BXBX NOVEL Chapter 50
Yukkuri Oniisan
The Hardworking Editor:
TheDefend
Chapter 50: Love and Strength
It had been about 9 hours since Kazura’s entourage departure from Isteria.
Under the moonlight illumination, Valin, Valetta, and the villagers stood at Grisea Village’s entrance to receive Kazura’s arrival.
Behind Kazura who was being welcomed by the villagers, the escort soldiers and their servants were unloading tents and luggage from the large carriage and began to make camp.
Maybe because Isaac and Havel had taken Kazura’s situation into their consideration, currently they abstain themselves from Kazura’s side and were preparing the camp together with the soldiers.
「So, everyone is safe...... Thank goodness......」(Kazura)
Upon seeing the lively appearance of the villagers, Kazura finally could sigh in relief.
Although he had heard from the escort soldiers that not a single villager had been injured, he couldn’t be relieved until he personally saw the villagers with his own eyes.
「Even though that we were actually afraid when the bandits suddenly attacked, thanks to the strength that Kazura-san had granted to us, we were able to turn the table on them. Nevertheless, even though the village has never been attacked by bandits before, it was our carelessness for not having any lookouts. But we had thought about several measures so that something like that won’t occur anymore.」(Valin)
「I see, that’s why when I arrived at the village, everyone had been waiting in the entrance.」(Kazura)
After hearing Valin’s words, Kazura finally understood.
When Kazura’s entourage reached the village, despite it was the time where everyone should be asleep, the villagers already gathered in a large crowd in front of the village. Perhaps, the people who are on the lookout at the entrance had detected the entourage and then went to wake up the sleeping villagers.
「Yes, for the moment we decided to keep watching the village’s surrounding. In addition, Valetta also had thought many things.」(Valin)
「Valetta-san did?」(Kazura)
Kazura shifted his eyes to Valetta who then nodded while smiling.
「Yes. However before we begin the construction, we want to hear Kazura-san’s opinion...... Ano, can we discuss this in the residence, right now?」(Valetta)
「Construction?...... I understand. I need to retrieve my luggage, so please wait for a moment.」(Kazura)
Kazura was a bit confused when he heard the word “construction”, but he quickly agreed to Valetta’s suggestion and headed towards the carriage to retrieve his travel bag and carry case.
When Kazura returned, Marie, who was standing by in front of the carriage, was taking out the travel bag from the carriage, which she then handed over to Kazura.
There was still the carry case remained inside the carriage, but the carry case, that had been crammed with stuff to its limit, was too heavy for Marie. She seemed troubled as she couldn’t move it well.
「It is heavy so you can just leave it. I will carry it myself.」(Kazura) 「F-forgive me to trouble you......」(Marie) Kazura took Marie who was breathing heavily down from the carriage, before boarding it and took out the carry case. 「Please inform Isaac-san and Havel-san that I will be staying at Valin-san’s residence tonight.」(Kazura) 「Certainly, Kazura-sama.」(Marie) After speaking with Marie, with luggage in his hand, Kazura entered the village together with the villagers. 「Marie.」(Havel) Marie who was seeing Kazura off, turned her head towards the one who called her and then she broke out a small smile. 「Havel-sama, Kazura-sama ask me to inform you that he will spend the night at Valin-sama’s residence.」(Marie) 「I see. Seems like it.」(Havel) Havel shifted his sight at Kazura who entered the village while being surrounded by the villagers.The expressions of the villagers around Kazura were bright and Kazura’s expression who was being surrounded by the villagers was also delighted for some reason. 「......Kazura-sama is a mysterious person.」(Marie) 「Hm?」(Havel) Havel turned towards Marie who was following Kazura entering the village with her eyes.Her sight was gentle, that it can be inferred that she had a good impression about Kazura. 「Along the way, he was willing to converse with someone like me and kindly interacted with me as if there are no difference in social standing between us. Furthermore, he even shared a drug to me who had become motion sick......」(Marie) 「......Ah, that person is a really a nice person. Someone who are really kind.」(Havel) Havel returned his sight back towards Kazura and replied in a low voice.His expression was of someone who was feeling relieved for some reason.Although it was him who schemed to have Marie and Kazura to board the carriage together, surely he was curious about the state inside the carriage. 「Yes...... But, how mysterious. Although at first I was very much afraid of him and was always nervous, but after talking with him, I am really relieved for some reason...... Somehow, it was as if talking with mother.」(Marie) 「......」(Havel) 「......Ah! I-I am deeply sorry! I-I... for thinking something like that!」(Marie) Marie was surprised by her own remark and then hurriedly apologized to Havel.However, Havel didn’t look at the apologetic Marie but cast his sight at the ground. 「It’s alright...... But, sorry. It’s because my own power is still not enough...... Someday, I will surely find her.」(Havel) Havel murmured with a downhearted expression.Marie looked at the downhearted Havel with sadness in her eyes. 「......Yes.」(Marie) She made a small nod.
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On the other hand, Kazura had returned to Valin’s residence with Valetta and others, and now he was in front of the hearth at the living room where Valetta showed him the rough sketch of the map of Grisea Village and the surrounding area that she drew over the notebook.
The rough sketch was marked with a red pen at several places with Japanese word 『Palisade』and 『Watchtower』.
As for the present situation, only Valetta and Kazura was in the living room, as Valin left the residence for some kind of business.
「In this way, the whole village will be walled by wooden palings, then we will dig a moat surrounding the wall. In addition, we will construct watchtower at the four corner, and a drawbridge at the village entrance.」(Valetta)
「......Completely like constructing a fortress. With this, there is no need to be worried about bandit attacks...... However, won’t the moat disturb the aqueducts function?」(Kazura)
「Umm, I had thought that we can construct a bridge span for the aqueduct at some part of the moat or construct underground aqueduct passage and brought the water into the village using siphon principle. However, in case of underground aqueduct then we need to use stones and mortars...... I wonder if we could obtain enough lime for the mortar......」(Valetta)
「I see...... In that case, I can prepare the lime. Since I can procure as many as we need, please use it as much as you like.」(Kazura)
Valetta was worried about the lack of the materials, but Kazura immediately come forward with materials supply.
A few days ago, after negotiating with Nelson’s side in Isteria, Kazura had secured their promise to not interfere with whatever Kazura will do in Grisea Village.
For that reason, as long as it is limited to Grisea Village, Kazura didn’t need to pay attention anymore on the goods or technology that he brought.
Furthermore, since Valetta had known Kazura’s true identity and had learned various knowledge from a lot of books, there was little need for him to worry about entrusting those goods and technology to her.
By the way, 『Siphon Principle』 was a phenomenon where water flowed from a higher position to lower position over an elevated position through a tube or closed channel.
In this case, there is a limitation in that the destination of the siphon must be lower than the water source.
When Kazura studied with Valetta before, they learned this principle although only at a shallow degree.
「A-as much as we like?」(Valetta)
「Yes, use it as much as you like. Since it will be easy to acquire lime in Japan, so I can bring over any amount as needed.」(Kazura)
Actually, if Kazura returns to Japan and goes to the HomeCenter, he could obtain lime in any amount.
Even if the lime were used as the mortar, if it only at an amount that a single village could use, then supplying it would be a simple task.
「......I understand. Then, since we will do that, then why don’t we improve the water channels inside the village and change every channel into one made from stone and mortar. We will be using a section of the moat for the siphon principle experiment and the underground aqueducts passage. If these failed then we will construct aqueduct bridge span. After the aqueduct in the village had been upgraded, next, we will improve the aqueduct outside the village and the river’s water channel. Perhaps after increasing the size of the village furnace, we can produce hand pump. After that......」(Valetta)
While looking at the rough sketch of the village that was drawn on the notebook, Valetta wrote a note one after another using a ballpoint pen.
It seemed that Valetta used the knowledge she acquired from learning with Kazura and was eager to apply it to improve the safety and the living quality of the village.
「Eh? Hand pump? Can it be made in the village?」(Kazura)
「Yes, since the pump structure is simple, we can make it from bronze...... Ano, maybe it’s better to not use the knowledge that Kazura-san had taught me in the village?」(Valetta)
The hand pump that Valetta mentioned was a manual operating pump that draws water from a well by pushing the lever repeatedly.
In Japan, it’s something that can sometimes be seen in the rice field at the rural area.
「Hmm...... Nelson-san’s side said that they won’t be meddling in the affairs of the village, so I think we don’t need to worry about it. Furthermore, I also will teach the knowledge of how to produce hand pump to Nelson-san’s side before long, so this won’t be a problem in the long run.」(Kazura)
Valetta, who was asking with anxiousness, smiled in relief after hearing Kazura’s reply.
She might be worried about whether she can put the knowledge she acquired from Kazura into practice and the afterward influence on the surroundings.
「Thank goodness...... Ano, actually there is a thing that I want to try to make. Since we will be careful so that it wouldn’t be seen by any outsiders, will you permit it?」(Valetta)
「I don’t really mind, but what are you trying to make?」(Kazura)
「......Steam engine.」(Valetta)
「Wha-!?」(Kazura)
Because of Valetta’s unexpected answer, Kazura spontaneously let out a shout.
Although after this he would introduce waterwheel powered water pumping technology, but if he suddenly made something that can cause an energy revolution such as steam engine, no matter how much they promised not to interfere in Grisea Village, it would be inevitable to develop into a dangerous situation.
Even the waterwheel was something that can cause the rapid advancement of industrial technology for this world.
Introduction of a steam engine was something too extreme.
Just when the flustered Kazura was going to open his mouth to warn Valetta, she showed an impish smile.
「Fufu, it’s just a joke. Although it will be interesting to try to make it for an experiment. For the time being, what I want to make is waterwheel powered machine tools. Which one should we make first, sawmill or gristmill?」(Valetta)
「I-is that so? Please don’t hesitate to inform me about the needed materials or tools. I will prepare them in any amount necessary.」(Kazura)
Kazura was relieved after hearing that it was just a joke and came forward with his offer to supply the materials needed.
「......Thank you very much. But, I think we will try to make the parts ourselves as much as possible. Since in this way, we can learn something about it.」(Valetta)
However, Valetta gently refused Kazura’s offer, then she dropped her eyes towards the notebook with a hint of loneliness in her eyes.
「(......Huh? Did I said something strange?)」(Kazura)
Kazura tried to open his mouth to said something to Valetta whose expression suddenly became gloomy
However, he stopped when accidentally catch sight of it.
He didn’t notice it until now because of the dark, but at several places on the floor of the living room, there were blackish stains.
「This is......」(Kazura)
Kazura stood out while saying those words, and looked around the surrounding floors and walls.
Then, he observed a section of the floor where there was a large dark stain spread out and kneeled near it.
「......This is, bloodstain?」(Kazura)
「Ah, I’m sorry. It seems to deeply stain and it won’t disappear even after washing. Before long we will change it with a new floorboard.」(Valetta)
「No, that isn’t my point...... Umm, if there is a bloodstain here then that means there is a battle with the bandits here?」(Kazura)
Kazura sensed a tinge of uncomfortable in Valetta’s smooth reply, nevertheless, he asked the rhetorical question that he already knew what the answer was.
There was a bloodstain in this place.
It was obvious there was a battle in this place.
However, from the story that he had heard from the escort soldier before he departed was that when the bandits attacked, Valin escaped from the residence, awakened the villagers, and then counterattack the bandits as a group.
If there was bloodstain in this place, then when he escaped the residence, there might be a small skirmish happened.
「Yes. That night, a group of bandits intrudes inside the house...... But, Father swiftly beat them all.」(Kazura)
「......Eh? Everyone? Valin defeated all the bandits by himself!?」(Kazura)
「Yes, there are five people inside the house...... Ah, I defeated one of them, so Father only defeated four of them. Afterward, Father pursued the rest of the bandits, and I heard that he and the other villagers defeated the rest of the bandits in the forest outside the village.」(Valetta)
「Va-Valetta-san is also fighting the bandits? ......」(Kazura)
Although Kazura was surprised by Valetta’s story, he could see how it happened in his mind.
Since some time ago, the villagers that ate the food he brought had exhibited herculean strength.
However, it was unexpected that they were so strong that two people can overwhelm a group of armed bandits. Even so, all is well in the end.
「Etto...... I was more or less frightened so I can’t fight well...... b-but, Father is amazing! Even when the bandits attacked with swords he repelled it, and then countered and cut off the bandits in one attack!」(Valetta)
Valetta began to make exaggerated gesture while telling Valin’s battle.
「Whoa, Valin is that strong?...... But, I believe it was scary to be suddenly attacked in the night...... The bandit attack this time was my fault. If I didn’t leave the village, then this will......」(Kazura)
Kazura hung his head down and apologized with a downcast expression.
No matter how wonderfully strong Valin-san in routing the bandits, Valetta must be frightened by the attack.
Furthermore, Valetta said that she battled one of the bandits herself.
When the bandits pointed their blade at her, she must have received a shock.
「No, it’s not!」(Valetta)
Valetta’s scream made Kazura raised his head. Valetta was directly looking at Kazura with tears in her eyes.
「Kazura-san didn’t do anything wrong! ...... I, all...... I......」(Valetta)
「Eh!? Wait......!?」(Kazura)
Valetta suddenly cried. Kazura didn’t understand the reason of it, so he just nervously placed his hand at Valetta’s back.
Although he tried to remember if he had said something that offense Valetta, but except for apologizing for his fault for the bandit attack, he couldn’t think of anything else.
「(What with this situation!? What should I do!?)」(Kazura)
Kazura didn’t know what the best word to say and just patted Valetta’s back while waiting until she stopped crying.
✦✧✦
Valin, who was going full circle around the village, returned to the residence, but he stopped moving when he put the hand at the door, after looking at Kazura and Valetta.
「......Tonight, I should sleep in the barn, right?」(Valin)
He let out a lonely remark, and while sighing, he headed towards the barn.
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