Chapter 86

"Probably, we'll be up all night, but since Cole is preparing the midnight snack, you don't have to worry."

Sora, who had selected bronze plates from the ship that had transported the materials, carried them into the mansion of the former town official, rolled up his sleeves, and announced the start of the work.

The moonlight was weak. However, the garden, which should have been dark, was filled with light.

The magic array that Sora had improved during the journey from the capital was providing the illumination.

It was bright enough to work without any trouble.

The viscount's territory had only recently separated from the Earl of Kleinzelt, which was under the influence of the church.

It was a land where the attitude towards magic was harsh due to the church's influence.

Therefore, Sora chose this mansion, a bit away from the town, as the workplace.

Eventually, it would be necessary to reform the consciousness of the people, but for now, Sora wanted to focus on the task at hand. He looked around at the members in the garden.

In addition to Lulie and Lazette, there were three Flame Corps members, including Gorge, making a total of six people, including Sora. Incidentally, the remaining Flame Corps members were on guard around the perimeter and watching the storage warehouse.

"Before we start, I want to ask... Why isn't Sania here?"

Sora narrowed his eyes and looked at Lazette.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes and pointed to the mansion.

"She's helping Cole. It's difficult for one person to prepare a midnight snack for this many people."

"Be honest. You let her go, didn't you?"

"I just fulfilled her wish."

Lazette tried to play it off.

Sora, who clicked his tongue, pointed at Lulie.

"Sania and you should switch—"

"Rejected. From the perspective of assigning the right person to the right job, and for the sake of my research, I can't accept that order."

Lulie crossed her arms, indicating that she wouldn't budge, and shook her head.

Sora turned to Gorge and the others, but they were the guards. They also had to handle the heavy work, so they couldn't be spared.

Pouting, Sora had Gorge and the others bring the bronze plates.

"The work itself is simple. First, polish these bronze plates. If you can make them as shiny as mirrors, that would be great."

Gorge and the others made a dubious face when they were given bundles of straw and wine to give to the horses.

Gorge and the others knew that this wine was of high quality.

Sora, aware of this, issued a merciless order.

"While using this wine, you can remove the fog. Don't try to drink it secretly."

Gorge and the others, who were given a smile that didn't allow for refusal, took the bundles of straw and started polishing the bronze plates with all their might.

Wine contains citric acid.

The content varies by year, but since lemons and other fruits were not available, Sora had compromised.

Sora began writing on a makeshift board made of wood and clay with a stone.

"I'll explain what we're going to make. Those who are interested can listen while working. Lulie, you don't need to raise your hand."

While feeling disappointed at the intense gaze of the red-haired beauty with shining eyes, Sora read out the name he had written on the board.

As if introducing his favorite toy, Sora continued his explanation.

From the second floor of the mansion, Chaf sighed as he watched Sora and the others.

He had also thought about how to solve the shortage of firewood, but in the end, he couldn't come up with anything.

He had lost in a duel, couldn't keep up with political maneuvering, and was now being shown a difference in intelligence.

– Even though I'm older, I can't match the Viscount of Kleinzelt in anything.

Sora's explanation of his plan reached Chaf's ears.

It was a very simple principle. There was nothing complicated about the device. If given enough time, even a child in town could make it.

"– In other words, if there's no firewood, just use the sun."

Sora's voice, summarizing the explanation, hit his ears.

Chaf leaned against the wall next to the window and closed his eyes.

"…There's no way I can beat someone like that."

The light from the magic in the garden filtered in through the broken wooden window.

The distorted shadows cast by the broken wood seemed to creep into his heart.

"…Lord Trynen?"

Suddenly, a girl's voice caught Chaf's attention.

There, a girl with bear ears stood with a tray of midnight snacks.

"Are you a beastkin? What are you doing on the second floor?"

Surprised by his own irritable voice, he immediately regretted it.

– This is just taking out my frustration on her.

Chaf had noticed the change in her expression during the day.

Moreover, they were alone. She had no one to comfort her when she was down.

Feeling uneasy, Chaf glanced at her expression and was surprised to see her eyes twinkling with a wry smile.

Sania shrugged and smiled wryly.

"The midnight snack was made by Cole, so you can eat it with peace of mind."

After saying this with a wry smile, Sania placed the tray and tried to return to the hallway.

"Wait, that..."

Stopping her, Chaf hesitated, unsure of what to say.

If she was just putting on a brave face, his words might cause her to break down.

Sania slowly turned to Chaf, who couldn't think of what to say next.

"Lord Trynen, I want to clear up a misunderstanding. I don't care if you dislike me."

"…What?"

Sania's sudden "I don't care" statement made Chaf doubt his own ears.

Sania smiled wryly and looked out the window.

"I used to be a street urchin, did you know?"

"Street urchin? What nonsense."

"By the way, Lulie was also a street urchin."

Chaf was speechless at Sania's casual tone and the information she pointed out through the window.

She didn't seem to be lying, but it was hard to believe.

How could a street urchin have any connection with the noble Sora Kleinzelt?

Moreover, the intelligent girl in the garden, who was listening to Sora's explanation and asking insightful questions, being a street urchin was beyond his imagination.

While leaving Chaf in a whirl of confusion, Sania gazed at the garden with a gentle smile.

"Sora-sama saved us street urchins. I'm very grateful. But..."

Sania looked at Chaf with a troubled expression.

"I was worried that, as a viscount, there might be some bad rumors about me being a beastkin. But Sora-sama didn't change his attitude towards me."

It seems I don't need to worry anymore, Sania said, looking at the garden with gleaming eyes, then turned her back to Chaf.

"There aren't many nobles who don't care about such petty things like being a street urchin or a beastkin. Knowing that you're different from Lord Trynen, I feel much more at ease."

Listening to Sania's receding footsteps, Chaf stared at the floor.

– That's not the way a noble thinks.

However, it was a fact that this attitude was winning Sora more and more popularity.

– If I'm inferior in both ability and character, what can I do...

In the dark hallway, Chaf continued to stare at the floor for a long time.