Chapter 50

"Hey, Veld is going to be thirteen soon, right?"

"Yeah, now that you mention it, I guess so."

"You... It's your birthday, isn't it..."

Indeed, it is. It's just another milestone in life, though."

Even so, this year, Elise, El, Ina, and Luise might celebrate it. I was making my own predictions, thinking that perhaps the Brandt family and my brother Ehrich might also celebrate it.

So, I decided to give a slightly cold response. I figured that if I softened my attitude on the day of the birthday party, it would make me a tsundere, as they say in my previous life.

But I doubt there's any demand for a tsundere guy.

"You might be celebrated even without being asked."

"Really?"

"The nobles are quite enthusiastic."

"Alright, I get it."

However, it seems that the nobles are planning something on a scale that even exceeds El's expectations. They are truly resilient.

If they had that toughness, they might have become top salesmen in the trading company I worked for in my previous life. My direct superior wouldn't have said, "Ishigami, I wish you had a bit more guts."

"Hey, kid."

At that moment, Brandtak approached us and called out to us.

"Brandtak, are you off work today?"

"It's work. We're going to hold a birthday party for you next week on the day of rest."

"A birthday party for a kid of this age?"

Nobles generally love parties. There are also certain customs that dictate the scale of such events. While not all nobles are 100% party enthusiasts, most are, and many save money specifically for parties.

A noble who can host a grand party is seen as elegant and wealthy. Hosting many parties also suggests a wide social network, which is a valuable asset for nobles.

"We can't not hold it, even though it's unusual. The kid is a hero who slew a dragon, after all."

Apparently, many nobles and merchants want to bring gifts and expect something in return.

I remember my grandmother in the countryside saying, "There's nothing as expensive as free things in this world."

"But, it can't be held in this house's garden, can it?"

This house, while luxurious for a student attending the Adventurer Preparatory School, is small by noble standards, especially the garden, which is unsuitable for a party.

"It will be held at the capital's Brechleider Margrave's residence. You just need to show up on the day."

"Understood."

"You're so honest."

"Well, I wouldn't want to do all the preparations myself..."

"Anyway, you'll be the guest of honor and will be busy throughout the party."

It seems that even my birthday party will be quite busy. I'll have to entertain a lot of people, so I doubt it will be enjoyable.

"About the birthday party. It's being held at the Brechleider Margrave's residence because many nobles want to connect with Veld."

When Veld's fiancée, Elise, heard this from Brandtak, she calmly analyzed the situation.

Elise, the granddaughter of a major noble family, usually enjoys making sweets, cooking, and brewing tea. Her blood is truly that of a noble.

As Veld becomes more famous, he will need to learn various noble etiquettes and customs, which he likely didn't have time to learn given his background.

Even if he did, his family wouldn't have taught him. They probably didn't know either.

Therefore, Elise needed to be by his side during the party to support him.

"But, Ina and Luise will be there too."

"We'll stick together."

"Yes, we have to."

How many times will they try to push side wives or concubines on him? Just thinking about it is terrifying.

"But, Elise, you accept us?"

"I am a noble, after all."

It's rare for a noble to have only one wife. Elise's family is no exception; her brother, who is also a cardinal's grandson, has a different mother.

"Actually, my family is the same."

"Mine too."

In noble families, it's more common to have multiple wives. I, as a sister or daughter, am not involved in inheritance, which is why I'm not disliked.

In reality, conflicts between the main wife and concubines, especially when their children are close in age or the concubine is more favored, are not uncommon.

"That's why we need to work together to prevent it."

"Elise, you're surprisingly enthusiastic?"

Well, it's better than the three of us not getting along, and having more concubines would be troublesome.

We decided to cooperate to defend against the enemy, who, unlike monsters, can't be defeated and is therefore more troublesome.

"So, about this..."

"Is there more?"

"Yes, about Veld's birthday."

Instead of the large-scale birthday party at the Brechleider Margrave's residence, Elise wanted to discuss a smaller, more intimate party with just us at this house.

"I'll make the cake. You two can handle the cooking."

"Sure. Veld probably doesn't like those big parties anyway."

For Veld, it would be difficult to refuse the grand birthday party organized by the Brechleider Margrave, even though it's clear to us that he attends such events reluctantly as a noble duty.

"Anyway, we need to stick together to prevent it."

"That's true. But, it's surprising."

"Is it?"

"Yeah, don't get mad, but Elise, you've only been Veld's fiancée for a short time, right? I don't think you like him that much yet."

"We've only known each other for less than a year."

Veld and I, and Veld and Luise, haven't known each other for very long either. Elise has known him for an even shorter time.

So, the question arises: does Elise like Veld at this point? I can't really judge others, but...

"You're right. When my grandfather first told me, I was surprised."

Elise has received many marriage proposals, from baron to count families, and even from dukes and margraves as a concubine. According to Elise, they want her for her healing magic and the reputation of being the "Hohenheim family's holy maiden."

Many nobles are still flocking to Veld for his reputation as a "dragon-slaying hero."

"My grandfather kept declining the proposals. He must have noticed that I was against it."

As a noble, she couldn't refuse a marriage proposal from her family, so she was grateful.

"But, right after Veld's dragon-slaying became famous..."

It was right after Veld met the king and received the title of baron. Suddenly, the Cardinal of Hohenheim told her:

"Elise, your husband has been decided. It's Baron Baumaster."

"Is it the dragon-slaying hero?"

"Yes, the dragon-slaying hero."

"That's good, but he's a baron, isn't he?"

The Hohenheim family is a viscount family. After declining a duke's proposal, they would expect at least a baron.

"The king said he will be promoted to baron soon."

"Maybe the Parkeinia Grasslands?"

The church had asked her to join the expeditionary force to the Parkeinia Grasslands as a healer. Other healers and priests would also join as chaplains.

Despite the old dragon's reputation, she was told it would be safe with the dragon-slaying hero leading the charge. The main force, including Veld, would not engage in dragon combat.

Additionally, the royal chief mage, her uncle, and the famous mage Brandtak, the trump card of the Brechleider Margrave's family, were also part of the expedition.

It seemed the kingdom was determined to conquer the Parkeinia Grasslands.

"The baptism will be held at the headquarters of the Holy Church after Veld returns from the expedition. I'll introduce you then."

"Understood."

Honestly, she was curious about what kind of person he was. She heard from her grandfather that he was the eighth son of a poor noble family, often mocked by his foster family's vassals.

Such a person had become the head of an independent noble family by slaying a dragon. What must his mindset be like?

During the Parkeinia Grasslands expedition, she treated the wounded at a field hospital near the main camp, constantly thinking about these things.

Reports from her uncle and others kept coming in. Her uncle used his magic to immobilize the dragon, while Veld prepared a strategic-level spell to finish it off.

Brandtak said, "Just floating there was easy. But, without Veld, it would have been dangerous."

Her uncle's magic was overwhelming, but it consumed a lot of mana, leaving him with only a few minutes of combat left.

"Clearly, the mana consumption was miscalculated! If I couldn't kill the opponent in eight minutes, I would have died!"

This is what her uncle reported to the scouts.

After the old dragon's death, her uncle and others continued to fight monsters on the front lines, thinning out the dangerous ones for the army and adventurers.

The field hospital received over a hundred wounded per day. According to an elderly priest, this was actually fewer than before.

"I was part of the expedition to the Parkeinia Grasslands under the command of the previous king."

At that time, the dragon's breath killed thousands instantly, and the surviving soldiers were severely injured. Monsters attacked, and the situation was hellish.

"Soldiers who couldn't be saved were left on the monsters' path to buy time. Everyone cried as they left their comrades behind."

"Couldn't resurrection magic save them?"

"The mana could be used for many healing spells. That's the reality."

The elderly priest spoke with a pained expression.

Still, there were casualties this time. While resurrection magic could revive those who had stopped breathing within a few hours, severe injuries made it pointless.

Reviving them would only result in death again. Healing magic doesn't work on a stopped heart, and resurrection magic isn't perfect.

Moreover, there are very few people who can use it.

"Holy maiden, are you alright?"

Many wounded and occasional casualties. Concerned people asked if she was okay.

"I'm fine."

I couldn't say I wasn't, so I forced a smile. After all, I am the Hohenheim family's holy maiden.

"Um, it's a bit hard to comment..."

We were speechless at Elise's military story. I was foolish to think it would be easy since she was in the rear and not fighting.

"Did you two also lead the vassal army?"

"We were just for show."

We were told not to get hurt or die, so we just guarded Ehrich and others from the rear. There were five casualties among the vassals, but that was considered low.

Veld was concerned and provided extra compensation.

"Then, I met Veld."

I thought he would be a tough-looking person, but he was normal, which was a relief. And on our first date...

"You're the Hohenheim family's holy maiden. I get the pressure, being called a dragon-slaying hero and all."

"Is it pressure?"

"I'm not brave enough to be happy about being called a hero."

"When Veld said that, I felt like I had met someone who understood my feelings for the first time."

Born with a talent for healing magic, she healed many and was respected. The Cardinal of Hohenheim, while feeling sorry for her, used her for the family's benefit.

She tried to meet their expectations, but it was stressful.

"Veld doesn't really think of me as a holy maiden."

"Doesn't that make you angry?"

"No, it's actually a relief."

He sees her as a talented healer, which she finds refreshing.

"But, when I made food for him before..."

She praised Elise's cooking skills, especially her ability to make sweets for orphans at the church.

"He said, 'Wow, Elise, you're a good cook. You're experienced. My cooking is more rough.'"

"I think Veld's cooking is good too."

"Except for the seasoning, which is a bit different."

"Indeed, I've never seen that brown paste and black liquid before."

They are called miso and soy sauce, apparently made by Veld using magic. The naming is a bit unclear, but they were well-received by Brandtak and Armstrong during the Parkeinia Grasslands expedition.

"I think it's similar to 'sho.'"

"What's 'sho'?"

According to Elise, 'sho' is a seasoning made in the eastern coastal region of the kingdom. Small fish and shrimp are fermented in large jars with salt. It has a unique smell and flavor but is sold in the capital and has many fans.

"It might be even milder than 'sho,' so it could be popular if sold."

(Oh no, I thought noble girls didn't cook...)

From experience, she might be better at it. She's also good at brewing tea and making sweets.

"Besides, Elise has a great figure."

"That's embarrassing..."

Luise's comment made Elise's face turn red.

"Men tend to look at... you know..."

Her chest. Telling them not to look might be cruel.

"I understand. Even I look at chests."

"Veld does too..."

Indeed, Veld is a man, looking at Elise's chest.

"It's understandable. I think it's attractive."

"Really?"

"Yes, in reality."

"I think Ina is still normal, but I'm worried. Elise, you're lucky. You'll be a winner even as an adult."

The conversation continued, but apart from the decision to have a small birthday party with just us and make the food ourselves, it was mostly trivial.

But it was fun, and I think I got closer to Elise.