Chapter 598 - Backyard of the Stray Priest ㉓
Chronologically, this story takes place around the first half of Chapter 20, Episode 4.
Lately, the King of Primordia’s mornings have been early. He departs the royal palace at the break of dawn. Boarding a prepared carriage, he begins the journey toward the outskirts. Until recently, he could have had the Bowl Squad, assigned to the scout units, prepare and fly to every corner of the country on high-speed bowls. However, with the start of the war on the continent, they had all been reassigned to the hospital ship fleet constructed for the effort. As a result, he has been boarding a carriage early every morning to tour the farms under direct royal control. Naturally, because he must still perform his official duties, his range of movement has narrowed significantly, and he can no longer visit as frequently as he once did. This was a source of great dissatisfaction for him. Fortunately, lands far from the Royal Capital had been distributed to nobles after the political upheaval that led to him being called the Liberator King. Originally, the crown lands were concentrated around the Royal Capital. The territories of the ten nobles purged during the upheaval were largely split between locations far from the capital and those surrounding it. In the redistribution following the coup, the distant lands were given to the nobility, while the lands around the capital were incorporated into the crown's direct holdings. Consequently, even the furthest lands could be reached via special carriage within a day's travel, including an overnight stay.
"Your Majesty. Thank you for your continued inspections day after day. Is there any strain on your health?"
Normally, he is accompanied by one official and one priest. Accompanying him this morning is his own daughter, Sianya, who assists the King as an advisor. Sianya does not always accompany him. She joins him about once every two weeks, alternating weekly with Archbishop Cadogan. She was no less busy than the King. She is involved in almost all political matters except military affairs, and in times of emergency, she is granted the authority to act as the King's deputy alongside Crown Prince Edward. Furthermore, she is a member of the clergy as well as an advisor. Alongside her official duties as an advisor, she also fulfills her duties as a priestess. Being a rare high-level holy magic user, she has recently joined Edward in demon countermeasures, centered around Medioland. She also participates in meetings where queens and princesses from various nations gather to discuss countermeasures for the Karmic Disease and aid for the impoverished, handling diplomacy within that scope.
Since the previous political upheaval, the position of Prime Minister has not been established. Instead, a collective leadership system has been implemented with the King acting as the chairperson, so to speak. The members consist of nine people: five nobles representing the country, Edward as the Commander-in-Chief of the National Army, Sianya as the advisor, and Cadogan, the Archbishop of the Royal Capital's Great Church.
"Thank you, Sianya. I am fine. Besides, I feel more at ease out here than I do in the royal palace. I was never suited to be a King by birth."
The King of Primordia frequently vents similar complaints to those around him. The previous King died young after contracting the Karmic Disease. It was just before the political upheaval that he first stated he would abdicate the throne in the year his only son reached adulthood. When he made a similar announcement early in the year following the coup, the Crown Prince himself called for a halt. He was told that since he had declared reforms, he should see them through to completion. As the nobles also agreed with those words, he remains on the throne. Since then, he mentions abdication at every opportunity, but lately, the reactions from those around him have grown thin, and he is largely ignored.
As the King of Primordia, he had hoped to have the new King and the staff handle the military and diplomacy—areas he was not good at—while he himself advanced agricultural reforms and indulged in his hobby of fishing. However, things did not go that way. The agricultural reforms accompanying the abolition of serfdom, which earned him the title of Liberator King, were modeled after Sertoria and Engrio. However, he was effectively the only one who had conducted research and possessed sufficient knowledge. Furthermore, even the farmers who actually tilled the fields and the mages did not understand it. Faced with that reality, he had no choice but to take the lead in instruction himself. Fortunately, there was a manual created by Sertoria, and the latest version had been sent to Primordia. In the crown lands, he provides detailed guidance following a one-year plan alongside local people who join him on-site. Occasionally, when neighboring nobles brought farmers along for study, he even conducted practical lectures.
By nature, he was more interested in agriculture and fishing than in martial arts like swordsmanship or physical techniques—taking a path opposite to his father and elder brother, who were highly praised warriors ranked alongside Henry of Sertoria, who was called the strongest in history during his prime. Originally the second son, he was in a relaxed position. However, his elder brother, the previous King, died young after contracting the Karmic Disease. Moreover, although the war had fallen into a stalemate, it was not yet over. Naturally, his death was kept secret, but the nobles said that if the end of the war had been delayed by even another six months, the secret would have been exposed and they would have faced a fierce assault. The current King, who knew nothing of warfare, managed to navigate the crisis with the help of the surrounding nobles. However, as a price for that, he was looked down upon within the country, and the national administration was completely seized by them. From then until the political upheaval, he spent his days full of mental anguish. Compared to those times, his current life was fulfilling.
They arrived at their destination in about an hour. Since a meeting for the Karmic Disease and aid for the impoverished was to be held tomorrow, he had chosen a nearby location. At the site, as both the King and the Princess were coming for an inspection, the entire village turned out to welcome them along with the responsible administrative official and the village chief.
"Your Majesty, and Sianya-sama. We hope you are in good health. Thank you very much for coming all the way to this village for an inspection in person."
The administrative official welcoming them was a man with the rank of Knight sent from the Royal Capital. Since he had been thoroughly trained in the new agriculture in the capital, he was also the local leader for agricultural reform. And in Primordia, since free farmers are obligated to perform military service, he also becomes the village commander in times of war. Recruitment was aimed at active-duty knights, and those judged to have good character and enthusiasm for agricultural management were selected and dispatched. Since those dispatched are given land, they engage in farming daily alongside the servants and family they hired upon taking office. Normally, a knight for a single generation does not hold territory. They must purchase it themselves. Here, they receive it for free. There were many applicants, and there was no shortage of talent.
"Good work on the welcome. How was this winter? Did the food last?"
"Thank you for your concern. Thanks to your grace, we did not suffer from food shortages during the winter. We slaughtered a few heads of livestock, but as this was according to the original plan, please rest assured."
"I see, that is good. Is there anything else you are lacking?"
"Nothing in particular at the moment."
"How is the wheat?"
"It is progressing smoothly so far."
"I see. If anything happens, tell me at any time. I cannot promise to do everything immediately, but I will provide as much support as possible."
"We are grateful for your consideration."
In order to advance crop rotation, the fields must be divided and cultivated by crop. The wheat yield per household per year decreases. To compensate, sheep farming was encouraged. Traditionally, it was difficult for most livestock to survive the winter because fodder would run out. They used to be slaughtered for meat, but by planting turnips from autumn to winter, winter fodder could be secured. Turnips increase the labor of tilling the land, but since magic became a corvée for mages, it became possible for anyone to till a certain area. Furthermore, because fields for planting the same crops were consolidated at the village level, grazing could also be carried out efficiently. These were all results of the King of Primordia's research based on the manual gifted from Sertoria. It has been nearly three years since he declared the reform of agricultural lands. A full-scale increase in yield was expected.
In the subsequent exchange, there were no issues raised by the village side. It was only the beginning of spring, and the harvest would be in summer. Full-scale grazing and the planting of clover were yet to come. He told them to continue their hard work, and the hearing ended.
"Well then, shall we see the actual fields?"
Mounting the prepared horses, they began a field inspection accompanied by the farmers who were actually tilling the soil.
When starting the reforms, the King of Primordia had prepared detailed maps of the villages. This was even more so after he mastered Flight Magic using Wind Barrier. The village maps were densely filled with the layout of houses, roads, plots for each crop, waterways, waterwheels, and so on. These were remade every year along with the assessment of the village's adult population.
He proceeded along the field path led by two escort knights, with Sianya beside him. Behind them followed four more escort knights and village farmer representatives riding in three carts.
Suddenly, the King stopped his horse and dismounted. He walked straight into the field.
"Look at the way the King walks."
"Yeah, it's just like a farmer."
"It's proof that he truly knows the fields well."
"He is a magnificent King. Truly a man worthy of the name Liberator King."
The farmers, who had jumped off the carts to follow the King, whispered to each other as they watched him walk through the field.
It is said that a seasoned farmer can tell if someone is a good farmer just by the way they walk through a field. It is completely indistinguishable to an ordinary person, but apparently, they can tell. It is different from walking on a road. It is a place with poor footing. He moves with consideration not to damage the crops, yet neither too fast nor too slow. It was unique to a King who had used the fields as his playground since he was a child.
The King called the administrative official and the owner of the field, plucked a few wheat leaves, and discussed something. After performing similar exchanges in several other fields, he called Sianya.
"Sianya, do we have any spare Anti-Sepsis scrolls?"
"Yes. We have secured scrolls for agricultural use."
"Prepare enough for a large barrel's worth to use on this village's wheat fields. It is better to spread it now while we can."
"Is manual scattering acceptable?"
"Yes. That will do."
"Understood. I will make the arrangements."
What the King had found was a disease in the wheat. The situation was not that severe. It was unknown how much it would spread in the future, but he thought it best to take action early. With that in mind, he spoke to Sianya.
Sianya called the person in charge of the village and coordinated the logistics. In short, she told them to come with a cart to collect the magic water on a designated day.
"He spotted it while just glancing from horseback."
"No, he truly is an incredible person."
The farmers watching the scene praised the King's conduct for a while.
After finishing the inspection of the fields and parting with the villagers, they visited the village church. Here, they were welcomed by the Bishop, who was the head of the church, and one assisting priest.
"Your Majesty, Priestess Sianya. We are honored by your visit."
"I am only here to listen. Coordinate the details with Sianya."
"Understood."
The King and Sianya entered the church, while the other companions remained on standby.
In the church, they spoke about countermeasures for the Karmic Disease. The person in charge was not the King, but the accompanying priestess. Although Sianya was accompanying him this time, in most cases, the priest in charge of the isolation wards would accompany him. Sometimes Archbishop Cadogan would join. The content of the talk was the disease countermeasures advanced by Archbishop Cadogan. After confirming whether any disease had broken out, the conversation turned to the experiments in the villages designed together with Archbishop Cadogan and Bishop Anri.
"Since we were told that the disease affecting the lungs that spreads in winter cannot be cured with magic water, we handled it primarily with medicinal tea prescriptions."
"Were there any deaths?"
"No, fortunately, there were no deaths. It is likely because the winters have been somewhat warmer in recent years and the food situation has improved."
"That is good to hear."
"Also, as per the guidance, we have installed stone-heated baths and are encouraging the habit of bathing with warm water once a day."
"That is a good thing."
After Sianya said that, she chuckled.
"Did something happen?"
The head of the church looked puzzled.
"No, I just remembered a friend of mine who insisted that when women use outdoor baths, they must be careful to prevent peeping. How is it in this village?"
People peeping at the women's bath...
The Bishop and the assisting priest looked at each other. It was something they could hardly imagine.
"Are there such unscrupulous people?"
"It seems they exist in some places. And once one person starts peeping, others start to imitate them."
"What should we do?"
"Can you set up a watch?"
"If it's the village guards, we can provide them, but..."
"They are men, right?"
"Yes."
"'He went out for sheep's wool and came home shorn,' as they say. (T/N: A proverb meaning to go out to gain something but end up losing instead, or in this context, the guards themselves might become the problem.) Can you not set up a female watch?"
There were no female guards. The women of the village basically gave birth, raised children, and did housework.
"Bishop, our country has a long history of keeping women confined to the home. But now is different. Try calling for volunteers. If there are those who wish to do it, let it count as their corvée labor."
"Then, let us speak with the village chief."
The assisting priest immediately went to call him, and the village chief was summoned.
"I see, to prevent peeping?"
"Yes. Could you ask the women of the village?"
"Sianya, you should go. We men will wait here."
"Understood."
As a result of Sianya gathering the village women and asking them, it was revealed that there were indeed peepers.
"We thought it was a disgrace to the village and were enduring it... but if Sianya-sama asks like this..."
After that, it became a grand venting session for the women. Sianya is a priestess. She does not repeat personal stories to others. Because of that, they felt safe to start talking about their daily frustrations. Halfway through, it stopped being about peeping, but Sianya listened to a certain extent.
"How about this? His Majesty says that the women should stand watch in place of their corvée labor."
"Is it really alright for it to replace the corvée?"
"Yes. In exchange, please decide on the bathing times and the number of guards, and report them to the village church head."
Though they were making a noisy fuss, it was decided that everyone would take turns standing watch. She guided them to decide on the guard assignments so that it would be equal for each person, and in return, she promised that everyone would be exempt from one day of corvée labor per year.
During the well-side chat, two teenage girls were enthusiastically volunteering, so Sianya (T/N: The text says Miana here, but context implies Sianya or Miana is present) listened to them. One was a large, strong-looking woman, and the other was a small woman with quick, observant eyes. The two of them wanted to become female soldiers following the reforms by the King of Primordia.
"Then, you two should come to the Royal Capital on a later date. You will receive training. The royal family will cover the expenses. After that, as part of the military service borne by free farmers alongside the administrative officials, you will be responsible for the defense of the village. Naturally, you will be exempt from corvée labor for that portion. Depending on your wishes and grades, you may be incorporated into the National Army."
"I-Is that really alright?"
"Of course. Our country is training female soldiers and mages under His Majesty's policy. Please do your best."
"Y-Yes! Thank you very much!"
The two of them jumped for joy.
Once all the business was concluded, they set out on the return journey. Just like the welcome, the villagers turned out in full to see them off.
"Seeing the people of the territory so happy like that is the best recovery for my fatigue."
"It is thanks to Your Majesty's prestige."
"You and Edward are here. I think there would be no problem whenever I abdicate."
"Your Majesty. Speaking of which, it seems Henry-sama's party from Sertoria, who are coming tomorrow, privately wish to go to Harmonia. Do you have any good ideas?"
"A-Ah, I have been thinking of something, for the most part."
"That is good to hear."
Lately, he has become quite good at dodging the subject.
The King of Primordia looked out the window and let out a small sigh. Seeing that, Sianya looked out the opposite window and smiled slightly, as if she had seen through her father's heart.