Starting the next day, carrots, cabbage, napa cabbage, lettuce, potatoes, eggplant, cucumbers… and so on, they used designated plots, dedicating about two days to each crop. They conducted entire processes from growing vegetables to harvesting them. The harvested produce was distributed to the farmers, and the remaining vegetables were sold to generate income for the territory. However, the sheer volume of produce for shipment was too much for the town’s merchants to handle alone.
As a result, the surplus harvest was stored in an underground warehouse that had been used in town since ancient times, until buyers could be found. The underground warehouse was cool even in the summer, making it suitable for storing perishable items like vegetables.
“Now, how should I sell these to generate income for the territory…”
Kent had ostensibly come to instruct them on cultivation methods, but as a byproduct, he had managed to mass-produce vegetables. The town was thriving with an abundance of food, which was a good thing. However, the underground warehouse held a surplus far exceeding consumption levels, leaving him troubled about what to do with it. For the record, the fields where cultivation guidance had concluded were tended to by Al, who used his powers to re-seed and plant, adjusting them to the appropriate growth stage for the current season.
“I guess we have no choice but to ask Marie to sell the surplus vegetables.”
“That might be difficult too.”
When Kent said this, Caro offered a negative opinion.
“Marie’s shop operates two stores with a small staff. If we increase their burden any further, even if the stores profit, the employees will be immensely overworked.”
“That’s true. I wonder if there’s a merchant somewhere flexible enough?”
Kent muttered to himself.
“Ah, come to think of it, I do know someone suitable. They’re a friend, but they’ve been so inconspicuous lately that I’d forgotten they existed.”
Caro said, as if remembering something.
“I’ll write a letter right away. They should be here within a few days.”
Three days after Caro sent the letter, Prim arrived, leading several carriages and a merchant convoy.
“Caroline, it’s been a while.”
“Just Caro is fine.”
“I apologize. Caro… Ms.”
Kent and Caro greeted Prim and her group at the town entrance. Prim, who was once considered Caro’s equal in Josette’s circle, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant. However, as a commoner, she tried to approach the noble Caro with a slightly deferential stance. But Caro, having previously asked Prim about her preferred way of being addressed, reiterated it.
“I’m sorry for asking you to go through so much trouble.”
“I will come if there’s a profitable business deal to be made as a merchant. (Besides, I can’t refuse a summons from a noble without a reason…)”
As Caro apologized, Prim responded naturally from a merchant’s perspective. However, the words that followed were spoken in a whisper, audible only to Kent.
“And so, I heard that we will be purchasing vegetables this time. May we confirm the quantity and quality?”
“Yes. I’ll guide you to the storage location then.”
Kent and Caro led Prim and her party to the underground warehouse where the vegetables were stored.
“That’s an incredible amount of vegetables. And some of them are clearly from different harvest seasons… I’ll have my staff calculate the purchase price.”
Upon Prim’s instruction, her accompanying staff members divided and began assessing the vegetables.
“It’s helpful that dealings with you, Kent, bring about so many profitable opportunities.”
Prim struck up a conversation with Kent, perhaps finding it tedious to watch the appraisal.
“This time, it’s all thanks to Caro. If she hadn’t introduced me, I would have had to find another way to sell them.”
“Is that so? But what did you do with these vegetables?”
“We conducted experimental cultivation on the land here. We used a somewhat special cultivation method, so this is the only time you’ll see produce from off-seasons. I expect harvests will be in the appropriate season from now on.”
“So the special method is a secret.”
“Well, I suppose it is.”
“It’s unfair to only talk to each other. Let me join in.”
While Kent and Prim were chatting, Caro felt lonely, and so the three of them spent the time until the appraisal was finished by making small talk.
“Young lady, the appraisal is finished.”
“Is that so? Thank you for your hard work.”
Once the appraisal was completed, the staff member handed Prim a paper detailing the results.
“We will purchase all the vegetables here… This is the amount. What do you think?”
“Is it really this much?”
“Yes, it includes many vegetables that cannot be obtained in the current season, and their growth condition is excellent. I apologize, but we will be deducting transportation costs, so I have slightly reduced the purchase price. Please be aware of this.”
The price Prim offered was satisfactory, even after deducting transportation costs.
“What do you think, Caro?”
Kent sought Caro’s confirmation.
“As the Deputy Lord, Kent is the one who should make the decision. If you think it’s good, you have my permission to sign.”
Caro seemed to defer the decision to Kent.
“Wait a moment, why is Kent the Deputy Lord?”
Prim asked, sounding surprised.
“Actually…”
Kent explained the circumstances to Prim.
“I knew you were close, but I never imagined it had progressed this far… I hope it works out well.”
“I’ll do my best to earn your approval.”
Prim’s face showed a hint of sadness before returning to her usual expression, and she cheered on Kent and Caro.
“Well then, we have received your signature, so we will take our leave. The payment should be brought to Caro’s home, correct?”
“Yes, please do that. Also, could you please come again around the end of this month?”
“I don’t mind, but will it be for purchases?”
“Yes, it will likely be for vegetables and fruits this time.”
“Understood. We will visit again at a later date then.”
With that, Prim led the group of heavily laden carriages back toward Tiol’s town.
Despite such events, the vegetable cultivation proceeded smoothly, and Kent and his companions spent their days busily. Suddenly, Kent realized that August was nearing its end. Although only a select few knew that Kent was the Deputy Lord, thanks to his agricultural guidance, he had gained the acceptance of the farmers and townsfolk, and they were enjoying their days. However, their stay in this territory was now down to its final week. On one such morning, an incident occurred.
“Hooohyyaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!”
“What was that!”
“Kyaa!”
Kent and Caro, who had been sleeping naked and embracing as usual on the bed, were jolted awake by an unpleasant, sanity-shattering scream. The disturbance wasn’t limited to Kent; the entire town was in an uproar due to the unpleasant sound.
“Kent, Caro, Al, are you awake?”
The door suddenly opened, and Berna entered.
“Kyaa!!”
Seeing Kent and Caro embracing naked, Berna hurriedly exited the cabin.
“You two, please get dressed.”
Urged by Berna, the two hastily and silently got dressed.
“Speaking of which, Al isn’t here?”
“That’s right. It’s unusual for him not to be here in the morning.”
Normally, the three of them would be sleeping together, but Al was nowhere to be seen.
“As I was preparing breakfast for everyone, I heard that very unpleasant scream a while ago. After confirming the safety of my family, I rushed here.”
“Are the mayor and the others safe?”
“Yes, they are all right, but what could that scream have been?”
“We need to gather information first. Let’s go to the office.”
“Indeed.”
Kent, Caro, and Berna hurried to the office.
“Kent-san, Caro-san. What on earth happened?”
“I don’t know. First, let’s identify the source of that scream and confirm everyone’s safety. We should also contact the guards’ post and have them take action.”
Upon entering the office, the mayor sought instructions from Kent, the Deputy Lord. Since Kent also lacked information, he decided that gathering intelligence was the priority.
Berna’s brother was dispatched as a messenger to the guards’ post, Berna’s mother was tasked with checking on the farmlands, and Berna was asked to survey the town. Berna complained that Kent and Caro weren’t moving, but she reluctantly headed into town after being told by the mayor.
Shortly after the three departed, a messenger from the guards’ post arrived. It seemed they had narrowly missed Berna’s brother.
“Reporting. The source of the scream was the practice grounds at the guards’ post.”
“What happened at the guards’ post?”
After being informed of the source by the messenger guard, Kent asked the guard.
“Yes, since early morning, guards who were free have been weeding the overgrown practice grounds. One of the guards found an unfamiliar plant, and when he pulled it out, the plant emitted that scream.”
Upon hearing the guard’s report, Kent had an idea about a particular plant.
“Just to confirm, what happened to the guard who pulled it out?”
“Yes, he foamed at the mouth and lost consciousness. He has been taken to the infirmary. Several other guards nearby also lost consciousness and were taken away.”
“Kent, do you suspect something?”
Caro, sensing from their exchange that Kent might have an idea, inquired.
“It’s only a guess, but I suspect it’s a plant called a Mandrake. I’ve never actually heard one, but it’s said to let out a scream when pulled out, and anyone who hears it dies.”
“What?!”
“Is it that dangerous of a plant?”
Caro, the mayor, and the messenger guard reacted to Kent’s explanation.
“You don’t die just from hearing a scream. Excuse me. For children, perhaps, but for adults, it’ll just make them sleep for a few days.”
Looking in the direction of the voice, Al, who had been absent until now, appeared.
“Well, if Al, who seems knowledgeable about such things, says so, then it’s probably fine, but we should confirm the situation just in case. Mayor, we’re going to the guards’ post, so please handle things here.”
“Understood.”
Leaving the mayor in charge, Kent and the others headed to the guards’ post.
