Chapter 503: Making the Rounds of the Farming Villages

I didn’t just inspect the fields where the universal plant nutrient had been applied; I asked to see the other areas as well. For a brief moment, I wondered if they might have installed magical irrigation devices here, and a flicker of expectation rose in my chest—but of course, that was not the case.

Those sprinkling devices were the sort of expensive magical tools you’d only ever find in the gardens of nobility. To employ them in agriculture would be far too extravagant. Still, Rosalia didn’t seem disappointed in the least, so I decided to keep my musings to myself and said nothing further.

It seemed the villagers instead drew water directly from the nearby river. Since this area was close to the domain’s capital, there was no shortage of manpower to manage it. Water channels branched off from the river, feeding the fields, and for lands further away from those canals, sturdy wells had been dug. I had to admit, the agricultural infrastructure around here was impressively well developed.

With such thoughts circling in my mind, I continued the inspection. As part of the experience, I was even allowed to help with the harvest of sweet potatoes. It was my first time trying such labor, and judging from their sparkling eyes and laughter, Fabienne and Rosalia were thoroughly enjoying themselves as well.

We had dressed for the occasion in modest but slightly stylish townsfolk clothing—garb that could get dirty without any worry.

“Look at this! So many tubers sprouting from just one plant.”

“To think that so many could be gathered at once—it truly is remarkable.”

“I want to dig out more! Please, let me try again!”

“Kyu!” squeaked Mira, who had already rolled herself into the soil and was now completely caked in mud.

I stifled a chuckle. When we returned to the village chief’s house, I’d have to wash her properly. The chill still lingered in the air, so I would use magic to draw forth warm water. That would be best.

Afterward, we visited several other farms in the region. The farmers here seemed generally content with their current conditions; satisfaction was etched into their sun-weathered faces.

As a result, the talk we heard was mostly about the universal plant nutrient. Word had clearly spread, and it seemed certain they would continue using it for the next planting season. Perhaps once we returned to the manor, I ought to establish a proper system for large-scale production.

By the time the day’s inspection concluded, we made our way back to the village chief’s home. To my pleasant surprise, the house was equipped with a magical showering device, which we gratefully used. Such conveniences were apparently beginning to spread even among the common folk. If this trend continued, the sales of shampoo and rinse would surely rise further.

The hot shower left me feeling clean and refreshed. I changed into fresh clothes, and Mira too was bathed until she shone like polished silver. While I was at it, I used magic to wash the dirty laundry all at once, drawing exasperated stares from everyone else.

It was, I suppose, the sort of task one would normally delegate to servants. But honestly, doing it myself was far faster. With a little magic, everything dried in an instant.

“How did you find today’s inspection?” I asked once we had all gathered again. “I didn’t expect we’d get to experience actual farm work. That was a pleasant surprise.”

“It was a wonderful experience,” Rosalia answered with a thoughtful smile. “Cultivating plants in the garden is quite different. I was struck by how arduous true farming can be.”

“I enjoyed digging up the potatoes!” Fabienne chimed in eagerly. “I’d love to try growing them in the garden at home.”

“Hmm, a home garden, is it? That could be interesting,” I mused aloud.

“Yes, I think so too,” Rosalia agreed warmly.

For most people of our station, vegetables were simply something to be purchased. Yet the thought of eating produce we had raised ourselves held a peculiar appeal. Few noble households would bother, of course, but as a form of education, perhaps it wasn’t such a bad idea.

Dinner that evening was rich with vegetables, and perhaps because we had just experienced farm labor, everyone found the meal especially delicious. Was it merely my imagination, or did the flavors truly seem brighter, fresher than usual? Perhaps the difference lay in the unmistakable freshness.

The following morning, we continued the inspection, then borrowed space at a nearby farmhouse to take our lunch. Afterward, we set out for the next village. If all went well, we would arrive just before sunset. The hour was a little late, but hopefully, it wouldn’t pose any problem.

“There aren’t any bandits or monsters around here, are there?” I asked Lionel during a break. It wasn’t that I truly expected trouble—everything had gone according to plan so far—but still, I wanted to be sure.

“Bandits? None at all, not in this area nor anywhere within the lands of Marquis Heine,” Lionel assured me firmly. “The watchmen keep vigilant eyes on every corner. That’s possible only because we’ve secured a substantial number of horses throughout the territory. All thanks to you, Julius-sama.”

“I see. I didn’t know that,” I admitted. “And what about monsters?”

“There are no habitats for them anywhere nearby. The same holds true for the other places we’ll visit. At worst, you might encounter some wild animals.”

I nodded, relieved. So there would be no ominous flags triggered on this journey after all. To think that what had begun as a mere diversion—horse racing—had ended up strengthening the domain’s security… one never knows where efforts might bear fruit.

With no monsters to fear, our only concern was wild beasts. Perhaps a bear might appear? It struck me then that although I had leafed through bestiaries of magical creatures, I had rarely studied books of ordinary animals. My understanding of the boundary between the two remained vague at best. After all, one couldn’t tell by sight alone whether a creature carried a magic stone. A skill like Magic Detection made it simple, of course.

Just as Lionel had promised, we never once encountered bandits or monsters. But wild animals did cross our path several times—creatures resembling raccoons or deer that bolted the instant they noticed us.

It seemed the absence of monsters allowed wild animals to flourish in greater numbers. That made me wonder: did the farmers here have to contend with damage from such beasts?

Lost in these musings, I realized we had arrived at our next destination.

Through the carriage window, the scenery shifted from rolling grassland to neatly cultivated fields. Wooden fences enclosed the plots, where crops identical to those we had seen that morning stretched in orderly rows. It appeared these were the staple plantings of this region.

“The village is just ahead,” I said, pointing. “These fields are quite expansive as well.”

“There’s a forest nearby, too,” Rosalia noted. “Perhaps they gather forest bounty in addition to farming.”

“The forest’s bounty, hmm? That does sound likely,” I agreed.

Fruit and nuts, no doubt. I recalled seeing such items on the dinner tables here and there. Mushrooms, however, seemed unlikely—too dangerous without Appraisal. Indeed, I had never once seen them served. Everyone must have understood the risk.

“Julius-sama, we have arrived at our destination,” Nero called out as the carriage drew to a halt.

Thanks to the improved design of the carriage, I felt far less wearied than usual. Even the dull ache in my backside was minimal. A fleeting thought crossed my mind to ask Fabienne and Rosalia how they fared—but that would probably be considered harassment.

As we stepped down, the village chief and his family were already assembled, standing in a neat line to welcome us. Though we had sent word in advance, I couldn’t help but feel guilty about the burden this visit must place upon them. Then again, perhaps they took pride in entertaining the son of their lord.