Cutting grass apparently requires skill and energy, as beginners like me work very slowly because there are many things I don't know. Straightening my aching back from crouching too long, my hands feel numb from holding the grass scissors. I feel like importing a grass cutting machine from my world so I don't have to struggle, and the results will definitely be much faster.Sweat dripping and my clothes already soaked with sweat, I gather the piles of grass to be collected in the corner, which is piled up with weeds. It's almost noon and decorations are starting to be put up and worked on, I don't understand whether Duke, whatever his name is, will sing or dance, hence needing navy-colored decorations with furniture glittering. Considering this is Lord Crys, I'm sure the furniture is made of gold, as evidenced by his servants wearing gloves to display it.I scan around to find Celine, but she's nowhere to be seen. However, three baskets of fresh flowers are then delivered to the back
"Healer!" Mr. Gunter shouted as he carried Celine to a gloomy and gray-toned house. The yard was covered with fallen leaves as if it had never been swept. Vines crawled on the wall, and the garden looked like a jungle with lush green plants."Hey, healer! Are you home?" Mr. Gunter called again. Celine's condition was still the same, thankfully the healer's house wasn't too far, although it was quite secluded within the alley. Impatiently, I knocked repeatedly on the wooden door.My action yielded results when an old, hunched man with white hair and beard opened the door, his small eyes staring at us as if he had just woken up."This child is poisoned!" Mr. Gunter entered the healer's house before the man could speak.Celine was laid on a thin mattress; the room smelled of pungent medicines. I didn't like the smell of hospitals, especially since I often got injured in Swinggelir, but here, it was even more intense as if someone was concocting something.The healer quickly approached Ce
They say, a man who hits a woman is a coward and a scoundrel. But would you agree if I slapped a mother like Anne just once, who has been extremely unreasonable with her child?I was almost about to deliver that slap if I hadn't caught a glimpse of Celine's shadow on Anne's face. I released my grip on her shirt until she bumped into the door.My anger still boiled inside me, causing my breath to rise and fall rapidly. I could also see a few people peeking curiously into my house, quickly turning away when our eyes met. I was sure my earlier yelling had piqued their curiosity."Hah, so you have manners too?" Anne said arrogantly.I looked at her sharply. "Don't talk to me about manners, you even hit her often. You should be ashamed of yourself," I replied emphatically."Don't expect me to thank you for saving her!" she exclaimed, pointing to Celine, who fortunately was still sound asleep."Oh? So you knew your daughter was poisoned, yet you pretended not to know on the street earlier?
"Are you feeling better? Have this, I made it specially for you. It's also a gift from Lord Crys." I served corn soup with super quality whole wheat bread that smelled delicious even from afar. The food ingredients for the rich and the poor indeed different, even though we lived in the same neighborhood.Celine smiled at me as she spooned the soup, her face still pale but showing no signs of discomfort or anything else. She could even eat without feeling nauseous. It had been over 30 minutes since she woke up, and now it was nearing midnight.Celine then looked at me and bowed gracefully. "Thank you for taking care of me, Mr. Joe. I'm sorry for causing you trouble," she said softly."Not at all, you're not causing any trouble. I'm just glad you're safe," I replied sincerely.She then glanced out the window, towards her dark and tightly closed home. There was a hint of disappointment in her expression, perhaps because she didn't find her mother there. However, I felt relieved that she
"Ow, lanterns! Be careful, Joe, that bench is already wobbly. Secure it tightly or it will fall and burn down this stall," Mr. Gunter warned me as I stood on the unsteady three-legged bench. Only one day left until the party, and now the townsfolk were decorating their homes and streets with red and gold lanterns.I climbed down from the bench and admired my handiwork hanging above Mr. Gunter's stall. Other stalls looked just the same, with some even adding mini Elf ornaments in front of them. It felt like a festival, especially since it had been 20 years since the last one, no wonder everyone was so enthusiastic.Horse-drawn carriages bustled back and forth carrying passengers laden with many purchases. It seemed like almost everyone in the village was out on the streets as every stall was crowded with buyers.Beyond all that, Lord Crys's mansion glowed from afar with various lanterns and petromax lamps, creating a festive atmosphere. I had finished my grass-cutting job today, and th
"Why are you so late, lad? Do you want the whip or the sword?" Mr. Gunter was serving a customer, a frail young man with unfocused eyes inspecting the weapons.He replied awkwardly, "Just the whip," and then left after paying. I became worried that he might stumble and accidentally lash himself with the whip."My earnings have increased drastically because of the upcoming festival!" exclaimed Mr. Gunter, pocketing the silver coins."Congratulations, Mr. Gunter!" I sincerely congratulated him while arranging the daggers. It was now past noon, and the market was starting to quiet down; many stalls had closed. Perhaps people were getting ready for tonight's party."Don't you want something, Joe? A bow and arrow or anything, since you've been helping me a lot lately," Mr. Gunter offered, showing each of the latest weapons.I quickly declined, as I didn't see any potential events requiring me to use weapons. My daily routine revolved around working at his stall from morning till night, goi
Due to my extreme poverty, I don't have a mirror in my little shack, and I never even considered buying one. So, I use the reflection from the window glass to admire myself, neatly dressed in my modest attire. My trusty old black shirt, and oversized pants of the same color. I comb my hair, which is starting to grow past my ears; I might not have noticed if I hadn't looked in the mirror today.I make sure I don't smell of sweat because even though I don't wear perfume, I refuse to go out smelling like that. Poverty is one thing, but smelling bad is out of the question!I also grab my bag containing the remnants of my silver coins, only fifty pieces left. Most of them I've spent on food, and the most draining expense is the paper and pen I use as long as possible. I don't consider it wasteful because I use it to teach my students how to read! I'm proud, and I still have plenty of gold coins!This is just in case I have to pay for food at the party, and I don't want to attend such an ev
"Duke Nephim the Great, thank you for gracing our village with your presence," Lord Crys said, bowing deeply, not daring to speak as freely as before to the other Elves.After being glanced at by Duke Nephim earlier, I felt a shiver seeing him, especially with his pale eyes. Yet, I couldn't help but gaze at the extraordinary creature.The Elves shone amidst the kneeling villagers. Two Elves, presumably Duke Nephim's aides, wielded swords, while two others carried bows and arrows. I could feel them scanning each face with lifted chins.I glanced at Celine beside me, stealing quick glances, sometimes closing her eyes in awe.I couldn't bear being in this position any longer, perhaps because my daily life was so relaxed and I didn't have many activities, my body wasn't accustomed to it since I used to engage in heavy activities. I felt aches creeping in my back, even though I never experienced it while cutting grass.My knees were trembling. Why do we have to kneel like this? There wasn'