Leona and Jerusalem (2)
Upon entering the market, the market buildings were nothing but shabby.
They seemed barely covered with wooden planks.
Due to the bustling crowds, the streets were in disarray, and animal droppings littered the area haphazardly.
"No management at all?"
The market had a major issue.
The biggest problem was the absence of a manager to oversee the merchants.
The second was the overwhelming number of people.
More people than the streets could handle.
The shops were crooked and haphazardly built, making it chaotic.
Since I had lived in a standardized city, I could see what was wrong.
But the others didn't seem bothered.
"It needs a thorough reorganization."
If Judah wanted to engage in better economic activities,
a major overhaul was necessary.
Then who would do it?
Me, of course.
Daniel didn't have the time to worry about market order.
"Ah.. I don't want to work."
I still wanted to enjoy the peace.
I'll do it later,
and today, I'll just buy what I need.
Buying cooking ingredients for Leona.
That was the market's main purpose.
By the way, maybe I should start raising livestock again.
Having raised livestock for over five years,
I wanted to do it again.
Of course, not on a large scale, just a few animals.
"Let's see, where should I go."
Walking a bit, the shops were hard to see because people were crowding.
"Sigh.. sweat smell. Poop smell."
I couldn't help frowning.
I wonder how they made the market like this.
It's too much, no matter how you look at it.
I finally reached the vegetable stall.
Surprisingly, there were various kinds of vegetables.
Paprika and fruits that I didn't know where they came from.
Not grown in this area.
"How much for the potatoes?"
This seller didn't seem to be a Judahite.
Didn't recognize me at all.
Even if Judahite, with population growth, many wouldn't know my face.
Originally, few knew Daniel, let alone me.
"3 for 1 penny."
"Expensive."
1 penny for 3.
No haggling like this.
In the place I lived before, it was about 1 penny for 10.
Different times, so whatever.
Anyway, I have money, no issue.
But it's still expensive.
"Um, carrots and, do you have eggs?"
"Aigo. Eggs are all sold out."
"Hmm.."
"I left 3 for the customer, 10 pennies."
"What? 10 pennies?"
"Yes. This is a special deal."
"Special my ass."
This shop, never coming back.
3 eggs for 10 pennies, what a scam.
On the way back, I should buy a few chickens.
Or just raise them to eat.
No thieves around.
"Prices are like this these days. Haven't seen the market before?"
"Hmm. Alright, buy."
Even with money, people don't change.
Wanting 3 eggs for 10 pennies, regrettable.
The thought of buying 3 eggs for 10 pennies won't leave my mind.
"Damn. No dumbasses. Chickens won't accept 10 pennies."
I thought about refunding, but stopped.
Too petty, so forget it.
"Vegetable pancake 5 sheets 5 pennies!"
Ahead, a stall selling food.
A stall selling light pancakes targeting worshippers.
Stall making vegetable pancakes with flour, and the smell was amazing.
"Buy a few?"
Couldn't pass this stall.
Hmm.. savory oil smell.
Just smelling makes it look crispy.
Surrounding merchants selling various foods besides pancakes.
Carrot stew, roasted potatoes, BBQ with wild game.
The market's food wasn't much different from the place I lived before.
"Vegetable pancake 7 sheets, cheap."
"Yes! I'll give you 3 sheets now."
The seller wrapped the pancake in leaves and tied with straw.
Wrapped in large leaves, good insulation, doesn't cool quickly.
Smell seeps through leaves, but otherwise fine.
'Leona will like this.'
I stuffed the pancake in my mouth and stood up.
Taste not fantastic, but edible.
Walked to the livestock area.
The livestock market developed before the food stalls.
Livestock essential for sacrifices, so merchants set up first.
Sheep surprisingly few.
Recently out of drought, no forest formed.
To raise sheep, need wide fields, none available.
Mainly sold: goats, chickens, pigs.
Sheep for sacrifice, but can substitute with goats.
No fixed rule, can offer substitute animals.
But pigs can't be used for sacrifice.
Impure animals, offending the gods.
Still, pigs are there for eating.
Seeing the squealing pig, drool.
'Serina liked pigs too..'
Buy?
Leona not like pigs like Serina.
Bad eater, picky mouth.
Buy 5 chickens, 2 goats.
Smelling livestock poop, desire to quit livestock fades.
'Too late to start livestock now..'
Debated buying 2, but for company, decided.
Don't want to cause big trouble.
Caring for Leona is enough.
Difference between Serina and Leona: Leona is scattered.
Does many weird things.
Serina calm, but Leona surprising.
When eating, spills on floor.
Can't stay in one place long.
Many naps, after lying on bed, doesn't want to get up.
'Hmm. Worship over?'
Thinking various things, time passed.
People flooding into the market, worship ended.
Heading to the worship hall, timing matches.
Worried Leona waiting in the middle of the road, hurry.
"Leona!"
"Oppa~! Why so late!"
"Sorry, sorry. Buying food."
Behind the cart, full of chickens, goats, and various items bought at the market.
Leona pointed with fingers.
"What are all these?"
"Bought because needed."
"Wow. Chickens!"
"Now we can eat eggs every day."
"Good good! Goats are cute!!"
Leona, surprised by goat, stroked its white fur with palm.
If it was Serina, drool would have flown.
Can't adapt.
Arrived home, unpacked.
Unloading from cart, only me.
Leona barged in without helping.
Is it a witch's trait not to help?
Accustomed to Serina, resigned, carried alone.
Now, not so bad.
Still, seeing her excited and jumping, only smile.
"Like it?"
"Yes. Now we have animals too!"
"Don't eat them!"
"How can you do that! I'll raise them."
Sometimes, watching Leona, doubt.
Is she a witch?
Not just same name.
Among witches, gentle and kind.
Weak body.
No fate or destiny stuff.
"Oppa hungry. When to eat?!"
"Hungry? Wait a bit! Oppa will cook delicious."
"Yes!"
Leona sat at table, put down spoon.
I went to yard, lit fire, put iron plate on top.
During this, no protein, energy low.
Plan to fry eggs with eggs.
If Leona eats fried, will be mesmerized by protein taste.
Clack-
Oil, crack eggs on top.
Frying sound, clear liquid turns white.
Leona, when did she come, cheered beside.
"Sound of it becoming delicious!"
"Will be delicious? Can eat every day!"
"How?"
"See the chicken?"
"Yes!"
"At dawn, that chicken will lay one egg per day."
"Lay? Where?"
"See that butt? Eggs come out shwoong from there!"
"If butt, can I lay eggs too?"
"Eh..?"
"Want to lay every day!"
"Hmm.."
How to explain this?
Do chickens lay eggs after meeting sperm and egg?
No?
"Um.. if chicken lays alone, unfertilized egg! With rooster, fertilized!"
"Rooster what?"
"Rooster means.."
Hard to explain, rubbed Leona's butt.
"What are you doing, oppa?"
"Um.. rubbing male and female butt makes fertilized egg!"
"Ah! Then from today, fertilized eggs!"
"Haha.. only chickens can lay eggs, idiot!"
"Hing.. want to lay eggs too.."
"People don't lay eggs!"
"How do people lay eggs? I want to lay eggs too!"
"Want a child like Leona?"
"Always like me?"
"Yes."
"I don't like that."
"Why?"
"Daughter like me won't listen.."
Leona pouted alone, lips drooping.
I found it cute, pulled her lip with finger.
"Aang, hurts."
"Eat your meal, princess! Worry about that later!"
"Ok.."
I served the well-cooked fried eggs on a plate.
Potatoes on the stove, fried, vegetable pancakes. Today's dinner.
Rare feast.
Getting ingredients not easy, couldn't make many dishes.
Living far from village, many inconveniences.
If Zagan was here, would ask to cast magic.
Zagan when will he come..