Chapter 66

After returning home, I drank a sour guava juice after dinner, and recalled that I had mentioned making alcohol.

When I think of something, I act on it immediately. No, it's not because I don't want to drink the sour stuff anymore.

I have to act before Garam starts suffering from withdrawal symptoms. After all, you can't make alcohol instantly.

So, all the housekeepers gathered to collect all the guavas in the mansion.

I was surprised by the amount, but that was a secret I kept to myself.

Anyway, it was fun to work together, crushing the guavas and throwing them into the barrel.

It's not often that we all work together like this.

Surprisingly, Baltro's hands were very skilled, and his work speed was the fastest.

Maybe it's because he's a gardener and is used to handling fruits?

"Sorry, Baltro. The garden is just an empty lot now. I'll turn it into a field soon. I want to plant some Stuka trees too."

"Yeah. I'm looking forward to it. Will Lord Joshua choose what to plant?"

"Let's choose together. But if it's a field or planting trees, it's more like agriculture than gardening."

"It's fine as long as Lord Joshua enjoys it. Personally, I'd prefer to have something edible."

We high-fived and smiled at each other.

In the midst of this, there was one girl who stood out. She was a serious girl with a dignified demeanor.

Her name is Eri.

She always takes pride in being a maid and never breaks her polite speech and manners.

She grabbed a guava and crushed it in her hand.

She is a maid who can easily crush an apple with one hand.

Well, it's fine, but why not use the tools we have?

"What's the matter, Lord Joshua?"

"No, it's almost done. It goes faster when everyone works together."

Eri's tilted head and the crushed guava were quite an odd sight.

"Lord Joshua, I have prepared the lid."

"Thank you! Rumburk."

The barrel was not something we brought in, but one that was already in the mansion.

The lid was damaged and unusable, so we had Rumburk fix it.

True to his meticulous nature, he brought a beautiful wooden lid.

"Alright, let's close the lid and call it done."

"I'll check on it every day."

Rumburk straightened his back and performed an elegant bow.

Oh, one more thing.

I whispered in Eri's ear as she washed her hands.

"Eri, can you come later?"

"Y-You want me to come?"

"Is it not okay?"

"N-No, I'm more than welcome! I'll come immediately..."

"After you finish your work is fine."

"Y-Yes!"

Eri's face turned bright red, but I didn't say anything embarrassing, did I?

◇◇◇

So, I was lying on my bed in my room, reflecting on the day.

The blacksmith, which now has a research building attached, is going well. We need to discover new materials, but with the help of our strong ally, the penguin, our scientific progress has advanced significantly on paper.

The penguin has more scientific knowledge than I do, as evidenced by his previous statements.

With the addition of Sequoia, the foremost expert in magical theory, we might have better development capabilities than during the principality era, despite our small numbers.

Especially in terms of scientific knowledge, we are far ahead of the principality era. However, we must not forget that it's still theoretical.

Both science and magic are only as good as their practical applications. I am well aware of this.

My job is to connect the power of science and magic to the real world. We have the experts.

Penguin, Sequoia, Garam, Thor, and their disciples. With them, I believe we can make anything.

"Blacksmith and research depend on materials. The rest is just coming up with ideas of what I want. They can make it practical!"

Just as I clenched my fist and said "Alright," there was a knock on the door.

"It's Eri."

"Oh, sorry for calling you after your work."

When I opened the door, Eri was standing there in a thin yellow nightgown, different from her usual maid outfit.

Her long hair was tied up, and her neck was slightly tinged with pink.

Had she just come out of the bath?

Of course, I had also taken a bath while waiting.

This mansion has a bath, which is a luxury. However, we might have to close it if we can't secure a steady supply of magic stones.

But it'll be fine. It will work out.

"Come in."

"Y-Yes!"

My room only has a bed and a desk.

There is only one chair at the desk.

So, I sat on the bed and called out to Eri, who was standing and fidgeting.

She could have sat down on her own, but that's just like Eri.

"You can sit down, you know."

"Y-Yes. Excuse me."

Plop.

For some reason, Eri sat down next to me.

Well, it's fine.

But our thighs were almost touching, and the scent of perfume was wafting from her, probably because she had just taken a bath.

"A-Ah... Are you using perfume?"

"Y-Yes. I used it for Lord Joshua."

"No, I'm not scolding you. I just thought about it again when I smelled the perfume."

"W-Well, I..."

Eri was stammering.

I'm not scolding her, though.

"Perfumes and other luxuries that enrich life are necessary. I haven't considered this at all. Thinking about the progress of industry gives me a headache..."

"Y-Yes! But, Lord Joshua will definitely succeed!"

"Only step by step and steadily. It's not just about building a house. I just realized that. Thank you, Eri."

"I-I have nothing to thank you for..."

She's been unusually flustered. It's not like Eri.

Usually, she moves gracefully and speaks clearly.

Maybe she's nervous when it's just the two of us... It's a bit complicated.

"Eri. I guess it's just the two of us..."

"N-No! I'm more than welcome! There's nothing I enjoy more!"

"O-Okay."

Oh, no, this is bad.

Her voice is high-pitched, and it's a mess.

I thought it would be easier to talk without worrying about others' eyes, but it's having the opposite effect.

"I called you because I have something to ask."

"W-Whenever, what?"

"Today, you were with Char, right?"

"Yes. I was with Charlotte-sama."

"How did she react to the introduction of the town, the residents, and the work we will do?"

"She had already grasped everything today."

"R-Really... Did she rest properly?"

"No, she kept moving. I asked her to eat, and she did while walking."

"I-Is that so... Sorry, Eri. You didn't get any rest either, did you? I'm sorry for calling you at night."

"N-No! Whenever Lord Joshua calls, I am always ready, no matter what!"

Eri clenched her fists and stood up.

She's really determined. I'm worried she might collapse if she keeps going all out like this.

At a time like this, if it were Arle or Sequoia...

Yeah.

I put my hand on her shoulder on the far side and gently pulled her shoulder towards mine.

"Eri, don't overdo it. Let's take it easy and relax, okay?"

"..."

I turned my head to the side and smiled at her as best I could.

With her face and neck flushed red, she bowed her head and froze.

"Please work with me well from tomorrow."

"H-Hands, hands..."

"Ah, sorry. Patting the head was childish, wasn't it?"

"N-No, not at all!"

Since both Sequoia and Arle pat people when they praise them, I tried the same, but Eri isn't a child.

I thought I had made a mistake again, but Eri placed her hand on mine and smiled softly.

"Since you've grasped all the work, we need to think about the assignments too."

"Everyone is scheduled to gather tomorrow. It might be better to hear their opinions first."

"Yeah, that's true."

I pulled my hand from her head and patted my knees.

Alright, let's work hard from tomorrow!