Chapter 60

The next day at noon.

In Ichirou's room at the Balin estate, Ichirou was opening the lids of dozens of cardboard boxes he had brought from Japan, explaining their contents to Valletta.

The boxes contained canned goods, Lipovit D, and other food supplies, as well as medical supplies like bandages and disinfectants, prepared in ample quantities to ensure that even if Ichirou couldn't return to the village for several months, everything would be fine.

Furthermore, next to the boxes, there were 500 kilograms of polished rice in bags.

With this much, even if Ichirou couldn't return to the village for a long time, it would be possible to sustain the village for a considerable period.

Recently, the village's crops have been harvested in large quantities, so the food problem has already been solved.

However, there is a concern that if Ichirou stops providing food aid to the village, the villagers' enhanced physical abilities might revert to their original state.

While still in the speculative stage, considering the process by which the villagers' physical abilities were enhanced, Ichirou thought that if they stopped eating the food he brought, their physical abilities would gradually return to their original state.

There's no guarantee that an incident like the recent attack by bandits won't happen again, so it's desirable to maintain the villagers' physical abilities in their current state.

Even if the food Ichirou brought is used up for some reason, the village's food self-sufficiency rate far exceeds 100%, so there's no need to worry about hunger.

Moreover, it has been clearly demonstrated that people with enhanced physical abilities won't starve even if they continue to eat only the food from this world, as evidenced by Valletta and Balin's behavior when they accompanied Isaac's unit a few days ago.

The only thing to be cautious about is attacks from external enemies.

"That's a lot... Is Kazura not planning to return for a while?"

"No, I intend to come back in ten days. I need to retrieve the hydroelectric generator I ordered from a construction company in Japan."

While staring at the piled-up supplies, Valletta asked with a slightly worried look, and Ichirou answered. Valletta's eyes widened in surprise.

"Really!? You're bringing a generator to Isteria!?"

"Yeah. I thought about using electrical appliances like refrigerators there. If we can use a refrigerator, we can bring in some fresh food from Japan, which would be convenient. Also, with a generator, we can use power tools and computers."

"Is that so... That's quite a bold move... But will it be okay...?"

Hearing about electrical appliances, Valletta voiced her concern.

She was worried that if someone saw the over-technological gadgets, it could cause problems.

"Well, with the cooperation of the Nelsons, we'll make sure no one else sees them. The Nelsons don't want anyone else to see what I have, so they'll help out willingly."

Even if someone other than the Nelsons saw them, they wouldn't understand what they were just by a quick glance.

Unless someone did something drastic like driving a car into Isteria, a stationary generator or refrigerator would likely just be seen as "some strange boxes" if someone happened to peek.

However, if someone opened the refrigerator and saw its contents or saw a running laptop or power tool, it could cause a commotion, so they need to be careful about where they use them.

"That's... true. With Lord Nelson's cooperation... By the way, the large box Kazura brought last time, could it be...?"

"Yeah, that's where the refrigerator is. I brought a lot of frozen vegetables, so we should be able to maintain a decent diet even after going to Isteria."

Hearing Ichirou's confident response about future meals, Valletta looked puzzled.

"But, the generator is coming from Japan in ten days, right? Until then, the refrigerator won't work, so the frozen vegetables will melt, won't they?"

"Oh, that's fine. I'm also bringing a gasoline generator. I have a little more than two drums of gasoline, so it should last for a while."

"Is that so?"

Valletta was a bit worried about Ichirou's bold actions.

However, with Lord Nelson, the lord of Isteria, on his side, a certain level of recklessness was within the acceptable range.

Lord Nelson would do anything to get Ichirou's support and would never go against his wishes.

In fact, to ensure a good impression, he would likely offer to help with anything.

Moreover, Ichirou's tendency to take bold actions once he decided to do something had been proven through his actions in the village.

While she thought he should be a bit more cautious, it was too late for that now.

"Also, if you need anything or if any problems arise, please let me know. I'll be back soon."

"Yes, thank you."

Valletta smiled and thanked him, but she felt a deep sense of loneliness.

In a few minutes, Ichirou would be leaving for Isteria again.

The next time she would see him would be in ten days, and he would likely be in Isteria for a long time after that.

If she let her guard down even a little, tears would well up in her eyes, but she forced herself to smile so as not to be noticed.

She couldn't afford to show her ugly side to Ichirou again and again.

"But, the village will be fine, so please focus on supporting Isteria. If we really need your help, we'll contact you."

When Valletta said this, Ichirou looked a bit surprised.

But he quickly smiled and nodded.

"Okay."

Thirty minutes later.

After loading all the supplies onto the carriage and getting ready, Ichirou was saying goodbye to the villagers at the village entrance.

A few villagers looked at Ichirou, who was leaving for Isteria, with worried expressions, but most were smiling.

They were somewhat relieved that Ichirou had returned safely from Isteria once before.

Additionally, Zirconia had just given a speech to all the villagers.

The speech covered the content of the support Ichirou would provide in Isteria, the current famine situation in the Ister territory, and the assurance that the Ister family would guarantee Ichirou's safety.

It was unprecedented for a noble who managed hundreds of thousands of people to give a speech to the villagers of such a small village.

The villagers, though somewhat tense, seemed to have understood Zirconia's explanation.

Moreover, the fact that Ichirou had declared he would return to the village in ten days was undoubtedly a source of reassurance for the villagers.

To the people of Grisella, Ichirou had already become a savior and a source of support, an indispensable presence.

"Well, I'm off. I'll be back in ten days, but if anything happens in the meantime, please let me know immediately."

Ichirou said this to the gathered villagers and then headed towards the carriage with Isaac, who was waiting nearby.

Marie was waiting by the carriage and seemed to be joining the trip back.

"Kazura!"

But just as Ichirou was about to get into the carriage, Valletta ran up to him.

"Hmm, what is it?"

Valletta stood in front of Ichirou, looked up at him, and met his eyes.

"I'll do my best. So..."

Valletta stopped speaking, closed her mouth as if she was about to say something, and looked down at Ichirou's chest.

Then, she looked up at him again.

"Hmm?"

Ichirou smiled, encouraging her to continue, and Valletta gave a slightly sad smile.

"...No, it's nothing. Please take care of yourself and don't overwork."

"Okay. You too, don't overwork. Don't stay up late just because studying is fun."

Ichirou said this with a teasing tone, and Valletta smiled.

"I can't promise that."

"Hey, if you stop growing, don't come crying to me."

"That's fine. I don't mind being small."

"You stubborn girl."

Ichirou ruffled Valletta's hair, and she squinted her eyes as if tickled.

After confirming that the sad look had disappeared from Valletta's face, Ichirou let go of her head.

"See you in ten days. Stay well until then."

"Yes. Please stay well, Kazura."

Ichirou smiled at Valletta and then got into the carriage, where Isaac was waiting with the door open.

Marie also got into the carriage with Ichirou's help.

Once Ichirou and the others were in the carriage, under Zirconia's command, the large contingent of nearly 1,000 people, including 300 guards, slowly began their journey to Isteria.

Valletta watched the departing contingent and whispered to herself,

"So... please wait for me."

A few minutes after the contingent began moving towards Isteria, Zirconia, riding a rata at the front of the group, was talking to Haber, whom she had called over.

The topic of their conversation was the food served to Ichirou at the Rousseau estate.

"The food served to Kazura?"

"Yes. When Kazura stayed at your estate, what did you serve him?"

"At that time, we didn't know Kazura's preferences, so we prepared all the dishes we could with the ingredients we had. It turned out to be quite a lot, but it seemed to satisfy Kazura."

"All the dishes... You must have had a lot of ingredients on hand. Your cook must have handled the sudden request well."

Haber's answer surprised Zirconia.

According to what she had heard from Isaac, Ichirou's stay at the Rousseau estate was sudden, and no prior preparation was possible.

During Ichirou's stay at the Nelson estate, the Nelsons had also been careful with the food, providing different dishes at each meal.

However, based on the large amount of food Ichirou had brought, it seemed that the various dishes the Nelsons had prepared did not satisfy Ichirou's taste.

Despite this, the cook at the Rousseau estate had managed to provide a meal that satisfied Ichirou on the first try. How skilled must the cook be?

"We don't keep that many ingredients on hand, but my father ensures that we always have a certain amount of meat and vegetables. Additionally, we sent messengers to nearby merchants to buy fresh meat and insects."

"See..."

Zirconia thought for a moment and then decided to get to the point.

"Haber, could you lend me one of the cooks who prepared the food for Kazura? I'll pay a fair price."

"A cook?"

"Yes. It seems that the food we serve at our estate doesn't suit Kazura's taste. We've tried various dishes, but none of them have worked."

Haber, who asked in a puzzled manner, listened to Zirconia's explanation.

While this explanation made it sound like her estate's cooks were inferior to the Rousseau estate's, Zirconia didn't seem to mind.

A proud noble would never have said such a thing, but fortunately, Zirconia lacked such pride.

As long as she could get what she needed in the best and most efficient way, that was all that mattered.

After listening to Zirconia's explanation, Haber thought for a moment and then spoke.

"In that case, I have one suitable person. She's young, but her cooking skills are solid, and she has met Kazura before."

"Oh, that's good. How old is she?"

"Thirteen. Her name is Marie, and she's currently in the carriage with Kazura. Her job is a maid, not a cook. She's accompanying the group as my attendant."

"That's quite young... But if she's in the carriage with Kazura, it seems he likes her."

Zirconia's muttered words were met with silence from Haber, who didn't change his expression.

Zirconia took this silence as a confirmation and nodded.

"Then, can you lend me that girl? I'll pay whatever you ask."

"Yes, but Marie is a slave owned by my father, Noor. So, it would be better if you could talk to him about the ownership."

"Oh, I see. Then, I'll talk to him directly when we return to Isteria."

The word "slave" didn't elicit any reaction from Zirconia, who seemed relieved that the food problem was resolved.

Haber, looking at Zirconia's relieved expression, quietly exhaled.