NOVEL NEXT 44: The Black Sheep in a Black Butler's Uniform Appears
For now, everyone returned to the first room.
Let’s all stay calm!
At the suggestion of the butler, the black sheep, everyone took a seat.
Following the black sheep’s instructions, Jeff and Martha were preparing tea.
The mysterious black butler sheep was subtly taking charge of the situation.
Yes, it’s hard to say!
In the kitchen cabinets that were empty before, various types of tea leaves and utensils were now neatly arranged, and Martha was very excited.
While the kettle’s water was boiling, she was selecting which tea to brew, savoring the aroma of the tea leaves.
Jeff was astonished by the loaf of mountain-shaped bread and the jar of spirit jam that had appeared on the kitchen counter.
The white bread in this world is usually round like a boule.
That bread must be fluffy and slightly sweet.
And if you add the spirit-branded jam…
I’m sure you’ll be hooked and unable to return.
Scary, it’s a bottomless swamp.
Hehe~
Yes! I’m currently being interrogated!
But it’s not me answering the questions.
It’s the plant cultivation skill spirit, now the black butler sheep!
It’s even harder to say!
“Nice to meet you all. I am the spirit managing Haku’s botanical garden. I don’t have a name yet. I would be honored if Haku could name me.”
Saying that, he looked at us with his pitch-black body, dressed in a pitch-black butler’s suit, and pitch-black eyes.
There’s no white on him.
At the same time, everyone’s serious gazes were piercing me.
Oh…
Is this what they call pressure?
I guess “Kuro” isn’t good…
I only know “Black,” “Schwarz,” and “Noir.”
Hmm.
“How about Mee-Mee?”
Everyone slumped their shoulders.
Maybe “Schwarz” sounded cooler?
But “Schwarz” is too sharp and not cute.
Mee-Mee the sheep is very cute, right?
Even if he’s black.
“Very well. I shall call myself Mee-Mee. Please remember me.”
The black sheep, now Mee-Mee, bowed with his chibi-sized body.
Isn’t his head heavy??
“This house was built according to Haku’s wishes. As special options, we have provided a storage warehouse, a drug mixing apparatus, an essential oil distiller, and an alchemy cauldron for Arsheleed. If you need anything else, please let us know. The warehouse door can only be opened by those authorized by Haku. Similarly, unauthorized persons cannot enter the premises of this house. Security is perfect.”
Mee-Mee said proudly.
It feels like over-service…
“Oh, that’s wonderful!”
Only Old Al was high-spirited and grateful, while everyone else’s eyes looked like dead fish.
“The innermost door leads to Haku’s botanical garden. It is a world of dense magic, so please refrain from entering recklessly.”
“Hmm, what happens if you enter?”
Old Al’s eyes were glittering.
Somehow, the conversation is progressing with just Old Al and Mee-Mee.
“Haku’s botanical garden is a world of spirits, so you will likely fall into a whimsical mindset like those spirits.”
“What?”
Everyone’s eyes turned to dots!
And their faces turned pale all at once!
They glanced at Guri and the others happily eating jam bread beside me, looking distressed!
What does whimsical mindset mean!?
“But don’t worry. I have registered everyone’s biometric data, so you won’t lose your self-awareness as long as you don’t stay too long.”
Everyone sighed in relief.
“What a terrifying world…”
Jeff muttered as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Mee-Mee didn’t miss hearing that and glared at Jeff.
“However, this is also a world where a variety of plants grow. There might be unknown ingredients.”
At Mee-Mee’s provocative words, Jeff’s eyes changed color.
Martha was also glancing at the tea leaves from earlier, her eyes sparkling.
“I will live here!”
Suddenly, Old Al stood up and shouted.
What a bombshell!
What? How can he decide that on his own?
“Please wait, Arsheleed!”
Father hurriedly tried to stop him.
I understand the feeling. Old Al has been acting strange.
Oh no, maybe his mind has turned whimsical…
It’s nerve-wracking.
“Mee-Mee, what exactly is Haku’s botanical garden? My head is spinning, and I can’t keep up!”
Father, unusually raising his voice, made me flinch a bit.
Loud voices are scary…
Without realizing it, I grabbed the edge of Martha’s apron.
Noticing this, Martha gently hugged me.
“It’s okay, young master. Sir, please don’t raise your voice like that. You’ll scare young master Haku.”
Martha gently chided Father.
Father, looking startled, glanced at me and then frowned.
“I’m sorry, Haku. I’m just confused too…”
I nodded silently to Father.
I understand, Papa.
I don’t get it at all either!
Mee-Mee, who had been watching us with vacant eyes, gave a small nod.
“The botanical garden is a unique skill given to Haku. Think of it as a separate space for the plant cultivation skill. The magic bags everyone has are also spatial magic. Consider that living creatures can enter them and connect to another world. With that in mind, you might understand a bit better.”
Mee-Mee spoke flatly.
“Spatial magic…”
Someone muttered.
“Originally, it was supposed to be a highly limited skill like the magic bags, but Haku’s vast magical power flowed in like a torrent, causing such peculiar transformation, leading to this bizarre situation.”
It was a very roundabout way of speaking, but isn’t that a complete diss?
What does it mean my magic is a torrent?
Is it implying I’m a bundle of desires?
It sounds like it’s my fault!
Isn’t that terrible?
Boo boo!
While everyone had question marks floating above their heads, only Old Al nodded knowingly.
“Interesting phenomenon indeed. In my five hundred years of life, this is all new to me!”
The scholar’s curiosity seemed to be piqued, and Old Al was excited, breathing heavily.
“What about those spirits?”
Burton asked, pointing at Guri and the others who were still eating jam bread.
How many have you had since earlier?
Aren’t you getting tired of it?
Is it okay since you’re changing flavors?
I see.
Take it easy, okay?
“Those spirits and I are manifestations of Haku’s magical power. We are the spirits of plants, soil, water, light, and wind necessary for plant cultivation. The moon spirit was a special occurrence, and I, as the manager, have gained self-awareness. All of this is due to Haku’s whimsical mind!”
What!?
Isn’t that too much to attribute everything to whimsy?