ALL NOVEL 47: Guri Spoke!
After greeting Kuro and Shiro, I arrived at the annex house.
Various spring flowers were blooming along the garden path.
This is also a wonderful natural garden!
Just walking along the path makes me excited!
If Grandpa Al wasn’t carrying me, I’d want to skip.
Ignoring my feelings, Grandpa Al quickly opened the front door and went inside.
Oh, today’s companion is Burton.
It’s usually Burton or Martha who accompanies me to the annex. Occasionally, Jeff tags along.
Since it’s within the premises and there are spirits, there’s no need for the guards.
Grandpa Al seated me in a chair with thick cushions and promptly prepared the textbook to start the lesson.
While checking on us, Burton began preparing tea.
Today’s lesson is about the geography around the Radcliffe territory.
I know that to the east is the Ragnard frontier margrave territory, but I’m not familiar with the south.
“As you know, to the north of Radcliffe is an uncharted great forest, and to the west continues the Swolrem mountain range. Beyond the Swolrem mountains lies the Kingdom of Garm, but it’s considered impossible to cross the peaks covered in eternal snow. No adventurer would be foolish enough to aim for those peaks.”
Well, adventurers and explorers are different, aren’t they?
Unless there’s a compelling reason, no one would be that reckless.
With inadequate equipment, you’d either freeze to death or fall to your doom.
I’ve often heard not to underestimate snowy mountains.
I think even a simple hike is too much for me.
Impossible, impossible.
“If you want to go west, you have to head south and cross two territories. There’s no direct route south from here, so you’d have to detour through the Ragnard territory. Although, a renowned adventurer might cut through the forest.”
I see, I see.
By the way, the Earl of Owen’s territory to the south is Lady Cecilia’s hometown. Because of that connection, they buy radberries and melons from us.
It seems the relationship between the houses isn’t bad either.
That’s really appreciated.
After that, Grandpa Al’s lesson turned into more of a travelogue, discussing the features of the territories we’d pass through and the difficulties of crossing the mountains to the Kingdom of Garm.
“Knowing that much should be enough,” Grandpa Al concluded the lesson early.
Isn’t that too soon?
You haven’t even talked for an hour yet?
Did we need the textbook at all?
“Haku boy, it’s better if you don’t leave this territory. You should live here, protected by your family. If you go outside, you’ll just catch the attention of powerful people, and that will be the end.”
Hmm.
That’s just as I hoped, but the last part is scary.
Burton quietly nodded as well.
“Well, if anything happens, your father and everyone in this house will protect you, even if it means hiding you in the great forest. After all, both Jill and I are here. You just stay quietly and be protected.”
Grandpa Al said, patting my head.
“If it comes to it, just dive into the back room and hide!”
He’s laughing cheerfully, but that’s the real plan, isn’t it?
You’re not planning to take advantage of the chaos and move in, are you?
Even if you call yourself a sage, you’re just an eccentric, right?
Hmph.
“How about a break? Please, have some tea, Lord Arscheleed. Master Haku, you must be thirsty too.”
Burton smiled and offered tea.
Grandpa Al got regular tea, while I got milk tea.
It was sweet, royal milk tea with beet sugar!
Mee-Mee taught me how to make royal milk tea.
Well, she probably read the information from my memory.
It’s an easy recipe that even uses cheap tea bags.
I don’t know much about tea, but I’ve had Earl Grey and Darjeeling. I remember buying Oolong, black tea, and flower tea out of curiosity. Gyokuro green tea was delicious, but I’ve never bought it myself.
I like green tea both hot and iced, but I prefer iced tea. But I rarely drank bottled tea.
While I was mulling over such thoughts, Burton was distributing milk to the spirits beside me.
Since there isn’t much farming work this time of year, not only Guri and Poko but also Kuu and Fuu were here. Only Pikka was busy delivering light to the shaded crops, with Yue helping her.
Let’s give those two a treat later.
The spirits were all happily enjoying their afternoon break.
Burton handed out white bread jam sandwiches to each of them.
Even Grandpa Al was taking a bite.
Me? I’m not eating.
I just had lunch.
The spirits’ stomachs are like black holes, in a way!
One day, Guri and Poko said they wanted a jar.
“Want jar.”
Guri spoke in a small voice!
Wow!
W-we need to cook red rice!
Oh no, ahh!
While I was flailing around in a panic, Yue smacked me with her staff.
“Calm down.”
How can I stay calm?
“Take that!”
She poked me repeatedly!
Yue is as relentless as ever.
While we were fooling around, Guri asked Martha for help.
“Is this size okay?”
Martha offered a jar about ten centimeters in diameter, and Guri and Poko nodded enthusiastically and took it.
Then they waved at me and dashed out of the annex.
“Even though they’re always with Master Haku, where did they go?” Martha wondered, tilting her head as she tidied up the kitchen.
When Guri returned in the evening, she was holding a jar full of honey.
“Here.”
She handed it to me with a small voice, and when I took it, both of them blushed and smiled broadly.
“Thank you! Guri, Poko! Did you get this from the bees?”
They nodded shyly.
So cute! Like real angels!
I hugged them tightly.
The other spirits joined in from behind, making a spirit pile!
Martha and Grandpa Al watched the scene with warm smiles.