Chapter 30

The next day, I brought Giselle and Sibyl to the forest.

Sibyl is a bit chubby, but she’s quite capable.

First, she has high athletic ability. She’s a fat person who can move.

Her archery skills are among the top in her generation of Maaren, and she’s surprisingly fast on her feet.

She’s also putting a lot of effort into carving Oathem, influenced by me.

"Sorry to make you help."

"No, no, no, I’m really honored to be able to help Abel-san, so please use me as much as you want!"

Sibyl says this, but if Giselle weren’t here, she definitely wouldn’t have participated.

However, that’s fine.

If the purpose is clear, it’s easier to handle.

If she truly respects me and follows me, I have to repay that.

If I can’t continue to act as the person she wants me to be, she will be disappointed.

In that sense, Sibyl is very easy to deal with.

"Brother, I’m sorry for causing you trouble. Thank you always, always."

Giselle bows her head to Sibyl.

"N-no, not at all? I’m doing it because I want to, you know. But if you say that, Giselle, I’ll really try my best!"

Giselle was slightly taken aback by Sibyl’s overly affectionate response, but she managed to keep her smile.

This is also a good opportunity for Giselle.

Giselle has too little contact with people outside her family.

Sibyl can talk to Giselle.

Giselle can interact with people outside her family thanks to Sibyl.

And I can get the valuable labor of Sibyl.

This is a win-win situation, everyone is happy.

Wait, I’m not really helping anyone, am I?

After being humiliated by Noswell and the mountain, I stayed up all night reading through the materials.

I mixed soil in my room, twisting my neck and conducting research.

Of course, it was for the improvement of living Oathem.

Initially, I was determined to try my best and compromise if I failed.

But after being humiliated by the mountain, I made a resolution.

Before my coming-of-age ceremony, I will mass-produce and distribute high-quality incense leaves at a low price, surpassing the quality of the Kalko family.

I will reduce the value of the Kalko family’s incense leaves to that of a common leaf.

I will prove that I am not just a mad Oathem enthusiast.

At first, I thought about controlling all the Kalko family’s living Oathem and making them commit suicide in a nearby pond, but I rejected that idea.

The Kalko family has significant influence in this village.

If I take physical revenge, my father will have to bow and apologize, which is inevitable.

I shouldn’t attack recklessly.

However, if I do nothing, I won’t be able to face the mountain in the afterlife.

If I don’t do anything underhanded, I can still deal a significant blow to the Kalko family.

The Kalko family doesn’t have a monopoly on incense leaf production.

It’s just that no one has been able to surpass the Kalko family’s incense leaves for nearly a century.

The Lieetta family also produces incense leaves, but they are essentially puppets of the Kalko family.

One of the two attendants, the shorter one, was from the Lieetta family.

Of course, if I distribute the incense leaves, I might face some retaliation, but if they attack me overtly, I will have a legitimate reason to retaliate.

I have the confidence to defeat them in a magical duel.

If they try to manipulate things subtly, the Kalko family’s authority will decline as the value of their incense leaves falls.

They won’t be able to continue such behavior for long.

Moreover, even if I do nothing, the Kalko family might try to force Giselle into marriage.

From Noswell’s tone, it seems they intend to do so.

I have no intention of giving Giselle to that kappa.

Weakening the Kalko family is the best strategy.

The Kalko family has been enjoying the sweet benefits of monopolizing incense leaf cultivation for generations.

When I investigated the Kalko family to learn about incense leaf cultivation, I found out that they frequently reduce production, citing minor climate changes as an excuse.

According to the clan leader, they often buy up incense leaves from their own people to inflate their value.

In other words, this is justifiable self-defense to prevent Giselle from marrying a kappa, for the good of the village, and to avenge the mountain.

I have no reason to feel ashamed. I will crush them without mercy.

I stopped walking after about five minutes in the forest.

This area has many young Futer trees. I will focus on this area.

"Listen, Sibyl. These trees are Futer."

"Huh, these? I can’t really tell the difference."

Sibyl responds with a lack of interest.

I wish she would show a bit more enthusiasm, even if it’s fake.

"I’m going to turn all the trees around here, about two meters tall, into Oathem."

"What? Are you serious?"

Sibyl’s eyes widen.

Then she quickly looks around.

"Right, I almost forgot. Did you tell Garia that you’ll be gone for three days?"

"Where are you planning to sleep? Here!?"

"Don’t worry. I wouldn’t say that."

"Right... I was scared."

"I’m going to carve without sleeping."

"Hehe, no way, Abel-san, your jokes are a bit hard to understand."

Sibyl laughs, and I laugh along.

After about two seconds, Sibyl’s expression turns serious.

"Really?"

"Yeah, we don’t have time."

"I’m going home! I have something to do!"

"Please, Sibyl! You’re the only one I can rely on! I’ll set up a barrier, so it won’t be cold at night! We can work 24 hours! If you want, I can make a special potion..."

"Sorry! Please spare me!"

"...Giselle is here too."

"...Two days, I can try... maybe..."

Easy.

If I make living Oathem directly in the forest, I can save the trouble of transporting and replanting them.

Last time, I only had to transport one, which was a significant point.

I didn’t want to keep going back and forth to the forest to infuse magic.

However, if I’m making multiple, it’s definitely faster to work directly in the forest.

I don’t mind the effort of going to the forest every day now.

"Sorry, Giselle, I forgot to tell you something. Can you tell Garia about Sibyl?"

"Sure! Leave it to me!"

"Ah, Giselle, you’re leaving... that’s how it is... come back early..."

Giselle smiles at Sibyl and leaves quickly.

Nice, Giselle. Perfect quick move as planned.

If I let Sibyl go now, she might come to her senses and skip out.