Oran Knight is out (2/3 chapters for today)
The Illusory Flowerbed
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*Today’s Diary*
Today, as planned, we visited the Western-style mansion. Our main purpose was to explain the subsequent developments regarding the Duke Lengrad’s journal to Linkert-san. While there, we heard an intriguing story from her.
—
This was our first visit to Linkert-san’s place since entering the underground passage. First, we needed to report on the journal Heinz had taken out. Even though we were entrusted with it, we needed to share the outcome. It was Heinz who would be explaining it.
Given the season, it was a little too cold to have tea outside. Instead of the usual corner of the garden, we were invited to a room inside the western-style mansion. The room was warm enough. Our shoulders, which had stiffened slightly from the cold outside, relaxed.
“It’s quite cold today, isn’t it? We might see the first snow soon.” (Linkert)
Linkert-san said this while pouring tea.
The tea had a slightly unusual fragrance. It was a scent I had smelled before. It was a bit peculiar and had a unique aroma.
“Wait, could this be Snow-Free Tea?” (Lux)
I asked. Linkert-san looked slightly surprised.
“Oh? You know about it?” (Linkert)
Hearing this, Hana’s face clouded over. She moved her cup away.
“I’ll pass… for now, degozaru.” (Hana)
“Oh, Hana-san, is it not to your taste? Don’t worry. It’s delicious if you prepare it this way.” (Linkert)
Linkert-san brought out honey and milk.
“Here, just a little milk and a spoonful of honey.” (Linkert)
She added milk and honey to Hana’s cup. The unique aroma of the Snow-Free Tea changed. It became a soft and pleasant fragrance.
“Huh? This smells drinkable now…” (Hana)
“The taste changes slightly too. Go on, try a sip.” (Linkert-san)
Hana hesitantly brought the cup to her lips. She took a small sip. After swallowing, she froze for a moment.
“…This is delicious, degozaru.” (Hana)
Then, Rick-san, who had added milk and honey in the same way, took a sip. Among us, Rick-san was the most familiar with the flavor of Snow-Free Tea.
“Wow, this is remarkable. The distinct flavor is completely mellowed. It’s very drinkable now.” (Rick)
“Right?” (Linkert-san)
Linkert-san looked pleased. The rest of us also took a sip. The gentle aroma and sweetness made it very easy to drink.
“…Next year, I will pick Snow-Free flowers myself and drink the tea, degozaru.” (Hana)
After this, Hana changed her opinion. The conversation naturally shifted to the recent trip to pick Snow-Free flowers. Linkert-san listened to the story with great interest. Suddenly, she asked me a question.
“Come to think of it, Lux, you’re from the south, right? Have you ever seen snow before?” (Linkert)
“This will actually be my first time.” (Lux)
When I answered, everyone looked surprised.
“What? Really?” (??)
I was the only one from a place where it didn’t snow. I also learned for the first time that most of Rozan Principality gets snow almost every year.
“In my hometown, snowfalls are light and brief.” (Ratt)
Ratt, who is from a relatively southern region, added this.
“Our town gets a fair amount of snow.” (Lite)
“Our military academy in Remnos, as well as the capital, are both further north than here. The climate is more like Solar.” (Heinz)
Heinz explained.
“Huh. Then traveling home in the snow must be difficult.” (Lux)
I said this without much thought.
“That’s true. If I’d brought the journal back in midwinter, it would’ve taken twice as long. I’m glad we avoided that.” (Heinz)
The conversation then transitioned to the explanation of what happened with the journal. Heinz explained the developments in detail to Linkert-san. He used the same careful and thorough explanation he gave us earlier. Linkert-san listened silently. She didn’t interrupt Heinz’s story.
When Heinz finished, he concluded with a question.
“That’s everything I know about the situation. You’ve already heard rumors of the temporary truce, haven’t you?” (Heinz)
After sipping her Snow-Free Tea, Linkert-san replied.
“Yes… I suppose I should share this with you since you’re directly involved. The truce Maria mentioned is indeed true. The Bell Household certainly has sharp ears for such news.” (Linkert)
Maria’s information was confirmed by Linkert-san. With that, the temporary truce was almost certain.
“…Does that mean the war will end as well?” (Frank)
Frank asked this question. Linkert-san looked slightly troubled.
“That’s still uncertain. Things have only just begun to move. Still, this is a very significant first step. If everything proceeds smoothly… perhaps.” (Linkert)
“No matter what, it’s almost miraculous that things have started to change this early. We’ll have to keep an eye on developments after the truce is announced at the start of the year.” (Heinz)
Heinz added his perspective.
—
Once the topic of the memoirs was finished, the conversation shifted to the underground passage. The day we returned with the journal, everyone was too excited to discuss the details. Linkert-san hadn’t asked much about the underground situation at that time. Now, we described our adventure in detail with gestures.
The part that drew the biggest reaction from Linkert-san was the description of the vast space under the artificial lake.
“Could it be… was that real after all?” (Linkert)
“What do you mean?” (Sonia)
Sonia asked curiously.
“Back when the Duke Lengrad’s estate stood here, there was a rumor about a ‘phantom flowerbed’. The Duke neither confirmed nor denied its existence. When the estate was dismantled and the garden replaced with the training grounds, it was assumed the phantom flowerbed disappeared. But hearing your story reminded me of it.” (Linkert-san)
“Oh, then that must have been the phantom flowerbed. It had been left untouched, but from what we could tell, there were signs of human cultivation there.” (Frank)
Frank spoke with certainty.
Now that I think about it, Frank had crouched down and inspected something in that room. He must have been paying attention to such details. After all, Frank was the one who discovered the hidden room. His observational skills are impressive.
“As I thought…” (Linkert)
“If it’s properly maintained, it might still be usable. Its condition was better than expected.” (Frank)
“Really…? In that case, I should consider bringing someone in to restore it. I’ll discuss it with Follet-san.” (Linkert)
“You mean Follet-san? Are you going to check with the Ruler’s younger brother?” (Sonia)
Sonia tilted her head curiously.
“Oh, did I not mention it before? Although I live in this mansion, the property actually belongs to Follet-san. I’m only borrowing it from him while also serving as its caretaker.” (Linkert)
So that’s how it was. That explains why Follet-san was the one who granted permission to explore the underground passage.
“Still, why was there a flowerbed hidden in such an inaccessible place?” (Lev)
Lev’s question was reasonable. If Linkert-san’s story was correct, few people even knew it existed.
“Well… this is just my speculation…” (Linkert)
Linkert-san prefaced her answer.
“Perhaps it was for the Duke Lengrad’s daughter, Leia…” (Linkert-san)
—
On our way back from the Western-style mansion, we said our farewells at the front door. As we were about to leave, Linkert-san asked.
“Oh, by the way, has your opponent for the latter half of the competition been decided yet?” (Linkert)
We told her it was the 2-C team.
“Oh, it’s them again… I see. Do you think you’ll win this time?” (Linkert)
To such a question, I responded,
“I’m not sure. It’s not the same team as last time, after all.” (Lux)
“True. Still, wouldn’t it be nice to aim for one win… no, two?” (Linkert)
Perhaps she meant to encourage us to surpass our single victory from the previous round.
“Huh? Well, we’ll try our best.” (Lux)
“As a neutral party, I can’t favor any team. But in my heart, I’ll be rooting for you. Good luck.” (Linkert)
With those words of encouragement, we left the mansion behind.
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