"How can I be like you guys?

I asked as I came to the kitchen at dusk to share some herbs.
The head chef, who looked up at me, had strong muscles, and the other cooks were also very muscular. I've baked bread with my mother, so I know that cooking requires muscles, but even so, these guys looked like they could beat me with their fists.
The old man, who understands that I'm not talking about my cooking skills as an aspiring gardener, understands my intention and laughs.

"What's the matter, kid? Did you lose a fight?

The neighbors are all younger than me, so I don't fight with them.

He pats you on the head with his big hand. He's strong enough to do some damage.

"Then it's a woman.

"Hmm?　Hmmm. ......

I wonder if she is. I'm not sure.
When I didn't immediately deny the extreme question, my brothers, who were supposed to be preparing dinner, came at me with cheek.

"You're a lady after all!

"That's high hopes.

No, it could be a childhood friend from the neighborhood.

They're saying whatever they want. It's like predicting the winner of a horse race. I wonder if I'm being used as a betting tool. A friend of mine from a previous life who went to a boys' school used to tell me in an amusing way that he had made a silly bet. It's just like that.
This is the kind of thing you shouldn't ask your brothers if they have girlfriends now.
I thought of a way to return the favor, but decided not to.

I just want to be strong.

Just an abstract wish.
The girl was the catalyst, but it didn't erase the helplessness I felt then. I simply wanted to train in order to get rid of what I had once become aware of.

I simply wanted to train myself to get rid of what I had once recognized.　Ha-ha-ha!

An old man laughs and slaps me on the shoulder. The force is so strong that it hurts. Even if you don't mean to hurt, it hurts. Either he's going to tell me or he's not.

"What are you doing, gentlemen?

I was about to protest the pain when I heard a voice from the other side. Surrounded by the old man and his brothers, I couldn't see anyone at all, but they responded to the voice and returned to their posts like a spider.
I was still at the kitchen door, but I couldn't see the person standing at the entrance to the mansion because of the cooking table and the food on it. I wonder who it is.

"Mr. Heinz, just in time. Could you train the boy for me?

Oh, the old man is speaking respectfully. I was surprised that the chef used honorifics, but when I thought about it, I realized that it's strange for a chef of a duke's household to use a casual tone.

"Yes?

Because the topic was sudden and I couldn't see him, a suspicious voice answered. I wondered why the voice sounded familiar to me.

"This guy wants to be strong.

Without losing his funny smile, the old man led me to the entrance of the mansion and introduced me to the owner of the voice.
I looked up and saw the butler. This is the first time I've ever seen him face to face. Heinz-san, the butler, must have sounded familiar to me.
I knew who the voice was, but I couldn't understand why I was introduced to him, so I looked up at the butler, Mr. Heinz. The old man told me.

The old man told me that Heinz had rejected an offer from the vice commander of the Order to come to the Ernst family.

The old man laughed and said that I was better qualified to teach him than he was.
I didn't know that fighting butlers were only in manga and games. I'm astonished by that fact. In my previous life, my sister used to read comics that had servants with strange fighting skills, and in the games I played in my previous life, butlers and maids were equal to ninjas in throwing dark weapons.
I don't think servants need to be good at fighting. Oh, I'm a servant too.
While I was surprised, the old man and Mr. Heinz had already changed some parts of the dinner and discussed the next day's menu. The next thing I knew, I was standing in the hallway of the mansion with Mr. Heinz.

I didn't tell you my name, did I? My name is Heinz von Dries.

He put his hand on his chest and bowed with a seamless motion, and I hurriedly bowed as well.

...... Oh, I'm Isak Baumgartner.

I know who you are.

It was the first time for me to speak to him directly, so I told him my name and he gave me a curt response. I'm sure Heinz will be able to give you information on all the servants in this house with notes like an electronic dictionary.
A few beats of silence fell as I didn't know what more I should say. I get nervous when people just look at me with eyes as quiet as the surface of the water.

"Why do you want to be strong?

"Because I want to protect you, my lady.

He looked me in the eye and asked, so I looked back at him and replied without looking away.
Protecting is a big word, but I couldn't think of any other way to say it. At the very least, I'd like to keep myself out of harm's way when I'm around.
Another few beats of silence fall. I can't tell for sure because his expression doesn't change, but he might be thinking about something.

...... What would you do if you were to encounter a thug when you were with Master Ludia?



"I'll take you away.

Mr. Heinz's eyelids twitched slightly as he answered the question immediately.

"Then what would you do if you were alone?

"I'll run away.

Heinz-san's eyes widened a little as I answered immediately again.

"Because?

"Because they may have a weapon or they may have other people with them. It would be reckless for me, a child, to confront them when I have little information about them. Then I will run to safety or a place where I can hide.

I've played games where you have to kill zombies in a previous life, but that's because you have certain specs and equipment. There is no way an ordinary person can do it in the same way.

And even if you are alone, ...... I don't want to make my family sad anymore.

My father was stubborn and quarrelsome, and my mother often scolded him. My sister and I used to talk to each other. She's probably sad because of my sudden death in a previous life. I don't want her to feel that way anymore.
I don't know what's gonna happen in my life, but this time I'm gonna live to be an old man and I'm gonna live a long life. I'll try to survive.
I looked at Mr. Heinz with that determination and he let out a small breath.

"...... is fine.

"Yes.

I'll teach you how to do it once or twice a week for a few hours. Dennis and I can work out a schedule. You have a certain amount of strength from working in the garden. ...... You're still young, so take it easy and do fifty sit-ups, sit-ups, and squats every day.

What?　What?

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll understand. Did you just say fifty times?

Do you want to do it?　Do you want to do it?

The quiet eyes ask me if I want to. If you don't answer now, you won't get another chance.

"I'll do it, Master!

I straightened my back and saluted. For some reason, Mr. Heinz froze for a moment. I don't know why Heinz-san froze for a moment, but it might have been my imagination because he said goodbye and left as if nothing had happened.
When I walked through the kitchen to go out, an old man tapped me on the shoulder and congratulated me on passing the exam. When the hell did I take the exam?
From that day on, strength training was added to my daily routine.
A few days later, what changed was that I became hungrier than before. After finishing the morning quota my father had given me, I sat down at the base of a nearby tree and opened the package of lunch my mother had given me.

I'm hungry...

I don't notice the muttering that has become my habit, and my eyes light up at the sight of a rye bread sandwich with fried white fish, tomatoes and other vegetables.
I quickly folded my hands and bowed my head.

"Thank you for your blessings.

I unclasp my hands and clasp them together.

All right, let's eat!

"What's ......?　What's that?

"What?

I was just about to put the sandwich in my mouth when a voice called out to me. When I looked in the direction of the voice, I saw a strange expression on the young lady's face.
Hungry, I gestured with my palm to the lady to wait for me. As if she understood my intention, she came close and sat down next to me. She sits down next to me and waits for me to munch.
I chewed my two sandwiches and ate mindlessly. I feel bad for the lady waiting for me, but please forgive me for eating as much as I can without taking a break.

"Thanks for the food.

With the lady staring at me, I finish eating and clasp my hands together in satisfaction.

"So... What?　Miss.

That's it.

When I asked her about my question, she pointed to her joined hands.

What was that and what was that?

Something like, "Thank you.

"Thank you?

In this country, it is customary to thank the king for his reign before eating. The one after that is a customary memory from a previous life. I've been doing it since before I can remember, and I thought it was normal because everyone in my family was doing it at home, but my moms just started doing it with me. In other words, it's a family custom.
I'm going to give you the same answer that my mother gave me when I asked her when I was young.
Of course you can't say that there are seven gods in a grain of rice, because rice is not a staple food.

We can eat something not only because of the king but also because of other people and nature, right?　This is a guy who does it with a feeling of gratitude to all of them.

Perhaps this is a uniquely Japanese way of thinking, where mountains and everything are gods.

It's a strange ...... way of thinking.

The young lady tilted her head at the idea she had never heard before. It's natural to be grateful to the king, so it's not expected to be grateful to anyone else. I don't know how my mother accepted it so easily.



But ......, yes, that's not a bad idea.

He nodded, thinking, "Yes.
I smile, glad that he didn't make fun of me, but listened to me.

"What's ...... that?

She was a little upset because she didn't understand why I was smiling at her.

I like it when you listen to me like that.

I think she's a good girl. Even though I was a commoner from the beginning, she listened to me first and thought for herself before answering. There are many noblemen who don't listen to common people or servants.
The lady stood still for a while, then turned red from bottom to top like a thermometer, and when she reached the top of her head, something like steam came out.

"............!!!

He squeezed his mouth shut, desperately trying to hold back the sound that was about to come out.

"What?　What's wrong with you?

I don't know what's wrong with me for suddenly turning red. I've never seen her turn red before, and I have no idea why.
As I tilted my head, she started to inch back.
What? What did I do to disgust her?

"Miss ......?

Feeling a little uneasy, I called out again.

"......~what the hell is that, Zaku!

"What?

I don't know what the hell they're asking me. I'm not sure what the hell you're asking me. You sound like you're protesting, but I don't know what you're accusing me of.
If I did something wrong, I would like to apologize, but even if I ask, she won't answer. She keeps a subtle distance from me and her shoulders are pissed off like a threatening cat.
What should I do?

"Oh. Oh, by the way, Miss, what brings you here?

At first, I confirm my original purpose.

"....... Your mother asked me to bring Zaku for three o'clock tea. You'll have to wait and see.

The lady managed to convey the message from the duchess and then ran off, sticking her finger in my face and spouting a discarded confession.
I couldn't get back to my work right away because I felt like I'd been left behind. I didn't even have time to reply.

I thought I was invited to a tea party, but could I close it?