A land blessed with favor.

Later, Lovell and Elen explained the matter to Sauvel.

Sauvel was somewhat surprised to learn that spirits had a weakness for sweets, but he happily agreed, delighted that the celebration for the Vanklyft Family’s abundant harvest would be possible only with the spirits’ blessing.

"I’d like to ask the household cook to guide the townspeople, and have everyone make pies and cookies together. And… could we also make special treats for the spirits?"

"Ah, right. I remember when that delicious smell caused such a commotion before. So, better to involve them from the start, huh? Got it."

Sauvel agreed with a wry smile.

"I think the pie filling would be delicious not only with sweetened pastes of crops, but also with meat and vegetables simmered down into a rich paste."

"Wow... that sounds great."

"I think meat dishes cooked sweet and savory with wine would be delicious too. How about making that a grown-up option?"

"That sounds like fun."

We could make sweets together, and hand them out to those who can’t join.

We three started going over the finer details, and asked the household staff to help out.

I also asked Sauvel to explain things to Liliana and the others. Since we couldn’t tell the patients they couldn’t eat, it felt cruel to just leave them disappointed—so I asked him to help distribute the treats instead.

Stopping Liliana mid-step, Sauvel began explaining the harvest festival, cheeks faintly flushed.

Elen and Lovell were secretly watching Sauvel from behind a corner when, without noticing, Isabella and Lauren had quietly joined them from behind.

(Still as awkward as ever, Sauvel!)

(Completely agree… wait, Mother, when did you—)

(Thought I was watching my son grow, but nothing’s changed since then!!)

(Grandma…?)

Lauren calmly soothed Isabella, who was tapping her fingers in frustration.

Watching them like this, it was clear as day—Isabella and Lovell thought almost exactly the same way.

They were clearly the type to throw themselves headfirst into love. Seeing her father nod along with Isabella’s claims, Elen just sighed, shaking her head. She’d seen her parents’ dynamic often enough.

Then she paused. If that’s the case… who does Sauvel even resemble? Elen asked Isabella, "Uncle… are you like Grandpa?"

(Oh… now that you mention it… they’re almost identical!!)

Lovell grinned at Isabella’s surprised expression, as if to say, “Well, well, isn’t that something?”

Lauren glanced at Lovell, who was smirking, her eyes crinkling with nostalgia.

(Well, if you put it that way… the way they both welcome visitors without hesitation is almost uncanny…)

(...That’s right…)

Something seemed to occur to Lauren, and Isabella’s earlier enthusiasm fizzled out.

Elen tilted her head, then suddenly snapped to attention.

(Grandma?)

(Oh? What is it, Elen dear?)

Elen smiled back at Isabella’s cheerful grin and dropped the bomb.

(Did you go to Grandpa’s place, Grandma?)

(…!?)

Isabella flushed crimson, and now Lauren and Lovell were both grinning like fools.

(Mistress Elen, Lady Isabella and the late master are already legendary…)

(…Legendary!?)

(You didn’t know? Mother’s tales were famous… I’ll tell you about it sometime…)

"Y-ya-yamena, you all...!!"

Isabella had been so flustered she’d forgotten to keep her voice low.

Elen found Isabella’s flushed face endearing, but for some reason, Lauren and Lovell both looked green.

"Hmph!!"

Sauvel, looming behind with a goblin’s face, made Elen flinch and turn pale too.

"What are you all sneaking around...?"

"Ah, everyone. Good day to you."

Liliana greeted them with a smile, and everyone chorused back in unison, grinning.

Then, in the next instant— "Run!!!" Lovell screamed, spinning 180 degrees mid-shout.

"Ah!! Wait!!"

"Ah, ah...?"

The group giggled, shrieking as they dashed down the hall, carefree and full of energy. Sauvel just sighed, watching them go with a deadpan stare.

Elen was panting, stumbling along. Isabella and the others were having a blast.

Fufufu! What fun this is!

Sweet and tangy, isn’t it? Grandfather’s reminiscing about old times already~

I want to hear about Grandma and Grandpa!

Hohohoho! If you’d like to hear my story, then—

"Woohoo!"

Forget about me, alright!?

The air in the manor had grown calm—unthinkable just a few years ago.

While everyone was having tea, Raffilia, having finished her studies, joined in with a sly, “Cheater!”

Before I even notice, it's become routine—everyone gathered, sharing laughs over tea.

Elen thought, secretly, that she’d never let this be broken.

＊＊＊

The harvest festival proposed by the lord was a shock to the townspeople.

Some children are shouting about the festival, but when asked about the festival’s true purpose, they explain it’s a celebration to give thanks to the spirits.

They offered up the sweets they’d made to the spirits, saying their thanks—everyone stood up, as if this were the most obvious thing in the world.

Hearing that any leftover ingredients or food were fair game for everyone to eat, naturally, everyone wanted to join in.

On the day itself, there was chaos—girls and children busied themselves with making sweets, while the men ran around gathering firewood for the hearth.

Working together, we prepared food and drink, and before long, there were mountains of pastries.

We built a makeshift altar in the center of town, and under Sauvel’s guidance, we laid out the sweets in neat rows.

“Thanks to the spirits who brought us abundance. Let us pray to the goddess!”

Everyone prayed with single-minded focus.

This territory had suffered countless misfortunes—but ever since the hero blessed by the spirits returned, luck has held steady.

Many had come here, clinging to their final hope, struck down by a wasting sickness.

They still believed, to this day, that the medicine which saved their lives had been crafted by the spirit princess.

"Zegen Vanclift!"

Someone shouted, meaning "land beloved by spirits, land of blessings."

Then, one after another, voices rose in unison: "Zegen!"

The people of the domain weren’t thanking just the spirits—they were shouting their gratitude to the lord too.

Sauvel cracked a smile at that.

Elen watched from the shadows, quietly working her magic.

She’d done the same thing before—back at her parents’ wedding, scattering a diamond shower from above.

The crowd stared, eyes wide, as glittering lights rained down from the sky.

Then, just as they neared people, she shifted the pattern—making the lights vanish as if dissolving into the air.

And just as the onlookers looked up, they suddenly noticed the offerings had vanished completely—like they’d been snatched away in a blink.

“Eh…?!”

In front of everyone’s stunned faces, Van—still in his beast form, standing beside Kai—stepped forward and gave a greeting as the spirit representative.

“We’ve received your prayers. Do not forget that feeling.”

Kai’s spirit was said to be a great spirit, though it rarely showed itself in public.

Unlike ordinary spirits, Van’s divine presence struck fear into the townspeople—but Van, instantly aware of their reaction, vanished with a teleportation as soon as his business was done.

Witnessing this, the townspeople erupted in excitement the very next moment.

Sauvel chuckled at their reaction and shouted,

“The spirits are pleased! Let’s make today a celebration! Everyone, enjoy yourselves—eat, eat, eat!!”

Waaahhh!!! The Vanklyft lands rang with joyous cries.

＊＊＊

Floating above the grand hall, Elen hovered amid a mountain of sweets the vassals had made.

Spirit beings, drawn by the scent, poured in from every direction.

"Uh, so, sweets have arrived from the humans. Who’s going to help with the information-gathering task Father mentioned?"

Elen tilted her head, eyes on the reward. Instantly, every hand shot up.

Like a military drill—bam—everyone raised their hands at once. Elen’s cheek twitched slightly.

Food’s magic is seriously scary… Honestly, I’m not even joking.

The celebration honoring the Vanklyft Family spirits became an annual tradition.

And so deeply did people embrace it that the phrase "Zegen" became a common greeting—just another way to say thanks for the blessings.

It didn’t take long for the name “Zegen Vanclift” to sink in.