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I was told that I needed a way to protect myself
“Father, you are hurting Mr. Takumi. …You must do something about that habit.”
“Ah, I am sorry. It happens when I am happy… I do try to control myself, but…”
It was only after Ms. Claire’s warning that he finally stopped hitting me.
So he did it out of habit… I suppose I should guard myself from now on? …Like wearing armor underneath my clothes.
After that, Mr. Ekenhart continued to gush about the usefulness of Weed Cultivation, and Sebastian thought of different ways of expanding that usefulness further.
I was glad when Ms. Claire reminded me that I mustn’t overextend myself.
Well, it wasn’t as if Sebastian or Mr. Ekenhart were making unreasonable demands…I think.
So I was fine.
A maid then came to tell us that lunch was ready, and so we left the garden.
Sebastian took the herbs to the storage, while Ms. Claire and her father discussed future plans as we headed to the dining hall.
I followed after them, while walking with Leo, who was carrying Sherry and Tilura.
Leo seemed to be very happy about being able to play with Tilura.
We then entered the dining hall, and once the food and Sebastian arrived, we ate.
As we enjoyed Ms. Helena’s always delicious cooking, Mr. Ekenhart suddenly muttered.
“Can you wield a sword, Mr. Takumi? Well, not just a sword, but any weapon.”
“Father, what are you talking about?”
“…A…sword…?”
No…a weapon…
I had never even wielded a bamboo sword… And while I had held a wooden sword once…it was just a souvenir when I was a tourist… And that wasn’t going to be of much use to me.
As for blades, I’ve only held a kitchen knife… Though, there was also the short sword that I had borrowed from Sebastian in the forest. But I had only used it to cut down vines and tree branches.
So I could not say that I knew how to wield it.
“I have…no experience with weapons.”
“Hmm…I see…”
“What are you thinking?”
After hearing this from me, Mr. Ekenhart stopped thinking and began to stroke his beard.
Ms. Claire asked him what was on his mind, but he ignored the question.
Was it bad if I couldn’t use a weapon?
And so for a while, the meal continued silently.
Once everyone had finished eating, Mr. Ekenhart seemed to have gathered his thoughts together, and he began to eat again as he spoke.
“Mr. Takumi. I think it would be best if you could use at least one weapon.”
“…A weapon?”
“Yes. While you have Leo with you, the two of you might not be together at all times.”
“Wuff.”
Leo reacted to those words.
It seemed like she was saying that she would always be close by to protect me.
I patted her gratefully, and continued to listen to Mr. Ekenhart.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the selling of the herbs will be a success. No other outcome is fathomable. However, it will surely result in people targeting you.”
“…You think so?”
“Well, who would not be interested in something that guarantees success? Of course, we will do our best to keep word from spreading…we will…”
“Mr. Takumi. No matter how much one attempts to keep information a secret, it will always leak.”
Sebastian said, as if to continue from Mr. Ekenhart’s last words.
Indeed, information always did seem to leak, no matter how well kept.
There was a saying about how you couldn’t build a door over a mouth. But there was no internet in this world, so information would surely travel slowly.
However, rumors and word of mouth would still spread. Both good and bad.
And so even if they were careful, people would eventually know that it was me who was cultivating the herbs.
“I understand that…but would I really be in danger over some herbs?”
“You make it sound like it’s nothing, but in this country, the people rely on herbs to cure illness and injury. And you, Mr. Takumi, can easily make Loe…”
“Additionally, you can also make herbs that are…poisonous.”
“Poisonous…”
As I had not even tried to make something poisonous, I had no confirmation. But it was surely within the abilities of Weed Cultivation.
There were herbs that could be poisonous if used wrong, and some that were poisonous to begin with.
“People who would want poison…are clearly up to no good. And you are likely to catch the eyes of such people. While others will simply care about profits.”
“And there is also the possibility that rival merchants will see you as an enemy.”
What Mr. Ekenhart and Sebastian were trying to say was, as I was now someone considered to be valuable, it was possible that I would be targeted by all kinds of people.
“And so, Mr. Takumi. You must be able to protect yourself. Or at least, be able to run away if you are attacked. While the guards will protect you while you are here, we do not know what could happen when you go outside.”
“That’s true. And while Leo is with me now, I will likely be targeted during a time that we are separated. And so I understand what you mean.”
“Mr. Takumi should learn how to use a weapon.”
“Wuff…wou-wou!”
I see… There would surely be times when I separated from Leo. Even if it was brief.
For instance, when we go to Ractos, Leo is not able to enter the stores, and must wait outside.
If I was attacked during such times, I might not be able to protect myself.
Leo must have thought the same thing, as she was nodding at their words.
…Though, just a little, she had the air of someone intent on protecting me no matter what…but that was only when we were together… Still, nothing of the sort was happening now, so you can relax, Leo.
I patted her on the head and thanked her so that she would calm down.