Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Now I'm a Villager Too - 1
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The sun hadn't risen yet, but Chloe was sleeping soundly beside me.
'Happy.'
I finally understood why my adoptive father had urged me to start a family.
'So I need to work even harder.'
I kissed Chloe's forehead and slipped quietly outside so as not to wake her.
Then I headed to the field the Village Chief had given me.
"Now I'm a proper farmer too."
My main job was hunter, but if I was going to live in the village and build a family, I had to farm as well.
"First up, plowing the field."
The harvest season had already passed.
So for proper farming, I'd have to wait until next spring. That meant I needed to prep the soil with nutrients beforehand.
"Man, this field's pretty big."
My field was the one from the Village Chief plus Chloe's family's plot.
The Chief's gift was beyond generous—it was downright excessive, leaving me clueless on how to use it all.
Is this rural hospitality?
"Well, it'll work itself out somehow."
The Chief's field hadn't been used in a while, but the soil quality wasn't bad.
It just hadn't been maintained, so weeds had overgrown everywhere. Chloe's family plot was the opposite—well-kept, but the soil was pretty poor.
'I need fertilizer. Any way to get some?'
As I toyed with weird ideas like using monster dung, the sun began to rise.
"Phew... that should be enough plowing."
Luckily, I finished before dawn ended.
"Sian oppa, breakfast!"
Clia's voice called from afar. It was early, but she was already up—impressive girl.
"Yeah. Be right there."
...
Mother-in-law Sylvia had prepared breakfast.
The menu was rye bread, milk, jerky I'd made, and assorted vegetables.
"Wow~ A real feast."
"Yeah?"
"Yes! I never dreamed of meat for breakfast. Not since Leon oppa left."
"Clia, eat without the chatter."
"Yes, Mom."
From what Clia said, they hadn't eaten much meat.
But Chloe's figure sure didn't show it.
"Good morning, everyone."
Chloe arrived last, clutching her waist as she sat down.
"Sis, what's wrong? Waist hurting?"
"Clia, it's because of that. Don't tease your sister."
"Hmm? Okay."
Ahem. Looked like I'd overdone it with Chloe last night.
After breakfast, I went to Sylvia to ask about farming.
"Sylvia, mind if I ask something?"
"Hm? What's on your mind?"
Sylvia greeted me with a bright smile.
Who could imagine that face had borne three kids?
Even knowing her age, I'd mistake her for Chloe and Clia's older sister.
"I checked the field today, and it looks like it needs fertilizer."
"Fertilizer, huh? Yeah, the war meant most livestock got slaughtered. No reserves for next year in the village."
"That's why I was wondering—can monster dung be used as fertilizer?"
"It'd be perfect. Monster dung's packed with soil nutrients. Farming villages even sell it at a premium."
Thanks to Sylvia, I picked up some new knowledge.
'Monster shit makes money.'
A bit dirty, but useful info.
"Here, Sian. Herbal tea."
"Ah, thank you."
Sylvia offered me some tea.
A fragrant aroma wafted from the herb brew.
"Sian, as Chloe's mother, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"How was last night with Chloe?"
"Cough cough!"
Her sudden question threw me off.
"Too personal?"
"N-no, it's fine."
"Then, can you tell me?"
"I can confidently say I wasn't lacking."
"Good. I'm relieved."
Her smile brightened even more at my answer.
She seemed thrilled.
"As you know, there are no men left in our family."
"I know."
Sylvia's house had tragedy after tragedy.
Three years ago, her husband—my father-in-law Glock—died of plague. Then her eldest son Leon took over as head of the house at a young age, only to get drafted in this war.
Sylvia waited for Leon, but with no news amid the endless fighting, she couldn't leave the house all women. So she consulted the Village Chief and rushed our marriage with Chloe.
"That's why I want a grandson soon."
"No desire for a granddaughter?"
"A granddaughter would be nice, but a grandson would be better."
A practical answer for an era where labor meant livelihood.
"...I'll do my best."
"Hehe, I look forward to it, son-in-law."
...
After chatting with my mother-in-law, I went looking for Chloe. She was doing laundry and looked exhausted.
True to a rural village without modern conveniences, laundry was backbreaking work.
"Let me help."
"Ah, Sian... It's okay."
"No. I just want to help."
There was more laundry than expected.
Probably set aside for a deep clean after the move.
"You have your own work, and you've been up since dawn."
"I'm good. This body's got stamina to spare—no sweat."
Chloe tried to refuse, but I insisted and helped anyway.
"Thank you."
"No need. It's what a husband's for."
Truth be told, I just wanted to be near her.
Seeing her gives me energy.
"What're you up to this afternoon, Sian?"
"Gonna talk to the Chief first, then head to the Dark Forest. Gotta prep for winter."
"I see. Let me know if you need anything. Not sure I can help, but..."
"Need something? How about a kiss?"
"Pardon?"
She blushed, clearly not expecting that.
But what can I do? I wanted a kiss.
"W-we're outside right now. Inside..."
"Nope. I want one now."
"Ugh, fine, honey."
And so I claimed another kiss from Chloe today.
...
"Excuse me."
I visited the Village Chief's house.
But he wasn't alone.
"Tom?"
"Sian! Good first night?"
"Quit teasing me."
"Haha, when else? Sit down. Village meeting today."
Seemed like the regular village meeting was on.
What a hassle.
As that thought crossed my mind, village men trickled in, and the Chief entered last.
"Ho ho, Sian's here too."
"Hello, Chief."
He smiled and approached me.
I'd thought it before, but this grandpa likes me way too much.
Wonder why.
"Let's begin this month's Lugeron Village meeting."
'Oh, so the village is called Lugeron. News to me.'
I hadn't even realized this backwater had a name.
Anyway, among the men at the meeting, I was the only young one. The next youngest was a balding guy past fifty.
"The lord's demanding tax again this month because of the war."
"Again? He took it last month and the one before!"
"It's insane. But he claims it's food for our boys at war."
"At least bring proof our kids are even alive!"
"Right! We can't keep kowtowing! We're suffering too!"
"You lot... plotting rebellion against the baron?!"
The meeting vibe was pure shitstorm.
The earl was dragging out the war on purpose, bleeding the underlings dry—and the peasants at the bottom suffered most.
"How's the meeting?"
Tom, next to me, asked over his tea. I sipped mine and replied.
"Can't call it good, even politely."
"No helping it. Wartime's rough."
It was less meeting, more shouting match.
Not about right or wrong—just who yelled loudest.
"First time here—what happens if we pay tax this month too?"
"Won't make it through winter."
"Ah, got it."
Situation looked grim.
But as a recent outsider, I couldn't step up. Just watched quietly.
All I wanted was a word with the Chief.
"We'll pay the tax. Prep as discussed before."
"Chief!"
"Enough! Aren't you ashamed before our sons at war?"
First time seeing the Chief raise his voice like that.
Chiefs just can't cut it.
"Tch."
A few cursed and stormed out at his declaration.
Village split into factions: Chief's group and the limping baldy's crew.
'Power plays over this tiny plot? Ridiculous.'
Absurd, but none of my business.
"Good work, Chief."
"Thanks. I didn't summon you—got another reason for coming?"
"Need wheat seeds for next year. Got any to sell?"
The Chief came from generations of master farmers.
Hence the position, probably.
His seeds were top-grade around here, at least.
"Wheat seeds... You'd need 'em, but sorry—no can do. Tax ate 'em up."
"Pardon?"
His words left me floored. Village was worse off than I'd thought.
"Tax that bad?"
"Worse. That's why I kept you—a new family man—out of the meeting. Didn't want envy from others."
He'd planned to exempt me this month.
Explained why he hadn't mentioned the meeting.
"It's fine. I'm a villager now. If tax is due, I'll pay."
"But you haven't farmed yet—nothing to tax."
"No wheat, but I have coin."
I handed him a gold coin—leftovers from selling monster hides and scraps to that merchant.
His eyes bugged out at the gold.
"This cover the month's tax and the seeds I mentioned?"
"More than enough."
"Then deliver seeds to my place. Heading to Dark Forest—need anything?"
"Nothing now, but mint's low. Grab some if you can."
"Mind if I borrow the cart?"
"For you? Anytime."
Money sure makes things easy.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
After wrapping up nicely with the Chief, I stepped outside.
The balding limper and his gang were glaring daggers.
"You the punk who married Sylvia's daughter?"
"And?"
"Hah, talking like that to your elder?"
What the hell? This moron?
"Chief likes you and you get cocky—aaagh!"
He swung lightly at me, so I casually twisted his arm.
"Aaaah! It's breaking! Breaking!"
"Doesn't break that easy normally."
He whined too much, so I let go. Red-faced, he glared and spat.
"You'll see!"
"Who's that guy?"
"Just a moron."
Asked Tom, got a straight answer—no need to pry further.
Even rural villages have their idiots.