* * *

“Alright! That’s a wrap!”

Ed, the perennial workaholic, opted to inspect and finalize tasks around the northern fortress instead of returning to his room.

He even joined Ronen outside to help build a house for Loa.

“Ed, look here. Wouldn’t raising the ceiling a bit more be better?” Ronen suggested.

“The ceiling?” Ed echoed.

“Yeah!”

As they examined the blueprint together, Ed thought, ‘Even if we build this house, Roa will probably end up sleeping with Ronen anyway.’

Despite having a room of his own, Roa often snuck out to sleep with Ronen, much to the latter’s feigned denial.

Ed absentmindedly brushed fox fur off Ronen’s clothes while analyzing the house design.

‘Well, the point is in the making, I suppose.’

Rolling up his sleeves, Ed surveyed the wood stacked in the clearing.

The knights had cut the logs into manageable sizes as Ronen had requested.

‘It won’t be finished in a day, but since it’s not urgent, we can take our time.’

Although the project seemed larger than expected, Ed was determined. If they couldn’t manage it alone, they’d ask for help.

Recalling his experience with model-making before his reincarnation, Ed began sorting the materials.

Seeing him work, Ronen crouched beside him, struggling to move the wooden pieces.

“Sir, you should sit down. Without gloves, you’ll hurt your hands,” Ed chided.

“How about asking a passing knight for help instead?” Ronen countered playfully.

Before Ed could respond, another voice chimed in from behind.

“For the record, I’m wearing gloves.”

“Sir Irtel!” Ronen exclaimed, welcoming the knight, who quickly joined them.

After glancing at the blueprints and listening to Ronen’s animated explanations, Irtel silently asked with his eyes, ‘What do I do now?’

“Let’s start by sorting the materials and checking if we have everything,” Ed instructed.

Ronen grinned.

“I’ll explain it to you since I’m not doing the heavy lifting myself. That’s fine, right, Ed?”

“Yes, as long as you leave the actual work to Sir Irtel.”

Ronen nodded eagerly. “Got it!”

“I’ll ask Ed to handle the smaller tasks for now… Sir, it seems we don’t have enough planks to cover the floor. Should I make more from this?”

Irtel, who had gone somewhere after setting Ronen down, returned carrying a sturdy ironwood log.

“Splinters might fly, so please stand back a bit.”

With that, Irtel began striking the log with the axe he brought along.

Each swing from his powerful arms transformed the wood into broad planks.

‘If it were me, I’d have spent all day at it.’

Ed, impressed by the sight, shook his head slightly.

There was no time to be idle.

With materials being prepared in real time, it was his turn to level the ground for the foundation.

Rustle, rustle, swish.

“A helper has arrived!”

Tens suddenly burst out of the undergrowth.

“Huh? Tens.”

“I heard the call of your soul, Ed!”

As the startled Ed stammered, Tens strode over and snatched the shovel from his hands.

“Hey! Give it back, Tens. You must have your own tasks to do. I’ll handle this.”

“I told you, Ed. I came because I felt your strong call. Ah… If I don’t tamp this ground right now, I’ll break out in hives and won’t sleep a wink tonight.”

Wait—didn’t his voice waver just now?

With Tens joining in right after Irtel, Ed was bewildered.

“I didn’t even think about you, Tens. What call are you talking about? Besides, you look exhausted—your legs are trembling. Just hand it over. How long have you been hiding in the bushes?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Ed. Haha, who knew leveling ground could be so fun? Thanks, Ed. I’ve found my calling.”

With a battle cry—or was it a scream?—Tens began evening out the ground, prompting Ed to let out a small sigh.

While Ed stood there, his tasks snatched away, a teacup suddenly appeared in front of him.

‘What’s this?’

Blinking, Ed turned to see Erin holding a steaming cup.

“Ed, I brought the tea and dessert you asked for.”

The fact that Erin, who should be in the kitchen, had come here was surprising enough.

But what she said blew that away.

“I asked you for tea and dessert? And even to bring them here?”

“Oh, not you, I meant…”

“Ah! That!”

Tens interrupted, rushing over.

Tilting his head, Ed asked, “Do you know who asked?”

Planting the shovel in the ground and leaning on it, Tens lowered his voice dramatically.

“Well, you seemed like you’d want some dessert, so I asked Erin before coming here.”

Ed eyed Tens suspiciously, certain he was hiding something.

“Tens, you’re keeping something from me, aren’t you?”

“N-No way!”

Ed, about to press further, was interrupted by applause and a voice of admiration.

“Wow! Amazing!”

Ronen came running up and grabbed Tens’ sleeve.

“Tens, you can read Ed’s mind? Can you read mine too?”

Ed saw a mischievous glint in Tens’ eyes at that moment.

“Of course, young master.”

“Really?”

“Yes! I know you’re hoping Ed will live in the northern castle forever! Ouch!”

Irtel lightly knocked Tens on the head, cutting him off.

As Ed looked up at the pair, Irtel diverted his gaze and spoke to Ronen.

“Shall we take a break, young master?”

While they sipped tea, Ed tried to engage Tens several times, but Tens deftly avoided him.

“Oh no, young master, you don’t seem to like the tea. Let me fetch some milk. Ed, what was that? I didn’t catch it. I’ll listen after I get back from the dining hall!”

“Ah! Look at that, a fallen branch! Just a second, Ed. Someone might trip. You go ahead with young master Ronen!”

“Gosh, is it that late already? I need to check the carriage for the High Priest’s departure. Let’s talk later, Ed!”

By the time they parted ways, Tens had successfully dodged every attempt at conversation and disappeared as swiftly as he had come.

Left alone, Ed sighed lightly.

‘I didn’t get to say a word to him in the end.’

---

Long after Tens left, Irtel, who had been helping with the work, glanced at the clock, dusted off his hands, and stood.

“Ed, escort the young master to the entrance on time.”

“Yes, understood.”

Ed took Ronen to his room.

Carefully dusting off sawdust from Ronen’s hair, he combed it neatly and helped him into a fresh outfit.

“All done, young master. Are you comfortable?”

“Yes, I’m fine! Thanks, Ed.”

At the northern castle’s entrance, they waited until the High Priest emerged with the Duke.

“I hope my old bones haven’t been a burden to the people of the northern castle.”

“Not at all, High Priest!”

* * *