Progress is Slow
“Maria, how’s the bath additive project coming along?”
“It’s proving difficult. I can’t turn the liquid into powder.”
Turning liquid into powder, huh…
I remember in my previous life, there were places that made traditional bath salts called yunohana. They’d spread blue clay across a thatched hut’s floor and do… something else?
I can’t remember the rest.
Well, maybe just that bit of information will help, so I told Maria.
“I see. May I try it right away near the hot spring source at the estate?”
As I recall, the key was to have a high-temperature spring with lots of steam.
I suggested to Maria that doing it near the source at the hot spring town, rather than the estate’s spring, would likely yield better results.
“The spring at the hot spring town that’s still under construction?”
“It’s hotter than the estate’s one.”
Maria looked eager to head to the hot spring town, so I persuaded her to wait until we consulted with Raziel, and we went to see him together.
After hearing us out, Raziel said,
“Well, I’m glad you came to discuss it first. If you’re going to experiment at the hot spring town, we’ll need to find someone who can act as Maria’s escort and assistant.”
“An assistant?”
“Yes. Even with a guard, it would be dangerous for Maria to spend weeks at a construction site. It’d be better to have an assistant carry out the experiments while Maria only visits periodically once the workshop is finished. After all, Maria is involved in the development of nearly all our products. There are certainly people who’d love to get their hands on her.”
At first I’d thought they were worried about the construction site being mostly men and Maria possibly being harassed, but this made me realize they were more concerned about someone trying to kidnap her for her development skills.
“I have no intention of going anywhere else! We’ve got unlimited hot spring access, delicious food, and sometimes even rare dishes you can’t get anywhere else. The staff rooms are private and secure, and the whole estate is safe. And best of all, I get to develop one interesting thing after another here. There's nowhere else like this!”
Maria, I think you're missing the point.
Raziel is saying people might abduct you, not just poach you.
Still, I’m glad she likes it here. I’ll be relying on her a lot in the future.
“Maria, just wait until we find someone who can be your escort and assistant.”
“Yes, Mr. Raziel. Young master Reinhardt also requested something else from me, so I’ll work on that first.”
“Another request?” Raziel’s face turned grim at her words, so I hurried to explain.
“Father’s already been informed. It’s a tool request for the Vaash pasture.”
“Understood. Please be sure to report everything from now on.”
And with that, I was released without a lecture today. What a relief.
That evening during dinner, Grandmother suddenly said,
“Gerald, Hardt, let’s take a trip to Southcourt together.”
“Mother, that’s quite sudden. A trip with your grandchildren, now? Aren’t you busy managing the hot spring town?”
“Oh, Alf, are you against it?”
“No, it’s just… Is there a reason for this sudden idea?”
When Father pressed, she explained that apparently the former Marchioness Southcourt had found out that Westland was secretly gathering sugar. She’d sent a letter saying they should stop sneaking around and negotiate directly. She also added that if Grandmother didn’t want to come alone, she should bring her grandchildren along.
“Are you on good terms with the former Marchioness Southcourt?”
“Well, she was the one I got along best with during school. And since we both married into frontier noble houses, we often joined forces in social matters.
But I’m sure this is just an excuse—she probably wants to see Cherry and the White Dragon for herself.”
“And knowing that, you still want to take the children?”
“Of course! It’s rare for them to visit another domain. It’ll be a valuable experience. Besides, don’t you want to see the sea?”
“Grandmother… Are you hiding something? Is there another reason you want us to go with you?”
“Ohoho, my grandchildren are so clever. You see, I suspect Cherry’s former home might be in Southcourt. So I thought if you came with me, you might recognize the place.”
With Grandmother’s pressure, Father finally gave in and turned to me with a stern warning not to cause any trouble.
But any chaos that happens isn’t my fault.
It’s the world that makes it into a big deal.
What do you think about this chapter?
