#865 The Way of Tea

One thing that’s been nagging at me lately involves, yet again, the elves.

You see, there are some elves I’m even more familiar with than Elzariel or L4C.

Yes, I’m talking about the elves living on my farm.

These folks have made the farm their home, busying themselves day and night with pottery, wood carving, leather tanning, and glasswork.

They’re always up to something, these elves.

I generally let them be unless they’re up to no good, but now seems like a good time to check how they’re doing.

What am I curious about?

The farm elves’... tea-spreading endeavor.

Once upon a time, we produced some tea leaves on the farm. The elves, utterly enchanted by them, decided to embark on a mission to spread the joy of tea across the entire world.

They’ve been quite busy with this project, but I’ve been deliberately keeping my distance.

It’s not that I didn’t want to get involved.

But even though I’ve been hands-off, I can’t help but worry that things might have gotten out of hand without me noticing, leading to more trouble. So, I thought it was a good time to check up on them.

Coincidentally, this aligned with inspecting another elf-initiated project: tree planting.

And that’s when my bad feeling was confirmed.

Why, you ask?

Apparently, a tea culture event is happening in one of the Human Kingdom’s cities.

Seriously?

Has tea become so popular that it’s got its own event in a city?!

Since the city was close to the Elven Forest, I traveled there physically, without using teleportation magic. 

Though riding my dragon horse, Sakamoto, I could be anywhere in a flash.

And so, I arrived.

In the Human Kingdom’s Rikyuu City. 

What’s this tea event all about?!

***

“Huh? What brings you here, Lord Saint?”

To my surprise, I found a familiar face in the city: Aileron, one of the farm elves.

What are you doing here?

“I’m organizing today’s event. I dream of making tea a sensation worldwide, so I can’t miss it.”

“I see.”

When did she become such a tea enthusiast?

Before that, how did she even get here?

Must be teleportation magic.

For some reason, everyone living on the farm can use teleportation magic... except me.

They all casually hop between the farm and other places.

But Aileron’s situation is a bit complicated. She used to be part of an elf bandit gang and is somewhat under protective surveillance on the farm. It’s a bit problematic if she’s out and about too freely.

“My dream is for everyone in this world to drink tea morning, noon, and night! To make that happen, today’s event has to be a success!!!”

Seriously, what’s gotten her so fired up about tea?

Earlier, I thought all the farm elves were united in spreading tea.

But it seems like Aileron is the main, if not the only, enthusiast.

I definitely overestimated the scale. 

Maelga, Mieral, and Poel aren’t even here; they’re probably still busy with their respective jobs back on the farm.

Aileron’s the only one here, deep into her own solo project.

Locals, who seem to be human, gather around her.

“Master Aileron!”

“Master Aileron! Today’s event is a full house, thanks to you!!!”

“It’s all because of Master’s generous financial support!”

Aileron is surprisingly popular here.

They even call her “Master.”

“Master’s innovative designs have earned a fortune, which she’s poured mostly into developing the tea business!!!”

“Those exquisite works... one wonders how much they sell for!”

“You wouldn’t think of such things yet. Master Aileron, could you offer your next masterpiece to me, a fellow tea lover, at a bargain?”

“Hey, no cutting in line!!!”

Aileron is a hit with what seems to be wealthy humans.

Her pottery from the farm is gaining global fame?

Would they even believe she was once a wanted bandit straddling the Human and Demon Kingdoms?

Now, she’s a charismatic potter and a driving force behind the tea movement.

Life sure is full of surprises...

Aileron, brimming with confidence, addresses the crowd.

“Thank you all for gathering. Your combined efforts for the development of tea make me happy.”

“MASTER!!!”

“Let’s spread the greatness of tea to as many as possible today. And as a reward, the person who works the hardest will get a small plate I made.”

“Yahooooooooo!!!” “What kindness!” “What generosity!” “Woohoooooooo!!!”

The crowd is oddly enthusiastic.

So, what exactly happens at a tea event?

Just “tea” is too vague, and I have no idea what they’re planning.

A tasting party with everyone, perhaps?

Or maybe a tea appreciation contest to guess the origin and blend?

Or could it be... a tea-splashing match? Throwing it with a tea ladle?

“Haha... It seems Lord Saint, new to this event, is a bit lost and confused. Allow me, then, to explain everything from scratch with utmost care.”

Why so pompous, Aileron?

Feeling like a grand master, are we?

“This event is... the Way of Tea!”

“The Way of Tea?”

Is that like... 

Shaking tea in a big bowl in a tea room and saying, ‘What a fine performance.’

That thing where the Omotesenke and Urasenke tea schools face off?!

Has the Way of Tea made its way to this fantasy world?!

“Based on the stories of the Way of Tea told by Lord Saint... I have attempted to recreate it myself! The Way of Tea, where drinking leads to the truth, aspiring to unite with nature... It’s perfectly suited for promoting tea development!”

I see. So, by hosting a Way of Tea event, are we spreading the word about the tea itself?

...So does this mean we’re setting up a hearth under the open sky, serving tea to visitors... that kind of event?!

That sounds fascinating and fun.

And the tea would be delicious too.

As someone from Japan, this seems like a great event, but I wonder if this is a naive thought for someone familiar with a fantasy isekai world.

“Master, it’s almost time to start.”

“Prepare for the ceremony.”

The ceremony?

Prompted by what seems like staff, Aileron heads to the stage.

“Lord Saint, you should watch. I will show you the essence of the Elf-style Ura Way of Tea, perfected in this world.”

Hmm? Hmm...?!

It looks like Aileron is about to showcase the Way of Tea she’s recreated in this world.

Let’s see what happens...!

***

Aileron steps up onto something elevated from the ground.

It looks more like a ring than a stage.

What’s she going to do there?

Shouldn’t the Way of Tea be performed in a tea room or something?

But then, a more baffling situation unfolds.

A towering figure, seemingly over two meters tall, stands before Aileron.

“Master, please go ahead.”

“Mm.”

After exchanging bows, the two collide?!

Why?!

Wasn’t this supposed to be a tea ceremony demonstration?!

“One cup!”

“One drink!!!”

They clash with some incomprehensible shouts.

...?!

Ah, now I get it!

In their hands are tea bowls brimming with tea!!!

“To fight gracefully, avoiding spilling a single drop from the tea held in hand! That is the essence of the Way of Tea! Take thissssssss!!!”

Aileron, still holding her tea bowl, unleashes a kick that sends the towering man’s jaw flying.

Despite his imposing, muscular build, he’s downed by that fierce kick.

And before collapsing, he drinks the tea from his bowl...

“...Quite a fine performance...!”

And collapses, uttering those words.

“Those who pursue the Way of Tea must not waste even a single drop. The practice of finishing your drink neatly before collapsing is admirable.”

What am I even watching?

If there’s one thing I understand, it’s that the true spirit of the Way of Tea has not been transmitted at all in this fantasy world.