The Abandoned White Magician’s Tea Life - Chapter 48 : Town

Translator: Sunnyshies

Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 48 : Town

A few days later, as the day of the festival approached, Leonardo left the village ahead of Amalia and the others.

He needed to be there for the preliminary meetings, the preliminary research, the preparations, and etc., because those are a part of his job.

Amalia and Yugo left Polk the day before the festival and took a half a day carriage ride to the town. Leonardo had already booked an inn in town for them, so they would stay there for the night before heading to the festival the next day.

“Is this your first time going on a trip with your mom?”

Yugo exclaimed excitedly while being rocked around inside the small carriage.

He loves new and unusual things, so when he saw the carriage that came to pick them up under Leonardo’s orders, he exclaimed with joy, and touched the huge horse so closely that it scared Amalia, while the coachman simply laughed at him.

“That’s right… maybe since the first time I went to Polk from that mountain?”

“Ah, yeah.”

Fu, fu, Yugo giggled and put his head in Amalia’s lap and began to squirm.

This is a signal that he wants to be spoiled, so Amalia picks him up, puts him on her lap, sings an old Leandra nursery rhyme, and glances at the trunk at her feet.

In the luggage trunk, she kept her travelling clothes, daily necessities, and portable food. Furthermore, Amalia also put in the dress she wrapped in cloth.

While packing at home, Yugo noticed the dress that Amalia had purchased with Eva’s help. But as soon as Amalia explained that this was the dress she would be wearing for the festival, he seemed to understand a lot and didn’t touch it.

After making the purchase, Amalia was taken to the inn by Eva. Eva then gave her a set of second hand make-up tools, and taught her how to do some simple make up.

‘This may be the first time I’ve ever worn makeup…’

The makeup tools that Eva gave her were all made from natural materials, so the colors were light and easy to use even for Amalia who was very new to makeup. Before the festival, she would change her clothes and apply her makeup with this, so she was really excited.

It took them half a day to get there by carriage.

It was already mid-winter, but the weather was sunny and not too cold, so the journey was smooth and Amalia and the rest of the group were able to pass through the gates of the town on schedule.

“Amazing, there’s a lot of people here…!”

Unlike Amalia, this was Yugo’s first time in a place full of people, so he leaned out of the carriage window to observe the crowd. Amalia had to hold onto Yugo’s waist for a long time because she was afraid he would fall off if he wasn’t careful.

This town is called Astera, and it is located in the easternmost part of the Kingdom of Leandra among cities large enough to have a guild branch. Leandra shares its eastern border with the Kingdom of Edith, and merchants from Edith are said to come and go frequently.

Before the carriage stopped, Yugo casted a spatial spell on her. Amalia didn’t quite understand the logic behind it, but it seemed to be something that made it harder to recognize the existence of the person if they weren’t aware of it.

Amalia got out of the carriage, hiding her face with her scarf as a precaution, but the young woman who passed her did not even spare a glance at her, while the gentleman who needed to be paid by Amalia was staring at her face.

When he received his money and unloaded their luggage, the gentleman looked around for a moment, then looked a little surprised when he saw Amalia, saying, “Oh, you’re here.”

This must mean that Yugo’s spatial magic is working.

Watching the carriage drive away, Amalia carried the trunk in one hand and Yugo’s hand in the other, and headed for the inn.

They received a map of the inn from Leonardo in advance. She let Yugo practice reading the map while they made their way to the inn and put down their luggage. Looking at the interior of the inn, which was different from the one they had stayed at in Polk, Yugo felt nervous.

After a while, Leonardo arrived. Perhaps because he was working as a mercenary for the guild, he was now wearing leather armor, sturdy boots, and shin guards like the ones he had worn when they reunited in Polk, instead of the usual clothes Amalia often saw.

He smiled reassuringly when he saw Amalia and Yugo, and sat down on his chair.

“I am relieved to hear that you arrived safely… Yugo, how was your first carriage ride?”

“It was fun. Also, I was able to cast a space spell on my mom properly. At this rate, I think I’ll be able to cast it at the festival without any problems.”

“Okay. I’m counting on you.”

Leonardo then messed up Yugi’s hair, and Yugo said, “Stop it!”

‘Really, they’re like father and son…’

Feeling a little embarrassed at this thought, Amalia pulled out a water bottle from the trunk.

“I made this before I left this morning. Leonardo has work to do later, doesn’t he? Have a drink if you like.”

“I’m so glad. Now I can’t even enjoy anything but Amalia-san’s tea anymore!”

“You’re overreacting.”

Leonardo said mischievously, and Amalia laughed back.

‘…I’m glad I confided in Eva. I feel so much more natural with Leonardo.’

Not having to feel awkward or guilty seems to be good for her mental health.

As she poured the tea from her water bottle into the cup and handed it to him, her fingertips touched Leonardo’s for a brief moment, and her heart skipped a beat as she looked at him. Amalia smiled and said, “You touched it.” and Leonardo lost his composure and responded, “Yes, I touched it.”

Leonardo drank his tea, and he only confirmed tomorrow’s meeting before leaving immediately. Festival guests were already arriving from all over, and the town center was a mess. Although it was only the day before the festival, it didn’t mean that there wouldn’t be problems, so they had to get into position right away.

“Mom, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Yugo stood by the window, looking down at the town preparing for the festival, and muttered.

They were holding an event in the park in front of the inn, and tables and a stage made of wooden boxes had already been set up earlier today. There were also colorful parasols set up all over the town, making it quite a spectacle.

“I’ve always thought of humans as fragile creatures, quick to die, weak, and quarrelsome.”

As they stood next to each other, Yugo began to speak in an unusually somber voice. His profile showed a shade that was not typical of a five-year-old, and it seemed to hint that he was in fact a dragon that had lived for hundreds of years.

“It’s true that most of the demons descend on the human world to attack humans, and some of the dragon races have a lot of blood on their hands. But humans are the same way. There are those who reap demons unnecessarily to use their fangs and horns as materials, and there are those who will drag out dragons with no intention of fighting and kill them just to show off their strength. I’ve always thought that humans were just like that.”

…Yugo’s words were painful for Amalia to hear.

‘Alphonse and the others, even though they were commissioned by the guild, in the end they were just attacking a dragon child who was just taking a nap…’

Amalia, who accompanied them, no matter how much of a non-combatant she was, was probably just as guilty.

“But after I met mom, I changed my mind. I realized that there are many people who are as bad as those kids, but there are also people who are just trying to survive, people who are weak, and people who are kind like mom. I think everyone in Polk is also not so bad, and I like Leonardo a lot.”

“Oh… is that so.”

“I found out that he is a very nice guy… also, I found out how people think, what makes them happy, and what they usually do… even this festival does not exist in the Demon World. In the past, I would have never imagined that I would need to work so hard to prepare for only one day of joy, and then clean up as soon as it was over.”

“…what do you think now?”

Indeed, from the dragon’s point of view, human life is just a blink of an eye, and festivals are probably ridiculous.

At Amalia’s question, Yugo chuckled. Then he turned around, relaxed his golden eyes, and hugged Amalia tightly.

“…I like this kind of thing too, I think. Spending time with my mom and Leonardo, going to festivals, and discovering so many things. It’s very exciting… I’m glad to be mom’s child.”

“Indeed…”

“Mom, let’s have lots and lots of fun tomorrow. Leonardo and I will protect you, and I’ll be happy if you smile.”

“…thank you.”

When she hugged him back, Yugo, who had been a little more mature than before, said, “Mom, you’re soft and warm.”

☼☼☼