I arrived safely in the Axel Territory and immediately went to visit Grandma.
“Thomas-chan! I’m so happy you came!”
It had been a month since I last saw Grandma, and her voice was livelier than before, making her appear younger.
And then, I saw a joyful sight. Grandma had managed to stand up on her own, without anyone’s help. She wasn’t walking yet, but she was standing on her own two feet.
“Grandma…”
“Thanks to you, I was able to stand up again. Thank you, Thomas-chan.”
As she hugged me, I couldn’t help but tear up. I thought my tears had dried up after all the sadness and pain, but I learned that in this world, tears can come from joy too.
In front of the altar where Lord Deuro was enshrined, I offered a prayer of gratitude. I want to reach level 200 quickly and meet him in person to thank him.
“Thomas, we’ve made progress on the mass production of the tires.”
“That’s amazing!”
After sending Grandma a set of wheelchair tires, Grandpa contacted me with a request regarding tires.
I sent information about tires for both wheelchairs and carriages, and Grandpa expressed interest in mass-producing them.
I thought it would be impossible because making wire for tires is difficult. But Grandpa insisted that it was fine, so I taught him how to make the tires and the structure of leaf springs.
The Duke’s family used their network and financial resources to aim for mass production, but I didn’t expect it to come together so quickly.
“The durability tests are nearing completion, and there have been no issues so far.”
“If we combine the tires with the leaf springs, we can reduce the vibration without turning the carriage into a magical tool. And if we use the tires on a magical tool carriage, it will further improve the ride comfort.”
Moreover, the tire technology has various other potential uses. Rubber, or more precisely, a slime gel product that closely resembles rubber, was used in many industrial products in my previous life, and it should have many possibilities here as well.
“Damn, that scum. How dare they.”
When I reported that soldiers from the Lightstar Marquis family had ambushed me, Grandpa got angry.
We don’t openly fight the Bayerline Duke family, but we can’t predict what they’ll do. So, I asked Grandpa to remain cautious.
“I thought something was off lately, but I didn’t expect this. Shall we crush them?”
Those were ominous words… I decided to ignore them.
In Axel Territory, I mainly spent my time chatting with Grandma, but I also visited the tire workshop. The quality was good; as expected from the craftsmen the Duke’s family took pride in.
“I’m thinking of having Mom return to Ashwood Territory soon.”
“Father has been lonely, but are you okay with this, Grandma?”
“I can stand on my own now, and my complexion has improved, so I’m fine. Besides, it’s not that far, so I can visit anytime.”
Mom’s memory still hasn’t returned. I wonder how it feels to have no memories from childhood. I only have painful memories, but I’m sure Grandpa and Grandma never mistreated me. It’s better to have happy memories, and it’s sad that she’s forgotten them.
When Grandma heard that Mom was going back, she looked very lonely.
“Well, it can’t be helped. Hermina has her husband, Lord Roxfall, after all.”
“I’ll come visit again.”
“Next time, I’ll build up more strength so I can play with Zeke-chan.”
Grandma smiled gracefully, but her eyes looked sad.
On the way back, Grandpa had 50 guards accompany me. Whether it’s overprotective or excessive, it was a kind gesture, and I decided to accept it. Thanks to them, I returned to Ashwood Territory safely.
Father hugged both Mom and Ziegwald, and then he hugged me last.
I hadn’t been away from home for that long, so it wasn’t a big deal.
Lord Dardale from the temple came to visit.
“So, this is the Appo wine.”
Lord Dardale, Father, Captain Susanna, and the priest Oturso Daigo tried the Appo wine.
“Ah, this is good! The fizzy sensation is stimulating.”
The Appo wine contains what we call carbonation. The fizzy sensation is a result of the carbonation!
“It really is fizzy, and it’s very fruity. I think it’s a delicious wine.”
Lord Dardale also gave it a high rating.
“The fizziness is stimulating, but it’s very easy to drink and delicious! May I have another glass?”
Captain Susanna gave a positive reaction.
“Ah, what a rich flavor. Truly worthy of being called divine wine!”
The priest was crying, though.
“Could you tell me the name of this wine?”
“I was thinking of letting Lord Dardale name it, but I haven’t officially decided on one yet.”
“Me? It would be an honor, but I would prefer if Thomas-sama named it.”
“I can name it, but are you sure you’re okay with that?”
“Hohoho. It would be a great honor, but naming the divine wine is too much for someone like me. Please, Thomas-sama, go ahead.”
“Well then… how about Affelpopp?”
I remembered that “Apfel” means “apple” in German, and “pop” or “soda” is used for carbonation in English, so I just put them together. It might be misinterpreted as just an apple carbonated drink, but in this world, that doesn’t matter.
“Affelpopp…?”
“Affelpopp! Ah, it’s a name worthy of divine wine!”
It’s just a mix of knowledge from my previous life, but why does Lord Dardale look like a smitten maiden?
Suddenly, I heard that the temple isn’t causing trouble because of Lord Dardale. Apparently, there are frequent requests to send me to the headquarters. I was told by a certain female captain, who had just asked for a refill of Affelpopp.
Depending on the situation, I might consider visiting the headquarters sometime. Being imprisoned would be troublesome, but if that’s not the case, I should conduct some reconnaissance.
