Chapter 39

When I was invited to Helkov's house, it was as if on cue that unexpected visitors suddenly arrived.

It was so dark, it was almost night.

After confirming that I was hidden, Helkov responded casually.

"What is it?"

Then the visitors opened the door and came in on their own.

"Huh!? Just one person?"

"That can't be..."

"Where did the person you brought with you go?"

Three bear cubs appeared.

They were fluffy and round, with each part of their bodies being spherical.

It seemed they had come thinking someone was there.

Why?

"You guys..."

Helkov growled.

Despite his terrifying wild beast face, the three bear cubs were not intimidated.

In fact, they seemed to be close acquaintances.

"I thought spring had finally come to your uncle."

"Definitely, you've been staying up late and you've met someone nice, right?"

"Your footsteps were light and your voice was high."

Oh, this...

(From their statements, it can be inferred that they are likely related.)

(That's probably true, but it's a bit troublesome to be thought of as a new partner.)

(The reason for the trouble is incomprehensible. The question is whether the tutor Helkov has a marriage history.)

(Yes, I only heard about it, but apparently, he was already widowed when we met.)

In his younger days, Helkov had a beast wife.

I don't know the details, but I heard that she had passed away.

He had no children and chose not to remarry, remaining faithful to his late wife.

He had been a widower for about ten years since his father was in the military.

And my father, too, had become a widower after my mother passed away.

Helkov had taken care of him during his depression, giving him advice to cheer him up and to think about his child.

(Then, when my father became the crown prince, I was entrusted to Helkov as a tutor in the palace.)

I learned all this from Varel and Ikt.

Helkov himself doesn't like to talk about it, saying it's not a big deal.

By the way, this might be the first time Sefira has shown interest in others.

With more communication through voice and light, she might be developing better communication skills?

"You can't fool us! Someone was definitely here!"

"The smell is still here! Someone was here!"

"We know you made someone sit in this chair!"

The bear cubs, who are Helkov's nephews, seemed to have come in thinking I was still in the room.

They hadn't noticed the smell I had left behind, even though I had hidden it.

(I asked Helkov if it was okay to show myself.)

I made contact through Sefira.

Helkov's response was a brief explanation of his nephews' situation.

It seems they are all craftsmen, but they are not quite at the level of journeymen.

They have been told to return to their northern hometown, but they like living in the capital and don't want to go back.

(To avoid the pressure to return home, they are using the story of Helkov's nice person, what is that?)

(I can't understand it.)

Well, I understand, but it's a bit simplistic.

They have no connections in the nobility, and if I tell them I'm incognito, they won't spread the word or get involved with the nobility.

In other words, they might be just the right people.

I moved to the back of Helkov's bed and crouched down.

"Good evening."

I turned off the optical camouflage and stood up, and the bear cubs were so surprised they recoiled, their fur standing on end.

"Don't spout nonsense!"

"Ouch!"

Taking advantage of the moment, Helkov hit all three of them on the head in quick succession with his thick, pawed hands.

"My name is Dinker. I'm the son of one of Helkov's military colleagues and I came for advice. Who are you guys?"

"Oh, Dinker. These guys are adults. The difference in build is because of their dwarf heritage. They are over a generation older than me."

Oh, they are adults.

A generation older, that's about twelve years in this world, so they must be over twenty, like Harty?

And they are triplets.

I can't tell the difference between beast people, but these three have the same face.

"Since you seem so polite, you can keep your attitude. I'm Renato, a woodworker."

The orange-furred bear cub introduced himself, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Since you're in the military, you must be some noble's son, right? I'm Terynti, a blacksmith."

The mostly yellow-furred bear cub, with white fur on his neck and hands, laughed casually.

"Elas, a glassmaker. Where are your parents at this hour?"

Purple fur, it seems that even in this world, my past life's color perception doesn't quite fit.

"Let them rest a bit, I'll send them back soon. But you came and disturbed us."

Helkov pinned down the orange-furred Renato, who then raised his nose.

"...I smell alcohol."

"What!?"

"Damn!"

Before long, Helkov was tackled by the three bear cubs.

Despite the size difference, with all three clinging to him, Helkov couldn't move.

"Hey, this scene looks familiar."

I have a strong sense of déjà vu.

Well, without thinking, it must be the three investors that Mollie called.

By the way, dwarves love alcohol.

Helkov likes alcohol too, so maybe the triplets' parents met over alcohol?

(But, woodworking, blacksmithing, and glassmaking. They are just right. Sefira, search the imperial library for books on alchemical equipment manufacturing.)

(Noted.)

While Sefira prepared to draw knowledge from the books she had read, I spoke up.

"Helkov is helping me. That's why you smell it."

"Speaking of which, you smell like medicine. Are you a pharmacist?"

The yellow and white-furred Terynti asked, thinking out loud.

"I'm making something close to medicinal alcohol. But since I'm a child, Helkov is acting as an intermediary."

"Ah! That delicious alcohol! Did Dinker make it!?"

The purple-furred Elas, with his sharp eyes, seemed to have figured it out right away.

When I nodded, Helkov quickly grabbed the two by the sides and stepped on the other one.

It was a rough but quick restraint.

"Hey, so, Dinker?"

"Actually, I'm in a bit of a bind because I can't find a craftsman who can make the equipment that significantly affects the quality of the alcohol."

"What!?"

Helkov looked up at the ceiling in resignation and then gave a warning.

"I can't guarantee their skills."

"I need to create something that has never been made before. I think it will require time and passion."

"Ah, well, that might be true."

"Please! Let us help!"

The three bear cubs were quick to respond.

They hadn't even asked what I was making, but they were quick to decide.

Does alcohol have that much magic?

I had some conditions in mind when I invited them.

Well, I'll mention them just in case.

"The taste test so far has only been with people who have the same preferences. I also want to hear your opinions."

"We have a bit of a nose for it!"

"I prefer a good texture!"

"Smoothness! Nothing beats it, and I like it a bit sweeter than the two of them!"

The three bear cubs, in a flurry of excitement, tried to sell themselves.

Even as triplets, they had different taste preferences.

I remember reading somewhere that taste and smell are influenced by memories of good and bad experiences.

Well, I'm grateful for the quick response.

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Next: The Three Bear Cubs 4