Arms stretched wide, one leg slightly raised. Her expression was solemn, like a general about to go to war.
'Oh my. It's been a while since I've seen that look.'
I quietly whispered in Grandma's ear.
"Scarecrow play... I think she thinks she's a scarecrow right now. She likes it..."
"Huh?"
Grandma scanned the empty vegetable garden, looking puzzled.
"Why be a scarecrow when there are no crops to protect?"
"Ah, I don't really know the exact role of a scarecrow... I just think it looks cool... Whoa! Don't tease me!"
"Pfft."
Grandma held back a laugh that was about to burst out.
"I'm going to die laughing..."
I shouted towards Theo.
"Theo! Count to ten, then switch legs! You've got to alternate, or one leg's going to get sore!"
The baby's eyes slowly rolled over to me.
And then, whoop. He switches to the other leg.
"Alright, let's plant some seeds and seedlings!"
I marched triumphantly to the garden.
Grandma called the maids and had them set up a spot in the shade where I could be seen best. Grandpa, who had been installing a safety fence near the lake, also came over.
I picked up the small tomato seedlings I had brought in a basket.
"Check it out. When you plant seedlings, you make a hole like this... and put the roots in deep..."
The moist soil squished softly between my fingers. The tomato seedling fit snugly into the hole I'd dug like a busy little mole.
"Then, you pat it down with soil! And a little squirt of water... Oh! And the most important thing!"
"Something important? What is it?"
I tickled the soft leaves with my finger and shouted.
"Cheer them on! Grow, grow, grow!"
"Hahaha! You bet! Kids or plants, everyone needs a little cheering on to grow!"
'Whoa... It's true, though.'
I hid my slightly reddened earlobes and watched my light green magic seep into the leaves.
I was acting all silly, but really, I was secretly using my magic.
'Gotta give 'em a little boost of magic so they grow up strong!'
I busily moved around, tending to the vegetable garden.
'The crops grown in this garden will definitely help solve the summit meeting problem.'
The problem is…
'I guess it's the growth rate.'
The summit meeting is in three weeks.
Plans whizzed through my head.
'Can I harvest the necessary crops by then?'
It would have been difficult before, but now I somehow felt it was possible.
'I feel like my powers have gotten a little stronger.'
In the process of saving Grandma, I instantly sprouted seeds and made holy water. Thanks to that unintentional experience, I realized something.
'Besides communicating with plants, my magic might have other abilities!'
AKA, new power unlocked!
'For example, making plants grow quickly or healing them with magic...?'
Of course, it was just a possibility, not certain.
'But, I dunno, I just have a feeling it'll work.'
I stared at the old tree visible in the distance.
That very old tree that had given me all its magic and almost withered.
Its leaves were still black, and its trunk looked dry and painful. Perhaps it would take some time for new leaves to sprout and enter a recovery period.
I recalled the old tree's voice.
[Because the line of Druid mages has been broken.]
'Druid.'
The reason I frequented the library was, of course, to look at plant books, but in fact…
'It's also to investigate the word druid.'
Just in case, I asked the trees in the Winterwald mansion, but there was no result.
So I started searching the library, but honestly, I couldn't get clear information from the books either.
There were only two lines written in a very old-looking storybook.
"Druids refer to those who possess a special power that connects the natural world and the human world. They could hear the whispers of nature, understand their language, and be involved in their growth and healing."
'Hmm… It seems to be talking about people with magic like mine.'
It was just a generalization, so there was a need to investigate further.
But there aren't many books about magic in the mansion, so I don't know if I'll find what I'm looking for.
'If only I could check out the Imperial Library or the Magic Tower Library... They'd have tons of books on magic!'
It was difficult at the moment. Besides, I had to solve the immediate problem first.
'The plants will help me, like always! It'll be fine!'
I gently touched a tender stem.
'Right?'
Rustle, rustle, the leaves swayed as if in response.
My pretty babies.
"Sweet!"
I jumped up.
To prevent Dad's crisis at the summit meeting, let's do my best!
'To do that, first, I need to successfully cultivate this vegetable garden!'
Full of determination, I turned around sharply and shouted.
"Grandpa! I have a favor to ask!"
Then, a quiz at this point.
What is the number one virtue a vegetable garden farmer must have-yo-?
Excellent horticultural knowledge?
Neat vegetable garden management skills?
Or perhaps, the financial power to buy top-quality nutrient fertilizer without hesitation?
'Nope.'
What a vegetable garden farmer needs most is.
"Being a dedicated commuter!"
In other words, how diligently you go back and forth to the vegetable garden!
Back in Lepi Village, I'd clock in to the garden when the sun came up and clock out when it went down.
I was the poster child for hard work and dedication, a true model farmer.
But to commute like before, this place, the Winterwald Duchy, was too wide. It was too tiring to go back and forth between the main house and the cottage several times a day.
'I've got to hit the library, hang out with the maids, eat three square meals, and bug Dad, so I'm super busy! And it's a pain to ask the gardeners for a ride all the time...'
However.
"Heh…"
That worry ends today.
Because I finally got it.
"Speed! Woooohoooo!"
Vroooom.
"Careful, careful! You're going to get hurt, Ririn!"
Zooooom.
"I won't get hurt!"
Kate screamed in horror, but I ignored her and frantically kicked the ground with one foot. My hair fluttered in the wind, revealing my neck and ears.
Whee-whee. Whee-whee.
And I finish with a sick drift, braking with my heel.
"Oh… Not bad."
I patted my sweet new ride.
That's right.
This is Grandpa's latest invention for kids who need to get around.
A wooden board.
'I totally babbled when I asked for it, but he made exactly what I wanted!'
'My grandpa's a whiz at making toys. He should totally start a business!'
Like, on the side!
'It's perfect!'
A long board to put your feet on.
A long handle that can adjust the direction.
Two wheels in the front, one in the back.
And there's even a little yellow chick doll on the front, made from the leftover fabric from my clothes. Okay, that's probably Grandpa's taste. It's kinda cheesy, but whatever!
"Who cares! Let's go, Chicky!"
I fiddled with the doll, gave it a peck on the cheek, and put my feet back on the board.
Whee-whee.
I zoomed around the front of the mansion like a little speed demon.
"Ehehehehehe! This is fun!"
Am I, like, a genius inventor or something?
'I don't know, but it suddenly came to me!'
"Nya!"
Theo wriggled his butt as if impatient in Aisa's arms. His eyes were sparkling, as if he wanted to ride it right away.
Skkrrrrt. I skidded to a stop right in front of Theo, all cool-like.
"Sorry, Theo. You can't ride it yet. This is for 8-year-olds…"
"Boo!"
"Kiddo. I'll make you one when you're older."
Grandpa, who was standing next to him, patted Theo's head.
"But for now, you get this."
"……!"
Thump, what landed was a mini carriage just right for Theo to ride.
It would be a bit tiring to move by kicking both feet, but Grandpa seemed to have attached a miniature acceleration magic tool. So he could run at a similar speed to me!
'Wait a sec... That looks just like that carriage from B's wooden doll collection!'
Did he get inspiration because Theo plays with it so well?
'Hope he doesn't get, like, sued or anything!'
Anyway, the baby's eyes spun around at the new toy.
"Good for you, Theo! You got your own personal carriage!"
Oh man. We're rebels now.
"Okay. Follow me, Theo! Let's go show it off to Dad!"
"Woo!"
Zooooom.
Raising dust, we excitedly kicked our feet.
Cough, cough.
The pipe smoke I'd inhaled drifted away aimlessly.
"What… is that?"
Calex couldn't believe his eyes. He roughly put down the brandy glass he was holding in one hand and leaned close to the window.
A languid afternoon.
He'd just ordered his butler to bring him a new blend of those trendy herbs from the capital, and he was drawing back the curtains when...
"Ehehehehehehe!"
A burst of laughter cut through the quiet, snapping him out of his thoughts.
It was like his life had suddenly switched genres.
