Chapter 84

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 31, 2025

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I place an empty flowerpot by the window with a casual flick of my wrist.

Then I jam in a branch of blue-green.

The branch effortlessly burrows into the soil, quickly stabilizing to transform into a cute little decorative piece.

“Hmm, nice scent.”

It’s like some kind of diffuser. A refreshing, subtle fragrance begins spreading gently from the window.

Before I know it, spirits have gathered at my feet, looking up at me expectantly.

“Let’s go.”

At my gentle command, the spirits tumble toward the door with a flutter. Their squishy texture feels delightful every time I touch them. No wonder Jack enjoys spending time with them daily—they’re adorable creatures that make everyone like them. Some even look completely harmless.

“Peek!”

A high-pitched cry from Suri makes all the spirits’ heads snap around. Though not exactly qualified as a foreman since Suri doesn’t actually do any work, they seem to find leading the spirits’ movements in the sky entertaining. The spirits obediently follow Suri’s lead, finding it like a new game. It’s fascinating how they manage to communicate somehow.

The ones waiting by the door get their passage opened with magic.

This convenience of magic shows its advantage here. Though using magic just to open a door might seem embarrassing, there aren’t many practical uses for magic in everyday life outside of combat. Physical labor is usually more efficient anyway, and surprisingly, many conveniences already exist.

In this regard, using magic for such small things helps develop intermediate magical talent.

Watching the spirits joyfully dash outside makes me forget about magic altogether. I understand why people seek out cuteness and happiness.

I sit at the table outside. The tea brewed from yesterday’s box of leaves smells good.

[White Earth Tea Leaves]

Though I don’t know what “white earth” means, this tea suits my taste quite well. Perhaps it pairs nicely with the autumn atmosphere outside.

Clear, subtle, refreshingly balanced with a faint sweetness. The aroma entering and exiting while drinking is distinctively unique.

Sipping the warm steam rising tea gives me the leisurely feeling of being an unemployed person. Of course, I wouldn’t survive in this world as a NEET.

Jack arrives, immediately abandoning everything to run towards the spirits. His enthusiasm is almost addictive. The spirits don’t mind his presence, continuing their tasks while tolerating Jack’s antics nearby.

“Would you like a cup?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Hearing Evangelin’s calm voice, I nudge her shoulder. Her movement to sit opposite pauses briefly before she carefully moves next to me instead. I hand her a warm cup as she sits down with a soft thud.

“What kind of tea is this?”

“It’s called White Earth tea leaves… Do you know what it is?”

“Never heard of it.”

“It smells nice.”

Her simple “Mm-hmm” response seems to indicate she’s made up her mind, though hearing her polite speech afterward makes me smile inwardly.

Gulping sounds come as she drinks, prompting me to observe Evangelin’s expression closely. It brightens slightly.

“It’s delicious.”

A cup of tea on a chilly morning warms up the weather nicely. Her hands fully wrap around the teacup.

“Isn’t commuting tiring?”

“I managed fine during summer too.”

“That’s true.”

“I prefer it now. Much better than before.”

Her words about liking the present moment make me feel good.

Drinking tea quietly together is comfortable and pleasant. This must be the scenery I can enjoy by making the right choice.

Killing time slowly, we sip tea and chat occasionally when…

Something approaching, kicking up dust far away catches our attention.

It’s a carriage.

Through the dust, my vision reveals a black carriage without the royal emblem.

“Huh?”

The date is too early for a royal carriage visit. Reyvik’s carriage has already come and gone.

What could this be about? Carefully observing the carriage’s route confirms it’s heading straight for my farm.

As the carriage gradually slows down, I stare blankly at it approaching.

Who could it be?

Why are they coming?

A small sense of anticipation and curiosity arises.

“Show proper respect!”

Two figures disembark from the carriage. One commands me assertively.

Upon sensing their aura, I quietly whisper to Evangelin.

“Do you want to go inside? I’ll join you soon.”

“Yes. Be careful.”

“Don’t worry.”

Does she sense something ominous? Her gaze seems distant. A faint tension lingers in the air, which I gently ease.

Evangelin goes inside while I remain seated, sipping tea. I’m irritated.

I know this is a class-based society with nobility and royalty, but knowing intellectually and accepting physically are different matters entirely.

There’s no way I won’t feel upset hearing such words upon first meeting.

Especially when I’ve never received such treatment from a princess.

“Dear sir! Why don’t you come forward?”

“Who are you to speak so rudely?”

“Such insolence! How dare a commoner…”

“Enough. What can one expect from an uneducated one? I’ll handle it.”

A man with blue hair approaches me step by step. He perfectly fits the description of someone picky. Accompanied by a silver-armored knight whose clanking armor disrupts the quiet farm.

Following behind is a loud man with a mustache resembling a mouse. Just thinking about calling him that makes me smirk internally as I meet the blue-haired man’s gaze.

“I am Kardoni, the lord of ‘Serbin’ city and a baron granted by the kingdom.”

“Yes, nice to meet you. I’m Minho, the farmer.”

His eyebrows twitch slightly, his expression slightly wrinkling.

“Hmph. I didn’t expect etiquette. You see, I personally came to offer you the honor of presenting your produce to me. Therefore, offer everything you have.”

Garim’s warning about ruffians or similar types comes to mind. His words hold no falsehood. Even when things are going well, flies gather everywhere.

The request for produce seems absurd.

Especially when the royal family pays fair prices.

Is it acceptable for someone of baron status to ignore such norms?

“Unfortunately, I don’t have much.”

“Rather rude, aren’t you?”

“I’m simply stating the truth.”

“Let me show mercy then. Bring me all future harvests.”

“Not enough even for transactions with the royal family.”

“I’ll personally present it to the royal family for you. Don’t worry.”

Listening to him proudly declare this makes me genuinely curious about his thought process.

He perfectly embodies a poorly-raised noble. A slight fatigue creeps in.

What should I do about this?

I do have the crest Garim gave me in my bag, but I’m unsure if it will work.

Once he declared he’d arbitrarily present offerings to the royal family, it complicates matters regarding using the crest.

“Are you suggesting changing the royal contract arbitrarily?”

“Contract? You? Dare claim you have a contract with the royal family? Stop babbling nonsense. My patience has limits.”

Looking at Kardoni now, he doesn’t believe it at all. Pulling out the royal crest from my bag, I show it to him.

“It’s the symbol of the contract.”

While technically not accurate, it was indeed received through friendly relations.

Kardoni examines it closely before snatching it from my hand.

“To think such a valuable item ended up in the hands of a lowly commoner. Be grateful that a great noble collected it.”

His audacity leaves me speechless. I knew he wouldn’t acknowledge it, but his genuine belief in those words is ridiculous.

Considering I didn’t randomly pick this up off the street…

His prideful satisfaction in collecting it himself as a noble is baffling.

“Haa…”

I naturally let out a sigh. What should I do?

“Ha? Daring to sigh in front of a noble? Allen!”

The armored knight clanks over.

“No, I can’t slay a commoner who needs to offer produce. Hmm, what punishment should suffice?”

Chewing his nails compulsively, Kardoni glares at me with bloodshot eyes. That’s when I finally put down my teacup and stand up.

“Didn’t you notice earlier? The woman standing beside you was rather pretty. Hmm, Allen?”

“Yes?”

“Go fetch her from inside. I must take her.”

“Haa…”

Blocking Allen’s attempt to enter the house.

I don’t want bloodshed.

Especially not in front of my home.

The greenhouse contains Jack, the spirits, and Suri.

“Move aside.”

Maybe I should have bowed a bit more.

Thinking that only respectful people deserve respect crosses my mind. While true, not all nobles I’ve met were bad. This is just an exceptional case.

Allen pushes against my chest.

It’s a weak force.

Instead, the knight is pushed back, showing surprise in his eyes. Taking a few steps back, his gaze turns fierce as he unsheathes his sword in front of me.

“Fine. If you won’t listen, cutting you somewhere should suffice!”

Kardoni’s sharp voice joins in.

They claimed they wouldn’t cut me…

Disturbances happening elsewhere are fine.

Anything goes.

But in front of my house?

Especially when my address is known, dealing carelessly with someone clearly marked as a villain is problematic.

While Garim’s crest might help dismiss villains easily, it seems less effective now.

“Move aside. I won’t say it again.”

With the knight’s stern command, I draw my sword from my bag – a sharp iron blade.

I didn’t pull out the flaming sword because it makes noise.

“Cheeky.”

Clang!

His sword blocked by mine stops his advance. Things have escalated.

I didn’t expect it to reach this point.

Human affairs are unpredictable after all.

Grasping the sword calms my mind significantly.

Colder, sharper.

Should I have handled things more gently?

That thought dominated earlier, but now it’s different.

Because it’s medieval times.

No CCTV.

Could I cut them all down without repercussions?

If I pretend nothing happened, would anyone suspect a simple farmer?

Once decided, act swiftly.

Confusion requires bold resolution.

“Ugh!”

The knight’s strength trembles under pressure, feeling weak to me. Watching his futile struggles, I take a deep breath.

Using magic, I close the doors to the house and greenhouse. Not specifically practiced for this moment, but it worked out accidentally. Blocking sound subtly.

Wielding a sword slightly alters judgment.

Not necessarily tainted, but fully embracing the heat of combat skills.

Thinking patterns shift more toward medieval ways.

Returning to normal once the sword is sheathed, so no major concerns.

Without wielding a sword, I might have sent them away peacefully.

However…

When they threatened Evangelin, instinctively raising my sword felt justified.

Knowing the consequences, it was intentional.

Not wanting an easy dismissal.

Perhaps this proves emotional barriers are slowly melting, though I’m unsure.

“Get moving! Finish it quickly!”

I slash.