Presentation
“The hot spring was absolutely wonderful. My skin feels so smooth, and the fatigue from our travels just melted away,” Grandmother said as she touched her cheek and shared her impression.
“I agree. The moment I got out of the bath, all the weariness from the trip was gone. This hot spring is something else,” Grandfather added, sipping a chilled ale from a glass Grandmother had handed him while lounging on the sofa.
“Well then, how about you explain what’s been going on over the past year or so?”
Father began recounting everything to Grandfather and Grandmother, starting with the first encounter with Atre. As I listened, I couldn’t help but reflect—so much really has happened.
Though a part of me felt uneasy, realizing that my relaxed lifestyle was drifting further and further away, I still prayed that there wouldn’t be any more sudden developments.
“Hardt, you’re acting like this is someone else’s problem, but every single one of these issues started with you,” Father suddenly turned the blame my way mid-explanation.
“I was just reflecting, thinking back on everything that’s happened. But not all of it is my fault. I worked hard and acted with good intentions to solve the problems in the forest.”
I know I’ve caused plenty of trouble, but how could I possibly predict that every little thing I do would snowball into something so huge?
“And this lack of remorse is exactly the problem.”
“So this letter you sent asking for help was basically to say you guys can’t handle it alone and you want us to lend a hand?” Grandfather immediately saw through it. I underestimated a former lord… Sorry.
“Father…”
“I’ve governed as a lord too, you know. Just listening to the situation, I can already grasp what’s happening. So, what exactly do you want me to do?”
Father looked at me, clearly saying you say it. We exchanged looks, both mentally urging the other, until—
“Hurry up and spit it out,” came the pressuring voice.
“We’re going to build a new town. A hot spring town. Grandfather, we’d like you to oversee it.” I declared loudly and began to explain the vision.
“A town where the people can enjoy themselves casually, and get a little taste of vacation, huh?”
“Yes. Grandfather and Grandmother, you’ve spent over a year traveling through the Empire. We’d like to incorporate your experiences—both the good and bad from the inns you stayed at—into the new town. Ideally, it would have a unified look and make people feel like they’ve traveled to a foreign land.”
Sure, we have a hot spring here at the estate, but isn’t it more fun to have lots of different types? If we could include walking paths or a playground where kids can play, that would be great too—I continued presenting enthusiastically.
“Hardt, this plan is way bigger than I was told! I didn’t hear about any of this!” Father shouted, but I ignored him and focused on convincing my grandparents.
You’re the one who told me to talk, Father. No complaints now.
“Say, Hardt, do you already have an idea of what kind of foreign-style buildings you want?”
Grandmother suddenly asked.
“No, I’d like to leave that to you and Grandfather. If there was a town you liked during your travels, we could try to recreate it.”
“Oh, I really liked Fleur Village. It was so cute. I remember thinking it’d be nice to have a place like that nearby.”
“Fleur Village, huh? Isn’t that a bit too cute?” Grandfather didn’t seem too keen on the idea.
According to them, Fleur Village had white houses with roofs, window frames, and doors all painted in matching colors—except no two neighboring houses could have the same color. It was a very colorful, cheerful place to look at.
Apparently, it was also well-known for rose cultivation and breeding, with many rare colors and unique shapes of roses planted around the town. Walking around and looking at them was a delight.
We don’t know yet if roses will grow well in a hot spring town, but the scenery would be fresh and different for Westland.
“A hot spring with roses floating in it sounds like it would be a hit with women.”
“Oh, that does sound nice. Buildings here in Westland are usually built for durability because of monster threats, so something like Fleur Village really stood out.”
Just a little more and I might have Grandmother on board…
“Grandfather, Grandmother—how about creating a new town, something that doesn’t exist anywhere else in this kingdom?”
“Oh my, you want me involved too?”
“Yes. I’d like Grandfather to oversee the town as a whole, and Grandmother to take charge of the aesthetics—exterior and interior designs, concepts that make people want to come back, even the food. I want the two of you to work together from a woman’s perspective as well.”
“Oh my, Hardt, you really know how to tug at people’s hearts and get them fired up. I didn’t know you had that in you. Ignart, doesn’t this sound like fun? And it’s our grandson asking.”
“Hardt, if you want me to manage this new town, then give me a gift that surprises me.”
I sighed. I knew it would come to this.
“All right. I’ll design and give you a decorative knife. But just so we’re clear, I can’t guarantee it’ll form a bond like with the familiars.”
Still, Grandfather looked at me with amusement and said to Grandmother, “Sophia, I’m looking forward to Hardt’s gift.”
“Oh, me too. A present from our grandson? I couldn’t be more delighted.”
You too, Grandmother…?
“I’m telling you, everything up until now was just coincidence!”
“You want to work an old man like me to the bone? Not unless I get something in return.”
Old man? Please. You still look so youthful—what are you even talking about?
What do you think about this chapter?
