11. It would be good if it could serve as a tribute
“Just so you know, I haven’t done any kidnapping.”
Since I had the inspiration to save Morow’s life, I have also used bandits for experiments, but they were all people who came to my forest on their own. I never came here to kidnap the inhabitants of this country. I mean, I would never go on such a tasteless expedition.
“I know. No one seriously believes that the ‘Primordial Witch’ did this. We just apply the witch interpretation to mysteries we cannot solve and then quickly forget about it. It is one of the life skills… It is also sometimes used to discipline children.”
Huh, is that so? Things like being kidnapped by a Tengu or Namahage are coming for you, you know, things like that. If I’m known to that extent, then it’s only natural that Lina knows about it as well. I was able to update another piece of common knowledge.
“Even if that’s what they say, it’s not the same as having no doubts… Lina, to what extent do you really believe that I am the Primordial Witch?”
“I, I don’t know anything. If Lady Edea and Miss Celia command it, then I will do so as well.”
You mean treating someone as a legendary witch, just as she was told to do. I wonder if that’s the case. Although it’s true that the landlord couldn’t possibly defy the king, don’t you think she is a bit too obedient? It might be a good idea to convey that the fact that I am a little bit confused about this.
“I believe I also mentioned this, Miss Edea. Because of Sage Ardella’s claim, even when no one else has been able to confirm it, the existence of the Primordial Witch has a certain amount of credibility.”
Well, I certainly heard that, but… I can’t help but argue with Celia, she becomes even more formal toward me when in public.
“But still, how could anyone believe that I, who only looks like an ordinary girl, was actually the primordial witch herself? Unless Ardella herself gives her seal of approval right in of us, isn’t it something that no one can prove?”
“It seems that you may not be aware, but Miss Edea is by no stretch of the imagination an ‘ordinary girl’. It’s something that is obvious at first glance.”
“Eh?… Specifically, where exactly?”
“Which part… Let me see. Let’s just say it’s everything. Your appearance, how you speak, your thoughts. Above all, the way you look at people. In the face of such a presence, no one would mistake you for just an ordinary girl.”
“Well, there were actually quite a few people, but…”
“That is just the proof that the person is beyond salvation and is hopelessly lacking in insight.”
I’m weak when it comes to being assertively told something. Those guys, even from my point of view, were nothing but outrageous fools, so I can agree with that. In that case, Celia, Morow, Dambus, and Lina… The reason is clear why everyone I’ve encountered feels either fear or awe towards me.
In short, it means that at a glance, people can tell I’m a ‘dangerous person,’ right? At least by most people.
Although I have some minor complaints about being inevitably seen that way, but well… By unleashing Eidos Magic, I can even change the terrain, so from the point of view of others, there’s no doubt that I’m a crazy person. Regardless of whether you act rashly or not, the mere fact that such a power exists is enough to recognize someone as someone to watch out for.
“I thought that if there was any doubt, proof would be necessary… But I’ll end up doing the same thing anyway.”
“Miss Edea?”
When I stood up, Celia voiced a question, but right now, I have business with Lina.
“Could you step outside for a moment?”
“Hiie…”
“Miss Edea!”
“No, no, I won’t do anything to Lina.”
I honestly apologized for speaking in a way that sounded like I was picking a fight, and then accompanied by Lina and Alf, an old man who is the only servant in the mansion, we went outside together.
“The village that can be seen from here is the best one in this domain, isn’t it?”
“Yes. The rest are small villages located beyond that forest and beyond that mountain over there… That is everything of this domain.”
The village that I can see is fairly small, but is there something even smaller than that? How astonishing. According to Lina, the population of the two small villages has been decreasing, and it is likely that they will soon be merged with this village.
“But as you can see, the land is barren, without nutrients. If there are too many people in one place, they will starve to death…”
“We have no choice but to postpone the migration until they are on the verge of extinction, so that the number of people does not increase too much. This village is really at its limit in many ways. But it may be quite convenient that the villages are relatively close to each other.”
“Miss Edea, what are you doing?”
“I don’t really know much about agriculture, isn’t the issue here basically that the soil has become infertile, right? In that case, it’s simple, just give it plenty of nutrients and fatten it up. I am capable of doing that… You three please, please step aside for a moment.”
When I look closely at the plants around here, they are small, thin, and shabby. And above all very thirsty. Could it be that even the amount of rainfall isn’t sufficient? It feels as if this land has been completely abandoned by something from the heavens. What should I do to make up for that?
Lina and Alf are looking confused. And, in order to reassure Celia who had cold sweat on her forehead, I smiled at her.
“Well, just wait and see. You won’t regret it.”
What I do is very simple. I infuse the soil with magical power, just as I did when I created the Black Forest. This alone is sufficient.
As I mentioned before, the magic power of Eidos is like a powerful medicine itself. It also serves as an activator, but its effect is so intense that it even mutates the properties of the object. It would be unbearable to face them if I failed, and although the creation of the Black Forest was a bit overdone, thanks to it, I have grasped the sense of pouring magical power into the land.
Besides, this kind of completely withered land might find it just right to have a little too much stimulation. Adjusting the balance is much easier than with humans. I don’t want to be careless and fail by saying this, so let’s take it seriously.
“Alright, here I go.”
I’m drawing the magical power from Eidos, channeling it through me, and pouring it into the land. Mmm, the fixation is weak. Or rather, it’s slow. It shouldn’t be possible for my techniques to show any defect at this point, this is… So the land is in worse condition than I thought.
Fufu, but I, who already have experience in reviving Morow, who is on the verge of death, can do it. There were no oversights on my part.
“──Okay, it’s done.”
It should be done based on my intuition. Not only within the clearly visible area, but my magic also extended beyond the mountains and forests to the locations of the two remaining villages. I put in too much effort and ended up covering a wider area than planned, but it’s better than being too little.
“With this, the Orio territory is now the most fertile area in the country… It should be.”
Come to think of it, in the Black Forest I’ve only ever eaten things that grew or bore fruit by themselves, so whether this will have a positive effect on agriculture remains to be seen… What is certain is that the land has become more fertile. Then it is unlikely that there will be any negative effects. Hopefully.
“R-Really…? Are you saying that the land of the Orio territory, which both my grandfather and father could only lament over, has been reborn, Lady Edea?”
“It should be,── look at that.”
Changes had already begun to appear in the tree growing beside the single road leading to the mansion. The bark, which once had a withered appearance, now appears fresh and also has a firmness to it. Even the grass in the surrounding area, which in places had been balding and exposed to the bare ground, is growing rapidly as if in fast-forward.
As for the center where it was infused, the effects of the magical power were already visible. Lina, upon seeing this scene, started crying while laughing, and Alf gently supported her shoulder. Even in her eyes, there is a glimmer of light. Well, it’s good to see you’re happy. I was also smiling when I confirmed that it went well.
“There are no more nobles in this country, and the ridiculous tax imposed on the territories will greatly decrease. At least it should be a reasonable number, so don’t worry about it.”
“…This is the blessing of the primordial witch. Thank you, Lady Edea. I don’t know how to express this joy and how to repay it.”
“Repay me? You say strange things. This land may be under your management, but didn’t it belong to me in the first place?”
Well, because I am the King, after all. You could say that this is like fixing your own belongings. In the first place, there would be no reason for me to be thanked at all.
“Well, even I am only a king in name. I’m glad I was able to do something for the country, even if it was just a little bit.”
“But then, why did you choose to come to this remote territory?”
“Hrmm… I have a bit of a connection with a woman who is from here. That person is no longer around, but──”
I remember it well. As it was a recent event, though I am the type of person who quickly forgets things I’m not interested in, the fact that I still managed to remember her visit was because… It was because the sight of someone pleading earnestly was beautiful.
A person who is serious about anything is a beautiful thing. I had forgotten about it for so long, but the image of her earnest eyes, as she desperately tried to save her baby at all costs remains vividly burned in my mind. After being made to listen to Morow’s story, it felt to me as if it had happened just yesterday.
“I thought it might at least serve as a tribute to her. So, well, I just acted in a completely selfish way.”
“Even so… Lady Edea is the savior of me and this domain. Allow me to say once again── Thank you very much.”
Lina bowed deeply and expressed her gratitude in unison with Alf.
I’m stumped by this. Even though I was just doing what I wanted to do, it was a little overwhelming to be taken so seriously.
Troubled, I turned my gaze to Celia, and she too was tearfully moved. Oh, you’re that type? She’s a beautiful woman with almond-shaped eyes, and at first glance, she may seem quite cold-hearted, but the more we talk I realize she’s a very serious person. She also almost cried at the time with Morow.
After realizing that Celia was not someone I could rely on, I had no choice but to make Lina and Alf lift their heads myself.
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