Chapter 648 - Chapter 2: Full-Scale Cultivation Begins at the Test Site
It is October, when the surrounding mountains are dyed in autumn colors, the sky is high, and the boars grow fat. It is also the time for tax payment. In other words, the results of the Flatlands where we were doing test cultivation came out. We immediately held a banquet for the announcement, including the bandits, behind the farm. Since we roughly knew the results, it was practically a celebration.
"Umm, I announced the rough estimate at the Harvest Festival, but the exact numbers are out. Compared to last year's average of six bags, it's an increase of one and a half bags, making it seven and a half bags. The reason it's half a bag short of the final goal of eight bags is that there were some places where the soil preparation was insufficient. This year's sowing will be done across the entire Flatlands, so it might decrease, but I think we can exceed the target of seven bags."
Hearing the announcement by the beautiful girl Lyudmila wearing new farm work clothes, everyone clapped at once. The participants were the Class of 175 and the Associate Class of 175, excluding the busy Mary, the five permanent members of the Henry Party, plus for some reason Harold-sama, the members of the Marcelo Company excluding the recently popular Robinson-san, the spirits, and the bandits.
The entire Flatlands is roughly divided into six districts, excluding the place lumped together as the Eastern Forest Zone.
West North, West Central... simply called the West District... West South, and Central North, Central Central... this place is simply called the Central District... and Central South. Among them, the West South district where our farm is located is the entrance to the Flatlands and a hub for post stations. There is also a silica mine. Because of that, it has a strong commercial district character. Another one, the Central Central district located in the center of the Flatlands, has some undulations and also has a fortress for the Light Infantry Corps. Because of that, there are also many shops. Many hunters who hunt in the eastern forest also live there. Practically, the districts that are primarily agricultural will be the other four districts, and they will be the main force for agricultural production.
Currently, the Flatlands is mainly for grazing for the purpose of soil preparation, but there are several test fields in each district. The places where soil preparation was insufficient were probably parts of the planned settlement sites in the Central North and South districts that were converted into test fields. This is the result of Eleanor-sama consulting with Serena and Renata and deciding to leave most of the eastern forest. For the time being, it is planned to be a district centered on grazing. Settlements might be built if the population increases in the future, but it will take ten or twenty years. Normally, they wouldn't have to be counted, but Lyudmila included them in the results, perhaps because she was confident. However, just in case, she is recording the harvest from there separately.
If next year's harvest and the year after next's harvest are an average of seven bags or more per field for two consecutive years, the experiment in the Flatlands will be a success. If it succeeds, the Class of 175 will receive a reward from the King. I don't know what it is, but we arbitrarily think it's a part of the Northeastern Forest. If we get enough land, we can build the Class of 175's town... although it's only a self-proclaimed one within the scope of the Sertorian Kingdom laws that Will researched... there. Of course, just because we get land doesn't mean a town will be built immediately. Until we build houses, plow fields, and get a harvest, the Ghost Mansion and the farm will be our base. However, we should be able to take a great step forward.
"In the middle of this month, we'll plant wheat and turnips and finally start full-scale cultivation, so I ask for everyone's cooperation."
When she bowed to the bandits, the bandits also replied vigorously, "Oh!" as if to show their spirit.
The bandits are doing farm work as part of their daily training. Since the entire Flatlands is originally a state-run test site, we can get full cooperation. Moreover, since they are Paratroop Jaegers, there are many users of wind magic, which is indispensable for sowing. Accordingly, there is a shortage of mid-level water and earth magic, but the Marcelo Company almost monopolizes that. Since the farmland of the entire Flatlands is divided into four for each district and crop rotation is performed from the beginning, the area per crop is large. When a high-level mage uses mid-level magic on an hourly basis, it is extremely efficient. Especially in fields where crops like turnips that must be tilled many times are planted, labor alone is not enough. However, this is only possible because they are landowners, and it is unsuitable for small and medium-sized farmers who only have narrow farmland. As a solution to this point, there is no other way but to consolidate land in units of villages or settlements and share farm work among everyone. To gain time to promote that, I heard that they set a three-year soil preparation period and a two-year planting test period at the test site. They will promote the consolidation of narrow farmland in the five years gained there. Of course, since there is also an intention to farm freely on one's own land, it won't go for everything. However, those who have such thoughts are farmers with some leeway, and farmers without much leeway mostly agreed to consolidation. In reality, the village where Beatrix is the landlord is, in a sense, the first to receive the benefits of the new farming method. Afterward, as the number of countries imitating it increased, such as Regnentes, Northern Gram, Engrio, Primordia, and Medioland, and the effects of the new farming method were publicized, a reverse phenomenon occurred where the original Sertorian farmers... especially those in regions other than the Royal Capital area and Nakanohara, were slower to switch. However, it's natural that the village where Beatrix is the landlord, where Director Lyudmila is providing agricultural guidance along with Flora, is the most successful in increasing yields, and the textbooks supervised by Lyudmila are said to be traded at high prices. Beatrix seems to be making many transcriptions in the village and selling them every time an official revised edition comes out almost every year. The Sertorian Royal Family presents them to each country, and Mary gives them to the nobles she is close to. Lyudmila is said to receive money on commission, but I don't know exactly how much income she has.
After the announcement, there was an explanation of the arrangements for wheat sowing and turnip seed planting, and it became a banquet as usual. This banquet also serves as an unveiling of Lyudmila, who grew rapidly after finishing the Ritual of Succession. She was immediately surrounded by the bandits, who had gathered in larger numbers than usual.
"She's become quite a beauty. I told the farmers for now that the Demon Lord's curse was broken by Jeanne's efforts, but even so, everyone will be surprised."
"You made it the Demon Lord's curse? I made it the Ruined Town's."
"I made it an unknown cause. Sometimes unknown causes are more credible. Well, anyway, the fact that Jeanne solved it doesn't change."
They're saying whatever they want without knowing my hardships. Should I throw a stone at them?
"What's the schedule for the rest of this year?"
While I was glaring at the bandits, Renata asked, perhaps being considerate. Renata knows the truth and also knows that I became a human sacrifice. Serena, who is with her, is concerned about the conquest of the Demon Realms, which has been discussed throughout the White Island recently. It must be about whether the forest will be cut down. Regarding this point, the Grand Archbishop issued a large-scale warning to refrain from cutting down forests. It's the result of Price-sama's lobbying. However, originally the Church valued forests and had been providing guidance until now. A good example is that the northern two countries and Regnentes, where Church influence is strong, value forests. When it was confirmed at the Provisional Council of Lords that each country would actively implement the conquest of the Demon Realms, they again nailed down not to cut down forests after conquering the Demon Realms. However, currently, there are many terrains that simply cannot be reclaimed, like the Demon Realm west of the Engrio Royal Capital. In addition, each country is concerned about the decrease in forest bounties, so it is being received favorably. In particular, countries that value forests like Finis, Northern Gram, and Regnentes expressed strong support. It is said that the religion believed in by the Engrio nobles also teaches that forests must be valued. Besides, each country is interested in the agricultural reform originating from Sertoria, and it is also taken up at the Council of Lords, where textbooks are distributed free of charge. For now, Serena is also satisfied.
As for myself, September was relatively smooth. After Lyudmila's ritual was over, I was mainly doing monster extermination in Nakanohara, starting with rat extermination. I participated in a two-head extermination once and a survey of the five-eyed secret book once. Both were finished in four or five days including travel, so I could relax.
"Umm, I guess we're going to the Demon Lord's Cave this month. Next month there's the second Great Unity Conference, so I have to go to the continent. I think the meeting for disease countermeasures is after that. And then Engrio. I wonder about November? I don't know yet."
"Are you going to the Demon Lord's Cave?"
"Yeah."
I heard that the conquest of the third floor has progressed greatly because the interference from the ants has disappeared. Since Harold-sama, who is a bowl user, participated, they can put out Eleanor-sama's and Wilson-san's what-cha-ma-call-it saucers as a twin. With the activity of the Frog Unit led by Robinson-san, they apparently expanded the logging area and exterminated the bugs all at once.
"Except for the third floor, the conquest is almost finished, so it seems they're going to the Demon Lord's Temple."
"What are you going to do there?"
"Somehow, it seems they're going to dig a hole."
"A hole?"
She has a puzzled face. Well, that's natural. I don't understand the meaning either. I guess I'll end up explaining after actually digging.
From the next day, explanation meetings for the farmers began.
Until now, reclamation funds were provided and it was tax-free. That will change from next year's tax payment period. The position of the test site remains the same, so they can receive a salary, but it's a commission system, and they must pay one bag of wheat per field as land tax. Naturally, a poll tax is taken. Since there is no water and sewage system like in Nakanohara, it's cheap, but the poll tax is taken for the number of people, so it's tough. However, since it's the country's land, no land tax is required. In other words, if the harvest per field increases, the farmers' income increases.
The income goal set by Lyudmila is to aim for two gold coins per month per household, which is the average income of a household where one elite Nakanohara Town Hall employee earns. According to Lyudmila's calculation when she allocated land to each household, it can be achieved if they exceed six bags per field. Since the fields are wider than the test fields, there will be variations, but Lyudmila believes it can be done, and therefore the farmers' motivation is sufficient. Moreover, there is still land that can be converted into fields.
The explanation is held in six places, for each district. My role is prayer. It's done after the explanation meeting. I am still the only priest in the Flatlands, and when I am not there, the teachers from the orphanage are doing it through the Marcelo Company. Incidentally, the same goes for ceremonial occasions. This time, I alone will go around the six places in order, divided into three days. Since I don't need to participate in the explanation meeting itself, the explanation meeting group goes around first, followed by the prayer. Regarding travel, the explanation meeting group uses Lyudmila's bowl, and the prayer group uses Beatrix's bowl. Incidentally, mobile sales are also done at the same time.
On the first day, the morning was in the West South district, so we did it in front of our farm.
When I participated as an observer to listen to the explanation meeting, there were not only farmers but also silica-digging old men and old men of various other professions. Everyone came to see Lyudmila.
Normally, Lyudmila is not at the fourth shop. She is mostly in the fields. Especially after returning from the ritual, she was doing things like helping with threshing using [Wind Storm] or plowing with [Clump Sand], so she should have only met farmers. Everyone must have come to see Lyudmila, who is rumored to have become an absolute beauty.
"Another incredible beauty has come."
"Which young lady is she?"
While the farmers who have already met Lyudmila several times were listening to the explanation intently, they were sighing loudly.
"She was originally Lyudmila."
"You mean that tiny girl?"
Paul-san immediately started his activities. When I looked at the old man who joined the conversation, he was a familiar bandit.
"Yeah, she's an agricultural researcher. You should know her."
"Don't lie, she's completely different."
"There's a trick to it."
What trick? Without knowing my hardships.
Moreover, the silica-digging old men who didn't know the circumstances heard about it and surrounded Paul-san. While eavesdropping, they didn't forget to glance at Lyudmila.
"Lyudmila was under a certain curse."
"A curse?"
"Yeah, some call it the Demon Lord's curse, others call it the Ruined Town's curse. I don't know the details, but anyway, it's a curse that stops growth."
"Heh, there's such a thing. How scary."
How can they accept such a story so easily? Ah, it's because the one replying is also a shill.
"That was dispelled by that Bishop Jeanne."
"That's amazing. As expected of the Dragon Killer."
There it is. This is why bandits are...
Everyone looks at me all at once. Since Beatrix poked my back, I had no choice but to smile, and everyone said, "Amazing!" My smile twitched and almost collapsed. When I turned around, Miana and Keira were looking at me. Both of them were clapping without making a sound.
"As a result of Jeanne's efforts, Lyudmila is as you see. According to what I heard from Bishop Catherine, the former hero, when I went to Nakanohara, she hasn't completely returned yet. For the next few years, her growth will be faster than other people's."
He even involved the Headmistress! Moreover, he brought up her name in a place where it wasn't a lie. Including the stories until now, anyone would believe everything.
"Then, will she become even more beautiful?"
"Yeah, she's estimated to be seventeen or eighteen at the moment. I heard the Class of 175 is twenty-three this year. She'll surely catch up. A beautiful girl will grow up nicely and become a stylish beauty."
"Wow, I'm looking forward to it. The new farm work clothes are cute too. I wish she'd work at the shop. Manager Miana-san, Keira, and Lyudmila. It's more luxurious than the main street of the Royal Capital."
She won't. Lyudmila won't. Too bad for you. You have the double-bill of Miana and Keira, so that's enough.
"Actually, I'm supposed to meet with the puppet show troupe next week to talk about a new performance."
"Is Jeanne the protagonist?"
"Naturally."
Wait a minute. I haven't heard that you'd go that far.