Chapter 58.1

hapter 58: That time when pirates came just as things were going well

TL: kizen

ED: Filip\Gecko

Its been 30 days since I came back from the village . We continued our reclamation project and the area weve cleared is now pretty wide . Our wood sheds already full because of that so we just cut them into chunks and piled them up in a way that they wont fall .

Also, after several trials and errors, weve finally succeeded in making bricks so I started making a charcoal kiln . After building the basic shape, I coated it with mud which will provide additional insulation as well as reinforcing the whole thing then tried burning the cut up tree stumps and leftover firewood so that well get the feel of it .

The first few attempts only resulted in ash, but recently, weve started being able to maintain its shape . Once were able to make enough of that in there we can just use them instead of firewood . Well also be able to use them for trading .

We could also use them for smithing since I eventually plan to recruit someone with that skill, but we should just gather them up for now . We should also store up the wood vinegar thats the by-product of the charcoal making process since we could make bath related products to sell . It would be nice if we find a market for them though .

Since our fields are wide enough, we finished up planting the wheat I brought so all thats left to do is to wait till thats ready to harvest . We also made a field specifically for the potatoes which sprouted soon after so itll probably be ready to harvest within two months . Well continue planting the ones we harvest to increase their amount in order to secure a stable supply of carbohydrates .

We also planted the beans but after we harvest them, well just save them for the meantime and focus on increasing the number of potatoes and corn that we have . Well just get back to them once weve got more than enough stock of the other two .

I was worried whether or not well be able to raise the corn here but it was a needless concern in the end . At this rate, the corn will be ready for harvest once summer comes .

As for the fish, they have been swimming energetically so far . The aquatic plants have also started sprouting and Ive confirmed that they have already taken root I dont have to worry that theyll float away as much . I wonder if it would be better if we submerge some logs and boulders so that the fish will have something they could use as refuge? I should ask about that the next time I return to the village . I also have to ask about their breeding season and how to take care of the juvenile fish .

The bees are currently doing alright and have already started forming their beautiful, amber colored, hexagonal shaped structures inside their nest . It looks like pollen is starting to block the entrance so they probably have accumulated a lot of honey by now, however, I will wait a bit longer till theyre able to stock up with more and build more nests . The bees might run away if I take some too soon as well . I guess I should start discussing with the honey bees how were going to harvest the honey .

The Mint and Lavender are part of the same family of plants so theyre growing really well and rapidly multiplying . As for the Chamomile, its starting to sprout in its pot so Ill try planting it in the same area as the other two .

I hope that these guys will propagate naturally even if we dont interfere . I mean, it seemed like the mint was genetically enhanced with how wildly it was spreading when I discovered them in the forest so there will be no problems as long as we periodically trim them so that they wont become overgrown and messy . Those plants can multiply just by planting a stalk or leaf after all, so if we dont do that, it will be really troublesome to get rid of them completely .

As for the poultry, they still havent been attacked so far . The chickens have already begun laying their eggs and are currently warming them so well be able to see chicks soon . It looks like the plan to increase their numbers is going really well . Even if their numbers reach a point where it starts getting crowded inside the fences, we could just let them graze freely so there would be no problems with that .

Anyway, since we had some eggs, I took one and used it to make sweet french toast to give to the children . They really liked it so I decided to make it again next time we get another stock of eggs .

Whats this~? Its really tasty Maou-sama~!

The smiles that children had at that time really healed me .

There had also been several boats that came to the island so we were able to trade some raw meat and sugar among other things and earn some money . Because of that, the first thing I did was to secure everyones beddings and replenish our supplies .

In order to keep our business partners happy, I created another bathing area for the people riding the boats to use to keep themselves clean while in the middle of their trip . I also sell them clean water along with the other stuff in order to get more income . Once we save up enough money from that and our trading, Im thinking that we should buy more livestock so that well have a variety of them .

Anyway, I want to reach a point where we have enough leeway that we can offer our trading partners the fresh water for free . I was also thinking of making lodging facilities with hot springs in order to draw in more visitors in the future . I was told by that Demon Lords subordinate that the mountain at the center is an active volcano so Im bound to dig up one when I decide to look for it . Its my dream as a former Japanese after all!

For today, were going to make a pathway that will extend until the area where the former Demon Lord was going to build his castle . Since the way there is dangerous, Im thinking of thinning out the trees inside the forest to let the sunlight pass through so it will be easier to see if there are bears or any other dangerous beasts approaching . For now though, lets just extend a pathway towards that area . I want it to be wide enough to accommodate about two two-horse carriages traveling towards opposite directions . That would be for the future though so for now, it would be fine if we just cleared enough for a single carriage and pedestrians to be able to use it at the same time . My predecessors supposed to be castle area is pretty wide and theres already a well there so Im thinking of constructing buildings and making that area our new home . Well anyway, for now, lets just begin our preparations

After saying that, they finished their preparations and we started our work . As usual, I was the one in charge of cutting the trees while they chopped them into smaller chunks for storage and cleared away the debris behind me . It takes an hour to walk normally towards our destination but it will probably take a day to get there while cutting trees so I decided to just leave the stumps behind for now .

Also, I know it was within my instructions but I actually dont know how wide a carriage is . Since I dont know, Ill just ask about it . This isnt anything to be ashamed of but I need to be careful since there are some people who think that it is and hold it against me .

How big was a carriage again?

Eh? I guess it is probably big enough

Thats what the guy next to me replied when I asked . He didnt seem sure about it but one can probably fit through here .

Its just wide enough to fit four people right?

Thats right

After that, they started arguing .

No! It should be this big right?

No no no, it should be a bit wider to accommodate the luggage in the middle!

Thats a more expensive carriage youre talking about you know?

Lets just use the largest one to be safe okay!

Well, I guess its fine . While they were busy with that, I went ahead and continued knocking down the trees while maintaining the current width . Once we reached a pretty decent distance away from our starting point, we decided to take a break for lunch .

While we were eating, the fox-eared old man came to talk to me .

Caam, can I talk to you about something?

What is it?

Were short on hands no matter how you look at it . We wont be able to do anything at this rate . Were especially short on artisans . Thats the main reason why we cant build more houses . We dont have enough tools as well . It doesnt matter whether we bring someone from the village or employ someone from the outside, whats important is that we do something about it

I know that . However, we dont have money and the crops are still growing so I dont think we should do that right now . Once we have enough money, only then can we recruit someone from the town or the village

I see . Youre really kind, arent you? Youre not the type of man who forces others to obtain something . Well, lets just take things slow . I think the other two will be fine with that as well

Thanks . Well, I guess I should just try asking the village chief if we could recruit some people from the village when I get back home

Well, thats fine . I think you should do just that . Anyway, for someone who was suddenly thrust in here and given 50 humans slaves, I think Caams doing pretty well you know? Especially when it comes to the supplies

We have fresh water, we can make salt from the sea water all around us and we can even make sugar . We also have some crops like wheat and for our meat, we can just catch some from the forest or the sea . For the time being, Ive made it so that we have our basic necessities so we wont diewell, I guess its still possible but all thats left is for them to go along with the momentum that Ive built up . I dont actually have any idea what Im doing and what I should do, but even if things get rough, I believe that things will work out eventually

What are you trying to say?

Im saying that its fine to just wait and not rush things . I mean, since storms dont last forever, if you just wait it out, youll eventually see the sun again after all

Maou-sama! Its a pirate ship!

See? While we were being patient, the situation eventually changed right? Thats why Im sure our shortage of hands will eventually be resolved and our money problems will be settled as well

After saying that, I stood up and wiped the dust off my butt .

You have a troubled look on your face you know?

Well, I want to avoid conflicts if possible after all . However, the other party doesnt feel the same way . This kind of situation is inevitable since were on an island and we might get killed if we dont deal with them so even if I dont want to Ah, this is starting to get heavy, isnt it?

Make sure it doesnt reach the point where you destroy yourself okay? Unlike the body that heals over time, depending on the damage, its something that cant be easily healed1

Yes, Ill keep that in mind . Thank you very much for your advice . Well, even if it gets to that point, I can just go back to the village and get spoiled by Suzuran and Latte all I want

After saying that, I left, passing by my house to get my crowbar, shovel, and machete, then went to the shore .

Maou-sama, that is a pirate ship!

Uwaa So they actually use a flag with a skull symbol on it Do they actually want everyone to know theyre pirates? What a bunch of idiots2

eh? Is that it?

Eh? Should I be saying something else?

No Its just that, were likely to be attacked here but youre just acting like its nothing

But Im only telling the truth . Thats a pretty obvious sign that theyre pirates, right? Well anyway, everyone, I have a question for you . Should we hijack that pirate ship once they anchor at the bay, or should we sink it? Which option would be good? Personally, I already plan to reduce the casualties from both sides but Ill also still plan to charge them as much of the nuisance fee as possible

Eh? Sink it you say? Can you really do something like that easily?

Hm? Well, Ill probably manage somehow3

Is that so?

Well then, I ask you, should we sink them, or steal their ship? Itll be pretty dangerous to steal it though since that would mean all of the pirates would have to disembark first

Please sink it

Gotcha