Chapter 68

The conversation with the Golden Ball ended much more satisfactorily than expected. First, I was tasked with dealing with a baby kraken at the request of the esteemed Golden Ball. Fortunately, I can bring all the forces of the three countries, so I'll temporarily entrust the escort and go for a boat ride. The 30% bonus from the Duke? How can I resist? If there's someone who can resist, they must be a weirdo.

No matter how I think about it, it feels like I'm dealing with a victim who lost their home due to human ecosystem destruction, but that's not important. What's important to me is not the 'Kraken's Tears Trilogy' but the 30% increase event for the 'Golden Shimmering Castle.'

In fact, wouldn't the baby kraken prefer to go to its parents rather than live in this world of suffering? I'm just helping it reach that outcome faster. How many considerate people like me are there?

- First, come to the casino. We'll talk in detail there.

And when I arrive in Boyar, there will be a place I need to head to immediately. It's a bit surprising that he wants to meet at the casino rather than the Duke's castle, but it's not a big deal. I've heard that meetings in the VIP room of the casino are quite common.

At least I can bring good news to Villar tomorrow. He'll be happy to hear that all the forces of the three countries can be moved to Boyar.

'I can tell him I'll be away then.'

Villar said he would try to reduce his involvement. In such a situation, he won't object to me being away, especially if I bring good news. He might even give me a tube and tell me to rest well.

Ah, I also need to prepare cookies for Villar. I ate more than usual today, so I don't have enough. I'll have to ask Louise for more.

***

Big brother asked for cookies again today. It's not a difficult task, but the amount he says he needs is too much, even if I think he's going to eat them. If they're left over, they'll get stale and won't taste good. Is it okay?

"Sir Villar is coming. We didn't have enough yesterday."

"Oh, really?"

"I'm sorry. I ate too much and wanted to prepare some more."

"Hehe, it's okay."

I smiled slightly at the apologetic big brother and opened the oven.

Sir Villar. A knight from Armein, like Ruitis. I often meet him, and he helped a lot during the fair, so I know him well. As a knight, he must eat well. So, it's fine to make a lot.

'Everyone eats well.'

The cookies I've been making recently are ordinary, unlike the ones I usually make for big brother. If the cookies I serve to guests taste bad, it would damage big brother's reputation.

Still, it's a bit disappointing. I used to add various healthy ingredients to the cookies for big brother, who always looked tired, but now I don't have the time to do that. I still give him some tea leaves, but I don't know how effective they are.

When I checked big brother's complexion, his usual faint dark circles were visible. Is it not effective? Still, he doesn't look too tired.

'I should have continued making them as usual.'

During the fair, I realized that big brother's sense of taste was not normal, so I started focusing on the effects rather than the taste. It was possible because big brother couldn't taste properly.

If these ingredients improve big brother's health and restore his sense of taste, he'll realize my cookies are strange, and I can apologize for making them wrong. Big brother would probably laugh it off. I thought it was a good method.

But if the health cookies I made for big brother end up in someone else's mouth, it would be a big problem. It's not a good method if I can't actually do it. It's meaningless.

'Should I make something else?'

I thought about the desserts I can make. Something that can't be given as a simple gift like cookies. If big brother receives it, he'll probably eat it alone out of courtesy.

What could it be... Ah, a cake? Maybe I should make a big cake?

***

As the school trip approached, the president's complexion became more haggard, and Margareta's smile gradually faded. It's a pity for children at an age when they should be growing.

Unfortunately, I can't do much to help, so being a listening ear for Margareta is all I can do. Still, it seems to help her, as she talks about her work and vents her frustrations.

The problem is that as time passes, Margareta's voice starts to waver slightly. It's very subtle, but noticeable if you pay attention.

"We need to secure carriages for hundreds of people and check the routes they will take. We need to find cities for rest stops and suitable accommodations..."

"You're really working hard."

The more I listen, the more it feels like planning a military march. No wonder the student council wanted to go to a nearby estate.

"Margareta, are you getting enough sleep these days?"

"I sleep whenever I have free time. Don't worry."

Her smile made me feel sorry for her. Sleep is a necessary activity, not something to be done only when there's free time. This noble lady's mindset is already skewed.

A while ago, I found her sleeping at the vice president's desk. I didn't want to wake her, so I covered her with a coat and waited. She woke up on her own after a while. I wanted her to get some sleep, but I also understood that the more she slept, the more work would pile up.

When Margareta looked at me with sleepy eyes, I pretended not to notice her sudden surprise. I also pretended not to notice that the coat I offered to pick up and return was a brand new one.

"Still, I'm so relieved thanks to Karl's etiquette."

"That's good to hear."

I nodded lightly and pushed Louise's cookies towards Margareta. She immediately picked one up and ate it, a familiar action.

'The deputy was just like that.'

The way she ate for nutrition rather than taste. But why is Margareta doing this? Is this a noble? The nobles I know aren't this strict.

"Next year, I hope we can go somewhere nearby."

I said this as a comforting remark, hoping next year would be easier, but Margareta's mouth, which was mumbling, stopped. She chewed and swallowed the rest in silence, then spoke carefully.

"...I think the school trip will still be to Boyar in the future."

"Ah."

The Golden Ball doesn't seem to want to end this year's school trip as a one-time event. Now, Boyar is like a tourist destination in this world.

Seeing Margareta reach for the cookies with a slightly more depressed look, I was reminded of a red-haired woman who had fled the student council.

'Poor thing.'

I quietly poured tea into Margareta's cup. I hope she can hold on and not let her spirit break.

The day of the school trip dawned with someone's laughter in the southern end of the empire and someone's sigh at the academy.

'Amazing, they managed to gather everything.'

The sight of over a hundred carriages lined up made my heart swell. All students and faculty from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades need to move, so this many are necessary.

But thinking about it, it's strange. Why would all grades go on a school trip together? Of course, from the student council's perspective, it's easier to send everyone at once rather than plan three separate trips.

"Karl's etiquette. If you change your mind, let me know anytime."

"Ha ha, I understand."

As I was admiring the grand carriages, Margareta approached. She seemed disappointed to see me until the last moment, but I hope she understands my situation.

Four people per carriage, or sometimes three. Margareta's carriage has three people, and she's been inviting me to join since yesterday. But I have a different carriage to ride in.

'I need to be with Louise.'

Fortunately, Louise's carriage also has three people, so I can join. The school trip itself is an event, but things could happen on the way. It's more reassuring to be with her.

There is one minor issue with the other person riding with Louise, but it can't be helped. This is a public matter.

"Hey, are you in this carriage too, bro?"

"That's how it turned out."

After parting with Margareta, I headed to Louise's carriage, where Erih was waiting. Sorry, without me, you would have been the only male in this carriage. On the way, you could have made some progress with Louise...

'No.'

What progress? I overestimated this kid for a moment.

Shaking off the unrealistic thought, I got into the carriage, where no one else was present except Erih. What, why is only he here?

"Two more, right?"

"They'll be here soon. They said they were talking with some friends."

"Got it."

Sure enough, the pink capybara at the center of attention. Even in this moment, he's naturally strengthening his friendships.

Soon, the carriage door opened, and a pink head popped in, having rushed over.

"Sorry! I'm so late─ Oh? Big brother?"

"I'm going with you."

I waved lightly at the surprised Louise, and a smile slowly spread across her dazed face. I'm grateful for her welcome.

'You're coming too.'

Turning my gaze to Louise's back, I saw a golden head bobbing around. Her body hidden behind Louise, only her hair visible, as if trying to hide from my view, but of course, it didn't work.

"Hi, it's been a while."

"A, ah, yes, hello."

Despite being in the same carriage, I felt sorry for her as she trembled and replied awkwardly.

"Irina? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm fine, nothing's wrong."

Irina's awkward smile in response to Louise's worried question. I'm sorry, I didn't want to do this if I could avoid it.

Seeing the faint fear in Irina's blue eyes, I felt a sigh coming on.