Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The Elf and the Coffee Farm (3)
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"What's going on?"
『She didn't explain. Just said she probably won't be able to come for a while.』
"Got caught up in something weird again?"
Karin gets dragged into all sorts of strange situations—so much so that, depending on your perspective, she could almost be the protagonist. For a commoner at the academy, drawing attention without exceptional grades is rare to begin with.
Whether it's wealth, high social status, or overflowing talent, everyone there has something like that from the moment they enroll. Having a knack for spatial magic is decent enough.
Even noble families struggling on the frontier might take interest, but ironically, her status as a merchant guild heir makes recruitment tricky, so she doesn't get much notice from that angle.
In the original story, the trio of girls who used to bully Ermina got booted out early, so she never faced harassment anyway—or at least, I don't recall any such incidents.
"Well, if she's not asking for help, she'll handle it fine on her own."
『I think so too. Oh, and Dalia reached out. His Majesty's schedule has him departing from the capital the day after tomorrow.』
"Good to have an inside source."
『Sigh. They told me to enter something, so I'm making stuff, but it's not much fun. I deal mostly in labyrinth gear— what would people in a regular city even use?』
『Should I prepare something too?』
The screen swiveled, and Riza's face appeared in the crystal orb. She looked a bit tense, just like me—wiping down cups to pass the time.
You've come to appreciate peace too, huh.
"Nah. Just take what we already know how to handle and show it off."
『Hmm. I still have a sliver of unease about it.』
"Pardon?"
『This imperial visit is about securing influence over Labyrinth City Astraea and scouting things the empire can incorporate into its culture, right? Food and drinks are prime examples of 'culture.'』
I checked that the coffee had fully dripped from the bag into the water-filled cup and removed it. Since I'd planned to discuss coffee grounds with the farm, I spread some out on a cloth in the carriage to dry in the sun, then took a sip.
『I can't say for sure since I don't know His Majesty's temperament.』
"From what I know, he loves flashy things, so he might take a liking to coffee."
『That'd be a relief. It'd be a disaster if he just leaves an order like 'Manager, visit the capital when you return.'』
Leimi Big Sis seemed a little worried. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned at all, but the idea of an emperor fixating on a mere beverage felt unlikely.
I wonder how it'll go.
『Eh, whatever. We won't know until we see it ourselves. Anyway, have a safe trip. Rest up properly when you can.』
"You're the one who needs rest more."
『Pfft. I've got work to do. Anyway, nothing going on over there?』
"What trouble could I get into traveling solo? Just watch out for the occasional monster or beast, and that's it."
『That sounds like plenty of trouble.』
Leimi Big Sis muttered in disbelief before waving goodbye and cutting the connection. Sure, threats popped up now and then as she said, but this body—honed since childhood—was no mere decoration. I handled most without issue.
I wrapped the fragile crystal orb in cloth and tucked it into the softest cushion in a bag inside the carriage.
Heading steadily south, the weather was gradually warming, and the vegetation was deepening to a richer green.
I wasn't near the empire's southernmost tip, so encounters with elves weren't likely, but true to the empire's vast territory, even the distant cityscapes looked quite different from central Astraea.
"Supplies are plenty, so no need to stop."
I'd packed more than enough from the start, foraged edibles from the wild as needed, and with just me and the horse, there was no waste.
While the horse grazed, I lay in the grass, gazing at the nearby city and walls. Labyrinth City Astraea's odd layout was the exception—most folks outside walls lived off farming.
The city in view now—name unknown—had people tending fields beyond the walls.
"Lebedev was the same."
Dukes or not, the land wasn't prime real estate. Father's emphasis on martial prowess probably played a role, but our territory bordered the front lines, strictly speaking.
These days, even as a frontier, we maintained cordial ties with the demonkin across the border, so no issues arose.
In the original story—where I mostly tuned out—some demonkin appeared hostile, but it never escalated to full conflict, so I didn't worry much.
Anyway, the territory's folk endured the rough conditions alongside us, scraping by somehow.
Nothing much else comes to mind, but I do miss the people I knew there sometimes.
"What would they think if they saw me like this?"
It's unclear if the territory's people even know I'm gone, but if they heard the young master ran off to open a café, laughter would probably be the main reaction over anything else.
Some knew my personality leaned more commoner than noble anyway.
The horse I'd borrowed approached as I lay alone in the grass and sat beside me. Affectionate for a rental—it'd come over whenever I lounged admiring the view or sorting my thoughts, resting alongside or giving a gentle nip.
"You're better company than people sometimes."
Purrrr.
I stroked the neighing horse, and it obligingly offered its head. Petting it while lying down felt like true rest for the first time in ages.
Maybe I should get a cat. I'd avoided furry pets at a restaurant, but feeling a warm living thing brought such calm—might not be so bad to have one.
Cats reminded me of Guild Master Cosetica, but I shoved that stray lewd thought from my mind before it stuck.
Thankfully, during my sunny grass nap, distant footsteps approached—three kids and two adults by my senses. Male-female ratio suggested parents.
I stayed put without reacting, but one kid broke off and came over.
"Mister."
"A bit young to be 'mister' yet. What's up?"
"Saw you lying in the road and thought you might be hurt."
"Just resting."
"Here? Without even a blanket?"
"Sometimes you just want to feel nature against your skin."
"Weird."
"Mm. Give it ten years or so—you'll get it."
&p;
As the kid chatted with me, the two adults approached too. Can't blame them for worrying, seeing their daughter squat by some guy sprawled on the ground.
I sat up to greet them, but the kid beat me to it.
"Dad! Mom! There's a weird guy!"
"Hohoho."
"Hey, sweetie! You can't say it like that!"
The girl pouted at the scolding and melted into her mother's arms.
Nice. A good family.
"Hello. Name's Julio, traveler."
"Oh my. Not many venture out here."
"Actually heading to a coffee farm southwest."
"Ah, into coffee? Plenty worth seeing around here then."
"You know the place?"
She glanced at her husband for approval before turning back.
"Folks from Count Hamia's family manage this city next door. Mind if I ask why you're camping out like this?"
"Oh, no—just planning to camp while traveling, but the open plain looked comfy, so I lay down."
"Hehe. You're an unusual one."
"Reminded me of home, so I got nostalgic."
"Where's home?"
"...Leinberg in the Imir Kingdom."
Lebedev's Leinberg. The hometown of the body I was reborn into.
She blinked, then awkwardly replied.
"Ah, I'm not great with kingdom geography."
"No worries. It's a frontier town—even kingdom folk forget it sometimes."
"Ahaha."
After chatting with her husband, she approached with a smile, decision made.
"Why not spend the night at our place?"
"...Wouldn't that be inconvenient?"
"Not at all. Entertaining travelers is a noble's duty, they say."
That's from over two hundred years ago.
Still, the kids' eager eyes and the vibe made refusal awkward, so I agreed.
Guess I'm sleeping in a proper bed tonight.