DLBF Chapter 18

Chapter 18 – Picnic and Sketches

Chapter 2, Part 1.2

Novel Title: ルーデンドルフ公と森の獣 (Duke Ludendorff and the Beast of the Forest)

Author：かわい有美子 (Kawai Yumiko)

Illustrator: 周防佑未 (Suoh Yuumi)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 藤森賢士 (Kenji Fujimori -MC), ユリアン ルーデンドルフ (Julian Ludendorff -ML)

*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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He wondered how long he would hold his hand. But the atmosphere was so good that he felt reluctant to pull away. Fujimori let Julian do as he pleased, not wanting to ruin this heartwarming moment.

In this clear, pleasant atmosphere, Fujimori quickly forgot any small concerns.

The intense summer sunlight, which would probably be unbearably glaring in Tokyo, was pleasantly filtered here by the trees, softly falling as dappled light. It was a wonderful place where you’d almost want to hang up a hammock.

“Paul.”

Julian suddenly let go of Fujimori’s hand and raised it towards someone behind him.

Turning around, Fujimori saw Paul approaching with a large basket and a thermos.

The basket was the kind you’d see in classic movies—a traditional picnic basket.

Chef Forst had done a great job here, too, as the basket was packed with ham and sausages.

The large thermos Paul carried was filled with plenty of coffee.

“Wow, it’s enough for both of us!” Fujimori exclaimed, delighted by the sight of the picnic lunch.

“It was suggested by Frau Gessner to bring enough for Herr Fujimori as well,” Paul replied with his usual stern expression.

Julian had brought Fujimori along without mentioning anything about lunch. So he was grateful for the thoughtfulness. It seemed that Frau Gessner had arranged for Fujimori’s portion as well.

“We’ll take care of the basket, so no need for any more service,” Julian said, declining Paul’s help as he laid out the contents of the basket on the table.

Paul nodded and, relieved of his duties, perhaps enjoying the refreshing weather, descended the hill with a spring in his step.

Julian watched Paul leave with an amused expression, sending him off with a friendly gaze. Seeing this, Fujimori felt a sense of warmth and began to wonder if Julian was closer to the man he had thought of as rude. 

Paul and Fujimori still didn’t quite get along. Paul didn’t seem to treat Julian, his master, with much care either. Fujimori had always considered him to be nothing more than an incompetent servant.

“How long has Paul been working for you?”

Julian nodded as he poured coffee into a mug. “I’ve known him since I was a child.”

“Since that long ago? So you’re childhood friends…?”

Fujimori, beginning to understand, started arranging the sandwiches, wrapped in waxed paper, on a plate and poured soup into a cup. Perhaps that casual attitude made sense if they were childhood friends.

“Yeah, something like that. Frau Gessner has also been around since I was a kid.”

If it was Frau Gessner, Fujimori could easily believe she had been there even before Julian was born.

“Well then… Itadakimasu.”

Fujimori, having finished preparing the meal, smiled brightly and put his hands together in a gesture of gratitude before eating. Julian also smiled, saying “Itadakimasu” as he put his hands together.

The Hachigaya residence was primarily a Western-style house. But since a Japanese family had lived there, the interior was designed with a Japanese sensibility. When Fujimori was in it, he felt like a foreigner staying at an old Western-style hotel.

However, sitting here in the middle of the forest with a lunch prepared by a German cook, Fujimori felt more like he had wandered into a German forest. Although he had been forcibly made to stay by the professor and had yet to make contact, he found himself comfortably lingering at the mansion under Julian’s hospitality.

As Fujimori leisurely enjoyed the delicious meal in this cool spot, he thought that this lifestyle really wasn’t bad at all as he took a bite of his sandwich and salad.

Before Fujimori knew it, Julian’s pencil was gliding smoothly over the paper.

Casually peeking over, Fujimori saw that Julian was sketching his profile.

“Kenji…” Julian pointed at Fujimori and smiled.

“Huh, me…?” The outline was unmistakably his. Though it was a rough pencil sketch, the smile captured at the corner of his lips was intricately detailed. As a sketch, it was quite remarkable.

Fujimori, who had been looking at Julian from an angle he wasn’t used to, found it curious that Julian could show such a side to him.

“You made me look about thirty percent more handsome.” Fujimori said. Julian placed his half-eaten sandwich on the plate, seemingly intending to redraw Fujimori, as he flipped to a new page in his sketchbook and told Fujimori to just act naturally.

“It’s the first time anyone’s ever drawn a picture of me. It’s making me nervous.” 

“You’re also the first person I’ve ever wanted to draw as an individual.” When Fujimori playfully commented, Julian responded just as lightly.

“Is it interesting to draw me?”

“Because you’re charming.”

Julian started to speak. But then he paused, his voice trailing off as he seemed to consider something.

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*Translator’s Note: Suddenly, this turns from ‘Dracula’ to ‘Titanic’ (where Jack draws Rose, not the ship sinking part, okay) real quick. -K

Next update: 2024.11.07

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