CH 111

Drastic Measures for Leo Familiarization

The next morning, Mr. Ekenhart woke up unusually early, and we all sat at breakfast together.

There was a peaceful atmosphere in the room, and Mr. Ekenhart and Sebastian were talking about the direction that would be taken concerning the selling of my herbs.

“Sebastian, I will take the herbs, that Mr. Takumi made last time, back with me. However, I want you to start selling in the town of Ractos immediately.”

“As you wish, Your Grace. I will have Mr. Takumi supply us with some more herbs, within his ability.”

“Good. There is a lot of traffic moving in and out of Ractos, and so news will spread quickly if we start selling there.”

“Perhaps you will start hearing word of it by the time you arrive, Your Grace.”

“Hahaha. Well, that would not be strange.”

Apparently, they were going to start selling the herbs at the nearest town, which I had been to before.

I didn’t mind that they were ordering more herbs, but that meant I would be paid again… I would have to think about what I will do with that money.

“Father. If you’re going to sell them in Ractos, will it be at that store?”

“Aye. As the products sold there are not always the same, it will be easier to add the herbs as a new product.”

What was this store that Ms. Claire and Mr. Ekenhart were talking about…?

I had only been to the town of Ractos twice, so I didn’t know which stores were run by the duke’s family.

But I suppose I would find out once they started selling the herbs.

After that, Ms. Claire joined the two as they discussed their plans.

Tilura and I just listened as we ate the delicious breakfast.

There was still too much that I didn’t know, and so I couldn’t join the conversation…

“Father. Please be careful on the way back home.”

“I’ll be fine. I have my guards, after all.”

“But still…”

I had heard that it was nearly a week’s ride back to the main house.

And this was a world with monsters, so you never knew what might happen.

But Mr. Ekenhart just laughed at Ms. Claire’s concerns.

I did think that he would be fine, judging by his strength.

“And Mr. Takumi, I doubt there is anything to worry about, as Sebastian is here, but please look after this mansion as well.”

“…Yes.”

I nodded at Mr. Ekenhart’s words. It was proof that he trusted me.

And while I doubted that anything could happen, it felt nice to be relied on.

It was only natural for me to do something for those that helped me.

“Wuff. Wuff.”

Leo was also nodding as if to say that she could be relied on.

Mr. Ekenhart flinched in surprise… So he still wasn’t used to Leo…

“Father. Don’t you think that you should get a little more used to Leo?”

“…During the past few days, I’ve seen how gentle she is…but…”

Perhaps Mr. Ekenhart knew a little too much about what Silver Fenrirs were capable of.

But aside from that knowledge, he might be more sensitive to the overwhelming power of a Silver Fenrir that Leo had.

And she was big.

Yes… Perhaps we could do what we did with Ms. Gelda…

“Mr. Ekenhart. Do you still have some time before your departure?”

“What, Mr Takumi? …I have about an hour… Yes, I can spare that much.”

One hour, huh… It wasn’t long, but it was enough time.

“In that case, Mr. Ekenhart, could you come out to the garden?”

“Hmm? Ah, very well.”

“What are you going to do, Mr. Takumi?”

“Something that should help Mr. Ekenhart get accustomed to Leo’s presence.”

I said quietly to Ms. Claire, so that her father could not hear. And then I took Leo and we went out into the back garden.

“What now, Mr. Takumi? Are you going to test Weed Cultivation again?”

That was his guess, but he was wrong.

“I think it will help you get used to Leo. Leo, I’m counting on you.”

“Wuff.”

Leo answered me and the turned her back towards Mr. Ekenhart and then sat down.

“Now, Mr. Ekenhart. Please get onto Leo’s back.”

“…On Leo…? But…”

“It’s all right, father. Leo is very gentle, and you will not be shaken off.”

Tilura told him that it was perfectly safe and she started to push him.

And then Ms. Claire joined in, so that Mr. Ekenhart had no choice but to climb onto Leo’s back.

…For some reason, Sebastian also joined in, and seemed to be enjoying it… Sebastian. Should you really be pushing your master around like that?

“…Good Leo…I am ready…”

“Leo. Go slowly.”

“Wou!”

With Mr. Ekenhart now on her back, Leo got up to her feet.

And while Mr. Ekenhart was used to riding on horses, he looked nervous and stiff as he clutched onto Leo tightly.

“Wuff!”

And just like that, Leo began to run freely in the vast garden.

As the rider was afraid, she started running at a slower pace, much like the first time she had carried Tilura.

Behind them, Sherry barked happily as she followed.

Did she think that they were playing…? Well, at least Sherry would be getting some exercise from this.

“What a good idea this was, Mr. Takumi.”

“It’s what helped Ms. Gelda overcome her fear. And so I thought that it would be effective.”

“Is that so… Indeed, I haven’t seen Ms. Gelda looking afraid for some time…”

Now that I thought about it, Ms. Claire had not been present during the first time I had let Ms. Gelda and Ms. Lyra ride on Leo.

For some time after that, Mr. Ekenhart rode on Leo as she ran around the garden, and we all smiled and watched.

And then Mr Ekenhart seemed to get used to riding her. And once he was relaxed, he looked very intimidating. Like a great bandit who was riding on a giant wolf.

“Leo, it’s time to come back.”

“Wuff!”

It must have been thirty or forty minutes later. I thought it was long enough, and so I called Leo back.

Leo barked in reply and then came running with increased speed.

Then she stopped and sat down so that Mr. Ekenhart could dismount.

His feet did look a little shaky, but he would get used to it.