Farming Life in Another World

It was early afternoon when the harvest was over and all that remained was to wait for the martial arts tournament.

I found myself at Youko’s mansion in Village Five.

The primary purpose was a meeting centered about reports on Village Five.

Typically, such meetings took place in Big Tree Village, but due to logistical reasons, this time it was held at Youko’s house.

Initially, I thought it would be just Youko and me attending the meeting. However, Miyo from Shashaato City and even Malbit also joined us.

The four of us sat around a kotatsu, and on the kotatsu table were french fries and potato chips.

Both were freshly made.

I prepared both of them myself.

While the base flavor was salt, I also provided variations like nori salt, plum salt, and mustard.

The idea was to avoid the same dish all the time by introducing different flavors.

The reception has been positive.

The oni maids have started using them in various dishes, expanding their applications.

As for mustard, it’s a common condiment in this world.

However, it’s primarily used as medicine and considered a luxury item.

It’s not readily available to the general public. But at Loo’s request, I cultivated mustard using the AFT.

Initially, I didn’t realize it was mustard, which I now regret.

However, now that I’m aware of it, it’s now widely used in various dishes and produced in each village.

Big Tree Village has the highest production, but I expect Village Four to catch up soon.

Especially given how they had expanded their cultivated land significantly using the floating gardens.

The civil servant daughters are also hopeful that these condiments can be sold outside the village.

It sounds like it’s popular in this world too.

…

Youko, Miyo, and Malbit seem engrossed, but perhaps it’s time to start the meeting?

Or should I wait a little longer?

Well, I can wait, but…

Oh, I almost forgot ketchup and mayonnaise.

Let’s add those.

Extra fries?

How much do you want?

About the same amount as before?

No, double the quantity this time?

Well, initially, we had a smaller batch for testing purposes.

Understood.

I continued making french fries and potato chips for a while.

Just to clarify, it’s not because I’m spoiling these three.

The spiderlings guarding Youko’s mansion also wanted some too.

-0-

As everyone regained their focus, the meeting commenced.

「Nori salt is truly sublime.」

「Plum salt is also quite good.」

「Combining mustard with ketchup creates a bold flavor—almost addictive.」

My apologies, it seems they haven’t fully regained our composure.

Let’s have them calm down with some warm drinks.

Since they’ve been snacking on french fries and potato chips, perhaps green tea would be suitable.

Or would you prefer something cold?

It’s still too early to turn the kotatsu on.

If you really want something cold, how about carbonated lemon juice?

It’s fizzy but not alcoholic.

I developed it while brainstorming new dishes.

Although, to be clear, I wasn’t the one who made it carbonated. Loo crafted a magic tool that extracts carbon dioxide from the air and releases it under pressure. ℞αＮОＢƐꞩ

Magic is really amazing.

Unfortunately, we only have one of such magic tool, and it’s not portable.

So, in Big Tree Village, we produce carbonated water and flavor it locally. That’s the case this time as well.

「This…….quite interesting.」

「It’s nice.」

「A peculiar experience.」

The feedback is… well, decent.

Was it not sweet enough?

It’s just carbonated water so it lacks sweetness.

Should I add more sugar?

Yes, it seems we should.

Affirmative.

-0-

Now, let’s refocus for the meeting.

Malbit, in serious mode, began her report.

「We’ve appointed ten angels as instructors and established a private school in Village Five. The reception has been favorable. Additionally, some merchants have requested our instructors for private tutoring.」

Given the less-than-ideal reputation of the angels during the spring parade of the Demon King’s Kingdom, we decided to open this private school as a measure to cover for that.

We started with Village Five, where people were less resistive of them.

In a few years, we plan to expand to Shashaato City and eventually the royal capital.

「Here’s a list of merchants who have requested our instructors.」

Malbit placed a wooden board with written characters in the center of the kotatsu. Youko and Miyo furrowed their brows as they read.

「They’re not local merchants, aren’t they?」

「Indeed.」

These merchants aren’t from Village Five or Shashaato City.

「It appears they’re trying to establish connections with us, perhaps even aiming to reach village chief.」

I see.

It would be better if they approached us directly without such schemes.

Well, I suppose I don’t visit Village Five often enough for them to approach me directly.

Did you turn them down?

「No, I understand their intentions, so we’ll use those as leverage while benefiting ourselves.」

…

Perhaps such actions contribute to the unfavorable reputation of the angels?

Also, if these merchants aren’t from Village Five or Shashaato City, where will you be teaching them?

At inns, perhaps?

「No, their base of operations is in another city. It’s a bit far.」

Is that safe?

「We’ll send a few people since it’s an opportunity to visit other cities openly. I’ll have them gather information there.」

K-k-keep it moderate.

If there’s a need for me to meet them, I’ll manage somehow.

「No no. There is no need to trouble village chief. Rest assured.」

Understood, but…

I don’t know.

There’s something about Malbit in serious mode that makes me uneasy.

Unlike Tier, perhaps it’s the duration of our acquaintance?

Maybe because I looked worried, Youko reassured me.

「Village Chief, remember that this one was the chief of the angels that controlled the Garret Kingdom for a long time. While they may not avoid mistakes, they won’t cause harm to you or Village Five out of stubbornness.」

I hope they won’t cause harm in the Demon King’s Kingdom either.

「We’ll do our best.」

Yeah, do your best.

-0-

Next, Miyo.

「As of this autumn, Village Five owns three big ships, eight medium-sized ships, and sixteen small ships for trade. We’ve lent them all to Shashaato City merchants for practical use…」

For years, we’ve been constructing ships using Village Five’s funds and lending them out.

The plan was that if trade in Shashaato City thrived, it would benefit Village Five as well.

And indeed, the results have been as expected.

Previously unavailable goods are now circulating.

I thought there wouldn’t be any issues, but it seems I was wrong.

「What are our shipbuilding plans in the future?」

In the future?

「If we continue receiving shipbuilding orders at the current pace, there’s a suggestion to expand the shipyard….. Honestly speaking, the shipwrights asked me to inquire. They want to know if we’ll maintain the same order volume.」

I see.

Ehto, Youko…

「We have no financial issues here. There’s no shortage of places to lend the ships. We should be fine continuing what we’ve been doing for a few more years. Ah, no, if we can increase the production, I would prefer that.」

「Unfortunately, we’re short on shipwrights. It takes time to train crew members, and our current pace is at its limit.」

「Is that why you want to expand the shipyard?」

「The current situation is already very difficult, that’s why expanding the shipyard is being requested. Besides, the demand for ships isn’t limited to Village Five alone. Monopolizing them would invite resentment.」

「Mou.」

So, for now, we’ll maintain the status quo.

「Understood. I’ll convey that.」

I’ll tell them that.

-0-

Lastly, Youko.

The documents explaining why we’re holding this meeting at Youko’s mansion were placed on the kotatsu.

「All of these are petitions addressed to village chief.」

…

All of them?

「Yes. In summary, they’re requesting protection and recognition from village chief.」

Are they asking for financial support?

「That’s part of it, but gaining recognition from village chief seems more important.」

My recognition?

「Yes. They likely desire the title of “someone recognized by the village chief of Village Five”. Therefore, it’s beyond my judgment. I can only leave it to village chief.」

I see.

Glancing through them, it seems we’ve received petitions from carpenters, artists, cooks, engineers, inventors, apothecaries, mages, novelists, and other professions.

Have we been receiving such requests for a while?

「No, it started this summer.」

Since summer?

Did something happen?

「Actually, the notable event was during spring—the parade in the kingdom where village chief participated.」

Just participating in the parade led to this many petitions being delivered? I don’t quite understand the reason.

「No no, during that parade, village chief stood out significantly. And as I mentioned earlier, they want recognition from village chief. Ah, we’ve excluded any suspicious or fraudulent requests.」

I suppose the scrutiny took time, which is why they didn’t reach me until now.

「We’ve brought it up periodically. It was put on hold…」

My apologies for that.

「We should process them soon since we’ve kept them waiting for too long. The ones here are those I believe you can approve.」

If that’s the case, granting approval should be enough.

But it’s a heavy responsibility to decide whether to recognize anyone.

I’ll need to read and evaluate them carefully.

…

Right, why don’t we use a rank system?

「Rank system? What are you talking about all of a sudden?」

It’s a way to gauge the level of recognition I grant.

Honestly, even after reading the petitions, it’s challenging to make a judgment.

If there are already achievements, it’s easier to assess, but otherwise, it leaves me pondering.

So, here’s the proposal: anyone who passes Youko’s evaluation receives one star.

If they achieve results, they get two stars.

And if they consistently deliver results, they earn three stars.

How does that sound?

「Ah, it’s straightforward. It also encourages improvement. By making the first star a trial, we can prevent misuse. Fumu, village chief is really the most reliable person when it comes to things like this.」

Well, I just want an easier way out.

「Fufufu. Let’s adopt the rank system. However, I’m hesitant to decide the initial one-star rating solely based on my judgment. As I’ve mentioned before, they want recognition from village chief. So, I’d like village chief to evaluate them too.」

Eh?

「Well, it’ll be easier than before. Let’s have Miyo and Malbit provide input while we evaluate each one individually.」

Youko suggests, and both Miyo and Malbit nod in agreement.

It seems they’ll assist while enjoying some french fries and potato chips.

Hnn?

The spiderlings will help too?

Ah, right, you had some fries and chips too.

Understood, that’ll be great.

…..alright.

Let’s screen as much as we can.

-0-

For a while, I continued assessing who to recognize in Village Five.

-0-

Village Chief: I know how to extract carbon dioxide. It involves limestone and hydrochloric acid.

Village Chief: Hydrochloric acid?

Village Chief: How do you make hydrochloric acid? Wasn’t electrolysis necessary?

Village Chief: Also, handling hydrochloric acid was tricky, right?

Village Chief: …

Village Chief: Loo, can’t magic solve this somehow?

-0-

Village Chief: They requested in summer, and now it’s almost the end of autumn… Isn’t that too long?

Malbit: For matters like this, waiting is acceptable.

Miyo: Indeed. If they’re seeking patronage, waiting a few years is reasonable.

Youko: True, but their eagerness to contribute to Village Five also plays a role. We’d like to expedite the process.

Village Chief: I’ll do my best.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!