"Yuki-sama, Yuki-sama.
What's up?　Martha.
''Yuki-sama was an immortal sorcerer in your previous life, and you are still reincarnated with the skills and memories of that time, right?

　A few days after I told Martha who I was.
　We were having a leisurely cup of tea, and that's what we talked about.

'Yes. I know it may seem unbelievable.
'No, it's already true in Martha's mind.
You're talking fast!
If you think about it, that explains everything that Yuki-sama has surprised me with up until now.
I'm sorry.
'No, but could you tell me more about your previous life?'

　Martha said as she poured tea into her cup.

'In order to serve Yuki-sama properly, I need to know what happened in the past.
...I see.

　Then, I guess I'd like to talk about Rodelia's ancestor, Gates.
　When I was taking care of the wand made by the 'Grail Trading Company' earlier, I remembered a lot of things.

"You know, Martha. In a previous life, I was the guardian deity of a village.
I understand.
Do you understand?
When I'm with Yuki-sama, I feel very safe. I'm sure the people in that village must have felt the same way.
I see. So, there was a timid craftsman in that village, and...




　200 years ago, in the village of Fira...




Get a grip, Gates. You're going into town today to pitch a product, right?
I can't because I have a stomachache. My Lord.

　This is the ancient castle of the "Fira Village".
　Gates, the craftsman, was huddled in the throne room.

　Gates is a small man. He has a childish face and is so young that he passes for a teenager, even now that he is over 20 years old.
　Well, he's feeble and tearful, but he hasn't changed since he was a teenager.

"Yesterday you declared in front of everyone, 'This product will definitely sell,'
I'm sorry, sir. I was just pretending to be brave.
You're a bravado!
'That's why My Lord tells everyone from My Lord, "Gates has an incurable disease. Please tell them to go sell the product on your own...'
There's no one in my village that goes out and relieves Gates of his incurable disease.
...the friendship between us is heavy.

　Gates is sitting on his stomach.
　I've been watching him since I was a kid, so I know. Gates has a stomach ache that's 70% false, 30% true.
　Judging by his complexion... it's 70% for today.
　He can't handle the pressure of going to sell the product anymore.

'Calm down, Gates. Today, we're not just going to sell your products. We're mainly going to sell the fruit, crops and dairy products from the village. There's no need to get that worked up about it, is there?
I can't!
A quick answer?
I can go with you if my lord is with me!
''Can the 'Immortal Magician' keep up with the product sales!

　I've lived too long, you know. I know my face in the town down the road.
　And lately, this mysterious church has been gaining ground.
　It's best if I stay out of the limelight.

Have some confidence. "Be confident your new spoon and fork will sell.

　What Gates is trying to sell to the town this time is a crafted spoon and fork with added workmanship.
　The handles of both spoons and forks have been enlarged and have protrusions and bumps to prevent them from slipping.
　The tips of the forks are rounded in anticipation of children's use.
　The plan was to sell these forks as a set for adults and children.

I think it's a good product. I let the kids in the village use them, and they don't drop their spoons and forks as often as they used to. Alice said they were easy to use, too. I think it'll sell well.
That's what My Lord said. I'm feeling more confident.
Good for you. Gates.
Can you keep whispering in my ear what you just said until we get to town?
Don't be ridiculous. You're crazy.

　I patted Gates on the head.

'I'm not forcing you to be confident. You're a timid and timid person. But that's your strength, too. You worry about getting the goods right, and you check the accuracy of the product over and over again.　How does it feel to the touch? Is the shape even?
Yes, sir.
''I've practiced many times about product descriptions. I don't think it's a good idea to come to the old castle in the middle of the night to start a presentation just because I'm embarrassed that the people in the village will see me practicing.

　I and the bats in the errand game have heard enough to recite the contents by heart.
　And of course, I made corrections.

The tableware is a product that you and I, a timid man of nearly 200 years, have checked and confirmed that it's fine. Just follow the presentation and you'll be fine.
'Yes, yes ... if my lord says so.

　Gates gulped and clenched his fists.

'I feel like I can do it well!
Good. You're good. Gates.
But now my stomach is really starting to hurt!

　Yeah. Earlier, you confessed to being provisionally ill.
　I was ready to go, but this time he really got a stomachache from the mental pressure.
　Well, if you ask me. I'll be d*mned.

Wait here for a moment. I'll go make you a nice herbal tea for your tummy.

　I blended the herbs I had in stock and made a cup of herbal tea.

　The villagers always come to visit us unannounced.
　I'm always ready to make a cup of tea.

Here you go. Here's some herb tea. Drink.
Thank you.

　Gates bowed his head and sipped from his large cup.

'As always, My Lord's tea is good.
Have you settled in?
Yes. My Lord's face and tea are the best medicine for me.

　Gates took a breath of relief.

''By the way ... this herbal tea is a blend of three different herbs, right?　'Gajral grass' for the stomach and 'sisal flower root' to warm the body and calm the mood - eh?
'A calming 'flabendum'. It's a five-to-three-to-two mixture. There's even a few drops of honey in there to make it easier to drink.
Isn't it hard to collect medicinal herbs?
The Sisal Flower grows so high up. You'll have to fly to get it. But you can substitute another flower for it. It'll be less effective, but it'll save you a lot of trouble.
You gonna teach me how to do it later?
'Of course. I mean, you can sell it as a Gates-branded herbal tea.
'Wouldn't it be too bad for your image if you sold it with a spoon and fork?　It's like, 'My stomach hurts when I use these dishes.'
I didn't ask you to sell with me!
But I'm sure I can do a presentation on this herbal tea.

　Gates nodded with a serious expression on his face.

''My Lord's herbal tea has helped me since I was little, you know.
'Your gastrointestinal weakness is getting old,'
The only reason I've grown to my age is because of My Lord. The blessing of the village's guardian gods is something I'm grateful for....
Stop praying. Or better yet, get going. People will be waiting for you.

　I wave my hand, and Gates chuckles and stands up.

'I'll do my best, then.'
'Herbal teas, if you really want to sell them, I can write down how to blend them, but what do you do?'
Please!

　Gates thrust his fist up towards the ceiling with a bang.

''This Gates is going to repay My Lord by making a huge fortune from the herbal tea with My Lord's name on it!
No, you can't have my name on it.
So how about a coat of arms with a twist of 'Old Castle' on it?
Well that's good.

　If it's an old castle, there's no need to get noticed by the church.
　As for me, I'd rather have the Gates logo on it if possible.

"But is a simple herbal tea for your bowels going to be a big seller?
That's true...

　Gates mmmmmm... and nodded his head.

If something happens to make people nervous, it could sell like hotcakes.
Nervous?
The war.
No, no, no. You gotta be f*cking kidding me.

　That's because when a war between countries occurs, everyone is under stress.
　I suppose my herbal tea would help those who are nervous and have an upset stomach, but....

I don't like selling it to soldiers because it sounds like I'm helping them fight a war.
All right. I'll sell it to the public.
Please.
Yes, sir. Well, I'm off then!

　With that, Gates left the old castle.
　It was several years before the beginning of the epidemic of the "death crest disease". It was a few years before the outbreak of the "death crest disease"...



　Now, in Yuki's dormitory.



That's what happened.

　I finished my explanation.
　Martha's eyes are shining.
　I didn't mean to say anything so amazing.

'Surprise, surprise, that happened two hundred years ago...'
Well. I just can't prove it.
No, since Yuki-sama said so, it's a definite matter for Martha.

　Saying that, Martha took my hand.
　'I'm glad you believe me, but you're really quick to talk.......

'By the way, what happened to the new spoon and fork?'
Yeah, it's just one set.
...Huh?
Gates had added a bunch of embellishments and tricks that I didn't know were there. It made the price so high that I couldn't sell them at the market in town. A merchant in town took notice and bought me one set.
'So that's what happened...'
It wasn't a bad thing, though, since that's how I got to know the merchants in town and got them to carry Gates' merchandise.

　Maybe that was the beginning of The Grail Chamber of Commerce.
　Gates had talent. He had business acumen.
　I'd be happy to stay on board if I could.

Anyway, it was a long time ago. I don't know if it's still there, but...



Mr. Yuji.



　As we were talking about this, Remy came over.

"You have a visitor! She says her name is Ms. Rhodelia Koofi from the "Grail Business Association".
Rhodesia?

　What a coincidence. I was just telling him about his ancestors.
　Now that you mention it, let's go introduce Martha to some friends of mine.
　You can't tell her about the "Descendants of Pheera" until you've waited until the right moment to tell her about it.
　Today, I've already frightened her with the Gates story.
　With that in mind, I let Roderea through the parlor.



''I'm sorry to bother you. Milo──no, Yuki-Grossaria-sama.


Welcome. Lady Rodería.

　In the meantime, we exchanged greetings with the princess's guardian knight as the manager of the Chamber of Commerce.

''What can we do for you today?
In fact, I would like to offer the cornerstone of our business to Her Highnesses Prince Yuki-Grossalia and Princess.
'Thank you. So, what would it be like?
An advanced spoon and fork. And some herbal tea for your stomach.

　Rodelia said.

'....What?

　Martha spoke up.

'The evolutionary spoon and fork had a modified handle to make it easier to hold. During the war years, they were well known for being able to eat on a rocking carriage or boat without dropping the spoon and fork. Also, the rounded tips of the forks prevent children from being injured.

　Rodelia continued to explain.

'The herbal tea was also used to help those suffering from stress during the war years. Both were created by the ancestors of our trade association and helped to expand our trade association. According to legend, our ancestors consulted with their masters to create them.

　After finishing her story, Rhodelia said, "You do realize that, right? He looked at me with a face that said, "I understand very well.
　Martha looked at me with a "I understand very well" look.
　In an instant, it was obvious that Rodelia was a descendant of Gates.

　And now we've wasted our time trying to decide when to introduce her.



　And then...

　Martha introduced herself again as a maid who knows my secret, and Rodelia as a descendant of 'Fira Village'.
　The two hit it off and decided to keep in touch in the future.

　By the way, Remy seems to like the spoon and fork made by "Grail Trading Company" and says excitedly, "We'll be eating with these from today.
　After that, while the four of us were leisurely drinking tea, I was...

(That's how I live my life right now, anyway. (Gates)

　He was calling out to his family, who weren't here.
　I wish I could have been there to help Gates.
　He was a crybaby, but he'd worked his ass off to build a business that would last 200 years.
　I wanted to be there to help him, to see it grow. But I was unable to do so in my previous life.

　So...

You know what, Rhodesia?
"Yes, sir. My Lord.
"Let me know if you're having trouble or need to cry. If you have a stomachache, you know? I'll do everything I can to help.
'What are you talking about all of a sudden!　Oh........why are you looking at me with such warm eyes, Martha?　Ta, it's true that I'm a tearjerker...but how could My Lord know that!　Don't look at me with kind eyes, please say something!

　Our tea party continued as we talked about such things.