Not Yet
The next day, knights surrounded our carriage in a tight escort as we returned to the manor in the domain capital.
There hadn’t been a second intrusion at the Varshe farm.
Tomorrow, Raphael and the others would head back to the royal capital. Their attendants and maids were busy stuffing souvenirs and food into Magic Bags—“That’s ours, isn’t it? You already packed some, didn’t you? Don’t steal mine!”—the kitchen was in an uproar.
They’d all get an equal share to take home, so why were they getting so heated?
“The more they pack, the more they get to eat themselves,” Raphael explained.
“But they’ve been eating here already?”
“That’s true,” Brigitte said, “but once we’re back, all they’ll have is what they brought with them. Of course they’re desperate.”
With the kitchen in chaos, I moved to the salon.
“Brother Hubert, we’ll need to have plenty of powdered matcha made.”
“Once I return to the Garuda lands, I’ll increase next year’s planting.”
“It’s the same leaf as tea, right?”
“Yes. I don’t think the demand for matcha will keep up. It’s frustrating that I’ll be at the academy starting this spring.”
“Young Master Hubert, I’ll work hard with the townsfolk, so please focus on your studies. I’ll send frequent reports in letters.”
“Reinhardt, will you come to the capital next year?”
“I don’t know. It depends on how the new town is doing.”
“If you don’t, then we’ll just come visit. I’m looking forward to seeing how the new town turns out.”
“That’s right. And I’m sure there’ll be more new dishes—we’ll have to come.”
“Then I’ll make sure to present new matcha dishes next time,” Diane said brightly.
Just then, Georges arrived with sweets—cookies and ice cream. The ice cream was a pale brown.
“Another new ice cream flavor? The cooks of Westland really are amazing.”
Diane tasted it first.
“This is milk tea flavor. You’ve already made it? Incredible!”
“It really is. Ice cream could be made with local specialties everywhere. We really do need to increase the number of dairy cows quickly.”
“Young Master Hubert, I know Father-in-law and the others are already working on it, but we’ll need more than planned. Once we return to the capital, it will be very busy.”
I should probably tell Raziel to prepare for the patent filing, but also warn him not to make it too big a deal.
“We won’t apply for the patent until Northtrad, Southcourt, and our family are all ready.”
“Not just the cows, then?” Raphael asked.
“Exactly. We’ll also need sugar and eggs. Right now, we are experimenting with raising Cocottes as chickens.”
The four of them all groaned in disappointment.
“… You liked the ice cream that much?”
“What about the recipe for that ‘hamburg steak’? Will that stay in the new town?” Raphael asked.
“The one topped with hot spring egg will be on the menu in the hot spring town. I think I could share the version without the egg, but I’ll need to discuss it with Father first.”
“Those eggs were strange too. The ones we ate in the hot spring town were just boiled.”
“That’s a secret.”
The next day, the four of them returned to the capital. But before leaving, they begged for milk tea ice cream as souvenirs. The chefs apparently pulled two all-nighters in a row to make it.
Sorry about that. I’ll make sure Father gives you a bonus.
As for the intruders at the Varshe farm, in the end they refused food and treatment, and when the guards’ attention wavered, they all killed themselves.
Was it because their country doesn’t forgive failure? Or maybe their families were held hostage? Either way, it was terrifying.
According to Raphael, spies will likely continue prowling inside the domain. We’d want to drive them out, but they’ll probably disguise themselves as adventurers or merchants, and it’s impossible to tell.
“Hardt, you’re thinking about the intruders at the Varshe farm, aren’t you?”
“You guessed it. I was just thinking how awful it’ll be if they increase in number around the domain.”
“Should we eliminate them?”
“And who exactly is going to do that? Most will just poke around while working as adventurers or merchants. This time they were foreigners, but they could hire locals too. What bothers me most is that I’ll have to start doubting everyone who approaches me.”
It really left a bad taste. I hate troublesome matters like this…
—
Hubert PoV
“Forgive the sudden visit,” I said, bowing.
“Hubert, what’s wrong?” Uncle Alfrecht asked, worried.
On my way back to the capital, I stopped at the Westland manor and told Reinhardt’s family everything that had happened during our four-day stay.
“He promised to behave and yet he’s done nothing of the sort. He created a flood of new dishes, found uses for worthless pearls, and now spies at the Varshe farm too?” Uncle held his head in his hands.
“Hubert, you were only there four days, and yet they were very full ones huh,” Gerald said.
“It was nothing but surprises. I wanted to discuss the evaluation and promotion of the new tea, but Reinhardt kept presenting one new matcha confection after another—it was overwhelming,” Hubert explained as he pulled dishes out of the Magic Bag Reinhardt had entrusted to him, showing each one.
After tasting everything, Brother Chris said,
“Hubert, you’ve joined our side now. With the academy starting in spring, you’ll be busier than ever.”
“You’ve made something remarkable. Uncle and the others will be pleased.”
“Gerald, remember, Reinhardt was the one who told me to powder the tea and use it in cooking.”
“Even so, without you cultivating this tea, none of these confections would exist. The people of Garuda will be grateful.”
“Hubert, you must’ve come straight here from the capital. Thank you for letting us know. We’ve talked so long it’s gotten late—do you want to return to Northtrad with an escort, or stay the night here?”
“Uncle, my family will be waiting, so please lend me an escort.”
“Very well. I’ll arrange it—wait a little longer,” he said, instructing a servant.
With guards provided, I returned to the Northtrad manor.
What do you think about this chapter?
