「If you’ve understood, begin immediately. Norman, consolidate all the things I’ve explained just now into a document in order to convince the people. If there are any obscure points or parts that worry you, without omitting anything, ask me」
「Understood」
「Jake, divide adjacent farmhouses as uniformly as possible, based on their operation scale. I will specify the area of the field required for cultivating crops, so you don’t need to consider it」
「Understood」
Since he had told them this much, then it seemed as though the rest would be taken care of by the 2 who seemed to be capable. For now, only this much can be done – thinking that, as he was leaning back on the chair, his eyes met with Zen, who was still in the room.
「………What?」
「What should I do, Harold-sama」
「Don’t do anything. Or rather, go back to your own work」
In the first place, Kazuki hadn’t called for Zen. Since he was hanging around in the room like always, Kazuki was just pushing him around.
「I have a holiday today!」
「What the hell did you come here for?」
「Harold, your marriage partner has been decided」
「Marriage partner? Who is it?」
Even while feeling the shamelessness inside, he asked back with a seemingly similar response.
「The daughter of the Sumeragi family. Accurately speaking, it’s only engagement, but with this, the Stokes family’s lineage will become stronger」
「Oh, That’s wonderful!」
「And so, the other party is telling that, by all means, they want to meet you. We’ll head towards the Sumeragi territory soon」
(Huh, Wait a sec? Perhaps, this phase is……….)
「When do you mean by soon?」
「In another 2 to 3 days」
(Haa–!)
In that interval, he wouldn’t be able to gather necessary items. Particularly, the items which could only be obtained as item drops from defeating monsters, were a problem.
As soon as Kazuki finished eating, he withdrew into his room, and based on his memory, he started recalling the recipe for creating a certain powder.
(Anise hisopp and fang of Gadun, Reel grass……. And what else? If I’m not mistaken, there was something that seemed like traditional Chinese medicine………)
And so, with there being no problems, other than the time spent alone with his father being great, they arrived at the Sumeragi’s mansion at the end of their journey.
「Welcome. Master and Madam have been waiting, so please, this way」
「I somehow can’t settle down due to removing footwear inside the house. Even these things called inner-footwear」
「Since this is the culture of the Sumeragi house, please show consideration」
「Master, I have brought Hayden Stokes-sama and his son, Harold-sama」
「Please, come inside」
(The light in her eyes are disappearing, Oi. I can’t sense any vigor……..)
However, again, there was nobody other than Harold who could make her stop making such a face. It would be too pitiful for her to spend 8 years like this, until she met the protagonist.
「This is the first time we are meeting, aren’t we? I am the current head of the Sumeragi house, Tasuku Sumeragi」
「……..I am Harold Stokes. Nice to meet you」
「Thank you very much for taking the trouble to come here」
「What are you talking about. It is natural」
As it was an engagement that was decided by their parents due some political reason, Harold’s and Erika’s turn was almost non-existent. Since there was no room for them to intervene, it couldn’t be helped.
「Well? Erika-chan. Harold is quite handsome, isn’t he?」
「Yes, very」
Casually, Hayden asked Erika, as a joke. The reply came back in a flash, in an extremely flat voice.
「Sorry, Stokes-sama. It seems as though this girl is nervous………」
「Well, it is natural to bewildered if one’s marriage partner were to be decided at this age. Even Harold is the same」
「Yes. Since I am meeting someone as cute as Erika-san for the first time, even I am feeling nervous」
「Well dear, since they have especially come here, how about leaving Harold and Erika together so that they can talk unreservedly?」
「Oo, that would be good!」
「Right. Erika, show Harold-kun around for a little while. So that you would come back by around dinner time」
「………Alright. Well then, Harold-sama, this way please」
「It is an honor to be escorted by Erika-san」
