Marronnier Farm Nearby the Imperial Palace - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Juicy Beef Stew And The Pilgrim’s Syrup

 

The birds cried loudly by the bedside.

Amidst the slanting sunlight pouring in, Hazel opened her eyes.

“Oh! I’m late!”

She bounced to her feet. 

The scenery of the room was still blurry in her sleepy eyes.

Instead of the worn and gloomy wallpaper of the 2-gold-rent apartment, a wall with fresh white paint was visible.

Instead of the pungent smell of mold that stung her nose, the pleasant scent of the hay-filled pillow wafted.

Ah, she moved.

Hazel let out a relieved sigh.

Furniture was still absent, but the sunlight and breeze streamed in, making it not seem desolate. Stretching, she slowly got out of bed.

The sturdy wood-burning oven in the kitchen gleamed without a speck of dust. Beneath the wooden pantry hung pots, copper kettles, and pans. The dining table was old, yet it had been diligently wiped with water used to brew tea, reviving the color and grain of the wood.

Hazel went outside. The herbs in the small patch beside the kitchen were once again fresh and green today.

She had just planted chicory, but perhaps because the seeds were too old, there were no signs of sprouting yet. Instead, the foxgloves she had planted on the first day had already grown as much as a finger joint.

Indeed, it was good soil.

She touched her forehead and looked around in a circle.

Today, she needed to remove the weeds that had grown in the field and give them water. Soon, delicious vegetables would sprout there too. Other than that… well, who knows. It would be even better if there were chicken coops, barns, and vast grain fields like Belmont’s Martin Farm… but for now, even this seemed like a dream.

As a farm that had just taken its first steps, it was already magnificent.

After meticulously inspecting the field, Hazel entered the house. She thought as she swept away the dust by sprinkling tea leaves on the floor.

Let’s have egg toast.

There was now only half of the flour she had brought from Roselle’s apartment. She took some out and tried baking a loaf of bread.

As soon as she took it out of the oven, she tore the bread into pieces and exclaimed, “Hot! Hot!” while tearing into it. Freshly baked bread eaten like that was the best. It had such a rich flavor even without butter or jam.

After eating half of it, she put the remaining half in the pantry. Hazel took out the bread and sliced two pieces.

-Egg toast is good for the mind.

Mrs. Martha used to say. Occasionally, she would make egg toast for everyone’s breakfast. It was mostly on days when the kids had math lessons, but sometimes, even after a day when Mr. Karl made absurd mistakes like selling the geese for an unreasonable price, the egg toast would appear the next morning…

Thinking of those moments, Hazel smiled, remembering how Mr. Karl would just pout and not say anything, his face all scrunched up.

Due to such memories from her childhood, whenever Hazel had something to contemplate deeply, she would often make egg toast.

Making it was simple. First, she would press the center of the bread firmly with a spoon to create a well for the egg. Then, she would crack an egg into a bowl, add a bit of milk, sugar, and salt, and beat it before soaking the bread in the mixture. In the center of the bread soaked in the egg mixture, she would crack a whole egg and cook it on a pan.

While the egg toast cooked, Hazel opened a coffee bag that had fallen onto the floor in front of the palace minister. After confirming that it didn’t give off a stale odor from exposure to the air, she brewed it with hot water.

Egg toast with a cup of coffee. A fountain pen and paper with the emblem of Roselle Municipal Bank.

‘The Contemplative Breakfast’ was complete.

That’s what Hazel had named it.

As she cut into the center of the crisply browned bread, the slightly runny yolk oozed out. She quickly removed it from the pan, and the white steam rose in a gentle burst.

This was a moment not to be missed.

Hazel placed a piece of the hot toast in her mouth.

The savory yet nutritious taste of the runny yolk harmonized exquisitely with the sweet flavor of the soft bread. The warm bite smoothly transitioned down, soothingly filling her stomach layer by layer.

Perfect. It turned out well.

With a satisfied smile, she set down the fountain pen after giving it a passing grade.

The problem she needed to ponder today was about Sunday.

On Sunday, Luis is coming to help with the field work.

Back then, as she scrubbed the pot with brick dust on a cloth soaked in vinegar, her mind was so preoccupied that she simply took it positively, without understanding the true meaning. But now she knew.

This is the real meaning.

The first time a laborer comes to Marronnier Farm!

When the farm becomes incredibly busy, they call in laborers. It’s a bustling day at the farm. On such days, a delicious special dish is served for lunch. Everyone gathers around, chatting happily while they eat.

A delicious special dish.

Hazel’s hand involuntarily drew a picture. Inside a large pot with handles on both sides, there were bubbling chunks of meat and vegetables.

When it comes to a special dish, there’s no need to say much—it’s definitely stew. A hefty piece of beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce with hints of red wine flavor. All sorts of delightful vegetables. All of these things always tantalize the taste buds.

Hazel wanted to treat Luis to stew. Above all, she wanted to have it herself. She craved a well-cooked beef stew, something she could spread on rustic bread with a satisfying chew or dip into it. The thought of that cozy, comforting taste was irresistible.

There are certain things you just have to eat when you crave them. There are people who, no matter the time it takes to travel to a restaurant hours away or to stand in line for hours, or even if it means standing in the kitchen prepping dozens of ingredients until your legs ache, you simply can’t banish the tantalizing specter of that dish from your mind until you’ve had a taste.

Of course, after you’ve eaten, a new specter quickly takes its place… Nevertheless, Hazel wanted that beef stew.

When it came to stew, she had confidence. She had cooked it hundreds of times since she was young. She could create an authentic countryside taste with her eyes closed. However…

Hazel jotted down the ingredients on a piece of paper.

Beef. Beef broth. Tomatoes. Celery. Onions. Carrots. Potatoes. Mushrooms. Lentils. Red wine. Thyme. Rosemary. Bay leaves…

“None. None. None. None. None. None…”

The paper was filled with crossed-out items. The only things she had in the pantry were potatoes, herbs, and red wine.

“Hmm…”

Hazel tapped the table with her fingers.

The vegetables she had just planted in her garden probably wouldn’t be ready for harvest until summer. So, if she wanted to sustain herself, she needed to start looking at supplies.

The problem was…

So, the real hard problem, the one that requires egg toast, is……. 

If she were to leave the palace, what would happen to the Imperial Edict? Could innocent people get into trouble if they talked to her? 

Hazel started contemplating the scope of the law.

 

* * *

 

Iskandar began to contemplate the extent of leniency in the law. “That news” had reached his ears quite late. The rumors hadn’t spread properly due to the Imperial Edict. Once he successfully deciphered the vague words that concealed the subject, Iskandar was infuriated and called for Luis.

“No matter how playful you are, this is too much! Going so far as to stand on that woman’s side just to tease me!”

“Which woman?”

Luis widened her eyes and asked.

“I haven’t spoken to any woman in the past few days. If there’s someone invisible to others but visible to you, it’s better to call the Imperial Physician instead of me.”

She left after giving her audacious advice.

Who would have thought that the Imperial Edict would trip him up like this!

Iskandar felt his blood pressure rising steeply, something that hadn’t happened in a while.

His dream was to become an Emperor who wasn’t too bad. It wasn’t difficult. He just had to do the opposite of what his father had done.

If he were a benevolent emperor, he would have pushed that house away without any hesitation. The landlord would have shed tears, and the meager compensation would have been snatched up by various bureaucrats.

But Iskandar didn’t want that.

The renovation of the palace was the first large-scale project he had undertaken after ascending the throne.

He wanted to show that times had changed. He wanted to handle things as justly as possible. It was both a reflection of his personality’s inclination and a necessity.

The people of the Britannia Empire needed to hear such stories now. A story that the country had taken care not to treat anyone unfairly. He wanted to recover at least a bit of the trust that had been shattered due to his father’s actions.

But to have his intentions used like this!

Iskandar didn’t doubt that the owner of Plot 79 had ulterior motives. Setting aside other factors, the fact that the landowner had refused the deal outright despite agreeing on a fair price for the land was difficult to comprehend.

He couldn’t understand it. The possibility of acting out of love. The idea of taking something to heart with one’s soul.

Iskandar was well-versed in many aspects of the world, but he had no inkling that such emotions existed. Consequently, he felt betrayed.

To exploit the Emperor’s leniency!

He understood the potential ridicule the entire nation might face. He hoped she’ll recognized it and step back.

But his perception was wrong. This wasn’t the time for that.

“Mayfield, you said…?”

Iskandar furrowed his brow, lost deep in thought.

 

* * *

 

Luis Gayardo was a trailblazer in the world of fashion. Whatever she wore looked luxurious. Sometimes she added bold colors as accents to formal wear, and other times she fearlessly incorporated accessories that no one else would have thought of. If she tried a unique fashion, nine times out of ten, it became a trend.

But that day’s fashion… was just too puzzling.

As the guests arrived at the palace for Sunday, they all blinked and stared. She was wearing a drab earth-toned shirt that was difficult for anyone to digest, with a very rustic red vest. Beneath baggy pants that were pulled up to her knees, she had on flashy boots.

Above all, the attention-grabber was the diagonal brace that hung from her shoulder to her waist.

Luis quite liked this farmer’s fashion. While relishing people’s stares, she awaited the two subordinates she had appointed as her assistants for the day.

They soon arrived.

One was Angelo “Monk” Giovanni.

When they heard that this knight, a half-vampire, was given the nickname “Monk,” everyone wrinkled their brows in disdain. However, when they actually saw him, they all showed the same reaction.

“Ah-ha.”

Angelo Giovanni was the skinniest in the four paladins. His cheeks were sunken, and his waist was thinner than a bride-to-be preparing for her wedding. Luis had chosen him as the top subordinate she wanted to take to Marronnier Farm.

The other was Henry Dunby. He didn’t have a special nickname. He was healthy and had a good appetite. But his father was a major landowner.

Luis was a little nervous about her first attempt at farming. That’s why she decided to bring along the son of a major landowner.

As soon as Henry Dunby arrived, he shouted, 

“This is too foolish! People don’t talk to straw hats! I can’t do such a thing!”

“Then?”

“I’ll do it!”

Saying that, he took out a hunting cap. Luis was amazed.

“As thorough as ever. You’re good at farming too, right?”

“Yes!”

Luis was in a good mood.

The weather was sunny, and the wind was refreshing. She believed she could spend a wonderful day at Marronnier Farm without a doubt.

But that dream shattered into pieces right away.

From behind the towering topiaries of the Imperial Garden, two shadows suddenly appeared. It was the Lightning Knights Commander, Siegwald Sachsenspiegel, and the Holy Wind Knights Commander Cayenne Runvard.

Both of them looked at Luis’s farmer attire and the brace with incredulous expressions. Cayenne raised an eyebrow and asked, 

“What are you doing?”

Luis’ two subordinates froze up, their faces turning pale. Luis quickly reassured, 

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

“What’s okay about this?” 

Cayenne’s patience was wearing thin.

“Let’s talk!”

The two of them grabbed Luis by her arms, one on each side, and dragged her to the palace training grounds. They looked at her as if she were a complete traitor.

“What’s with that outfit?”

Siegwald was the first to shout. For a peace-loving Warbear like him to be the one to open his mouth first was a rare occurrence, given how flabbergasted he was.

“At least Lorendel didn’t see you like this!”

“Right! You’re lucky it’s us! If Lorendel caught you, you would have been ridiculed throughout the long life of the High Elves! It would be a story passed down in history forever! Even hundreds of years from now, people will remember this moment and talk about it! How foolish Luis was back then….”

Cayenne’s speech, which was about to go on with a long rant, abruptly stopped. As usual, it wasn’t long before the razor-sharp nails of the Catseye race were out in full force and was sharpening it on a nearby tree. The tree in front of him was the beautiful Elm Tree, the national treasure number 354, also known as ‘General’.

In the moment of panic as he tried to retract his hand, one of General’s large branches suddenly snapped and fell to the ground.

“…!”

Everyone was astonished.

Cayenne’s face turned pale. He immediately lightning-fast placed the branch on the ground and sat down on it.

Siegwald spoke.

“Get up.”

“….”

“Hiding won’t help. Get up.”

Cayenne got up hesitantly.

Questioning Luis or discussing what to do next didn’t matter anymore. Everyone fell into contemplation, gazing at the ground.

The branch lay twisted and withered on the ground, leaves wilting to a yellowish hue along the edges. Luis picked up the branch and examined the end of it. The inner part had turned black.

“The General has rotted!”

She screamed.

Looking up again, she realized that the wilted leaves weren’t limited to just one or two. The trunk of the tree had deep holes scattered all over, and insects were wriggling within them.

Siegwald was confused.

“Why would the General fall ill? That can’t be true.”

“Exactly! It can’t be true!”

Luis glanced at Cayenne, her tongue clicking.

“I told you to be more discreet. Why can’t you fix that habit? Damaging a national treasure as one of the Commanders? What will happen if you’re caught?”

“I’ve presented at academic conferences, so I know well. According to the special law regarding national heritage management, the higher the status, the more severe the punishment. Those with the highest status, like us, members of the Imperial Council’s advisory committee and the Grand Order of Knights, can freely access the Imperial Treasury, making it the easiest for us to tamper with national treasures.”

Cayenne’s face turned even paler.

“You’ll be relieved of your position. You’ll have to step down as the Commander of the Holy Wind Knights.”

Luis’ mind snapped back into focus. It wasn’t the time to space out. No matter how hard they try to cover it up, the experts would undoubtedly discover traces of it. The trees that died due to the Commander’s penchant for this act were not just one or two, and no one within the Imperial Palace was unaware of it. If this fact became known outside, it would be the end.

“There’s only one way.”

Siegwald said.

“We have to cure the General.”

“But how?”

Cayenne was already in a state of panic. Within his bewildered, swirling eyes, he saw everyone pointing fingers at him, the ignominious and disgraceful resignation ceremony, the painful farewell with the members of the Holy Wind Knights, becoming a mischievous child trapped in his territory, and all the other aspects of his life rushing through his mind.

In the Runvard lineage that had produced wizards for generations, he was the first to become a Commander. How delighted all the Catseye on the Nine Hills rejoiced!

“I don’t want to be driven away… But how can we fix the General? Have you tried mending the trees?”

“Lorendel probably has.”

“You’re saying that with a clear mind?”

Luis dismissed Siegwald’s suggestion.

“Trying to coax him out would just lead to disaster. Lorendel can’t lie even if he wakes up from the dead! With his bloodshot eyes, he parades around barely sleeping, practically advertising ‘I’m hiding something.’ But if anyone even slightly pokes at him, he’ll spill everything willingly.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“I know someone.”

She cut in sharply. Siegwald and Cayenne exchanged glances.

“Could it be…?”

“No.”

Luis furrowed her brow.

“You guys are treating her like a witch, aren’t you? She’s a farming expert. We’re just trying to get a look in. There’s nothing to lose by trying. We’ve already hit rock bottom in this situation.”

It was true. Nobody knew when someone might come here to check on the General’s condition. It felt like holding onto a bomb.

Might as well grab at straws.

With an earnest heart, Luis cast the dice of chance.

 

* * *

 

At that moment, Hazel was working on plowing the field. The stew, in the end, was not prepared. No matter how much she thought about it, it was impractical to hold a gathering in the state of the imperial decree. She thought there would be unnecessary entanglements.

So she decided to just use the ingredients she had at home.

First, she baked two large country loaves of bread. From the vegetable patch where there were chicories, she plucked radicchio, beet leaves, and arugula. She prepared a fresh salad with cheese and served smoked sausages. She also planned to fry potatoes in butter and present that as well.

But then, Luis didn’t show up.

What’s going on?

Flustered, Hazel was plucking grass absentmindedly when she caught a sense of something behind the house. It sounded like someone was coming closer, talking in hushed tones.

She quickly left her home and went to check.

Finally, Luis was approaching. Through the note slipped in the door gap, she had informed her in advance that she would bring two subordinates today. One was a subordinate with a voracious appetite and a bulky frame, who she wanted to treat with delicious food. The other was a skilled farm worker.

Sure enough.

Following behind Luis was a blond young knight. He had a very sharp appearance, but his face was so pale that it seemed almost lifeless. He looked like he could collapse at any moment.

Walking beside him was another knight, robust. He had tightly closed lips beneath thick eyebrows and a face that was both strong and noble. He was even taller than Luis, making Hazel have to look up for quite a while.

One seems to be a glutton, and the other seems skilled.

Hazel nodded her head while looking at them, then suddenly froze. They weren’t dressed in the uniform of the Holy Flame Knights. The colors of the insignia and the cloaks were different. However, their medals and epaulets were just like Luis’…

They weren’t Luis’ subordinates.

They were the Commanders of the Holy Knights Order!

The tall and robust man was a half-human, half-beast Berserker, a member of the fearsome Berserk tribe. He must be the Chief of the Warbear Clan that old man told Hazel upon arriving in the capital. And the other one… an Elf?

For a brief moment, that thought crossed Hazel’s mind, but it wasn’t accurate. It was the complete opposite.

The slightly pointed tuft of hair rising above the head, reminiscent of animal ears, and the thin, glistening pupils in the afternoon sunlight—those features made it clear. This young man was a Catseye. He belonged to the Golden Catseye tribe, possessing golden fur among the Catseye of the Nine Hills.

Suddenly faced with not one but two Grand Masters, Hazel was dumbfounded. She found herself blurting out without thinking.

“What’s the matter…?”

Siegwald and Cayenne both looked at the straw-hatted girl.

Standing there was an innocent-looking farmer. They could see in her expression that she had the distinctive stubbornness of a rural person, combined with a slight wariness towards “distinguished outsiders.”

Both Siegwald and Cayenne had a similar thought simultaneously.

Unless the greatest acting genius in history were present, she’s a real farmer. If she were the former, she wouldn’t suffer the treatment of a transparent individual here but would have already taken control of the extreme ends to achieve the affluence she desired.

So, is this what a real farmer is like…?

At that moment, Luis nudged them with her shoulder.

Ah, right.

As they had pre-arranged, they headed to the pile of firewood as if no one was around and sat down.

It felt absurd when they did it. However, with no permission to speak, this was the only way to convey the situation quickly.

Luis finally spoke.

“Today, due to some circumstances, we used the secret passage and ended up coming behind the house. By the way, what should we do? The General is unwell. Our Grand Master Leonhardt Maximos Loitenberg, the holder of National Treasure No. 354, the Elm Tree, has been serving as the mascot of the Imperial training ground, which has been used by the Emperor and the Grand Masters of the Imperial Council for advice. But suddenly, he fell seriously ill.”

Hazel looked at her in surprise.

What’s going on? This dialogue feels strange.

It felt like they were performing a play.

“It’s all my fault.”

The Catseye Commander also awkwardly delivered his lines like he was acting.

“I’ve been tormenting the General’s body with my claws all this time. It likely had a significant impact on his illness. I never expected it to turn out this way. There was no tree as sturdy as the General in the Imperial Palace. I took good care of it, but why on earth…”

“I took good care of it too.”

“So did I.”

All three of them sighed deeply. Luis spoke again.

“Anyway, this is a big problem. If this fact leaks outside, according to the special law regarding national heritage management, Cayenne will have to step down from the position of the Grand Master of the Holy Wind Knights. A high position comes with equally great responsibilities.”

“But it’s unfair. Cayenne didn’t sell or damage the national treasure. The General is just temporarily ill. We just need to make him better quickly.”

“But we don’t know anything about trees.”

“Oh? Siegwald, Cayenne. Look over there. There’s someone in a straw hat! Anyone who wears such a splendid straw hat is undoubtedly an arboriculture expert. I want to ask that person. Maybe they’ve ever fixed a sick tree before.”

Hazel finally grasped the full story of the incident. She could well understand the difficulties they were facing now.

“I have experience fixing trees.”

At that reply, all three of them almost jumped in surprise. Luis was greatly relieved. She quickly got up from the firewood pile.

“If the owner of such a splendid straw hat is indeed busy, but willing to follow us, assuming they’re saving cats, vampires, and bears, that would be great!”

Saying so, she hurriedly took the lead.

With a slightly bewildered feeling, Hazel followed the three Grand Masters.

They exited the farm fence and went through the winding paths of the maze-like garden, cutting through here and there. In an instant, they arrived at the location of an artificial canal. Siegwald lifted a dolphin sculpture that was spouting water, and a large stone slab on the canal floor sank downward.

There was a staircase leading underground.

“There are several secret passages in the palace. This is one of the less-known ones. It’s connected to the old passages during the expansion of the palace, and it leads to the training ground if you follow it all the way.”

Luis whispered to explain.

They walked through the dark underground passage for a while. Finally, they encountered another set of stairs. Climbing up, they found themselves facing a spacious area.

It was a very expansive land.

In the grassy field with neatly trimmed turf, there stood a knight doll wearing a helmet and armor. Beyond it stretched a line of targets, and on one side, a variety of weapons Hazel had never seen before were lined up.

This was the Imperial training ground, where the Emperor and the Grand Masters trained. Shifting her gaze, while resting chairs arranged in a circle, there stood an Elm tree.

Luis pretended to explain once more.

“The history of that tree dates back to King Rhamstein III. There was a civil war between the two princes over the imperial succession. When King Rhamstein IV was ambushed, he barely escaped to this training ground through a secret passage. But his brother’s troops caught up soon after. King Rhamstein IV hid behind that sturdy tree and fought to save his life. The tree that shielded him from countless sword strikes later received a name, a domain, and the title of General. It has endured healthily for generations, demonstrating its strength over the years.”

“I see. It must have been quite useful for claw sharpening.”

“What’s the use of saying that? It’s like sticking the nails…”

Cayenne bit his tongue and hurriedly shut his mouth.

Hazel stared at the tree attentively.

Although one of its substantial branches had fallen, Luis deftly arranged the remaining leaves to cover the bald spot, much like a wig on a bald lady. However, the illness couldn’t be hidden.

The tree looked unwell. There were spots of decay all around its trunk, and its leaves were yellowed. Several completely blackened leaves indicated the seriousness of its condition.

“We need to act immediately. But I came empty-handed because I was in a rush. We’ll need a small knife that cuts well, five bottles of wine, alcohol for disinfection, and clean cloth.”

Luis, Siegwald, and Cayenne hurriedly left and returned shortly after, having prepared the requested items.

Could she fix it?

Both the bear and the cat watched with bated breath.

Hazel immediately got to work. The bark of the elm tree had properties that were beneficial for sinusitis and bronchitis, with anti-inflammatory effects. Unfortunately, the precious bark had rotted in various places. 

Hazel carefully removed the rotten parts after peeling off the bark and used a sharp knife to cut away the decayed portions beneath. To ensure that no germs remained, she thoroughly cleaned the area with an alcohol-soaked clean cloth.

The three of them watched with bated breath.

It wasn’t Hazel’s first time performing such a task. Like a skilled surgeon, every area Hazel’s hands touched was precisely and expertly excised. However, there were too many rotten spots to deal with. It was an incredibly tedious task.

Sweat had formed on Hazel’s forehead by now. As she finally finished, her dark brown hair clung to her forehead. With everyone watching, Hazel expertly removed the cork from one of the wine bottles and took a hearty swig.

Was that what she asked for the wine for?

Cayenne was taken aback.

Did she ask them to fetch alcohol for her?

Then, Hazel crushed the cork with a stone and sharpened it with a knife. She used it to plug the holes deeply pierced into the tree, leaving everyone wide-eyed.

Cayenne found himself blurting out without realizing it.

“Why cork…?”

“The cork material comes from the bark of oak trees.”

Hazel replied. 

“So, it can act as a substitute for tree bark. If they use quality grape wine in the palace, they must have used good and sturdy cork. I’ve carved it deeply to protect the vulnerable areas.”

With that, she reached into the inner holes and scraped out a bunch of bugs. Cayenne suppressed a scream internally, but Hazel continued to scrape without furrowing her brow. She then proceeded to apply an antiseptic.

Finally, as the sun began to set, the surgery came to an end.

“Now, the painful parts are all gone. It’s up to the General now. He has to recover on his own. Let him rest well tonight, and I’ll check on him tomorrow morning.”

Hazel spoke up.

The three of them obediently nodded their heads.

The next morning, at dawn.

At this hour, there were no people in the palace garden, so there was no need to use the secret passage. Hazel, wearing a black cloak turned inside out, and accompanied Luis, Siegwald, and Cayenne to see the General.

And she was surprised.

…Wait?

It was an unusual situation.

There was no improvement at all. The General was still suffering.

The three knights were disheartened.

“Why is he still in pain?”

“Is he just too old?”

“What should we do now?”

Hazel withdrew her hand from the tree.

“Let’s give it one more day for now.”

“But what if someone comes and sees this tree in the meantime?”

Cayenne chewed his lip, pondering, then raised his hand.

His catfolk illusion magic activated.

Using magic usually incurs a significant magical tax due to its strain on the environment. However, the illusionary category was an exception.

A translucent magical barrier surrounded the General’s immediate surroundings. Cayenne explained:

“I temporarily pushed his consciousness to the other side. But if someone thinks about this tree and comes to see it, the magic will break immediately.”

“Honestly, His Majesty loves this tree!”

In response to Siegwald’s words, Luis retorted.

“He hardly takes walks these days anyway. Isk is busy with his affairs, and Lorendel probably won’t bother to come alone.”

They bought themselves some more time.

However, Hazel couldn’t decipher any meaning from it.

The souls of plants and animals aren’t complex. Once you treat the ailing part, they recover quickly. 

Looking back, she hadn’t made any mistakes during the surgery. She had been meticulous. The vegetables next to the kitchen were getting fresher day by day, to the point that she could proudly display them anywhere. Even the herb sprouts were growing vigorously. It seemed like there would be more sprouts in the vegetable garden soon. Everything was going well.

But why was that tree not responding well despite doing everything as usual?

Hazel was deeply disturbed. The next day, just like before, everyone went to see the General at dawn. Despite hoping so desperately that he would regain his strength, there was still no improvement whatsoever. Hazel felt utterly defeated.

“Why… Why is this happening?”

Watching the straw-hat girl more disheartened than himself, Cayenne let out a sigh. He muttered to the empty air,

“You’ve done enough, and I’m grateful enough for that. Now, I’ll prepare yourself and accept whatever comes.”

Hazel didn’t know what to do. She returned, feeling flustered, and pondered.

It couldn’t be. The General dying like this, the sincere Grand Knight being engulfed in a scandal for days—none of this was supposed to happen. Hazel lay on her straw bed, contemplating and pondering.

“What have I missed? What could it be?”

Somewhere beyond the palace, the sound of a Nightingale crying echoed in Hazel’s mind as she retraced her steps from the very beginning. Suddenly, the words they had spoken resurfaced:

-There was no tree as sturdy as the General in the Imperial Palace. I took good care of it, but why on earth…

-I took good care of it too.

-So did I.

Hazel jumped up in realization. A lightning bolt of understanding struck her. What she had been doing so far was wrong!

Throwing on a robe over her sleepwear, she rushed out in a frenzy. This wasn’t a pest problem!

As Hazel ran, old memories flooded back. From a young age, she had been fascinated by trees.

At the age of twelve, she would visit the mansion of a scholar named Godfrey every Wednesday to transcribe his autobiographies. While the task was quite mundane, there was one redeeming factor. On the way to the mansion, there was a spot where an orchard was being cultivated.

Hazel would often linger there, fascinated by the process of planting and nurturing trees. It was during a time when she soaked up knowledge like a sponge. 

One day, while observing the workers, she noticed that some trees seemed to be in pain. She quickly approached, squinting at them as if trying to see through them. If trees of her future farm ever became unwell, she wanted to be prepared to care for them.

“Why is this happening? Where does it hurt? What’s wrong? What are you doing?” 

Hazel got up close and personal, bombarding the workers with questions. They were taken aback by the persistence of this young girl who was scrutinizing the trees so intently. After trying to shoo her away without success, they eventually gave in and explained.

“These trees aren’t sick. They’re exhibiting symptoms that are commonly mistaken for disease or pests, even when there’s no actual infestation. It’s like this…” 

Hazel recalled the memory and continued to rush forward.

The palace guards watched as she sprinted ahead, focused and determined like a nocturnal cat. 

However, according to the Emperor’s decree, they were supposed to see nothing. They were forbidden from acknowledging her presence and couldn’t report it. Their hands were tied.

Despite their internal struggle, they couldn’t resist following her secretly. They trailed behind, watching as ‘she’ passed various buildings and small gardens, finally stopping in the area where the old palace once stood—heading toward the training ground.

Even if ‘she’ was quite the troublemaker, in that place, it would be impossible to intervene. The training ground was adorned with lanterns signifying that it was where the Holy Knights practiced their martial arts research. They haven’t seen anything.

The guards, fearing the Emperor’s decree, quickly withdrew as darkness shrouded the area where the training ground lay. Hazel hurried on, oblivious to the fact that there was an exterior lantern and the interior was brightly lit, blindly rushing into the area.

Meanwhile, Cayenne sighed. 

“…There’s nothing we can do. I brought this on myself.”

He was lamenting his circumstances when he suddenly realized that he had forgotten to lock the door. Jumping to his feet, he noticed Hazel entering at that very moment.

Huh?

Of course, not only Cayenne, but also Luis and Siegwald, who were anxiously watching the general’s condition without even retreating due to their worries, were taken aback. 

Hazel rushed forward and stirred the dirt under the general’s feet. She flicked her fingertips and tasted it with her tongue after pulling out the hairs. And she got excited. 

“Just as I thought!”

The three commanders stared with their mouths agape. It seemed like they had finally caught some clue, their only hope!

However, there was one problem. On her night-colored hair that she had rushed out of bed with, there was no straw hat. How to communicate?

Cayenne flustered and finally came up with a single thought. He unfolded a novel from the books he had brought to nurse the general and read it quickly. There was a perfectly fitting line. So he read it loudly.

“May I ask the lady, what’s happening now?”

“I finally figured it out!”

Hazel got so excited that she shouted.

“I’ll explain later! Fortunately, everyone’s gathered! We need lime powder right now! And dwarf kale too! We’ll need around 30 to 40 that have grown well with wide-spreading roots! Find a flower wholesale merchant frequented by commoners, knock on their door, and ask for a favor!”

Luis, Siegwald, and Cayenne rushed out like lightning. Meanwhile, Hazel carefully dug the ground with the field marshal’s staff. The condition of the tree roots wasn’t all that great. However, surprisingly, here and there, very healthy and sturdy root tendrils were holding strong.

“Thank goodness. There’s hope.”

Hazel murmured to herself. A little while later, the three returned. It was past midnight, but they had prepared everything as requested. After all, there would be nothing the Imperial Commanders couldn’t find in the capital city.

Now time is the issue. Hazel quickly sprinkled lime powder on the ground. Then, using a weapon among the ones laid out in the field, she dug into the ground. It was a type of halberd brought by the Emperor from the northern regions. Everyone rushed in and dug together. They carefully planted the dwarf kale seeds around the area of the ground where the general stood.

Finally, the task was completed.

“We’re done.”

Hazel wiped her dirt-covered hands. But what did she do?

Luis, Siegwald, and Cayenne looked at Hazel with faces that seemed like they might die from curiosity. When their eyes met, the three quickly turned their heads away. After all, there was theoretically no one around.

Cayenne picked up the novel again and read aloud.

“May I ask the lady, what was that action just now?”

Hazel replied.

“An antidote for poisoning.”

“Poisoning?”

Everyone was astonished. Luis exclaimed.

“Someone tried to poison the general?”

“That’s right. The general was almost poisoned. It was due to a poison called ‘Friendship.'”

“What did you say?”

Cayenne stopped rifling through the novel and asked. What on earth was she talking about?

Everyone stared at Hazel with wide-open mouths, utterly perplexed. A poison named ‘Friendship’ almost poisoned the tree? It was beyond their comprehension.

From their vantage point of seeing distant mountains, they began a serious conversation.

“I’ve thought about it. The sudden decline of the once-strong tree was due to a change that happened at some point. A change in its surroundings. I guess that there was an event that caused everyone to worry about the health of this tree all at once.”

“That’s right. That day.”

Siegwald said, and Cayenne elaborated.

“Previously, I openly scratched the general’s torso with my nails in front of everyone. I kept doing it, and they all said the general’s condition was deteriorating because of me.”

His face turned red. He remembered what he had been saying about this young lady in front of him at that time…

“I suspected as much.”

Hazel nodded her head.

“So, on that day, because you heard everyone’s words and suddenly felt uneasy, you engaged in a certain kind of action. However, it wasn’t just you. Two others also secretly came here and did the same thing. You scolded, but deep down, you were worried that the general might be in trouble, and your friend might face difficulties because of it. That action was none other than ‘fertilization.’ You all secretly bought fertilizer and gave it to the general.”

The three were surprised.

“What? You all did that too?”

“All of us?”

“I wasn’t the only one who gave fertilizer?”

That’s not all there was to it, though. In reality, there was something separate.

“The problem was with that fertilizer.”

Hazel said to them.

“Tell me. What kind of fertilizer did you buy?”

“The most expensive one.”

The three answered simultaneously and were surprised again.

“From which store?”

“The biggest store.”

They answered simultaneously again and were surprised.

“That’s the one!”

As the deduction fit perfectly, Hazel felt proud.

“You all bought the same fertilizer from the same store anyway. The price of the fertilizer is the same there. Saying it was the most expensive means it was in large quantities. Regardless of what kind of fertilizer it was, if you spread such a large quantity among tree plots, there would be no problem… But of all things, it happened to be boron fertilizer. As a result, an excessive amount of boron component flowed into the soil, causing poisoning.”

“Boron poisoning?”

“Yes. The symptoms of boron poisoning look very much like diseases and pests, so farmers who don’t know about it end up losing precious trees just trying to deal with diseases and pests. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a big tree affected, so I didn’t realize it at first. I wonder how much fertilizer you poured…”

The three couldn’t lift their heads. Hazel’s words were truly spoken in pure admiration. 

Indeed, her grandfather’s saying, “Life is a practical experience,” turned out to be true. When she jumped into actual farming work, it was completely different. If certain special conditions hadn’t aligned, this situation would have never occurred.

Who would have thought that she would observe such a unique case in the intimidating palace? Obtaining another piece of agricultural knowledge made her genuinely pleased.

Of course, as long as she didn’t worry the general.

Hazel looked at the wilted trees under the moonlight.

“For now, we’ve spread lime to prevent boron from being absorbed by the roots. And these dwarf kale plants will become our saviors. They are known for absorbing boron particularly well. This way, we can treat boron poisoning. Please give him a little more time. I’m sure the general will succeed.”

“That’s right…”

Luis, Siegwald, and Cayenne nodded their heads. Then, they realized belatedly.

At first, they had clearly started by looking at a distant mountain, but somehow they found themselves facing each other and engaging in a lively conversation. The emperor’s edict had faded away.

No, there was still a way out.

“Th-that, th-that was… robe sure speaks well!”

Luis quickly salvaged the situation.

The commotion of the night ended like that.

Hazel was extremely tired. But now, she could finally stretch her legs and get some sleep.

General, stay strong.

Sending silent encouragement in her heart, she buried her face in the pillow.

 

* * *

 

The next day, Hazel woke up early. For the past few days, fluffy clouds had been piling up in the blue sky. It meant the weather would continue to be sunny.

Some people said that if something was bothering them, they couldn’t focus on their work. But Hazel was different. Sometimes, when she was lost in thought, the field would magically become clean. After tidying up the newly sprouted vegetable patches, she finish all her household chores for the day and still have time left.

Hazel lay on her bed, looking at the pamphlet of farming tools she had brought from Roselle. She carefully examined things like an apple crusher that seemed useless to her, a sawdust maker, and a wheeled fertilizer spreader.

But still, no news came.

The next day was the same. Luis didn’t reveal anything either.

The three of them were most likely utilizing every means and method at their disposal as the commanders of the Empire’s knights to thoroughly block off the Imperial Palace training grounds…

On the fourth dawn, Hazel sat blankly on her bed when she heard a series of tapping sounds. She quickly got up and went outside.

It was Luis. With an excited expression on her face, she was pounding on a door that wasn’t even closed.

This time, Hazel didn’t forget to bring her straw hat. She followed her out. In the early morning, she quietly sneaked through the palace and found everyone gathered. All three of them had dark circles under their eyes, a testament to how much they had been through. But they pointed to a specific spot on the general’s body with bright faces.

There, a tiny emerald shoot was sprouting, with a hue of pale green.

The end of an illness and the beginning of recovery are closely intertwined, yet there is a distinct and clear boundary between the two. Those who have nursed patients through their sickness understand this well. Once someone crosses over to this side of the world, the worry of returning can be let go.

The general had undoubtedly crossed over to this side of the world. Now, he wasn’t withering anymore. While some dead leaves still fell, it seemed they had simply thinned out. No one could question the general’s health.

The toxicity had been expelled from the soil. The shadows of nightmares had been chased away. 

A deep sense of relief, a unique camaraderie between those who had secretly dealt with difficult matters together, filled the space with pride. Everyone looked at the old elm tree, smiling subtly.

Cayenne mumbled.

“Friendship is a wonderful thing, but sometimes the intention to help a friend can inadvertently turn into poison.”

He was taken aback by his own words.

This clever cat often gained insights from unexpected places. Upon reflection, what they had just experienced definitely held some significance. 

Despite his appearance, the contemplative Warbear was lost in thought as well. It seemed he had something to ponder. However, before any of them could say more, Hazel had already turned and left. Her figure with the straw hat disappeared quickly.

Siegwald and Cayenne were bewildered.

“Already?”

“She’s just leaving?”

Luis retorted.

“Exactly. She’s done with what she needed to do, so she wants to go back to her beloved farm as soon as possible.”

“But…”

They hadn’t even had a chance to express their gratitude yet.

Cayenne swallowed those words. He couldn’t offer gratitude. That would go against the Emperor’s decree.

The irksome edict.

Siegwald seemed to be having the same thoughts, as he frowned with an unsatisfied expression.

Luis saw through it all. 

Hazel had nothing but thoughts of returning to the farm. It was because of what she had realized upon seeing the small emerald shoot sprouting from the general. 

By today, maybe…

Her steps quickened. The palace gardeners who were sweeping the Grand Courtyard saw Hazel and quickly turned away as if they hadn’t seen her. They were well aware that anyone the edict targeted could suddenly appear around here. At least they knew that much. The sight of the straw-hat-wearing apparition almost stopped their hearts. 

Beyond that, she managed to startle a few other people unintentionally as well, like a couple sneaking around the hedge maze pretending to be doing early morning exercises, or squirrels carrying tree fruits, but Hazel had arrived at the farm in the heart of the garden. She headed straight for the vegetable patches. Her steps slowed. 

On this very spot, on her first day, she had worked diligently pulling weeds and planting seeds. In the carefully tended patch that Hazel had cared for day after day, along the neat furrows, vibrant colors now greeted her.

The seedlings had sprouted.

Hazel sat down in front of them. The peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins, and corn had all sprouted successfully. She gently touched the tiny shoots peeking through the soil. They were delicate and tender.

Well done!

Hazel exclaimed in admiration.

After sowing the seeds and watering them, it was only natural for the seedlings to sprout. However, the feeling of joy was as if she had achieved something extraordinary just because her own seedlings were doing what everyone else’s did. She felt like grabbing anyone she could find and bragging about it.

Once again, she was overwhelmed by the goodness of the farm. And she thought to herself she needs to make compost.

Once the young leaves grew to a certain point, she wanted to provide them with nutrients. If she made compost using farm methods, they would thrive. It was better than buying expensive fertilizers from the store…

Oh, come to think of it.

Hazel suddenly remembered while gathering firewood.

When she had dug the ground before, there were definitely some sturdy root strands firmly under the general’s feet. The trees were already quite strong and resilient, but someone had obviously given them an extra boost.

There was one more person who had secretly provided fertilizer.

The commander of the knights was a group of four. There was bound to be at least one who knew how to use fertilizers properly. It was obvious who that was.

The trees’ ally, the elf.

 

* * *

 

The Grand Commander of the Forest Knights, Lorendel Blenheim, stared blankly at the massive elm tree in front of him.

“What’s this?”

Unidentified round objects surrounded General No. 354, forming an odd spectacle. They were edible vegetables. However, the arrangement around the general was aesthetically baffling and defied comprehension.

On the other hand, Iskandar was perplexed by the sight of the soil-covered halberd he had brought from the north.

“What’s this?”

The two exchanged puzzled glances.

“What’s been happening here the past few days?”

“I don’t know.”

Lorendel surveyed the training grounds.

“It’s certain that they haven’t been working on biochemical weapons.”

A slightly disapproving expression appeared on the High Elf’s composed face. A few days ago, Luis, Siegwald, and Cayenne had proposed to him. They suggested collaborating on the development of biochemical weapons utilizing the potent saliva of the orcs. Lorendel, of course, had declined the offer. Orc saliva! For several days, he hadn’t even approached the training grounds.

Then, an urgent message reached Siegwald.

A massive forest fire had broken out in Basel. Fortunately, the blaze was contained, but controlling the situation required the might of the berserk clan, known for their fearsome strength. 

He had come with Iskandar to relay this news. Upon arrival, they found everyone absent and the training grounds in disarray.

“Something’s off.”

Lorendel muttered.

“Come to think of it, doesn’t it seem suspicious that those two, Luis and Siegwald, have suddenly been seen together again? Perhaps…”

“As if that’s possible.”

Iskandar interjected.

“Just a few days ago, we were all blaming Luis together. It’s like Luis is amusing herself by involving her subordinates and playing some strange farce just to tease me.”

“That’s true, but…”

Something bothered him.

Regardless, he needed to relay that important news to Siegwald quickly. They had sent someone to the mansion, and they reported back at dawn. They couldn’t figure out where he was holed up.

Iskandar and Lorendel left the training grounds. As they searched for Siegwald, they ended up in the dense forest behind the Sun Palace.

“…So, you wanted to bury yourself underground?”

“I saw you. Your face was turning red.”

Voices of Cayenne and Luis could be heard. Siegwald made a low affirmative sound. 

“You said that back then. They’ll self-destruct soon. Without attention, they’ll wither and die… You were happily chattering away like that. But I never expected to receive this kind of help!”

Luis spoke again. Although she deliberately omitted the subject, it seemed like she was talking about the owner of the land within the palace grounds.

But help? 

Iskandar and Lorendel exchanged puzzled looks.

Could it be…?

They hurriedly approached.

Luis, Cayenne, and Siegwald continued talking, unaware of anything.

“Everyone must have realized this incident. That’s why you shouldn’t talk casually about things you don’t know.”

“Yes, that’s right. But who was it that brought up the dung story?”

“…”

“Anyway, what I want to say is this. ‘Friendship is a wonderful thing, but sometimes the intention to help a friend can unintentionally become poison.’ We’ve always been on Isk’s side. Maybe it occurred to us that it could be poison.”

Iskandar and Lorendel paused as they approached.

Cayenne continued speaking.

“Don’t you think? At first, we thought it was a good idea to issue the Imperial decree, but it turned out it wasn’t. We’ve truly gained enlightenment from this incident. We might end up being like boron fertilizer to Isk.”

“That’s right.”

Siegwald agreed too.

“I somewhat agree. It’s surprising how farming can bring about such insights. Having a space like that in the palace might not be a bad idea.”

“That’s true. Honestly, who could force someone out? They’re exercising their rightful claim to the land. And in a way that’s beneficial to others.”

“Ugh! I’ve been saying that until I’m blue in the face! After all that, you finally understand!”

Luis retorted.

“It’s good that you realize now. We need to convince Isk, but how do we bring up this topic?”

“No need to say anything.”

A voice suddenly came from behind, startling the three of them.

Lorendel stood tall. His face was pale with a sense of betrayal that trembled on the edge of his features.

“How could this happen? Knowing how much Isk agonizes over this issue!”

“Well…”

Luis was taken aback and chewed on her lip.

“We misunderstood. This is a problem that can’t be understood without going there in person. Isk, you too…”

“What kind of problem can’t be understood?” 

Iskandar shouted.

“Was this not a joke? Was it sincere? I issued the decree to forbid contact with that person! But now the Emperor’s closest aides are forming alliances?”

Luis shrugged.

“You’re getting too worked up right now. Whatever I say won’t get through to you in this state. We won’t be able to have a conversation.”

With that, she turned and walked away. Siegwald and Cayenne followed in silence.

Iskandar was left speechless, his mind a whirlwind of confusion.

At 22 years old, he wasn’t at an age where he clung to friends like a 12-year-old, nor did he have the firm individual world of a 32-year-old. Furthermore, these weren’t just friends; they were childhood friends who had braved the treacherous palace under the Emperor, comrades who had fought countless battles together. 

And yet, it wasn’t a clash of political views or conflicting social stances that made his face flush red. Someone had attempted something blatant next to the imperial palace, something that anyone could see was right or wrong. 

“You all must have lost your minds! I can’t even look up!” 

Lorendel scolded, his anger even greater than his own. But rather than finding relief, it only left him feeling strangely uneasy.

Iskandar didn’t believe in fate. Of course, when you were one of the top three swordsmen in the world, you could live without such notions. 

Yet, a sharp intuition stirred within him. 

Something was happening in a place he didn’t recognize, centered around the Mayfield. Already, his three friends had rallied around him, attempting to convince him. 

He couldn’t fathom what was happening.

His head had been throbbing with pain. It seemed like it would become a tremendous headache. 

Even if he were the Emperor of the Empire, it was said that he couldn’t force the noblewoman who had established a salon in the imperial territory to evacuate. She had to pack her things and leave on her own.

In that case, there was one method he had thought of after much deliberation. He came to his study and rang the bell.

“Summon the sage Rastaban.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A little later, the sage rushed in, his eyebrows fluttering. His face was excited.

“Are you finally approving the experiment? You seemed concerned due to the lack of a suitable location.”

Iskandar replied.

“It can be done within the palace grounds. Right above the garden next to my palace.”

Sage Rastaban was surprised.

“Really? But then you’ll just be looking at the ongoing rain scenery outside the window…”

“Isn’t that better than the smell of manure?”

“…!”

The sage suddenly understood.

“You’re truly brilliant. If the upper airspace of that location is designated as a national weather experimentation zone, even the most stubborn critics won’t be able to object. They can’t insist on cultivating crops where it’s pouring rain incessantly…”

Iskandar cut off the sage’s words.

“The results are certain, I assume?”

“Absolutely! The artificial rainfall technology we’ve developed is flawless. Through this, we can address issues like the drought plaguing the Balhash region. And it also serves as an excellent solution to the unfortunate news we received just this dawn… the disaster akin to a wildfire that occurred in Basel.”

Iskandar nodded.

However, just as he was about to speak, a foreboding sensation brushed against his chest. It was a premonition that this event might bring about some unfortunate outcome.

Nonsense. It’s probably just a baseless misconception.

He brushed aside the feeling.

“Alright. I approve of the experiment. Proceed with it immediately.”

 

* * *

 

At that moment, Siegwald belatedly received the news and hurriedly left his retreat, heading back home. As he was coming out, leading his horse, he encountered his seven-year-old twin siblings who were hesitantly approaching him.

He was truly speechless…

“There’s a wildfire in Basel, and I have to go see.”

“Yes. I know.”

Anna Sophia replied, holding back tears and responding politely. Isabella, too, was widening her already large eyes in an attempt not to cry.

With their curly blonde hair spreading under wide-brimmed hats and dressed in muslin dresses, the two children looked adorable like sugar dolls on a cake. Siegwald could imagine how excitedly they must have prepared for this picnic.

He looked at his younger siblings with a sympathetic gaze.

The children of the Sachsenspiegel family were all frail before the age of ten. It was a trait within the family lineage.

Even their father, who was renowned for hunting infamous monsters and earning a name, and their two aunts who rode battle horses and wielded maces to protect the domain’s people, were all fragile and vulnerable before turning ten. Among over twelve siblings, almost all succumbed to illnesses like colds or tetanus, leaving only three of them behind.

The twins, born to their parents later in life, were currently struggling through that phase. Their only solace was the spring picnic.

March in the capital city of Avalon was marked by extreme temperature fluctuations. April often brought rain. May, however, was just right. It saw a month full of sunny days. 

On peaceful weekdays, within the secure palace estate, enjoying a picnic with their trust-worthy older brother felt like playing in a real forest more than anyone else in the world. It was the best feeling.

That memory alone kept Anna Sophia and Isabella enduring another year, trapped in the mansion. So, they waited eagerly, their throats parched… It was unavoidable.

The scene in Basel was chaotic and the embers were said to still smolder. Dealing with such a situation was the duty of the Order of the Holy Knights.

“I’m sorry. I’ll postpone my vacation again.”

Siegwald let out a sigh.

And then, it happened.

Someone briskly entered the courtyard of the mansion. Everyone’s eyes widened as they looked in that direction.

“If it’s about vacation, I’ll cover for you. Just go in after lunch.”

Lorendel spoke without looking at Siegwald.

Although his face had turned slightly red over a trivial matter in the morning… still, Siegwald was his precious friend. He needed help.

“Lord Blenheim!”

The two girls who adored Lorendel ran to him with great joy, their faces lit up as if asking when had they ever been downcast.

“It turned out well for those kids.”

Siegwald chuckled.

After briefly glancing at Lorendel, who was still avoiding his gaze, Siegwald spoke with a much lighter heart and joined the members of the Lightning Knights to immediately depart for Basel.

Lorendel lifted Isabella in his arms and held Anna Sophia’s hand.

“There couldn’t be a better day for a picnic than this. The weather is truly splendid.”

Grandma Esmeralda, the old warlock, said with a hearty laugh. This old wolf-man was as ancient as an elven tree. Her words had never been wrong. 

Lorendel smiled in response.

“Yes, the weather is nice.”

 

* * *

 

Anna Sophia was incredibly happy.

Her brother couldn’t make it due to his busy schedule, but instead, Lorendel had come. Lord Lorendel Blenheim was the most gallant knight in the world.

Furthermore, he had never once mistaken the twins, Anna Sophia and Isabella, and never forgot who the elder sister was. Just a moment ago, he had hugged Isabella and held Anna Sophia’s hand, treating her as the elder sister.

So, today’s picnic couldn’t have been more perfect.

The sunlight was clear and the clouds were fluffy. They passed by the palace pond, resembling a beautiful painting in their mother’s room, and the newly constructed grand palace of the Emperor, who was also their brother’s friend. They entered a small forest that bordered the grand garden.

The picnic spot was right there.

“This seems like a good spot.”

Lorendel spread a checkered blanket on a small garden filled with purple anemone flowers. The basket they had prepared from home was filled with sandwiches and delicious snacks.

Everything was just as Anna Sophia had envisioned. 

After indulging in honey-coated pastries, the two children played make-believe with Lorendel. Then, they decided to draw. When they looked over to show their drawings, they found Lorendel, who had been leaning against a tree while reading a book, fast asleep.

“He must be tired.”

“The leader of the knights has a tough job.”

They looked at each other for a moment before turning their heads away. They exchanged meaningful glances.

“Now’s our chance.”

The two children stealthily approached and reached out their hands. They carefully grabbed a handful of their favorite elven knight’s platinum hair. It was something they had wanted to braid for a long time.

The two of them moved their hands quickly without making a sound.

In reality, Lorendel wasn’t asleep. He had just closed his eyes for a moment. However, since the children seemed to enjoy it, he pretended to be asleep. And then, while he continued to lend his head for quite a while… he dozed off for real. The sunlight was warm, the twins were quiet, and it had been days since he had slept due to worrying about the issue with Luis.

Anna Sophia and Isabella attempted to braid Lorendel’s hair for a long time. However, they couldn’t quite achieve the look of the cornstalks they wanted, so they gave up.

“Let’s stop and do something else.”

They decided to make a crown to present to Gradnma Esmeralda. They wandered around, picking purple anemones, white daisies, and yellow freesias scattered here and there.

Suddenly, something dropped onto Anna Sophia’s forehead. She looked up, and cold droplets of water splashed onto her nose and cheeks. The sky that had been blue just a moment ago had turned pitch black.

The two children stared at each other, trembling with fear.

“It’s raining!”

In an instant, the rain poured down. The surroundings blurred before their eyes. They couldn’t even tell where they were anymore. They had strayed too far while picking flowers.

“What should we do?”

“Come over here!”

Anna Sophia grabbed her frightened sister’s hand and ran. They needed to find a building to take cover in. But no matter how fast they ran, there was no building in sight.

By this point, they should have reached the palace! The farther they went, the more they encountered only thickets and trees.

Anna Sophia was unaware of one crucial detail – they should have turned aside in the forest to reach the palace. In their panic and without considering the direction, they had mindlessly rushed forward, which led them down from the woods into the grand garden…

“Big sister, I’m cold!”

Isabella’s lips were turning blue. Anna Sophia tightly embraced her sister. It felt like holding a freezing, damp piece of wood in her arms. When she checked her fingernails, they were all tinged with purple. It was dangerous.

They couldn’t afford to get wet any further here.

Anna Sophia led Isabella into the thicket. Even there, the rain relentlessly pounded down. She used her shoulders and arms to shield her sister from the rain. And she shouted,

“Help us!”

No one answered.

“Help us, please!”

The child’s cries echoed across the garden. The leaden sky above was swiftly being covered by distant, looming clouds.

 

* * *

 

Hazel was working in the fields, completely oblivious to the situation above her head, even in her dreams. She truly sensed nothing out of the ordinary until something cold dropped onto her neck.

“Huh?”

At that moment, black spots began to splatter the ground. The earth became damp, and the scent of wet soil wafted through the air.

Hazel felt perplexed.

Even earlier in the morning, dew had settled on the fields. There hadn’t been a single cloud in the sky. Everything indicated that it would be another sunny day.

And yet, the rain was suddenly pouring down. Not just rain, but a tremendous downpour. Beyond the farm’s fence, near the fountain, she could hear panicked screams and hurried footsteps.

This was a big problem.

Already, holes were being dug into the once-moist and neatly tended field.

Hazel dashed to the barn and brought out planks. She was in the process of erecting a barrier to prevent the young shoots from being washed away by the rain-soaked soil…

Suddenly, she heard a scream.

She thought it might have been a hallucination and grabbed the plank again, but the scream came again. It was a desperate, urgent scream.

A child?

Hazel threw the plank and ran.

The heavy rain made it hard to see. She wiped the water flowing into her eyes and stumbled forward. Amid the sound of pouring rain that muffled everything, a sharp scream pierced through once more.

“Help us!”

Over there!

Hazel darted into the maze garden. Within the green walls, she saw a piece of white fabric soaked in rain sticking out. She hurried over and pushed through the bushes.

“Help… us….”

Two young girls were crouched there. They had been thoroughly drenched in the rain, to the point where they looked nothing like themselves. Their condition was dire.

“Oh my…”

Hazel couldn’t find the words. One girl was carrying the other, both in a state of shock, running home in a daze.

Once she laid them on a bed, she realized the situation was even more serious.

Their eyes had lost focus. Their lips were as blue as ink, and there were dark circles beneath their eyes. In this state, they were shivering uncontrollably like aspen leaves. Surprisingly, the girl who had cried out for help seemed to be in an even worse state.

This is dangerous!

Hazel first threw logs into the oven’s fire. She also tossed in the stones she had collected from the field. There was nothing large enough to be considered a blanket in the house, just a quilt. Thankfully, it hadn’t been washed today, so she used it to gently dry off their bodies.

She helped them out of their soaking clothes and wrapped them in thick woolen garments she found in a travel bag. After covering them with a blanket, she took the stones out of the oven. She carefully placed the warm stones all around their bodies. But even after all this…

“It’s cold. So cold…”

The girls couldn’t stop shivering, seemingly unable to regain their senses.

– They’re frozen to the bone!

The phrase that Hazel’s Aunt Martha often used came to mind.

…They need something.

A voice echoed in her mind.

They need it!

Hazel rushed outside.

These children needed a remedy. Not just any cold medicine, but a very special herbal remedy.

Aunt Martha had taught her.

When you have a house, start by planting the foxglove. Foxglove is a type of wild digitalis among herbs.

Aunt Martha always said.

If you’re a farmer in Belmont, always carry foxglove seeds with you on a necklace. Even if you end up a beggar and homeless, plant foxglove beside the place where you lay your newspapers. Even if you’ve been given a death sentence and will die tomorrow, plant and sleep tonight.

Shut up and plant. 

Having been indoctrinated in such teachings, Hazel, whenever she moved, always planted foxglove in a small pot by the window of her rented house. When she got her farm, she also scattered foxglove seeds in the herb garden beside her kitchen.

Aunt Martha’s unwavering faith was not actually in the foxglove itself, but rather in the medicine made from it.

Pilgrim’s Syrup.

It was a secret recipe passed down among the pilgrims. When you drank Pilgrim’s Syrup, your blocked insides cleared out, resistance to all illnesses arose, and it detoxified toxins. Most importantly, it raised the body temperature of the pilgrims, who needed to keep walking rain or shine. No matter how severe the approaching cold may be, it was expelled in an instant.

Aunt Martha always kept plenty of Pilgrim’s Syrup on hand and used it as a household remedy.

Hazel hadn’t been able to do that yet.

Foxglove grew well. As long as it received enough sunlight, it grew rapidly even without meticulous watering. But it hadn’t been planted for very long. It had just sprouted about an inch from the ground.

Just one spoonful was all she needed to make! Hazel scurried around the herb garden, her feet splashing through the wet ground.

To make good syrup, she needed leaves with a silvery sheen on the back, resembling fox tails. That’s when the medicine had its potency. Young leaves were of no use. By Hazel’s calculations, there should be at least five properly grown leaves.

Amidst the pouring rain, she meticulously searched through the foxglove’s leaves.

Please, just let there be five leaves.

She wished fervently, but one, two, three, four… it stopped there.

This won’t work.

Her hands trembled as she dug through the soil. And then, in one fleeting moment, between overlapping leaves, she found a firm one.

“Phew!”

Hazel took a deep breath. It felt like a miracle. In that fleeting moment, she believed there must be someone above watching over the children.

“Thank you. Thank you.”

She whispered her gratitude, never forgetting her farmer’s manners, as she hurriedly made her way back home. The children were still trembling uncontrollably.

Please hold on just a little longer.

Hazel minced the foxglove leaves with a knife. Normally, she would have steeped the leaves in boiling water to extract their essence, but there was no time for that. She used her trembling hands to finely chop the leaves, letting the herb’s essence naturally seep out, then poured the exact amount of water over it. 

After straining the concentrated liquid and mixing in the honey she had on hand, she was done. It was the high-speed pilgrim’s syrup.

Hazel rushed to the two children.

 

* * *

 

Anna Sophia felt cold. That was the only thought she could hold onto. Everything else was a blur – where she was, who she was, it was all hazy.

Then, someone opened her mouth and poured something inside. She didn’t know what it was, but it smelled like honey. So, she swallowed it.

Warmth spread down her throat.

A sudden rush of heat surged through her body. It was like the sensation when she had touched her father’s spirits in his study, except this was different. The warmth rushed down her throat and quickly spread throughout her body. A scent overwhelmed her senses as if her nose had been suddenly cleared.

This is Foxglove.

Despite her aversion to the smell, strangely, she felt a calming sensation. The intense heat had settled in her stomach, like a roaring fire, spreading warmth throughout her body.

The cold disappeared.

Anna Sophia gradually regained her senses. Isabella was beside her, shaking her head to clear her mind as well. Both were wrapped in thick blankets, sitting in front of a blazing fire.

Anna Sophia blinked her eyes open.

This was an unfamiliar house.

But was it a house? She had never seen such a small dwelling before. And the girl in front of her…

“Who…?”

Before she could ask, the girl hastily covered Anna Sophia’s mouth.

“Don’t talk to me, and act as if you can’t see me.”

The twins’ eyes widened.

It was unbelievable.

A fairy! They had found a real fairy’s house after wandering through the forest!

What the twins were thinking, Hazel couldn’t be sure.

“Wow! Amazing!”

“This must be a dream!”

The two kids, their hair still wet, suddenly appeared ecstatic, and Hazel couldn’t fathom why they were so excited. 

They’ve just barely made it through this. 

She felt a bit of relief. However, she couldn’t let her guard down. She needed to stoke the flames she had barely rescued. 

“I need to feed them plenty of hot soup.”

Hazel rolled up her sleeves.

They had no idea, not even in their dreams, that outside in the howling wind, Lorendel was frantically searching for the kids with a panicked, pale blue face…

Lorendel woke up startled when the rain poured down heavily. Instinctively, he reached out his arm, but the twins he thought were right next to him were nowhere to be found.

“Anna Sophia? Isabella?”

There was no reply.

In the distance, he could see a few people running in alarm from the suddenly pouring rain, but the two children with wide-brimmed hats were nowhere to be seen.

“Anna Sophia! Isabella!”

No matter how loudly he shouted, there was no response. Lorendel wandered the orchard in a state of panic. After thoroughly searching the forest near the entrance, he ran towards the Emperor’s palace. He grabbed a guard and asked,

“Have you seen the twin sisters of Siegwald?”

“The young ladies haven’t come this way.”

“Release people immediately and start searching!”

After giving that command, he searched again, lost in his efforts.

“Anna Sophia! Isabella!”

He shouted until his throat was raw, but all he heard was the hollow sound of rain. He couldn’t comprehend it. There had been no signs of rain. Yet, suddenly, everything had changed so dramatically.

No. That’s an excuse.

Lorendel couldn’t forgive himself for letting his guard down and falling asleep. They were just seven years old. He couldn’t afford to take his eyes off them even for a moment. And they weren’t even his siblings; they were his friend’s sisters. What if something happened to these kids because of him?

The surroundings grew darker.

“Anna Sophia!”

Desperately, he searched and searched, but the children were still nowhere to be found.

Amidst the despair, he couldn’t help but think.

Too much time had already passed. The cold rain quickly sapped away body heat. Especially for such fragile children, they couldn’t endure until now. The image of the twins lying in the pouring rain flashed before his eyes. The once clear blue eyes were now clouded, staring into emptiness. Muddy blond hair. Twisted and motionless little bodies.

Such a horrific sight tortured Lorendel. As soon as he turned that corner ahead, he would see that scene directly. At that moment, his heart would shatter into pieces… 

They were such kind children.

It was all his fault. Siegwald, the Duke, the Duchess, there was no one he could face anymore. This guilt couldn’t be atoned even in death. It was a dreadful hell. The torment of the soul was more unbearable for the elven race than any physical pain.

Amidst that intense pain, he wandered… and suddenly, he abruptly stopped. In the muddy water, a pink ribbon was lying there. His eyes widened. The twins had passed through here!

Lorendel looked around frantically. It wasn’t the direction he had just walked. He had searched meticulously, and they weren’t there.

It was ahead.

He ran through the dense rain without thinking.

Through the misty water vapor, he saw a wooden fence. Beyond it stood a small house.

Lorendel paused for a moment.

Occasionally, he had passed by this area, always deliberately avoiding this house. Just looking at it gave him the feeling of breaking some unspoken rule. But now was not the time to hesitate.

He rushed over and flung the door open.

“…No. You can’t. If we eat too much, we won’t be able to return to our world. We’ll have to live forever in the fairy realm.”

“But it’s so delicious, what should we do?”

He heard a playful argument.

A fire was crackling, and the warm scent of something savory filled the house.

Anna Sophia and Isabella were sitting on the floor, spooning mouthfuls of thick cream soup into their mouths, despite their giggles. The owner of the house stood behind them, towel in hand, drying the two children’s hair.

…It was an unimaginable scene.

The tightly wound tension in Lorendel’s chest snapped. His head spun. He collapsed right there.

“…?”

Hazel stopped her hands and looked dazedly. 

Just as she had expected someone to burst in, the dimly lit room suddenly illuminated, revealing a dazzling platinum-haired High Elf. He had a face that looked as if the world had crumbled, but upon seeing the twins, he seemed to lose all strength and collapsed. Hazel wondered and glanced up and down…

“Lord Blenheim!”

The two children waved.

Do they know him?

Ah, right. He was the one who lost these kids.

Hazel understood the context of the situation. It made sense why this High Elf had the expression of someone who had been to hell and back.

Don’t worry. It’s okay.

She was about to speak those words unconsciously…

When the twins beat her to it.

“The fairy sister found us and brought us here!”

“She gave us fairy medicine, dried our clothes, and cooked the most delicious cream soup in the world!”

The two children bragged.

Of course, meeting fairies was a secret they shouldn’t share with others, but since High Elves were related to fairies, it wasn’t a secret, right?

They held that thought confidently.

“I see… I see…”

Lorendel finally looked around. The firewood was burning not in a fireplace, but in an oven. There were traces of chaos, with blankets and winter clothes scattered haphazardly. Charred stones were also scattered around.

It was a swift action.

While acknowledging what the children said, he was also puzzled. However, could those things restore them like this?

Lorendel’s gaze lingered on the table. There were traces of crushed herbs. A bottle containing honey was also there, slightly crooked.

Home remedy?

He looked at the owner of the house.

She seemed momentarily puzzled by what the twins were saying, but as if she didn’t have time for that, she resumed drying their hair with the towel. Even if the world collapsed, she was steadfast in her duty, speaking it with her entire being.

It was so different from the vague image he had imagined upon hearing rumors.

Her clothes were still damp. While the top of her hair had dried, the lower part was soaked, almost looking like dark hair. Perhaps from hastily taking out the stones from the oven, there was a swollen, reddened area on the inside of her arm where the sleeve was pushed up.

Lorendel was taken aback.

“Um, I…?”

“Over here.”

She gestured with her chin towards a straw hat placed next to the firewood oven.

“I’d like to put it in front, but I don’t have hands right now. It’s there, so could you please pick it up and put it in front while speaking to it?”

“….”

Lorendel was at a loss for words. He knew all too well that interacting with objects under an imperial edict required various tricks. He had vehemently criticized such behavior.

Not knowing anything…

The moment of realization and remorse arrived. Lorendel’s face flushed.

Everyone had ignored her. He had also condemned her so harshly.

And yet, she had saved him from great misery. Considering that this was not only his sorrow but also the sorrow of precious friends, he could never repay this favor no matter what.

Lorendel couldn’t raise his head.

Fortunately, the bewildering situation didn’t last long.

Clang!

The door that had slightly closed due to the wind swung open again. With a loud thud, someone jumped inside.

“Are you okay? Straw hat!”

It was Luis and Cayenne.

They had rushed in without thinking but abruptly halted upon seeing the scene inside the house. Perplexed, they looked around.

“Anna Sophia! Isabella! Why are you two here?”

“Oh! Today was the picnic day! Oh my goodness! Then…”

Both Luis and Cayenne were amazed.

Having been supervising their subordinates at their respective knight training grounds, they had suddenly heard the news of heavy rain. It was said to be pouring only in the Grand Garden area.

They became very suspicious, so they joined the investigation together. Soon after discovering the truth, they felt a strong sense of responsibility for their friend’s arbitrary behavior and rushed over. 

But this was such a bizarre situation. The quick-witted duo quickly grasped the situation. Lorendel, to help Siegwald, had taken care of the children, and then… who knows what happened. 

They locked eyes. 

Iskandar, Siegwald, Lorendel. Realizing how narrowly they had escaped from the horrendous tragedy that these three were entangled in, a shiver ran down their spines. 

“We were about to be in big trouble!” 

“It’s fortunate that this house was nearby….”

The twins excitedly talked about their little adventure, causing their bottoms to wiggle in excitement. Remembering that Catseye was from the fairy tribe, they took Cayenne’s hand and led him toward Hazel. 

“Let’s greet the forest fairy here.”

“Um, well…” 

Cayenne was taken aback.

“Not a fairy, you know. Let’s stop this conversation here. No one can see the owner of this house, and no one can talk about the owner of this house.”

“Why?”

“There was an order from His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Why?”

“Well… he thought that person was someone who was ruining the country.”

The twins exchanged puzzled looks. They lowered their voices and whispered to each other.

“That’s not true, right?”

“Of course not…”

Luis let out a playful cough. 

“Exactly. Kids like you know things that adults don’t.” 

A reproachful glance was directed at Lorendel. Hazel, who had been drying the children’s hair while casually observing them, looked up absentmindedly.

Lorendel became flustered again. 

“That’s not…”

“It’s illegal. We have to talk to the straw hat about this.”

Cayenne said.

Lorendel found himself speechless once more. An obvious annoyance crossed the High Elf’s face.

“This is getting serious.”

“We already told you.”

“Even though we have every right to.”

“We already told you!”

What a frustrating friend. Luis looked at Lorendel with such eyes. 

“Fortunately, you’ve realized, but surprisingly, this isn’t the worst of it. Do you want to know what’s even worse?”

She whispered the circumstances before and after the incident to him.

Lorendel’s expression changed. After a glance at the twins and then Hazel… he rushed out with a disturbed face.

Lorendel was angry!

Luis and Cayenne exchanged glances. Unable to hide their excitement, Luis hurriedly said, 

“Straw hat, could you please relay this to your owner? We came to help. We thought she might be working in the fields getting wet from the rain.”

“Ah…”

Hazel turned her gaze out the window. Seeing the ruined field made her heartache. However, when she heard the children’s screams and saw the thrown plank, the choice had already been made.

“The seedlings must have been ruined… There’s nothing we can do. It’s the way of nature.”

“True. But unfortunately, would you believe this isn’t nature?”

“…?” 

Hazel gave a puzzled look. What was she talking about? Could rain not be a natural phenomenon? It sounded strange.

As Hazel looked on, Cayenne suddenly began to speak to the empty air.

“Surprising, isn’t it? His Majesty the Emperor designated the upper grounds of the Imperial Garden as an artificial rain experiment site. Interestingly, beneath that, there’s an inconspicuous chamber, isn’t there?”

“What did you say?”

Hazel was dumbfounded. It was such an incredible event that she couldn’t find words to express herself.

“That’s why all of us are so angry. Since Lorendel went, we should go too. Straw hat, please tell your owner that we’re entrusting these children to her a little longer!”

Leaving the bewildered Hazel behind, Luis and Cayenne rushed off. In front of the main building of the palace, they encountered their Warbear friend.

Siegwald, in fieldwork, suddenly began to feel an odd sense of unease. As soon as things were roughly taken care of on the scene, he left his subordinates and hurried back.

Seeing the expressions on the faces of his two friends, his heart sank. Something must have happened during their spring outing.

“Who is it? The kids? Or Lorendel?”

“For now, everyone is safe.”

Seeing that his absence today may have played a crucial role, they felt relieved that he returned just in time for this important moment. Grateful for the timing, they quickly moved on with Siegwald.

 

* * *

 

Imperial Palace Library, 5th-floor research lab. 

Iskandar was observing the heavy rain through a telescope while the sage Rastaban explained beside him.

“By remotely controlling well-trained wyverns and dispersing the cloud seeds developed at the Tower of Knowledge, the cloud particles will cluster and turn into raindrops. The key is to analyze the types of clouds currently in the sky and then use the appropriate cloud seeds.”

“Cloud seeds…”

Iskandar listened to the sage’s explanation as he peered through the telescope.

Suddenly, the door to the research lab swung open. Drenched in rain, Lorendel burst in.

“You almost killed our friend’s younger siblings just now!”

He shouted.

Even in the presence of officials, Lorendel’s speech was so unrestrained that even the ancient inflections of the Old Tongue were mixed in. Due to this, Iskandar didn’t immediately understand and replied.

“What did I do?”

“Anna Sophia and Isabella were trapped in that rain!”

“What?”

Iskandar was stunned.

He immediately slammed his hand down on the remote control device. The ominous premonition that had briefly brushed past him had now solidified into reality. The room plunged into darkness, and he stood up abruptly.

“Where are the kids now?”

“Fortunately, someone managed to find them in the rain. Thanks to appropriate emergency measures, they’re safe now.”

“Ah…”

Iskandar calmed his startled heart.

Of course, he was familiar with the Spring Festival tradition in the House of Sachsenspiegel. However, he didn’t know that Siegwald was on vacation today. That quiet friend of his, true to his nature, hadn’t shown any signs of such a fact and had just left Basel. Perhaps that was why Lorendel had ended up looking after the two kids, and if anything had happened in that situation… 

It felt as though he had plummeted down several levels.

“Who saved the kids? How can we express our gratitude…?”

“That’s why I came here to tell you!”

Lorendel replied.

“Whoever it is, I can’t reveal the name. They can’t even be thanked. Despite going all out to rescue the kids from the rain, that person should be treated as if they don’t exist. All because of your orders!”

Lorendel’s words rang like lightning in Iskandar’s stunned ears.

“By the authority of the Forest Knights Council of Imperial Advisers, which reports directly to His Majesty, we request a review of this matter! Because all members of the Forest Knights have recognized the unjust and grave misunderstanding concerning a certain woman, who is also the owner of the Palace Salon!”

He kneeled and unsheathed his sword, placing it before him.

“Therefore, we demand the repeal of the decree that was enforced on May 2nd, which seriously undermines the dignity of the Britannia Empire and the pride of the Imperial Knights!”

The sage and officials who had been looking at him in confusion quickly bowed their heads.

It was the Forest Knight’s special authority.

In the conventions of staging such dramatic scenes, it was often said that unsheathing a sword symbolized a command to “dismiss if you dare.” However, that was a misconception. If the ruler wouldn’t listen, unsheathing the sword was a literal command to “cut down with this sword,” a matter of staking one’s life on it.

Iskandar was greatly surprised.

Of course, he knew the personality of this High Elf well.

When the brutal and merciless Byzantine people, who had been raiding the borders, were pushed back by the Imperial Army and their morale dropped, their chieftain ordered a decree setting their tribal village on fire and killing even the young children. It was easier to surrender if there was a home and family.

Iskandar and all the members of the four Imperial Knight Orders were consumed by rage. Pursuing and clashing again, when they narrowly managed to avoid the chief after another clash, he cried out.

-Spill no elf blood! Rather, go to the vampires and beg for mercy! Elves are off-limits!

Lorendel said it.

He was usually gentle, but when it came to what he believed was right, he showed no mercy. For him to stake his life on this…

It had to be right.

Iskandar once again fell into a daze. Before he knew it, Luis, Siegwald, and Cayenne had all rushed over. Iskandar looked at his friends with a perplexed expression.

An unjust and grave misunderstanding…

Could it be that the land speculator wasn’t the real culprit?

He had never imagined such a possibility.

If it wasn’t for personal gain, why would someone defy the Emperor’s will so strongly? Could it really be because they wanted to farm there, just like they said?

Seriously?

Iskandar’s complexion changed rapidly.

“Tsk tsk…”

Luis watched with her arms crossed.

A friend she had observed for nearly 20 years. She could vividly see what process he was going through right now.

The process of shattering fixed ideas.

It was the same process they had gone through.

Iskandar seemed to have finally realized something too. Wearing the heavy armor of absolutism, it might have taken him longer than them…

But in the end, it seemed he had realized it.

Fortunately, no accident had occurred. Precious Anna Sophia and Isabella had a dreamlike experience meeting their fairy sister thanks to the rain. That wasn’t the end of it. Perhaps due to the effects of the herbs Hazel had prepared, they seemed more energetic than usual.

It was all thanks to the farm.

Luis, Siegwald, and Cayenne exchanged glances.

-The palace needs a fresh breeze. Will you join me in that endeavor?

Luis had already conveyed the secretive orders from the palace minister to her friends.

The palace minister had its reasons, too. Their friend Iskandar was undeniably one of the most influential figures in the Empire, both in terms of authority and might. However, something essential was still missing.

They didn’t know what that was, but the fresh wind blowing from the farm would surely help. While they were at it, wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could officially recognize the small farm? Allowing everyone to move freely without constantly worrying about the Emperor’s gaze.

The eyes of the three friends sparkled.

Coincidentally, Lorendel was speaking kindly.

“No matter how much you’re the Emperor and a grand cavalier, meddling with nature recklessly is dangerous. Just as the flap of a butterfly’s wings can stir up a storm, it can bring about unforeseen tragedies.”

“That’s true.”

Luis quickly retorted.

“Making decisions on your own and charging ahead recklessly might earn you praise on the battlefield, but not in the palace. Why bother creating the Forest Knights Council if you’re going to do that? Our salaries aren’t insignificant, you know.”

Siegwald picked up her words.

“Anyway, I’m thankful I’m not the Emperor. Luckily, I don’t have any power, so I can’t cause any major disasters.”

Cayenne chimed in as well.

“I’m thankful I’m not the Emperor either. Even if I misunderstand or make mistakes, all I need to do is kick the blanket off, and my mistakes won’t be etched into history books and used as test questions.”

His friends’ words were a sharp jab. Iskandar was left speechless.

“Enough. Arguing makes you resemble each other.”

Siegwald said, whether trying to calm down or fan the flames and then looked at Iskandar.

“But there are good aspects to having power. You can learn from your mistakes.” 

Of course, he would have to take responsibility.

Iskandar was about to retort but hesitated.

Beside Siegwald, Luis was positively glowing with excitement. Her purple irises seemed to contain floating words like ‘potential for eternal symbiosis’ or ‘a happy future alongside the farm’.

“……!” 

Iskandar suddenly snapped back to his senses. Something surged within him.

“…No.”

“What?”

“Yeah. Everything you guys said is right. I made rash decisions driven by fixed notions and ended up making mistakes. But I can only admit it goes that far.”

Iskandar said, then firmly closed his lips.

They exchanged glances.

Well, of course. It was a big dream after all.

Cayenne summed it up.

“Yes, yes. That’s right. Then, let’s not force each other and go our separate ways, understanding Isk’s perspective.”

“Alright.”

“Wait! I’m not telling you to leave.”

Turning back, Iskanda called a halt to Cayenne.

“There’s still an important matter left to discuss. We said we’re going to make up for today’s mistake.”

“Oh, right. What should I do then?”

Cayenne smiled as if he had been waiting.

“First, as Lorendel said, you need to retract that foolish decree. I can’t stand watching our Commanders of the Holy Order talking seriously to the Straw Hat anymore! And don’t forget about the damage to private property. There should be proper compensation. I have an idea about that…”

Iskandar’s expression turned somewhat resigned as he listened to the conversation. However, it was an inevitable course of action.

A while later, people strolling through the palace witnessed a sight. The four Commanders of the Imperial Holy Order, with proud expressions, marched with their cloaks fluttering.

Their destination was the Grand Garden.

 

* * *

 

“Here it is!”

“Here too!”

Hazel watched the twins, who were wandering through the rain-soaked field, pointing here and there. Surprisingly, these kids were Siegwald’s younger siblings. It was hard to believe that these delicate-looking kids were related to a bear-like person like Warbear Siegwald. However, seeing them sniff around and easily find young shoots, there was a glimmer of hope. After all, they say a bear’s sense of smell is ten times better than a dog’s.

“Here.”

The twins reverently offered the found shoots as if they were presenting them to the deity of agriculture. No matter how many times Hazel told them not to talk to her, they didn’t seem to care. So she just gave up.

Surely they won’t punish these young kids, will they?

Thinking about the emperor made her insides boil with anger again.

She tried her best, but she couldn’t save more than a third of the buds. Just thinking about it made her face turn red with frustration.

Hazel had experienced all sorts of ridiculous things in her life so far. But that didn’t mean she had ever held a grudge against anyone like this.

There was only one reason: she didn’t want to waste time.

No matter what harm the other party caused or how thoughtless their actions were, being upset about it didn’t automatically change things. It was much more advantageous to just sweep it aside and smell the herbs once more.

But issues related to farming were an exception.

“These so-called higher-ups are really…!”

While she was about to vehemently criticize, Hazel reminded herself of the presence of the children and held back. Furthermore, weren’t these kids themselves already possessing several territories for their future? Territories belonging to those so-called ‘higher-ups.’

“……”

Hazel decided to simply return to working with the soil.

After a few more rounds of digging and straightening her back, she saw people approaching from the other side of the fence in the deep blue garden. There were Lorendel, Luis, Siegwald, Cayenne, and many others following behind.

Hazel was surprised.

What could be happening again?

As she gazed with wide eyes, Lorendel was the first to enter the farm. Then, he stood right in front of Hazel.

“Miss Mayfield!”

Openly breaking the law, are they? Hazel was startled.

“Miss Mayfield isn’t here!”

However, the high elf continued boldly, undeterred.

“Miss Mayfield! Thank you for saving me from a great crisis today. All the elves of Britannia will consider you a dear friend forevermore.”

Lorendel’s loud and clear voice reverberated throughout the grand garden. The remaining three also stepped forward, one by one, and spoke with valor.

“Miss Mayfield, you’ve fed my hungry subordinates to their hearts’ content and allowed them to taste the most delicious apple tart in the world. I’m truly grateful! Luis Gayardo and the bloodline of Noble Ones swear to become your friends!”

“The Runvard family, of course, and all the Catseyes of Nine Hills will be thrilled to hear the tales of the adventures I’ve experienced. I’m sure they’ll be ecstatic when they hear those stories. I can’t share those tales here, though…”

“You’re our hero! If you ever need magic, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“We won’t forget the favor of saving Anna Sophia and Isabella, the two successors of Sachsenspiegel. Our clan will remember it eternally.”

And they all saluted respectfully.

Hazel was too astonished to speak clearly.

“Why are you all saying this? I have the decree…”

“It has been lifted.”

Someone emerged from behind them. Instead of a member of the royal court, it was Count Albert, his silver hair neatly combed.

Hazel couldn’t believe her ears and asked again.

“The decree has been lifted?”

“That’s right! Now, Miss Mayfield, you can freely converse with all of us.”

Before the amazement could fade, he grinned and handed her a piece of paper. Hazel asked.

“What’s this again?”

“It’s a land deed.”

“A land deed?”

“His Majesty acknowledged a grave mistake in the selection of the artificial rainfall experiment site. He apologizes for the significant damage caused to Miss Mayfield’s salon and, as a gesture of compensation for that damage, he has decided to grant Miss Mayfield a parcel of land belonging to the nation. It amounts to one field’s worth of land, which will extend half a field in front and behind your farm, or should I say salon.”

“Eh?”

Hazel was simply bewildered. She hadn’t expected any compensation. Such thoughts wouldn’t cross the mind of someone as high-ranking as the emperor.

They all worked so hard.

Hazel was deeply moved.

The farm would expand. She could plant more. Perhaps, just maybe… she could even build a chicken coop!

Her heart raced.

But…

Hazel suppressed her excited feelings and answered with a somber expression.

“I can’t accept. He’s the one who slaughtered the seedlings.”

“Oh! Don’t worry!”

The palace minister laughed. 

“No one is asking you to forgive His Majesty. Forgiveness and compensation are strictly separate matters. This is a rightful compensation that Miss Mayfield should receive.”

And he winked.

“If he has ruined crops, he should pay for it.”

That’s right.

Yes, it’s only fair. After all, he can’t just ruin someone else’s field and move on. Who would appreciate that?

“In that case, I’ll accept it with gratitude.”

Hazel exclaimed, this time with a different meaning, causing her face to blush. 

“Thank you! I’m really happy!”

“Shall we start by uprooting the trees? Anything that requires effort is fine. Please feel free to ask.”

Observing her steadfast Warbear friend speaking solemnly, Luis was watching from the side.

The decree had been lifted, and the farm had doubled in size. With these results, Hazel was already quite content. However, the palace was a treacherous place. 

Now that she was about to start her social activities in earnest, the Straw Hat would need even more strength.

Seizing this opportunity, she decided to interject.

“Decorating the farm is something Miss Mayfield will handle on her own.”

“But I have to find a way to repay…”

“I know how to repay. Miss Mayfield, wouldn’t you treat us to a delicious meal?”

What nonsense!

Siegwald was bewildered. Even if she were to offer a meal from this side, would they even accept it? And now, she’s asking for a meal? With all the events of today, his vampire friend’s tongue likely got tangled. He was about to quickly correct her…

“Sure!”

Hazel beamed and said.

In reality, the decree hadn’t hindered her farming. However, being able to freely engage in conversations with good people was a joyful thing indeed. And there was another important advantage.

Now she could hold an event. Liberated from the apprehension of approaching unsuspecting citizens while laden with the emperor’s decree like a bomb, she could now extend invitations freely.

“Come for dinner tomorrow evening!”

Hazel confidently extended her first invitation.

Then, she immediately hesitated.

“Oh, but… everyone needs to bring their chairs…”

 

* * *

 

May roses were in full bloom on the marble arch. The meticulously arranged palace garden was like a beautiful painting no matter where one looked.

Between topiaries carefully pruned into geometric shapes and statues, Britannia’s officials strolled gracefully, exchanging elegant nods.

Right there, the commanders were making their way, each carrying a chair. Luis Gayardo had brought a velvet chair with plush cushions. Lorendel Blenheim carried an ornate chair with finely carved wooden vines. Siegwald Sachsenspiegel brought a small, round chair with no backrest to conserve space. It would have been awkward otherwise.

Unlike the other three, who had chosen chairs within the category of dining chairs, Cayenne Runvard, ever oblivious, had brought the opulent throne of the Elven King, which could easily double as a treasure chest.

“There was no other chair left!”

Cayenne defended himself.

In any case, how refreshing it was to have to bring chairs to a gathering. They walked along the promenade with joy in their hearts.

Under the faintly purple-tinted sky, between the trees, a small house beyond the fence came into view. Herbs grew profusely on one side of the house, and bright light spilled out through the windows. Crossing the field emitting the pleasant scent of fresh earth in the evening air, a signboard reading ‘Marronnier Farm Salon’ stood out distinctly.

“We’re here, Miss Mayfield!”

Luis exclaimed.

“Please, come in!”

Hazel quickly opened the door and greeted them. Guests arranged the various chairs they had brought around the dining table. They looked around Hazel’s place with curious glances, the painted walls, and the brick oven, and then turned their expectant faces toward Hazel.

It was the moment they had waited for all day. The preparations had been perfectly done.

Now that the farm was established, the idea of using the money she’d saved by tightening her belt to buy ingredients and cooking up a storm flashed through her mind. But it was fleeting. 

Hazel soon regained her composure. She had gone to the markets where the city’s commoners went, searching and inquiring, to gather fresh ingredients. And so, with great care, the first menu of the well-prepared dinner was…

Thump!

Hazel placed a wooden cutting board on the dining table. On the board lay a large loaf of bread, accompanied by homemade cheese.

Seeing the flour-dusted bread, Lorendel looked surprised. 

“You’ve been quite busy.”

He was about to brush the flour off, but Hazel stopped him. 

“This is how we eat it. It’s country bread.”

“Ah, country bread…”

Cayenne pretended to know as he poked the bread with his fork.

…It wouldn’t go in.

That’s alright. Having been on the battlefield, rock-hard bread was nothing.

Bravely, he put it in his mouth and was surprised. Looking at his friends, they all had faces of equal surprise.

But this wasn’t hard bread. The crust was tough, but the inside was moist and alive. The crisp outer layer, the soft and yielding interior, and the rich taste as you chewed, all combined to make it a delightful experience, unlike any ordinary bread.

Luis marveled and asked, 

“The taste of the grains is alive? What kind of wheat did you use?”

“Whole wheat flour. This kind of country bread is made with whole wheat flour. The flour is ground in a mill without removing the outer layer. Country bread pairs well with homemade cheese.”

Following Hazel’s lead, they spread cheese on the bread and ate together. The cheese wasn’t rich and creamy; it had a firm yet smooth texture and gentle flavor. Paired with the hearty and rustic country bread, it seemed like they could eat forever.

While everyone was eating without saying a word, Hazel placed a large bowl on the table.

The sight before them brightened.

It was a very colorful and generous salad. 

Fresh vegetables like lettuce picked from the kitchen garden, olives and tomatoes bought from the market, thinly sliced red onions, semi-soft-boiled eggs, and roasted bean sprouts… 

Hazel had mixed the ingredients she had in abundance at home and presented the farm’s salad, which looked refreshing just by sight. Following Hazel’s example, they scooped up a hearty portion and took a bite.

“It’s so delicious!”

Luis exclaimed. The dish was seasoned lightly with a dressing made from fresh olive oil and herbs, allowing the freshness of the ingredients to shine through. It was a dish that made one’s mood feel refreshed.

The pile of salad quickly disappeared.

“Everyone, look at this! Luis is eating grass!”

Luis pointed at herself proudly.

Ah, truly a healthy meal.

As they enjoyed the pleasant fullness, a large pot with handles was placed onto the table with a thud. The four of them were surprised.

“This is today’s dish.”

Hazel’s casual statement left them all bewildered.

Then, what have they been eating until now?

Lost in that question, they stared at the pot in front of them. Amidst the rising steam, a hearty soup filled with substantial ingredients came into view.

It was a stew. The incredibly delicious aroma filled the air. Lorendel, though already quite full, showed no signs of it and instead gazed at the dish in front of him with genuine interest.

“It looks like a really tasty stew.”

“Yes, I’ve been craving this kind of beef stew!”

Hazel replied with a proud expression.

Finally, they could put an end to the ghost of the stew that had been haunting their table for the past few days. The stew that they had imagined, so tantalizing and satisfying, was now right in front of them.

“That’s right. We’ve had stew a few times in restaurants in the city, but…”

Lorendel absentmindedly took a spoonful and was taken aback. The flavor was…! His eyes widened, and he poked Siegwald’s arm.

“Try it quickly!”

Siegwald looked puzzled. Why was his high elf friend suddenly so enthusiastic? He raised an eyebrow and picked up a wooden spoon. Scooping up a hearty portion of stew onto the spoon, he put it in his mouth.

The succulent juices trapped within the tender cooked beef filled his mouth. The mushrooms were fragrant yet chewy, and the potatoes retained their delicious texture while blending perfectly with the tomato sauce.

It was a stew where every ingredient, every single component, had melded together into an unbelievably delicious harmony.

But that’s not what was so surprising. After tasting the beef stew, the four friends gathered their voices and exclaimed in unison,

“This is it!”

“Campo stew!”

Hazel looked at them with a surprised expression.

“Campo stew?”

“The stew we had in Campo.”

Lorendel explained.

“It was during a reconnaissance mission that things happened. We got lost in the forest and ended up wandering for quite a while before stumbling upon a farmhouse. We were famished, and with the rain pouring down, we were shivering all over. But even though I wanted to ask for something to eat, the accent of the grandmother in that house was so unique that I couldn’t understand a word she said. Even when Cayenne tried to communicate with the book, it was no use. After some gesturing, we managed to convey our request somehow, and we ended up getting stew from her…”

“Oh my god, it can’t be that good!” 

Cayenne interrupted excitedly.

“We had no idea stew could taste that good! We all completely fell in love with it. But what’s the deal? We’ve been to places that claim to have good food, but we’ve never found a place that serves that kind of stew. No matter how much we looked, there was none. And now, unexpectedly, we’re eating it here! I can’t believe it! Could it be from Campo?”

“No. This is Belmont’s stew.”

Hazel replied.

“Campo and Belmont are very far apart. However, I understand why similar flavors emerge from stews of two completely different regions.”

“Why is that?”

Everyone looked with curiosity, their eyes brightening. Hazel smiled and answered,

“The secret lies in the family cooking recipe.”

“What is that?”

“As you know, stew is a dish that people eat from their bowls. But when a big family gathers around to share, some bowls might not have meat in them. Even in such cases, to ensure that everyone receives a delicious bowl, the key is to season every ingredient meticulously. That’s the essence of the family cooking recipe. Though it requires a lot of effort, Campo’s grandmother had thought about it. She hoped that everyone would enjoy this stew in a friendly and delicious way.”

“Ah…” 

Siegwald fell deep into thought.

He imagined that she must be terrified of the unidentified knights who had suddenly entered the rural farmstead. Apart from the intriguing taste of the stew, there remained memories of the harm they had caused to the humble homestead.

But it wasn’t like that; they had been received with such warm hearts.

With the comforting broth of the stew, his heart grew warm.

Everyone had the same thought, a soft smile gracing their lips. As Hazel did, they ate the stew atop bread, dipping it in, just as they had emptied their bowls that day at the farmstead.

Their bellies were truly full now.

Would they be able to return home safely? Or would they need to be carried in a cart?

As these worries circulated among them, Hazel turned around and this time presented a large tray. The tray was adorned with strawberry mini tarts generously topped with cream.

Everyone let out screams.

“We can’t eat anymore!”

Hazel burst into laughter.

She had wanted to hear that sound. The cries of “Can’t eat anymore!” and “Save me!” That’s what she waits for until those screams emerge – the true essence of a farmhouse feast.

She succeeded.

Feeling incredibly satisfied, Hazel picked up one of the strawberry mini tarts.

Seeing Hazel enjoy her treat, everyone slowly reached out their hands. The harmonious blend of sweet strawberries and cream was always irresistible, so after the first bite, they kept indulging.

As they shared and savored the delicious dessert, they chatted joyfully.

“…The truth is, we can’t deny that we’re being portrayed across numerous media as manic patients running around like headless chickens…”

“That guy’s blabbering nonsense again! Clear the table quickly!”

“I’ve already chipped a nail!”

“No way! We have to protect at least my dining table!”

Amidst the uproarious laughter, the evening deepened.

 

* * *

 

A stillness permeated the hall.

Iskandar sat alone at the long dining table, gazing at the numerous dishes before him. After a while of merely looking, he picked up a slice of chilled meat arranged in a fan shape and put it in his mouth. Bitter.

He took a sip of wine. Bitter.

He cut a piece of the elegantly laid-out roasted Palomares prawns and placed it in his mouth. Bitter.

Letting out a sigh, he set the fork down.

At that moment, a clucking sound echoed at the entrance of the hall.

“If you’re dining alone on a sunny spring evening like this, it’s time to take a look at your life.”

Iskandar raised his head.

The palace minister was standing there.

“Lysander.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He walked into the room.

“I took a glance as I passed by and saw that you were dining alone. Truly a regrettable occurrence. His Majesty’s advantage is at least being able to listen to what friends have to say. But today, you don’t even have a friend to talk to besides you.”

“You don’t know anything. Conversations among us have concluded well. We decided to respect each other’s wishes. Nothing has changed. Everyone simply went out due to invitation.”

“To a much more appealing place than here, I suppose? I heard laughter as I came by.”

“It’s good they’re enjoying themselves.”

Iskandar retorted gruffly.

The palace minister let out a sigh and lowered his head.

“Your Majesty’s mind is filled with thoughts like ‘It should be like this, it should be like that.’ Not everything in the world needs to be perfect. Don’t hate it too much. In my eyes, our palace’s main garden is already incredibly beautiful.”

“If you wake up and smell manure first thing in the morning, your perspective might change.”

“Isn’t that more tolerable than the stench of the court?”

The palace minister looked at the Emperor with a bitter expression.

“Even if you were a hero on the battlefield, there are still many things you’re inexperienced in here.”

Iskandar shrugged.

“Anyway, have a seat. I’ve had Palomares send over prawns and oysters.”

“Ah, I need to be going.”

“Weren’t you coming to have dinner together?”

“I would have loved to, but…….” 

The palace minister replied nonchalantly.

“I too can’t suppress my curiosity. I wonder what dishes were served at the first dinner in the new salon. Even if it’s an empty plate or just the aroma, it’s much better than tasting these cold, lifeless foods. Thankfully, I have the privilege of free access.”

“Isn’t the salon a place where anyone is free to come and go?”

“Of course. If the owner of the salon doesn’t want a particular visitor, loyal knights can easily throw them out. Well, that’s a story unrelated to me. Unlike certain people…”

The palace minister looked at the Emperor again, his expression carrying a sense of bitterness.

“Anyway, it’s unfortunate to see Your Majesty dining alone, but I’ve come just to deliver this item.”

He placed a small box on the table.

Iskandar reached out and opened it. Inside the box was a small item nestled within.

“Chocolate?”

“I thought your taste buds might need it.”

He turned around with a twirl.

“Even an emperor of the empire can’t choose their neighbors freely. We must adapt as we live.”

He hummed a tune and left.

Iskandar lost his appetite.

He instructed the servants to clear things away and returned to his bedroom. After a moment of contemplation, he went to the window and pulled back the curtain he had kept drawn for a long time.

The house is in the center of the garden. The house emanated a warm light, looking incredibly inviting.

Iskandar put the chocolate from the palace minister into his mouth. It was undoubtedly an intensely sweet chocolate, enough to melt one’s tongue. But it was bitter. Too bitter.

The palace minister’s cheerful face came to mind. Wasn’t it obvious he had already been manipulated long ago? Who wouldn’t realize that unless they were a fool?

Iskandar discarded the chocolate wrapper. Then, he turned back to the window. He gazed down at the small, radiant house.

What could be going on there? What kind of place is it that can change everyone like this after they’ve entered and come out? What event could have happened there? Who on earth is the owner of that place?

For the first time, a strong sense of doubt arose within him.