ALL NOVEL 55: Recent Developments and Botanical Garden Tour 1
In late autumn, Father and the others returned from the royal capital.
Not only were they tired from the horse travel, but the unfamiliar socializing had also mentally exhausted them.
Father seemed to have lost some weight, so I had him eat a lot of delicious roasted sweet potatoes.
Sweet potatoes are high in nutrients and fiber. Most importantly, their sweetness is good for the soul!
—
It seems that Oscar’s engagement ceremony went smoothly.
Large rose pots were placed around the garden, and their full blooms amazed the guests.
Lady Cecilia was said to have smiled proudly with her eyes forming crescents.
—
Ren’s rounds of greetings also went off without a hitch.
Well, it seems that Lord Leon and Grandfather Jill took great care in ensuring everything went smoothly.
Being introduced as Grandfather Jill’s grandson, even a baron’s family couldn’t disregard him.
I’m glad everything worked out.
—
Father also completed the financial report for our territory.
In this country, even nobles have to pay taxes to the kingdom. Unlike certain medieval European kingdoms where nobles and clergy were tax-exempt, the running costs of the country are covered by taxes from each territory.
Well, discussions about taxes can wait until I’m older. It’s not interesting anyway!
—
Autumn passed in a flurry, and winter arrived.
The Radcliffe territory, located inland in the north, is cold and snowy during winter.
During winter, we also have the orphanage group working indoors.
Millie, Sophie, and Eric make magic protection charms in the workshop, weave baskets from straw, and sometimes make jam.
If they want to create something else, they are free to do so.
If the work is good, Harud Trading Company buys it.
—
Noel transports raw materials for magic protection charms to Luke Village by horse sled, takes care of the horses and cleans the stables upon his return, and joins Millie and the others when he has time.
Billy helps with shoveling snow around the mansion and carrying firewood.
—
The village support group makes magic protection charms in their homes.
The Adventurers’ Guild Camille branch is distributing these charms to other branches, taking a good commission, and orders keep coming in.
Recently, customers have been coming directly to Luke Village to pick up the products, saving on delivery costs.
As long as we make them, they sell, and they earn commissions from selling them—it’s a win-win situation!
Due to the Camille Village head’s request, we started making magic protection charms in Camille Village this winter. The raw materials are delivered by retainers on their rounds.
All the charms made in Camille Village are sold to Harud Trading Company.
—
Recently, I’ve been leaving the material delivery to Mee-Mee and Burton, so I don’t have much to do.
Maybe I’ll just laze around?
—
During winter, I hardly go outside.
Huh? Playing in the snow?
Is it tasty?
If I can eat roasted mochi inside an igloo, maybe. Sweet sake is delicious, too.
But this world doesn’t have those.
—
However, this year, I’ve been going outside to go between the main house and the annex.
The paths are easy to walk on because everyone shovels the snow, but the cold air turns my cheeks and ears red.
Bundled up in a fluffy coat, wool hat, mittens, and fur boots, I brave the cold.
It’s cold, so cold. I wish spring would come soon.
Thinking that, I keep walking.
Still, once I pass through the gate to the annex, it’s a different world, slightly warm despite being winter.
Well, the whole area is a mysterious space!
—
After finishing my studies in the annex’s living room, there’s not much to do.
I found winter boring, but Grandfather Jill, with a beaming smile, suggested exploring the inner world.
Apparently, he had been waiting for me to have free time.
He proudly said, “I even held back for this,” but I know he was engrossed in mixing and alchemy in the storage workshop.
—
“Exploring? It’s just a botanical garden with fields and the little spirits’ village, isn’t it?”
I looked at Burton, today’s attendant, for advice.
“Please wait a moment. I will check with Master.”
With that, Burton left the annex.
—
After a while, Burton returned with Father.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Father said enthusiastically.
Huh, he’s quite lively today?
Is Father coming too?
There are no magical beasts in my botanical garden.
He might be disappointed…
—
And so, we arrived at Fairy Tale Town.
Although it was winter in the real world, it was spring in the botanical garden.
Everyone took off their coats and sweaters and left them in the storage. I even took off my wool pants. Burton neatly folded them for me.
Thank you.
—
In Fairy Tale Town, now called the botanical garden, the sky was clear.
The sky was a deep blue, the mountains were covered in fresh green, and the rice fields swayed with newly planted seedlings. The blue sky and white clouds reflected in the rice fields stretched far into the distance.
Wow, the oxygen level feels high.
Yes, deep breaths with diaphragm breathing. Inhale, exhale.
—
Looking up, the spirits were flying freely.
“Grie and the others, you can go play too.”
At my call, they glanced at each other shyly, nodded, and flew off with big smiles.
“Have fun!”
I waved them off.
—
“Let me guide you today.”
Mee-Mee appeared before us.
As always, he’s so elusive.
—
The tour started in front of the rice fields.
“This is beautiful! I’ve never seen anything like it!”
Grandfather Jill exclaimed, running to the edge of the rice fields.
As free-spirited as ever.
He might just run off on his own.
—
“Lord Alshareed, have you never seen this scenery despite traveling the world?”
Father asked curiously as we approached Grandfather Jill, hand in hand.
Being called the Sage of Dawn, does Grandfather Jill not know about rice cultivation in this world?
—
Mee-Mee then explained about rice.
“This is called rice. Unlike wheat, which grows straight towards the sky, rice bows its head. This is called paddy rice, grown in rice paddies, but there’s also upland rice grown in fields. Perhaps you’ve seen upland rice in warm regions?”
I nodded along to the new information.
—
Grandfather Jill folded his arms, trying to recall something.
“Well, now that you mention it, I think I’ve seen it… or not.”
He doesn’t remember, huh.
Well, he might not have noticed if it was in its green leafy stage.
—
“Rice is planted in spring and harvested in autumn. The rice fields before us will turn golden in autumn, creating another beautiful scene.”
Mee-Mee nodded to himself as he explained.
I get it!
It’s a scene that evokes nostalgia.
A homeland for the Japanese heart.
Although I have never experienced rice farming myself!