Exile Network (1)
Just as if to prove that the stronger the power, the greater the mess, Chronicles of the Empire's Noble Houses showed that the higher the title, the wilder the scandals became. Cock-a-doodle-doo! Cock-a-doodle-doo!
“That damn rooster. I ought to boil it or fry it already. It crows at any hour. …Huh?”
Patrick had been annoyed, thinking the rooster was crowing again in the middle of the night after a stretch of silence, when he noticed the sky lightening faintly in the distance. “It’s already dawn. Whoa.”
He had stayed up all night after stumbling upon something that finally supplied the dopamine this dull island village had been lacking. Only then did fatigue wash over him.
This stays sealed for now.
The children and the village chief had said the real farming season was beginning, with plenty of work ahead. On top of that, he had to teach the kids, craft more items, and build up an emergency fund. The tasks stretched on without end.
I’ll come back to this once the busy period is over.
He had been about to read House Dunbrook, but he closed the book without hesitation and placed it on the top shelf, out of the children’s reach.
The kids absolutely mustn’t see this.
Now that they could read and write, he didn’t want them exposed to such scandalous material.
“What’s all this?”
When Patrick stepped out into the garden after waking, he was greeted by the fruit trees the children and the village chief had promised.
“Heh-heh. Everyone brought one or two varieties, so it ended up like this.”
“Teacher! We’ve never seen this many before either!”
“But can we really grow them all? What if they die…?”
Ten different fruit trees stood lined up along one side of the garden like an honor guard. Even Patrick, who knew little about such things, could tell they were the finest saplings, carefully selected as gifts.
“Some of them already have fruit?”
“It was quite the effort to dig them up with the roots intact. Heh-heh.”
“Oh my, I don’t know how to thank you all…”
“Still, they’re young trees, so it’ll take quite some time before they bear fruit properly.”
“So this year’s out of the question?”
“Ah, there are a few that should produce enough for you to have a taste this year. The question is whether you’ll be able to manage them all…”
The village chief trailed off as he surveyed Patrick’s garden. It was understandable—the plot was a chaotic jumble. In the center were fields of various root crops and vegetables, while one side overflowed with medicinal herbs Patrick had dug up from the mountains and transplanted in his spare time. Chickens and chicks clucked and scurried about near the coop, and on the opposite side stood a wooden platform, an outdoor hearth, a makeshift kitchen for boiling, steaming, and grilling, plus a storage shed piled with processed herbs and ingredients. Now fruit trees had been added to the mix.
“My dad says it looks like Teacher’s trying to live like a castaway on a deserted island.”
“Yeah, tell your dad thanks for the review.”
“Okay!”
At the children’s innocent remark, Patrick finally sensed something had gone wrong.
How did it end up like this?
He had planted everything that looked good, and this was the result.
“Heh-heh. There’s no need to take it badly, Teacher.”
The village chief quickly stepped in to reassure him.
“With so many different crops planted and prepared, you’ll be more prosperous than anyone after harvest season. There’s no winter that warms the heart more than a full storehouse.”
“You’re right about that, Chief.”
“Of course. Especially for someone like you who’s new to farming, trying out various crops and finding what suits you best isn’t a bad idea, is it?”
“Ah, and since Teacher will be staying here for life anyway, there’s plenty of time, right?”
Smack!
“Ow!”
Ben, who had been showing off his knowledge for no reason, got smacked and grumbled, “I didn’t say anything wrong!”
“Sometimes the truth hurts the most.”
“Hmph.”
“Don’t ‘hmph’ me.”
The village chief watched the exchange with a fond expression, thinking, They’re bantering again.
“Is anyone here?”
At that moment, an unfamiliar voice called out.
“Goodness. Coming all the way out here is quite the task.”
“Soldiers? What brings you here without any notice…!”
“Ah, the chief is here too. Perfect timing. I need a signature, so if you could step over here for a moment… Yes, here. Thank you.”
They were familiar faces—the very soldiers who had escorted Patrick when he first arrived on the island.
“Mage. It’s only been a few months, but things have grown quite a bit. I’m glad to see you’ve adapted well.”
“Ah, yes.”
Was being told he looked good as an exile a compliment or an insult? While Patrick pondered how to respond, he simply decided to smile pleasantly.
No good ever comes from arguing with civil servants.
Relieved that Patrick’s expression wasn’t hostile, the soldiers got to the point.
“First, if you could sign here as well, Mage…”
“Here? …Hmm?”
The youngest-looking soldier quickly held out the documents, and Patrick tilted his head. There were three signature lines for him, but the first two already had checkmarks.
“Now, Mage, think about it. This isn’t just any countryside—it’s an island. How are we supposed to come check every month?”
So they had skipped the monthly checks because it was a hassle and faked the paperwork?
The country’s running just fine.
Well, what could he expect? These were the same men who had taken bribes to change exiles’ destinations when he first arrived. Still, he didn’t feel particularly upset.
Honestly, if it were me, I probably wouldn’t have come at all.
They had come after three months instead of every month, but the important thing was that they had come.
“Still, seeing how well you’ve settled in, Mage, I’m glad you adapted quickly.”
“Is that so?”
“The other exiles still haven’t adjusted well.”
The new soldier chimed in.
“At least the ones with money back home are better off. After their exile was decided, their families sent dedicated servants to handle the household.”
“That’s possible?”
“They’re not serious criminals, after all.”
Patrick had been about to shout “Money talks, justice walks,” but on second thought, he wasn’t much different himself, so he let it go.
Even I have villagers coming to help every single day.
Not to mention the children who showed up whenever he opened his eyes.
“If there’s no problem, why are they making such a fuss?”
“We’d have it easy if they were all like that. The issue is the ones who keep denying reality. ‘I’m not the kind of person who belongs in this backwater,’ they say. They write several letters a day.”
“And what do they do with those letters?”
“They send them to the imperial palace. Claiming they’re innocent and begging to be released.”
“Who are they sending them to?”
“Anyone. Sometimes to His Imperial Majesty, sometimes to various government offices. The problem is we have to read and handle all those letters. We’re already swamped, and now we have to deal with this nonsense.”
Apparently, even exiled criminals could send letters.
They probably censor them just in case, but still, this is something.
Patrick nodded at the thought that this “romantic era” was more reasonable than he’d expected.
“Anyway, Mage, since good is good… ahem, ahem.”
After chatting for a while, the senior soldier suddenly grew hesitant.
“If someone from the lord’s castle comes by, it’d be best for everyone if you didn’t say anything unnecessary, wouldn’t it?”
“The lord’s castle?”
“Ahem, ahem!”
From the soldiers’ demeanor, Patrick caught on.
Of course. That’s why they came in person this time.
The lord’s castle had apparently taken a liking to the strategy of using part of the profits for the children and had ordered the supply of Dunbrook brewery’s liquor. They had even sent books for the kids.
They must be nervous. If someone from the castle shows up and I happen to say something odd while they’re inspecting the island…
Now he understood why the soldiers had suddenly appeared with documents. They wouldn’t have suddenly wanted to handle things meticulously for no reason.
If word gets out that they’ve been managing exiles like this, it’ll be quite the blow.
Okay, he had their measure.
“Of course, sirs. What reason would a criminal who came here to serve his sentence have to cause trouble in the village?”
“Right? Ah, I knew you’d understand!”
“But as you can see, the children come over to my place like this every single day.”
“Yes, and this time with the liquor, it was for the children…”
As expected. The fact that the soldier brought up the liquor confirmed it.
The lord’s castle must be paying close attention.
The soldier stopped mid-sentence, realizing his slip, but Patrick wasn’t one to miss such cues.
“Children are like that, aren’t they? They don’t consider the adults’ circumstances and just blurt out whatever they’ve seen…”
“Ahem, ahem!”
“Especially something like soldiers visiting—this must be a huge event for them. They might even brag about it when the officials arrive…”
Now the soldiers couldn’t possibly miss that Patrick was essentially threatening them in return.
We’re screwed.
What do we do?
The two soldiers exchanged glances, but there was no way out.
“Ah, by the way, sirs. Have you ever raised children?”
“We’re both still single. Why do you ask?”
“You see, when kids have something fun among themselves, they don’t really come near adults. Playing with a new toy is far more enjoyable than getting scolded for butting into grown-up conversations.”
“A new toy? Ah!”
This young mage was clearly extending an olive branch!
The soldiers brightened and asked, “I heard on the way here that the children are learning to read and write. Mage, I’d like to give them a gift since they’re so admirable. What would be good?”
“Please get them some magic books. And magic stones too. Even the lowest grade is fine. But the magic books should be at least intermediate level.”
“Intermediate magic books…?”
“I heard even Eltron nearby doesn’t have them.”
“Beginner ones aren’t hard to get if you pay, but intermediate and above aren’t easy to come by. You’d know better than us, Mage.”
“I do. That’s why I’m asking you.”
“Us?”
“You’ll be visiting other exile sites too, won’t you?”
“Ah!”
“If you can get them, I’ll definitely repay this favor. And of course, I’ll make sure the children keep their mouths shut.”
“Ahem! Well, it’s not like we’re scared of kids’ mouths or anything. It’s just… we should help the mage with his research. Yeah, that’s it!”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m so grateful.”
“Will one book be enough?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll take the money later. I don’t know how much it’ll cost.”
Patrick barely held back from retorting, “What money? Wasn’t it supposed to be a gift?”
They probably can’t afford an intermediate magic book on a soldier’s salary.
If he asked for too much, the deal itself might fall apart.
“Teacher.”
“What.”
After confirming the soldiers had left, Ben sidled back up beside him.
“Why an intermediate magic book?”
“Is there a law saying I have to stay at 2nd Circle forever?”
“I heard it’s really hard.”
“I’ve got nothing but time, so why not give it a shot?”
“Where do you even have time, Teacher?”
“Why are you picking a fight again?”
“You need to pull weeds.”
Ben shrugged as he looked at the garden. The fields were lush and vibrantly green.