Distracted by the goats, we walked for about ten minutes before a giant boulder blocking the waterway came into view.
As the villagers had complained, the waterway split just before the boulder.
โโฆItโs big.โ
Sara, held in her motherโs arms, muttered as she gazed up at the massive rock.
โIt really is huge, isnโt it?โ
The boulder was about as tall as my father and nearly twice as wide and thick as its height.
โDo you think it fell from over there?โ
On the right bank of the waterway, there was a rocky mountain with a cliff face a short distance away.
When I looked up toward the top of the mountain from afar, I could see traces of a landslide.
It seemed that the giant rock had fallen from the mountain, rolled across the ground, and come to a stop on the waterway.
Yet, something felt off.
โThis seemsโฆ suspicious.โ
The boulder gave off an unnatural air, as if it werenโt entirely formed by nature.
I had no proofโit was just a hunch.
โโฆMother, I think we should have an expert look into this.โ
โYouโre right. Letโs investigate thoroughly. And of course, ensure everyoneโs safety.โ
โUnderstood.โ
After issuing instructions to a servant, my mother stared at the boulder for a while.
โHmmโฆ How long do you think it would take to remove it?โ
โDepending on the budget, it would usually take about two months,โ replied the eldest servant in charge of outdoor security.
โAnd if we spare no expense?โ
โIt could be shortened to about one month.โ
Hearing this, my mother whispered in a voice so quiet that the villagers couldnโt hear,
โWhich would be more expensive: spending the budget or exempting taxes?โ
That whisper was undoubtedly meant for Sara and me to hear.
If the cost of the work exceeded the revenue from the villageโs taxes, it would be more practical to waive taxes and carry out the work at a slower pace.
The duchy might even save money by providing financial aid to the villagers to sustain them.
While my mother was deep in thought, I addressed the senior servant.
โYou seem quite knowledgeable.โ
โHeโs an exceptional servant, often serving as a butlerโs substitute. Of course heโs knowledgeable,โ my mother said.
โYou flatter me. I am humbled,โ the servant replied with a deep bow.
He was likely one of the higher-ranking servants sent by my father to manage the staff at the estate.
After thinking for a moment, my mother addressed the villagers.
โBy when would the waterway need to be restored for this yearโs farming?โ
โItโs already critical as it is,โ a villager responded.
โWhat about one month from now?โ
โIt would be far too late for this yearโs farming.โ
It seemed that removing the boulder wouldnโt allow the farming to proceed in time.
โWhat about creating a bypass channel?โ
When I asked, the servant quickly answered.
โConstructing a bypass channel isnโt simple, but if we rush, it could be done in about a week.โ
โEven a week wouldnโt be enoughโฆ The work shouldโve been completed three weeks ago.โ
Hearing the servantโs reply, the villagers spoke sadly.
โThis is quite the problem.โ
Mother muttered, then quietly asked Sara,
โSara, what do you think we should do?โ
โโฆCancel the taxesโฆ and deliver food?โ
โYes, that might be the only option. What about you, Luria?โ
I thought for a moment.
Saraโs idea was a way to prevent the worst-case scenario. Ideally, the farming should proceed, and taxes should be paid.
โMove the rock?โ
โHow?โ
โWith the help of animals.โ
I was confident that the goats watching us could move the rock.
โAnimals? Like oxen pulling it? But with a rock this big, the villageโs oxen aloneโฆโ
โItโll probably be fine. Iโll ask my friends for help.โ
Mother and Sara looked puzzled. It would be quicker to show them.
โJust wait a moment. Hey, you goats over there, come here!โ
I called out loudly to the goats.
โLuria, what are you doing?โ
EveryoneโMother, Sara, the maids, the servants, and the villagersโstared at me in bewilderment.
โJust watch.โ
The goats looked at each other and then started running toward us. Their wagging tails were adorable.
As the goats approached us, the servants tensed.
โEveryone, stand ready!โ
โWait, wait! Theyโre not enemies!โ
I quickly intervened to stop the servants and goats from clashing.
The goats were enormous, which probably alarmed the servants.
Their tense posture made it clear they were ready to fight if the goats got any closer.
โCalm down, everyone. Theyโre my friends, okay?โ
โLuria, who are โtheyโ?โ
โOh, you know, the goats, cows, and boars over there.โ
At my words, the atmosphere changed. Mother turned to look at the animals and let out a small shriek.
โโฆTheyโre huge.โ
Sara clung to Mother, equally astonished.
โWhoa!โ
โW-What are they? Where did they come from?โ
The villagers were in an uproar.
โTheyโve been here the whole time?โ
โWe couldnโt see them before.โ
Apparently, even the villagers hadnโt noticed them earlier.
โYou didnโt see them? But I could.โ
โWe couldnโt see them, my lady,โ the servant admitted.
โBut you all were on guard earlier, werenโt you?โ
โWe sensed the presence of something large and invisible, which made us cautious.โ
It seemed even the servants couldnโt see the animals.
โIs that possible?โ
โThey likely used a cloaking spell,โ the servant explained.
โA cloaking spell?โ
โYes, such magic renders them invisible to most unless they are very skilled.โ
I had assumed everyone could see them since I could.
These animals werenโt spirits, which were typically invisible to most people. But perhaps they were guardian beasts or something similar.
โDivine beasts? Sacred beasts, maybe,โ a servant muttered.
This might be troublesome. Standing out too much wasnโt ideal.
But this was about the villagersโ survival. If they couldnโt farm, they wouldnโt have enough to eat, and the weakest would perish first.
Even if it meant being judged or scrutinized, I believed saving the village was more important.
โAnyway, that doesnโt matter! Goats, could you help move this rock?โ
Ignoring the servantsโ protests, I addressed the animals.
The goats, cows, and boars responded confidently, โLeave it to us!โ
With their combined efforts, they managed to move the massive boulder, allowing water to flow through the waterway once again.
โAmazing!โ
The villagers stood in awe, some even cheering.