16 – Elena
＜Chapter 16 – Elena＞
River Town.
Completing the first cultivation area,
working on opening up the second cultivation area.
The 100 newly joined slave households are also adjusting to their new lives.
A considerable number is engaged in developing the second cultivation area, while some assist with tasks in the first.
It’s worth noting that, in their spare time, they also undergo basic military training.
Hans is in charge of the training.
The upward transaction requested by Russell has been concluded.
They sold the grain bought on credit in the Frontier Territory and received monster byproducts.
With this, they returned to the continent.
They repaid the debt with the money from selling monster byproducts, and with the remaining funds, they purchased livestock.
These animals are now roaming the first cultivation area.
More precisely, in the area where clover and wheatgrass are growing.
Surveying the surroundings during a moment of rest,
Mana was restored.
Kneeling on the ground,
I assumed a reverent posture.
“Earth Restoration.”
Mana drained from my entire body.
I continued to use the skill until my mana hit rock bottom.
[System]
The Earth Restoration skill level has increased.
Earth Restoration (Lv 3)
“Oh! Yes!”
As the skill level rises, efficiency improves.
I could now significantly reduce contamination in a much larger area than before.
In the midst of rejoicing,
someone called out to me.
“Lady Soyeong! Lady Soyeong of Elwin!”
“What’s the matter?”
“A letter has arrived for Lady Soyeong!”
Someone sent me a letter?
“Who sent it?”
“It’s Elena.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Elena!?”
They both ran out of the cultivation site.
And another person also ran over.
“Grandfather!?”
“Our granddaughter sent a letter?”
“But it’s addressed to me?”
“Does it matter who it’s addressed to? What matters is who sent it!”
They unfolded the letter.
Grandfather also read the letter over their shoulder.
[…I heard that Allenia sister is at a disadvantage in the competition for the duchess position. Is there any way brother can help? Whenever I was in trouble, Allenia sister always helped me. I want to help her too…]
“Hmm…”
Bang! Bang!
“Ouch!”
“Why are you hesitating!? Of course, we have to help!”
“Well, that’s…”
Thwack! Thwack!
The hits hurt before, but this time the shock was even greater.
“Oh my! It makes you wonder whose blood was spilled at times like this. Of course, we have to help our fiancée. Besides, when we made the cultivation site, didn’t Allenia provide support?”
They learned the land restoration skill and,
In the town of River, when cultivating the fields,
there was a shortage of funds.
Hence, it was challenging to purchase slaves.
It was then that Alencia provided the money to buy the slaves.
Bang! Bang!
“Help me unconditionally. Do you understand?”
.
.
The next day.
And the day after that.
Used the land restoration skill on the second cultivation site.
Each time, Grandfather stared with a terrifying gaze.
Moved to another spot and knelt down.
Used the skill and immersed in thought.
‘What should I do?’
For now, there is sufficient reason to help.
Not as an engaged partner, but as a repayment for the assistance when starting the farm.
‘Alencia vs. Benia’
The situation has soured since I got involved, with relations strained with the Frontier family.
Is there a force strong enough to replace the Frontier family?
On Monster Island?
It didn’t easily come to mind.
Yet, bringing in external forces wasn’t an option.
That would only invite resentment. Besides, it would distance me from inheriting the dukedom.
“I need to find a force within the island to replace the Frontier Artisan.”
The contemplation lingered, and one organization came to mind.
“The Gray Matou.”
Back during Elena’s coming-of-age ceremony, the Matou Chief had mentioned it.
Saying that various foods were needed for the well-being of the wizards.
People, even as influential as the Matou Chief, came personally for it.
It must be urgent.
“Can I really persuade the Gray Matou with food, no matter how much?”
I shook my head.
It would be difficult.
“No, I don’t need to dwell on it that much.”
Just create a rift between Alencia and the Gray Matou.
That alone should be enough repayment.
“The rest, Alencia can handle.”
I rose from my seat.
“Grandfather! I’ll be going to the Vampire Dukedom! Please take care of things here!”
“hahahahaha!! Of course, it’s Campbell’s offspring!! Don’t worry, I’ll be back!!”
***
Vampire’s Duchy.
Chamber of Alencia.
It’s been a while.
Since I last stepped in.
Into her chamber.
“Why did you come here?”
The usual expressionless face.
Yet, a hint of anger was felt within.
“Are you not taking sides at the ceremony?”
“I came to repay Alencia.”
“To me? Repay? Someone like you who can’t even use magic?”
Cold. Definitely cold.
It was evident she was still upset from that day.
“Ahem, I appreciated your help when I started farming. Also, your assistance with Elena’s ceremony.”
“You came all the way here just to say that. You could have written a letter. You’ve wasted your steps.”
Alencia’s harsh words angered me a bit.
I used to be immune to such remarks,
But being distant seemed to have diminished my immunity.
“I heard you’re falling behind on Benia’s tasks lately.”
“…”
Alencia stared at me.
I didn’t avert my gaze either.
Silently, we locked eyes.
The staring contest continued until the maid, Marie, entered.
Marie set the refreshments on the table and covered her mouth with both hands.
“Anyone would think you two are in love. Staring at each other like that for so long.”
At Marie’s words, Alencia averted her eyes first,
and I relaxed mine as well.
“If I’m at a disadvantage, can I help? Of course, that doesn’t mean I actually will.”
“I have one way.”
I recounted the conversation I had with the High Priestess on the day of my adulthood ceremony,
and explained how I planned to help Alencia.
“So, you’ll supply livestock to the Gray Mastiff?”
“Yes, I’ll pray to the Earth Goddess, so Alencia, please prepare the rest.”
I said ‘the rest’, but it was everything.
Finding the land, acquiring the seeds, hiring laborers, it all fell on Alencia.
I had only one task. Restoring the land.
“The profit will be split fifty-fifty. However, Alencia, you’re free to manage the farm as you wish.”
“So, you’re telling me to supply livestock to the Gray Mastiff in my name?”
Alencia leaned back into the chair.
Then, she crossed her legs.
“That’s a good idea. It would have been nice if you had come up with such ideas even when you were with me…”
Alencia’s expression brightened.
Of course, others wouldn’t notice such a change.
“Let’s get started.”
.
.
Alencia’s execution was remarkable.
The next day, she purchased the plains near the gray tower,
bringing seeds and laborers to work there.
“Now, what do we do?”
“We divide the land into four sections. In each section…”
She explained the Norfolk 4-field rotation.
“This way, grains will grow in two sections, and plants to feed livestock will grow in the other two.”
“What if we plant clover and wheatgrass in all four sections?”
An unexpected question.
I don’t know the answer. What happens when everyone plants clover.
“The reason for implementing the rotation is to restore mental strength and prevent pests and diseases.”
“Continue.”
“If you plant only clover, it’s difficult to prevent diseases and pests.”
“Why is that?”
As far as I know, it’s because pathogens linger in the soil.
But would pathogens understand? Even on Earth, bacteria were discovered only after the invention of the microscope.
“It’s because the energy of the disease lingers in the soil for a while. Fortunately, the energy that affects clover doesn’t affect other crops. So, if you plant them in rotation, the chances of crops getting sick are reduced.”
“Hmm, alright. Let’s do it your way.”
I was relieved.
It was because I had asked about something I didn’t know and circled around it with questions.
From that day on, I kneeled in the cultivation area every day, using the land recovery skill.
Except for sleeping hours, I lived in the cultivation area.
The land recovery skill also reached level 3, increasing its speed.
Gradually, the areas with contamination level 0 expanded,
And there, I began planting seeds one by one.
“Finally, it’s done!”
“Is it over?”
“Now, the crops grown on this land can be eaten.”
“Continuously? Forever?”
“Not exactly. I have to come periodically and pray to the goddess of the land. You know, since magic keeps flowing from the north.”
“That’s a shame. Anyway, well done.”
I bowed to Alensia.
Finally, I was able to return to the River Village.
By now, the second cultivation site is probably almost complete; I should hurry.
I haven’t been able to plant crops because of the magic.
“Wait. Where are you going?”
“Now that the job is done, we should head back.”
“Hold on. Let’s go to the Gray Witch Tower together.”
“Me?”
“Yes. I mean you.”
The Gray Witch Tower.
Established by Elwin, the 9th Circle Archmage and invited vampire duke.
It’s not just a tower; in the center, there is a high tower,
surrounded by expansive land.
The tower is mainly occupied by wizards,
while students and staff inhabit the surrounding land.
I entered the tower with Alencia.
Riding the elevator powered by magic,
we arrived at the upper part of the tower.
We reached the Grand Tower Master’s room.
“Welcome, Alencia, Elwin.”
Unlike the adult ceremony, Bumatapju had a troubled expression.
It was because of Alensia who came with her.
Taking a seat,
Alensia began to speak.
She calmly expressed what she wanted.
In a way, it was natural.
Because she had what the Matap needed.
After leaving the Bumatapju room,
She asked cautiously.
“Is this enough?”
“This is good enough. After building more trust, we can move on to the next step.”
Alensia’s expression looked much more relaxed.
The elevator arrived on the first floor, and they stepped out of the tower.
“Alensia, I’ll go see my younger sibling.”
“Go ahead. Are you going back to the river right after?”
“Yes, I have some work over there too.”
“You did well this time, Elwin.”
