Chapter 77

In the Orsk archipelago, located in the southern part of the Sora earldom, there stood a new village with freshly built houses. Sania was there.

Sania was there because Sora had decided to develop the Orsk archipelago, which previous generations of lords had left undeveloped, deeming it unprofitable. Sora's decision was heavily influenced by the existence of this village that Sania had visited.

If the industry established by the former residents of the abandoned village, who had once produced Ogarite, were to take off, it would be applied to other villages on the islands with similar conditions.

"You have a big responsibility. I'll leave it to you."

When Sania explained the significance of the development plan, Sharina lightly tapped her chest with her fist. Feeling reassured by her old friend's enthusiasm, Sania walked through the village and headed towards the pine forest by the coastline. The residents of the village she passed through were former residents of the abandoned village. Most were in their twenties, with the oldest in their early thirties, making it a vibrant and youthful community.

"---There's no need to worry about romantic entanglements."

Sharina smiled slyly, as if she had read Sania's mind.

"They were all orphans in the past, and have lived through the harsh realities of life in various places. They won't do anything to ruin their new home, and they can read the room. If any issues arise, I or Gaist will mediate."

Gaist, who had traveled with Sharina, was likely in Crossport at the moment, finalizing the details of the development plan with Sora. Gaist, a former first-class bishop of the church, was experienced in mediation, having handled disputes among believers.

Thinking that there was no need to worry, Sania noted it as a special item in the investigation report. Even if no problems arose in this village, there was a possibility they could occur in other villages when the plan was applied.

"Perhaps we should place officials who can mediate, taking into account the different cultures on each island."

The Orsk archipelago, long neglected by the lords, had subtle cultural differences on each island. As the development plan progressed, increased interaction between the islands could lead to friction.

With a mountain of things to consider, Sania filled the investigation report with text. Noticing Sharina looking at her with admiration, Sania looked up from the report.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just that you've become such a capable woman. It feels like a dream that you used to be chased around by Lord Sora, who was after your ears and tail."

"How many years do you think have passed?"

"About ten years since I first met Lord Sora. If you count from when I left Crossport, it's been about five or six years? By that time, you were already drawing magic circles, so it's only natural that you've become capable."

Time flies, Sharina mused, folding her arms. Despite being only around nineteen, Sharina sounded like an old person, which made Sania chuckle.

Arriving at the pine forest, Sania observed the roots of the pines. This forest was where the village's specialty, truffles, were cultivated, but she didn't notice anything unusual.

"You can't harvest them until autumn. This year might be a bit difficult, so the report might not come until next spring."

"Lord Sora said that cultivating truffles is very difficult and that it takes years to see progress."

"You really know him well. It's scary how much you understand him."

"It's always like that," Sharina said, and Sania nodded deeply.

"Lord Sora was very enthusiastic about making truffles a major industry in the Sora earldom, which has many pine forests, as they are more popular in the kingdom than matsutake mushrooms."

"Matsutake mushrooms? Don't compare them to something so smelly."

Sharina frowned in displeasure. Sania continued, recalling her recent conversation with Sora.

"I said the same thing, but Lord Sora looked very sad."

"He's still the same in strange ways."

Sharina chuckled, perhaps remembering Sora's appearance. Guided to a field where potatoes were being grown, Sania informed them of the obligation to report the harvest and handed over the report form. Sharina made a strange sound when she received the form.

"There's a lot to write."

"Be careful not to write anything careless, or an audit will come. If you get caught, you'll be taken to the Jira orphanage by Lord Sora. If you can't even make a proper document, you'll have to study from scratch with the children."

Sania mentioned that the mayor and his son had actually been taken there before, which made Sharina's expression tighten.

"Don't worry, I won't do anything careless. We finally managed to build this village."

Sharina was determined not to repeat the mistake that led to the loss of their previous village after betraying Sora. Reassured by Sharina's words, Sania put the investigation report back in her bag.

"The investigation is complete. I intend to support you, so if you need funds or materials, let me know. I'll help as much as possible."

"We don't need to worry much about funds since the restaurant in Crossport is doing well, but sometimes we don't have the materials themselves."

"I can order them for you. If you want to keep the information about the materials secret to prevent other villages from copying, it might be better to order through Lord Sora."

Sania added that Lord Sora could secure materials secretly through the Wooddora Trading Company. Both truffles and potatoes were being cultivated for the first time not only in the Sora earldom but in the entire kingdom. Since the results were uncertain, it was better to prevent other villages from participating unnecessarily, as the impact of failure would be significant. Especially with truffles, which are fungi, failure was almost certain without proper guidance, and even Sora was not fully familiar with the cultivation methods.

"In emergencies, you can contact the Wooddora Trading Company, the Jira orphanage director, or the former mayor of Smoked Wood Village, who can be dispatched to help with village management. Don't hesitate to ask."

The former mayor of Smoked Wood Village, who had retired, was being dispatched to various villages due to his experience in reviving a declining village. Despite his age, Sora provided him with a carriage, and the contrast between his status as a village mayor and the lavish treatment he received often surprised people. Few knew that the former mayor of Smoked Wood Village was the most surprised of all.

Every time Sania looked at the list of dispatched personnel in her notebook, she felt the strength of Sora's commitment to the development of the Orsk archipelago. With her bag on her back, Sania checked her notebook to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything.

"Oh, right. We won't be able to contact you for a while because we have to go to the capital with Lord Sora."

"The capital?"

"Yes. The Crown Prince has summoned Lord Sora, and he has to attend over ten parties."

Sania recalled Sora's appearance, holding the summons and looking as bothered as Lazzette would.

"Maybe he'll be introduced to some women?"

"Maybe. Lord Sora should start thinking about marriage soon."

"Maybe... If you're not careful, he might be taken."

Sania chuckled at Sharina's serious and threatening look.

"Even if he is taken... Luly aside, I'm a beastkin, so I can't get married."

"That might be true, but..."

Smiling at the displeased Sharina, Sania headed back to the ship that had brought her to Crossport.

"---Since I was born a beastkin, there's nothing I can do about it."