Although the entire Elf village became slightly hectic to investigate the Superior Yggdrasil, the Spirit Tree rooted in the world, we were told to enjoy the village as usual.
It seemed that only the Elves involved in the investigation were busy, while the rest maintained their normal lives.
There were still many places I wanted to see, and without the investigation results, we would not know how to solve the problem. So, I decided to unreservedly enjoy the Elf village as before. But what should I do today… yawwwn…
「…Sleepy.」
I did not go to bed late last night…
The spirits just would not let me sleep.
Spirits do not seem to have the habit of sleeping at night. Whether day or night, they seemed to want to play, so they woke me up by patting my face, buttocks, and entire body with their hands.
Spirits love mischief… That matches my impression, but this is what happens when they grow fond of you.
If Wendy scolded them, they might behave, but that felt somewhat pitiful, so I ended up spoiling them.
It felt like a small animal demanding attention.
We could not exchange words, but we could communicate our intentions. If I played with them, they looked happy. If I did not, they looked sad, so I could not ignore them.
However, playing all night until morning was a bit much… So, I made playground equipment like swings and slides where they could play even while I slept, and I tried to sleep during that time. But when the sun rose, they seemed to get bored of those and woke me up, so now I am sleepy…
Alright. Today, I will take the plunge and go back to sleep.
I will sleep until noon and start my activities after that.
…I am going to sleep, okay? Do not pat me…
If you cling too closely, I might crush you when I turn over.
It is dangerous, so please get out of the futon. Ah, hey, do not get in…
Ah, fine. I am getting up. I am getting up… yawwwwn…
See, I am up. I am not sleeping. But I am just keeping my eyes closed… yawwwwn…
「…milord? You look quite sleepy.」
「Yawwwwn… Ah, good morning, Mizera.」
「Good morning, milord. Your hair does not seem to have bedhead. Did you perhaps not sleep?」
「Bedhead…? Ah, it is probably because the spirits are on my head, keeping it from sticking up. Look.」
When I lightly shook my head, the spirits seemed to move away. I felt my hair spring back, so it was probably sticking up as usual.
「Truly, a mysterious sight. I cannot see spirits, so it looked like your hair suddenly stood on end… Ah, since it settled, does that mean they are on you now?」
「That is right… They just keep clinging to me…」
「Fufufu. milord, you charm not only humans but spirits as well.」
…Your words make it sound as if I have already charmed humans.
I do not intend to… At least, I do not think I did such things in my previous world.
「So, what brings you here, Mizera? It is still too early for breakfast…」
「Um, regarding today’s plans, I was thinking of asking Mazetta-san to teach me about being an apothecary…」
「To Mazetta-san?」
Come to think of it, she had shown some interest in the herb fields.
Since Mazetta-san is a skilled apothecary, there must be much to learn from her.
「I see. If Mazetta-san agrees, then it should be fine. Go ahead.」
「Is it really okay? Um, but my alchemy skills are still immature, and you are my master…」
Ah, she is worried about asking someone else for teachings because of our master-disciple relationship.
「Do not worry about it. Although I am technically Reinrich’s disciple, I learned woodworking skills from the foreman in Amatsukuni. If you think it will benefit you, it is important to step out of narrow boundaries and broaden your knowledge.」
「Thank you… Yes. I will study hard.」
An alchemist who learns apothecary skills.
I have a feeling that we might find something only Mizera, a half-elf, can do.
However… I only hope she does not push herself too hard.
「…Mm. I suppose I should go out as well.」
Although I do not work in the Elf village, it would be shameful to indulge in lazy sleep while my disciple is working hard.
Yes, yes, I am getting up, so please move.
I need to change clothes and fix my bedhead.
I cannot keep it suppressed forever, can I?
After tidying up my appearance, I went outside.
I wondered if anyone was around, but since I happened to meet no one, I went out alone… As expected, there was no one.
Hmm, where should I go? Is there any restaurant open at this hour?
If not, I could walk around town while eating some fruit.
「Master? What are you doing in front of the innssu?」
Hm? When I turned around at the voice, I saw Aina and the other two.
「How unusual. For my lord to be up at this hour.」
「No, do I really indulge in lazy sleep that often…?」
Since I often stay up late due to alchemy and other tasks.
It is not that I do not wake up in the morning, but I sometimes end up waking up just before noon.
Aina and the others woke up early even after coming to the Elf village.
By the way, where are the three of them going?
「What are you three doing?」
「We are going to the morning market.」
「The morning market? Do you have something you want to buy? You received quite a lot of herbs, didn’t you?」
I already received a huge amount.
Enough potions for several months, and enough Makacelorin to manage my health.
「Master… Just because it is the morning market does not mean they only sell ingredients and materialsssu?」
「Food. It is food. They said there are stalls serving light breakfasts available only in the morning.」
「Hmm… There are hardly any tourists, yet stalls are open at this hour.」
Are not those kinds of stalls basically aimed at tourists?
Of course, I think the Elves use them too, but can they make a profit from that?
「That is right. My lord are free, right? Since we are here, let us go together.」
「Mm. I am interested, I am free, and I have not had breakfast yet, so I suppose I will go.」
I was just looking for a place to eat, and food tastes better when eaten with everyone rather than alone.
I shall accompany them.
「Good. Now we do not have to worry about money.」
「Ah, Sorte-tan, that is mean. Are you planning to use master as a walletssu?」
「What is that, Renge? Acting like a good child. So you are going to pay?」
「No, no, that is a separate matter. Master! Pleasessu!」
「Hm? I do not mind paying for breakfast.」
In fact, I think I usually pay when we eat at food stalls in Einzheil…
「Fufun. I have your word. Yay! Thank you, my lord!」
「Wow, as expected of masterssu! Now we can eat a lot!」
「My liege… I heard that the food stalls at the Elf Forest morning market are considerably more expensive than those in Einzheil… Is that alright?」
Is that so? Well, a food stall is a food stall, is it not?
Even if they are more expensive than the beef skewers in Einzheil, which are reasonably priced, these are special stalls in the Elf village, so I will not hesitate to pay.
「Yes. Eat and drink as much as you like. I am hungry too.」
「You said as much as we likessu?」
「He did. I heard him!」
「Hey, hey, you two… Have some restraint…」
「It is fine, it is fine. Aina, do not hold back either. Eat up.」
Well, it might cost a bit, but Aina is worrying too much.
They are just morning market stalls, after all.
Still, stalls in the Elf village…
I could not eat all the dishes served at the banquet, so I am looking forward to this.
「Aaaaaah! This is delicious!」
「Amazing… I have never tasted fruit juice like this before!」
「The taste limited to freshly squeezed morning harvests… This is delicious.」
Indeed, it was as delicious as their reactions suggested.
It seemed to be a variety of orange called 『Asadori』. As the name suggested, if it was not harvested in the morning, the fruit would fall, and its flavor would degrade to the point of being inedible.
Furthermore, only one ripe fruit was produced per tree per day, and it had to be carefully identified and harvested. The one hundred percent orange juice made from such precious fruit was naturally delicious.
It was the best. Undoubtedly. Except for the price…
「…Twenty thousand Nohl per cup, huh.」
Expensive! It is so expensive! This is not the price for a single cup of orange juice!
No, I will pay. It is a very precious orange, and you cannot drink it anywhere else, so I will certainly pay!
Indeed. There are many alcoholic beverages priced around this much.
However, eighty thousand Nohl for four people… Ah, hey, Renge, another round is… No, I will order one too!
I see, I see.
As Aina warned, this requires resolve.
If the juice costs this much, I wonder what the food will be like… Okay, okay, it is fine.
This is the Elf village I have longed to visit.
If I hold back, I will have regrets. I should spend money here, and travel is meant to be enjoyed to the fullest.
The owner said he could not accept money from Wendy’s Master-sama, but that would be insensitive.
After receiving so much hospitality, such as the banquet, guidance, and souvenirs, how could I do something so shameful?
Paying is only natural. You have a household to protect as well.
I do not mind if Wendy scolds me later for spending too much, or if Shiro gives me a sharp look for being unfair.
Now, what is next?
「My lord, my lord! Let us try this next!」
「Hmm… Salt-cured Honey Bear meat… topped with Quinted Bee honey… This is a delicacy! Let us proceed.」
Mmm… The bold, wild saltiness of the bear meat harmonizes with the elegant sweetness of the honey…
As expected of Honey Bear, it pairs well with honey! It is much easier to eat than I anticipated. The gamey taste and odor are masked by the honey, creating a wonderful flavor!
「By the way, master, you cannot handle bugs, but honey is fi—」
「Renge. Do not say another word. Honey is born from nothing. Understood?」
「Mmph…」
「Understood? You do not want to pay for your own meal after this, do you, Renge?」
I released my hand after confirming Renge nodding vigorously.
Honey is special.
Since I have eaten it without concern since childhood, I wish to continue doing so. Therefore, I must not let anything remind me of bugs.
Now, let us switch gears and enjoy the stalls of the Elf village!
There is still more, is there not? Let us savor it fully, and together, let us think of reasons why Wendy should not say we spent too much!
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