Harman was one of the few people in the imperial palace whom Crot would speak to. This was because he was one of the few people close to the emperor, and he was considered a good person—human-like, polite, and overflowing with affection for others.
It was no exaggeration to say that the emperor, who always stood tall, began to show a more human side, and it was all thanks to Harman Sijongjang.

Harman Sijongjang, who possessed immense power piercing the sky, often spoke words that even dukes and marquises with formidable influence could not easily bring up to the emperor.

However, it was not as if Sijongjang used his power to manipulate the nobles and control them. Harman’s focus seemed to be solely on the emperor’s safety, health, and, apart from that, his marriage.

Since safety and health had been to some extent ensured, the only thing Harman eagerly awaited was the emperor’s wedding ceremony.

“I’m getting old, and there’s no place without issues. Hehehe. By the way, Professor, you look brighter, which is truly fortunate.”

“Yes, my appetite has returned recently.”

“That’s really fortunate.”

Among the people in the palace, Harman and Crot were the ones who ate less food, almost impossible to compare. Although they didn’t say it directly, the two would subtly glance at each other, finding comfort in the thought that they were not as emaciated as they perceived.

The next day, as soon as the sun rose, Crot entered the Verdura Castle. It was an early arrival, even faster than the gardeners. Stella, who was preparing to plant sugar peanuts in a hurry, was surprised by Crot’s early appearance.

“Teacher, have you already arrived?”

“Yes, I was so excited that I naturally woke up early in the morning.”
Crot scratched his head awkwardly, seeming embarrassed even as he spoke.

“By the way, what are you holding?”

Stella asked, looking at the notebook and pen that Crot was carrying.

“Oh! Perhaps, Princess. Could I draw and record the process of planting sugar peanuts? I believe this would be valuable knowledge that can be passed down through generations. Of course! I won’t do it if you don’t permit.”

With Crot’s memory, he could vividly draw or record the scene even without doing it on the spot when he returned home. However, getting Stella’s permission was crucial because she held significance for Crot.

“Of course, you can.”

Stella readily granted permission, making Crot ecstatic as if he wanted to jump for joy.

“Thank you so much, Princess. Oh, by the way, I brought a few books to give to you. Mila mentioned that you enjoy reading, so she recommended them to you.”

“I really appreciate it.”

Although these days Stella was too busy with farming to find time for reading, she sincerely conveyed her gratitude. It was because there was a need for her to become closer to Crot. In doing so, she thought she could borrow books from him in restricted areas where Mila couldn’t go, especially magic-related books.

On their second year of trying, Stella and the servants seemed quite coordinated, perhaps due to getting used to the routine.
Crot was quick-witted and swift with his hands, quickly learning the methods by silently observing others without needing special instructions.

The earth fairies each held an unsweetened sugar peanut and threw them into the holes Stella had dug. The peanuts, filled with the blessings of the earth fairies, gently permeated into the soil.

“Stella, these peanuts will be much sweeter and tastier than the ones before.”

“How do you know?”

“I just do.”

As Estha grinned and spoke, the other fairies repeated the same words eagerly.

“I know too!”

“Not just you? I know too.”

Even the previously grumbling Oton joined in planting peanuts. After hearing the fairies’ words, Stella became incredibly happy, feeling that it might really turn out that way.

At that moment, a stranger visited the Moonlight Guild. It was a man with a large diagonal scar across his face.

The wound seemed relatively recent, as bloodstains were still evident. Jack, who was dozing off in his chair, woke up upon hearing footsteps and was almost startled to fall backward when the man suddenly approached him.

Having received training that being frightened upon seeing a guest’s face was unbecoming of a merchant, Jack, despite feeling scared, suppressed his fear, smiled kindly, and asked, “How did you come here?”

“Kukros is looking for me.”

“The captain?”

“It seems Kukros has grown up, listening to the captain from such a little kid.”
With a disgruntled expression, Jack jumped up from his chair. Although it was promised that he would receive swordsmanship lessons from Captain Kukros when his feet touched the ground while sitting in the chair, it seemed like there was still a long way to go.

“Just wait a moment. I’ll call the captain.”

As Jack leaped down from the chair and ran up the stairs, the man watching him quietly laughed and said, “There’s a young lad being raised like a son. Seems quite clever.”

It was then that, as Jack ascended, the quiet staircase suddenly echoed with heavy footsteps.

“Oh, the stairs are going to break.”

As the man waited for the owner of the loud footsteps, Captain Kukros finally revealed himself.

Upon seeing the man standing in the lobby on the first floor, Kukros laughed heartily, opened his arms wide, and walked towards him.

“Pooka! I heard you got stabbed with a knife, but it seems you took a real hit. Hahaha!”

“Now that I have more scars than you, I should call you ‘hyung’ (older brother).”

“Ridiculous!”

Without any formalities, they approached each other and embraced tightly.