NOVEL NEXT Chapter 391
Karem didn’t have high hopes for the farm.
In modern times, livestock could only be raised in factory-like barns, but in a place lacking in various ways, that simply wasn’t possible.
The methods Karem had seen during his comings and goings were rather stereotypical. Letting the animals roam in the wide plains and going back and forth between barn and fields was all there was.
Thus, Karem’s expectations were limited to a medieval-style weekend ranch. It felt more like a small experiential learning facility set up in the city.
“This is crazy.”
“…It’s even more than I imagined.”
Catherine seemed to share the same sentiment, her tone lacking energy.
“It’s autumn, so everything’s yellowed.”
Of course, it wasn’t a wide grassland filled with undead or occasionally appearing monsters that would be visible if one stepped outside the outer castle.
In terms of scale, it seemed about the size of a small village.
No, it seemed even smaller.
However, looking around, everything existed that was needed.
Inside the sturdy fence, the grass turned yellow, and a few tall trees provided shade, casting shadows over everything.
Underneath, chickens and pigs were busy pecking at something, while the little meadow coexisted in a mix of commotion and tranquility.
Cattle and sheep from the Highland, with long fur and horns, were munching on grass and hay, unconcerned by the feathery dust kicked up by the Snowrunner horses galloping nearby.
Ducks and geese wandered in a cluster, and ducklings and goslings squirmed along in a row.
It was a peaceful and idyllic scene.
If only the towering Winterhome estate, with its spires and castle walls, hadn’t been so present, it would have felt right at home on a farm or a ranch.
“Very… unnatural, isn’t it?”
“But there’s really nothing strange about it.”
“Nothing strange?”
“Yeah, think about it.”
Catherine pointed back the way they came with her hand that didn’t hold the staff.
“Next to the estate is a greenhouse that maintains a different season year-round.”
“…Now that you mention it, that’s true.”
“Moreover, the Winchester Castle, which inspired Winterhome, has an entire forest managed on a scale much larger than this.”
With that said, Karem had no rebuttal. Winterhome and Winchester were not ordinary castles by any measure.
What lay within—whether greenhouses, small meadows, or small forests—was entirely up to the ruler’s whim.
“Even for fresh milk, you see.”
“Certainly, milk is important.”
Even if the refrigeration was cool year-round, to carry it without complete sealing and heating it every time, it was strangely fresh and delicious.
While similar magic tools existed, Karem had never seen such items used to store milk.
Was it possible they used the milk straight after milking it that day?
“I guess the milk Mary brings every morning is from here.”
“Right. Look over there. I see the dairy cows.”
As some sheep and cows moved among the bustling livestock, the dairy cows hidden within finally became visible.
“Now that we’ve come this far, should we go inside?”
“What, me?”
A question? Did she really suggest it? But Catherine seemed to be genuinely indecisive and shook her head.
“No, just looking is enough.”
“Is that so?
“Yeah. Besides, if we get closer, it’ll smell.”
Thanks to proper management—or perhaps some magic tool’s aid—there wasn’t a smell lingering too strongly when standing still.
However, just as Catherine said, as they got closer to the meadow and farm, the scent began to waft toward them, carried by the wind.
“Ugh, that’s true. We should stick to the fence.”
“Only enjoy it with your eyes.”
Though it was autumn, and looking at the vast green fields just with their eyes felt a bit disappointing, the smell was inevitable.
They could erase the smell with magic, but stepping in cattle droppings while trying to do so would ruin the mood completely.
Trying to keep a slight distance from the farm in mind, it seemed the other side had no such intention.
“Mooo—”
Before they knew it, a Highland calf had peeked over the fence, staring intently.
“Um…”
“If you want, go ahead and touch it.”
“Should I?”
Ah, he couldn’t resist a calf. The moment Catherine’s words dropped, Karem crouched in front of the calf and gently patted its head.
‘Feels more like a big puppy than a cow.’
Since the calf had grown up in the castle and had gotten used to human contact, rather than resisting his touch, it was nudging its head in such a way as if asking him to scratch a different spot.
With its long fur almost covering its eyes and its diminutive size, it felt more like a big puppy.
Bump, bump, bump—
Softly, with a slightly excited expression, Karem patted the calf. Catherine couldn’t help but come closer.
“Does it feel that good?”
“Yeah? Yeah. This little guy is much more addictive than I expected.”
It seemed the calf was equally fond of him, as it squeezed through the fence to lie on its side, inviting him to scratch more.
In accordance with its wishes, Karem now used both hands to eagerly scratch its neck and sides.
Bump, bump—
“Okay, okay. Places usually unreachable by hands… this must be it.”
“Mooow♪”
“Don’t just stare, Catherine; go ahead and give it a try.”
At that, Catherine, who had been staring intensely, flinched.
“…In that case, I suppose I should give it a try.”
“Here, come this way.”
“Hmm, let me see.”
With her staff floating in the air, Catherine squatted next to Karem and cautiously reached her hand out.
“Moo?”
The calf that had been sprawled on its side shot its head up and glanced between Catherine and her hand, then hurriedly stood up as if to refuse the touch.
‘Hmm, déjà vu.’
The calf, overtly showing refusal to be petted, stepped away and lay down closer to Karem, staring at him instead.
“Alright, alright.”
Tilting a bit toward the calf, he complied with its silent request.
Bump, bump—
“…I’m pretty sure something similar happened before.”
“…”
“Still, the world is vast; among them, there are certainly some that won’t avoid Catherine’s touch. So you needn’t be so disappointed.”
“Who are you trying to comfort? I don’t care at all! It’s premature generalization. Premature generalization!”
“I feel like I’ve heard you say something like that before.”
“I don’t care, I tell you.”
Catherine, rising with vigor, grabbed her staff again and sulked as she tapped the ground.
“More importantly, how long do you plan to stay squatted like that?”
“Just a little longer for some more petting?”
“How many other places do you think there are to explore besides the farm?”
“That’s true…”
Her gestures were unnatural, a hint of jealousy laced in her grumbling tone and sullen expression. While they clearly signified something different, Karem chose to understand.
‘It was just a few days ago.’
Two days ago, at the Fellow Estate. When Catherine came near, Karem had seen the Snow White Ice Bee swarm, that had been skittish in the face of a person resembling an embodiment of winter.
Of course, they would be terrified if a winter deity suddenly appeared, as winter was just around the corner.
It was a primal instinct of the wild. The calf, which was loving rather than fearful, was just a product of its upbringing.
“Ah! So you’re here!”
Just as Karem was about to stand up, a shepherd, who had been loitering in the distance, rushed over in a hurry.
Karem’s gaze turned sharp.
“You little troublemaker! Ah, excuse me. May I take that calf with me?”
Observing the shepherd’s cautious tone and demeanor made Karem’s gaze sharpen even further.
“It’s time to milk it, and this little troublemaker’s curiosity has made it escape the farm—”
“Hurry and take it away.”
“Thank you! Phew, I can finally have lunch again.”
No, there was nothing particularly wrong for the shepherd.
The issue was the smell.
The moment the shepherd approached, the faintly recognizable odor of the barn that had been carried by the wind vanished.
Instead, a different smell was now apparent.
An oily scent with a slightly addictive repulsion wafted alongside something reminiscent of red pepper oil and a faint but unmistakably strong aroma of cumin.
“Lamb skewers?”
“Yes? You can tell just from the smell?”
“Mmmm!?”
The shepherd, seemingly awed, caught the back legs of the fleeing cow and lifted it effortlessly like pulling out a radish, cradling it in his arms.
“If this little troublemaker hadn’t run away, we would have been enjoying the rich and juicy lamb ribs roasted over charcoal by now.”
“You know how a newborn’s curiosity surpasses imagination.”
“Indeed. Really. Once they start roaming, it’s a long day of chasing the little ones.”
Then the shepherd snuck a glance at Karem with a wary expression.
With his flushed eyes, Karem swallowed hard.
“…It might not suffice for such esteemed guests, but—”
“Not at all! There’s plenty!”
“Moo! Moo!” Startled by Karem’s sudden urgency, the calf bleated loudly while the shepherd looked wide-eyed.
‘What has triggered him this time?’
Once again, Karem’s habitual outburst recurred, causing Catherine to smack her forehead. Naturally, she hadn’t witnessed Karem’s previous episodes. But it was obvious.
Suddenly throwing down 100 ancient coins and getting a tidbit of service as a reward would certainly make him lose his mind.
“If that’s the case… should we head this way?”
“Catherine, let’s hurry! It’s almost snack time, and this is perfect timing.”
“Phew. Okay, I’m glad if you’re happy. But just to remind you—”
“Don’t have a fit and think it over a couple of times before reacting?”
As they walked along, Catherine gave Karem a look that said she knew he’d do this every time.
“I say all the time, but this is out of my control. It’s like a reaction to serf life.”
Catherine smacked her forehead silently.
As they walked behind the shepherd who held the calf, the distinctive cumin aroma from the lamb skewers grew richer.
The scent was coming from behind the barn. Turning around some haystacks, they saw some workers who appeared to be from the farm, grilling spiced meat over a charcoal stove.
Nom nom nom—
“Hey, is it really that delicious?”
“Delicious, indeed. The oily and savory taste of the tender young lamb ribs enhanced by the spicy and salty seasoning and the deep aroma of cumin is just—”
Godwin, tearing into the lamb ribs, commented as he waved to Karem and Catherine, who were approachingly surprised.
It wasn’t all that surprising.
“I expected at least the princess would be here.”
“Me too.”
“While they usually eat mutton of some age, young lamb’s tenderness is unmatched!”
Gulp—Godwin glanced at Karem and Catherine, wiping the seasoning on his hands, and spoke with a hearty smile.
“Did you two come for the aroma too?”
“I didn’t.”
Catherine shook her head and pointed at Karem.
“This one did.”
“Let’s check out those seasonings over there first!”