Chapter 21: The Harvest Season

The green of the trees deepened, and Summer approached. It was finally the season for the Wheat harvest. I had heard that the Wheat I created was growing successfully.

However, I wanted to see the Wheat Fields with my own eyes, so I asked Father if I could visit the farms surrounding Northernford. I got Father‘s permission, but Liam ended up accompanying me. Isn’t that a little overprotective, even though the public safety in the domain is good?

We left the mansion, passed through the Town of Northernford, and came out onto the highway connected to the Royal Capital. We proceeded in the carriage, shaking terribly along the bumpy road. Even if the lack of Pavement can’t be helped, I wish the road could be a little flatter.

There were scattered houses and fields on both sides of the highway. After advancing for a while, a small, elevated hill came into view ahead. The Wheat Fields were said to spread out beyond the hill.

Had the Wheat ripened properly? My heart pounded as we climbed the hill. When we reached the top of the hill, I got out of the carriage.

As my field of vision expanded, I looked around and saw golden Wheat ripened all over the area. When the early Summer wind blew, the Wheat ears swayed like ripples. “That’s wonderful, they ripened properly.“

Once I relaxed, the strength left my body, and I sat down on the ground. “William-sama’s Wheat is wonderful. Since the harvest was poor last year, the joy of this bountiful harvest is exceptional.” Liam stood next to me, still sitting on the ground, and gazed deeply at the Wheat swaying in the wind.

A few days later, as we were having breakfast together as a family as usual, Smith, the Steward, burst in excitedly. “Master, the harvest is bountiful everywhere in the domain this year!” That was happy news.

“Ah, I am terribly sorry. I interrupted your family breakfast.”

“No, I don’t mind. Good news should be delivered quickly.” Father smiled and stopped Smith‘s apology.

“Even so, it is wonderful that the harvest is bountiful everywhere in the domain despite the continued Drought. This is all thanks to Will. You truly did a great job.”

“As expected of Will-chan. Well done.”

“Nii-sama, that’s amazing.“

It makes me feel warm when my family and the people around me are happy. I was never celebrated or praised this much in my original world. I was truly glad that the Wheat ripened properly.

Meanwhile, in various parts of the Kingdom, the harvest seemed to be poor again this year due to the Drought. Since it was the second consecutive year of poor harvest since last year, the impact would be significant.

However, the neighboring Count Cardiff‘s domain seemed to have suffered less from the Drought because Father had shared some of the surplus new Wheat.

Father was happy, saying that Count Cardiff sent his thanks, grateful that he was spared a second consecutive year of poor harvest. I wonder if Letty is happy too.

The news that the harvest was bountiful this year spread instantly, and the domain was abuzz. The expressions of the people walking in the Town were bright. “I heard the harvest is bountiful this year!” “That’s great. I thought we were doomed if we had a poor harvest for two years straight.”

When I went to the Northernford Market, the vendors at the Stalls were shouting lively, “Twenty percent off to celebrate the bountiful harvest!” Even at the Workshop, the talk was entirely about the abundant harvest.

The artisans were getting excited, saying things like, “William-sama truly is amazing,” and “We are lucky to work under such an incredible person.” I feel embarrassed when I’m praised too much.

Speaking of the Workshop, what made me happy was Theo‘s growth. As a result of continuous practice, he became able to produce the same Wheat as the one I created using his Production Skill. I was happy too when he reported, “I did it!”

Even if he can’t create a brand new Wheat, it seems he can now replicate the new species of Wheat that I created. He will surely be a great help the next time I create a new breed. Theo really does have talent for the Production Skill. His difficulty with Blacksmithing, despite being a Dwarf, seemed to be a complex for him, but I think this talent more than makes up for it.

The Wheat harvesting was progressing smoothly throughout the domain, and carts filled with Wheat were arriving from various places. A portion of the transported Wheat is paid to the Fairchild family as tax, but most of it is brought in to be sold at the Northernford Market. They use the money to buy things that aren’t available outside the Domain Capital and then return home.

As these people began to gather, Northernford was experiencing its greatest bustle of the year. Because of the bountiful harvest, everyone was smiling. Yes, the Production Skill is a good thing.