Chapter 26
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Wizards Are High-Grade Human Resources (1)
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The next day.
The heads of the three farming households, who had rushed to the watchtower to find Dominic right after waking up, nodded vigorously as they listened to his explanation.
"So, you're saying we have to farm without using any fertilizer?"
"Yes. It'll be tough, but you absolutely have to do it that way."
"Um... could you take a look at these?"
Remembering what Dominic had said the day before, the farmers had come early in the morning with baskets full of various crops.
From root vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes to fruits like tomatoes, eggplants, and squash, and even leafy greens that looked just like wrap vegetables—the varieties were diverse.
"What's all this?"
The crops in the baskets had one thing in common.
They were a bit small, their shapes were irregular, and occasionally, their colors weren't all that pretty.
"We picked the ones with the least bug damage... but they're still not much to look at, are they?"
"Could these be...?"
"Yes, Village Chief. These are the ones we grew without fertilizer."
The farmers, who had been having their crops taken away under the supervision of the Rondo Merchant Group, explained how they had come up with a little trick after much deliberation.
"Actually, the ones that grew all wonky had no market value, so they usually just got thrown out. No one complained if we took them... so we secretly didn't use fertilizer on some of the fields."
How could anyone survive on just a few sacks of potatoes?
That mystery was finally solved.
It was definitely a loophole, but who could blame them?
"Still, if you did it on the sly, the amount can't be that much, right?"
"Well..."
He had assumed it was just enough for the three households to feed themselves, so not a huge quantity.
"Actually, we were planning to run away this fall. We figured we needed to save up some money for that..."
Raki's father scratched the back of his head sheepishly and smiled.
"We thought, whether we die this way or that way, it's all the same, so we went big."
"That means... Oh! I'll buy all of it!"
"R-Really?"
"Of course! I'll pay you separately for them. Thanks to you, I can move my plans forward! Haha!"
Dominic was so thrilled he didn't know what to do with himself.
'Things are working out better than I thought.'
Guided by Raki's father, Dominic surveyed the unfertilized fields and cheered inwardly once more.
'It's way bigger than I expected.'
It seemed the farmers here had a natural boldness rivaling the Fishing Cooperative uncles. It took real guts to skip fertilizing half the entire farm while the overseers were watching with hawk-like eyes.
"What were you going to do if you got caught?"
"We were going to say the fields got sick. Turns out those guys in the watchtower didn't know the first thing about crops. We'd take a few lashes as punishment... but we figured it was still worth it."
"Village Chief, here."
Raki, who must have checked early that morning, handed over a piece of cloth.
On the cloth was a rough map of the farm drawn in charcoal, with certain fields marked for specific crops.
"Did you draw this?"
"Yes. I thought it'd be easier to see this way."
He was illiterate, but the kid clearly had a knack for practical work.
'I need to teach him to read properly.'
If taught right, he might end up working in some guild office someday.
If things didn't pan out? No big deal—parachute him into the Anton Merchant Group.
Raki unknowingly had his education plan set.
"Great. You'll go back and forth between the farm and village to manage production and harvest amounts yourself. For crop deliveries, just coordinate with the Anton Merchant Group."
"M-Me?"
"Yeah. Should I do it? You know how busy I am."
He'd made tteokbokki to eat, so now it was time to fry up some chicken and make jjajangmyeon too.
"So learn to read and do math. You've got a lot ahead of you."
"J-Just leave it to me! I'll do my best! Village Chief, th-thank you!"
Dominic had just offloaded some annoying work, but Raki's eyes welled up with tears as he bowed repeatedly.
"Oh! Village Chief, thank you! Thank you!"
"Congratulations! Congrats!"
Not just Raki—his father twisted his wrinkled face into something between a smile and a sob, thanking him nonstop. Cheers from those around them were the bonus.
Everyone celebrated like it was their own good news.
'Going back and forth between the farm and village will be tough— is it really that exciting?'
Dominic shrugged and headed to the wagon.
The farm inspection was done; time to head back to the village.
"Evergreen?"
A freelance wizard browsing requests at the mercenary guild tilted her head at the unfamiliar name.
"Yes. It's a small fishing village on the coast of the Sinclair Count's territory. They urgently need a wizard."
"Hmm... What would a fishing village need a wizard for?"
"Who knows. They said anyone who can use 2nd-class spells like Alarm or Copy would do. Danger level: half a star. The pay's low accordingly..."
As the guild staff said, the reward was paltry.
That's why no one had accepted it yet, despite the modest requirements.
"It's so remote, no wizards want to go. So the village added room and board."
"Huh? Room and board? For real? How long?"
"Up to three months."
"I'll take it!"
Perot perked up.
Her overly timid nature made her faint at the sight of blood.
War wizardry was out of the question, and even monster hunting—the main income for wizards—she'd only done a couple times following her old master back in the day.
'Not smart enough to be a research wizard either... Tch.'
Too low-level for lab work like experiments or teaching apprentices, yet too proud to serve under nobles.
Survival became the issue.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Room and board. I can make magic tools there for three months and earn enough to coast for a year."
"Perot, always the same. I'll process it as accepted?"
"Please do."
And so, this somewhat lacking wizard ended up heading to Evergreen.
Finally arriving at Evergreen after hitching rides on successive merchant wagons.
Perot had to give the village's first impression 120 out of 100.
Whoosh—
Ca-caw, ca-caw!
"Hide tight, I see hair! Coming to find you?"
"Kyahahaha!"
Amid the sound of waves and seagulls as background music, a peaceful coastal scene. Children's laughter echoed nearby as they romped on hills bursting with wildflowers.
The small village buildings gleamed white with lime plaster walls, topped with orange-tiled roofs—a picturesque sight.
All thanks to the village cleanup led by the Fishing Cooperative uncles after Dominic became chief this year.
[If we're doing renovations anyway, better to unify the style. Bulk buys are cheaper too.]
He wasn't artistically gifted, but his food styling background taught him the importance of matching aesthetics.
And now, that matching proved its worth by captivating one flower-loving wizard.
"Worried it'd be a dump since it's rural, but it's so pretty! Three months here will be a blast."
The sea view from the hill warmed even her weary traveler's heart.
White sandy beach and crashing clear waves—endless viewing without boredom.
Pure peace.
'A bench here? Should be fine to sit.'
Sparse wooden benches dotted the hill, offering vistas in every direction.
Forgetting to head to the village and find the request issuer, Perot sat smiling, savoring the leisure.
Meanwhile, in the village, Dominic awaited today's arriving wizard.
"Why hasn't she come?"
"Wizards are like that. All about doing their own thing."
"Ehey. Keep it to yourself, Uncle. If she gets offended and leaves, we're the ones who lose."
"Think I'm that clueless?"
Kallon sprawled in a corner of Dominic's kitchen, lounging and chatting.
"No food?"
"You just had lunch. Two bowls."
"Snack stomach's separate. Real men like me have big ones."
"Jeez..."
Grumbling but hands busy, Dominic worked away.
"Hey, Dominic. Why are you pounding bread dough with the meat tenderizer?"
"Making waffles."
"What's that?"
"Something delicious."
"Gimme five."
"Then what do I eat? Three max."
"Look at my size, Dominic. Three won't even register."
"Then don't eat any. Saves your appetite—how nice."
"Urgh—."
He knew some baking, but didn't do it often.
'Takes too much hands-on effort.'
Desserts could never replace meals—that was his creed. The processes were endlessly complex, so he avoided them.
Plus, temperature sensitivity meant one slip-up ruined everything, so he rarely bothered. But today, sweets called to him irresistibly, leading to waffle batter.
"Uncle, grab the apple jam from over there."
"I like strawberry."
"Ehey. Waffles go with apple. Eat what's given."
Not Belgian waffles topped like art with fresh fruit, whipped cream, ice cream, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
Not croffles with buttery layers and crunchy texture.
'Sometimes you just crave these. Like wanting frozen pork belly over premium cuts.'
Really, just street-style waffles since he couldn't finesse whipped cream volume. But finished, they looked mouthwatering.
Knife through hot thin waffle layers, slathering pre-made apple jam—it flowed like honey, melting slightly, gleaming golden.
"Dig in!"
Crunch!
"Hot! Huff, huff!"
Kallon dove in, burning his palate and fussing disproportionately to his size, then eyes widened like saucers.
Crunch—
"What's this? Something crunchy?"
"Pearl sugar. Nice texture, right?"
"Pearl sugar? Another weird creation? Heh, works for me."
Wanting fun in ordinary waffles, Dominic made pearl sugar first thing.
'Homemade first try, and it turned out great?'
Low heat, melt sugar in pot, dry out moisture, crush and repeat—simple but tedious.
Added to batter, it holds shape through baking, then shatters like ice when chewed—pure delight.
Loving the fun crunch and sweetness, Kallon devoured a large waffle in three bites.
"One more?"
"Sure. Knight, you too. Best hot."
"Thanks."
Ian paused briefly at the first bite, then ate faster than usual.
All three silently focused on their snacks.
The towering stack dwindled to one quickly.
"I'm the elder, so it's mine!"
"Ehey, I made them! Yield."
"Ahem. I've only had two..."
Even Ian, rarely greedy, flushed red with desire. Dominic felt a twinge of guilt.
'Guess I should make sweets more often.'
As the three faced off over the last waffle, it suddenly floated up into the air on its own.