Yes!　Al!　Let's practice our swords!

Uh, no.

　Thor, who was given the goblin sword, sniffed and said such a thing.

　I had to train a lot with Elinora's sister yesterday, so why do I have to practice my sword again the next day?

　I've just returned to the village of Koliat after a long journey from the royal capital. It would be good if you could help me with that.

　But still, it was a little frustrating to feel that I had returned to the mansion by being beaten with Elinora sister's wooden sword yesterday.

''That's fine, just a little bit!　Just for a minute!　Okay?　I'm strong now too, you know?

No. I mean, it's dangerous, so don't point that sword at me!

　I inch back from Thor, who is pointing his goblin sword at me.

'What's the fuss you two are making?'

　It was Asmo, who lived next door to Thor, who called out to us.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're in the marketplace.

I said, "Let's practice swords, but Al won't play with me.

　Thor holds the goblin sword on his shoulder while making a disgruntled sound.

　He was very happy to receive the sword, and he was ready to show off to Asmo.

''Sword?　Ah, that's not your usual wooden sword. A souvenir from King's Landing?

'That's right!　Look at that, it's a real sword!

　Thor is in a good mood to show off his sword, as if he's heard it well.

　In response, Asmo.

Hmm, good for you. Anyway, Al, what's my gift to you?

Hey!　You need to be more interested in what I have to say!

Yeah, I'm bringing them. King's Landing's famous dragon muffin.

　He didn't seem to be interested in it at all. I don't even want to go along with the sword training with Thor, so I'll let it slide for good measure.

'Yay!　The sweets of King's Landing!

　Asmo's expression changes from a straight face that looks uninterested to a smile.

　Even though the Trierra Trading Company comes regularly, sugar is still quite expensive for the villagers.

　I don't care if it's Celia-san, who runs a cafeteria, she would normally only buy a small amount as a condiment.

　Celia is not able to make sweets, so sweetness must be a valuable commodity for the villagers.

　Incidentally, the dragon muffins that were gifts for Asmo were neatly boxed up and stored. They don't decompose in the subspace, so they are always freshly made and ready to eat.

　I think spatial magic is the strongest of all, being able to retrieve a freshly baked meal from any location. All you have to do is buy food from a stall and store it away, and you can have a warm meal any time you want.

　I've got nearly 30 skewers of ooey gooey meat in storage because it's so good.

　Sometimes I just want to eat that kind of junk flavored stuff.

'Dragon muffins are that popular pastry from Dragon Slayer's story, aren't they!

　Thor's eyes light up when he hears the word "dragon muffin". He's blown the sword training thing out of the water. It's more of an appetite than a sword.

　This is a gift for Asmo, so why are you also ready to eat it?

You know, you can go up to my house. I'll give you some of my secret tea leaves!

　Thor runs in front of us and tries to lead us to his house.

　It seems that he's trying to entertain us at his house and get a taste of dragon muffins by offering us some of his mom's secret tea leaves.

　It would be a good thing if he could share half of them with you, but you don't know what's going to happen to you later, do you?

No, it's a gift from me, okay?

Oh, come on, you can't eat a dragon muffin with water, can you?　That's an insult to candy.　Good food is good drink and food. Asmo would understand, wouldn't he?

Geez ... tea leaves ... what kind of tea leaves are those?

　Asmo's heart is shaken by the words spoken to him by Thor as if he were admonishing him.

　If it's a sweetness that you can't normally eat, it's natural psychology to want to eat it with a suitable drink and enjoy it better.

''Well I forget the name, but it seems to be the same tea leaf as the guy in Al's mansion.

Royal Feed.

Yeah, that's it!

　Oh, you know, the one that Mother Erna gave to Thor's mother, saying something like "Thank you for all the help I've always given you".

'That thing that comes out like water when you go to Al's mansion.......!

　Well, he's a nobleman. It's not the least bit odd that Erna likes tea.

　If we invite them over, they'll just eat our food and sweets, so we don't invite them over too often. We want to spend a relaxing time in the villa.

Well, in that case, you'll have to feed me a half share.

One!

　Thor objected to Asmo's six-minute statement.

　There was nothing more unreliable than a bite in the village of Coriat.

　After all, it was the Celia cafeteria.

"It's no use. Take a bite. Take a bite.

"heh, heh, I know.

'Ah!　He ate it all!　You bastard!

'What?　You said "bite"!'

"You son of a b*tc*!　I want my money back!

　This happens to me every day.

　As a countermeasure, if you cut them into small bites, they will take the larger one in one bite.

　The ones that can hold it in their hands are the ones that can hold their fingers in their mouths.

　You never know what they're going to do to you.


　And at the end of the day, a fight ensues, and they end up eating each other's fists on a daily basis.

　However, one piece suddenly, Thor also attacked a tough spot.

　It's a technique that merchants often use to make it easier to convince the other party by first raising the demand line and then gradually lowering it, probably because they don't think they can get the whole thing.

　He's not even good at writing or calculating, so when did he use such a technique....

''I can't even do one of them. A quarter.

"Royal Feed?　That's no way to use the finest tea leaves. Half of it.

''Mmmm... well, if it's a royal feed, that's about as much as you can do. There's no such thing as just one drink, right?

I won't be so stingy with you.

How much sugar should I use?

　While the two of them are still discussing the amount, I use spatial magic behind a stump and take out a box of dragon muffins.

　There are four of them inside, including those for Asmo and Sheila's sister and brother, father and mother, so there's no problem if you share them normally.

''--Okay, that's fine. Three cups of tea and no more than four spoonfuls of sugar!　Ladles don't count as spoons, okay?

Tsk.

d*mn you. By the way, Al, where's that dragon muffin you wanted to see?

Yeah, it's in this white box.

　I hold up the white box under the guise of how I've left it by the stump.

　A slight breeze carries the sweet scent of butter, causing Thor and Asmo to gulp.

　Even I've already eaten a few of them, and even I'm drooling.

'Let's eat quickly!'

Come on, boys. Come on up here.

　Asmo pushes me back and Thor opens the door to his house while holding his sword in one hand.

　It's only at times like this that they move fast.


　But still, the sight of Thor entering the house with a sword in one hand, he looks like a pervert. The family would be surprised if he came in like that in the middle of the night.

　Thor puts the sword on the edge of the front door and walks in.

　I guess I should have gotten him a sheath or something.

　As I get to my seat in the living room, Thor starts rustling through the kitchen.

　He's probably preparing a cup of tea for me.

　As for Asmo, he took out a knife, plate and fork and began to put them on the table.

　That's my neighbor. It seems that he knows where the knives and plates are in the kitchen.

　Well, when you've known each other for decades, that's how it goes.

　Of course, there were no plates or forks in front of me.

　No, I was the one who brought the souvenir, and I ate a lot of them, right?

　You're not gonna eat that, are you?　You don't have to stare at me like.

'Huh?　I'm pretty sure I had it tucked away in the back of a triple-layered frying pan, Mom.

　Thor sticks his head on the bottom shelf in the kitchen and says something like that.

　Thor's mom is desperate, too. Are there people who would take it away from her if she didn't hide it so badly?

'Oh, I see!　Ouch!

　Yeah, you must have hit your head. I can tell that by the sound alone.

'I think my sister found out about this place, so she said she was going to move the place or something. As I recall, she threw you in a pot.

　Then, after a while of fishing through the dishes, Thor brought out a tubular box.

　Probably the tea leaves are in there.

　Thor handed it to Asmo and began to prepare the teapot and cups.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can.

'Is this real?'

　What a skeptic he is.

'Yeah, it's the same royal feed as our mansion.

Then it's no problem. Thanks.

Hey, it's real.

　Thor, who had been watching us, brought us some sugar, his mouth agape.

'Al, use your magic to light the fire,'

Yeah, I can get you a cup of tea. I'll have a cup of tea for you.

　For some reason, Elinora's sister treats me like royalty.

　She'd kill me if I brought her a bad cup of tea. So I asked Mel to teach me how to make a reasonably good cup of tea.

　But it's only reasonably good, so it's not as good as Mel's. As expected of the talent that Mother Erna brought over from the capital.

　Meru has a spontaneous personality, but her tea is very delicate.

　I fill the kettle with water magic and float it with a psychic. I make a fireball underneath it with fire magic to raise the temperature.

''I saw a bit of that during the snowball fight, but you're still as dexterous as ever.

He's using magic as a matter of course.

　Thor and Asmo, who already have nothing of their own to do, are looking at me with their cheekbones.

''Well, if it's complicated magic, but if it's as simple as this, you can do it at the same time.

　You just have to keep your mind on both the kettle and the flame.

　Well, it might take a lot of concentration at first. If you're not careful, the temperature of the flames will be incredibly high before you know it.

"Hmmm, that's nothing but amazing to us lazy bastards.

Aren't you going to a magic school or something?

I'm not going.

　I wouldn't go even if they offered to open a school for you in the village of Coriat.

''If you can use that much magic, you'll make quite a bit of money.

As for the money, I don't need another reverberation or general chess.

You're a man without greed.

No, I have greed. I want to spend the rest of my life like this.

Greed is greed. But it's something else.

　My current ambition, though, is to get some soy sauce.

　It would give us more scope for cooking.

　It seems to be in a country where there used to be rice, but I heard it's pretty far away. I might as well go there myself.

　As my mind was racing, the water in the kettle started to boil and bubbles started to come out.

'Oh, the hot water is ready. Thor, get me a teacup.

Hmm?　Okay.

　I filled the teacup and pot Thor brought and warmed up each of them with hot water.

'There's no tea in it, is there?

I'm just warming it up.

So this is how you make it taste good. My mom used to do that.

　Thor goes back to the table with a look of conviction.

'Ah!　You Asmo, don't waste your sugar!

It's okay. It's fine. I'm hungry.

　As they began to squeal, I drained the water from the pot and put enough tea leaves into the teapot for several people.

　Then they pour the water in the kettle into the pot.

　The trick is to pour the water into the pot vigorously. Then, cover the pot and let it steep.

　I turned over an hourglass nearby and measured the time.

　This is the small one we have at home, so it must be the same minute.

　The royal feed should steam for two minutes and forty seconds, so I turn it over again when all the sand has fallen off.

　I dump the hot water out of the cup and wait, counting the remaining forty seconds.

　Then, when the experience reaches forty seconds, I quickly pour the tea from pot to cup.

　I pour every last drop of tea into the cup, making sure it's the same consistency.

'Hey! Tea's ready!'

Get it done. Too late.

I can't wait to eat.


　They put the muffin on a plate and grabbed a fork and knife.

　What's the point of being classy? Why don't you just eat with your hands?

　Well, I don't want to go into it because I'm in an atmosphere of trying to feel high class.

　Asmo had asked for sugar, but as expected, he won't use it while there are muffins.

Then, let's eat!

　Before Thor could say that, Asmo had already put a dragon muffin in his mouth.

''Here you go!''

Oh, as expected of a royal something. You have a great smell.

　You should at least remember the name, or else you'll feel sorry for your mother, who was hiding it so carefully.

　Enjoying the aroma, Thor lightly sips on it.

''It smells better and tastes better than the tea my mom brewed!

　Whether you can taste it or not, I'm glad you're happy with it.

'Muffins are so good...'

　Asmo's expression loosens up as he eats the muffin, looking happy.

　Not only is it fluffy and sweet, but the tartness of the fruit in it is delicious.

''Me too, me too!　........this is delicious. I think I know what it's like to be a woman who is obsessed with sweets.

It goes with the tea.

　The two of us tucked into muffins and tea. I could have served them additional muffins, but I thought it would be tastier to share the muffins in good company, so I decided not to.

'Yes, Al!　Tell me about King's Landing!　You saw the play, didn't you?

Okay.

　The three of us spent the time chatting and drinking tea in an elegant manner.

　It was as if even Thor and Asmo had become noblemen.



　◆



Thor!　You can't keep on working, you know.　'I told you to come to the field after you finished chopping wood, didn't I?'

　After finishing the muffins, the voice that flew in when they were talking about the royal capital.

　The moment you hear it, not only Thor, but even Asmo trembles as well.

It's a good thing I'm not the only one. I completely forgot about my work.

'Totally, I asked Asmo to call Thor. What's she doing here?　

Hey!　f*ck you, Asmo!　What important things you're forgetting!

　Thor grabbed Asmo's chest, which he had forgotten to tell him his business.

'Sorry, I forgot. Or rather, it's Thor's fault for not remembering.'

　You are absolutely right.

'Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...'

　Thor grits his teeth and makes a regretful expression, then looks at me with a huff.

　He's going to make up some reason why he was entertaining me because I'm a nobleman anyway, or he was entertaining me because I came.

''Because I was the first one to leave, right?

　I went in on Thor with Asmo pushing me on my back, but I made myself a cup of tea. I don't think I was on the hospitable side.

'Do something about that!

　I wonder if such an excuse is acceptable when you're not Elinora sister or Silvio brother.

　I'm not treated so formally.

Thor!　Asmoe!　There you are!'

　The door is rattled open and Thor's mother comes in.

'Oh shit, hide the tea leaves!

No, it's the scent and the dishes that give it away.

'Wait a minute ... is that scent ... royal feed!　Thor!　You said you weren't interested in tea!　You used it without permission!'

　With Thor's mother's angry voice, a thud of footsteps approaches.

　Thor panics and Asmo re-wraps the box of muffins.

　Asmo seems to be trying to quickly grab the muffins and tonsure them.

'Asmo!　You can't escape!

Thor!

　At the same time as Thor's shout, Thor's mother rushed into the living room in the form of a hanyou.

　Then, as Kiki and I held on to the spot, my image came into view.

"Oh, Master Alfried!

Hi. I'm here for a visit.

　She gave me a blossoming smile, much like sister Emma's.

　Thor's mother nodded with satisfaction, "Yeah," and grabbed Asmo by the collar as he tried to walk past her side.

'I have to get back to work,'

'Well, I guess it's over then, huh?　'Your father said he'd put you up if he found you. I asked him to go get Thor.'

I'm sorry.

Okay, but next time, remember that, okay?

　Ufufu laughed, and Asmo ran outside with the box of muffins in his arms as if it was a precious gift.

　Maybe he's trying to calm his dad's anger by delivering the muffins.

　His dad loves to eat them too, so he'll be able to handle it.

　The problem is Thor, though.

'Mother-in-law, I think we're going to take a break here today.

'I know that sounds a little different, but that's okay. You can come back anytime.

''Yes. Speaking of which, my mother wanted to invite you to a tea party, so if you have time, please come to the mansion with Asmo-kun's mother. We'll have some sweets for you, a souvenir of the royal capital.

'Well, I'm looking forward to that. I'll be visiting you soon.

　Here, I bow and leave the living room.

　Now I won't be accused of this.

　If you come to my mansion, you can drink the delicious tea that Mel makes.

　Finally, I turn around and say a few words to Thor.

'Thor!　Thanks for giving me the royal feed, man!

Tenmei!

"You b*tc*!　Not!'

　I left Thor's house with Thor's scolding voice at my back.