We go directly to the village through the main road. Along the road I see gravel being piled up on the roadside. I want to ask about that but I hold until we arrive at Harold's house. We stop at the biggest house in that village, it made from wood and have a big barn and stable on the back. We step down from the horseback and tie the horse on the fence.

"Young hero, this is my house, I hope you don't mind to stop by in my humble house"

"Mister Harold is too polite. I'm just stopping by to clean up my armor not intended to stay, so it doesn't matter how your house look alike"

"Ah yes, that's right. Please come inside and have a rest, sir, while my daughter cleans up your armor. Cecille, prepare water to clean young hero armor, hurry"

I followed Mr. Harold enter the house, and take off my leather armor that stained by wolf's blood and handed it to Cecille. Mr. Harold that sees the bandages in my arms hurriedly asking

"Young hero, did you injured during your fight with those wolves?"

"Only a small scratch, no big deal"

"Please don't underestimate small wound, young hero. Wife, please get me some hot water and bandages"

Mr. Harold called his wife to prepare things that he asked. I don't try to stop him because I know he just wants to show his grat.i.tude to me for killing those wolves that always plaguing his village. While cleaning the wound and put the bandages, I use the time to talk with him

"Mister Harold, I see gravel being piled up on the road in the way here, what is that gravel used for?"

"Oh, two days ago there's order from the castle lord to every town and village to collect gravel for road building"

It seems my father already implementing my proposal to improve the road condition in our territory. That's good to hear.

"Is that burdening your people, Mr. Harold?"

"No. not at all. Gravel is easy to get but I don't see any importance of road building for my village"

"Why is that?"

"Well, my village is on the edge of lord's land. There's no other village if you pa.s.s the meadows, only forest, and sea in there. Merchant also rarely visit my village, so, what's the point building road in here?"

"Mr. Harold, don't you ever wish your village become a bigger place someday?"

"Oh, I do. I ever dream this place can be a town someday, but I guess that was my wishful thinking. There's nothing here that can make this place become a bigger place"

"You're wrong Mr. Harold. This place has the potency to become a bigger place. From what I see, this place is good to raise cattle and horse. With that meadow over there, you don't have to worry about the place where the cattle can grazing. With road connected this village and other places, isn't easier to send farm product like meat or milk without making it spoil over the delivery?"

"Meat and milk? Right! Why I never thought about this before! Young hero, you really open my eyes! Forgive my rudeness, but I still don't know your name"

"Sorry, I should mention my name earlier, it's my neglect, please forgive me. My name is Henry, I'm just a traveler"

"Henry? That's sound familiar…but where I ever heard that name before?"

"Haha….there's many people with that name, don't think it too much Mr. Harold. Besides meat and milk, you can also raise sheep for the wool. And from that wool, your village can also make and produce cloth. The cloth is quite profiting right?"

"Yes, that's right! We usually just sell the whole sheep to the nearest town. Never sell it in separate parts. It's troublesome and only brings small profit"

"If there's good road in here, the merchant will come and buy it in here Mr. Harold, you don't have to deliver your goods to the town"

"You are right! Young hero Henry, you're really a blessing for my village. You show me how this village can develop. Your wisdom makes me really admire"

"It's nothing, Mr. Harold, maybe because I've traveled a lot so I can see and understand many things"

I guess a little white lie is alright since this is my first journey in this world. The things I said before is my knowledge from my previous life, but I can't say that, right? After talking for a while, Cecille enters the room with my leather armor that already cleaned from the blood stains.

"Father, I finish cleaning the armor"

"Good! Give that to young hero Henry. I believe he must be want to continue his journey as soon as possible"

Cecille handed the leather armor to me, which I immediately put it on. She returns to her father side but somehow her face looks gloomy. This also noticed by her father

"Cecille, why you look sad?"

"Sorry father, Tennie, Wennie and Bettie dies because of me"

I almost asked who is that when suddenly I remember she has habit giving her sheep a name. That must be her sheep that killed by those wolves.

"It's okay Cecille, the most important is you're safe. Hundred sheep can't replace you, you know?"

"But we can't sell them to buy salt, father"

"We can try to cook a dish that not needs salt too much Cecille. Add more fruits and vegetables on your menu, so we can fill our stomach to the fullest"

From their conversation, I understand that salt scarcity also already reach this place. This makes me in the dilemmatic situation, I indeed carry some salt with me right now, but to give them right away seems not the proper way, besides this salt production is still in secrecy and not should be leaked to anyone. I try to probe the condition of this salt scarcity to Mr. Harold

"It seems salt is hard to get in here, Mr. Harold?"

"Ah, that's true young hero Henry. The price of salt is kept increasing recently. I can't blame the Lord for this situation because this matter is out of his hand. If there's salt mine in this area, I think we will never so depended from salt that brought by that greedy merchant from outside"

"I agree with that Mr. Harold, but keep optimistic, there's always be a hope for this situation. Very well, I guess it's time for me to leave now. I want to get to castle town before dark, so forgive me, I can't stay too long in here"

"Yes, we bade you farewell and wish a safe journey, young hero Henry"

"Thanks, Mr. Harold, if there's a chance maybe we can meet again later"

"Our place will always welcome you, young hero Henry"

After say goodbye with Harold's family, I get to my horse and leave Silvergra.s.s Village. My journey still long and the sun already falls from its culmination.