Chapter 5

### Clearing the Land

Clearing the land.

It sounds simple, but it is an incredibly arduous task.

First, you have to cut down trees, clear the grass, and dig up the hard soil mixed with a large number of roots.

Only then can a field be born.

But a field is not all that plants need. Water is crucial.

In other words, water must be brought from some river.

Well, I don’t really want to do such a troublesome thing, so I plan to somehow clear the land near a river.

Amateur thinking, but shouldn’t it be possible to get something decent done in a year?

If it doesn’t work out, I’ll be in trouble.

I intend to hunt as well, but it will be difficult to provide for thirty people through hunting alone.

On the other hand, relying solely on agriculture is also tough.

Both are necessary.

Now, to the main topic: where to start clearing the land?

I have no idea what kind of land is suitable for agriculture. Moreover, I need to ask the Griffin if it’s okay to cut down the trees in this forest.

If he says no, I’ll have to look for another place.

“Is that all right?”

“It’s fine. My territory is deep in the forest. As long as you don’t destroy it, you can do as you please.”

Surprisingly, permission was granted easily. It’s a bit anticlimactic.

“You really like digging in the dirt, don’t you? I can’t do such a troublesome thing. Oh, by the way...”

“By the way?”

“About thirty years ago, humans built a village in this forest. It was abandoned due to an epidemic. They said it was my curse. How unfair.”

The Griffin started grumbling.

But the important thing for me is not the reason the village was destroyed.

“If there’s such a convenient place, why didn’t you mention it first? Where is it?”

“Hmm... I don’t have a clear memory of it since it was a long time ago. Besides, I wasn’t interested. Just get on. You’ll be able to see from the sky. If you can’t find it, give up.”

With that, the Griffin turned his back to me.

No, you want me to get on...

I’ll die if I fall.

“Hurry up.”

“Understood.”

But I don’t know when he might change his mind. Thirty lives are at stake. I have no choice but to get on.

I climbed onto the Griffin’s back. Only then did I realize how big he is.

If I looked tasty, he would have eaten me in one bite...

“Let’s go.”

“Ah!”

A strange sound came out of my mouth.

My stomach felt light.

I’m not good with roller coasters...

The Griffin started ascending without paying attention to me.

I accidentally looked down.

“Ahhhhhh!!!”

“Hey, stop making a fuss. Don’t choke me!”

I instinctively tightened my grip on the Griffin.

Flying without a safety harness is terrifying.

My teeth chattered involuntarily.

“What if I wet myself?”

“I’ll drop you.”

As we were talking, the Griffin suddenly stopped.

“I think it was around here... There it is. Be happy.”

I cautiously looked down.

My insides felt light again.

But it was worth the fear.

Indeed, there was an area with fewer trees and the remains of what looked like houses.

“Let’s land.”

“Wait, that’s too fast. Too fast!!!”

I screamed.

---

“Anyway, this is our new home.”

“Wow!”

The children cheered.

“So, Leader, what do we do first?”

Ron asked.

“Leader?”

“No, I’m not fully recognizing you. Just a little. A little bit, okay!”

“Ron, be more honest.”

Ron and Soyon started arguing in front of me.

It’s funny. I haven’t accomplished anything yet. I just traded an iron sword for iron farming tools.

As I was thinking this, Tera whispered in my ear.

“Before you came, this group was a mess. Whenever an opinion was raised, it was countered, and the counter had no alternative. Young children would cry for their mothers, and Ron and Rozward would fight. Now, we’ve reached this state.”

“It’s not that I did well, but rather that things were bad before.”

I smiled wryly. Honestly, I think anyone could have done it.

But that’s the adult standard. Children can’t do it.

To me, the idea of trading an iron sword for farming tools seems normal, but to Ron and the others, it must have seemed innovative.

“You’re overestimating yourself. The abandoned village was also thanks to the Griffin.”

I muttered.

“So, what are we going to grow?”

Rozward glared at me. Why is this kid so high-handed...

Maybe that’s just how kids are.

“I’m thinking of practicing crop rotation.”

“Crop rotation? Is it tasty?”

No, it’s probably not.

“To put it simply, the cycle is: barley (spring planting) → clover → wheat (fall planting) → turnips, over four years.”

According to the children, it’s currently the wheat harvest season, so unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until next year for wheat.

Considering the current season, we’ll probably start with turnips.

“Why do something so complicated?”

“You know that fields become less productive over time, right? Clover has the effect of enriching the soil. This way, we can grow crops year-round.”

I’m not an expert, but I learned this in history and geography. I might not know the details as well as the children.

My experience with agriculture is limited to a small garden at the orphanage.

Rozward is still skeptical. He doesn’t understand at all. But I can’t explain it in detail, so they’ll have to learn through experience.

“Is there anything else we can grow?”

“Grapes and olives. If possible.”

I answered Gram’s question.

From what the children told me, the climate here is Mediterranean.

So, to be honest, crop rotation isn’t the best fit. Fortunately, this village is near a river, so it’s possible.

The best fit would be grapes and olives. But they take time to grow, and it’s questionable whether they can feed thirty people.

Additionally, grapes and olives grow best on well-drained slopes. This village is on flat land.

I think it’s possible to grow them on flat land, but I want to try in the future.

“Now that we’ve decided on the plan...”

The children’s eyes turned to me.

“Let’s start by repairing the houses.”

I pointed to the dilapidated pit houses.

---

### Livestock

Livestock is crucial in crop rotation.

The advantage of crop rotation is that livestock can be raised even in winter.

Moreover, clover alone is not enough to restore soil fertility. By letting livestock graze on clover fields, their manure becomes fertilizer, which is essential.

“So, I want to bring in livestock.”

I said this to the children. They looked puzzled. They probably didn’t understand much.

“But, isn’t it hard to trade for livestock after a famine?”

“I’ll negotiate with the kingdom of Rosais in the east. They don’t have iron tools, so I can probably get one or two cows for about ten iron swords.”

Having cows will make farming much easier.

To improve the current situation where only children are the labor force, I want at least one cow.

“Will they trade important food for iron tools?”

“If I were the village chief, I’d trade cows for iron tools and present them to the country to get tax exemptions.”

A few cows can only feed a limited number of people.

Many would choose to go to war to seize food using iron tools to fill their bellies.

“But there’s one problem.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t know how to handle cows.”

The children were taken aback.

---

“I can handle them a bit. My parents raised livestock.”

“Great, thanks.”

I’m a bit puzzled why someone who raised expensive livestock would be sent away, but I won’t ask too many questions.

“I need one more person.”

“I’ll go.”

Ron volunteered.

As expected. Ron and Soyon always go together.

“Let’s go. Tera!”

“Why me...”

“Tera is knowledgeable. You might get tricked, so come with us.”

Incidentally, Ron and Soyon are from the village where we traded iron tools for farming tools. They didn’t go because it would be awkward.

On the other hand, Rozward is from the village we’re heading to.

I don’t know where Tera is from.

She hasn’t told me. The only thing I know is that she’s quite knowledgeable.

“So, just cows?”

“To be honest, one cow is enough. To make up for it, I’ll buy goats.”

Goats aren’t tasty, but they can survive on poor food. Ideally, I want a male and female pair.

“How many iron swords will you bring?”

“Fifteen, to be safe. That should be enough.”

Ten should be enough, but I want to be cautious. It’s a hassle to make the trip twice.

“Let’s go.”

I said, and Tera smiled weakly. Does she really hate it that much?

---

“So, how about a trade?”

“Hmm, we don’t have much food...”

The village chief hesitated. Of course.

I kept smiling.

“What if I present the iron swords to the country in exchange for tax exemptions? The important people in the country must be desperate for iron weapons.”

The kingdom of Rosais doesn’t have iron smelting technology.

They import iron by trading with northern countries. Iron is a crucial resource for both war and agriculture. They are likely overcharged and restricted to prevent Rosais from becoming a strong country.

Another option is to trade food with a country at war.

These iron swords are of high quality, brought by brave warriors who tried to defeat the Griffin. In peacetime, they would be worth trading for without hesitation.

“Hmm... That might be a good idea...”

The village chief started to ponder, nodding and shaking his head repeatedly. It’s taking a long time. Hurry up.

“If it’s not possible, it’s fine. I’ll try another village.”

I said, making a move to stand up, and the village chief panicked.

“I’ve decided! We’ll trade. What do you want?”

“I want one cow and five goats. How about that?”

I asked assertively. Honestly, three or four goats would be enough. Five is a bit risky.

“Five goats... That’s a bit much... How about two?”

“Then I’ll add two more iron swords. In exchange, give me four goats.”

The village chief nodded deeply. He seemed to agree.

This way, we’ll get labor and high-nutrient milk.

I felt relieved.

---

“Alright, is this good?”

I looked at the goats and cow in the makeshift fence.

The fence is not very sturdy, so I need to reinforce it later.

If they escape, it will be a problem, so I asked the Griffin to threaten them. He said he couldn’t threaten innocent animals, but he seemed quite enthusiastic about it.

Well, they’re not for eating.

They get free food. They shouldn’t complain.

What? All the grass in nature is free? But there’s less risk of being eaten by predators like wolves. Probably.

“Why did you rush to get goats? It’s just troublesome.”

Tera said.

I understand her feelings. A cow for labor is one thing, but goats aren’t really necessary. We need to plant barley, and now we have the extra task of taking care of goats.

But I had a reason to hurry.

“Goat’s milk is not tasty, but it’s nutritious.”

“...”

Tera looked puzzled.

“The Griffin only brings fruits and meat. There’s no calcium. Without calcium, bones become brittle, which is fatal in this world. That’s why I went to the trouble of getting goats.”

“Hmm.”

“Do you understand?”

“You care about us.”

Tera smiled.

This is the first time I’ve seen her smile.

“What will we name them?”

Ron stroked a goat. He seemed to like them.

“Goats will be numbered from one to four. The cow will be number one.”

“Eh... That’s too simple! It’s cruel.”

Soyon pouted in protest.

“Cruel... They’re livestock, not friends, family, or pets. We might have to eat them someday. Naming them will make them pets, and it will be painful.”

In Japan, hitting a pet like a dog is considered animal abuse.

But slaughtering pigs or cows is not a crime.

It’s a basic difference: pets and livestock are different.

Livestock are tools for humans. You shouldn’t get emotionally attached.

Naming them turns them into pets.

It might be difficult to ask the children to take care of them without getting emotionally attached, but I hope they at least avoid naming them.

“I see... We might have to eat them...”

The children looked at the goats and cow with sad faces.

It felt like a funeral.

But it’s not certain that we’ll eat them...

“Well, goat’s meat is not tasty, so we won’t eat it unless it’s absolutely necessary. Cows are important for labor. Let’s work hard on agriculture to avoid that.”

I raised my voice to change the mood.

“First, let’s clear the weeds in the field. It’s faster to let the goats and cows eat them than to cut them. Let’s move them to the field.”

We guided the goats and cows to the field.

Whether it was the Griffin’s threat, Soyon’s guidance, or just their desire to eat grass, the cows and goats obediently entered the field.

The field isn’t very large.

From the number of pit houses, this village probably had about a hundred people.

Once they finish eating the grass, we’ll start plowing the field.

The soil should be relatively soft, but with the children’s strength...

We managed to get some picks, but I’m not sure if they can do it...

I don’t expect much from the harvest