"Lord Elinora really likes Alfred. She kept slowing down the pace and frequently checking on him while climbing."

Emma smiled and sat on a conveniently sized rock.

No, this is blackmail. Did you really notice that? Elinora always glares at me, so I can't tell.

I looked at Elinora's face, but she had already turned her back, so I couldn't see her expression.

"That's not true. Al was just climbing slowly."

Elinora's voice, which sounded indifferent, seemed softer than usual.

Today is peaceful.

Next time, it will be autumn and winter.