Chapter 32

Starting the tobacco leaf field, on the third day.

Nearly fifty Otems lined up in a row.

And the Mountain No. 2 and No. 3 guarding them.

No, it wasn’t easy.

If the area became too large, it would be difficult to manage, so I transplanted the living Otems to one spot.

“Thanks, Shibi, Giselle. Now, all we have to do is wait and see if it goes well.”

“No, no, for Giselle’s sake, this much is nothing...”

Shibi was talking to the Otems.

Is everything really okay?

They should have gotten enough rest on the second and third days...

Did I push them too hard with my senses?

If the tobacco leaf cultivation succeeds, I’ll make sure to repay them properly.

My head hurts from the potion’s side effects, and I feel nauseous.

I just want to go home and rest.

As I turned to head back, I saw someone approaching.

There were three of them.

Sure enough, it was those guys.

“Oh, the one in front is the only son of the Kalko family...”

Shibi muttered, glaring at the leader of the trio, Nozwel.

She had been talking to the Otems until just now, but she seemed to have finally come to her senses.

They must have heard that we weren’t at home and came to check on us.

I don’t know what the Kalko family will do.

Depending on how they act and how we respond, our future actions could be restricted.

I slapped my cheeks and reined in my resolve.

“Huh! I didn’t expect you to be doing something like this. You’re even more of an idiot than I thought!”

I looked at Nozwel, then at the lackeys behind him.

They shuddered and averted their eyes.

Just let them go... Why do you bring them along every time?

“So, what’s the purpose this time?”

“What’s the purpose? Don’t play dumb. What’s with this number of Otems? Are you trying to start a fight with my family? Hey.”

Nozwel narrowed his eyes and approached me.

“What’s your problem? You think you can start a fight with Abel and get away with it?”

Shibi raised her voice and stepped in front of me.

Then she glared at each of the trio.

Shibi is quite assertive when it comes to people other than me and Giselle.

No, I was probably like that when I first met her.

The way she’s talking now makes her sound like a fox borrowing the tiger’s might.

Nozwel snorted at Shibi’s words. The two lackeys shook their heads.

Seeing this, Nozwel clicked his tongue and smacked their heads.

I reached out, advised Shibi, and stepped between them.

“There’s no rule that says we can’t cultivate tobacco leaves.”

“If there’s no rule, you can do anything? Remember those words well. Don’t think you can act so carefree and challenge my family.”

Nozwel smiled and walked back the way he came.

He’s backing off earlier than I expected today.

“Can we go home now?”

The lackeys also seemed relieved as they called out to Nozwel.

“Yeah, I’ve given the warning, so it’s fine. Seeing that number of Otems confirmed it. You’re just a thoughtless idiot acting on impulse. You must have acted without thinking, out of frustration.”

Nozwel replied to the tall lackey and then shrugged dramatically.

Then he turned back to us.

“I’ll leave you alone. After all, I’m curious, aren’t I? Just what do you plan to do with that many Otems? Who do you think will help you with the magic supply? Oh, what a pitiful sight. I don’t want to catch your idiocy. I hope your tobacco field goes well, Abel. I’m looking forward to it. Come on, let’s go.”

Magic supply?

Am I missing something?

Looking to the side, I saw Shibi’s face turn pale.

After watching the two lackeys and Nozwel leave hurriedly, I asked Shibi.

“Hey, what were they thinking? Do you have an idea from that look on your face?”

“Y-Yeah, that’s exactly it. Those three are probably going to call on the other villagers to not help us! What should we do!”

I thought I could manage the maintenance on my own from now on... Was I too optimistic?

Even Shibi understands, so it’s not a particularly specialized issue.

“What do you mean?”

“D-Don’t you know? There’s a place behind the Kalko family’s mansion where they cultivate tobacco leaves. They hire about thirty people skilled in magic control to supply magic every morning. It takes a lot of magic... It’s not something one or two people can do.”

“Hmm?”

“So, if we can’t gather people, the magic will run out and it will fail! Didn’t Abel say that?”

Indeed, one of the difficulties in cultivating tobacco leaves is gathering people who can supply magic.

Living Otems will die if their source of magic runs out.

If the supply is interrupted even for a day, they will wither.

This is one of the reasons why tobacco leaf cultivation hasn’t spread.

When the Rietta family cultivates tobacco leaves, they have to bow to the Kalko family to get the necessary personnel.

I see, that’s why he was so confident.

It’s good to know the reason.

“What do we do? There are only a limited number of people who can supply magic. Most of them are closely connected to the Kalko family, and they definitely won’t come even if we ask!”

“Shibi, calm down.”

“I can’t calm down! W-What do we do? It’s all for nothing! If this continues, Giselle will...! I know! Let’s just blow up that guy’s house! It’s the quickest and most satisfying way! You can say I did it, so let’s do it!”

“Hey, Shibi.”

“Y-Yeah! My father is quite skilled! Let’s ask him for help! I know people who have a grudge against the Kalko family! Abel, can’t you get the chief’s family to help? You’re a master and disciple, right? If he helps, others will follow! It will turn into a big deal, but now it’s war, war!”

“Shibi.”

“W-What? Why are you so calm, Abel?”

“I can handle it on my own, so don’t worry.”

I don’t want to be underestimated.

For this scale, my magic is more than enough.

Even if it were ten times larger, it wouldn’t be a problem.

“Huh?”

No, that’s good.

It seems Nozwel won’t interfere anymore. I’ll do as I please.