… By the way, the season has changed and it's now fall. The biggest change of all was not the season, but the fact, Fuji has greatly grown in size. He was as tall as the children at standpoint, and was approximately the size of a pony now, but a little bit smaller. His sudden growth has brought anxiety to the villagers and worries that they might eat them someday.
Like me, they also thought that Fuji was an ordinary house pet, but, to their surprise, when Lirius explained to them what his true nature is, that when they became all weary of him. However, since Fuji has fully acknowledged as its master and with Lirius supervision, I'm sure such a thing as Fuji killing the villagers won't ever happen. I mean, if he does, Lirius might barbeque both of us for failing with our training.
As of now, I am heading to the village to inspect as usual with Fuji. It has been a daily routine of mine since I hardly go hunting with the villagers now.
Whilst the girl was racing with Fuji down the village hill, children started shouting and calling out their name.
"It's Tina."
"Lady Tina, you're here?"
"How are you, my lady?"
… How should I say this… Well, it's all thanks to Gran. My relationship with the villagers has indeed improved and all of the sudden, some elders, especially men, started addressing me as "my lady" as well. I mean, I don't mind it, but the fact I'm from another world, it still brings chills. I mean, in the modern world, there aren't even a lot of royalties anymore.
However, things weren't all this good. As I implemented the changes and started selling the crops, there was quite a lot of conflict. Since, we needed to manage payment for the people as well. I needed to educate them about the difference in task means a better pay. Also, the longer you work the more you get paid. Well, it's normal since they haven't had any jobs for years and such a thing as income has never been thought to them.
Whilst the girl was inspecting the different small patches of land at each house, Fuji was busy playing around with the children. Despite adults being so wary of him, the kids continue to treat him like a puppy.
…All the run-down houses before have finally been fixed, at the same time new buildings are being constructed. The blue prints I handed to Tycho were at first a great challenge for him. His talent in building was not as great as those in the empire, he was only a common builder and blacksmith who knew simple work.
It was something only done in a big city which is why Tycho was a bit shocked as to why I was implementing such a system in a small village. You see, sanitation was the biggest problem in this world. The fact they don't have proper sanitation is the biggest reason why people die.
I notice that only noble houses, taverns, and houses in cities have proper sanitation. When I traveled to the Northern Region, I was shocked that one of the towns we stayed in didn't even have proper sanitation. There was only one common comfort room for everyone to use. Which was very disgusting and awkward.
Once we were able to earn some money from the crop, we started building different projects such as sanitation, sewage system and water system making it easy for houses. As you know, not everyone has the ability to magically make water. Plus, we can't afford elemental stones to be put in each house.
Technically, we can, since I found out recently how rich Lirius is. Well, not exactly how much. But, the fact he was able to give out some gold coins to me so easily means he must be really rich.
You might be asking why I need the money?
Well, it's simple. As of now, we didn't have the money to buy the material for the project. At the same time, we needed more manpower with skills. So, I had no choice but to hire skilled workers from close by town and village. I didn't go seek help from a big city for I fear that I might get the attention of a noble and the empire.
During her inspection, Fuji was busy with the children, so she went to check the back garden of each house. The crops that are growing in the back houses are the villagers' own supplies to share with everyone. It was something so they didn't need to rely on the food from the church and Diana all the time.
...Since my power has fully recovered and gotten stronger, I was able to restore more lands. I continued to push myself in restoring the land in order to raise enough money not only to restore the village, but to repay House Caelestis once they decide to collect tax. Since, I actually have no idea how much taxes we might need to pay. Despite this land is not fertile, but since it's a part of a Dukedom, I'm sure taxes will be pretty high.
Despite the seed being mine, I ensure to put 50 percent of the income away. 20 percent will be used to budget the cost for the projects I've planned, 10 percent were given to the church and the rest was divided equally to the villagers as their personal income. Of course, within that 50 percent, I was also paying Lirius for the money I owe him. Even though he said it was not necessary, I explained to him the importance of borrowing a loan.
"Tina, you're here…"
"Tina, come have some fruits."
… Just as I mentioned, my power has indeed become stronger than I've restored quite a lot of trees around the village. Surprisingly, most of the trees were fruit trees.There was especially a famous tree which we all love, its fruit is something the nobles back in the empire always fought for. Since, you can hardly get it. It's called Creonut, which is similar to a pastry in the modern world called Cronut.
Surprisingly, the fruit tasted like one as well. You can really taste the light and flaky taste of a croissant, but mix with the peanutty, sweet, creamy taste of a nut. The fruit is not a pastry or anything, that when you bite into it, you see a bread. No, it's just, the fruit shell needed to be roasted, since it's really a hard nut like chestnuts. But, unlike ordinary nuts, when you bake this one, it smells like a fresh baked croissant. I really loved it and, I guess I loved it so much I've gained quite a lot of weight thanks to it.
Not only were there trees around, but wild berry bushes as well, which the children normally pick and eat as snacks.
"Thank you." Athena thanked the ladies who were gathering the fruits and roasting them. She smiled from ear to ear as she could smell the freshly baked croissant smell. 'How I wish the empire never knows about the tree being here.'
Call her greedy , which she is, but indeed, she really didn't want the empire to know such a tree was in their territory.