The breakfast was already prepared when I joined Shara in the dining room. Apparently, Aaron had breakfast with the others while waiting for me to wake up.

The dining room had been partially renovated with warm colored walls and tiles to better accentuate the warmth of the food. We thought to use marble tiles to invoke a sense of luxury, but refrained due to our limited amount of money. Most of the family wealth had gone towards reconstructing the territory after all.

Fortunately, there were a lot of high quality halite in the mountain near our territory that we could sell to other places as a source of income. Also, were trying to cultivate various spices in order to prepare more stable funding.

The cultivation method was based on the knowledge that Seto had acquired after travelling across the country. The land in the territory seemed to be suited for planting spices. Capsicum, pepper, and turmeric were said to be in high demand around the country, so wed start out with those. Since there were no stable suppliers just yet, we can expect huge profits once our products hit the market. I remembered how Seto enthusiastically explained this to me.

Before I left the territory, I took my time to visit the plantation. The spices were growing well. If nothing went wrong, wed be able to have our first harvest without a hitch. When that time came, Seto said that hed be joining me at the capital to deliver the spices.

I could only hope for a good news now.

Once the agriculture sector was on track, wed proceed to the industrial sector. Its but the first step, but we mustnt make any mistakes.

Roxy would teach us how to cultivate grapes. Itd take some time, but eventually wed be able to develop our own winery there. It may not be on the same level as the Hearts family wine, but its still worth trying.

Seeing me deep in thought while eating in silence, Shara chuckled.

[Fate-san must be really happy since youll be meeting Roxy-sama today.]

[Uh.cough, cough, cough]

Involuntarily, the bread that was already inside my mouth got stuck in my throat.

[Thank you for the meal]

Shara put down the dishes as she had finished eating.

I also hurriedly finished my bread and soup.

[What will you do today? The usual?]

[Yes, it is. Ill be helping out on the orphanage.]

Even after becoming the maid of Barbatos family, Shara often visited the orphanage where she was raised. Although they werent blood related, she still took care the other orphans like they were her own siblings.

Personally, I wanted to move these kids to Barbatos territory. But unfortunately, this current environment isnt suited for kids.

[In that case, Ill take you there. The security around the capital has become better, but the same thing cannot be said with the slums.]

[Thank you very much]

I took my dishes and headed to the kitchen with Shara. After putting them into the sink, we washed them side by side.

The kitchen was very large, its almost as wide as the house I used to live in back then in the slums. Of course, the sink was built as such that it could be used by five people at the same time.

This place was too wide, as I feared that even me, Aaron, Shara, and Mimir combined couldnt use the entirety of it.

Aaron laughed at me. At first it would indeed be like that, but as the family members and the number of servants increased, itd eventually be difficult to fit everyone in.

I couldnt even imagine that at the moment, but Aaron said that its something that Id understand eventually.

After the dishes had been cleaned up, I headed back to my room to retrieve Greed.

[Sorry for the wait.]

How long were you going to make me wait?

[Dont be like that. Today well be surveying the hobgoblin forest. Ill be able to fill up my stomach.]

Is it Gluttony?

[Thats right. Come on, Shara is waiting at the front door.]

My equipment was badly damaged from the battle against Rafal, but the crafter Jade Stratos who I met back at the Fortress city Babylon had repaired it for me. Since I had a personal contract with him, I was given priority regardless of the state of my equipment.

That Jade has become famous competitor among the craftsmen in Babylon. Thats par for the course. After all, I, who made an exclusive contract with him, actually defeated Tenryu.

As soon as it became known that I was wearing gears made by Jade, the warriors in Babylon quickly rushed to his shop.

Jade who had become famous remained humble as he continued crafting more and more armors.

He also didnt slouch in his effort to better himself in term of craftsmanship. Although my equipment looked the same as it was before, it had actually been reinforced in many places. Its defensive power had been greatly amplified by metallic fibers with high magical conductivity called mythril that had been sewn into the jacket and the pants.

Since it had yet to be tested, I did not know how effective itll be. But since he wrote many good things about it in the letter that came with the equipment, I guess I could expect great things from it.

At the frontmost room which floor was covered with soft colored carpet, Shara was waiting.

[Sorry for the wait. Okay, shall we?]

[Yes]

And so the two of us left the mansion. Shara was carrying a rather big suitcase, but she declined when I offered to carry it for her.

[Im but a servant, how can I allow my master Fate-san to carry my luggage?]

[If you go that farwell, just tell me if you are tired, okay?]

[Ill do my best!]

Shara didnt rely too much on either me or Aaron. Perhaps because shes used to handling things on her own so far. Well, it hasnt been long since she started living with us. Itll take a while before she could ease down.

We arrived at the gate that separated the holy knight residential area with other districts as I watched Shara walk energetically. Our destination, the slum, was located in the residential district. But we have to go through commercial district to get there.

Normally, people wouldve to go through the soldiers guarding the gate. Its an instant pass for me as I am the head of Barbatos family. As for Shara, since she passes through this gate almost daily, the gatekeepers already memorized her face.

[Good morning, Shara-chan!]

[Good morning]

Shara slightly bowed politely. Somehow..the soldiers would gather around her with smile on their face. I even saw one of the older soldier gave her encouragement.

Shara is so popular. I felt a bit envious, but Im a bit worried. What if it was rotten uncles who came to approach her?

Shara walked past the gate, throwing innocent smile to those soldiers.

[Fate-san, come on]

[Okay okay]

As we walked along the commercial district, I inquired to her about what happened at the gate just now.

[Just now, does it usually happen?]

[Yes. sometimes they gave me some sweets. Its a good souvenir to bring for the kids at the orphanage so Im grateful that they do.]

Seeing Shara didnt really mind about it, I was reminded to what Aaron said before.

This child will become a mighty fine woman in the future. Now I can see why he said so.

Shara passed the commercial district without even batting an eye. If it were me, I would at least stop by on one of the stalls. Looking around, there were streetside stalls selling cookies and sweets. Even me who dont usually enjoy sweets smell to drift into my nose felt tempted to buy and eat it.

I remembered the little girl enjoyed eating cookies though.

[Do you, want it?]

[.no.]

When I asked, the little girl turned away her pretty face. Shes always busy with housework and helping out at the orphanage. It may be something unnecessary, but its alright once in a while.

I quickly ordered some of those big cookies from the storekeeper. I also asked to put some cookies into two small bags.

[Shara, this for you as a thanks for always working hard. You can share it with the kids at the orphanage.]

[Uaaaaaa, is it really alright to give this to me..? Thank you very much]

I also felt happy for Shara. She had to act mature despite her young age. Sometimes Im worried that shed be overwhelmed eventually. Seeing her acting like a child that shes supposed to be made me happy too.

The two of us walked along the commercial district while munching on the cookies. These cookies were as delicious as I expected it to be.

The sugary sweet taste, no, it mustve come from honey. The natural sweetness melted inside the mouth, driving away the fatigue from daily activities. The butter used mustve been fresh, as the texture was crispy, but gradually turned mellow and produced moist aftertaste in my mouth.

[Its delicious, Fate-san!]

[Un. indeed it is. Lets buy it again sometime]

[Yes!]

While I was thinking about the children in the orphanage while munching on the cookies slowly, a familiar voice called out to me.

[Eating something delicious, arent you?]

[Roxy!]

[..Roxy-sama, greetings]

Roxy approached us, looking alternately between me and Shara. I didnt think that Ive done anything wrong, but when being stared at like that, I felt like I did do something wrong.

[We are going to survey the Hobgoblin forest, Fai. Why are you still walking around leisurely while eating cookies?]

[Ermm, Im just escorting Shara to the orphanage. In the meantime, I bought the cookies to be given to the kids. Ah, here is yours, Roxy.]

I handed over one of the bags which I had the storekeeper prepared beforehand. Then an unexpected thing happened! Roxy smiled like a blooming flower when she received the bag of cookies.

[Is it for me.thank you. Alright, lets escort Shara to the orphanage together.]

[Ah..thank you..Roxy-sama]

Shara was escorted like a VIP. Flanked by two holy knights on each sides, she couldnt help but the have a cold sweat as she watched how the passerby looked at us.

[I feel a little nervous.]

[There no need to make a big deal out of it.]

[Its because Roxy-samaFate-san, some help, please?]

[Shara, just give it up. Roxy wont budge regardless.]

[Alright, everyone! Lets roll]

[[Yes~!]]

Led by the enthusiastic Roxy, we finally arrived at the orphanage. Since its in the slums, the building wasnt exactly in a good shape.

The roof was damaged in several places. No doubt itll leak down when its raining.

I offered the sister to help support the orphanage, but was kindly declined. All of them wish to deal with it by their own hard work, and there was no getting around it.

Shara entered the orphanage and immediately went to meet the kids. Of course, bringing along the bag of cookies with her. Judging from the loud noises of children coming from the back room, the souvenir seemed to be a great success.

Me and Roxy had been talking with the old ister for a while now.

The content of the talk included the state of security in the slum recently, how well the children were doing, and the state of the orphanage itself.

Other than that, the sister was having problems regarding the lack of teachers that were willing to educate the kids. The teacher who used to do this had to return to his hometown recently.

Although the sister could teach simple reading and arithmetic, she couldnt teach the kids other advanced subjects properly.

Roxy then said that shes volunteering for the job, until the orphanage can find replacement. I wonder if itd be just fine..Im a bit worried.

I didnt mean that Roxy cant teach, but for a person of her position, shes usually very busy.

[Doesnt your ladyship have duties at the castle already?]

[It wont be a problem really. Recently, Eris-sama has divided the duty evenly among the holy knights. Therefore, I wont be working as much as I used to]

[I see in that case, teacher Roxy, please do your best]

[Yes, count Fai in too.]

Eh, why do I have to teach too. Im incapable of doing that. On my part, I can only read and do simple arithmetic just like the sister does.

Roxy then gave the puzzled me a look.

[Dont misunderstand yet. Fai will become the student here. Ill be sure to properly teach you the appropriate knowledge befitting of a member of Barbatos family!]

[Eeee, please spare me from more studying, Roxy]

[Its teacher Roxy for you]

[Uaaaa, shes on it already!]

What on earth I will be learning from Roxy? Frankly I was terrified since Im not good at studying. But then, she whispered something to my ear.

If Im not doing well, she wont let me return to the mansion.. Apparently, I wont get any rest unless I do my best