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Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Grumble—grumble—grumble—

The Wizard’s Tower, which is basically off-limits to anyone except authorized guests and stakeholders, was in total chaos.

Of course, it wasn’t unusual for the Wizard’s Tower to be in such a ruckus.

Normally, the serene tower was accustomed to the numerous sounds resulting from calculation errors, mixing mistakes, and experimental failures that could occasionally be startling.

However, the sounds I heard now were of a different kind.

Each time the lively, noisy sounds echoed, marble and other stones were splitting, while the floor was dusted with lime and plywood was being fitted together like a puzzle.

The ruins that used to be a laboratory and storage were beginning to faintly resemble their former state, and it had only been a few days.

The ones overseeing all this work were the workers and craftsmen dispatched from the Stone Mason Guild and the Construction Guild.

In a profession where a single mistake could cost you anything from your eyesight and fingers to your life, the danger made the site feel quite intense.

“That’s an error in the figures! Hey, get out of the way!”

“Who took the lime that was supposed to be spread here?”

“You, the rookie! Bring some more. It’s barely enough.”

Ironically, there weren’t many raised voices.

Even the supervisor managing the site, the workers moving the stones, and the artisans hammering and chiseling were speaking to each other with a surprisingly calm tone, asking questions and pointing out mistakes.

If this were a normal situation, there would have been a barrage of curses and flying tools, but they briefly shook with annoyance and moved on. Why was that?

“Is the recovery progressing faster than expected?”

“The artisans and workers hired directly by the lord must be good at their craft. The cost must be considerable as well.”

“Considering the finances are abundant, you still say such things.”

“Of course! It’s money that’s wasted… heh, heh-choo!”

Right next to them was someone of significant importance, making everyone worry.

‘But that cough is surprisingly cute.’

‘Isn’t she around the same age as my daughter?’

‘Her cough sounds cute.’

The Chief Magic Consultant of the Duke of Iceland was coughing and looking around here and there with what appeared to be a servant, calling over an Elf Wizard suspected to be one of her subordinates (identified by the hood peeking out on either side).

“Narque, you know what I’m talking about without me saying it, right?”

“You mean defense magic and, um, trap installation?”

The Elf, wearing a shabby robe, nodded his head.

Ah, it was clear to everyone that this was going to become quite a bother.

*

*

*

“Are you feeling well enough to move about now?”

“Of course, it’s been a week.”

“You still can’t use magic?”

Catherine, with her still-red nose, squinted her eyes and continuously opened and closed her hands. After walking around for a while, she let out a sigh.

“I’ve regained some sensation, but returning to my previous state is still a long way off. Well, I should be alright by early winter.”

“Is that so?”

“So, unnecessary worries can-”

Just then, as Catherine was fiddling with her magic, she abruptly closed her mouth.

Suddenly, the confessions from dinner and breakfast days earlier flashed into her mind, and she forcibly suppressed the awkwardness that surged back.

“Let’s stop. How about grabbing a snack instead?”

“Contractor, do you have any requests?”

Mary’s voice came from behind as if she had joined them without anyone noticing.

“Hmm, since my magic isn’t quite there yet, how about a glass of Alraune’s Tear? Maybe with some cookies on the side—”

“Then I’ll prepare a variety of cookies.”

Mary, standing opposite Karem, on Catherine’s right, said that.

But then—

“We baked a ton of cookies yesterday!”

“Ugh.”

“You were all excited because they were filled with nuts, making them a delightful treat for days on end.”

“How dare you point out the truth!”

Mary dramatically clicked her tongue for everyone to see.

The house fairy, Mary, had a knack for finding work to do, even if it meant creating work for herself.

“I made them since the Wizard’s Tower is busy with people.”

“Even so, isn’t it a bit much to fill up an entire shelf in the refrigerator just because you’re able to?”

“It’s perfect as a snack for all of us, so it’s fine.”

“No…”

It was hard to deny that statement.

In reality, what Mary made wasn’t quite what one would call cookies.

Sure, it had plenty of sugar like cookies do, but what can we say about something that didn’t have a single spoonful of flour in it?

Still, Karem didn’t argue back.

‘I’ve seen those cookies at Costco all the time.’

Like those unknown cookies piled up in a transparent, large plastic container that I had never seen shrink during seasons.

Once you start eating, there’s no stopping until you finish the whole batch, just like those irresistible cookies Mary baked.

However, Mary’s version had a taste just a notch better.

“They were definitely tasty.”

“Mary baked cookies? Why wasn’t I aware of this?”

“Well, you were fast asleep in bed all day yesterday?”

“Hmm. Describe the taste.”

“It’s better to just try it for yourself.”

As they approached the refrigerator, Mary took the lead and grabbed the doorknob.

“Hmm?”

“Why are you acting like that all of a sudden?”

“I hear noises from inside.”

With a bang—

Mary tilted her head as she flung the door open.

The refrigerator was nothing extraordinary.

Various vegetables were neatly organized in sacks and wooden boxes.

Sausages and dried fish hung down from the ceiling.

And mammoth meat took up the very back of the refrigerator.

Crispy, crispy, crispy… crispy…. crispy.

And there was Robin, stuffing his mouth with cookies from jars right in front of the shelf piled with cookies.

Crispy……. crispy………… crispy.

“…”

“…”

“…Lord Robin, what are you doing squished there?”

“Why do you look at me like that? I was studying, but my head started hurting, so I figured I’d grab a bite!”

Crisp! Mid-protest, Robin stuffed more and more cookies into his mouth from the jars overflowing on the shelf. Now that I looked closer…

“You resemble Alicia, don’t you?”

“What?”

“I mean, you look just like her!”

“Even so, I don’t look anything like that pig!”

Robin, genuinely horrified, let out a yelp and dashed away between Mary and Karem, only to return swiftly and snatch the cookie jar, sprinting out again.

Crash, crash, bang!

“…What just happened?”

“Who knows. Mary, go get those cookies.”

“I’ll grab the Alraune.”

As Mary passed Karem, he moved further into the refrigerator and grabbed a jar filled with roasted Alraune. Then, he frowned.

‘It feels lighter than expected.’

When he gave it a slight shake, it made a noise that sounded like a handful of wooden chips rolling around. I should mention that later. Along with that, I grabbed some whipped cream.

Preparing the snacks didn’t take long at all.

While Mary arranged the nut cookies neatly onto a plate, Karem filled the kettle with water and placed the dried Alraune that remained in the jar over the stove.

Before long, the rich and nutty aroma of roasted beans began to fill the kitchen, and moments later, Catherine took a sip of the warm Alraune’s Tear.

“The kitchen must feel extra special now that it’s cooler. Heh, heh-choo!”

“Once you’ve enjoyed the snacks, you should go rest a bit more.”

“Well, you don’t have to say it again; I was going to do that.”

Fairies are quite chatty. While Catherine grumbled and accepted Mary’s service, Karem picked up a cookie piled high on the plate.

And took a bite.

Crisp—

‘It’s definitely tastier than what I had in my past life.’

The thin, nutty cookies, mixed with butter and caramel and baked in the oven had a crunch that continued until just before they turned to powder.

The thinly sliced roasted almond, walnut, and pistachio mixed with butter caramel were all there was to the ingredients.

It wasn’t particularly outstanding.

However, it was more addictive than any cookie Karem had eaten, including in his past life.

Due to their thinness, the crunchiness of the oven-baked nuts burst with flavor each time they touched his teeth.

And the firm caramel mixed with butter.

While it was supposed to harden like candy, it had softened first by adding butter and invaded between the thinly sliced nuts leaving a sweet impression.

Different texture from the lightly roasted nuts.

An even more cheerful crunch fell like leaves swirling in his mouth.

With a sip of Alraune’s Tear, the unique aroma and bitterness of coffee washed over his palate.

And then, he crammed another cookie into his mouth.

Crunch, crispy, crackle, crunch!

“You said that just a moment ago, but I see you must have enjoyed them.”

“They might just be my absolute favorite cookies ever.”

“Even compared to your past life?”

“Even including that one.”

“So they were a lot like those from Europa, huh?”

“Big things aside, the details are very similar.”

Heaving a small sigh, Mary offered a cookie to Catherine. The next day, she unexpectedly heard about what had happened, and she seemed particularly interested in the cooking aspect.

“Do they call these cookies the Bersengzeto Cookies over there too?”

“I’m afraid I can’t quite recall the name.”

“I thought you said they were your favorite cookies?”

“Well, it was always around when I went, so I just called them nut cookies. Whipped cream?”

Mary took the kettle and poured it into a cup. As the black Alraune’s Tear turned cloudy, she added three big spoonfuls of sugar.

“Oh, by the way, we’ve run out of dried Alraune. This is the last of it.”

“Hm? Wasn’t there plenty? Already, huh?”

“Well, I’ve had it three to four times a day lately, both on the way here and once I’m back.”

“Hmm, maybe I did have a bit too much.”

If this were his past life, the outcome of drinking that much would be obvious.

He would end up with a hole in his stomach, sleepless nights, or an upset stomach.

However, in this world, and speaking strictly, the roasted and dried Alraune was similar to coffee but not coffee at all; though its taste and aroma were the same, that was the extent of it.

It could be said that it was a black tea that eliminated the effects of coffee while keeping its flavor and scent?

Tap, tap, tap—

“Snow, maybe.”

Despite the thumb-sized snowflakes pouring down outside, Catherine mumbled while chewing on a cookie, completely unbothered.

“Wash!”

But Mary’s eyes widened, and she jumped up.

“What? Were you drying laundry outside?”

“It’s out on the tower rooftop, but I need to bring it in quickly. May I excuse myself for a moment?”

As Mary waved, signaling Catherine to hurry, she bowed quickly and bolted out of the kitchen.

She could have just used her usual teleportation, but it seemed she was too flustered to think of that.

Crisp—crisp—crisp—

“By the way, if it’s dried Alraune, we should visit the Adventurer Guild in Coldon.”

“The Adventurer Guild? Not the herbalist?”

“The stems are mostly limited in use, unlike the heads and fruits. It would be faster to just submit a request than to roam around finding an herbalist with stock.”

“Is that so? Oh, please excuse me for a moment.”

Huh? Catherine tilted her head, feeling something odd, and suddenly froze.

It wasn’t anything particularly special like brushing her hair or stroking her cheeks.

Karem, who was unfamiliar with interactions with women, knew such things in theory but didn’t have the courage to execute them. Especially after he publicly confessed.

He merely removed the almond crumbs stuck to Catherine’s lips with pinched fingers.

But after the confession, being left alone with each other for the first time made his actions, which seemed meant to serve Mary, appear different.

“…”

“…”

Karem also belatedly recalled what he had just done. And he placed the almond crumbs awkwardly on the table.

“…A-anyway! Once you recover from your cold, a visit to the guild will be in order! It’s a shame I can’t drink Alraune’s Tear for a while!”

“It was nice thinking of coffee, but now it’s a disappointment! Should I try making a substitute or something?”

“You mean your past coffee? That could be good! For now, bring out some cookies!”

Karem set down the cup and cookie for a moment to shake off the awkwardness, but Catherine couldn’t pick up or eat food or drinks due to the curse binding her hands.

However, the dried Alraune seemed graspable.

So, how did Catherine eat and drink?

Someone else had to feed and serve her.

In other words, it meant Karem had to do it.

“…My hands have stopped. Little one, are you planning to eat all that by yourself?”

“Ah, right. Just a moment.”

Karem steeled himself.

Crunch.

The Bersengzeto Cookie split in a cheerful sound.

It was perfectly halved, making it seem easier for someone else to eat.

Karem gazed attentively at the half cookie.

“…This is strangely awkward, don’t you think?”

“Huh, you’re the one who used to serve breakfast just yesterday morning!”

“Seems like Sir Atanitas feels a bit awkward too.”

“Be quiet and just move your hands quickly.”

“Yes!”

“Alright, the drink too.”

“Yes!”

 

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