Published: September 10, 2025
“Satou—! It’s about time to bring the cows back to the barn!”
“Got it!”
I answered the call from the ranch owner’s daughter (……….) in the distance.
[Our next destination is the territorial capital, Kages City.]
—That’s what we had planned, but due to a chance encounter and a bit of meddling, we ended up working at a ranch in Nafu Village, beyond Kages City.
It wasn’t that I was blinded by the charms of the busty young lady.
“Master, I’ve gathered the cows.”
“Thanks, Liza.”
Together with Liza, I led the cows back to the barn.
Whenever a troublesome cow tried to stray from the herd, Pochi and Tama herded them back like sheepdogs.
Since coming to this ranch, Pochi and Tama seem happy—they get plenty of exercise.
“Master, the barn is already cleaned.”
“Thanks, Lulu. What about Arisa?”
“She’s helping the ranch owner with bookkeeping and other tasks.”
Still, she’s got those mysterious out-of-skill skills as always.
“Master, the cows are all in their stalls.”
“Perfect~”
“Next is watering!”
“Tama wants to help too~”
Liza reported, and Pochi and Tama carried fresh water to fill the troughs. Everyone’s so hardworking.
I used the life magic “Bug Wiper” from my magic slots to keep the cows free from pests.
Although the barn smells, I wanted to cast “Deodorant” too, but when I did on the first day, the cows disliked it, so now I only use it on ourselves after the day’s work is done.
“Mr. Satou, dinner will be ready soon, so why don’t you go take a bath?”
“Got it.”
The dining hall door opened, and Merinna, the ranch owner’s daughter, waved her ladle and called out.
Now she’s helping in the dining hall. She’s really industrious.
“Aah! Master’s got a long face!”
“Huh?”
“It’s all stretched out!”
Upon Arisa’s entrance, Tama and Pochi chimed in without understanding what was going on.
“I’m not stretching it.”
I instinctively touched my mouth, but there’s absolutely no truth to that.
“Well, whatever. Let’s go bathe! I’ll wash your back!”
Arisa made a creepy face that ruined the image of her beautiful young girl self, waving her hands awkwardly.
“No need. As usual, I’ll use life magic ‘Soft Wash’ and ‘Dry’.”
Thanks to that magic, I’ve stayed comfortable even during the journey.
I can’t thank enough the old magic shop owner who sold me that scroll and the Countess of Kages who gave me permission to sell it.
“Tch~”
Arisa pouted disappointedly.
Ignoring that, I used life magic to clean everyone, all soaked in sweat.
This is really convenient, but I still want to soak in a hot bath once in a while.
I need to learn a magic that can boil water soon.
◇
“So? Have you seen any mountain wolves?”
“No, just that one time when I met you.”
Near the fork between Kages City and this village, I had hurriedly saved Merinna and her group on their way back from delivering milk, who were surrounded by a pack of mountain wolves.
Apparently, suddenly in recent times, wolf packs have been appearing frequently, causing significant damage to the ranch’s cows and herdsmen.
We are staying here as bodyguards and temporary herdsmen.
“There’s cheese!”
Seeing a large cheese on the dining table, Arisa’s excitement soared.
“I made it for Arisa-chan’s request. The fireplace is over there, so try skewering it with this long fork and roasting it.”
“Woohoo!”
Arisa screamed and dashed to the fireplace.
Usually, Pochi and Tama are obsessed with freshly grilled sausages, but today even they seem curious about Arisa’s antics.
“What are you doing?”
“Roasting the cheese person?”
“Heh heh heh. Just watch.”
Arisa said mysteriously to the two confused ones.
“Ah! The cheese person is melting!”
“Looks like it’s dripping!”
“Lulu onee-sama, sliced bread please!”
Still staring at the cheese, Arisa held out her hands behind her back to ask.
“Here, is this okay?”
“Perfect!”
Arisa placed the melting cheese on the bread.
“I’m going to devour this!”