W1.A1-9: A Mother’s Sacrifice – Heavy Ingredients

Buzz!

"So I'm a butcher's knife now?"

"Uh…" An awkward expression appeared on my face, but I changed it to a smile. "Isn't it said that you should treat your sword as a part of yourself?" I asked.

"I'm only doing what I would have done myself had I had the ability to cut through its tough skin." I explained before raising an ordinary, military-issued sword. "See this?" I pointed at its edge, which had cracked a bit. "This was the result of only one attack."

There was silence for a brief moment before…

Buzz!

"Just make it quick." It conveyed its thoughts as it landed in my right hand.

I couldn't help but be happy. Taking it in my arms like I was hugging it, I exclaimed, "Thank you! You really are my good sword!"

Buzz!

"Get your hands off me before I give your pecker a slice and you end up with two of them!"

I hurriedly pushed it back as soon as I heard its words, making it float in midair again.

"Darn it!" As cold sweat glistened on my forehead, I couldn't help but complain, "So you've found a new way to threaten me, eh?" For a faint second, I thought I felt it getting embarrassed in my arms. But considering my dear companion's personality, I discarded it as an illusion.

Buzz!

"Well, it's one of the few things that you seem to place importance on; it's only natural for me to use it."

This got me curious.

Putting aside the work at hand for a moment, I asked my dear sword with some curiosity in my voice, "Can you tell who or what else you include in that category?"

Buzz!

"Can't you think of them yourself?" It sounded a bit annoyed but still answered, "There are only a handful of people like that in your life." It took a small pause before continuing, "First, of course, would be your mother."

I nodded, as there was no doubt about it.

Buzz!

"Second would be that creepy person in the capital." It added.

"Huh?" I was confused for a moment before asking, "Are you talking about my master?"

"Yes." The sword moved a little, as if nodding.

"How is my master creepy?" I couldn't understand this odd sword's strange point of view.

It turned silent, as if speechless, before speaking, uh, buzzing.

Buzz!

"Don't tell me you never noticed your master's weird gaze." It sounded incredulous.

I thought about my master's rigid stare and couldn't help but smile. "How's that creepy?" I asked. "That's just my master's way of showing solemnity."

"Yeah, right!" It sounded like it was scoffing at me. But I couldn't be too sure, as there were no expressions to look at besides the dangerously sharp blade, which was a bit intimidating to look at.

"Who's next?" I asked again.

Buzz!

"Hmm…" It seemed to be thinking as it commented after a moment. "It should be that girl that your pecker keeps getting in and out of."

I nodded in understanding before realizing something.

"Damn!" I cursed. "Are you a peeping tom or what?" And said, "Don't you know to keep out of someone's private matters?"

Buzz!

Disdainful in its buzzing, the sword retorted, "There's no privacy to speak of considering I reside with you."

I was tongue-tied at the reply because it was essentially correct.

"Uh… We should probably complete the work here so that we can return before lunch." I tried to change the topic as my hand grabbed its hilt.

The sword also stopped bickering with me and fell silent. So I quickly walked towards the carcass of the giant bull.

Taking a relaxed stance, I waved my sword.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

As light as a breeze, my sword passed through the tough hide without me feeling any resistance.

Looking at precisely cut pieces of bull meat, I showed a happy smile, as my mouth had already started watering.

Buzz!

"Darn it!" It cursed. "At least put me down before wiping your drool!"

"Oh." I lowered my hand before looking at all the pieces and commented, "It's too much, and I don't have my storage ring on me right now." I then decided, "Guess I'll just select the best ones."

Neigh!

Hearing the cry, I turned and found Bert coming back from his errand. He was carrying some large leaves in his mouth as he trotted over to me.

Neigh!

Placing the leaves down, he nudged me with his head.

"Yeah, yeah. You did a great job." Only after my comment did he let out a content snort.

I picked up the leave and walked back towards the meat while saying, "Let's pack it up and go home; I'm feeling hungry already."

...

"I hope I'm not late." I muttered to myself as I entered the estate while Bert followed behind me with a big leafy bundle on his back.

"Oh? You're back, young master." Aunt Yena, who just came out, greeted me before looking behind me and exclaiming, "What is that?"

"Ingredients for tonight's dinner." I smiled.

"It'd be great if you'd call some more people." I said, pointing at the big package, "It'll require a few hands to carry."

Although curious, Aunt Yena agreed hurriedly and told me to wait as she hurried back to call over help.

Soon, the maids came over. They greeted me one by one, and I replied back in kind.

After that, they got to work as one maid dragged over a footstool to get things down Bert's back.

I had to intervene at that point, as both Bert and the weight of the package were not things they could handle.

I grabbed the footstool and climbed up before getting the package down.

Thwack!

"It seems heavy." One of the newly recruited maids commented as she saw me place the heavy-looking package down.

"It is." I said this as I was about to unpack it. "Let me unpack it, and we'll each carry a piece."

"No, young master Daniel." But Aunt Yena hurriedly stopped me. "We can't let you do this kind of work, especially not when you are here for only a couple of days," she said. "Madam will kill me if she knows."

"Now you're just exaggerating, Aunt Yena." I couldn't help but chuckle at her words. But still, seeing their serious faces, I knew I'd be disrespecting them if I insisted further.

I could only ask, "Uh, do you have like a cart or something?" I pointed at the meat pack and said, "We can't move this thing in one go otherwise." I didn't know how many rounds we would have to run before taking it all away.

Aunt Yena was about to agree, but one of the new maids seemed to be especially enthusiastic as she said, "You worry too much, young master." Showing her dainty fists, she said, "This is nothing for us, young master. You can just leave it to us."

"Are you sure, Jennie?" Aunt Yena couldn't help but ask. I didn't consider it suitable for her to do such heavy work, so I had her stand beside me.

"Don't worry, Miss Yena." The maid showed a toothy smile that she herself thought was reassuring.

Saying so, she walked towards the meat load and placed her hand on it. "Sisters, let's show the young master the power of us maids!" She called out to her fellow maids with an excited expression.

The other maids were also affected by her enthusiasm. They quickly stepped forward to offer help.

Meanwhile, I had already crossed my arms to watch the show from the side. I already knew the outcome and could've ordered them not to do it, but it'll be more fun after they realize it themselves.

"One, two…" After all the maids had assembled around the package, the enthusiastic maid Jennie began the countdown.

"…three! … Urrgh…"

== ඞ ඞ ඞ ඞ ඞ ඞ ==

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