"Master! My hair is shiny, and my skin feels so hydrated! I feel like I’ve turned back the clock by 100 years!"

A hundred years?! Wait, I shouldn't dwell on Pal's age.

"I’m glad you’re happy, Pal."

To be honest, my hair and skin feel amazing too. Despite daily baths and washing, my hair always felt dry. My hair is a deep seiran blue, a color my mother once compared to the depths of the ocean when I was young. I don’t have many memories of her since she passed away when I was little. But I still remember how comforting it felt when she stroked my seiran blue hair.

"Master, are you thinking about your mother again?"

"How did you know?"

"I know everything about you, Master. When you think of her, your golden eyes soften with warmth, but then I see a shadow of sadness."

My memories of my mother are filled with joy, but their scarcity fills me with sorrow.

"It pains me to see you sad, Master."

"Thanks for worrying about me, Pal. You’re the only one who truly understands me."

"Exactly! I know everything about you, Master!"

Pal puffed out her chest with pride, and her ample bosom jiggled noticeably—a sight to behold, for sure. Anyway, let’s set aside the sword today and pick up a hoe instead.

In the garden, I began tilling the soil with the hoe. Preparing the earth is necessary to plant the herbs I gathered. Tilling isn’t just a physical task—it’s training, too. Hmph! Hmph!

The rhythmic thunk, thunk, thunk of the hoe breaking the ground echoed as I worked. To enrich the soil, I mixed in black and compost-rich soil brought from the mountain where the herbs grew. Adding magic power to the soil further enhances the growth of the plants.

"Grace."

This spell imbues soil and materials with holy blessings, lasting up to ten years. It’s something only I can do, and even for large fields, it’s manageable. Although my garden is just a small section of the estate, it still requires effort.

"That should do it for now."

Tilling soil uses different muscles than swinging a sword, making it excellent training. Afterward, I watered the ground with water infused with the Grace spell and planted herbs like rokai. Though the number is small, I hope they grow healthily.

"Oh, Pal, you look especially radiant today!"

"Hehe, you noticed?"

"What’s your secret? Spill!"

The vegetable vendor, who had come to deliver produce, noticed Pal’s hair and glowing skin. Pal eagerly explained about the soap.

"Good for you!"

"Right? I know!"

She looks so happy. Well, it’s normal for girls to enjoy chatting, I suppose.

"Can I have some too?"

"I can give you a sample!"

What? A sample? Is she planning to sell the soap now?

"Here you go!"

Wait, why does she already have small, pre-packaged portions ready?

"Could I get one too?"

"Of course!"

How many people is she giving this to? I don’t plan to make soap for selling.

"Master, a royal messenger has arrived."

After closing the clinic, finishing dinner, and working on a certain project, Sorderic whispered this news to me.

This project—something even I, a great sage in my previous life, couldn’t achieve—has become my first true success in this world. It’s a groundbreaking accomplishment.

Though I wanted to tell the messenger to leave, I knew it wasn’t fair to dismiss someone just doing their job. I decided to meet them.

In the living room, the same messenger from before was sitting quietly. Sorderic’s training seemed to have worked.

"It’s been a while, Sai."

"Indeed, it has, Messenger."

The messenger bowed deeply, and I responded with a light nod.

"I apologize for the repeat visit, but I’ve come on the same matter as before."

It must be about the commendation for the Red Dragon defeat. Let’s hear them out.

"Please, go ahead."

"Thank you. His Majesty wishes to bestow upon you the Flame Jewel Medal, recognizing your extraordinary achievement in slaying the Red Dragon."

Ah, they’ve decided to elevate the recognition to the second-highest honor, the Flame Jewel Medal. It’s clear the kingdom wants to maintain strong ties with someone capable of defeating a Red Dragon.

The highest honor, the Holy Cross Medal, is reserved for individuals who have served the kingdom for years and been awarded the Flame Jewel Medal twice. Since this is my first medal, the Flame Jewel Medal is the highest they can offer me now.

Demanding the Holy Cross Medal would likely damage my relationship with the king. It’s better to accept gracefully.

"Additionally, His Majesty wishes to offer a reward of 1,000 gold coins."

"Even though the Red Dragon wasn’t slain under a royal decree, there’s a reward?"

"Had His Majesty known someone capable of slaying it existed, he would surely have issued a decree."

So they’re framing it like that. I see. It’s a bit of an excuse, but it works.

"Would you kindly accept these honors?"

I’d already decided to accept the medal. The monetary reward was unexpected, though. I’ll need to prepare a gift for the royal court.

"With such a gracious offer, I can’t refuse. Please convey my acceptance to His Majesty."

I agreed to receive the medal and reward. The exact date for the ceremony will be decided later, so the messenger will likely return soon.