Chapter 20, Wishing For A Carriage And A Butler

Translator: Lizz

 

Edward was trying to buy a carriage, but currently, all the construction workshops were fully booked.

 

The town rebuilding plan was progressing rapidly, and the parts that Sylvia hadn’t handled, as well as those that required repairs after she had worked on them, were making orders pile up, causing an outcry.

 

“I give up. I guess I’ll have to go to the neighboring town to buy one. It was quite prosperous, so they should have some workshops.”

 

Edward murmured as he scratched his head, and Sylvia tugged at his sleeve.

 

“Huh?”

 

“I’ll make it.”

 

“What?”

 

“I’ll make it. We just need to gather some materials.”

 

Edward was unsure what to do, but he thought that making a carriage would be easier than building bridges or waterways, and Sylvia had already handled the renovation of the fortress. The revitalization of the entire town might have contributed to it, but Sylvia now had plenty of magical power available. She could use magic frequently without the risk of collapsing.

 

There was just one problem.

 

“Lady Sylvia, do you know what a carriage looks like? I mean, you’ve ridden in the Mayor’s carriage, so you should know, but a carriage for a Lord cum a member of a Ducal House should be larger and more splendid.”

 

If it was too large, the horses wouldn’t be able to pull it, but a certain level of grandeur was necessary.

 

While Edward was troubled, Sylvia patted her chest.

 

“I’m mighty. So, no problem.”

 

Looking at Sylvia, Edward gave up, thinking that as long as they had a means of transportation, it would be fine.

 

At Sylvia’s request, Edward ordered materials and carried them to a barn near the stable once they arrived.

 

He peered into the barn and understood.

 

“I see… There is quite a bit.”

 

Though covered in dust and deteriorated, there were saddles, reins, and other items that appeared to be parts of carriages and carts.

 

Sylvia could restore them with her magic, but…

 

Sylvia was unusually enthusiastic.

 

Breathing heavily through her nose, she had brought over the wagon they used during their journey.

 

“Lady Sylvia, I hate to break it to you, but if you revive these with magic, we’ll have a carriage.”

 

Edward said, but she didn’t listen.

 

“Let’s go! <Become a carriage worthy of the Lord – [Renovation]!>”

 

Sylvia struck the wagon with her cane.

 

‘Calling it a carriage would have been enough’, Edward quipped resignedly as he watched the wagon.

 

The materials were absorbed, and what emerged was a carriage so splendid that even Edward was speechless.

 

Sylvia, looking satisfied, stroked the carriage and said,

 

“We’ve been together all this time, so we’ll stay together from now on as well.”

 

“…I suppose you’re right.”

 

Edward smiled, remembering that yes, this was the kind of person Sylvia was.

 

She still cherished the animals that had traveled with them, always personally feeding them and talking to them.

 

Edward and Gina, too. Sylvia had accepted them.

 

Sylvia was someone who cherished and valued what she had gained. That was why Edward trusted her and served her.

 

– She was not someone who would easily believe lies and abandon others like that person.

 

Sylvia also repaired the items in the barn as an afterthought.

 

This carriage was probably for the servants. It was more modest than the one Sylvia had made.

 

However, the saddles and reins were of higher quality than those purchased in town, so they decided to use these instead.

 

There were quite a few horse tack items. In the past, when the castle Lord was in residence, it seemed there were a fair number of soldiers stationed there.

 

A self-sufficient garrison… Edward thought that perhaps there had been a war with a neighboring country at that time.

 

However, at present, their country had signed a peace treaty with the neighboring country, making them one of their allies.

 

Furthermore, there was no history of any wars between them recorded. It was likely a small-scale conflict or a piece of history that needed to be concealed… It wouldn’t be easy to uncover.

 

If that history must remain unknown, it would explain why the bridge was destroyed.

 

*

 

After the repairs had settled somewhat, Edward, Gina, and Sylvia decided to discuss their next steps. More precisely, Edward made the suggestion.

 

“Things have settled down here, but how about you, Gina? I’m sorry for making you do everything on your own, but I can help from now on.”

 

Gina, while taking care of Sylvia, replied,

 

“Well, regarding the repairs to the fortress, we’ve made minimal progress. We’ve completed about twenty percent overall. However, considering that roughly half of the areas aren’t expected to be used, it’s closer to half done.”

 

“Areas that won’t be used?”

 

“For example, the church. There’s a splendid one in town, and I wonder if there’s enough need to repair it and bring in priests.”

 

“Indeed, it’s not necessary.”

 

Edward agreed. Neither he nor Gina was particularly devout. As for Sylvia, she had only been to the church once, for a skills and magic evaluation.

 

“There are also several workshop-like facilities, but currently, no one is using them, so let’s put those on the back burner. If we eventually attract people to use them, we can repair them then.”

 

Edward nodded in agreement.

 

By the way, Sylvia wasn’t listening. She was eating fruits, getting her hands and mouth all sticky, and Gina was cleaning her up with a damp cloth.

 

“Regarding the employment of servants, I’ve consulted with the Guild about reasonable salaries and have put out job postings. We’ve gotten quite a few applicants… Lady Sylvia, could you please conduct the interviews soon?”

 

“Mm.”

 

Sylvia nodded while eating more fruits and getting sticky again right after being cleaned up.

 

“The employment of a cook is urgently needed! We can’t have Sir Edward, a knight, cooking forever, and it will be overwhelming as more people arrive! We’re prioritizing this recruitment.”

 

Gina passionately explained, and Edward chuckled.

 

Gina was even worse at cooking compared to Sylvia. It was catastrophic, to the extent that one must wonder where her dexterity and agility skills had vanished to.

 

From a young age, she had been made to help out with various tasks in the household, but she was always exempt from cooking… It was that disastrous.

 

If Sylvia’s cooking skill was ‘As long as it’s nutritious, taste is secondary’, then Gina’s was ‘Regretting you ever ate it’.

 

Edward didn’t mind cooking, especially if others enjoyed it and found it delicious, but it was indeed a hassle to think about dinner and breakfast menus during busy times. Having a cook would be a great help.

 

After saying that much, Gina sighed.

 

“The problem is the butler. The Guild advised that it is necessary, but we can’t find someone with experience. I’m acting as a temporary butler, but they said my youth might cause issues with the servants.”

 

Edward also hesitated at Gina’s words.

 

The position of butler was not strictly hereditary, but it was typically filled by someone who had gained experience and age. It was the command center of the household.

 

Having a young girl as the butler of a fortress… that would be quite difficult.

 

Honestly, no one knew the fortress well, and both Edward and Gina were newcomers, so in a way, it didn’t matter who took the role. However, appointing someone untrustworthy as butler was out of the question.

 

“…Hmm. Let’s put this on hold for a while. I’ll consult the Mayor to see if he knows anyone suitable.”

 

Edward couldn’t say much more than this.

 

The interviews for the servants were conducted, and most of the candidates for employment were decided.

 

Regarding the cook, they had them prepare food, with Edward judging the presentation and Sylvia evaluating the taste, and they made their decision.

 

All the servants lived on-site, but there was no issue since Sylvia had already renovated the servants’ quarters.

 

The problem was that Gina ended up being completely occupied with the newly hired servants.

 

Seeing Gina running around while everyone was still unfamiliar with their tasks, Sylvia and Edward realized the necessity of a butler.

 

However, finding one was not that simple.

 

“Including myself, once we get used to it, things will settle down. It’s just hard right now.”

 

Gina said with a smile, trying to reassure the worried pair.

 

In reality, she was putting on a brave face, and it was actually quite difficult for her. However, she was doing her best so as not to worry the other two.

 

And there was another reason – Gina’s vanity was not wanting to be seen as ‘useless’ and be abandoned.

 

Sylvia had quickly gained the respect of all the residents as a skilled mage and the daughter of a Duke. Gina had decided to serve her for life as her maid.

 

However, Edward, who had also pledged to serve for life, was a former noble proficient in swordsmanship, eloquent in speech, adept at negotiating with dignitaries, and skilled in cooking. In other words, he was a versatile person who could handle anything with ease.

 

Gina felt that, compared to him, she needed to prove her value by being good at something, but she thought she was too incompetent, as her only talent was sewing.

 

In reality, Gina was not as incompetent as she belittled herself to be. She was actually proficient both as a maid and a butler.

 

Her dexterity and agility skills were not just for show. She quickly learned what Edward had acquired through experience and effort. Her experience in giving instructions in the workshop meant her directions were precise, minimizing confusion on the ground.

 

What she lacked was only age and experience.

 

However, it was precisely these factors – her age and lack of experience – that currently posed a significant barrier for Gina.