Chapter 65

As we walked, we came to the sea.

It seemed to be a port, with many merchant and fishing boats lined up, and people were working busily.

"It smells like the sea."

"Yeah... It really brings back memories. Sieg, let's go over to that breakwater. We're in the way here."

Leonor pointed to the breakwater with a lighthouse.

"You're right."

We walked along the breakwater so as not to get in the way, and when we reached the end, we took out chairs and sat down.

Then, I took out a fishing rod I had made.

"Wow, that looks impressive."

Honestly, I wasn't confident.

After all, I had no experience fishing.

"We'll attach the special bait to this hook."

Saying that, I took out a bucket of bait.

"Special? Isn't it worms?"

"I don't want to touch worms."

They're slimy.

"You sound like a girl."

"Can Leonor touch them?"

"I'm a girl."

So, you can't touch them.

"We'll attach this bait to the hook... and throw it in, and we'll catch something."

I cast the fishing rod out to sea.

"Will we catch anything? By the way, Sieg, can you tell which fish are poisonous?"

Some fish are poisonous.

In my previous life, pufferfish were an example.

"I don't know. But I have medicine, so it's fine."

"Please rest assured. I, Helen, will taste-test it. Poison doesn't affect me."

You'll eat it all, won't you...

"Sieg, go ahead and fish. Helen is meowing and purring."

"Yeah... Hey, I'm getting a strong vibration from the rod. Is it a catch?"

The rod was bending.

"Is it a catch?"

"Master Sieg, let's try reeling it in!"

I wasn't sure, but I reeled it in.

A fish about 30 centimeters long was on the line.

"Ah, we caught it."

"Wow! We caught it!"

"Master Sieg, you're amazing!"

When I reeled in the fish, it was jumping around on the breakwater, so I took it off the hook.

"It's lively... Helen, you can eat it."

"Yay!"

Helen jumped and landed, pressing the fish with her front paws and started eating it.

"Mmm! This might have a poison that's bad for humans!"

"I'm not keeping it. Eat it all."

"It's delicious!"

What a cute girl.

"Hmm... It looks like we can catch more. Let's get ready."

Leonor said that and took out bricks from her bag and started stacking them.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to grill the fish we catch."

Are you going to do it here?

"Romantic, romantic. It's perfect for lunch."

I didn't bring a lunch today...

"Will we catch that much? Erica is making acqua pazza for dinner."

We need to catch enough for dinner too.

"It was easy to catch, so it should be fine. Sieg, can you use fire magic?"

Leonor pointed to the charcoal.

"You should learn fire magic too. At least the basic level."

While saying that, I used fire magic to light the charcoal.

"I'm still practicing, but I can't generate enough heat to burn charcoal."

You're practicing, at least...

"You're studious."

"I need it to make a fire opal. Catch more fish. Helen is waiting."

Leonor looked at Helen, who had already finished eating the fish, leaving not even the bones.

"Let's catch more."

I attached the bait and cast the rod.

Again, the rod bent, and I felt a vibration in my hand.

"Again? Isn't that a bit quick?"

Surprised, I reeled it in and found another fish about 30 centimeters long.

"Wow! Master Sieg, you're a fishing genius!"

Is that so?

It's too quick, isn't it?

"Is it because of the special bait Sieg made?"

"Should Leonor try too?"

"Sure, sure."

I took the fish off the hook and handed the rod to Leonor.

Leonor started attaching the bait to the hook while I processed the fish.

"Don't prick your finger with the hook."

"I'm not clumsy. Is this good enough?"

Leonor showed me the round bait she had attached to the hook.

"Probably. Honestly, I'm not sure either."

As long as the hook isn't visible, it should be fine.

"Alright... Here we go!"

Leonor cast the rod.

"Helen, wait a bit. The next one will be grilled."

"Yay!"

While Leonor was fishing, I placed the processed fish on the grill.

"Sieg, the rod is shaking!"

When I looked at Leonor, she was holding a bent rod with both hands.

"Don't fall in."

I can't swim, so I can't help you.

"I won't fall in. Can I reel it in?"

"Probably, it's a catch. Go ahead."

"Okay?"

Leonor reeled in the rod.

A fish slightly larger than the two I had caught earlier was on the line.

"Wow! It's big!"

Helen was excited.

"Wow, impressive. Even beginners can catch fish. It must be the bait."

That's what I think.

There's no way we could catch so many in such a short time.

"Let's catch more."

"Got it. Fishing is fun."

Of course, it's fun when it's this easy.

After that, Leonor kept catching fish, and I kept processing them.

Helen ate so much that it was hard to imagine where it all went.

"Master Sieg... I can't eat any more."

Helen lay on her back, showing her bloated belly.

It's a fluffy opportunity, but she looks like she might throw up, so I'll pass.

"Leonor, we have enough for lunch and to take home."

"You're right. We've caught too many. We could sell this bait to fishermen and make a profit."

If we can catch this much, professionals could do even better.

"I don't want to do that kind of business. I don't want to deal with customers."

"You've said that... You just want to enjoy it for yourselves, right?"

"That's right. I'll say it again. I hate fools. Talking to someone like Adolf is a waste of time."

If I were in business, I'd have to deal with those people endlessly.

I'd probably die of stress.

"You don't like complainers, do you?"

"Exactly."

"Hmm... I see. You think logically because you're smart. That's why you dislike people who act inefficiently. Especially if it causes you trouble."

"That's about right."

Probably.

"Sieg, you don't need to change that. Everyone dislikes such people. You just feel it more strongly. But, one piece of advice: not everyone thinks what you consider inefficient is inefficient."

"What do you mean?"

"Um... Why not just buy fish? Isn't it a waste of time? Why spend your precious day off doing this?"

What are you saying?

"I want to give Helen fresh fish... But... Ah, I see. Some people wouldn't care."

If someone else were doing the same thing, I'd probably tell them to buy it.

"That's right. I'm having fun, and it's fun, so I'm here. But some people wouldn't think so. For example, Adelheid, who's afraid to touch fish."

"Right... Adelheid would never go fishing."

"Exactly. Don't easily dismiss other people's preferences. Everyone has something they like. I like reading, and Erica likes cooking."

That's true.

"What does Adelheid like?"

"You should have asked at last night's dinner. Adelheid likes music."

Music?

"Does she play an instrument?"

"She has an expensive violin and is good at it."

She's a lady...

"I can't understand that at all."

"Master Sieg, you're tone-deaf."

You are too, cat.

"You should listen to her play. She's very picturesque."

Hmm...

"Maybe someday."

"Want to have a reading marathon with me? We'll read books until we fall asleep."

"Go to sleep."

That's why your books are scattered everywhere.

Thank you for reading.

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