Chapter 575: Just the Right Amount

Led by Sophia-sama and Erwin-sama, I followed them toward the salon.

As we stepped out of the gardeners’ hut, I silently thanked my past self for remembering to cast a Clean spell before leaving. If I hadn’t done that, I might have ended up meeting the princess of this country while still covered in dirt and sweat.

That would have been… embarrassing, to say the least.

By the time we arrived, tea had already been prepared in the salon. The warm aroma of freshly brewed leaves drifted gently through the room.

However, since it was already close to dinner time, there didn’t seem to be any sweets placed alongside the tea.

“The gardeners were saying that it felt as though strength was welling up from inside their bodies,” Sophia-sama began, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Apparently, they believe it may be the effect of a magical potion ingredient called ginger?”

“I believe that’s likely the case,” I replied calmly. “If you’re curious, I can write down the recipe and give it to you.”

“Would that truly be alright?”

“Of course. However…”

If sharing the recipe could prevent any troublesome misunderstandings later, then I welcomed the idea wholeheartedly.

Both Sophia-sama and Erwin-sama clearly seemed interested as well, so pretending ignorance at this point would probably only create more suspicion.

Still, there was one thing I absolutely had to say first.

“Please keep it a secret that I was the one who taught you the recipe,” I said carefully. “The castle’s chefs likely take great pride in their work. If it were known that the idea came from me, it might cause unnecessary resentment.”

“I doubt something like that would happen… but I understand. I will keep it a secret.”

Sophia-sama nodded with a serious expression.

If these were the chefs of the Heine Margrave household, there wouldn’t have been any issue at all. Thanks to the dried fruit incident and the times I’d visited to collect ingredients, we had become fairly friendly with each other.

If I suggested ginger pork to them, they’d probably try it without any suspicion.

But this wasn’t my home territory.

This was another country.

I quickly wrote the recipe on a sheet of paper and handed it to Sophia-sama.

If the castle chefs prepared the dish themselves and no stamina-boosting effect appeared, then that would confirm one thing:

The strange effect must be coming from my ‘Cooking’ skill.

And if that turned out to be true…

It would probably be better if I stopped serving my cooking to people altogether.

“By the way, Sophia-sama, how is the production of the purification powder progressing?” I asked. “I was in the gardeners’ hut all day making Rapid Growth, so I didn’t have time to check on it.”

“It appears to be progressing smoothly,” she replied. “The powdered magic stones are also sufficient in quantity.”

“It seems we won’t need to increase the supply of magic stone powder any further,” Erwin-sama added, raising both hands while lowering his eyebrows with a helpless smile. “I’ve already been dismissed from that duty.”

Judging from his expression, it seemed he had been politely kicked out.

Well, that made sense.

After all, he had been using the Holy Sword to grind magic stones into powder.

Even I had to admit that using a legendary sacred weapon for something like that was… questionable.

I was the one who suggested it, but still.

However, using the Holy Sword had been extremely efficient for crushing magic stones.

If Erwin-sama had been relieved of that task, it meant something capable of replacing that method had been found.

“Could it be… that an orichalcum whetstone was found?”

“As expected of Julius-sama. Correct,” Erwin-sama said with a grin. “Someone lent us an orichalcum whetstone under the conditions that they remain anonymous and that it must absolutely be returned afterward.”

“I thought so. That is truly fortunate. I had already given up hope… Whoever lent it must be a very courageous person.”

At my honest remark, both Sophia-sama and Erwin-sama nodded in agreement.

After all, orichalcum was an incredibly rare material.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the kingdom simply confiscated such an item.

And yet someone had willingly lent it.

That meant they truly cared about the fate of the Raven Kingdom.

If possible, I would like to thank that person as well.

“We must properly repay this kindness,” Sophia-sama said firmly. “Otherwise, it would be a disgrace to the royal family. And of course, that includes you as well, Julius-sama.”

With those words, she turned toward me and smiled warmly.

Honestly, I didn’t really need any reward.

I wasn’t doing this because the kingdom had asked me to.

In truth, I was doing it for Daniela, my sister-in-law—someone who was family to me.

“I’m only doing what is expected of a noble’s son,” I said with a small shrug. “If you wish to offer thanks, please give it to everyone who has been helping me.”

“Of course. I have not forgotten that.”

Sophia-sama’s face still carried a gentle smile, but the determination in her voice was unmistakable.

If she was handling it, then everything would surely be fine.

I also wanted to show my appreciation to everyone myself, but I decided to hold back and entrust that responsibility to Sophia-sama.

After that, it was time for dinner, and the day finally came to an end.

It seemed there was no longer any need to create additional automatic magic stone crushers.

Now the only thing left for me to make was a phonograph for Rosalia and Mira.

One for the two of them should be enough, right?

After returning to my room, I spent some time constructing the internal mechanism of the phonograph.

“That should be enough for today,” I muttered to myself.

“That sounds like a good idea,” Fabienne replied. “What kind of design do you plan to give this phonograph?”

When I sat down on the sofa, Fabienne came over and pressed herself snugly against my side.

…Had I made her feel lonely today?

Thinking that might be the case, I gently began stroking her smooth hair.

And her head too.

Judging by the content expression on her face, it seemed that was the correct choice.

“I’d like to include a relief of the Holy Dragon,” I said thoughtfully. “And of course, the stars that Rosalia loves so much.”

“Stars… I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Fabienne said happily. “I love that picture book too.”

It seemed Fabienne had also been fond of that book when she was younger.

Perfect.

Then stars it would be.

And perhaps flowers as well—decorations inspired by the flowers of the current season.

“According to Lionel, we’ll be heading to the site tomorrow morning,” I said.

“Then before that, we must check on the saplings,” Fabienne replied.

“Right. I’d also like to see that orichalcum whetstone, but I suppose I can do that after we return.”

“Are you planning to forge a sword?”

Fabienne tilted her head slightly as she asked.

There wasn’t even the faintest hint of doubt in her eyes.

Apparently, she didn’t find it strange at all that I might create a sword.

Wait a minute.

Hold on.

I’ve never made a sword in front of Fabienne before, have I?

Actually, since coming to this world, I don’t think I’ve done any work as a blacksmith at all.

Repairing the Holy Sword doesn’t count, okay?

That was a repair job, not forging.

“I’m not planning to make a sword or anything,” I said quickly. “But it’s orichalcum, you know. A legendary metal. Of course I want to see it.”

“Is that how it works?”

“Well… for boys, it kind of is.”

Fabienne tilted her head even further, clearly still unconvinced.

Wait…

Does she think I’m secretly planning to forge a sword?

That’s troubling.

I really have no such intention.