Chapter 497

What to Do About the Village
“So, no water source anywhere, huh?”

“Yes. Did you discover anything, Lord Riku?”

“Nothing on my end either. No signs of monsters nearby.”

We had searched for a water source until sunset, and having found nothing, returned to the village chief’s house.
There, I met back up with Lord Riku, who had been scouting for monsters around the village, and we exchanged information.
The conclusion: neither of us had found anything.

“Well, what now? It’s good that there aren’t any new monsters around, but not being able to secure a water source is a life-or-death problem. Should we try diverting water from the mountains?”

“Do you have the resources for such a major construction project?”

“… No, forget I said that.”

The most effective way to secure a water source would be to create a new river, but realistically, there’s no way we have the time for such a massive undertaking.
We’d first have to locate a lake or similar body of water to serve as the river’s origin and then dig the river itself.
There’s no guarantee a lake is even nearby, and construction alone could take years.
As a method for revitalizing this already dried-up village, it’s hardly ideal.

“Lady Lily, Lord Riku, how did things go?”

The village chief, who had been in separate discussions with the villagers, approached us.
Lady Kiri was with him as well.

“We found no potential water sources and no signs of monsters either. It’s not like the danger level has increased, but we won’t be able to secure water. In my opinion, relocating the entire village is the best option.”

“I suspected as much. We’ve discussed it among the villagers as well, and if securing water proves impossible, we intend to follow the decree of the Eight Seats and relocate. Where would the new settlement be?”

“Kiri has been looking into that. Right, Kiri?”

“Yes. The relocation site is about a three-day walk from here. We’ve already dug a well for testing, and water does indeed flow there. We’ve also confirmed it isn’t toxic. There’s a pond nearby as well, so irrigation canals for agriculture can be arranged.”

“Oh, you’ve already prepared that much? How grateful we are…”

“This is our job. However, since it wasn’t certain the village would relocate, only one well has been dug. No buildings have been prepared yet. If relocation is officially decided, we’ll transport building materials and carpenters to the site. But with land clearing also needed, it’ll likely be late summer or early autumn before people can actually live there.”

“So, this year’s crop cultivation is impossible?”

“Unfortunately, yes. We’ll have to rely on aid from the Eight Seats’ main island this year—”

(No, if you can at least get the living spaces sorted, we can prepare the fields.)

Before Lord Riku could finish, Kiblinki Saltas interrupted.
That’s true—if the Kiblinki Saltas handle it, the fields could be prepared within a few weeks.

“Truly?”

(We don’t lie. It’ll be a large-scale operation, so we’ll need to summon our comrades remaining on the main island, but we’ll manage the fields. Though, don’t expect abundant harvests in the first year—the land won’t be that fertile yet.)

Lord Riku looked deeply suspicious at Kiblinki Saltas’ words.
Well, I can’t blame him.
They’re saying they’ll have the fields ready in time for this year’s crops, after all.
But knowing the Kiblinki Saltas, they’ll pull it off somehow.
When it comes to agriculture, they’re practically unstoppable.

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