Chapter 40
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Selling Firewood - 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The world might be different, but civilization itself wasn't all that varied.
The way people lived was pretty much the same everywhere.
So it was only natural for nations to form in temperate climates that weren't too hot or too cold, and fertile, bountiful great plains were everyone's dream agricultural zones.
The southern region of the Astyren Empire, masters of the continent, fell into this category as well. Naturally, the southern nobles had fatter wallets and greater power within the empire than those from other areas.
"So Father had land in one of those prosperous places?"
"Yes."
"Even so, calling him a noble based on that seems like a stretch... How big is 5,000 acres, anyway?"
"An average village has about 300 to 500 acres. Lugeron Village couldn't be cleared as widely because of the Dark Forest, but it's still around 500 acres. That's at least ten times the size of Lugeron Village. Do you think that's small, Sian?"
"......"
If Elsia was right, it was equivalent to owning at least ten manors.
And in the rich southern lands, no less!
"Father... what the hell is your real identity?"
Considering he turned out to be more of a scholar than I'd imagined, I knew he wasn't ordinary, but this was on another level.
"But does this have any official backing? Won't they just call it a scam?"
"I shared your concerns, Sian, but the imperial seal stamped here makes it legitimate. No need to worry."
"Got it."
No cheats, but hitting the jackpot with my adoptive father. Sweet deal.
If this were a web novel, it'd probably have a title like that.
"But the south is pretty far from here, right?"
"Yes. Lugeron Village is northwest of the capital—complete opposite of the south. Without a carriage, it'd take months."
"Yeah? Then let's just forget about it cleanly."
"Pardon?"
The land in the south that Father left me.
Honestly, I'd be lying if I said it didn't tempt me.
But fertile lands always came with lots of people, and where there were people, politics cropped up. No need to uproot ourselves and move south.
"Better to live here where we fit in than on some mismatched land. We're doing great as is, right? Sell it for a fair price or keep it as emergency funds."
"Understood. If that's your judgment, Sian, we'll do just that."
Elsia didn't argue with my decision.
"What about this? It's the clothes I was wearing when Father found me."
"Hmm... The fabric is unfamiliar. And this script isn't imperial or ancient. Looks like some tribe's traditional language."
"Ancient script? Like, there's such a thing?"
"Yes. The language of the fallen civilization that ruled the continent before the Astyren Empire, which has lasted a millennium."
"A nation from a thousand years ago. Yeah, that qualifies as ancient."
More surprising than the cliché of ancient nations was that the empire had endured for over a thousand years. Even in my old world, countries that old were rare. How did they manage power to last a millennium? Impressive.
Maybe this world's politics were just on another level.
"So, it's fine to use for the baby?"
"Yes. To my eyes, it's top-quality fabric at least. No issues."
"Thanks. With you around, I feel secure."
I kissed Elsia on the forehead for clearing up my doubts.
She blushed at the surprise kiss, as usual.
"You don't need to show this much affection to a concubine like me."
"I'm doing it because I want to."
She was so cute when embarrassed that I kissed her again—this time on the lips. Our soft lips and tongues intertwined, exchanging saliva in sweet communion.
"Looking forward to tonight."
"...I'll serve you with all my heart."
...
Winter meant no work and boredom, but time flew by anyway.
Half a year had passed since my harvest-time wedding to Chloe.
'A lot's happened.'
Built a house after getting married, made village facilities as a member, repelled a mercenary raid, family grew, fought a yeti after hearing ghost cries, and more.
Looking back, half a year packed with events, and this winter felt especially long.
And it really was long.
"No sign of winter ending?"
It was late February now, but outside was still midwinter cold.
Spring should be coming soon—this was weird.
"Tom, any idea?"
"Sorry, lad. First time I've seen this."
The Village Chief and Tom were the village's reliable elders, but even Tom just scratched his head awkwardly.
"I wasn't born here, anyway."
"Right, yeah."
Tom came to Lugeron Village twenty years ago as an apprentice blacksmith on a job from the lord. Fell for his sister-in-law at first sight, married her, and settled. Could've lived cushy elsewhere, but stayed after she passed—true love.
A real romantic.
"Loved the village so much, I thought you were born here. Careful—being this nice leads to headaches later."
"Haha, maybe. But I've got you, don't I?"
"Eh?! A love confession? I'm a married man."
"Guess I'll have to give you my daughter then."
"You old fart! Cut the crap!"
Petra, Tom's daughter, overheard while working and yelled, face red, as her name came up.
"Yeah, don't hand off your daughter like defective goods."
"Sian, shut it!"
"Hey! Don't yell at Sian, Petra!"
"What? I'm your own daughter!"
He truly loved his wife, but was a subtle daughter-con. Headache-inducing.
Though watching Petra, it made sense. Her personality was a bit rough.
'Hope our kid isn't like Petra.'
"Sian?! You just thought something weird, didn't you?"
"Everyone's got mind-reading powers lately? Sharp eyes."
I didn't care about gender, but hoped for Chloe's gentle personality.
If they took after me and went wild, it'd be a nightmare.
How do you wrangle a kid with Arc Reactor-level stamina?
'If they take after me, infinite stamina for real.'
Prayed the baby would be healthy, but not excessively so.
Hestia Goddess, please grant my wish.
"Shop?"
"Sun's setting—gotta head out. See you tomorrow, Tom."
"Coming by tomorrow too, Sian?"
"Village Chief'll probably call a meeting. See you there."
"With weather like this, yeah—he'll summon the men, like you said."
"Here, take this."
"Huh?"
Petra tossed me something.
A small dagger, shaped like the knife used for skinning hides.
"You made it?"
"Yeah, my first piece. Test it and tell me if there's issues."
"Giving it free?"
"It's my virgin work. Can't sell it."
Virgin work... Don't say that, grown woman. Makes bad uncles think naughty things.
"Thanks, I'll treasure your virginity."
"Hey!"
Petra flushed and yelled at my tease, but I was already running.
...
"Hm?"
Back home, Elsia was arguing with an unfamiliar woman.
"Help us. No firewood for tonight."
"Doesn't seem like our problem. Try another house."
"Where else has spare? No one!"
"That's your issue."
She had dark brown hair.
My tastes had risen with the women at home, so not my type, but above average for a rural village. Lugeron really did have its share of beauties.
"Elsia, what's going on?"
"Sian, you're back."
"And you are?"
As I approached, Elsia bowed politely, but the dark-haired woman looked flustered seeing me.
Probably spooked by my scary face.
"Who might you be?"
"I-I'm Selnia, Jace's wife."
Jace?
Oh, the village guy who lost a leg in the war.
One of the militia who stood watch during the mercenary raid.
I greeted Selnia warmly and formally.
"Hunter Sian here. As you see, Elsia's husband."
"I know. Word's spread about taking Elsia as concubine."
"Small village—rumors fly. Friends with Elsia?"
Her tone irked me a bit, but Elsia noticed and answered first.
"Yes, Sian. We were childhood friends once."
"Once? Not anymore, huh."
"Women's friendships fade after marriage."
"I see."
Apparently, Elsia's ex, the miller Garom, embezzled and screwed over Jace and Selnia.
What was his name again? Whatever—dead idiot, no need to remember.
"So if not nostalgia for old friendship, why come here?"
"I... need firewood."
"Firewood?"
"Yes. Winter's dragging—running out to survive the cold. Husband lost his leg in the war; can't chop in this freeze. Please help!"
"Tough situation."
This prolonged winter might be more serious than I thought.