“Damn it, my back hurts,” Yuri muttered, grumbling as he planted a strange crop called potatoes in the newly cultivated farmland prepared by Lord Noein.
According to Noein, this crop was supposed to be a “savior for the country,” but Yuri found it hard to believe that these yellow-green lumps with sprouting eyes could yield a crop that “requires less effort, produces a large harvest, and is rich in nutrients,” as compared to wheat. Nevertheless, he followed the lord’s orders.
Around Yuri, four others were also toiling away in separate fields, sweating as they engaged in farm work.
It had been just over a week since Yuri and his companions had been accepted into this settlement. Having spent their lives surviving by their skills and swords, they were now working with hoes and spades.
For Yuri, it was his first time doing farm work in twenty years, since he helped out on his family’s farm as a child. Bending over and working the soil was a different kind of fatigue compared to running around as a mercenary or thief.
“You’re working hard. Everyone’s doing a great job,” came a cheerful voice. It was their lord, Noein Earlkvist, the baron.
“You can say that easily without dirtying your clothes,” Yuri retorted.
“It’s harsh to say I haven’t been working just because I’m not dirty. I’ve achieved more than anyone else here,” Noein replied with a smile.
Indeed, Noein appeared to be clean and sweat-free, as if he was the only one not working. However, in reality, he was the most productive worker in the settlement. The golems he controlled dug deep into the soil, performing the heavy labor at many times the efficiency of humans. They were now easily felling trees in the forest to expand the arable land.
Despite understanding Noein’s immense contributions, it was hard not to feel a bit resentful when he watched them struggle in the dirt with a grin on his face.
“You’re looking more like a proper farmer, Yuri. You’ve come a long way since you started,” Noein commented.
“I haven’t done farm work in twenty years. I’m starting to remember how to do it, but I’m still worse than I was as a kid,” Yuri replied.
Since leaving home, he had only held swords and spears. He had almost forgotten how to hold farming tools.
Pens and Radley were in a similar situation, and Bart and Mai, who had been picked up by the mercenary group as orphans, had no experience with farm work at all.
Any seasoned farmer would probably laugh at their clumsy efforts.
“You’ll get used to it gradually. I’m pleased to see my people growing,” Noein said encouragingly.
“Yeah, well… I never thought I’d return to being a tenant farmer at this age,” Yuri sighed.
When he joined the group, he had resolved to live as a mercenary for life, and after turning to banditry, he thought he would be killed sooner rather than later.
To find himself working in a noble’s fields was a turn of events he had never expected.
As these thoughts ran through his mind, Noein said, “What are you talking about? You guys are independent farmers.”
“…Huh? Isn’t this Noein’s land, and we’re tenant farmers working here for wages?”
“No, I only did the initial land preparation. This farmland is yours. When you harvest crops here, they belong to you. You’ll just need to pay taxes,” Noein explained.
“Is that really okay?”
“Of course. Besides, I don’t intend to leave you as mere farmers. I plan for you, former mercenaries, to eventually serve as my direct retainers. For now, since we lack manpower, you’re doing farm work, but eventually, you’ll leave this land to tenant farmers or serfs and work under me,” Noein revealed.
“…I see. Thank you,” Yuri replied, astonished. The other four, listening to the conversation, were equally surprised.
They had thought they were hired as tenant farmers, but they had actually been promised land and a future as retainers.
This was an extraordinary offer. Serving as retainers meant receiving a salary from the lord while also generating income from their own land. Plus, their status and land could be inherited by their descendants.
For former mercenaries, this was an incredible opportunity. They resumed their farm work with renewed vigor and brighter expressions.
…
“Well, I’m off to earn some cash, the first in the history of the Earlkvist domain. Mathilda, Mai, take care while I’m gone,” Noein said.
“Please be careful, Lord Noein,” Mathilda replied.
“We’ll take care of things here,” Mai added.
After exchanging these words, Noein set off for Retvik with the remaining men.
Previously, trips to Retvik had been for purchasing supplies, but this time they were also going to sell goods produced in the Earlkvist domain.
They were selling monster pelts, meat, and magic stones. The shallow parts of the Bezel Forest only had weak monsters that an adult farmer could handle, but they could still be harvested for pelts and dried meat. Magic stones, magical energy crystals, could also be extracted from their bodies.
These would provide a significant income source for the domain, which had only seven inhabitants.
“This should fetch a decent amount. It should cover our food expenses for a while,” Noein speculated.
“Not just gluttony rabbits, but plump deer pelts as well. That’s huge,” one of the men noted.
Plump deer were magical creatures resembling fattened deer, and their pelts were popular materials for coats among the wealthy.
Though rare in the shallow forest, they had luckily managed to hunt one, which would sell for a good price.
Upon reaching Retvik after half a day, they immediately converted the pelts and dried meat into cash.
“Lord Noein, do you know where you want to sell these?” one of the men asked.
“I’ve arranged for Eliza’s shop to buy the dried meat. For the pelts and magic stones, we’ll go to ‘Miles Trading Company,'” Noein replied.
“Why them?” the man inquired.
“I researched the main trading companies in Retvik and discussed it with Eliza before. Miles Trading Company seemed the most trustworthy. Less chance of being ripped off,” Noein explained.
As they conversed, they headed for the Miles Trading Company’s building.
Despite holding a barony, Noein owned little more than a forest, making him a minor noble. There was a risk of being underestimated and having their goods undervalued.
Thus, he brought four retainers to show that they were a developing and promising noble domain. He had even ensured they were freshly bathed and wearing clean clothes to make a good impression.
He wanted to do business with a company that would recognize their potential and deal with them honestly. The reputation of Miles Trading Company gave him confidence in that regard.
The Miles Trading Company was a large, three-story building, one of the largest in Retvik.
“Excuse me, I’m Noein Earlkvist. I’d like to sell monster pelts and magic stones from my domain,” Noein announced upon entering the shop, addressing a young clerk.
“Please wait a moment,” the clerk replied before retreating to the back.
Noein hoped the head of the company would greet them, indicating a willingness to form a good relationship.
As he waited, a plump man in his forties with a friendly smile appeared.
“Welcome, Baron Earlkvist. I’m Benedict Miles, head of the Miles Trading Company,” the man greeted.
As Noein had hoped, the head of the company himself had come out to meet them.
