Kays Translations

Chapter 413: Preparations

The next morning at breakfast, Caro immediately consulted Marquis Mulan.

“Father, Julius-sama has agreed to make a shower magic tool. I would like to introduce him to the magic-tool workshop in the territorial capital. What do you think?”

“A magic tool for the shower? Oh, you mean that convenient one installed in the townhouse? Of course! I’ll arrange it right away.”

“Thank you very much.”

I promptly thanked Marquis Mulan when he turned towards me. I felt a little as though I had made Caro ask on my behalf, but it would have been improper for a guest to demand use of the workshop directly. In any case, we could now install a shower magic tool in the bath, which would make washing long hair much easier.

Preparations for travelling deep into the forest would take a little longer. The knights were gathering information and arranging supplies in advance so that, on the day itself, we could go straight to the marked locations and return at once.

Going in and coming straight back was certainly the safest approach. It was far better than having a large group wander through the depths of the forest.

After breakfast, we began creating what was officially called a flower bed but would actually serve as an herb garden. I borrowed work clothes from House Mulan’s gardeners. Since some gardener apprentices were children, they had an outfit that fit me perfectly.

“It suits you well.”

Fabienne smiled when she saw me in the work clothes. Unfortunately, there were none suitable for a young noblewoman, so she would watch while holding Mira.

“Rather than suiting me, I think it just doesn’t look out of place.”

“You look just like a gardener’s son. But are you sure we don’t need to help?”

While we prepared, Axel and Ijidol stopped by to see what we were doing. They had probably heard about the project from someone. Only Nero and I wore work clothes; the other servants remained in their usual uniforms, so their curiosity was understandable.

However, I had magic.

“It’s fine. No problem. If you’re curious, do you want to come and watch?”

“Sounds good. I’ll invite Lady Caro and come back.”

“I’m interested, so I’ll go.”

Axel left the room. Ijidol, realising that I intended to use magic, watched with shining eyes. He truly loved magic.

House Mulan’s servants led us to the designated site. It lay in a corner of the garden beside a magnificent hedge. Was it really all right to establish an herb garden in such a prominent location?

While Nero and I marked out the plot, Axel returned with Caro. She had clearly hurried so as not to miss anything and was slightly out of breath, while Axel looked perfectly composed.

“Caro, are you sure this is the right place? It gets plenty of sunlight and is in a very fine part of the garden.”

“The completed herb garden will be inherited by my brother, right? In that case, there’s no problem.”

That made sense. The herb garden would eventually be used by Marquis Mulan’s second son, so allowing it to look shabby would reflect poorly on the family. I suddenly felt the weight of responsibility. Stay calm.

With Caro’s final approval, it was time to begin.

I explained the broad plan to Caro. She did not understand every technical detail, but obtaining the household’s approval before altering its garden was important. It also meant that I was not acting entirely on my own—if something went wrong, at least everyone present had agreed to the plan.

“Since we’re all set, let’s get started. Everyone, just in case, step back a little.”

“What are you planning to do?”

Caro’s eyebrows lifted curiously. Fabienne, by contrast, seemed to have guessed what I intended and wore a knowing expression—not quite displeased, but decidedly exasperated. She truly was expressive.

“I’m going to create an herb garden using magic.”

“With magic…?”

Caro fell speechless, while Ijidol stared intently, determined not to miss anything. Axel merely tilted his head. Ignoring their gazes, I concentrated, combined earth magic with my skill, and raised a bed of soft, fluffy soil before them—complete with planting ridges.

“A-Amazing! The soil rose up in an instant!”

“Whoa! Is this already tilled?”

Axel touched the soil, his eyes widening at its softness. Ijidol immediately followed, examining it as though analysing its composition.

Fabienne and Caro looked eager to touch it, but I stopped them.

“Fabienne, Caro, you shouldn’t. Your hands and clothes will get dirty.”

“Ugh, but just a little…”

“Fine, but only a little.”

Fabienne and Caro approached the new herb garden while their attendants lifted their skirts clear of the soil. Their thighs nearly showed—dangerous for the eyes—so I carefully positioned myself to block Axel and Ijidol’s view. Positioning was everything.

“It’s really soft and fluffy.”

“I never imagined an herb garden could be made so easily.”

“Only because I used magic. Normally it takes much more work.”

If they mistook this for ordinary gardening, the gardeners would resent me. I therefore made certain to emphasise that magic had done the work.

There should not have been any problem, but I checked the soil myself to be safe. Both its texture and the appraisal result were satisfactory. We could plant the seedlings immediately.

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