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High Spec Village 014
🕑 Added 2018-05-06 22:45:42 +0000 UTC This is a Tenboudai, or observation deck.(image attached at the end)Episode 14: Liscia and Yamato
The work finally finished in the afternoon, and the sunset dyed Urd Village with its colors.
"I'm sure the meeting place with Liscia-san was ahead from here..."
I promised to meet with Liscia, the village chief granddaughter. She said she had something important to tell me, and wanted me to meet her after the sun had set.
"That observation deck, right?..."
The meeting place was one of those so called observation decks, it was in a hill a little walk away from the village.
"Liscia-san, sorry to keep you waiting."
"I-I also, just got here."
Although she said that, I could notice the grass under her feet heavily walked upon. Most likely, she came here way earlier and was walking back and forth.
"By the way, what was it that you wanted to talk about? "
Liscia said she had something to tell me.
Her face at that moment was resolute and serious, but right now her face was red and one could easily tell she was very nervous. It must be something really important.
Since I was not good at beating around the bush, I asked her upfront.
"The truth is... I wanted to express my gratitude to Yamato-sama..."
"'Your gratitude', you say?"
"Yes... with regards to everything you have done so far..."
Liscia thanked me with a grateful tone.
Telling me about the time, a month ago, when I saved her who was being attacked by Big Rabbits.
About the Big Rabbit meat I shared with the hungry children of the village.
Also about the discovered new grain, the fruit of the Inahon plant, which solved the food shortage in the village.
About the implementation of my personal crossbow, and how I taught the villagers to be self-dependent.
And how by introducing revolutionary farming and livestock methods, I gave hope to the villagers, a hope to keep on living.
"We've received countless gifts from Yamato-sama... really, thank you very much."
"Don’t worry about it. I did what I did because I wanted to."
"It’s bad to act humble, Yamato-sama."
"Sorry, it’s just, this is how I am."
"Hehehe... I know."
Was she trying to tease me with that last one?
Spending this month together, it seems that Liscia has already grasped my personality.
"Now that I think about it, winter will arrive soon."
"Yes... the 'Spirit of Winter' might descend to the village from that big mountain range."
I've already heard from Liscia that Urd Village experiences all four seasons; spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Right now, after having finished the Inahon collection, was late autumn. Soon, a thin layer of white snow will cover this basin. Due to humidity problems, less snow fell now, but the severe cold still lasted for about three months.
By the way, the 'Spirit of Winter' seemed to be a metaphor. I mean, there was no way such fantasy-like creature could really exist.
"We have to take measures against the cold soon. Like repairing the damaged houses, getting firewood ready and also proper clothing."
"Yes, it seems we will be busy tomorrow too, Yamato-sama."
All the food was taken away by the Lord. But, fortunately or unfortunately, all the buildings and the firewood stockpile weren’t touched at all.
The current reduced population was comprised of only children and old people.
To survive the tough winter, we needed to limit the number of living spaces, and move to a more communal life style. That in order to improve the fuel efficiency and safety.
"The firewood stocks are fine, right? "
"Yes, I already confirmed the stockpiled amount."
Seemed that we could safely go through the winter with the current amount of firewood in the village. Next year, we will need to cut down some trees in the forest and stockpile more for next winter.
"The rest would be the fur clothing..."
"No problem with that either. All thanks to Yamato-sama's Big Rabbit hunting."
"Oh, I see."
Although the people of Urd preferred to wear colorful cloths, like their traditional costumes, for winter they also wore furs on top.
There appeared to be more than enough stock of beast furs, but we needed to continue hunting and increase the numbers for the winter months.
"Since Urd's leather products are high quality, are they popular? "
"Yeah, in the large towns they are usually traded at high prices."
In Liscia's words, the demand of leather products from this village was quite high. I think this would be a way to secure a trading currency from the city in the future.
In anticipation of this, the fur already dismantled from hunting was being cleaned and tanned and was prepared so it could be ready to be used any time.
The leatherworking skills of the old villagers were really excellent. During winter, I planned on letting the children learn leatherworking, so that the tradition could be passed down.
"At least it seems that we'll manage regarding food during winter."
"Yes. All thanks to Yamato-sama."
The food distribution was being planned taking into consideration the health of the villagers.
The Inahon was a variety of rice, which made it rich in carbohydrates. And the protein would come from the wild beasts' meat, like the Big Rabbit.
The Inahon grain stockpile was likely to last until next year's fall.
We will hunt a little more before the winter arrives and hunting became more difficult, and process it into dried meat, which could be preserved for longer. With the preparations almost done, there seemed to be nothing to worry about.
We won’t be able to go outside as much during winter, but there will be many jobs to be done.
"It feels like winter will also be a busy season, Liscia-san."
"Yeah... but it's going to be ok! "
Liscia answered with a strange confidence. No matter what difficulties may arrive, everyone was filled with hope.
"It feels you are really pumped up today, Liscia-san."
"Yes! It's because Yamato-sama is here, so I don’t have any worries or concerns. The 'Sage' Yamato-sama is the village's savior."
"That much is a little..."
"It’s bad to act humble, Yamato-sama."
"Sorry, it’s just, this is how I am."
"Hehehe... I know."
It felt like I was being teased by Liscia.
But she had such a happy smile on her face. So maybe she really meant it.
"S-speaking of which... Yamato-sama..."
"What's up, suddenly so formal? "
"A-about the important thing I wanted to tell to you..."
It appears like the conversation so far was just small talk. Liscia suddenly turned serious and began to speak.
"The next spring... I’ll finally become an adult."
According to her, in Urd, one was counted as an adult when they became fourteen years old.
With this, they were recognized as independent adults, and were allowed to drink alcohol and to marry. They also had the right to vote at the village meetings and the right to possess property.
"I see... so Liscia-san will become an adult soon?"
Now that I think about it, I never asked what her age was.
Since that time when I met her in the forest, she gave a grown-up vibe. She always felt like a proper member of the adult society.
"What does... Yamato-sama think of me...? "
Liscia asked, while staring at me with a serious look. To suddenly ask me how I feel about her, after spending this time together.
"Liscia-san is a wonderful girl."
"R-really!? "
"Yeah."
My words carried no lie.
As the granddaughter of the village chief, she was intelligent and has a bright mind. She has a strong sense of responsibility and was trying her best for the villagers without cowering before the danger.
"The only times I can truly feel at ease, are when Liscia is around."
"Making Yamato-sama feel at ease..."
There was also no lie in those words.
Despite being the granddaughter of the village chief, Liscia was also a hunter. When I first met her, she was surrounded by a herd of Big Rabbits, and gave the feeling of being defenseless.
However, her skills as a hunter were outstanding.
Soon, the old man Gaton will finish Liscia's personal 'bow'. And that would make her an even more reliable presence.
"I will be celebrating my fourteenth birthday soon... that means... I will be able to get married..."
"I see, the people in Urd really grow fast. But in my hometown, women cannot marry unless they are sixteen."
Japanese law stated that women couldn’t marry until after they reached the age of sixteen.
In comparison, this world’s, the age was two years earlier. Perhaps that was because the average life expectancy was lower.
"Unless they are sixteen... will Yamato-sama stay in this village for two more years? "
"Yeah... I will be in the care of the village until it gets back on track."
There was a lot of work to be done this next spring.
It will still take at least a few more years until the situation in the village stabilized, and Urd became self-sufficient once again. This was, after all, a long-term plan.
"Understood! I'll wait another two years! I'll give my best! "
"Yeah, let's do our best together."
"Yes... together... with Yamato-sama."
Liscia's face turned red as she blushed by repeating my words. It felt refreshing, seeing her making that face.
Today she gave the feeling of being very affected by her emotions, unlike the usual Liscia.
I wonder why was that... I have no clue.
『Autumn weather is as fickle as a woman's heart』
I remembered such a proverb. Let's not mind it too much.
◇
"Yamato-niichan!! "
It was at that moment.
Someone's voice was approaching while calling my name.
"Guys, I found Yamato-niichan! "
"Ah, Liscia-neechan is also here! "
The voice belonged to one of the children, the leader-like boy.
Rushing all the way from the slope, he came to the deck. It appeared he was looking for me.
"What's wrong kids? "
I asked the children, as they were catching their breath. I wonder what happened.
Perhaps some kind of accident? As I thought of that possibility I became wary of the surroundings.
However, these children had smug smiles on their faces. So, that was probably not the case.
"We came to pick up Yamato-niichan, since you are the leading star tonight! "
"Yes, leading star! "
That’s how they answered my question.
But I’m not sure what they were referring to.
I haven’t heard of any event taking place tonight. Then what was this about?
"It’s ok, just come, quick Yamato-niichan! "
"Liscia-neechan too! "
And so, I was taken away without being able to understand a thing.
