The Foundation for Harvests: Wisdom and Bonds that Protect the Village
With the forest boars becoming a new force for fieldwork, expectations for greater harvests swelled in Akio’s town. At the same time, however, two urgent issues weighed heavily on the shoulders of Akio and the town’s leaders—securing sufficient livestock feed, and protecting the fields from wild animals.
“Corn and yams alone aren’t enough to feed all our animals through the winter. We’ll need to cultivate a wider variety of fodder crops, and also adopt preservation methods such as haymaking and silage—fermented leaf fodder stored for long-term use.”
At the regular village council meeting held in the central hall—a practice Akio had recently established with the main members—he shared his thoughts.
Sylvia nodded in agreement.
“The forest is full of wild grasses and tree leaves that livestock favor, many of them highly nutritious. Identifying those, collecting them systematically, and drying them for storage will be vital. Especially in winter, when green fodder runs scarce, they’ll be indispensable.”
Ayane and Kina immediately began learning from Sylvia about the different types of grasses and leaves, their best harvest times, and proper drying methods. They set to work on this as a new duty for the livestock team. The children, led by Miko, joined in as helpers, gradually acquiring wisdom on how to make the most of the forest’s bounty.
For pest and predator control, Leonora drew on her experience as a knight to propose a true defensive system:
“Around the fields, we shouldn’t settle for simple wooden fences. They must be tall and structured so wild animals can’t leap them, with watchtowers built at key points. And at night, the young men should take turns on patrol. At the first sign of strange noises or movements, they can raise smoke signals or blow the horn to alert everyone.”
Dolgan backed her proposal with technical advice.
“Mm. For the fence foundations, we should use stone, and for the main posts, drive in iron-reinforced stakes. That’ll hold even if a large beast charges at it.”
Under Leonora’s guidance, Alto and Kenta organized the young men of the village—including beastkin—and threw themselves into fence building and sentry training. Their determined gazes spoke of the firm will to defend their home with their own hands.
Meanwhile, construction of the purification system was steadily advancing. Following Sylvia’s blueprints, Akio and Dolgan directed the work, while villagers took shifts digging, laying stonework, and creating layered filter beds filled with special herbs, moss, and charcoal. It was painstaking labor, but everyone understood it as vital for keeping their lives in harmony with nature, and for leaving a beautiful forest to future generations.
One day during excavation, Alto unearthed a strangely shaped stone from the clay layer.
“Akio-san, Master Dolgan—what do you think this is?”
Dolgan picked up the stone, studied it carefully, and his eyes widened.
“Th-this is… bog iron! And of remarkably high purity! Never would I have thought such fine-quality bog iron could be found here…”
Unlike normal iron ore, bog iron formed in wetlands and could be smelted at relatively low temperatures. This discovery thrilled Dolgan and Akio, for it could open up new possibilities in the village’s ironworking.
Stable food production, the securing of safety within their living space, and coexistence with the environment—Akio’s town faced each challenge earnestly, overcoming them with knowledge, technology, and above all, strong bonds. Their daily labor was by no means easy, yet on the villagers’ faces shone unmistakable fulfillment and bright smiles—the pride of building their own future.
The autumn days grew short, and cold winds now blew at night, but in the warmth of the central hall’s hearth, Akio, his wives, and the children would gather. There they shared the day’s events and spoke of hopes for tomorrow, basking in the flow of time rich with warmth and closeness.
What do you think about this chapter?
