Episode 154 Side story: Secret pottery experience - The Saga of Lioncourt

At last, popular vote winner Varian and the wife of the sixth-ranked potter make their appearance. This story differs completely from the previous one, so please bear with us. This tale takes place around the time when the expansion plan for the territory's capital had just begun. During my long-awaited inspection trip to the pioneer town of Basin, I decided to stop by a newly established settlement in the vicinity. This settlement consisted of merely five houses, an unnamed community where potters had just been relocated. Recently, I shifted my hobby from creating tiles to pottery, and I often found myself visiting this settlement to participate in pottery workshops. The purpose of my visit this time was to check the research results on glazed pottery being tested by the lead potter in the settlement, but unfortunately, the potter seemed to be away today. ...Well, even if the husband isn't around, I can still conduct an inspection. Although it might be somewhat inappropriate to enter the workshop without permission, I am the king. What's within the territory belongs to me, so a bit of such entitlement should be permissible (Note: No, it isn't). Glazed pottery is a rarity in this land, and once completed, it could become a trading commodity. Currency circulation is gradually increasing in Lioncourt, and there is likely to be demand for luxury items. While reflecting on how important it is not only to ensure people have food but also to nurture cultural roots, I toured the workshop. I eagerly await the outcomes. ―――――― After briefly confirming the research results, I decided to indulge in a pottery workshop at the studio. Naturally, I couldn’t do it alone, so the potter’s wife accompanied me. I had visited many times, so she was a familiar face. The wife, with her simply braided brown hair, was a bit lean but possessed a noteworthy voluminous presence. She was quite a remarkable woman. "...First, you knead the clay and blend it evenly." "I see, so you make it uniform." As I moved my hands in tandem with the potter's wife's actions, a soft, moist texture transferred to my fingertips, bringing me joy. "...Next, you do this to make coils with the clay..." "Like this?" When I firmly squeezed, the potter's wife softly pleaded, "Oh no, Your Majesty," asking for restraint. However, the art of crafting a vessel had only just begun. Unyielding, I continued my vigorous motions. "What’s the matter? If you don’t tell me what to do next..." "Oh, that’s...that’s not right..." Gradually, the instruction from the wife intensified and became more fervent. Thus commenced our secret pottery lesson, where I received her teachings repeatedly. I became so engrossed that I continued until a member of my escort, from the brotherhood, cautioned, "Your Majesty, the house owner will soon return." Apparently, we both lost track of time. Indeed, art is a wonderful thing. It soothes a weary heart and enriches life. I reaffirmed the greatness of culture and resolved to firmly root it across the territory. Incidentally, the vessel I created was quite distorted, resembling a warped teacup, but I found it amusing and decided to have it fired as is. Given her compliment that I was "as sturdy as a bull" during its creation, I named it "The Bull." ―――――― The resultant vessel, however, was met with overwhelming disapproval. My second daughter, Lina, wrinkled her nose and remarked, "Dad's doing weird things again," before walking off. She's at that difficult age. Though the secret experience with the potter's wife shouldn’t be known, there's no telling with teenagers. Rolo smiled wryly and commented, "Wouldn't it be more practical if it were round?" Clearly, he lacks an appreciation for this playful spirit. The butler, Maurice, with an earnest demeanor, repeatedly said, "I don't understand it, but I think it’s wonderful. I don’t understand it, though." None of them seem to have an appreciation for art. It looks like it will take time for culture to truly take root in Lioncourt’s land. For the cultural enlightenment of everyone, perhaps another pottery lesson is necessary in about a month. I penciled “territory inspection” into my schedule for next month.