Part 6
Returning to the duty office with Jin, Kuro Usagi related the whole story to Leticia and showed her the horn of the Unicorn. While Leticia looked at the precious horn that was around a meter in length, she nodded her head, seemingly in admiration, as she commented.
“I see…… Hoho, it sure is the usual style of goshuujin-samas. Not telling us their reasons is just part of their shyness right? Or perhaps it is the trouble of giving an excuse when the unicorn clearly turned tail.”
“But, But if they did tell it to me properly, I would also be receptive to their actions.”
Kuro Usagi said with a slight pout.
But her heart was thinking differently. Kuro Usagi stroked the horn while she thought of Izayoi and the others ever since their first meeting.
“Come to think about it, although Izayoi-san and the others are indeed problem children…… but the problems that they cause are all things that can be laughed off as pranks. This matter is clearly different from their usual style. Kuro Usagi should have realized that there must be some sort of unusual reason behind it from the start……”
“You are right about that. Although they did give various excuses, they are fundamentally honest people. …… Although we cannot deny that they can be quite sour about things at times too.”
Exchanging a glance, the both of them giggled.
“Coming back to the topic, we heard it from Unicorn-sama just now that the South Side will be hosting a Harvest Festival with the hosting of a Gift Game contest in two months’ time.”
“Ho……The Harvest Festival of the South Side? Fufu, that sure is a nostalgic memory.”
“Leticia-sama has participated in it before?”
“Yeap. It gathers many people of various Races and Communities. The memory of everybody being noisy and lively in the crowd is something that I remember clearly.”
Leticia had a faraway gaze and it would seem that she had lapsed into her memory of her participation with her former comrades.
Hearing those words, Kuro Usagi was partially excited and regretful as she sighed.
“Is that so…… Although we were invited to join the Festival, it would be difficult for us to get there without saving up the sum for the passage fees. If we were to get over there with the normal means, it will really be a ve~~~ry far place.”
“Hoho, that is right as well. But the Harvest Festival of the South side is really fun. There will be famous Earth gods and faerie Communities who will bring their cultivated seeds to that region—”
The conversation broke off unnaturally at that point and the both of them held their breaths.
“The harvest of the Community…… right. Kuro Usagi, what’s the condition of our Community’s agricultural sector?!”
“The soil itself is plenty messed up by the attack of the Demon Lord three years ago but the land is still there! If we are able to recruit a famous Earth god from the Harvest Festival, we might be able to revive the land!”
If the lands were revived, the children would also be able to help out with the fields. There will also be a new use for the bountiful water supply. And if the Community were to be able to build its own system of self-sufficiency, the matter about increasing the savings will no longer be a dream as well.
But upon remembering the words that came from her mouth, Kuro Usagi bowed her head as she became deflated.
“Ah……But, there’s the problem about the journey fee,”
“We will tighten up from the food expenses.”
It was said by Jin who was confirming the quantities within the inventory lists and the orders had suddenly interjected their conversation.
Though he might not know the full contents of their conversation, but he must have understood the nuance within their words.
Placing the documents aside, Jin lifted his head to look at the duo as he gave a suggestion.
“If we do not have enough for the journey expenses, then we will start with the cut backs on our comrades’ living expenses for food. If we cut back on our food consumption by 30% on a daily basis and judging by the average rate of earnings from Izayoi and the others, it would probably take two months to raise the amount needed for a group of six to depart on the journey. ……Ah, But it will probably be just enough for the journey. If we want to be sure about the success of this plan, it would probably be safer to cut it back by 40%. And considering that we must prioritize the food amounts of Izayoi and the others to have it at the usual amounts, I will run a recalculation on the inventories.”
“Bu, But if it is at 40%, it is almost a reduction by half isn’t it?”
“Hoho, isn’t that great? This is a really good suggestion too.”
A worried Kuro Usagi and an approving Leticia.
Jin nodded his head vigorously as he replied.
“Mhm. I will take the task of telling everyone about these changes. Moreover, we are all accustomed to starving and it should not be much to worry about. It is just for the duration of two months. It’s going to be a breeze. Moreover, if it is Izayoi and the others,……they will surely reap the reward of bringing the lands a complete revival.”
Jin clenched his fists tightly as he said that.
The duo exchanged a look before starting the planning for the course of their futures.
“Then, it is not only about the food expenses. We must also pay attention to prevent the incurring of any unnecessary expenses. Leticia-sama can also use your position as a maid to direct the Senior children on their task.”
“Got it. Kuro Usagi, I would like to go ascertain the situation of the farmland first, so come along with me later.”
“YES! I understand!”
Kuro Usagi gave a thumbs up and the underlying tone of worry was gone from her voice.
Having clearly marked out their course for the Community, her spirits also seemed to have a boost.
“Aahh, right, regarding the matter about the food expenses, do keep it a secret from Izayoi and the others, okay? If they were to know of it, they would surely say “Really, now. Don’t mind such minor and boring stuff.” Or something along those lines.”
“I really can’t figure out if it is just a matter of having a lofty pride or just a side of their gentle kindness…… Having people who do not ask for any privileges in this sort of place. If we want it to work out nicely, it seems better to keep it a secret then.”
“Mhm. If we were to anger them, it might just become horrifying.”
The trio exchanged a bitter smile.[12]
With that, the secret saving plan for the journey to the upcoming Harvest Festival was launched. For the long term goal of the plantation’s revival, the young leader, the immature strategist and the maid reaffirmed their determinations for the goal of reviving the Community.
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