Chapter 63: Let's Go on a Picnic

In this world, there are some workplaces that have no holidays, but at our workshop, we make sure everyone takes at least one day off a week. On one of those workshop holidays, the main members decided to go on a picnic together.

Sophie heard about it from Mabel and asked if she could come along. Everyone said they would love for my little sister to join us, so Sophie is coming too. It’s been good for her, as she seemed lonely lately with fewer opportunities for us to play together.

Our destination is a small hill on the outskirts of Northernford. According to a maid at the mansion who told me about it, it’s a scenic spot that offers a view far into the distance.

For me, a wicker basket is essential when speaking of picnics. I packed a large basket with baguettes baked by the head chef, ham, cheese, and glass jars filled with jam. There are two types of jam: raspberry and blackberry.

For drinks, we poured cooled tea into leather flasks. Unlike modern Japan, there are no convenient things like paper cups here, so we are bringing tin alloy cups. The rest is just a sheet to spread on the grass.

As I was preparing various things, the luggage ended up becoming quite substantial. Although it’s called a hill, the place we are going to is apparently quite high in altitude. Having a lot of luggage would normally be difficult, but thanks to the powerful ally known as Storage Magic, we’ll be fine.

On the morning of the picnic, the main members of the workshop—Theo, Carpenter, Eyle, and Mabel—along with Sophie and two escort knights, gathered in front of the new workshop. Eyle is the leader of the medicine-making group. She is a woman who is attentive to those around her and is trusted by the surrounding craftsmen.

Oliver is resting at home because he connected to the Akashic Records yesterday and collapsed again. It is a skill that places a heavy burden on the user in exchange for its power. Oliver seems to be going through trial and error to master it, but considering it is a skill even Elves couldn’t handle, I’ve told him never to push himself too hard.

The escort knights are a man and a woman who always guard us when we travel far. Since they accompany us on workshop business trips as well, they have become familiar faces to the workshop staff.

The female knight is Ophelia Lloyd. The Lloyd family has served the Fairchild family for generations. The male knight is Gilbert Taylor; he is the son of a tailor. The Fairchild Family Knights recruit excellent individuals regardless of birth, so it is not rare for members to have commoner parents. Both are young knights whom Knight Commander Liam has high hopes for.

We left Northernford and proceeded along the highway on the outskirts in carriages. It is a cobblestone road that we paved together with the Dwarves. Recently, the Elves moved large trees from the nearby forest to serve as roadside trees, so it’s easy to walk along even when the sun is strong.

It will be June soon, but the green of the young leaves is still vivid to the eye. The scenery of the highway looks picturesque with the roadside trees. The sky has cleared up, making it perfect weather for a picnic.

When we split into the two carriages, we naturally divided by gender. From the women’s carriage, lively laughter can be heard from time to time. I’m glad Sophie seems to be fitting in. In our men’s carriage, we are having an idle, leisurely chat while feeling the breeze through the open windows.

Eventually, the slope leading to the hill came into view. Now that we’re actually here, it’s quite high, just as I heard. It looks to be about the height of Mount Takao, which I climbed in my previous life.

We got off the carriages at the foot of the hill and started walking up from there. “Wow, even for a hill, this is high.” “I wonder if we can make it to the top.” Sophie and Mabel looked a little anxious.

We walked slowly up the slope, chatting as we went. As we continued climbing, the knights, myself, and Theo—who can use Body Enhancement Magic—were fine, but the craftsmen and Sophie seemed to be getting tired.

We reached a spot with a decent view. “Shall we take a break around here?” “Yes, let’s, Brother. To be honest, I’m a little tired.” Sophie and Mabel spread a cloth over a flat stone and sat down.

“It’s unfair that Theo-san can use Body Enhancement Magic like Lord William, even though he’s a Production Mage.” Mabel was teasing Theo, who sat nearby. “Ahaha, you might be able to use it eventually too, Miss Mabel.” “Normally, Production Mages cannot use Body Enhancement Magic, you know.”

When Theo went over to talk to Carpenter, Sophie spoke to Mabel with a dissatisfied look. “Hey May, since when has he been calling you ‘Miss Mabel’?” “Fufufu, we are colleagues, after all. But Theo-san is so serious, he wouldn’t stop calling me ‘Lady Mabel’ for the longest time. It was hard work getting him to call me ‘Miss’ instead.”

“Muu, I feel like that’s somehow unfair.” “I told him I didn’t want a colleague addressing me with ‘Lady,’ and since Theo-san is my senior, I had to persuade him many times. Besides, even though I’m a noble, unlike your family, Sophie, mine is just a humble barony with a tiny territory.”

After resting and regaining our energy, we decided to start climbing again. The old me might have given up, so I’m grateful that I’m fine thanks to Body Enhancement Magic. We climbed slowly while chatting with everyone.

Finally, we reached the top of the hill. Oh, it is a magnificent view, just as I heard. The view opened up, allowing us to overlook the surrounding fields and forests. The city of Northernford looked like a miniature garden.

“Oh, what amazing scenery.” “It really is. I wonder if the workshop is around there?” I was glad that Carpenter and Eyle seemed to be enjoying the view as well.

Theo was looking toward the distant Sea of Trees. When I approached him, he had a slightly sorrowful look on his face. perhaps he was remembering his parents who sacrificed themselves to protect their clan. I patted him on the shoulder, and he turned around with a faint smile.

“Shall we have lunch?” I used Storage Magic to bring out the large wicker basket and leather flasks, and spread the sheet on the grass. Then, I took the plates, cups, and food out of the basket.

I spread plenty of butter on the baguette. The butter is a slightly high-class one made from Jersey cow milk. Then, everyone could sandwich ham and cheese or add the two types of jam as they liked. Once I set out the cups and poured tea from the flasks, preparations were complete.

The baguette baked by the head chef is exquisite. The outside is firmly browned and crusty, while the white inside has small bubbles and a fine texture. When you bite into it, the savory flavor slowly spreads inside your mouth.

The baguette sandwich is simple, but delicious. Lunch at a scenic spot, blown by the early summer breeze. Sometimes, a holiday like this is nice.