Chapter 14

"……What do you think?"

"Indeed, Valleta is a smart girl, but... are you really sure about this?"

As the village chief listened to Ichiyo's proposal, his expression was half joy and half surprise. Just then, Valleta, who had finished washing her body, returned.

Steam clung to her neck, making her look unusually alluring.

"Ah, I feel refreshed. This soap really has a nice scent... Is something wrong?"

Seeing Ichiyo and the village chief talking with serious expressions, Valleta tilted her head in confusion.

"Valleta, a while back, you said you wanted to go to the city to learn various things, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I did say that, but I don't plan to leave the village now."

As Valleta said this and took her usual seat, the village chief smiled.

"About that, it seems you can learn a lot without leaving the village. Kazura-san is willing to teach you."

"Wh-What!?"

Surprised, Valleta looked at Ichiyo, who opened his mouth to explain the proposal.

"Yes, if Valleta-san is willing. So, here's the thing..."

"R-Really!? Thank you, I would really like to learn!"

Interrupting Ichiyo, Valleta's eyes sparkled with joy, clearly delighted by the offer. Slightly overwhelmed by Valleta's enthusiasm, Ichiyo continued.

"Y-Yes, I understand. But there's one thing I need to ask. I would like you to say that the water wheel we assembled the other day was designed and built by you."

"…Eh?"

Valleta froze at Ichiyo's words, but he decided to continue.

"When Isaac-san came to check the village the other day, it seemed he wasn't very familiar with the village and the river. If Nelson-sama has any doubts about Isaac-san's report, he might trace the waterway and see the water wheel. If he finds out it was me, it could be... inconvenient for me."

Explaining this in a somewhat hesitant manner, Ichiyo continued.

"Valleta nodded, 'Ah, yes... I see...'"

Given the circumstances, the villagers had become quite friendly with Ichiyo, and they didn't pry too deeply into his background. The village chief and Valleta were no exception, and they even instructed the villagers not to pry too deeply. There were valid reasons for this, but Ichiyo was unaware of them.

"So, in exchange, I can teach you anything within my knowledge, including how to build the water wheel. Can you help me with this?"

"Y-Yes, if you're willing to teach me, I'll do anything... But, is it okay...?"

Valleta, looking somewhat anxious, made Ichiyo hesitate. He knew his proposal was a bit unreasonable, but since he couldn't think of any other solution, he had to try.

"Anyway, let's do our best. If the water wheel is exposed, it won't be immediately obvious, so we still have some time."

"Hey, Kazura-san, I just thought of something..."

While Ichiyo was muttering, "But what if someone questions the workmanship..." and holding his head, Valleta, who had been watching, seemed to have an idea.

"What is it?"

"Why don't we replace the current water wheel with a new one built by the villagers? We have a model to follow, and if we simplify the design, I think we can manage it."

"Simplify the design..."

Ichiyo pondered Valleta's suggestion. While having a model to follow was helpful, it was uncertain if they could immediately build a water wheel. However, if the current water wheel was discovered, there would be many issues with the workmanship and the metal used in the shaft, so Valleta's idea seemed like the best option.

"Yes, you're right. If the current water wheel is seen, it could cause problems. Let's try to build a new one within a month. As long as it can rotate and draw some water, that's good enough."

"Right, and if we actually build it, we can answer any questions from Isaac-san or Nelson-sama."

The village chief nodded in agreement.

"Yes, this will be a learning experience for Valleta and the villagers. Let's all work together."

With that, the discussion was concluded.

The next morning, Ichiyo, with Valleta's help, loaded a folding cart onto the initial cart he had brought. He was returning to Japan to fetch fertilizer.

"Then, I'll go get the fertilizer. Is it okay to study at night?"

"Yes, thank you. But if you're tired from spreading the fertilizer, we can do it another day."

While Valleta said this, her expression was filled with excitement at the prospect of learning. They had agreed to build a new water wheel with the help of the villagers, but the task of spreading fertilizer in the fields was still pending. Since they also needed to plant leafy vegetables, they decided to prioritize this work. Ichiyo would teach Valleta at night, as there would be no other tasks to do then.

"Understood. I'll be back soon."

"Okay, be careful."

With that, Ichiyo left the house, waving goodbye to Valleta.

"My back hurts... Maybe I'll go for a massage next time..."

In the midst of the villagers diligently spreading fertilizer, Ichiyo stretched and held his back. After being sent off by Valleta, he returned to Japan, went to a home center, and bought a large amount of newly arrived fertilizer, which he then transported back to the village. Carrying and transporting over a thousand kilograms of fertilizer and other items on the cart was quite a strain. It took a considerable amount of time to transport everything, and he had only been spreading fertilizer for about an hour when the sky began to turn orange.

Incidentally, he had quickly finished lunch with a large bowl of beef bowl from Sukiya.

"Kazura-san, we'll take care of the rest. Please go back to the house and rest."

As Ichiyo groaned while holding his back, Valleta, who looked a bit tired but still energetic, spoke with concern.

"No, no, I can't leave you all to do it alone..."

"But it's not good to overwork yourself. You need to rest when you're tired."

"Valleta, go back to the house with Kazura-san and massage his back."

Seeing Ichiyo's hesitation, the village chief, who had been watching, interjected.

"No, no, I'm fine. I'll go back and lie down."

However, Valleta insisted, "Let's go back together," and dragged Ichiyo back to the house.

"I'll be back soon. I'll return quickly."

"Okay, take your time."

With that, Valleta, carrying a bucket of warm water and soap, went out to the yard. They had returned to the house and taken a short break, but the smell of fertilizer on their bodies was still noticeable, so they decided to wash up. Ichiyo washed first, and now it was Valleta's turn.

"Even though there's a wooden fence around the yard, it's a bit inappropriate for a young girl to wash here... It might be cold in winter and she could catch a cold. Maybe I should build a simple private room next to the house."

While thinking this, Ichiyo opened his duffel bag and took out a university notebook, a pencil case, and a few books he had bought from a bookstore.

"Now, what should I teach? I brought these books, but will they be useful...?"

As he flipped through the books, he muttered, "Did I put 'How to Start a Popular Cafe' in here...? Maybe I put it in the cart by mistake."

While muttering, he read the book for a while. Then, Valleta, who had washed and returned, sat next to him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting... Is that a book?"

"Yes, I brought a few books to teach you. This one was a mistake, though."

Valleta sat next to Ichiyo, who was reading the book, and peered over with interest. Ichiyo, feeling a bit nervous due to the pleasant scent of soap, noticed that Valleta was staring at the book with wide eyes.

"K-Kazura-san... Are these... pictures... in the book?"

"Huh? Oh, right, I forgot."

Ichiyo, reminded by Valleta, scratched his head when he saw the page titled "Creating an Attractive Space Design," which featured large photos of cafes. Since photos didn't exist in this world, it was no wonder Valleta was surprised. However, since it was already seen, he decided to explain it simply.

"Ah, well, these are called photos. They are exact reproductions of scenes on paper... Do you understand?"

"Um... So, you can draw the inside of a house like this?"

"Exactly. You catch on quickly."

Valleta continued to look at the photos in the book seriously but then seemed to notice something.

"Can I touch it?"

After getting Ichiyo's permission, she took the book.

"Amazing... I've never seen such thin paper. What kind of skin is it made from?"

"That's not skin. It's made from wood."

"…Eh?"

When Ichiyo explained, Valleta, who had been touching the pages with amazement, froze again.

"Well, when wood is processed in various ways, this kind of paper is made. I don't know exactly how it's done, though."

"Is this made from wood...?"

Mumbling, Valleta touched the paper. Ichiyo, thinking, "I should look up how paper is made online next time," decided to get to the main topic.

"Anyway, I promised to teach you, but what should I teach?"

In response to Ichiyo's question, Valleta, still holding the book, hummed in thought.

"I've heard that people in the capital study law, history, and theology."

"..."

Ichiyo froze at Valleta's words. He had been thinking of teaching her based on modern Japanese education, but this world's education was clearly different. Having only been in this world for about two weeks, he had nothing to teach about history or law.

"Sorry, I can't teach any of those. The education in my country and in Arcadia seems quite different."

"Wh-What?"

Valleta, after a moment of silence, quickly spoke.

"Then, I would like to learn anything you know. I don't think what people in the capital study is the only form of education."

"But, what should I teach...?"

Ichiyo and Valleta thought together, and Valleta, having an idea, looked up.

"Then, I would like to learn how to read and write in your country's language. That way, I can read these books."

Ichiyo, hearing this, nodded.

"Reading and writing. Since the language is the same, the grammar should be similar, and it shouldn't be too difficult to learn... Okay, I can do that. In exchange..."

"In exchange?"

Seeing Valleta tilt her head, Ichiyo saw this as a good opportunity to address a long-standing concern.

"I would like you to teach me how to read and write in this country's language. I probably can't read or write it at all."

When Ichiyo said this, Valleta looked surprised but quickly smiled.

"Sure, I can do that