This “topic-shifting” technique proved useful even after we returned to the manor.
The moment we entered the house, I called for Henrik and showed him the wolf’s wound.
The rest of the household, instead of worrying about our safety, were immediately thrown into panic at the sight of the wolf.
When I explained the possibility that the wound was caused by a human, and the theory that the increase in Wild Rabbits was due to the decrease in wolves, Henrik—as expected—made a troubled face.
“There’s certainly a chance this is a problem we can’t ignore. I’ll report to the master and suggest an investigation in the forest. Still, with snow coming so soon this year, that’s the tricky part.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
When my brother went on to tell him about the Salt Lake inside the Cave, Henrik’s face showed even greater shock.
He said he’d never heard of anything like it before.
“At present, all the salt in our country comes from production in the southern seas. If we can harvest a decent amount here, it could completely change distribution. No doubt, it would bring significant income to our domain.”
“The lake was quite large. I don’t think we could see the other side.”
“That’s all the more reason to be optimistic. I’ll have people from the Village conduct an investigation.”
“Can we act on this even faster than the previous matter? I’d like to try drawing out some of the lake water and making salt, and if possible, increase the amount of salt we can use in the Village and manor this winter.”
“Yes, time is short, but I agree—we should aim to extract at least some before the snow arrives.”
“Right.”
“However, if word of this gets out, it could become complicated, so let’s keep the information as limited as possible.”
“Understood. I’m counting on you.” With a bright, clear smile, my brother replied.
Henrik nodded, looking reassuring and reliable.
“Very good, sir. And, Lord Wolf.”
“What is it?”
“The fact that you went to the forest alone, and that you brought Lord Rudolf with you—these are separate issues from these discoveries. Please reflect seriously on them and see to it that they don’t happen again.”
“O-oh…”
And so, for more than an hour, Henrik’s lecture began.
To make matters worse, after dinner, my brother had to stand at attention for over another hour, enduring a tearful scolding from Mother.
Of course, I wasn’t the target of any lectures.
‘After all, I’m just a baby.’
When my brother emerged from Mother’s room, he shot me a thoroughly resentful glare.
Meanwhile, while we were talking to Henrik, the wolf was being kept in check by Lancel, who held its neck, while being interviewed by Westa and Bettina.
As a result, the wolf earned their trust by showing absolutely no hostility to any of the household so far.
He gladly ate the Wild Rabbit’s innards that Lancel had prepared to be thrown out, and eagerly drank the water Westa offered.
When Bettina led him to a corner of the garden and said, “Do your business here,” he obediently complied—an astonishing response.
“Is it possible he was kept as a pet somewhere before?”
“Looking at the fur and build, I’d say it’s almost certainly wild,” Lancel replied to my brother’s question, tilting his head.
“It’s hard to believe, but it seems he’s completely devoted himself to Lord Wolf and considers himself one of our group now.”
“You’re kidding me.”
To back up Lancel’s words: The wolf not only refrained from growling at any of the household; whenever my brother or I approached, he would react in a special way.
Even if he’d been relaxing, he’d instantly straighten up, sit upright with his tongue out as if awaiting the next command.
There’s nothing for it but to believe he really wants to serve Lord Wolf.
Since the weather was getting cold and he was injured, Westa prepared a bed for him in the corner of the martial arts room with an old blanket, and he curled up contentedly.
Just like that, the wolf became a member of our household.
According to Lancel, the wolf was a male less than a year old.
Before presenting him again to Mother and Isberga, Bettina spoke up, “If we’re going to keep him here, he needs a name.”
Of course, everyone agreed the responsibility for naming him fell to Lord Wolf.
After thinking for a moment, my brother declared the name “Zamuel.”
He said it was the name of a hero from a tale he’d read in the Kingdom’s Capital.
The women approved, saying it sounded strong and good.
For some reason, by the end of that very day, Bettina was already calling him “Zam,” and since the wolf himself responded well, the nickname stuck.
Before presenting him to the mistress, Isberga exclaimed, “He can’t meet her in that filthy state!” and Westa and Bettina washed him from the head down with warm water.
Though Zam looked thoroughly bewildered, he emerged with a shining coat of silvery white.
As night deepened, we retired to my brother’s room, as usual.
After venting his frustration about Henrik’s and Mother’s lectures, my brother let out a big sigh.
“Well, anyway, Henrik’s on board, and this could really improve our domain, so I suppose I should count today’s results as a success.”
“Mm.”
“By the way, about that Zam…”
“Mm?”
“I’m sure he’s showing affection—or maybe loyalty—to us brothers. But while everyone says he’s acting as if he wants to serve me, I feel like he’s actually trying to serve you instead.”
“Really?”
“When we approach together, he takes that ‘sit’ waiting pose, but judging by where he’s looking, I think he’s waiting for your instructions.”
“Is that so? But…”
The one who tended Zam’s wounds and gave him food was unquestionably my brother.
As for me, sitting on his back, the wolf probably saw me as little more than my brother’s possession.
Maybe he understood I was the weakest among my brother’s belongings and just thought he should protect me.
When I said as much, my brother gave a low grunt.
“Yeah, I suppose that’s the most natural way to think of it. But there’s something that’s been bothering me—Zam’s recovery after I applied the medicine seemed way too fast.”
“Huh?”
“It’s a different subject, but, you know, Rinus has started using the Blessing of Light for the Kuroaosou harvest, and it’s been used in our meals since yesterday.”
“Mm.”
“So far, the trend I’ve noticed is that Rinus’ ‘Light’ grows things a bit slower than yours.”
“Really?”
“And, just now, I heard from Isberga—she said that at dinner yesterday, Mother commented, ‘Maybe the cultivation isn’t stable yet,’ about the Kuroaosou. Apparently, Rinus’ doesn’t taste as good as yours.”
“What do you mean?”
“Maybe it’s all coincidence, but after several things like this, I’m starting to think there’s something special about your Blessing of Light.”
“Eh?”
“It works better for growing plants, improves flavor. Even the way you use it for hunting is so impressive no one else can match it. And maybe, when you healed Zam, your Light did something too. Maybe that’s why Zam is loyal to you.”
“Uh…”
“The only thing we gave Zam at first, besides the medicine, was your Light. If the medicine worked that well, maybe your Light had something to do with it.”
“Uhh…”
“Well, that’s just my wild theory.” My brother stretched, craning his neck.
“Still, it’s all just guesswork. There’s no easy way to verify any of it. Even if your Light is more effective, I don’t want you handling all the crop growing. The right way is to have the villagers share the work and build a stable operation. So I guess there’s no point in thinking about this further.”
“…Mm.”
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought this up and troubled you. Let’s drop it and talk about tomorrow’s plans. If things go wrong, today’s effort will have just gotten me in trouble for nothing.”
“Yeah.”
I nodded and changed the subject.
As for tomorrow’s schedule, we’d already informed Henrik and Lancel.
During study time, my brother will ask Vessel-sensei to join as well…
After we finished discussing everything, I returned to bed.
Exhausted, I fell asleep right away.
But that night didn’t end there.
Once again, the “Memory” appeared in my dreams.
“This is a service. I’ll teach you another dish, brat. I’ll only show you once, so memorize it well.”
Without listening to my side at all, it immediately started the demonstration.
Thanks to that, I woke up feeling as if I hadn’t rested at all.
The dish I was taught would certainly be useful given our current situation.
‘…But I wish it would consider my circumstances, too.’
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