第１５５７堀：食べ物をつかさどる者 (Part2)
For now, we had to hear him out and start by discussing the land.
"…It’s good to see everyone looking well. So, where is the land I’ll be handling?"
"Ah, hold on a second. I have a few candidates in mind, but I’d rather go over the maps and talk it through in a room."
Yuki gestured toward the church door with a flick of his chin. It seemed he had managed to secure the land after all, which was a relief. I wanted to say we could handle everything, but human strength has its limits. I needed to gauge exactly how much labor we could realistically provide. With that decided, John began overseeing the construction of the lodging facilities, while Faide and I followed Yuki inside.
"Welcome, Kaya-chan! I’ll need your help with the agriculture this time. And yours too, trash."
"…Understood."
"Hah, fine."
Lilishe-sama was as sharp-tongued toward Faide as ever. I knew there had been history regarding their child, Litea-sama, but that was centuries ago. Then again, Yuki and I sometimes clash over how to raise our own children, yet we’d never dream of parting ways over it, so I still struggle to understand how to navigate their relationship. Still, she never resorts to direct attacks, so I suppose it’s manageable. Yuki always said that a couple’s problems are theirs alone to solve. Even so…
"Lilishe-sama. Faide is absolutely essential for the upcoming agricultural reforms. I need you to understand that. If your tone and attitude influence the sisters, it will only hinder our progress. A field cannot be cultivated by one person alone; we need the cooperation of the sisters."
As I stared directly at her, she let out a wry smile.
"Ahaha, I suppose you’re right. The sisters here don’t know about his relationship with me, do they? Understood. My apologies for earlier, Faide."
"Yeah, well, it’s the usual, so I’m not bothered. Still, the sister next to you is staring daggers at me, so you’d better explain. It’s going to interfere with our work if this keeps up."
Indeed, the sister sitting nearby was glaring at Faide with intense hostility.
"Kunoshia-chan. I’ll speak with that man later, so could you focus on our discussion with Kaya-chan and the others for now?"
"Ah, yes. My apologies. I am Kunoshia, currently overseeing the Litea Church here in Vinosia. Thank you for coming all the way from Weed to assist us in establishing these fields."
Sister Kunoshia offered a polite bow.
"A pleasure. I’m Kaya. I serve as the Deputy Representative of the Agriculture District in Weed, and in that capacity, I manage agricultural guidance and production logistics for various nations."
"For… various nations?"
"Yes. I consult with each country to decide which crops to grow and in what quantities. It’s to ensure that if any nation falls into famine due to a poor harvest, we’re prepared. It also serves as a source of revenue for them."
"……"
For some reason, Sister Kunoshia’s eyes went wide with utter astonishment. Had I said something so surprising?
"Kaya, you say that as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, but usually, one cannot simply interfere with the production systems of sovereign nations," Rurua said with a wry smile, clarifying the source of the sister's shock.
"Ah, I suppose you’re right. But this was decided among the alliance members. And I don’t meddle in every aspect of their agriculture; I simply set quotas—or rather, target production numbers. It’s also a form of mutual support for when nations are incapacitated by famine, as I mentioned. That’s all."
"…Um, I don’t think that qualifies as 'just that'…"
"Ahaha! Don’t worry about it. It’s just standard work for Kaya-chan."
"Exactly. This time, too, I’m merely here to provide guidance on production management for specific crops at the request of the Hinsua Kingdom. In other words, Sister Kunoshia, you will be participating in a national project. Or rather, an international one."
"An, an international project!?"
"Yes. This crop production is an international initiative carried out by the alliance. And this is our first case in a non-alliance nation. More importantly, it’s a trial within the former Vinosia. If we can create a model here that reduces the number of refugees, we can provide food and work to so many more people."
"Ah, ah…"
For some reason, Sister Kunoshia’s voice trembled at my words. I couldn’t fathom why. As I wondered about her reaction…
"Kaya-sama… no, my lady… are you perhaps an incarnation of the God of Agriculture, or perhaps His messenger…?"
She asked in a shaking voice. The entire room went silent. I did, too. After all, the actual God of Agriculture, Faide, was sitting right next to me. And I work with him constantly.
…I suppose she wasn’t entirely wrong.
I understood Yuki’s feelings a little better now. This was going to be troublesome in more ways than one. Though Kaya doesn't get much screen time, she holds a position of immense importance. As the lead for agriculture not just in Weed, but across the entire alliance, her influence often outweighs that of the heads of many nations.