kscans

Chapter 37 - The Wilderness, the Fields, and Kobito-san

"Whoaaaa, this is amazing."

The next day, the group from Frontier visited the fields owned by the Manmaden. Despite being on the border near a wilderness, a barren land where the blessings of the Forest Master barely reached, seasonal vegetables were growing there with vigor.

"We raise livestock, too. Most of this area was just wasteland, so they told us we could do what we wanted. Looks like my friends got a little carried away."

The produce was also sold in the city of Yarmouth, and Chihiro felt she understood why the empire's brothel, so disliked in Frontier, could operate without issue. A stable supply of agricultural and livestock products. This must be a huge help to the city. Mixed in with them were plants unique to the empire, used in the Manmaden’s distinctive cuisine. Apparently, that was originally the main purpose of these fields, but in response to the city’s requests, they increased their regular crops, resulting in the endless fields before them.

In the distance, she could see something that looked like a ranch.

All you can do is laugh at this.

They were probably creating a rotation, using livestock manure as compost to enrich the fields. It was a bold technique possible only because they had a surplus of wasteland. She had to admire the imperial technology that made it happen. This was proof that with the right knowledge, you could create rich farmland using the same methods as on Earth.

"You should make this your main business and just quit the brothel."

"It’s not that simple. It’s because it’s a brothel, a world of suffering, that they see it as a prison. Just a farm or a ranch would be too lenient a punishment for convicts serving life sentences."

Sakura gazed up at the sky, her eyes seeming to look at something far away.

"Besides," she said. "If there’s a place for women who’ve grown too old to work as prostitutes to labor, they don’t have to be disposed of."

Realizing the meaning behind her words, Kobito-san turned around with a startled look on her face. Sakura nodded and began to speak haltingly. Most of the prisoners brought to the brothel were women, serving not only life sentences but also sentences for other serious crimes. Only those among the nobility who were deemed problematic and deserving of hard labor were sent there. About ten arrived each year, a number that never dwindled. When these women grew old or their earnings declined, they were disposed of to reduce the number of mouths to feed. Children born to them and their clients were raised to be prostitutes if they were girls, but boys were sold to human traffickers around the age of five. Within this ruthlessly efficient system, the expansion of the farm had created a use for the women who had been dismissed and the children who were supposed to be sold off. Free labor. There couldn’t be a more profitable arrangement.

The world is a harsh place. Still, if it saves their lives, I suppose that’s a blessing.

Those raised as slaves from birth do not question their station. In fact, they are brainwashed to the point of taking pride in it. As long as human trafficking exists, this negative cycle will never end. It was a dark part of history that had once existed on Earth, too. As long as slaves were living beings, they could be made to breed and multiply infinitely. Just like livestock. This wouldn't disappear unless people's awareness changed. Even Chihiro, who had only skimmed through historical records in her previous life, understood that.

What could a person do, given no real knowledge, brainwashed only to work in ignorance? For a person indoctrinated to obey their master, believing it to be their true desire, that was happiness. To be blessed with a good master and live a peaceful life. That, too, was a form of happiness.

In fact, even on the brothel’s farm, the elderly who could no longer work were supposed to be disposed of, but their children and grandchildren would plead to work twice as hard and take care of them. These pleas were accepted, and they were allowed to live until they died of old age. This, too, fit the pattern of a master’s tolerance and the slaves’ gratitude. For the slaves whose pleas were accepted, the result was surely a trembling joy at the depth of their master’s compassion.

This is how people become conditioned. Because they don’t know how utterly unreasonable it is.

Someone once said that not knowing is happiness. Someone also said that not knowing is a sin.

Every matter has two opposing sides. Which one is right is something for future historians to decide. All we can do now is bring happiness to those within our reach.

So, let’s live each day to the fullest. Let’s savor it, even just a little, and carefully build up our days.

And that starts with delicious food!!

Sakura stared with a curious expression at Kobito-san, who was energetically giving a thumbs-up, while the knights exchanged wry smiles. They knew all too well that at times like these, Kobito-san’s mind was completely filled with thoughts of food.

"Hey, hey, I want this too!"

".....Are you planning to take every single variety, root and all?"

Kobito-san ran around the orchard.

My, my, this really is a huge farm. In fact, isn’t this their real business?

The fruit trees planted there included apples, oranges, and grapes, which were popular in Frontier, as well as peaches, apricots, cherries, mandarins, and even strawberries. Not wild strawberries like raspberries or vine strawberries, but the kind that grew low to the ground and spread with runners.

How could I not be fired up by this!

"Nyaaaah, it’s the right season for them! Whoaaaa, amazing, they’re real strawberries!"

Lining a stone wall were strawberries planted in three tiers. Bright red, glossy fruits hung in clusters. The sight made even the knights’ eyes widen.

"Are these strawberries? They’re so big."

Kobito-san nodded her head at high speed.

"They’re super yummy! Fresh, or as jam, they’re just so, so good!"

The little girl gently stroked a runner that had taken root in the soil, then glanced furtively at Banri. Banri sighed at the obvious gaze and, with a furrowed brow, signaled her consent. Instantly, Kobito-san’s smile lit up like a sunbeam. It was an exchange of gestures the knights didn't understand.

Taking that as her cue, Kobito-san requested one fruit tree after another that looked suitable for cuttings or grafting. With a slightly exasperated look, Banri selected some good-looking new branches for her.

"Just make sure you don’t propagate these too much, okay? We’ll lose our advantage here."

These were likely an important trading commodity. Kobito-san nodded with a look of understanding.

"I’ll only plant them in my garden at the palace. I won’t give them to anyone else. I promise."

Banri was perplexed by the little girl's beaming smile.

Why do I find myself believing what this little child says?

It was the same yesterday. She had no intention of revealing top-secret matters, yet she had spoken. As she faced this child, she was struck by an inexplicable sense of urgency. Those golden eyes seemed to see through everything. If she didn't speak now, this child would surely find the answer on her own. In that process, many people would get involved, and the empire's atrocities would be exposed to the world. She wanted to prevent that at all costs. This brothel was the last refuge for women unjustly condemned. She absolutely could not lose this place. Fortunately, the farm was running smoothly, and they had built good relationships with Frontier and the city of Yarmouth. The brothel was self-sufficient, no longer needing to import alcohol or seasonings from their home country. She had to protect the Manmaden, which had in a sense become an extraterritorial part of the empire.

Because that country is warped.

It was a fact she had only come to understand after living in Frontier for so long.

And now, Her Highness the Princess had involved herself with the Manmaden. Banri, who had schemed to win her over, was aware that she herself was the one who had been won over instead. For some reason, she couldn't defy her. For some reason, there was a strange sense of relief. In the presence of this little child.

It was a mysterious feeling.

There is nothing to worry about. You can trust her. She could feel that sense of reassurance from this little girl. She, the brothel master, the very personification of a wicked human being.

She was responsive, and if you made a concession, she would offer the treatment you desired. She took care to ensure that neither side would suffer a loss. The delicate and considerate exchange was comforting. She had never felt this way before.

Banri tilted her head at the strange sensation, but for Kobito-san, who was familiar with more modern negotiation tactics, this was a normal approach. Win-win. A negotiation where both parties benefit is more easily accepted. That was common sense.

In a medieval world where it was normal for superiors to simply issue orders to their subordinates, the negotiation style used by Kobito-san was both unique and captivating. She treated both sides as equals and showed consideration. That simple act held extraordinary value in this world.

There was no need for cheats from modern knowledge. All that was needed was for Kobito-san to be herself. Her respect for others, without her even realizing it, drew in everyone she dealt with.

Unconsciously, Kobito-san was the strongest. This became a quiet rumor among people with complicated pasts, spreading throughout the world.

"Well then, take care. I’m counting on you to look after Sakura, young lady."

The next day, having gained Sakura and a cook, the group from Frontier departed from Yarmouth. Sakura rode in the carriage, while the cook rode his own horse.

Kobito-san trotted over to Banri, who had come to see them off, and whispered softly.

"Is Sakura’s name, by any chance, from a plant?"

"Well, I figured you knew. You knew about cherries, after all."

Kobito-san had run up to a fruit tree whose blossoms had fallen, leaving small green fruits, shouting that they were cherries. If she knew all the other fruit trees, she would surely understand the origin of Sakura’s name.

"Then, is Banri the kanji for ten thousand and the ri for village?"

"That’s right. Just like you."

"I see. Well, see you later, Banri."

The little child waved her small, maple-leaf hand and trotted back to the carriage. Watching her, Banri felt an indescribable emotion. A strange child she had met in a remote place, exiled from her own country. A peculiar princess who knew kanji and had a name written in kanji. For a time, she had suspected she might be related to the imperial nobility, but there wasn't a hint of that. Her free-spirited way of going about things was refreshing to watch, and she couldn't help but sympathize with those around her who were surely being led on a merry chase. However, in truth, it seemed that those around her, herself included, were enjoying being led on that chase.

"Truly. A mysterious person."

The murmur that escaped with a full smile was not caught by anyone's ear, but tumbled into a corner of Yarmouth and vanished.

Innocently invincible is Kobito-san.

Running here and there, Kobito-san is full of energy today too.♪