Chapter 388

Cowards Win Through Numbers

“For such a short period of time, this is some really excellent work.” commented Mia. Mia set out to look at the nearby fields that had recently been tilled for farming, accompanied by Arshia and Cyril. But not before requesting and changing into a set of Arshia’s working clothes. Mia didn’t cut corners when it came to safeguarding herself.

These feel a little stuffy, but I suppose that comes with the territory. They certainly appear to be able to withstand some deterioration. In all honesty, it would be best to wear these when entering the forest...

She looked across the fields, discreetly evaluating the quality of her clothes.

“The soil in Tearmoon was already suitable for farming, so it only required a small amount of effort to prepare it for usage,” according to Arshia. “Some of the Lulus were persuaded to assist us by Headmaster Galv.”

“Oh? The Lulus? That was incredibly kind of them to do it.” Mia raised a thoughtful finger to her chin, “I guess I’ll have to think of a way to repay them in some way.”Explore new novels on novelbin(.)com

Cyril gave her a smile. “I don’t think you need to be concerned about it. The Lulus are a hunting tribe that primarily relies on the forest for food, but recently, with the assistance of my family, they have begun using the crops. The tribe’s members are becoming more interested in farming, therefore they are beginning to have high hopes for Wagul.”

“I see. If that’s the case, then...”

Geographically, Saint Mia Academy was adjacent to the Lulus’ village, making the tribe’s support for the endeavor crucial. Mia was awestruck by the fields’ beauty after taking a guided tour of them. The plots were organized nicely and the ground had been well-tilled. There was a lot of it as well. It was clear how carefully their nurturing had been done. She took in the amazing scene, her confidence rising.

See how many fields there are? There are countless! We won’t have any trouble addressing the famine with this much cropland!

She questioned Arshia, “So, how’s the cold-resistant wheat research going? Have you recently made any breakthroughs?”

The query caused Arshia to stiffen up. “We still don’t truly know. We investigated a lot of alternatives last fall and planted several seed varieties that appeared promising, but we won’t know for sure until they can be harvested, which won’t be for a little while. We’re still investigating in the interim, looking through literature and things, but...”

“Perhaps I can ask him for assistance. Outcount Gilden.”

Her lips were pursed. In terms of location, Outcount Gilden’s jurisdiction was on the northern edge of the empire, opposite that of Outcount Rudolvon. He might quickly consent to loaning her his farmland, in contrast to the central nobles.

“Hm? Is there a problem?” questioned Arshia. She frowned at Mia, who was muttering to herself.

“Huh? Oh, I just had the thought that perhaps I knew someone who could assist us with our wheat issue. The territory of Outcount Gilden is in the north.”

Mia didn’t want to wait, even though they could certainly create cold-resistant wheat if they spent a few years doing experiments on the academy’s farms. Their stash would diminish with each unsuccessful year, as would her mental stability.

Even though Ludwig said we should be alright, still...

In general, Mia trusted what Ludwig told her, but the idea of a continuously dwindling food supply made her think of the guillotine. If she had to be reminded of that on a daily basis...

I don’t have to be a prophet to know that I don’t want to be in that kind of circumstance. This stress is way too much!

Cold-resistant wheat was what she needed. Yes, to feed the empire, but also to keep her from going insane. She needed to acquire more land in order to carry out bigger experiments, so she did.

Having said that, I have no idea how the trials are actually carried out, therefore I ought to send them there personally so they can see the terrain for themselves.

She nodded to herself and remarked, “It’s a place with some good farmland.” having made up her mind. “I would appreciate it if you could visit and look around.”

That is how Arshia Tafrif Perujin and Cyril Rudolvon first saw a variety of farming practices that were strange to what they were used to in the southern heat and were developed by those who cultivated the hard northern terrain.