Chapter 37

After demonstrating the process of making preserves many times and checking the work of the five participants multiple times, we finally reached the stage where I could say, "Yes, this is perfect," and we worked in a joyful atmosphere every day.

As we spent days together, the topics of conversation gradually became more relaxed, and I even heard stories about people's sweethearts. Today's best love story was probably from a man in his seventies:

"I consider it my greatest achievement in life that I became a husband to my wife."

"This person never said a single kind word to his wife when she was alive, but after she passed away, he became like this. Everyone was surprised the first time they heard it."

"Can you even say such things to the person himself? It's embarrassing."

I couldn't help but smile while listening to such exchanges. Kind words about someone are always healing, even if they're not about me. They moisten the heart. It's a thousand, no, a million times better than hearing someone's bad talk.

(I think I understand why I feel at ease in this country. I haven't heard any gossip since I came here.)

Then, I recalled the social gatherings in the Kingdom of Sanlouan.

(I thought hearing bad talk, rumors, and speculations was part of socializing, but now I realize it was just quiet poison.)

I thought I had fully adapted to the noble society of that country, but perhaps deep down, I was exhausted by it.

On the last day, I told the five people who had worked with me, "Take your time and make delicious preserves."

During my stay, I became close to the five people, and they each gave me handmade gifts: shell bracelets, pendants with polished seeds, and embroidered pouches, which I gratefully accepted. They gave me these handmade items even though I had come uninvited, asked for their help, and was about to leave. I almost cried at the kindness of the gifts but bit my lip and thanked them with a smile.

"I will treasure them. Thank you. This is for the shipping cost of the finished products and the labor until they are completed. Please accept it."

I paid the money into the hands of the five people who were hesitating and left the Calisto region.

Diego's backpack was filled with a large amount of white and black hiri, which I had bought. When I offered to pay, both Cecilio's family and the five people I worked with said, "You don't need to pay," but I insisted. I paid because I knew the hiri would be worth much more than they could imagine. I didn't think it was right to profit alone.

The return journey by boat went against the river current. They said they would use the river wind, but the crew had to operate the sails and rudder continuously. The relaxed atmosphere of the downstream journey was gone, and everyone was working hard.

The passengers in the cabin were different from those on the way there, but they were still playing poker. They probably worked as site supervisors in the mines, as I had heard in Calisto. Miners and site supervisors work in harsh conditions, sometimes not coming out of the mining holes for a day and night. I was told during the preserve-making that cave-ins often result in fatalities.

On the return journey, Berthine was planning the sales strategy for the hiri.

First, she wanted to ask the "Rose Hotel" where Luca works to serve dishes made with hiri. If the hotel guests could spread the word, it would quickly reach the wealthy society. Nobles and major merchants would hopefully compete to buy the hiri.

It's harder to predict the sales of luxury items compared to syrup or wheat.

She occasionally joined the poker games, but the crew, who knew about her previous winning streak, stopped inviting her. Dorothea said, "It's a good opportunity to take a break. You work too hard, Miss."

Returning to Ibito after a longer stay, she went to the hall that day. After all, she was now the "Special Product Sales Envoy" directly under Cecilio, and reporting her results was mandatory. She contacted Ignacio and went to the hall, where she was led to Cecilio's office. Diego and Dorothea were taken to Ignacio's room to treat him with a jar of roasted cob.

"Welcome back, Berthine. I heard you went to my hometown. I was surprised when Ignacio told me you had returned from the inspection, and that you went by boat. You're as proactive as ever."

"Thank you, Sir. The boat journey was comfortable. Your father and grandfather are doing well."

"That's good to hear. I haven't seen them in a long time, but I'm relieved to know they're well."

"Yes, they are very well. They were looking forward to seeing you. Here, I brought this for you."

She took the jars out of her bag.

Roasted cob, oil-cooked scallops, oil-grilled thorn fish, oil-cooked and white wine-cooked clams, and a jar of hiri.

"Hiri, huh? I haven't had it since I left my hometown, so it's nostalgic."

"Please enjoy it with your meal. It might not be as fresh as just cooked, but it's still delicious."

"In Ibito, it's a rare treat. I'll warm it up properly at home and enjoy it. I want to savor it properly."

"Please do."

At that moment, her eyes caught a book on Cecilio's desk. The title was hidden under a pile of documents, but she recognized the deep green fabric on the cover, the dark red bookmark, and the thickness and size of the book.

(It's impolite to look at a book someone else is reading without permission.) She averted her eyes. But (why does Sir Cecilio have that book?), she wondered, and Cecilio asked, "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing. Your hometown seems to have a different, more relaxed atmosphere compared to the deepest region."

"It's a place with nothing, but I like it. I want to go back once while my grandfather is still alive, but I'm busy with school and hospital construction, flood aftermath, and main road maintenance."

"You and Ignacio always seem so busy."

"We have to start from scratch to build the organization for everything. It will settle down eventually. I was worried when I heard you were going to Calisto, but I'm glad you're safe. Did you encounter any danger on the boat trip with only men?"

"Not at all. I spent the time listening to stories about the delicious food in Calisto and playing poker."

Cecilio glanced at Berthine when he heard about poker.

"What is it?"

"I'm just guessing, but did you win a lot of money from the men at poker?"

Berthine couldn't help but laugh at the accurate guess.

"Of course. I thought you wouldn't be weak at gambling."

"I returned the money I won in drinks. Anyway, Sir, this hiri will definitely sell for a high price. Can I set up a system for cultivating and shipping hiri in Calisto?"

"What price do you think it will fetch?"

"Well... I think one jar can fetch five small silver coins."

"Five? ... I see. It grows in everyone's yard in my hometown. If you say so, it will probably sell. There's a candidate for the next clan leader who manages Calisto under my father. I'll contact him and my father. You have the work with the red fabric and the preserves, so it's getting a bit much for you to handle alone."

Indeed, (I was thinking it was getting a bit much to handle everything alone with the increased volume.)

"Hiri grows easily in Calisto, but it wasn't used in the deepest region. I think it grows in people's yards because the soil and climate of Calisto suit it. Sir, I plan to buy one jar of dried white hiri for two small silver coins and five large copper coins, and one jar of black hiri for two small silver coins."

After saying that, she couldn't help but sigh.

"I thought the same thing when we signed the wheat trading contract. It's frustrating to think about the history of this country, which has been giving valuable things to the empire without knowing their worth. And when I think about the Kingdom of Sanlouan, which has been cozying up to such an empire to live a prosperous life..."

"Berthine, don't rush. This country is still waking up. If you rush to get results in a short time, it will inevitably lead to distortions. Let's take a broader view and move more slowly."

"Distortions?"

Cecilio nodded vigorously.

"When you prioritize efficiency in mobilizing people, the end result is a military. I don't want my country to be like a military. The people of this country are too relaxed, so it's a difficult balance."

Berthine left the office when Ignacio announced the next visitor. She thought about the book again. Since it was on the desk, it meant it was being read "now."

(That book, the book of Sanlouan's laws, right?)

There was only one reason Cecilio would be reading that book "now."

The storm that had raged between the empire, the alliance, and Sanlouan had not yet subsided.