Chapter 37: Rest

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Translator: Soafp

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A month has passed since the return from the expedition, and the hint of winter could be felt.

Today is the Dark Day, and El, Ashera, Clara, and I are walking towards the church. The escorts are Tamei and Berett, as Garl, originally planned, had a hangover and was hastily replaced by Berett.

“Is Marl already at the church?”

“Yes, she should be preparing for the cookout.”

“Got it. Let’s hurry to meet Tab.”

“Sounds good.”

We walk along the market street. As we stroll, I notice a familiar potato at one of the stalls.

“Old lady, what is this potato?”

“This is a spicy potato. It’s sweet and delicious when baked.”

“How much?”

“One copper coin per piece.”

“Alright, give me 20.”

“Sure thing. Thanks!”

I hand over two silver coins from my wallet. Since I haven’t been going out much lately, I only have two silver coins left.

“Do you have a box?”

“Right. You can take it for free.”

The old lady points to a worn-out box in the corner.

“Thanks, I’ll take it.”

“Buy again sometime!”

I pack the spicy potatoes into the shabby box. Carrying the box, I continue walking. Clara looks at the box curiously.

“What’s up, Clara? Is it unusual?”

“I’ve never seen this kind of potato before, so I’m looking forward to how it tastes.”

“I see. Hope you like it.”

“If it’s delicious.”

“When we get to the church, I’ll make baked sweet potatoes right away.”

“Baked potatoes? You mean you’ll cook them?”

“Yeah. They’re sweet and delicious, you know.”

“Baked sweet and sweet… I can’t imagine it…”

“Hahaha. If it turns out well, I’ll let you taste it first.”

“Thank you, Al Nii-sama.”

I enjoy a little sister date, even though there are quite a few people around.

After a while, we arrive at the church, where Tab and Marl are seen preparing for the cookout.

“Hey, Tab, Marl!”

Tab and Marl notice us and bow with smiles.

“Tab, long time no see.”

“It’s been a while, Aldo-sama.”

“Thanks for the church’s cookouts as always.”

“No problem. Just doing what Ashera-sama said.”

Tab’s face, filled with pride and confidence, responds with a smile.

“Well, we don’t want to disturb you, so I’ll go over there and make baked sweet potatoes.”

“Baked sweet potatoes?”

The mention of baked sweet potatoes caught Tab’s attention, and he responded with a merchant’s curiosity.

“Did you buy some spicy potatoes to bake?”

“Yeah, just bought some spicy potatoes, so I’m going to bake them.”

“I see. Looking forward to it; Lord Aldo’s cooking is always delicious.”

Upon hearing that it’s just about baking potatoes, the business-minded glint fades from Tab’s eyes. I find a suitable spot without much flammable material and start moving there.

The only one who follows me is Ashera. El immediately goes to Marl, and Clara goes to her friend Chiki.

“Ashera, is it okay for you to be with me?”

“If I’m not around, Aldo will get lonely and die.”

“Am I a rabbit?”

“A rabbit isn’t as cute or tasty as you.”

While exchanging banter with Ashera, I gather fallen leaves and dried grass for the bonfire.

“Aldo, what are you doing?”

“Oh, Yamato. I’m making baked sweet potatoes, so I’m collecting fallen leaves and dried grass.”

“Baked sweet potatoes? What’s that?”

“It’s just baking potatoes. That’s why they’re baked sweet potatoes.”

“I see. Are they tasty?”

“Well, they’re popular with girls.”

Yamato briefly considers my response, then turns to Ashera.

“A-Ashera, do you want to eat them too?”

“I’ve never eaten them, but if they’re delicious, I’ll try.”

“Oh, I see! Fallen leaves, right? I’ll go collect some.”

Saying that, Yamato desperately starts gathering fallen leaves around the church.

(Well, it seems like Yamato does like Ashera after all… Yamato is also ten years old, just like me. I wonder if my first love was around this age too.)

I synchronize my age to Japanese years, making me 44. My memories of my first love are vague.

(I think my first love was Shiori-chan from the neighborhood. She started dating a delinquent in high school, dropped out due to pregnancy… She might be a grandmother by now…)

(Yamato, your first love might not bear fruit, but do your best. In a few years, it’ll be a good memory.)

Despite my first love not being a pleasant memory, I arrogantly advise others.

“Alright, this should be enough fallen leaves. Thanks, Yamato.”

“Haa, no, haa, problem, haa.”

Yamato, who worked hard to the point of exhaustion, pants heavily.

Having gathered a sufficient amount of fallen leaves, I start a fire, gradually adjusting its size with twigs. After creating a bed of slightly reddened ash, I place the spicy potatoes in it.

“Is it about time?”

I put about four potatoes into the ash. Then, I add more fallen leaves and take turns maintaining the fire.

“This takes a while.”

“Right.”

While Ashera and I take turns watching the fire, we engage in trivial conversation or silently gaze at the flames.

After about 20 minutes, I stick a twig into the potatoes to check their firmness.

(The twig goes through to the center; it should be fine.)

I use the twig to take the potatoes out of the ash, removing ash and dust with a piece of cloth.

I peel off the slightly burnt skin, revealing the steaming hot and fluffy inside.

I take a bite.

Delicious! The freshly baked potato is hot and fluffy. Ashera looks interested, so I offer her a half-eaten baked sweet potato.

For some reason, when I thought Ashera was staring at the sweet potatoes, she started biting into them without using her hands.

“Hey, eat it while holding it yourself.”

“My hands are hot, I don’t want to.”

We exchanged nonsense while she laughed. It was trivial, but it was fun. I found myself wishing for more moments like this to continue forever.

However, such moments are not allowed to last. The two of us eating sweet potatoes alone were discovered by the children. From there, we ended up continuing to bake sweet potatoes until we ran out.

Just like in Japan, sweet potatoes are very popular among women and children. Surprisingly, Berett ate one whole sweet potato.

He looked happy while munching, but as he took the last bite, he gazed at the sweet potato with a sad expression. I’ll bring some to the Knight Order next time as a token of gratitude.

In the evening, when it was time to return, Yamato approached me with a matter to discuss. It seems Yamato wants to join the Knight Order to help defeat the town’s wrongdoers.

In the past, someone stole money from the orphanage, and Yamato thinks that bad guys should be thrown into prison. The Knight Order’s entrance exam is open to anyone, but the practical skills and physical enhancement make a huge difference.

I promised to teach him magic control and physical enhancement the next time I come. By the way, he said he would learn the theoretical part from an acquaintance of his, an old man.

Before heading home, Yamato warned me not to make Ashera cry, saying it wouldn’t end well if I did. Why tell me, Yamato?

Despite recent events, I want to cherish days like today, where we can relax and enjoy simple moments.

At dinner, Clara exaggeratedly talked about the deliciousness of the baked sweet potatoes, and Mom ended up wanting to eat them too. Eventually, she demanded that I run and buy sweet potatoes for her.

She threw a fingertip-sized piece of ice at me. Seriously, using magic! If it’s come to this, it’s war!

We used magic to create snow and had a snowball fight inside the house. Roland, with an ominous expression, scolded us. Using magic with Ice-san is truly troublesome.

Feeling a bit sorry for her, I asked the chef to buy sweet potatoes and made baked sweet potatoes for her. When I fed Mom, Dad looked at me with a lonely expression during dinner.

Really, seriously, you too!

Next time, I have to feed Dad too. What a pain.

Just an ordinary autumn day’s events.