"Kyaa～! Art, hurry up! You're so slow!" ［Bel］

  "W-Wait! Bel, Galvin, you're just too fast!" ［Elnart］

  Woof Woof Woof Woof

  The little figures ran around the garden, the sound of little footsteps and the barking of the furballs eg in the air. Smiles were afloat the pce, drifting in the breeze along the sweet and calming st of flowers.

  The kids ran around and the familiars chased them. Suddenly, Galvin stopped on his tracks and faced the furballs, halting along with him. He raised a twig towards the air, then pointing it towards the familiars with an adorably determined look on his face.

  "I am the hero, Galvin! I will vanquish you demons from this nd!" ［Galvin］

  So the little boy decred and he swung his sword with vigor. Unfortunately, vigor was all he had, and even when he he strike, only a soft "pomf" resounded in the air, the twig easily boung off the familiar's soft and fluffy fur.

  "Galvin, move away! I will also aid you in battle!" ［Elnart］

  Said his older brother with a fierce determination burning in his eyes, also nding a blow towards the familia's left fore leg. However, he was even much weaker than his younger brother who was 2 years youhan him.

  It was hopeless. No matter how much effort they put in, they were far too weak to fad overe the adversity before them. No matter how brave they were, such was useless in front of absolute power. There was only ohing they could do...

  "Galvin, take the princess and go! I'll hold them off as long as I !" ［Elnart］

  "Uood, Elder Brother!" ［Galvin］

  "Art, be careful! Take care of the demons!" ［Bel］

  ... And that was to run, Galvin taking Bel's hand and running away with their little legs. Elnart tried to hold off the familiars, but he was greatly overpowered, the little furballs pinning him down with their fur tig him to a chuckle.

  Galvin and Bel were also hopeless, the familiars easily catg up and poung towards them. Everyone inned down by the little furballs, only able to ugh and giggle as they were attacked by their ess and fluff.

  "Haaaahhh..." ［Yuna］

  Yet despite such happiness, the same couldn't be said for everyone around. It was especially true for Yuna who had been sighing sihe beginning, dark circles to be seen around her eyes as she y her head down at the garden table.

  "You've been sighing a lot tely, Yuna... You must have had an exhausting week. It was because of the etics, wasn't it?" ［Cedric］

  "Un... They were all so terrible..." ［Yuna］

  It has been a few days since Grey and Yuuro Galderia, and ever sihen, Yuna has dealt with a lot of troubles because of her etic products. It wasn't just the Alchemists' Guild, but the Merts' Guild as well.

  Yuna was already doh the patents and the reted paperwork, but teag the other alchemists how to make them was quite tiringー no, very exhausting. She has been practically sleepless over the past few days, even having nightmares about it.

  Yuna wasn't even short in money so the ine from it doesn't matter much to her. She sacrificed all her time so that the dies wouldn't bother her and Grey anymore. She somehow mao pull through in just a few days, but the results were brutal. She ale as a guest, her soul leaving her body.

  "Yuna, have you fried casting healing magi yourself? That might help you quite a bit. You really look so grim." ［Cedric］

  "I already did... I already did so many times... But it was useless. They only cure physical fatigue, diseases, and curses." ［Yuna］

  "Hm? Aren't there any mied spells?" ［Cedric］

  "Uuu... I don't know... I just want to sleep..." ［Yuna］

  She was grumbling and frowning, ranting like a uy student who just received an unreasonable amount of workload over such a strict schedule. If it were only her and Grey, she would have thrown a tantrum already.

  Seeing her like that, Cedric could ohize with. He could remember his past self from her when he was just starting out as a Lord. He could still remember the many times he cursed his father for retiring so early. Oh, the good old days.

  "Elder Sister Yuna... Are you alright?" ［Galvin］

  "Big Sis Yuna, You look down... Do you need a hug? Mom and Dad always feel better after I give them a hug." ［Bel］

  And as it seems, even the children had noticed how exhausted Yuna was. As soon as they saw her start grumbling, they immediately rushed towards her side and tried to fort them the way they could. The familiars were also with them.

  They were too adorable, simply too adorable. No matter how mentally fatigued Yuna was, she could only smile after seeing such adorable ary to cheer her up. The feeling of warmth and fort bubbled inside her heart like a hot spring.

  "Uuu... You all, e and give Big Sis a hug!" ［Yuna］

  She opened her arms wide and the children rushed towards her. Yuna then hugged them tightly, but not too tight. Just embrag the children and familiars was more than enough to warm and mend her exhausted mind.

  Over a distance, a young man was looking at him with warmth in his eyes, a soft and subtle smile blooming on his face as he watched such a heartwarming se unfold. He then looked away, humming to himself soon after.

  That young man was her than Grey who is now making snacks for everyone. He wasn't making them just to fill their stomachs but also to cheer up his dejected fiah a mountain of treats.

  "Cupcakes, crepes, pies, macaroons, rice krispies..." ［Grey］

  Of course, as one would expect, they were all sweets. enough to make oeeth hurt just by looking at them. It has only been an hour since he started, and he already made mountains of them, sugar and carbohydrates galore.

  And he was yet to be satisfied with the sele of sweets before him. He soon took out a number of ingredients from the ste and piled them atop the table, taking them out one by oh his slick hands.

  "And whoops... That should do it." ［Grey］

  Graham crackers, butter, cheese, peanut butter, sugar, vanil, whipped cream, milk, salt, chocote, some dried berries and nuts, and some syrup for toppings. Su array of ingredients was lined up atop the kit table.

  "Then, shall we get started?" ［Grey］

  First, Grey made the crust. He first crushed the graham crackers into crumbs, then mixing it with melted butter until the crumbs became moist. The mixture was then poured into a pte and frozen with ice magic.

  After the crust was the peanut butter yer. He mixed aogether peanut butter, melted cheese, vanil, and powdered sugar together, finally adding a couple cups of whipped cream. He mixed until the mixture was sistent.

  "Then spread them over..." ［Grey］

  The peanut butter mixture read all over the crust, Grey making sure it was even in all pces. He then used ice magice again to freeze the peanut butter yer. He set it aside and prepared for the .

  For the chocote pudding yer, he simply mixed some chocote and milk together, adding a bit of sugar and salt to even out the mixture. And like before, he spread the mixture over the previous yers, freezing it ain with ice magic.

  Finally came the topping. Grey spread over the remaining whipped cream atop the finished yers and drizzled the top with chocote syrup, melted peanut butter, a bit of powdered sugar, and the bits of dried berries and nuts.

  The Chocote Peanut Butter Lasagna was plete!

  "Everyone, let's have some snacks first, shall we?" ［Grey］

  "Waah～! There's cake and chocote!" ［Galvin］

  "Big Bro Grey! I want to eat the macaroons! And pudding too!" ［Bel］

  As soon as Grey called out, the children came running towards him like tiny dugs towards the mother duck. They all wore sparkling eyes, sparkling even brighter the moment Grey put down the snacks on the white garden table.

  Of course, it went without saying that Yuna was also greatly ied in the snacks her beloved made. She may have been quiet, but her eyes were the brightest amongst them. Sht to the point that it was blinding.

  """"Thank you for the food!!!"""

  Everyoheir prayers of gratitude towards heaven and also washed their hands beforehand. And as soon as the prayers were over, such tiny hands reached out to the sweet treats and took one of their liking.

  "Mmn～! So good! I could eat these all day!" ［Bel］

  "Father! Eat these! These are good!" ［Galvin］

  "Yup, tastes just abht." ［Grey］

  They all had differeions, but everyone was wearing smiles on their faces. A certain little girl was even copying Yuna's remarks, and trying to act like her as well, mimig her pletely. It was her than Bel.

  But of course, the oh the best rea was her than Yuna who was now smiling from ear to ear as he munched down on the sweets with such eagerness. Her ears were also fpping up and down, making her chuckle.

  She had been tired out from the endless work these past few days, but just tasting the sweets was more than enough to make her mood pierce through cloud nine. She was especially happy because Grey practically made them for her.

  "Hm? Grey, what's this one called?" ［Yuna］

  And just as she was enjoying herself, a certain snack caught her eyes. She had seen most of the things Grey had made, but it was her first time seeing that one. She could only tilt her head in fusion as she gnced with curiosity,

  "That's called 'Chocote Peanut Butter Lasagna'." ［Grey］

  "Hmm... What a long name... It's quite the mouthful to say, isn't it?" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha, it really is. But its name aside, I assure that it tastes amazing. I put my honor on the lih my words," ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! Then I'm sure it will be delicious!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna didn't waste any more time and got herself a piece of the said sweet, and put it oe. She then took an even smaller pied forked it with her fork, feeding it to her mouth soon after, an explosion of sweetness flooding her mouth.

  The soft and sweet graham, the salty, nutty, ahy peanut butter, the sweet and bitter chocote, the fluffy and creamy whipped cream, and the fruity and nutty punch delivered by the toppings, all blending in harmony.

  There were a lot of fvors to take in, but it wasn't overwhelming. Rather, it was quite gentle, softly caressiohe texture was top-notch as well, not too solid nor was it too jelly. It was a heavenly delight.

  "Mmn～! So delicious! Grey, this is amazing!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. I'm gd you liked it." ［Grey］

  It was quite a hassle searg through his memory bank for a wonderful and unique recipe, but seeing how much Yuna liked it, it was worth all the effort. Moreover, he himself enjoys it quite well, feeling more than satisfied.

  "Waah～! I want to have a taste too! I want some too, Big Brrey!" ［Galvin］

  "Me too. I also want to have a bite, Older Brrey," ［Elnart］

  "Alright, here you go. Just ask if you want some more." ［Grey］

  As soon as the children saw Yuna enjoy the Chocote Peanut Butter Lasagna, they also started asking to have a taste. And as one would expect, they loved the treat very much that they kept asking for more, smiles blooming on their faces.

  Even Cedrijoyed the snack even though he wasn't as much of a sweet tooth as his childreing it reminds him of a certain figure he dearly misses so. He could only wish that she gets a bite of the sweets as well.

  Just like that, time tio pass and the children tinued pying with the familiars. They ran around the garden, tinuing where they left off and waving their swords against the demon chasing after them.

  "Graa! I will eat you naughty children!" ［Yuna］

  "Kyaa～! Run away! We 't defeat the Demon Queen!" ［Bel］

  "Let's run away! She's to!" ［Galvin］

  The only differenow was that Yuna was now the enemy, uded by the others as the "Demon Queen". She had already recovered from her deje, and so, she decided to py with the children, the familiars now ag as their trusty steeds.

  Meanwhile, Grey and Cedric are talking about business and simir matters. They were tag matters about the exportation of rice, the processing of magic tools, exges and updates regarding many of the involved parties.

  "I see... Then how long would it take before rice produ bees relevant in the whole ty? A couple months? Maybe half a year?" ［Grey］

  "Hey now, we don't have ridiculous powers like you and Yuna. It would still take us a year at the very least. Just clearing the marshes is a massive task." ［Cedric］

  "That does make sense... And how about the other territories?" ［Grey］

  "Regarding that, there are already some showing i in growing rice. Though it was just the neighb territories at first, the ions are also now tag us after His Majesty announced his support." ［Cedric］

  Long story short, the ritatiram Grey started is nressing at a rapid rate. While many vilges are still starting, some are already up and running and are produg a manageable flow of rito the market.

  Thankfully, the demand on rice is still not that much, mostly ing from Galderia and a few requests from Grey and Yuna's acquaintances. Because of this, even with the retively low supply, the price of rice is still reasonable.

  With rice, chocote, potatoes, and many more pnting programs started because of Grey's search of ingredients, the agriculture sector of the Kingdom is undergoing a massive boom, the other nobles, finding out new crops they profit from,

  Speaking of profit, Grey's profit from the patents and shares alone has now grown to an astonishing degree, earning him a few million kiels every single month. This only led his Merts' Guild, guild card to be promoted from Silver to Gold.

  "Still, to think you already have a Gold guild card... I feel a little cheated..." ［Cedric］

  "Hm? Don't you also have a Gold guild card, Cedric?" ［Grey］

  "That's right, but I didn't earn it ihan a year like you. Even the fastest growing panies don't grow at this rate, you know?" ［Cedric］

  "But I don't have a pany though?" ［Grey］

  "That's exactly the problem here." ［Cedric］

  Though nobles mostly earn their earnings from taxes, many of them also earn a det amount from their businesses. And those who reach Gold rank are usually the ranks of t. Those of lower status usually find it hard to achieve.

  Yet even with that fact, there was Grey. Not only the agricultural innovation, but also his iion of magic tools such as the camera and the phone was revolutionary. He may be at Gold rank now, but it won't be long before he reaches Ptinum of above.

  "Ah, speaking of which. How is the program with Ti progressing? I heard from Marika that they're now expanding to other territories?" ［Grey］

  "ging the topiow, are we? Haah... You really are something..." ［Cedric］

  There was no use thinking too much about it. Even if Cedric were to use all his brain power to try and uand the young man before him, he would only have a painful headache and nothing more. He simply gave up.

  "Well, it's going pretty smoothly actually. If things go as pnned, it won't be long until the trade routes reach Galderia and we'll have access to new resources." ［Cedric］

  "That's great. That means we get more ingredients." ［Grey］

  "It's all about food again... Shouldn't you be asking about the people there first? Like the Great Chief or his daughter?" ［Cedric］

  "We've been keeping in touch so there's really o worry. In fact, we just got a call from Marika the other day saying that they're fine and all." ［Grey］

  "Ah, right... I keep fetting you also gave them phones..." ［Cedric］

  It wasn't just Marika. The Tobias household, Aria's family, the Graystone household, acquaintances, and many mrey and Yuna had given a lot of phoowards their acquaintances and they have always been keeping in touch.

  In fact, it was also because of phohat their transas became much faster and the development of products progressed as much as it did today. It truly was a tool for a better world... If only it wasn't so costly to make...

  "Then would the Great Chief be visiting the capital soon?" ［Grey］

  "Hmm... That would be the case, though it may take more than a month for thatー Oh! And speaking of the capital, I have something to give you..." ［Cedric］

  Said Cedric as he opened his Ste ring and searched for a certain something. It took him a little while, but when he was done, a letter appeared in his hands, oh an unfamiliar seal embedded on it.

  "That is...?" ［Grey］

  "This is an invitation to a young dy's tea party. She is from a Marquessal household so I 't really dee it that easily." ［Cedric］

  "Hm? So they're tag you now sihe guild doesn't work, huh,.." ［Grey］

  "That's right, and here are the rest." ［Cedric］

  Sais Cedric as he opened his ste ring again. As soon as he did, a pile of letters came p out like an unstoppable flood of white and red, all sorts of crest and seals embedded on each of them, both local and fn.

  Cedric simply showed the highest ranking one of them all before, but there were also tless letters from the lower nobility as well as the gentry hoping to tact Grey and Yuna using the Aldridge household as the medium.

  "Wow... I... Umm... These are a lot, aren't they?" ［Grey］

  "A lot...? These aren't even all of them. These are only the siderable ones. If we t all of them, there would easily be five times more." ［Cedric］

  "Five times.... Grey, isn't that bad news...?" ［Yuna］

  Yep, the news was so bad that even Yuna who just mao overhear was now frozen by the sheer amount of letters addressed to them. There was already a pileー no, a mountain before them, and there were still more where they came from.

  In fact, there were so many that Cedriow receives more letters frey and Yuna thaers addressed to their household. Some even go as far as to address the letter to Cedrily for the tents to be actually delivered to Grey and Yuna.

  Of course, what came with some of them were gifts (bribes), kind words (fttery), and persuasion (threats). It was so ridiculous, Cedric has raged tless times over how unreasohey were. He just wants to burn them all to ashes.

  "I even received a letter from a fn King the other week..." ［Cedric］

  "From a King?! Isn't that serious?!" ［Grey］

  "Well, I thought so at first, but it was actually just a fake. I almost had a heart attack back then. Hahaha." ［Cedric］

  He was ughing, but his expressions begged to differ. And to make things worse, he has been shouldering such a troublesome matter for a whole 3 months whilst Grey and Yuna were go was a long, long nightmare.

  Grey and Yuna had already asked the Guilds to throw away all the letters, but they hought Cedric would be the one suffering because of their thoughtless as. They couldn't be any more sorry for him.

  "Grey, Yuna... 't you do something about the invitations?" ［Cedric］

  "A-Ah, yeah... We'll do something about it." ［Grey］

  Or so he says, but her Grey nor Yuna have any idea how to stop the annoying barrage of letters ing from all dires. Though, there was o say such words to Cedric. It was better to keep quiet.

  Cedric soon sighed and stored the letters bato his ste ring, making the table and tidy again. He decided not to dwell on his sorrow anymore and had another bite of the sweets before him.

  "Hmm... These really are good... I'm sure Veronica will like these." ［Cedric］

  "Should we bring some to her ime then?" ［Grey］

  "Ah. That would be much appreciated." ［Cedric］

  The peaceful day tinues...

  CHAPTER 345 END