Chapter 57

In the carriage on the way back to town, I decided to have a smoke after getting Chelina's permission. It was mentally very relaxing to be able to flick the ash outside without any qualms.

"Ah, it's almost gone."

There were only about three left in the box, enough to finish by night in Japan. But with the prices skyrocketing, it was hard to keep up that pace.

I smoked down to the filter and then extinguished the cigarette on the sole of my shoe, tossing it aside. If I did that in Japan, I'd be a public nuisance. Or maybe even breaking the law? At the very least, it would be a violation of local ordinances.

If I ever went back to Japan, I might accidentally litter and that would be scary. ...But according to God, I can't go back.

"Ah, if the smoke smells bad, let me know."

"It doesn't bother me."

"Is that so?"

Before I knew it, I had lit a second one. It was unconscious.

"Damn... Well, can't be helped."

"You seem happy despite your words?"

"I'd appreciate it if you pretended not to notice."

When I shrugged, she chuckled. This kind of banter... wasn't bad.

Huh? What was I thinking? I shook my head to clear my thoughts. The other party is a woman, the other party is a woman...

"Changing the subject, can wheat be grown around here?"

I asked out of curiosity, probably because I was bored.

"No, it can't. Why do you ask?"

"Because bread is the staple food, right? I thought the staple food would be something that grows in the area."

Or maybe no kind of grain can grow here?

"Oh, that's a historical issue."

"Really?"

It sounded interesting. I silently urged her to continue.

"Originally, this western region, especially the area north of the Southern Midar Mountains, was an undeveloped area. However, people began to gather in this barren land, fleeing from the conflicts in the south of the Southern Midar Mountains and the skirmishes around Lake Mazur to the east of this country."

The place names were confusing, but it seemed there was a period similar to Japan's Sengoku era.

"The areas around Lake Mazur and the upper reaches of the River Liberi are rich lands, and naturally, they are contested. There hasn't been a major war yet, but if people move to avoid conflict, they end up in this region. Most of them settle in the independent city of Sevites, though."

Sevites comes up from time to time.

"Is Sevites a kingdom?"

"No, it's governed by a council of three elders, a city council, and a citizens' council. It's a very rare form of government."

It sounds like a democratic organization? Well, that's not important right now.

"I see. And the staple food issue... Ah."

"Yes, I think you've realized. The original staple food was bread and wheat. Even after over a hundred years, it hasn't changed much."

"Is that so? So it's all imported?"

"Yes. The area around Lake Mazur is a huge food store. The wheat production rate is over 1000%, so it manages to reach even this far west."

That's impressive.

"Hmm. But there must be limits, right?"

"Yes... Various experiments are being conducted on wheat and barley cultivation, but most of them have failed. Recently, there have been experiments with potatoes brought from the Midar Mountains, but... the rumors are that they're not going well."

"Rumors, huh. What's the reality?"

I waved my hand as if to say, "No one's listening anyway."

"Ah, you can't fool me, Akira. They haven't grown at all. Veriello's grass has checked it directly, so there's no mistake."

"The experiments are being done by the royal family, right? They're doing a good job."

"The snake's path is the snake's path."

Chelina chuckled. Women are scary.

"But with this climate, corn or something seems more suitable. There were quite a few weeds growing along the river, so it might grow well in that area."

"Corn...?"

"Or cassava."

Actually, I had been thinking about these two for quite a while. But there was a risk of overstepping, so I hadn't brought them up. I had also missed the right moment to talk about it.

"Corn can grow very quickly depending on the variety. It can be harvested in about three weeks. The problem is that it requires a lot of fertilizer. Cassava is a tree, but it's a rare tree that produces tubers. The amazing thing is that you can propagate it by cutting branches and planting them in the ground. If you can secure water, it can also help with reforestation."

"That's impressive."

Chelina's eyes widened.

"Cassava tubers are toxic, so they need to be detoxified, but it's not a difficult process. I don't mind this wasteland, but the idea of it turning green with cassava doesn't sound bad."

Wait, if I ask for it, maybe I can get a non-toxic version?

"Can these grow in such land?"

"I'm not an expert in agriculture, but a suitable cultivation method for this land is needed. But I think it can be done if you don't skimp on water, fertilizer, and effort."

"Of course. What about this corn and cassava..."

"Yeah, I'll sell you as many seeds and cuttings as you want. But if you could, I'd like you to plant them in large quantities from the start."

"Without testing?"

"I'll be gone in a few weeks. I think I have about 20 days left in this town, give or take."

Assuming a month is 30 days.

"..."

Chelina lowered her head slightly but didn't look away. Her eyes seemed to be pleading.

"Well, you can't make a big purchase of something that might not be profitable. You can forget about it if you want."

"...No, I just don't understand why you didn't say this earlier."

"Ah... How to put it... This country has its own way of doing things, right? Even if bread and other things are hard to come by, if everyone accepts it, it's not my place to interfere, right?"

"That's not true."

"Fundamentally, I'm an outsider. But with Chelina and Narnia, I've made some acquaintances. I just wanted to help improve their lives... Do you believe me?"

It sounds like a con artist's line.

"I believe you."

"Hey, a lady like Chelina Veriello shouldn't trust people so easily."

"Already, you're not just anyone."

I had waved my hand casually, but her eyes were serious.

"Is that so... Well, that's true. When we get to the guild, I'll pile them up in the warehouse. I'd like to see a field of green before I leave this town."

Considering the timing, that was impossible, but...

"That would be a magnificent sight."

We both smiled gently.

---

As the carriage approached the eastern city gate, the driver, Melvin, called out.

"Miss, we'll be stopping for a while."

Chelina opened the small front window and asked, "What's the matter?"

"It's an unclean carriage."

"Oh..."

Chelina frowned and retreated into the carriage, but the words caught my attention.

"Hey, by 'unclean carriage,' do you mean—"

"...Akira, there are things people don't want to talk about."

She sighed deeply, clearly disliking the topic.

But from her expression and the nuance of her words, I understood what an unclean carriage meant.

"Right... Chelina, your schedule for the rest of the day is just the usual boring negotiations, right?"

"Eh? Yes... but they're not boring..."

"Ah, the way I said it doesn't matter. I don't need to be there, right?"

"It would be better if you were there..."

You just stand there like a scarecrow, don't you?

"I need to confirm something. Can you handle it?"

"Yes, but what will you do, Akira?"

"Just a personal errand. I'll look into something you might not like."

"Could it be...?"

"Don't worry, you don't have to say it."

I got out of the carriage and called to Yarrai, the elf who was serving as my guard. He was standing next to the carriage, keeping watch.

"What's up, Akira?"

"I'm going to do something on my own. I need you to come with me, Yarrai."

"Of course."

He answered immediately, not asking for any reasons, which was very manly.

"What's going on? Where are you going?"

Hag, the dwarf who was walking on the other side of the carriage, poked his head out.

"I need to check something."

I pointed to the unclean carriage, and Hag raised an eyebrow.

"That's just a carriage for transporting horse manure, Akira."

Chelina, who had been peeking out of the carriage window, nodded in agreement.

"It has no value."

Chelina's disgust was clear.

"Don't be ridiculous, that's a gold mine."

When I countered, Yarrai seemed to understand and nodded vigorously.