Chapter 11 ….
“‘Olivier… that name sounds familiar.’”
Angelica thought deeply. She was sure she had heard the name somewhere before, but she couldn’t quite recall where.
Looking at the clothes her grandmother wore and her elegant appearance, it was clear she was a noble.
However, understanding what title she held was difficult unless she disclosed it herself.
“‘Besides, I’ve never seen her face in previous episodes…’”
Angelica shook her head. Her grandmother’s exact status wasn’t really important to her.
What mattered more was that, regardless of being a noble, this person treated her kindly rather than rudely.
“‘So such people really do exist.’”
Most nobles Angelica had encountered were arrogant and vain. That was why she had always been drawn to the male protagonists who were their opposite…
Thinking of the male protagonists now put her in a bad mood.
As Angelica pouted, Olivier spoke.
Hiding any sign of surprise, he calmly asked,
“Angelica… did you… heal me?”
He had asked before if she had saved him, but now he asked more specifically.
Angelica, lost in thought, turned her head toward Olivier and slowly nodded.
“…Yes.”
“How did you heal me?”
“Uh… I gave you some herbs.”
Angelica didn’t mention the Miracle Life Herb—she just said she had given him herbs she had gathered from the forest. Explaining about the Miracle Life Herb would have been too complicated.
“‘Herbs?’”
Olivier’s doubt wasn’t eased by the child’s explanation.
Even the most renowned doctors in the empire had never successfully used herbs to treat mana poisoning. They had experimented with expensive potions, monster loot, and countless other ingredients—and failed repeatedly.
And yet, a child had healed him with just herbs?
It was almost unbelievable. Yet the child’s face did not hint at any deceit.
“‘Could there be something special about this child…?’”
As Olivier quietly pondered, a quest message suddenly appeared in front of Angelica.
[Beginner Quest 4. Do you accept?
Reward: Scruffy Shirt]
“Oh my!”
Angelica jumped up with joy.
“‘The reward for Beginner Quest 4 is a scruffy shirt!’”
Completing this quest meant she would finally have collected the entire beginner set.
“Angelica?”
Olivier called out in surprise as the child suddenly sprang to her feet.
“Yes?”
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
“Oh… it’s just that I remembered something I need to do. Grandmother isn’t feeling well, so I’ll let her rest for a while. I’ll be right back.”
Angelica smiled warmly at Olivier, then quickly got up. She washed her face and body in the bathroom, then pulled out the beginner farmer’s outfit from her enormous pocket and changed into it.
She and the dog immediately left the cabin to accept the quest.
[Beginner Quest 4: Shed Your Beginner Look
Objective: Plant Celts, pull weeds, and harvest.]
“Celts!”
Angelica’s eyes sparkled as she read the quest details.
Celts were a crop unique to this world, harvested in spring like potatoes.
They looked somewhat like corn, but smaller, sweet, and nutty. It was a staple breakfast food for the empire’s citizens.
“‘Potatoes and now Celts too!’”
Celts could be eaten raw, roasted, boiled, or incorporated into various dishes—a truly versatile crop.
“‘How should I cook them?’”
Already her mouth watered at the thought.
She plunged her hand into her enormous pocket and pulled out a bag containing Celt seeds.
“‘Better plant these quickly, then head to the forest to gather herbs for grandmother!’”
And so, Angelica’s morning farming began.
At the same time, Olivier sat on the bed, smiling softly.
The child he had said had something to do had quickly washed and changed into a farmer-like outfit.
Wearing a worn straw hat, loose pants, and large gloves while holding a hoe, she looked utterly adorable.
She immediately went outside the cabin. Curious, Olivier drew back the curtain and looked out.
Before the cabin was a small field, slightly larger than a garden, with traces of something previously planted.
“Wow…”
Olivier couldn’t hide his admiration.
“‘That tiny child… actually farms?’”
His gaze followed Angelica as she dug the soil with her small hands in gloves. The sight was so cute that he chuckled softly.
Next, she took seeds from a small pouch and began scattering them across the field with surprisingly skilled hands.
“‘A little farmer.’”
Every action was endearing and admirable. Olivier couldn’t look away until she finished planting all the seeds.
“Angelica.”
When the child came back into the cabin after planting all the seeds, a gentle voice called.
Angelica noticed the calm smile on her grandmother’s lips and the drawn-back curtain, realizing she had been watching the child farm.
“Oh! Grandmother.”
“Do you like farming?”
Angelica nodded vigorously in response, then went to the kitchen to fill a large bowl with water.
“Yes. I really like it.”
Olivier could feel the sincerity in that bright smile and response.
After watering the seeds, Angelica returned to the cabin.
“Grandmother, I’m heading to the forest for a bit. Please rest. I’ll be back soon!”
“Alright, be careful.”
Angelica smiled brightly and hurried toward the forest.
“‘Grandmother said her back still hurts…’”
When planting Celt seeds, her mentor had mentioned herbs that could relieve back pain, as well as herbs to restore vitality. She intended to gather both.
“‘Sorry to trouble the herbs…’”
Thinking of her grandmother in the cabin made Angelica smile. Though different in appearance, her kind and warm voice reminded her of her past-life grandmother.
“‘Even if just for a few days, I must make her healthy.’”
Angelica resolved to gather the herbs with her mentor.
Alone in the cabin, Olivier got up from the bed.
Though his back still hurt, it wasn’t enough to prevent him from moving.
He quietly surveyed the cabin’s interior. Dust lay in corners, furniture and dishes looked old, showing no sign of an adult’s care.
The small, worn wardrobe held only three sets of clothes, presumably for the child.
“‘She really lives here all alone, without parents…’”
It was painful to think about.
A child living in the forest with only a dog, no parents or friends, yet remaining cheerful despite the harsh conditions.
She managed everything herself: cooking, bathing, even farming.
And she had even brought him to the cabin and healed his illness without knowing who he was.
“‘Such a good child…’”
Tears welled in Olivier’s eyes. He felt both pity and sorrow for her.
At that moment, he wiped his eyes with his wrinkled hand and recalled a dream he had temporarily forgotten—a dream from the past when he came to this village alone on horseback.
It was a dream featuring his late husband, who held Olivier’s hand and spoke:
“‘There will be treasure here. Small, but stronger than anyone.’”
“No way…!”
Olivier’s eyes widened.
“‘You must protect that child.’”
Unlock soon!~