Chapter 31: Father’s Gift

Fwaaaah—

Magic seeped into the earth once more. Glug, glug. The Magic that had permeated the ground moved, instantly accelerating the fermentation of the enormous piles of manure.

“Ugh…”

“Hold it. Endure it.”

As the process rapidly progressed, the warehouse was briefly filled with a noxious gas, which soon dissipated.

10000.

When all of it was over.

“It’s done.”

In the blink of an eye, the manure had been purified and fermented, ready for use. After a few more steps, it would become an excellent fertilizer.

‘This time, I finished everything with Magic, but once I prove its effects, things will run themselves.’

In the future, there would be no need to rush. If it became necessary, I could even have my Master create a Magic Circle for this.

Benson had carried out his orders flawlessly. After all the procedures, the manure had become perfect fertilizer.

“Young Lord, what should I do next?”

“We’ll make use of it. Take it out and spread it as planned. Myuron will be in charge of that. Just do as I taught you.”

“Yes! As you command! You there! You! Come with me.”

Quick-witted Myuron rounded up a few Serfs and started moving the fertilizer.

This fertilizer would be spread over the Field of Pirn under Myuron’s supervision.

‘I should see results.’

If he’d understood me properly, Myuron would handle the task perfectly.

With Myuron busy, Benson remained and asked, a hint of expectation on his face.

“Should I dispose of the remaining manure, then?”

“Haha, of course not. We’ll keep collecting manure.”

“Cue.”

Once manure becomes fertilizer, it’s no longer waste—it’s gold.

‘And I can never resist gold.’

As the Agricultural Officer, I’d never throw away such a valuable resource.

Collecting it was simple enough if Benson put in just a little more effort.

“How long should I keep at it?”

“Until the Serfs are fully used to their tasks.”

“I’ll finish quickly.”

Watching Benson’s eyes shine with motivation, it really seemed like he’d finish in no time.

Hauling and storing manure isn’t that hard to learn, after all. The real issue was—

‘I need to teach him how to actually make the fertilizer, too, so they can manage without me…’

Just collecting the manure wouldn’t be enough. That, too, was Benson’s job. Despite being a Knight, he turned out to be pretty skilled at teaching Serfs.

Yet, he seemed oblivious to the reality of what he’d have to do.

“Yes, I trust you. Make sure you teach them thoroughly.”

“…Ah. Don’t tell me I have to do it all myself?”

I nodded at his words. But reality is always a harsh teacher.

“There aren’t many people under my command. Please, put in a bit more effort.”

“Khh…”

“If you do well, I’ll speak to my Master and have a special Magic enchantment put on your sword. Maybe even your armor.”

“R-Really!?”

In truth, I planned to inscribe the Magic Circles myself.

My Master wouldn’t waste his time enchanting a mere Knight’s gear. He specialized more in Destruction Magic anyway. But—

‘No need to tell him that much.’

Sometimes, a little white lie is for the best.

“I’ll make sure to succeed!”

“I’m counting on you.”

“Yes!”

See? He’s burning with motivation, just like Myuron.

To get people to work, you need the carrot and the stick.

‘This is a fine carrot.’

Just like now.

The fertilizer was spread across the Field of Pirn under my care.

The results appeared immediately.

“Oh, it’s already grown this much?”

“Wow… This is amazing.”

Compared to normal years, the Pyreun grew much faster.

The larger it grew, the better the fruit it would produce—such was the nature of Pyreun. At this rate, a bountiful harvest was all but guaranteed.

Many Pyreun plants were thriving at a remarkable pace, especially considering only a month and a half had passed.

Taking into account that they were still growing—

‘It’ll be a bumper crop.’

The growth rate was nothing short of miraculous.

Thanks to that, the Serfs working the Field of Pirn were in high spirits. Even idle chatter was tinged with joy.

“At first, I thought it was pointless, but I guess I was wrong.”

“No kidding. There’s actually less work now. The neighboring village is all abuzz after seeing our fields. They’re wishing they’d done the same.”

“Kikik. They teased us at first when the Agricultural Officer showed up, but now look at us.”

“That’s right. Heh.”

Compared to the other wheat fields in the Direct Dominion, the Field of Pirn’s growth rate was astonishing.

Those who managed fields would receive a share of the harvest—a reward for a fruitful year. Naturally, the Serfs tending the Field of Pirn would also enjoy greater rewards.

It was easy to see why Serfs from other fields envied them. Perhaps because of that—

Even my father, busy as he was, came to visit the Direct Dominion upon hearing the news.

Having been buried in affairs of the North and other matters, this was a rare excursion for him.

He toured the whole Dominion, but paid special attention to the Field of Pirn under my care.

“It’s already grown this much?”

“It’s only halfway there. There’s still a lot of growing left to do.”

“Ho… Only halfway, you say. This is only halfway?”

My father was not easily surprised, but seeing the Pyreun’s condition left him visibly astonished.

As Lord and ruler, he understood the significance of the Field of Pirn.

As the land’s master, he also knew exactly what had to be done.

“You’ve accomplished something greater than I expected.”

“No, Father. It was only possible because you trusted me.”

“Haha. No, this is truly your achievement. An outstanding one.”

“Thank you.”

“A great achievement deserves an appropriate reward. Wait and see.”

He promised a reward worthy of my accomplishment. And then—

“Even with only minor changes, the results are so great. Next time, let’s apply this throughout the Direct Dominion. Is that alright with you?”

“It will certainly help with the wheat fields as well.”

“Good. Make sure you see it through. That will be next year, then.”

“Yes. I’ll make sure to succeed again then.”

“And… you plan to expand the irrigation canal here as well?”

“Yes. Preparations are underway. But it will take quite some time.”

Even from afar, Father kept abreast of everything I was doing.

‘No wonder Benson has seemed so busy at night—it was all for reports.’

He must have assigned someone to report on my activities.

In fact, I was already preparing to expand the canals.

In agriculture, water is even more vital than farming methods. Without water, no technique matters.

‘If a drought comes, everything is lost.’

This canal was a safeguard against disaster. Adding a few small reservoirs would be even better.

“Depending on how you go about it, it could become a large-scale project. Won’t you need a lot of labor?”

“I’m managing somehow… but yes, it’s difficult.”

I played up my hardships a little, and Father gave a small, knowing smile.

Then he presented an unexpected gift.

“I’ll help so you can work at ease. I’ll send you more engineers. Take a few Administrative Officers as well.”

“Thank you!”

“I’m counting on you.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle everything well.”

“I believe you.”

After spending several days in the Direct Dominion, Father returned to the castle exactly a week later.

Another week passed.

Nearly two months had gone by since we started cultivating Pyreun when the people Father had sent arrived.

“Greetings to the Third Young Lord.”

“Welcome.”

Putting aside the reward he’d promised, the new personnel sent by Father had arrived.

‘He’s more generous than I thought.’

There were five people in Administrative Officer uniforms. Ten others looked to be their assistants.

Fifteen in total—a considerable number, given how few Administrative Officers the territory usually had. Just their guards numbered fifty.

And with them came what looked like at least two hundred slaves.

‘So all those profligates who were captured have ended up here.’

It seemed every recently enslaved person had been sent to me.

I never imagined I’d see even more people here, on top of the Serfs already in the Field of Pirn.

Sending all these new hands was proof that Father was paying particular attention to this place.

‘Like rain on parched earth.’

With new farming methods, fertilizer, and now the expansion of irrigation canals and introduction of new technologies, I was preparing for a true transformation in agriculture.

I’d been so busy with preparations that I barely had any time to spare. This support was truly welcome.

It was a sizable amount of help. To get a handle on the new arrivals, Myuron rushed about busily.

“How does it look?”

“Young Lord, along with new Administrative Officers, Father also sent twenty more engineers.”

“Oh? Twenty… I hadn’t even thought of engineers. That’s quite a lot.”

“Yes! Engineers and slaves! With this, we’ll even have extra hands left over.”

Even Myuron, who had been helping me, was all smiles.

Under him were five Administrative Officers and their assistants. But even with them, it was impossible to handle all the tasks I’d given alone.

He had been supervising the agricultural work and now was also assisting with the canal construction.

‘Though it was still at the groundwork stage, it must have been tough.’

Building a canal required all kinds of calculations. Connecting watercourses over long distances in the Direct Dominion was no easy feat.

If I hadn’t helped with Magic, we wouldn’t have even begun the basic construction.

‘Once the canal is complete, I’m thinking of building a waterwheel as well…’

There was much to do, and not enough hands.

That’s why I had even enlisted a Knight like Benson in making fertilizer.

But now that a new Administrative Officer was to be assigned under him, it was only natural that he’d be pleased.

“Myuron, I guess both you and I can finally take a breather. You’ve worked hard.”

“Not at all! Thanks to you, Young Lord, it’s been fun. It’s a new challenge.”

“I’m grateful you think that way.”

“It’s I who should thank you for recognizing me, Young Lord.”

“Well, then. Let’s get moving with the new arrivals.”

“Yes!”