Compensation θ ~ I might be late for reincarnation, but since I was born as the talented eldest son of a prestigious noble, I might be on the winning side.

TLN – The previous covenant [Blessing of Spirits] will be changed to [Spirits Grace] from this chapter onward, as it sound more concise.

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《The engraving of  the second [Reason] is complete. Would you like to confirm?》

Right now, I can’t. Let’s discuss it later.

《Understood》

《Continuing with the engraving of the next level?》

The engraving of the [Reason] has become a significant mental strain lately.

The pain in the soul is different in from physical pain, as I had heard. However, experiencing it firsthand, I quickly understood. It doesn’t last forever, but once my emotions plummet, there’s nothing I can do.

I feel unmotivated to do anything, and no matter what I see, I don’t feel like laughing. I feel depressed, my expression becomes cloudy, and I feel sad for no reason.

Naturally, I’ve also lost my appetite. Even though I understand the reason, I still try to eat, but nothing goes down. Well, there are more reasons why I can’t eat, but that’s not the point.

When I was bedridden, I couldn’t chew properly, so I ate things like thin soups and mashed vegetables, resembling baby food.

After the awakening of my abilities, I gradually increased the amount of food and solid dishes. Now, I can enjoy elaborate and elegant meals.

Yes, elaborate and elegant meals — this was actually exacerbating my loss of appetite.

“But I don’t want to eat this.”

At first, I thought the dishes, made mainly of fresh milk, cheese, eggs, and meat, were very delicious. Vegetables are served as appetizers and garnishes, and the nutritional balance is not too bad.

I wondered if it was okay because the main dish was made of meat, so I decided to take the plunge and say I wanted to eat fish. And then the food appeared in front of me.

A creamy simmered white fish and warm vegetables with a mellow, buttery aroma made with plenty of fresh cream.

“It’s heavy. It’s too heavy.”

“Did it not suit your taste?”

“It’s delicious, but it’s not what I want. I want something lighter, not butter and cream.”

I had to be clear about this now, even if it meant causing trouble in the kitchen. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Or in this case, can’t we replace calories with nutrients?

The Glass Region is known for its agriculture and livestock, a land of plenty. Small-scale dairy farming is carried out here, and high-quality dairy products are available. However, due to limited transportation options, maintaining freshness and hygiene for raw milk requires significant investment. Processed products like butter and cream are considered luxury items.

When the townsfolk were asked what they’d like to eat for a celebration, they’d say, “Creamy stew, of course”. It was expensive but popular.”

But occasionally eating it is fine; though, using it as a staple is impossible. Before turning into a fatty piglet with a fatty liver, my stomach would give up. My intestines would revolt.

Eating equals gaining weight equals having nutrients.

I feel like it’s because nutritional science hasn’t advanced here that they think like this. Dairy products, primarily milk (yes, there are cows in this world), were also used in baby food and care food, so they had a proven track record.

“Lord Lyon, what do you mean by ‘lighter food’?”

“’Light’ means something that isn’t greasy, something refreshing. Without using dairy products. Just some saltiness to enhance the natural flavor of the ingredients.”

“I see. Southern cuisine I had before was like that. I’ll ask the kitchen right away.”

Huh? Why did he answer so seriously? It could just be salt-grilled or salt-boiled. Why make such a big deal out of it? But I’m curious about this ‘light’ southern cuisine. Well, I’ll wait a bit.

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What’s expected of me right now is to eat well, sleep well, and become healthy. So, as a distraction and to fulfill those expectations, I’ve started taking walks around the estate.

If I stay holed up in my room, everyone starts worrying about every little thing I do, so it’s partly to avoid that.

The child, who have been cared for so carefully, are finally getting healthier, but now something’s off with me. Telling myself not to worry is impossible, so I’m trying to increase my activity level, even just a bit.

“Hey, Morris, can I go outside?”

I want to go outside soon. I’ve engraved the second [Reason], and while it’s still going to take some time, I wanted to do basic magic training.

“When you say ‘outside’?”

“Maybe the open terrace?”

Still, I doubt they’ll let me go outside right away. So, I tried to compromise in my own way.

“It might be a bit early to be exposed to the outside air. How about I guide you to the Light Garden for a walk?”

Even this is a no-go? Well, fine. Today, I’m the panda at the zoo again.

“Aren’t you feeling cold?”

“I’m fine. It’s warm. It’s always bright here.”

On the southern side of the estate, there’s a place called the Light Garden. To give an analogy, it’s like a combination of a patio and a conservatory—a garden with carefully arranged plantings and fountains, along with a cozy conservatory furnished with tasteful furniture. You could also call it an elaborate garden room.

There’s a two-tiered open space with a feeling of expansiveness, and the walls facing the lake and the slanted ceiling are covered in high-transparency full-length glass.

The paving stones have a distinct reddish hue, and there are sprawling trees and fruit-bearing plants. There’s a variety in elevations of the plantings, and colorful flowers are in full bloom. Clean water flows through waterways and basins.

Under the radiant sunlight, the plants thrive in this soothing space, and above all, the view is spectacular.

The mystical lake, known as the “Crescent Lake,” alternatively called the “Spirit Lake.” The panorama presents a wide lake view, with three layers: the blue sky, the green of the forest on the opposite shore, and the deep blue of the lake, all stretching across the entire field of vision.

The estate where I currently reside is built on a small island in the center of the lake, so it looks like it’s floating on the lake from the outside.

“Being this close, doesn’t the estate flood?”

“Never once has that happened.”

Strangely enough, the water level remains constant throughout the year, regardless of the weather. It neither rises nor dries up.

At the edge of my field of vision, I can see the open terrace to the southeast of the estate. Over there, you can probably feel the breeze sweeping over the lake and catch the scent of the forest on the opposite shore. I’d really like to go there. But it’s still off-limits.

“Is someone living in that forest?”

“The lake and the surrounding forest are private property of the Duke’s family. Security is, of course, strict, and access is strictly controlled. Please rest assured.”

So, such a vast area is a private area where only authorized personnel can enter?

I leisurely stroll through the Light Garden and when I get tired, I lie down on a reclining chair made just for me. The cushions are so soft, the blanket is so fluffy. Alright! I’m starting to feel better.

Glancing around discreetly, I can tell that the people who work in this estate are relieved to see me relaxing.

The staff here mainly consists of locals from Valenfield and relatives of the Kilyam Duke’s family. For them, the Spirit Lake holds a particularly special significance.

My ancestor, Lord Lucas, was an extraordinarily skilled spirit user.

At the time, the environment was barren and uninhabitable, but using the power of spirits, he transformed it into a land rich in water resources, breathing life into the previously desolate land.

That first miraculous achievement was this lake.

It served as a precious water source during the early days of settlement and has now become an object of reverence in its own right.

Surrounded by the forest, the Spirit Lake was the place where Lord Lucas concluded his lifetime, and the estate itself is considered one of Lord Lucas’s great legacies.

Furthermore, Lord Lucas’s descendants have, generation after generation, displayed a strong affinity with spirits.

In fact, the Kilyam Duke’s family has produced several recipients of the Covenant [Spirits Grace] over the years. This could also be considered an intangible legacy.

Having the Covenant of [Spirits Grace] means having the unconditional favor of spirits.

The land where the covenant holder resides is naturally blessed with favorable weather and abundant harvests. This is not mere superstition; there is a substantial record of this accumulated over time.

In a society of the past, the promise of a bountiful harvest alone could warrant one being treated as overpowered. However, there appears to be significant individual variation in the level of manifestation of innate abilities.

One of the representative innate abilities of the covenant is [Spirit Sense], the ability to sense the presence of spirits, which are invisible to ordinary people.

As someone with a higher-level covenant, I naturally possess this ability, and the moment I entered the Light Garden, it was activated intensely. The gazes of the small spirits in the lake. Countless, unabashed gazes, too numerous to count, were all directed solely at me.