Apparently They’d Grown Up
When I said, “Alright, see you again in two months,” to the Alraune, instead of the usual single one, three of them came with ribbons tied around their waists.
“How do we look?” They each spun once in front of me.
“You look great.” I said, and they smiled happily and thanked me.
“And, um... if it’s okay, could you make us some clothes too?”
“Clothes?”
It seemed they really liked the embroidery, and now they wanted clothes with embroidery on them.
“I don’t know your sizes, and the person who makes clothes can’t come here easily.” I told them, but the three of them desperately begged me, even prostrating themselves.
Prostrating... so that exists in this world too?
Hmm, what should I do?
“Would it be possible for one of you to come to the mansion? Maybe Ciel or Ripka’s parents could come pick you up afterward. It’d be dangerous for you to go back to the forest alone if someone was targeting you.” I suggested, and the three of them started discussing it among themselves.
After a while, they told me that they wanted to visit one at a time, so they could each choose their favorite embroidery and color. And they wanted to ask Ciel to accompany them both ways.
I couldn’t decide on my own, but since Ciel and the Alraune knew each other, it was probably fine.
When I asked, “So who’s coming with us first?” they said the Alraune who always talked to me would go.
That Alraune flew over and perched on my shoulder, so I headed to where Brother Gerald and the others were waiting.
“Hadrt, what’s going on? You’ve got an Alraune on your shoulder.”
So I explained to Brother Gerald and the others that the Alraune wanted clothes with embroidery, and she would come with us to the mansion.
He looked surprised, but all he said was, “I see.”
Back at the mansion, people we passed kept reacting in shock. Lately, our house had been feeling more and more like a zoo, so the surprise reactions had died down, but it had been a while since I saw those faces.
I went to see Mother in her study.
“Oh, Hardt, welcome ho—...me. And who might this be?”
“This is an Alraune. The one with the ribbon.”
“Oh my, a guest from the World Tree. I’m Violetta, Hardt’s mother. I’m so glad you like the ribbon.”
“It’s very cute, thank you.” Said the Alraune with a polite bow.
When Mother asked if something had happened, I told her about the Alraune’s request, and she gave me the biggest smile.
“This house is full of boys—it’s been dull. Leave this to me!”
I also told her that the other two Alraune would come one by one as well.
“Oh my, I’m looking forward to that. I’d better start preparing right away.”
I left the Alraune with Mother and headed to Father’s study.
Brother Gerald was already there.
“Hardt, Gerald told me. Leave the Alraune to Vivi. We don’t have any girls in this house, so she must be thrilled.”
“Yes, Mother looked really excited.”
“Right after you returned from the World Tree, a letter came from Duke Clondale. He said the seed you gave him sprouted and bore fruit in the dungeon. He’s asking you to come take a look, since it might turn into a business venture. Hardt, what did you do? You didn’t tell us.”
Oh, I forgot to report that.
I explained how Raphael had told me there was a possible ingredient for curry powder on the fifth floor of the herb and fruit dungeon in the Clondale Dukedom. The ingredient was left unused because no one knew how to process it, and that floor didn’t have anything else.
I figured it might grow into a spice for curry powder, so I asked them to try planting it, not knowing if it would even grow in a dungeon. I also mentioned that if it worked, it might become good business.
“I think your judgment was sound. If our house and the Duke’s family co-manage this curry powder venture, it will reduce attention on the beastkin. But like I always say, consult us before you act. Otherwise, we can’t back you up.”
“Hardt, you acted on the Duke’s dungeon because you wanted to protect the beastkin. But if this venture succeeds, even more nobles will try to gain your favor for potential profits, and we won’t be able to protect you anymore.”
I understood that they were already protecting me in various ways. There must be all kinds of things going on behind the scenes.
I try to be careful, but once I get an idea, I tend to charge ahead.
Noticing I was feeling down, Father told me that next time, I should just come consult him as soon as I had an idea.
“Father, do you remember the curry powder the beastkin brought? There was another thing with it. That might cause a big stir too.” I remembered and decided to mention it.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s called rice. In my previous life, it was a staple food—kind of like bread here. There are all kinds of ways to eat it, especially with curry powder. I think it’ll probably be popular once people know how to make it.”
“You mean the thing Saphid and the others said was animal feed? Leave that alone for now. Wait until this year’s harvest is over. For now, just focus on the curry powder.”
What do you think about this chapter?
