CH 231

Breathers are also a necessity, aren’t they?

The Sanctuary has a place blooming with flowers, where Faeries and Spirits fly about.

In that place, I sat on a large picnic sheet spread out, eating the lunchbox that Maria and Marnie made.

This was a conversation that goes back to the time I came home to the Sanctuary Mansion after reporting to Margrave Volton.

「Takumi-sama, please have some rest!」

「For the time being, work is prohibited!」

「Eh?」

The moment we climbed up to the first floor of the mansion from the basement with the Teleport magic circle, Sophia and Maria instructed me to rest.

「Master (Husband), starting from Triaria’s Sanctuary Invasion to Sydnia’s Elf rescue to the dungeon capture, you have been so busy that you are overworked.」

「Takumi-sama, Laeva also needs rest.」

When Marnie and Laeva said that, there was no way I could go straight to the workshop.

「Uhhh, rest?」

「That’s right. Akane probably also needs a break. As for Sydnia’s fugitives, it’s not something we must do immediately.」

「……that makes sense. ……okay, let’s do that then.」

Now that I really think about it, it feels like I’ve been running franticly ever since I transmigrated to this world. In the beginning, I had such thoughts in order to live, to make the foundation for my life, but ever since I got involved with the Sanctuary, it felt like I’ve been working like a cart-horse.

I think it’s also important to take things slow even if it isn’t exactly a “slow life” so I wouldn’t be suspected of being a workaholic.

Deciding so, I’ll fully enjoy this break and go out and have a picnic with everyone.

「Then how about we split up and make lunchboxes?」

「Takumi-sama please take it slow.」

「No, it’s fun to make food with everyone too, you know. This will also be stress relieving.」

「I-is that so……」

Sophia, who is hopelessly untalented in cooking, had a stiff expression.

「Now then, what would be good for a picnic lunchbox?」

「Let’s see…… I think sandwiches and deep fried things would be nice.」

「Takumi-sama, Lulu wants to eat meat nya.」

「Let’s go with salad and cheese, and wine and apple juice for drinks as well.」

When I asked Maria what to make, Lulu-chan and Marnie chimed in.

「Well, Laeva will ask for some fruits from Melty-san.」

「Yeah, fruits are also good.」

Laeva left the mansion to go to Melty-san, the manager of the orchard, for some fruits.

「U-umm, ta-tamagoyaki too, please.」

「Ah, yep, gotcha.」

When Sophia made a request seemingly embarrassed, it surprised me.

Maria, Marnie, and I headed to the kitchen. Lulu-chan also came to help.

I took out the meat of an ostrich-sized bird monster and handed it over to Maria. Maria cut up the bird meat into bite-sized pieces, seasoning it little by little with soy sauce and ginger to balance out the flavors.

「I will make the sandwiches.」

「Lulu will assist nya.」

「Mhmm, please do.」

The sandwiches were left to Marnie and Lulu-chan, while I made the tamagoyaki.

We’re using eggs, which are expensive in this world, to make thick tamagoyaki. Well, these eggs are our from our own efforts though. We simply took these from a chicken-like monster that’s as tall as a full grown person, after all.

I took out a somewhat potent dashi, and mixed that dashi and salt into the eggs. I dislike sweet tamagoyaki, so our tamagoyaki at home was closer to dashimaki.

In truth, I considered onigiris, but there’s no umeboshi, mentaiko, or salted salmon. Above all, there’s no nori, so onigiris were out of the question.

We have to search for nori.

We hurriedly finished our preparations and went out to an area where the Sanctuary’s flowers bloomed profusely all year round.

In that place, we laid a picnic sheet out and everyone ate the food while passing the time idly.

「Things like this are good once in a while.」

「Takumi-sama, here you go.」

「T-thanks, Sophia.」

Sophia poured me some wine. I don’t drink too often, but white wine is fine. It’s not like I’m weak to alcohol, after all.

「……guys, thank you.」

Akane stood up all of a sudden, then bowed to us.

「Akane……」

「I’m fine now. I’m over it.」

「You don’t have to force yourself.」

「M-mm, hesitating for so long isn’t like me. Sure, I was shocked, but Yamato was paying for his mistakes……」

We could tell that she was forcing herself, but we’re glad that Akane was energetic.

「Okay! Let’s drink today!」

「Yeah.」

「Akane-sama, wine right nya?」

From then on, it became a lively banquet.

Maybe because fights continue day by day, I strongly believed that days like this are important.