#696 The Farm Graduates’ Activities – The Humans’ POV (3/7)

It’s still me, the human Ritheseus, narrating this story.

When I returned after several years to the estate of the feudal lord, who had cared for me since I was a child, I found it in a state of ruin.

I couldn’t leave it like this, so I put everything I had learned on the farm into action.

First, I decided to do something about this dilapidated mansion, summoning spirits to help with the work.

“Earth spirits! Wither the weeds and level the ground! Permeate the soil and stones in the outer walls, and bind the days together!”

Huh?

There’s no such thing as weeds?

My apologies!!!

Could you please control the overgrowth so it looks more appealing?

Yes, it’s OK!

As I proceed with the tidying up of the mansion...

It started to look cleaner.

“OHHHHHHHHH!” exclaims the elderly servants who had stayed and supported this mansion even after the sire’s domain had become dysfunctional.

Hearing their astonished voices, I could finally feel the significance of my return.

“The mansion... it’s sparkling clean...! There’s not a speck of dust piled up in the corners of the rooms and corridors, and there’s no musty smell...!”

“Outside is clean and tidy, too! Not just that, even damages are repaired!”

“I haven’t seen the mansion this clean since Sire was active and there were many servants!”

“We had no maintenance budget, so things have been left to decay... Am I dreaming...?!”

No, it’s thanks to the work of the spirits.

I called upon all four basic elements: earth, water, fire, and wind.

I used water to wash away the dirt, wind to blow away the stagnant air, fire to eliminate the dampness, and earth to repair all the damages in the mansion.

Well, major damages were impossible to mend, so I replaced the parts and fixed them with my own hands.

I put to use the construction techniques I learned from the orcs on the farm.

“Ritheseus...?! Was all of this your doing...?”

“How incredible...! Did you become a mage while you were away...?!”

Yes, I learned to use magic, but that’s not all.

Even though I was able to repair and clean up the mansion, it still hasn’t regained its sense of fulfillment from the old days.

It’s too simple, as if the inside is a monastery.

I remember it being livelier with a variety of things.

Not just people, but various objects, too...

“If I recall, there used to be a decorative pot around here...?”

“That was sold a long time ago...!”

Just as I thought...!

No wonder the mansion feels so desolate...!

“The paintings and antiques passed down from one feudal lord to another... Items that tell the history of this territory... That fool Saldacase sold them all just to get gambling money...! He even sold the late Lady’s portrait...!”

You’ve got to be kidding me!

That’s the sire’s wife! Saldacase even sold the mementos of his birth mother...?!

“It’s not that he sold them crying because he wanted to improve the people’s lives, but because he wanted to have a good time...! As a result, there’s nothing valuable left in the mansion. The place itself might be mortgaged soon...!”

The remaining servants in the mansion have apparently been staying out of their loyalty to the former feudal lord without receiving any wages for quite some time.

They manage to live modestly, preparing their own meals.

“And the truth is... I’m no longer the grand chamberlain.”

“?!”

Grand Chamberlain said so with a jaded expression.

The same man who had guided and educated me in his role of managing many servants.

“I was quite outspoken with Lord Saldacase... The moment he seized power, I was given a notice of dismissal...!”

“No... But you were only nagging him because you wanted Saldacase to become a respectable feudal lord...!”

“He must have found me an eyesore. I was allowed to stay in the mansion by being demoted to a regular chamberlain with no authority...!”

With Chamberlain Vilardo’s experience and track record, he could have easily found another job...

But he chose to endure such adversity for Sire’s sake...

“...!”

I feel like finding Saldacase and beating him up right now, but helping people comes first.

The servants who remained in the mansion managed to continue doing their duties even in a situation where they were no longer paid.

They must’ve had a hard time even getting meals for the day.

Looking closely, I can see that the elderly servants look emaciated from lack of nutrition.

...Once again, I was angry with myself for being so absorbed in my training that I was oblivious to this terrible situation.

“First and foremost, I need to take care of everyone.”

I turn around and dash toward the exit.

“Please wait! I’ll be right back!”

I activate my flight magic, soaring high into the sky.

Once I’ve reached a suitable altitude, I start to invoke yet another spell.

“Detection magic...!”

Using magic spells to sharpen my senses and with the help of spirits, I read the flow of mana over a wide area.

This is a completely new magic developed by Sensei, the Lifeless King, that amplifies your sensory abilities hundreds of times by combining two different types of magic.

Thanks to this spell, I can also see mana distribution beyond the distant mountains...

“...There it is.”

I found what I was looking for right away.

In a remote mountain far from human habitation, there’s a particularly large pulse of mana...

Such a large and ominous life reaction must belong to a monster...

“I’ll go check it out. I hope it’s something edible...”

Muttering to myself, I increase my mana output and fly at top speed.

...You might think I should use this magic to quickly find Saldacase and beat him up, but that’s impossible.

That’s because this detection magic can only distinguish the size and intensity of mana.

If I looked for Saldacase through mana senses alone, he would only show a faint reaction like countless others, making it impossible to single him out from thousands of similar responses.

Being weak and small can be troublesome in its own way.

***

Skipping the troublesome parts...

I’ve hunted the monster and returned.

The monster’s corpse dropped with enough force to shake the ground.

It was a big catch, as I had guessed.

A monster called Sekibato—a rabbit-like creature with red fur and is as large as a horse. It’s known for its incredible speed, capable of running a thousand miles in a day.

It’s very aggressive, and even though it’s not carnivorous, it’ll chase and kick people without reason when encountered, causing serious injuries. So, it’s better to hunt it as soon as you find it to prevent casualties. 

It’s also very delectable, making it a perfect prey for my purposes.

“This terrifying creature... It’s a foe that we should’ve hired a B-class adventurer to confront...!”

“We would’ve had to pay a large sum of money... Did you really defeat it alone, Ritheseus?”

The servants who only knew me from before my trip to the farm find it hard to believe what’s in front of them.

I don’t blame them for reacting that way. Back when I was here, I was just a young boy whose only merit was being earnest.

However, fulfilling my purpose starts from here.

Right now, I’ve finished gathering the materials.

I swing the mana metal sword I received as a farewell gift at the farm and quickly dissect the prey I’ve caught!

Bleed it out, pick out the edible parts... I’ll keep the fur as it might sell for a good price.

And then, I’ll cook the delicious part of the meat!

Heartily!

Cook it until the bouillon overflows, and top it off by sprinkling salt for flavoring!

Here it is, a rustic monster rabbit steak, simply seasoned with salt.

“W-What is this delicious aroma?!”

“My mouth is watering uncontrollably...!”

“Could it be that Ritheseus... prepared this for us...?!”

I’ve already set aside a portion for the sire.

Please eat this and regain your strength.

“Delicious! It’s soooo delicious!”

“With just simple salt seasoning, it already tastes this good! This perfection is achieved because of the excellent cooking method that perfectly locks in the meaty flavor!”

I’m glad everyone enjoys it.

The cooking technique Lord Saint taught me came in handy right away.

The mansion is clean, and the residents’ stomachs are full.

Did this give some meaning to my return?