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The Reincarnated Thirty-Something Woman’s Otherworldly Reform Life

The Changing Seasons

Translated by: ME

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

「Magnolia-sama. How do you use such tiny pieces of cloth?」

Patchwork using small pieces of fabric that were originally meant to be waste. And even smaller pieces left over after making those. ...To make further use of them, I’m having them cut into squares of the same size as small wooden blocks, which come in about three different sizes.

These are the materials for the next handicraft items I’ll release once the patchwork business settles down... or if it doesn't take off as well as expected. For now, I’m diligently stockpiling the materials.

「They have a proper use~. Please cut them as neatly into the same size as possible!」「Heh. Surely you can't use this though, right?」

The child pointed at something that used to be fabric—it was so small you couldn't see even a fraction of a place to sew.

「...That's true. I suppose that can't be used for a product. Let's gather similar ones together and make them into tinder for starting fires.」

Scraps that are too small and have frayed, tiny bits of lint, and pieces of cloth only a few millimeters wide are bundled into appropriate sizes.

I wrap them in scrap cloth that isn't suitable for handicrafts—like pieces with stains that can't be used as products—and tie them up like teru teru bozu dolls with large heads.

They can be used as they are, but if soaked in oil, they burn well. This way, they can be used as fire starters for stoves or baths, using every last bit of the material.

—Back when I lived in Japan, I probably never used fabric to this extent. The trend of designer brands, the rise of fast fashion. Waves of trends flowing from right to left.

Because I lived in an era where clothes and fabric were easily accessible, I’m sure I had clothes in my closet that I’d bought but never even put my arms through.

As I was thinking about that, one of the children helping out talked to me with a smile.

「Magnolia-sama, your articulation has gotten better lately, hasn't it?」

「Rewwy?! ...Ah.」

The moment the words left my mouth, laughter leaked from those around me. ...Gai and Dean were laughing too, so I intend to squeeze them for it later.

By the way, Lily was diligently cutting cloth alongside the children.

「You’re still make some of those baby speech, aren't you!」

「Yes... I hope it gets better soon.」

I don't know if it's a side effect of not speaking much when I was very small, or if I’m just someone with unfortunately poor articulation, but my speech is still immature.

That said, it has become significantly better compared to how it was at the beginning.

「Aaaah! I'm tired!!」

Shouting loudly, the children returned from the classes being held at the guild. As they talked expressively about how it went, how fun it was, and how difficult it was, they looked lively. I narrowed my ibis-colored eyes as I watched them.

The other day, all the arrangements were finally finalized, and the "Azenda School" made its start at the guild and meeting halls.

Using several meeting halls in each district, and a room borrowed from the guild in the capital, they are studying the basics of literacy and numbers. Over the course of about a year, they will learn everything from basic reading, writing, and arithmetic to the level of knowledge necessary for daily life.

I find myself wanting to provide something more advanced, but haste makes waste. If I don't proceed in a state where the surrounding situation and demands are in sync, the plan will surely fall through.

No matter how wonderful something you create is, if it's in a place where people don't think it's necessary, it won't be utilized if the users don't feel a need for it... I don't want this to be just for my own self-satisfaction. It is something that must be nurtured carefully and grown.

Education becomes power. Always. First, I must create the foundation until they realize that.

It seems that Dan and the representatives of each department are also learning in between work; perhaps it’s because they feel the necessity. I heard they are acquiring the skills with surprising speed.

(Everyone is working hard. I have to work hard too!)

Exhaling sharply with determination, I stepped outside and could see the new district—which was nearly finished—a few blocks away. It was the slums.

As the town was being reborn, there was a discussion about changing the names of the streets and the district. I was also asked what kind of name would be good... The adults are currently in the middle of a heated discussion about whether to deliberately keep the past name as "The Old Slums" or choose something else.

(Personally, I think 'The Old Slums' isn't bad because it shows the degree of reconstruction... the traces of change and effort.)

The fact that magnolia trees are being planted all over the empty spaces is a bit much... I sighed and looked away.

(They should have chosen trees that grow edible things...)

Today, Dean, who usually follows behind me, is on a break. Having been released for a day from his "study hell," he was in high spirits and looked truly happy. Apparently, he is accompanying me today as a friend rather than a servant.

Even though it was supposed to be so hot, the season has reached late autumn in the blink of an eye. The soft autumn sunlight falls gently upon the leaves of the trees that have begun to change color.

As I looked out the window while being swayed by the carriage driven by the cheerful guard, the farmers and the members of the farming unit waved their hands. I leaned out the window and waved back.

The black-painted carriage, with the Gilmore family crest sitting atop the roof, probably stands out in the middle of the country roads, making it easy to recognize. The prominent crest on the roof was originally designed as a "Keep Away from Dangerous People" sign to ward off thieves, bandits, and villains.

(Thinking about it this way, it feels like I'm riding in a black Mercedes... wait, is that okay??)

I tilted my head, wondering if I was being recognized as a scary person after all this time.

The carriage continued along the road I had grown accustomed to traveling many times. Once we passed the corner, the Margrave’s mansion came into view.

「...Isn't there a lot of people today?」

At my words, Lily and Dean also stuck their heads out the window. In front of the familiar mansion, there appeared to be a large group of dozens of people lined up.

「I wonder what’s going on...」

「...Don't tell me, did you pull something again?」

Dean looked at me with a suspicious tone.

「When did I ever pull something!」

「You're just unaware of it, aren't you?」

For some reason, even Gai—who was driving the carriage—joined in with a smirk. I snapped at Dean's words, but Dean simply looked at me with flat eyes. Lily quietly averted her amber eyes.

「Kieeeeeeee!」

When the carriage stopped in front of the mansion, there were the Margrave and his son along with their servants, plus Victor and dozens of knights for some reason. ...And for some reason, Victor and the knights were covered in wounds... (What happened...?)

「I'm back...?」

「Oh, welcome home, Magnolia!」

Servas, who was perfectly fine, hurriedly picked Magnolia up and placed her on his left shoulder. Settling comfortably into her seat, she tilted her head.

「How was the town?」

「It was fine. The school and the redevelopment both seem to be going smoothly.」

I saw Claude for the first time in a while outside of mealtimes, as he had been holed up in his room claiming there was urgent research to do.

「Is your research done already?」

「Yes. Without issue.」

He had a satisfied expression. ...If he made a soft face like that instead of a scowl, he’d look his age.

(Oh, that's rare... Did he have that much fun?)

「Take this.」

「?」

What was handed to Magnolia, who was thinking something rude in her mind, was an ingot of iron... or rather, silver in color.

「...What is this?」

「It is an alloy of Adamantite and Hihi'irokane.」

I repeated the incantation-like words Claude said in his unnecessarily good, quiet voice inside my head.

Adamantite and Hihi'irokane alloy?

For some reason, the people around were trembling. Victor, who covered his face with his right hand as if to say "Oh boy," raised his voice in a somewhat desperate manner.

「I mean, Lord Claude, what on earth have you gone and cooked up?!」

「...It was one of the things I was researching back at the academy. I finished it since a use for it came up. By making it an alloy, it retains the best qualities of each while becoming easier to process.」

「????」

「It's an alloy of 'Adamantite,' which is hard and doesn't conduct magic, and 'Hihi'irokane,' which is lighter than steel, harder than diamond, and doesn't rust. I guess it’s a metal that repels swords, spears, and magic, huh?」

Gai explained briefly. ...Adamantite, as in the "Adamantite" staple of games and fantasy works? Magnolia blinked her eyes.

(They did have it, the rare metals of another world!)

I recall that Hihiirokane was a metal of the same category. And he apparently made an alloy of them...

「You should use it as the material for your gauntlet.」

「Gauntlet...」

I realized he must be talking about the conversation in the armory from back then. Looking at his interaction with Victor, did he just casually concoct a rare alloy...?

Without fully understanding, I offered my thanks. Claude nodded with a look of satisfaction.

「And from me, there is that.」

Looking in the direction Servas pointed, a large creature was sprawled out in the garden. 「...What is that...?」

It had wings and its surface was covered in scales. A "something" about three meters long.

「It’s a Black Dragon.」

「Black Dragon.」

Magnolia repeated after Servas, who spoke as if it were nothing. 「Armor made from dragon hide and scales is sturdy and won't be scratched by most attacks. Use it as material for your gauntlet.」

Apparently, he came up with the idea when he heard at the armory that I wanted "strong leather that stretches well." He had been away for the past few days because he was camping deep in the northern forest for a dragon hunt.

「...Dragon hunting is dangerous, but in the northern forest... is the border okay?」

I worried that it might develop into an international incident. However, Servas waved his right hand slightly to indicate it was no problem.

「It’s fine. The forest is a forbidden zone because of the various monsters dwelling there. The border starts from where you leave the forest. There is no problem.」

「...No, there are plenty of problems in a different sense, though! Anyway, that was the hardest thing in the history of adventurers! I understand slaying them if you encounter them, but I’ve never seen a human who would charge into their nest of their own accord.」

Victor said exasperatedly and shrugged. The knights also gave wry smiles.

—In the armory, the grandfather and uncle had been thinking.

A daughter who didn't seem to have much material desire and never begged for things she wanted. That Magnolia had said there was something she was looking for, which was rare. When they asked, it seemed to be a weapon and a gauntlet.

............ Should I say, as expected of people of a military family...

Actually, they had been thinking of giving her something cute and girlish, like a doll or a dress. No, but Magnolia is said to have memories of an adult woman. A doll might not be necessary... they couldn't imagine that girl playing with a doll.

In that case, jewels? A mansion? Land? Deeds?

They had been subtly researching birthday gifts, but they didn't really understand "weapons." A weapon that doesn't stab, cut, or crush—what on earth could that be?? In that case, let's gift her the materials for a magnificent gauntlet! That was how it came to be.

And the fact that the gauntlet made using such ultra-rare materials would actually be of national treasure-level value was something Magnolia had no way of knowing—

「Grandpa, thank you very much... I'm happy, but please don't do anything dangerous. Victor-san, everyone, thank you very much.」

As Magnolia spoke with a troubled look, Servas writhed in agony. The knights also softened their expressions and fidgeted their rugged bodies. Victor gave a wry smile and a thumbs-up.

While trembling... since it was dangerous, he lowered her from his shoulder and gently handed Magnolia to Claude. Claude also took her silently as if he were used to it; this has been the standard procedure lately.

Magnolia, like a small animal, was held by her sides with both hands, hanging long and limp as she watched her grandfather writhing and twisting.

「My granddaughter is so cute, it’s painful...!」

「「............」」

The Margrave—who could throw even a dragon and was called a demon—was apparently extremely weak to his granddaughter. Everyone was giving wry smiles.

「Now then! Everyone, this way. The feast has been prepared.」

Clap, clap! Sebastian clapped his hands cheerfully and pointed toward the back of the garden. Looking there, preparations for a beautifully decorated garden party had been made in the vast garden of the Margrave’s estate.

Immediately, the butchered dragon began to be grilled like a barbecue. On the tables, sweets, delicacies, and flowers were lined up in abundance.

「...Was there something today?」 When Magnolia tilted her head, Dean raised his eyebrows in surprise.

「What are you saying? It’s your birthday!」

Being told that, I remembered.

(I see, it's my birthday...)

Because I wasn't used to being celebrated in this world, I had completely forgotten my own birthday. I see, I thought, as I came to terms with it, and Dean shyly presented a small bouquet he had been holding behind his back.

「Happy birthday, Magnolia!」 His face, smiling brightly while blushing, looked like an angel. Cute. —My feelings are like those of a mother who received a handmade carnation from a kindergartner.

「Thank you.」 As I gave a soft smile, a hand was reached out to me.

「Now, let’s go! Or you'll miss out on the food!」

「Okay!」

I squeezed back his small hand and started running with a light jog.

「Magnolia-sama—!」 Lily called out loudly and waved her hand toward her master, who still hadn't come to the celebratory seats.

「Since we’re at it, why don't you show us the results of your dance practice?」

「The first dance is with Grandfather!!」

Loud laughter and a lively exchange. ...And occasionally some dangerous-sounding voices.

(A year, huh...)

I recall the busy yet dear year at the Margrave’s territory that passed in the blink of an eye. And now, a new year begins to run.

「Coming—!」

While everyone watched, the first dance between the Demon General—who had shrunk his body as much as possible—and the tiny, tiny Fairy Princess (in appearance) signaled its beginning.

*****

Note: As the title implied, there's a bit of time skip and time to say goodbye to the babugo.

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