Chapter 21 — “The Coachman’s Visit”
The ostrich coachman arriving early was a bit unexpected.
But apparently, his ostrich—named Tasoon—had gotten too excited and couldn’t hold back its running instincts.
Honestly, Heidi couldn’t blame him. Controlling a three-meter-tall bird sounded impossible even for her.
She decided she should open the door.
“Who is it? A guest?”
Theo asked with wide, curious eyes.
“Yeah. You remember the ostrich coachman? Looks like he’s here.”
“Oh, I know him! The weird-talking guy! You always say riding with him feels like falling between heaven and hell because he drives so crazy!”
…So this was why adults always said to watch what you say in front of children.
Heidi scratched her cheek in mild embarrassment.
“Um, don’t say that in front of him, okay?”
“Okay!”
Theo nodded eagerly, his fluffy ears twitching adorably—until Heidi suddenly remembered he was a monster.
If she let the coachman in, she’d have to explain Theo’s identity. Normally, people might think keeping a monster as a pet was strange…
But considering this man not only owned an ostrich but also used it to pull a carriage, he probably wouldn’t find a fox monster all that weird.
“Alright then, Theo. Sit here for now. When I introduce you, just say hello politely, okay?”
“Got it!”
Once Theo agreed, Heidi stood up. Ber also rose from his seat and quietly took position behind her.
He followed so naturally that she was momentarily surprised—then secretly pleased.
He’s starting to act like part of the family.
‘Perfect. The “family-like farm” dream is coming true.’
With a satisfied smile, Heidi opened the front door.
“Good morning, Coachman. Please come in.”
“Yup~! Thanks for the warm welcome, even though I showed up so suddenly!”
Heidi watched him carefully as he wiped mud off his white shoes on the rug.
His outfit was as extravagant as ever—
a frilly pink ruffled shirt, crisp white pants, lace-covered straw hat pulled down to his nose, and shiny white shoes.
He looked as bright and soft as spring itself.
But to Heidi, a farmer used to hard work, one concern popped up.
“Um, about your clothes… We’ll be gathering mandrakes today. They might get dirty. Should I lend you an apron and boots?”
“Horrifying thought! That would ruin the aesthetic!”
“But what if they get stained?”
“No problem! The Mage Tower has maids who handle all the laundry~!”
That cheerful response made Heidi realize something. She had always thought his flashy style just reflected his personality—
but now she saw it differently.
‘Ah. It’s a symbol of class.’
People with wealth didn’t have to worry about stains. That’s why nobles could wear delicate pastel colors and fancy ruffles even when traveling.
How enviable.
Well, she thought, maybe keeping a rich friend around isn’t a bad idea.
Just then, Ber asked dryly,
“What’s that you’re holding in your right arm?”
The coachman blinked innocently.
“Oh, you noticed! It was supposed to be a surprise gift for my first visit to Lioum! Didn’t expect you to catch it so fast!”
He lifted his frilly sleeve—and underneath was a plump brown hen.
“Wow! I didn’t even notice she was hiding that! You really are observant, Ber.”
“One must always be prepared for an ambush,” Ber replied flatly.
“…”
Right. Becoming a first-class mercenary clearly took some extreme training.
“I saw your chicken coop before,” the coachman continued. “There was only one rooster, right? Poor thing must get lonely~! So I brought a friend!”
He gently stroked the hen’s head.
“Thank you. I hadn’t thought of that,” Heidi said, touched.
“Well, when you raise a bird like my Tasoon, you start understanding their hearts just by looking into their eyes~.”
There was something oddly sentimental in his voice.
What is he, a bird psychologist now? Heidi thought but didn’t dare say aloud.
“I’ll go put her in the coop,” Ber said, carefully holding the hen.
“Alright, thank you!”
After Ber left, Heidi turned to the coachman.
“By the way, have you had breakfast yet?”
“Oh, nope~! I was gonna just eat some biscuits later!”
“What? Biscuits aren’t enough!”
Her voice rose without meaning to.
“Humans need proper meals to work! Three full meals and snacks! That’s how you survive a hard day!”
“Hmm, but maintaining a beautiful figure requires portion control~.”
He tilted his head thoughtfully, and Heidi nearly exploded.
Figure control? Seriously?
To her, that was the kind of nonsense only spoiled nobles cared about. For Heidi, three hearty meals a day was sacred truth.
“You don’t even have any fat to lose! You look like you’d snap in a breeze! And driving that carriage counts as hard labor! No way—sit down. You’re eating with us.”
“Wow… you sound just like my late grandmother…”
“She must have loved you dearly, then. Come on—Ber made plenty, so there’s enough for everyone. Do you like French toast?”
Heidi grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward the table. The coachman let himself be led, looking around curiously.
“Wow, such a cute little table! Haven’t seen one this small in ages!”
Another comment that screamed upper class.
Heidi felt oddly protective of her poor little four-person table.
After all, she had built and painted it herself—from the woodcutting to the polishing—using the skills she’d picked up as a former civil servant.
“Oh really? What, does the Mage Tower use ten-person tables?” she muttered while serving his food.
“Haha! Oh, miss, you’re adorable! At the Mage Tower, the smallest dining table seats forty! Between all the mages and researchers, we have hundreds of people~!”
“…Ah. I see.”
Heidi felt her confidence deflate slightly under the weight of that casual wealth.
Then suddenly—
“Kyah! Kyaang!”
Theo had climbed onto the table, yipping loudly.
Startled, Heidi scooped him up under the arms.
“Theo, what’s wrong? We talked about this—be polite to guests!”
She patted his round little head to calm him, but he kept wriggling and scowling.
“That man smells like burning!”
Heidi froze.
Wait… Theo can smell it too?
Until now, only Ber could detect that strange, smoky scent.
Before she could ask, the coachman spoke lightly,
“Oh, what a cute fox monster~! His name’s Theo, right?”
She blinked. She’d completely forgotten he was here.
“Yes. He helps me with the farm. Don’t worry, he’s just a low-grade monster—harmless. Sorry about this, he’s usually not like—”
“Burning! Burning!”
Theo squirmed harder in her arms, kicking his little legs in protest.
“Hm, looks like things are getting tricky. Shall I lend a hand~?” the coachman said kindly.
“A hand?”
He smiled and lifted one finger.
Fwoosh—!
A tiny flame burst to life on his fingertip. Then it twisted and flared into a small, glowing phoenix, which fluttered in circles around Theo.
Right. He was a sixth-circle mage, after all.
Heidi gaped at the magical display.
“Wow! Amazing!”
Theo’s ears perked up immediately. “I wanna catch it!”
He wriggled free from Heidi’s arms and dashed after the fiery bird, chirping excitedly.
And for a moment, the whole room filled with light and laughter—the calm before the storm to come.
