In the dead of night, Karen shook me awake.
It was my turn for the night watch.
Noah, also awake, and I stepped out of the tent and made our way to the campfire. There, Parker-san, who was on the night watch with Karen, handed us a cup.
「Here, take this.」
「Oh, thank you.」
「Thanks a lot.」
The sugar-blended tea was quite bitter yet sweet, and it seemed to wake up my foggy mind. It felt like it revitalized every part of my body.
「Well then, we’re going to bed.」
「Noah, don’t forget to flip the hourglass.」
Karen and Parker-san called out to us as we stretched and then slipped into their blankets under the tent.
The night watch is on a roughly three-hour rotation.
From what I can tell, the party began sleeping around 8 PM, so it’s probably about 11 PM now. Noah and I will keep watch until 2 AM, and then Rick-san and Noemi-san will take over.
「Given the rotation, we’ll have a night without watch about once every three days.」
Tonight, it’s Berde-san and Schnei-san’s turn. It’s probably a consideration of seniority to have us do it while we’re still fresh on the first night.
「Bark.」
「What’s up, Chocola? Did you wake up?」
「Bark.」
As Noah and I sat around the campfire, Chocola quietly came from the darkness and lay down beside us. When I petted his back, he squirmed a bit, probably annoyed by being disturbed from sleep.
…Even so, he must have sensed my presence and came over.
In the quiet night, the crackling of the burning wood echoed softly.
It goes without saying, but we must keep quiet during the night watch. Making noise would disturb everyone’s sleep. The only time noise is allowed is when beasts attack—though, given that I have the barrier active, we’re safe from any threats.
I spoke softly to Noah.
「By the way, how’s business in the capital?」
「Ah, it’s going extremely well. I could say it’s practically out of my hands now.」
Noah replied in a whisper, grinning.
「Fugimia and Utoshuku… Ah, the nobles who were criticizing me. Their faces were quite a sight.」
The Fugimia territory is known for its hardy flower fields, and the Utoshuku frontier has abundant seaweed. Both are essential for making sesame tofu.
「In particular, Utoshuku had poor fishing due to its geography, despite having access to the sea. They went from turning their backs to embracing it.」
「So, is seaweed stock starting to spread?」
「Yes. Besides ‘Noah’s Night Clouds,’ it’s being used in various dishes. It’s likely that it will be re-imported from the capital to Sidera soon.」
However, it seems it’s not yet reaching the general households.
The reason is water.
The continent uses hard water for drinking and daily use, which is unsuitable for making seaweed broth. People here, who were unfamiliar with the concept of ‘umami’ in broth, wouldn’t be able to appreciate the effects of boiling dried seaweed in hard water.
On the other hand, magically created water is different.
Called magical water, it’s soft water with minimal metal content. Though it’s expensive and not used daily, it has a steady demand among adventurers on expeditions and in restaurant drinking water. It’s suitable for making seaweed broth.
As a result, sesame tofu—’Noah’s Night Clouds’—is currently a dish served in restaurants and cafes rather than made in common households, and the wholesale price of dried seaweed is also relatively high.
「Indeed, drying and labor costs are significant, and large-scale production isn’t feasible. It can’t compare to Japan.」
「On the other hand, the high-end nature of it appeals to Utoshuku’s pride. Such people often look down on low-margin, high-volume sales as a lower-class trade.」
They were the ones who interfered with Noah and hurt his family. Seeing them benefit from the current situation, I can’t help but feel a bit of resentment. If it were purely emotional, I’d almost want them to fall from grace and face consequences.
But political maneuvering is undoubtedly more complicated than I can imagine. Though Fugimia and Utoshuku are financially better off, their reputations among the nobles are in tatters, and they’re whispered about in high society. Since Noah and the others are okay with it, my opinion is probably unnecessary.
「Heh, looking at it from a long-term perspective, it’s a complete victory for us. By providing them with good business and prosperity, the current generation will begrudgingly accept it, while the next generation will be grateful and obedient. In fifty… no, thirty years, both families will likely become loyal vassals of the royal family.」
「I see… So, you’re saying it’s about giving benefits and gaining influence in return.」
「The business will be passed on to the next generation, but rebelliousness and animosity won’t be inherited; instead, it will turn into loyalty. Such indirect methods to defeat enemies while keeping future prospects in mind—that’s impressive.」
「Moreover, my sister-in-law’s family is excited. The territory of the Ruktogalca Marquisate is cold, so it’s known for its aromatic vegetables. They’re eagerly awaiting the spread of consommé.」
「Your sister-in-law is Noah’s brother’s wife, right?」
「Yes, the eldest. In other words, the Crown Princess.」
「…Wow.」
We’ve ended up in quite a place.
Well, as long as they’re not unscrupulous nobles, they can do as they please. From what I hear, the royal family is composed of benevolent people who care about the commoners. Otherwise, my mother wouldn’t be serving this country (even if just nominally).
「Well, let’s avoid political talk. Besides, no one would ask for your help anyway.」
Noah shrugged at my expression, then relaxed and showed a bit of nostalgia.
「However, putting that aside… I’d like to introduce you to my family someday.」
「That would be nice. But the capital… I wonder if I’ll have the chance to go.」
「Indeed, traveling overland would be too long.」
「If the opportunity arises, I’ll ask Ji Liz. The King and Queen are friends with my parents, right? …I’d like to hear stories about my father and mother from back then.」
「When winter deepens and we’re free, feel free to visit. We’re also related through Sub Zero-dono. There’s no need to hesitate about any formalities.」
「I don’t really feel it, though…」
My maternal family is a marquisate, and my great-aunt married into the royal family. …I’d never believe it if I heard it when I was in Japan.
Noah looked at me with a gentle expression. While adding logs to the fire, he said,
「It’s fine if you don’t feel it.」
He looked pleased.
And proud.
「You are my friend, an adventurer in Sidera, and a reliable companion. Here in the depths of the forest at night—what more could you need?」
「Yeah… you’re right.」
I looked up at the starry sky.
The distant howls of beasts.
The wind rustled the trees ominously, hinting that monsters might attack from the darkness at any moment.
—It’s just like the first night I arrived here.
Unlike back then, I’m not protected at home.
But instead, Noah is here, everyone is here, I’m aware of my strength, and I’m getting used to living in the forest.
So even amidst the exposure, I can find comfort in just petting Chocola’s back instead of holding her tight.
「Bark…」
Chocola had curled up and was almost asleep.
We are steadily growing. It’s the night wind that made me feel that way.
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