Chapter 17

Since this chapter was likely to be long, I’ve decided to release it in smaller parts.

Also, there is a small announcement in the afterword.

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That night, after the sudden decision to travel to the Sumeragi territory was finalized, Harold barely finished explaining his future plans to Norman and the others before he set about preparing for a long-term stay.

A few days later, he departed the Stokes mansion. A week after that, he arrived in the Sumeragi territory, where the Sakura were in full bloom.

If they were the cherry blossoms Harold remembered from Japan, they wouldn't have been able to maintain their peak for even a month, but things were apparently different in this world. "Cherry blossoms" and "Sakura" were likely similar yet distinct entities.

Lost in these thoughts, Harold sat in seiza on a cushion atop the tatami mats, gazing at the pink petals dancing in the breeze.

He had been sitting there for about thirty minutes. While putting into practice a technique he’d learned in his original world to keep his legs from falling asleep, he occasionally sipped his green tea while waiting for Tasuku to finish his official duties.

“Harold-kun, would you like a refill?”

“……Brew the next one stronger. The aroma is weak, and more importantly, it’s lukewarm.”

Sitting diagonally across from him, Tasuku’s wife, Koyomi, reached for an iron kettle heating in a small, forty-centimeter-square sunken hearth. Like a common maid, she moved to refill Harold’s empty cup the moment she noticed it.

In complete contrast to his internally apologetic state, his traitorous mouth voiced nothing but arrogant demands. The tea was, in fact, delicious; however, it was also true that it was lukewarm. Furthermore, the light brew felt a bit thin compared to the heavy sweetness of the wagashi served alongside it.

Not that there was any need to say it like that.

“Oh my. Then I shall brew the next cup a bit stronger and much hotter.”

“See that you do.”

It seemed his ability to use polite honorifics only activated in front of his own parents, never for his social superiors. Despite Harold’s haughty attitude, Koyomi never lost her gentle smile. With practiced movements, she poured the hot water from the iron kettle into the teapot.

As an aside, Harold was unaware that high-quality—specifically, expensive—Gyokuro is best brewed with water cooled to around seventy degrees.

He sipped the green tea while admiring the Sakura from a room fragrant with the scent of rush grass. The only sounds were the rustle of wind-swept greenery and the rhythmic clack of the shishi-odoshi as its bamboo struck the rock at regular intervals.

It was a refined moment, as if the very essence of Japanese wabi-sabi had been distilled into a single afternoon.

(Ah, this is so healing…)

For Harold, who was Japanese on the inside, this was the ultimate hospitality. Since arriving in this world, he had been constantly pushing his mind and body to their limits; the weight of that stress made this first true moment of peace feel all the more profound.

Basking in this blissful atmosphere, the temptation to simply live out his days here with the Sumeragi family began to rear its head.

Koyomi watched Harold as he closed his eyes and breathed slowly, a smile still on her lips, though her gaze was filled with curiosity. What had piqued her interest was Harold’s impeccable etiquette.

As far as Koyomi knew, the Sumeragi territory was the only place in this entire country that practiced the culture of sitting in seiza.

She had realized during his previous visit that Harold was familiar with their culture to an extent. However, removing one’s shoes at the entrance, switching to indoor footwear, sitting in seiza for long durations, and eating with chopsticks—knowing about these unique customs and actually performing them were two very different things.

Normally, even with the knowledge, a person would show some hesitation. Yet Harold handled it all without the slightest struggle, moving as naturally as if he did so every day. That he even had specific preferences regarding the flavor and temperature of Gyokuro was entirely unexpected.

He didn't just know Sumeragi culture. He had lived it.

(But where could he have done so?)

It was hard to imagine he had learned it at the Stokes mansion. The head of that house, Hayden, was almost entirely ignorant of such matters. If there were someone from the Sumeragi territory close to Harold, there was no reason they would teach manners only to the son while keeping the father in the dark.

At any rate, he was a boy shrouded in mystery.

Unable to help herself, Koyomi continued to observe Harold’s every move. As a result, a comfortable silence filled the room. Since neither of them found it awkward, the quiet persisted.

After another ten minutes of tranquility, the sound of footsteps approaching from the hallway broke the silence.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. My work ran long.”

Tasuku appeared from behind the open sliding doors. He wore a self-conscious smile, clearly feeling guilty for making Harold wait.

“Still struggling with your incompetence, I see.”

“It’s actually much better now, thanks to the resistance medicine you provided, Harold-kun. I am truly in your debt. Thank you.”

As soon as he sat on his cushion, Tasuku bowed his head deeply. Koyomi followed his lead.

Harold was taken aback by the sudden display of humility.

“Raise your heads. It’s pathetic. I didn't do it to earn your gratitude.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. Regardless of your motives, it is an undeniable fact that our situation has improved solely because of you.”

As the head of House Sumeragi, I cannot fail to show my gratitude, Tasuku’s eyes said. His expression was bright and honest, making it impossible for Harold to look him in the face. He turned his gaze away.

“Hmph. Ridiculous. You should be ashamed of the weakness that forces you to bow to a mere child.”

“I have no defense for that. Though, for my part, I’m simply delighted to have met a young man with such a promising future.”

“Is that so? Then wag your tail and cooperate with me.”

“……Is that why you asked to speak with me? Jumping straight to the heart of the matter without a preamble—you must be in quite a hurry.”

“I have no interest in trading pleasantries. First, read this.”

Harold placed a document on the table. It was the latest report compiled by Norman and Jake, summarizing the currently known effects and applications of the LP Farming Method.

Urged by Harold’s gaze, Tasuku picked it up.

As he flipped through the pages, Tasuku’s expression grew increasingly grave. This was exactly the reaction Harold had anticipated.

In fact, it would be a disaster if he reacted any other way. Harold needed them to understand that the LP Farming Method was of peerless value. That was the fundamental prerequisite for these negotiations.

Tasuku read the document with rapt attention. When he finally finished the last page, he let out a long, slow breath and closed the booklet.

“How to put it… this is quite a staggering proposal.”

“I’m sure. But it’s the truth.”

“I take it you expected me to be skeptical?”

“Skeptical? Why not just be honest and say you don’t believe a word of it?”

Fearless. That was the only word to describe the smirk that tugged at the corners of Harold’s mouth.

To Tasuku, that smirk suggested absolute confidence. If this were a bluff, the boy was a master actor. However, Harold had a track record. He had already provided the formula for the resistance medicine against the forest miasma for free. Because of that, the management of the Sumeragi territory, which had been on the brink of collapse, was finally seeing a glimmer of hope.

“……The fact that I can’t dismiss it outright is what makes you so formidable. Even with such absurd claims, you make me want to believe you.”

“Whether it’s the truth or a lie, listening to me costs you nothing.”

“True. But even just being shown this data is a massive win for me, isn't it?”

“If you want it that badly, keep it. It’s just a copy.”

Tasuku felt a genuine surge of shock at Harold’s dismissive tone. This document, which outlined the unique cultivation techniques of the LP Farming Method, was dense with information and impeccably organized. The method itself was simple, the risks were low, and implementation would be easy.

If Tasuku ended the conversation here by saying he didn't believe it, the Sumeragi would still walk away with a potentially massive profit at zero cost.

And yet, Harold had handed him the initiative. That meant the LP Farming Method itself was nothing more than an opening act for the real discussion.

(The moment I realized that, I lost the option to walk away.)

To be precise, the risk of walking away had skyrocketed. Perhaps there was a flaw in the LP Farming Method, or perhaps Harold’s goal was to use the Sumeragi as guinea pigs. Even if there were no physical drawbacks, there was the danger that Harold would take the idea elsewhere, eventually creating a competitor that would crush them.

To prevent that, he had to hear Harold out and decipher his true intentions.

If he’s calculated this far ahead, he’s more than just a prodigy, Tasuku thought with a mental sigh.

A few days ago, Yuno had reported that Harold was likely not a puppet for some third party, but an independent actor. Facing him now and exchanging words, Tasuku was certain of it. No amount of coaching or brainwashing could produce someone this sophisticated.

“Then I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“Good. We wouldn't get anywhere otherwise.”

“Hmm. What do you mean by that?”

“Assuming everything in that document is true, what is your assessment?”

Tasuku paused for a beat before answering.

“It is a revolutionary invention. We would implement it, verify the results, and if no issues arise, we would establish a production system in our territory. Then, once we’ve secured a sufficient advantage, we would likely spread the knowledge throughout the kingdom.”

“You wouldn't monopolize it?”

“If a small group monopolizes wealth, it eventually becomes a spark for conflict. I like to think I’m not so foolish as to invite total isolation for the sake of short-term profits.”

“……Hmph. You pass.”

For Harold, who knew Tasuku’s character well from the game, it was the ideal response. Suppressing the urge to mock his own arrogance, he continued the negotiation.

“I’m of the same mind. Making a fortune with the LP Farming Method is fine, but being targeted by every opportunistic noble is a nuisance. That’s why I’ve come to you with a proposal.”

“I’m all ears.”

Their gazes locked, and the atmosphere in the room tightened instantly. Harold let out another fearless, predatory smile.

“You, Tasuku Sumeragi, are going to become the co-developer of the LP Farming Method.”

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I’ve started a Twitter account.

The handle is @orefura.

It’s mostly retweets and talk about baseball, but if you’re interested, please take a look.