Chapter 13

Randolph, the Margrave, invited me to stay overnight at his residence, but my father seemed so nervous that he was about to collapse, so I insisted on going home.

Well, I also want to get back home as soon as possible. My mother must be worried waiting alone, and after the stampede, I'm even more concerned.

According to the Margrave, a few knights are in Oren Village for precaution. Still, I can't help but feel uneasy.

So, we decided to go home and managed to get on the carriage safely. For some reason, I received various items as souvenirs. Apparently, it was because I informed them about the stampede promptly. Officially, it was a legitimate reward.

...Officially, that is.

For some reason, the Margrave's wife, Mrs. Myle, asked me if there was anything I wanted, rather than my father. ...It seems she was hinting that I should hurry up and make cookies. I could give her the recipe, though.

When I mentioned the recipe, she smiled and replied, "Oh? According to Lebrant, he doesn't know anything about the people he trades with. They just occasionally drop by to sell things. It can't be you, can it, Owl?"

"Um, well, you see..."

"Otherwise, it would mean Lebrant lied to me. If that's the case, I might have to punish him for disrespect..."

Hmm, no way out. This must be what they call checkmate. ...At the age of six, I've been targeted by a noble, and not just any noble, but a Margrave.

"Well, regardless, I hope to be good friends with you, Owl. Okay?"

"Ah, yes. It's an honor..."

"Hehe, not with me, but with you, Owl. Come on, let's head to Oren Village!"

It seems she's coming along. I had a hunch, but she really is. Ah, you must really want cookies, huh? I understand.

From there, the carriage ride was uneventful. For some reason, my father was in the same carriage as the cat-eared maid, while I was with Mrs. Myle. My father must have sold me out to get along with the maid... I need to settle this grudge!

Remember this, muscle-brained gorilla. Once I get home, it's the end for you. Enjoy your remaining days. After all, we have a demon mother at home!

...Phew. I feel better.

It seems I was grinning, and Mrs. Myle was looking at me strangely. ...Can't I use magic to make a poker face?

I thought Mrs. Myle would ask me all sorts of questions since we were alone, but she just chatted about everyday things.

When I mentioned Mirei, who lives next door, she seemed quite pleased, so I realized she's a woman too. ...B, but Mirei isn't like that! Don't misunderstand!

Before I knew it, we were almost at Oren Village. I don't want to talk about love for a while. The phrase "rooting and digging" is well said. People in the past were geniuses.

This is what I heard from a knight during a break. Apparently, a few houses were partially destroyed in the stampede, but they're getting aid and have set up temporary tents. They'll live there for a while, but they're happy because their homes will be new.

...Am I the only one who thinks people in this world have steel-like mental strength?

"I'm home, Mom!"

"Oh, welcome back, Owl. You were quick? Where's your father?"

"Actually, I—"

I explained the situation.

"Hmm...? Owl, you should stay at Mirei's house tonight. She was worried about you too."

"U, um, okay."

I must never anger my mother. This is our new family rule. My usually gentle mother, who rarely complains and always smiles, has a Kali-like figure behind her.

That's not quite right. In this world, it's like an Ogre King behind her. By the way, the Ogre King's slaying rank is S.

Don't provoke the god... or the mother!

That's right. I wanted to play with Mirei too, so it's perfect.

Father, rest in peace...

"Hehe, what a lovely family. I'm a bit envious."

"Margrave's wife?! I'm so sorry for not offering you any hospitality! Here, muscle-brained pervert gorilla! Take care of the lady!"

I'm already a pro at subtly insulting my father.

"Here, please sit. It's a bit messy, but..."

Mother was saying, "It's not much, but..." and was bringing out my cookies... or rather, the cookies she manages.

She was proudly saying, "My son makes them for me~" as if she wanted to show off to the nobles. Mother, that's a bad move.

Even Mrs. Myle was smiling wryly. It seems she decided to ignore it.

...But her hand didn't stop eating the cookies.

Mrs. Myle eating the cookies.

Mother watching her with a sad look.

The cat-eared maid looking envious.

Father, scared of Mother, ready to run away.

It's chaos...

After eating a few cookies, Mrs. Myle seemed satisfied and got back on the carriage. It seems she really came for the cookies. She said she would check the nearby villages for damage, but I'm sure it's just an excuse to get more cookies.

In the end, I stayed at Mirei's house that day. Good things come to those who wait. ...I think the meaning is a bit off, but I hope the nuance gets across.

I felt bad about eating Mirei's food for free, so I subtly gave her the meat I got from the stampede, and she accepted it without any suspicion. It's good to have a good neighbor. Not that she's weak-headed... Well, it depends on the situation, I guess.

Mirei, scared by the stampede, invited me to sleep with her. E, what kind of reward... Nnn! Well, I was definitely scared too. With so many monsters, including the S-rank Emperor Dinosaur, a lot happened, and I realized my body was still trembling. Mirei might have invited me out of concern...

I felt a warm feeling in my heart, but I didn't realize it was love. Mirei, getting frustrated with Owl, who still hasn't realized it.

Our relationship isn't worth talking about yet. By the way, Mirei is one year older than me, turning 8 this year, but her development is surprisingly good. For an 8-year-old, that is.

We slept side by side in the narrow bed, but Mirei, acting like an older sister, seemed to be stretching herself, which made me like her even more. After a while, Mirei started snoring softly. She was so cute that I couldn't help but stroke her head. Even in her sleep, she seemed ticklish, which made her even cuter.

When I was about to doze off, Mirei suddenly hugged me in her sleep, mumbling, "Owl... I like you." I wonder what kind of dream she's having. I wish I could hear it. The Owl in her dream must be so lucky. I said, "I like you too," figuring the Owl in her dream must be having a good time.

In the morning, Mirei seemed to avoid eye contact with me. But she didn't seem angry. ...Hmm, is it her period? Wait, do kids even have periods?

Feeling guilty about having breakfast, I went home and found my mother making breakfast and my father, looking ragged, in the corner of the room.

When I poked him, he responded, so he was still alive. Feeling sorry for him, I cast a Heal spell on him without my mother noticing.

After breakfast, I quickly finished helping in the fields. Just to be safe, I walked in the forest and found that small animals were returning, indicating it was returning to normal.

Feeling relieved, I went back to the secret forest and took out the Emperor Dinosaur. It looked quite gruesome because I hadn't bled it out. After using magic to finish the bleeding, I was overwhelmed by its size.

...I did well to take it down. But what should I do with it? I could sell it to Lebrant, but if I do, I won't be seen as a normal child.

I could make weapons or armor, but I'm still growing, so they would become too small quickly. Besides, I prefer spears or swords to swords. I could store it for now. I could make weapons or armor when I grow more.

After that, I started bleeding and disassembling the monsters I collected during the stampede. There were so many that I tried to create a disassembly spell. The Item Box got a disassembly function. It's definitely a convenient feature.

...But, don't I have too much magical talent? Being able to use magic so easily and conveniently feels like a cheat. Still, I won't stop getting stronger for my parents, myself, and Mirei. It's too late to regret if something happens.

Even with a cheat, I'm not omnipotent. For example, I can't use a status-checking spell. It seems only those with innate abilities can use identification spells. I need to be mindful and keep improving.

That night, I tried the Orc Knight meat, which I had never eaten before, and it was so delicious that I got goosebumps. The forest boar was good, but the Orc Knight meat was like pork. This could make perfect bacon! I still have over 20 Orc Knights, so I can make bacon without any worries.

I also have wheat, so I could make pasta. If I had eggs and milk, I could make carbonara. I could make pancetta, which is called raw bacon, and guanciale, which is salted pork jowl. I could also make prosciutto. There seems to be no prosciutto in this world, so it might be quite profitable. There are many salted and dried meats, but they're not very tasty. My mother's dried meat is delicious, but I don't know how she makes it.

For now, I'll call it Orc meat. Owl decided to make various things with Orc meat while doing farm work.

I'll update this bit by bit.

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