Chapter 5: Agriculture and Livestock

Cultivating or tilling the land.

Easy to say, but that work dreadfully required much effort.

First we had to cut the trees, then clear out the grass, and then dig up the hard soil and mix it with a large amount of roots that was left.

This way, the birth of the field would be established.

But the field was not the only thing necessary for the plants. Water would be also important.

In other words, I must draw water from the river somewhere.

Oh well, I would be using a land that would be near a river because I dont want to do something so troublesome.

This was just an amateur way of thinking, but wont we be able to do something like that in one year?

I mean I would be distraught if I cant make them do it.

There was hunting, but I estimate it would be hard and difficult to feed 30 people with just hunting.

Conversely, agriculture alone would also be difficult.

There would be a need to do both.

But lets get to the main aim first of where to till a land.

I dont know what kind of land would be suitable for farming. I will even have to get permission from the Griffon if I can cut the trees on this forest.

It would be necessary to look for some other place if I cant get permission.

Thats how it is, what do you think?

This one doesnt particularly mind it. This ones territory is deep in the forest. As long you dont damage that place, you can cut and burn the trees as you like.

Surprisingly, I easily got permission. Its a bit anticlimactic.

Everyone of you really likes to scratch the land. This one wont do such tedious things. Ah, now that I thought about it

What, did you remember something?

If this one was not mistaken, humans made a village on this forest 30 years ago. It seems to have been abandoned because a plague was spreading. Which reminds me, those bastards said it was my curse. That was completely vexing.

The Griffon started to grumble and complain.

But its really important to me if that wasnt the reason the village was deserted.

If there was such a convenient place, then I have to go there first! So, where is that place?

Hmm This one is not really sure as the memory is quite old. Also, I dont have any interest in those things. For now, hop on. You will probably discover it from the sky. Just give up if little one cant discover it.

The Griffon showed his back to me as it said so.

Well, riding it

I will die if I fall.

Hurry up.

I understand.

Nonetheless, I dont know when it will change its mind, and the lives of 30 people are on the line. I have no choice but to get on.

I climbed up at the back of the Griffon. I will have to change my evaluation of how big it is now that I have climbed this guy.

If I was appetizing, it would probably only take one gulp to eat me

Lets go!

Uhii!

A weird voice came out of my mouth.

The area around my abdomen was floating.

I dont like riding roller coasters

The Griffon steadily increased its altitude without paying attention to me.

I suddenly looked downwards.

Uwaaaaaaaaaaa!!

Hey, dont be noisy. And dont choke me!

I reflexively strengthen my hold around the Griffons neck.

Flying without a lifeline was scary.

My teeth spontaneously made a clattering sound.

What are we going to do it if I start leaking?

I will push you off.

The Griffon suddenly stopped after such discussion.

If this one is not mistaken, it was around this area there it is. Rejoice.

I looked down timidly.

After all, I felt that my internal organs were floating.

But, feeling scared was worth it.

There were unnaturally few trees, and those ruins certainly looked like a house.

Were going down!

Wai, too fast. Too fast!!!

I screamed to the top of my lungs.

Hmm. Still, the forest swallowed this place Oh well, isnt this better than starting from the scratch?

Little one is right.

The ruined village was on a considerably good location than I previously thought.

A river runs through the center of the village, with this, obtaining water would be easy.

Most pit-house were run-down, but there still seems some houses that will be usable if repaired.

As expected, weeds cover the fields, but it wont be a problem if it was dug up. At least, it would be much easier from making it from scratch.

As for the fundamental problem of whether farming would be possible with only the strength of a child, I think it would be possible.

Japans Handenshuujunohou would distribute lands to boys and girls aged 6 years or older. Im certain that an area of 20 ares was written on the textbook.

Im certain that a yield of one koku (amount of rice an adult male will eat in a year) would need one-tenth of a hectare (around 10 ares).

If a six-year-old child from ancient Japan can plow 20 ares of land, we should be able to do it too.

Well, it might have been the parents that plowed it

Still, each of them might be able to plow around one-third by themselves. It shouldnt be possible for both parents to plow all the allotted farmlands if they had many children.

There would also be iron farming tools that an ancient farmer wouldnt have.

Besides, I could probably acquire an ox or a horse later and let them plow the fields.

We can probably do it.

If we cant do it, Ill just have the Griffon help us. It would be very easy for this guy to dig up the field.

This is great, thank you very much. With this, we wont have to cultivate the land from scratch.

But it doesnt mean this one cultivated it.

But isnt it because of you that the people left this place?

It was you my gracious Griffon. Without you, everything here wouldnt have happened. Well, since it was this fellow who asked for my help, it is only natural for him to cooperate.

By the way, can I ask one question?

What is it?

A famine had occurred, right? Did you know what caused it?

That question had bugged me for so long.

I only knew there was famine because of what Tetora-chan told me, but there are many reasons for famine to occur.

Crop disease, pest damage by something like a locust outbreak, damaged dealt directly by storms, or crop failure due to climate.

I would make the same mistake if I start farming without understanding the reason.

It would be slightly insensitive to ask the children, so I tried asking the Griffon.

From what the children told this one, it was probably crop disease.

Which crop got infected by the disease?

All of it.

Huh!?

A disease that killed all crops? What the that would be invincible.

Did you just said everything? Everything from wheat to fruits?

It is as you said.

What the hell was that?

I would still understand it if it was a disease that affects similar crops like wheat and barley, but for another person to say that wheat and grape was affected by the same disease?

Thats like having a disease that can affect both human and a fish.

This one too had doubt it and tried to consider something else. Will you listen?

Yes please.

This one think its a curse.

Hearing it was waste of time

Why is little one looking at me like that? Curses are real.

Do you have evidence?

This one had a conversation with master.

I wasnt able to say anything back when I heard it.

Oh well, if reincarnation to the otherworld and divine blessing exists, there will certainly be one or two curses, it may not be even strange if I came across it.

But who cast the curse?

Doesnt little one comes from a species that loves to war among itself? Isnt it ridiculous for one group to weaken the power of another group?

Yup, what you had said was correct, however

I doubt thered be anything that would make them happier than a curse that could weaken enemy nations from afar. If there really was such a curse, itd be a really convenient tool.

For a curse to affect a really wide area, it probably meant there is a talented practitioner.

Are you impressed with it? Wouldnt working on this farm meaningless if this was reduced to nothing by the curse again?

Huh? Its probably going to be all right. Because the humans are cowards. I dont think the curse was able to spread to this ones territory and the territory near the forest. The curse cannot also be cast multiple times in succession.

Is it really like that?

This fellow knows more about the situation of this world than me.

If it says its all right then its probably all right. Probably.

Well then, are we going to gather the children here now?

About that, its better for them to move out tomorrow. You wont have enough daylight if you do it now.

The Griffon said so while looking at the sun.

Right now, the sun was just past the zenith.

It was probably around 2 PM.

There was a considerable distance to the cave located south of here.

It would be different if it was an adults leg, but these are childrens legs. The day was coming to an end.

It would only take an instant if we ride the Griffon, but it would probably not like such heavy work.

And the children too will decline to ride it.

Well then, hop on.

Sure Do I have to really get back on?

I went back to the cave screaming.

This is it, this is our new home.

Ooooo!!

The children shouted with joy.

So, leader. What are we doing first?

Ron-kun said.

Leader?

It, it doesnt particularly mean that I completely recognize you. Just a little. I will only recognize you a little!

Ron-kun Be more honest with yourself.

Ron-kun and Soyon-chan began to quarrel in front of me.

Its so fun to watch. But I, I havent shown any results yet. What is so good with just converting iron swords with iron farming tools?

While thinking such things, Tetora-chan whispered into my ear.

Before you came, the group was all worn out. When someone voiced an opinion, they are rebuked by dissenting opinions but the dissenters dont have an alternative plan. When a small child wants motherly affection and they throw tantrums and starts to cry, Ron and Oswald start to fight. That is, you have carried us all the way to where we are now.

Rather than feeling relieved, I feel sorrier for what happened to all of you before.

I had a strained smile. I thought it was something anyone could do.

However, it was only possible on an adult level. A child cant do it.

My idea about trading the iron swords was just common sense thinking, but Ron-kun seems to think it was a fantastic idea.

Youre giving me too much credit. It was thanks to the Griffon that this village got abandoned.

I mumbled.

So, what are we going to grow?

Roswald-kun asked me while scowling. Why is this child so overbearing?

How can a kid be like this?

I plan to do crop rotation farming.

Crop rotation? Is that delicious?

No, its not delicious, probably.

Explaining it roughly, we will grow Barley (Spring Planting) Clover Wheat (Autumn Planting) Turnip, in this order for four years.

Since the children said this season was now for harvesting wheat, we will, unfortunately, do the wheat next year.

The current season was the season to plant turnips.

Why are you doing it in a tedious way?

Dont you know that growing the same crop on the field for a long time will worsen the harvest? Clovers are really effective in revitalizing the field. This way we can grow crops all year round.

I dont know the exact details myself, but

Because I learned it from history and geography, its likely my only small advantage from these children that grew up in a farming village.

I was also doing a little farming in the kitchen garden of the orphanage.

Roswald-kun was still tilting his head in puzzlement. It was an expression that shows he doesnt understand at all. But I dont have the confidence to fully explain it, so I have no choice but to let them experience it.

Really, are we growing something else?

Probably something like grapes or olives. That is if its possible.

I answered Gram-kuns question.

Piecing together the information I got from the children, it seems that the climate around this area was like Mediterranean climate.

Therefore, I cant honestly say that if Norfolk Four Course Method would be suitable. Fortunately, its still feasible because there was a river nearby.

That would be really suitable to grapes and olives. However, it takes time for the grapes and olives to mature, and I still doubt whether I can satisfy the appetite of 30 kids.

While Im on that subject, a slope with good drainage was suitable for growing grapes and olives. But the village is on a flat ground.

Since I dont think I can grow those on a flat land, I will just have to do it in the future.

Well then, lets immediately decide on a plan

All at once, the children looked at me.

Shall we repair the house first?

I said it while pointing at the ruined pit-house.