Chapter 16

I updated (1) and (2) simultaneously.

I researched how to make silk at the library.

It seems that the silkworms, which make cocoons on mulberry trees, are indeed used.

How convenient the library is. As long as you pay, you can gain knowledge regardless of your status. The current royal family, who established this system, is truly admirable. Although I don't have many good memories of the royal family, I think the current royal family's achievements are wonderful.

Raising silkworms is labor-intensive and requires attention, but the work seems simple. If you put those silkworms in a well-ventilated box and feed them clean mulberry leaves, they will spin cocoons in about twenty-eight days, which is about the time it takes for the moon to go through its phases. You just need to keep their bellies full and maintain cleanliness. It's the same as raising chickens or camels.

If I had been in my previous life, I would have screamed at the sight of those silkworms, but as I started to take care of them, thinking of them as the material for silk, I got used to it. The next day, I diligently collected silkworms and put them in a covered basket.

"Alesia, what are you doing?"

"I'm thinking of collecting these to make silk."

"Silk? Isn't silk a very expensive fabric?"

"These silkworms will spin the threads used to weave that expensive fabric."

Ethan was surprised and made a face when he learned that the expensive silk was woven from threads spun by silkworms. Still, he diligently collected silkworms from the mulberry trees.

"Hmm. You're raising silkworms?"

"Father, do you know about silkworms?"

"I haven't done it myself, but I've heard about it. Did you research it at the library, Alesia?"

"Yes. When I can make silk, I'll return the money you gave me to buy the mulberry trees!"

"Hehe. I look forward to the day you earn that much."

Father seems to think it's just a child's play, but I'm serious.

(Silk products are popular among wealthy nobles, so even if I set a slightly higher price, they should sell. With my nine-year-old body, I can't contribute much to farm work, but raising silkworms can be useful.)

I was so enthusiastic that I started propagating mulberry branches one after another. To raise silkworms on a large scale, I need a lot of mulberry trees. Propagating them by cuttings will save on the cost of seedlings!

While I was working, Ethan pointed something out to me.

"Hey, Alesia, I don't think you've noticed, but you've been making a really bad face while working. You look like an old lady who enjoys making money from shady business."

"Wh-what?"

I couldn't help but look at Hakim nearby, who was trying hard not to laugh. Oh, it's true. I'm only nine years old. 'An old lady with a bad face'... Isn't that a bit much?

"Thanks for telling me, Ethan. I'll be more careful."

"Yeah, be careful. If someone sees you making that face, you won't be able to get married."

Eek. To be warned about marriage by a child like this.

My rain range has been gradually expanding and is now almost two kilometers in diameter. The nearby farmers are all happy, saying, "We used to have to draw water from the well with horses and people, but now we don't have to."

The rain range will continue to expand.

When that happens, it will be even harder to figure out the cause of the rain. Our farm can proudly plant many mulberry trees. It would be great if other farms could also start producing silk.

During dinner, Hakim said,

"Recently, my sister has been able to stay awake without taking any medicine. I think it's because of the water and food here."

"That makes the water and food sound like medicine," Ethan said.

"Come to think of it, no one in our house or Alesia's house has been sick," Uncle Nathan said.

"Minor cuts heal quickly when washed with rainwater," Aunt Benita said.

"I can work all day without a sore back," Father said.

"I don't even have shoulder pain at my age," Mother said.

Wait, hold on.

There's no way my rain has that kind of power.

In my previous life, I was just a water mage. I couldn't use healing magic. I can't say that, though.

Everyone except Hakim looked at me in surprise. No, I don't have that kind of power. I can't say that.

Hakim had a puzzled look on his face. He doesn't know anything.

Father cleared his throat and said,

"Whatever the cause, it's good that Hakim's sister is feeling better. It would be nice if she could visit us sometime."

"In fact, she's been begging me to meet everyone. She wants to thank you all. She also wants to see the farm. I'm sorry, it's a workplace."

"Then, when we go to the library next time, we'll go by camel. We can bring her back to stay overnight and then take her back the next day by camel."

"That's a good idea. We'll do that when she's feeling well."

Father's permission made Hakim happy.

I'm happy too. After all, in this life, I don't even have any female friends, let alone acquaintances. Ethan and Hakim are my only friends.

The first step in helping others was with my family and Ethan's family.

It would be nice to help Hakim's family next.

Before going to bed at night, I checked the silkworms' box.

The silkworms are growing larger as they molt. If you put your ear close to the box, you can hear the faint sound of them eating mulberry leaves, like "shak shak." I can't wait for the day I can extract silk from the cocoons. At first, even one thread of silk will do. I hope it succeeds.

After a while, I noticed that the mulberry trees were growing unusually fast.

No matter how many leaves I picked, new buds kept appearing and quickly grew into leaves.

The nursery owner told me, "Mulberry trees grow fast," but their vitality is truly astonishing.

The silkworms ate the fast-growing mulberry leaves voraciously and eventually started making cocoons all over the box.