Chapter 12: Safety Zone
“Recently, other than being a doctor in the morning and going outside in the afternoon, have weapons been made?”
“Yes, its being done. I am ma.s.s producing it now.”
“If its being produce, hurry up and let me take a look!”
Lucie suddenly spoke loudly when I ate our basic lunch of suiton soup.
Lately it has just been suiton soup without baked bread due to a shortage of wheat.
With yeast, a highly risen bread could be made even with a small amount of wheat. Unfortunately, it takes time to make yeast. Secretly, I have been acquiring yeast from cranberries since 2 days ago, but that will take another 2 days.
“It is not yet the fourth day, including today, that is another 2 days.”
“There are only 2 days left!?”
“That is enough. Moreover, as it is troublesome to persist to the very limits, there must be a reason don’t you think?
“A reason?”
“Yes, it doesn’t just ends with showing arms.”
I wonder if there is something better after that?
After all, the village chief thought I wouldn’t be able to make an armor piercing weapon, and accepted the condition. Just because a weapon that could fight the empire was produced, it is not a reason to fight immediately. I think it will be better to use full force against an obstacle.
Even if I can pierce the armor, there would be debates over a variety of stuff. Even just a little, I want to increase the numbers of allies who agrees with me by showing persuasive powers. Therefore I hold out to the limit of the fifth day and sell every possible favor to villagers while preparing the number of weapons. You see, viewing one or two just wouldn’t have the same impact as compared to a line of weapons.
I said so while drinking tea made from boiling dried mug wort.
Because the mug-wort is an edible perennial herb that is available anytime, there are a variety of use for it as medicine and food.
When I found it in the nearby forest , I danced for joy .
“Syril is the same as ever”
“What do you mean?”
“You are always looking ahead instead of what is just in front of your eyes.”
I’m just always being fearful of mediocrity
“”It’s a matter of having experience .”
Lucie will come to think about the future a little more, sooner or later.
“I am always working hard to chase after Syril, but there are always more challenges.”
Lucie is making various efforts to stand shoulder to shoulder with me earnestly.
She seems to regret being unable to predict my thinking even in the current conversation. Looking at such a Lucie, it’s a heartwarming scene.
In this way, the morning of happy together time pa.s.sed and sound of knocking is heard, signaling the arrival of visitors.
I get up to open the door.
Syril, this is great.
Field labor has become very easy. I can win easily against those solid roots. I might able to increase the fields by using this next year
Roreu.the number one hooligan of the village said while showing a hoe. Occasionally, elf with muscular physique similar to Roreu, while dripping sweat and putting on a suspicious manly smile, gets me wondering what kind of elf that is.
What Roreu is holding is a wooden hoe that everybody in the village use, I could see that only the front portion is made of metal. Just this much have reduces the burden.
I made about five as a sample and distributed it, with priority given to the pride of this village such as Roreu..
While weaker woman and children such as Lucie maintains the field for use next year and thresh the wheat which has been harvested, group of men such as Roreu plows the barren land and the forest to increase the areas of the field.
In order to make the work smooth, I had lent a hand.
“Its the best if everyone can work easily.”
“But whats with that. Everyone who saw this started going ‘me too, me too’. 20 spare hoes are not used today. Since we bought all of it, will you attach a metal blade?”
“Of course, I don’t mind.”
“Really, you can do anything.”
“Not anything, I’m just a little more skillful than others.”
“After all these, will you still not accept the rewards?”
“Yes, these are my good intentions. Therefore I do not attach a price to it.”
“All these times makes me feel bad, you know. As for me, I would do anything for the sake of Syril. Just tell me when that time comes.”
Saying so, Roreu puts down the hoes and heads towards the field.
With this, my stocks will rise in the village again. Every time the farming tool is swung, my face would flicker.
By the way, the reason why I made only the edge of the blade metal is to reduce the consumption of iron.
The remaining amount of iron is limited . Stocks will run out in an instant if I make all-metal farming tools.
“Hey Syril, i was even involved in such a thing.” I lamented.
“Well, I must admit besides various things can you really afford to do these?
Helping others when you are in danger would make everyone look up to you slightly, but in fact you are just escaping reality of not being able to make the weapons right?”
It’s true that there is room to spare.
These four days, thanks to 12 hours s.p.a.ced in between while becoming a dwarf twice a day for rushing manufacturing, the target for crossbow has been achieved and there is time to get involved in other things.
“Will Lucie grief if I die? I would be relieved if Lucie doesn’t become drunk in sadness, .”
“Then, at least show me a weapon by which I can hold.
Although i believe in Syril, it is still scary.
I will have a peace of mind if you show me.”
“That’s no good, I want you to wait just a little more.”
I smile wryly.
I must let Lucie feel relived soon.
Therefore it is the best to show a crossbow, but there is one reason why that it is not possible.
To save this village , we have to created an environment in which my opinion is accepted. That’s why I’m trying every measures to be trusted by the villages, but that isn’t enough.
The downfall of the present leader would be more effective. Though it doesn’t move directly, a poison is being scattered. Originally, I had failed to leave behind something in the load to b.u.t.ter up the village chief as insurance. Now pretending to be unable to produce the weapons is another kind of poison.
After everybody fell fast asleep in the middle of the night, I handed a crossbow for Lucie to practice to show off in front of all the villagers tomorrow.
Till then, I want Lucie to show a worried look to her surrounding. Only the anxious state of Lucie who is close to me would be able to catch people off guard.
I think it is bad to Lucie , but I have no choice but to ask her to endure it for now.
And finally , it was the last day of the deadline .
“So it’s the promised time limit, were you able to produce the weapons?”
As usual, patients turned up during the time spent as a doctor.
Nijie is the village chief. He is my uncle. The muscular proteges of the village chief stood behind him.
That’s probably to prevent me from escaping in the event I did not bring it.
Lucie is squeezing the sleeve of my clothes.
It seems like other elves are taking off from work today, my neighbors are staying in.
“Of course, I have it. I will gather everyone in the village and demonstrate it. However, what should I do about lunch when I have all these patients waiting for me? I should also make preparations for that.”
The village chief laughs at my words through his nose.
Apparently, he doesn’t seem to believe me at all.
“Sound like you are trying to buy time this way. How about you stop struggling? Soldiers from the empire has yet to come to the village, your theft hasn’t been discovered.
I have hidden the stolen food well.
If you alone are presented, the village can be saved and our daily lives can continue.
Please understand, it is painful for me to kill my brothers son as well. But, in order to save the village, it cannot be helped.”
On the surface, the village chief says with great sorrow.
However, his tail is totally visible. If i am presented, the crime for killing the soldiers would be settled.
Above the value of the magic stone, harm is not inflicted to the elf village.
Of course, by hiding the fact that we attacked the supply depot and pa.s.sing them the usual requested amount of goods, we will be able to enjoy some luxurious lifestyle.
“Daily life? Continuing a daily life where companions are killed continuously?”
I said with a sneer.
Originally, I had wanted to take the route to gain the favor of the village chief. But since the opposite was done, I do not need to hid my real intention anymore.
My reputation has skyrocketed since becoming a life saving doctor and providing useful farming tools. Even if I appear a little aggressive, others may support me.
Now, patients who are gathered in my house are glaring at the chief.
“It has been said many times. This is probably better than being annihilated by a fight we cannot win!”
“Therefore, I made weapons. Weapons that can win against the soldiers of the empire.”
“In that case, show it right now.”
“I said I was ready. In addition, its probably better for there to be as many audience as possible? I think everyone in this village would like to see it too.”
To my words, the patients are nodding their head.
However, it is not enough to just go through the armor. It is necessary to hold a lively exhibition in front of many people.
“Hmph. Then, when the sun rises completely, lets go to the open square in the village. I can’t wait!”
“I understand. That’s fine. Everyone too, please call out to the villagers as much as possible. The fate of this village hangs on my big moment.”
Murmurs of approval could be heard.
Most certainly, rumors will spread out to the morning fields.
“Please let me know, village chief. Is it better for the village chief if I have no weapons that can fight against the empire?”
I threw out a genuine question.
My question could probably be heard this way to the village chief.
『Do you want to continue slavery to the empire without fighting back?』
In reality, if you look from the viewpoint of the chief, it is indeed better for the village to be ruled by the empire.
Since I’m in a situation to allocation the supplies from the empire unlike the general villages, I live a life richer than before being controlled.
In addition as an important secret, although it seems like it was done casually, some parties including the village chief are responsible for selecting those being kidnapped beforehand and informing the empire.
I sneaked into the village chief’s house during the preparation period and grabbed evidence.
Only those in power do not have to fear losing their loved ones.
Therefore, they abide by the rule of the empire. While turning away their eyes to the villager’s pains.
It is inevitable. Everybody thinks of themselves as precious.
In a safe place, there will not be any desire to fight.
But, I will not allow that.
This deception must be put to an end.
“Th..That kind of thing doesn’t exist! Even I grieve over the present situation and am at the mercy of the empire.”
Saying that with a twitching expression, the persuasive power of his words are lost.
“Is that so? Then, its all good.
Please look forward to the afternoon.”
A refreshing smile floated on my face.
Because this expression will touch the perception of the village chief the most.
“After all, you resemble an older brother. Saying that, should you play some trick and fail, there will not be any sympathy!!”
“That’s a promise. I will keep a promise.”
When I said so, the village chief left with his followers.
One of the patients calls out anxiously.
“Are the weapons really ready? Recently Syril has been doing various things for the village, did you have that kind of time?”
The female patient being treated now calls out in an anxious voice.
“Of course it’s done. I had it and only played around because I was free.”
“Looking at the recent Syril, I do not hear that as a joke.”
When the man in the surround says so, neighboring elves also laughs, wrapping us up in laughter.
It’s a good tendency. I have come to be recognized as a member necessary in this village by a majority.
While thinking of how to liven up the announcement of the crossbow in the afternoon, I continue treating villagers.
Now, this is the real moment of truth.