#Acquiring the Farm (4)
While still busy chewing on the hay, when he turned around, Laki and his parents, accompanied by a few neighbors, stood in an awkward posture.
Despite having removed their worn-out straw hats and attempting to display so decorum, their gazes remained fixed on the simring pot, impossible to divert.
"We had intended to extend our greetings. But..."
Laki hesitated, wearing an embarrassed expression.
"Oh! Please, join us. We've prepared an ample feast."
Due to his hangover, Laki had only nibbled on a few pieces of bread on his way here. Given his youthful appetite, he must have been quite hungry.
'Politeness should not be forsaken over a al.'
This was one of Dominic's firmly held convictions.
After all, grudges related to food tended to linger longer than one might anticipate.
"Oh, no, sir! We don't know how to express our gratitude for your rescue. How can we repay you..."
"It's our obligation to host you! If you have a preference... for potatoes..."
"Potatoes are wonderful. They're excellent, but for now, please savor this. It's at its finest when it's warm."
Dominic, sporting a warm smile, handed them a pot of rice and hangover soup.
"It's just plain rice with at soup," he remarked with a chuckle as he served them.
Despite the substantial amount, it was evident that there wasn't enough to feed all seven people, including Laki, since Dominic and Ian had already helped themselves.
Gulp-gulp.
"Ah...!"
"Phew, phew!"
Yet, despite the limited quantity, everyone began eating eagerly, almost as if it were a battle al.
Despite the potential aversion to the spicy cuisine and unfamiliar ingredients, there was no indication of any reluctance.
'We're definitely going to run out' Dominic thought as he observed the group.
Setting aside his spoon, Dominic returned to the pot. He delved into his backpack, retrieved a few spices, and effortlessly began peeling the skin off the fresh potatoes growing nearby.
"How can I assist?"
Ian placed his spoon down and approached Dominic, offering to lend a hand.
"Peel the potatoes and grate them."
"Got it."
"They should be thinly sliced and uniform!"
"...Understood."
Dominic, seemingly prepared for this, continued to provide guidance to Ian, who started slicing the potatoes without a word.
Chop-chop-chop-chop!
Laki, glancing at Ian's adept knife work, mistakenly thought, 'Knights are naturally skilled with knives!' Unaware that Ian's knife skills were the result of Dominic's persistent coaching.
Sizzle!
Dominic poured a generous amount of oil into the heated pan and comnced frying a thin batter made from grated potatoes, flour, and salt.
The edges turned a golden brown, and the delightful aroma of the cooking oil wafted through the air.
"Laki, see that black sauce?"
"This one?"
"Yes, just dip a little and try it."
"Okay!"
Before they knew it, after swiftly consuming the hangover soup, everyone watched eagerly as Dominic prepared potato pancakes.
Their eyes held a sense of longing, much like baby birds waiting for nourishnt.
'We owe him, but that looks too delicious!'
'When was the last ti I had sothing this hearty...'
'I just want to have a little more...'
The family, who toiled tirelessly as farrs, had never experienced a day without dirt under their nails, regardless of rain or wind. However, everything they harvested was taken away by the Rondo Trading Company, and they were left with only a few bags of millet, barely enough for survival.
["Nari, could you, perhaps, share a bit of the wheat with us?"]
["What? Wheat? Hmph! You're already accruing interest, and you're still so greedy! If you don't want a whipping, leave now!"]
Moreover, wasn't Laki nearly taken away to work for them simply because he was big and strong?
But a few days ago, soldiers from the domain, their faces pale, arrived at the farm. The manager from the Rondo Trading Company, who had always kept watch over the family from the watchtower, was bound and taken away.
"Sir, what in the world is happening...?"
"Ah, it will beco clear after the trial, but in fact, the conclusion is almost certain. There's overwhelming evidence."
"A trial?"
"It has beco evident that these scoundrels were breaking the law. You all will soon be free. It may not fully compensate for the hardships you've endured, but I believe the lord will seize the Rondo Trading Company's assets and provide you with a consolation fee."
That night, the three families wept through the night.
They cried for the days when they couldn't even enjoy a proper piece of bread.
They cried as they looked at each other's faces, prematurely aged under the scorching sun.
Yet, they felt a sense of happiness, knowing that they could finally break free.
"We don't have much, but please, have a bite."
When the parents and neighbors were presented with these unfamiliar pancakes and hesitated to pick up their forks due to the awkwardness, Laki quickly intervened.
While Laki had seldom tasted Dominic's cooking, he had unwavering faith, having witnessed the villagers constantly beseeching Dominic to prepare als during his stay in Evergreen.
Even if Dominic wasn't a gourt chef, what did it matter?
To Laki, he was already the best person in the world.
"Phew, phew! Wow! This is delicious!"
"Isn't it? I whipped it up quickly, but it's the kind of flavor that keeps you coming back."
Personally, Dominic preferred pancakes finely ground and mixed with starch flour, but the ones made with grated ingredients also had their unique appeal in terms of texture.
'Everything tastes better when enjoyed outdoors.'
Even if you rely wrap rice in seaweed and eat it, it's delicious when savored outdoors.
"...It's, it's so delectable... sniff...!"
Suddenly, tears welled up. It was Laki's mother.
"Mom!"
"Sniff, sniff! I'm sorry! On such a good day... sniff!"
She tried to stifle her tears, but it wasn't easy.
Tears have a way of spreading.
Even the n tried to hold back tears, looking up at the sky and coughing intermittently.
"I... I'm not sure if this is the right mont to bring this up, but..."
At that mont, Dominic spoke hesitantly.
"I was planning to discuss it later, but since everyone's here, I'll suggest it now. Do you all have any plans?"
It felt awkward to broach the topic of work amid such heightened emotions, but to proceed with the farm's revitalization as planned, he needed to act swiftly.
"Plans? Like...?"
"Oh! Whether you intend to return to your hotown or prepare for another job, things of that nature."
Upon hearing Dominic's words, the farrs exchanged glances, their tension palpable.
Their faces reflected the weight of their deliberations.
Since the manager of the Rondo Trading Company had been taken away by the domain's soldiers, they had convened every evening to discuss their future.
What should they do next?
Should they depart or stay?
The decision was straightforward, but they hadn't reached a consensus.
They still didn't own the land. Even if the farrs decided to stay, they would have to vacate if the new landowner wished it.
"Sir, all we've ever known is farming. If... if you'd permit us, could we continue farming on this land?"
Laki's father asked nervously, wiping the sweat from his palms onto his clothes while uttering those few words, a clear indicator of his anxiety.
"Oh, thank you!"
He bowed deeply.
However, as if all their concerns had been groundless, Dominic wore a smile and clasped the weathered hand of the farr.
"Ah, I was quite anxious that you might decide to leave the farm. Hahaha! Shall we draw up a labor contract then?"
"Pardon?"
"My terms are straightforward. Your main task is to manage the farm effectively. Ah, but I would like to claim all the crops. I'm barely making ends et as it is. Instead, I'll pay you in gold coins, divided into four installnts throughout the year. How does that sound?"
"Well..."
"I will compensate you generously. You might need to work harder since we won't be using fertilizers. And if you require additional assistance during the harvest season, simply let know, and I'll hire more laborers. I believe these terms are fair."
Dominic began enurating the terms of employnt as if he had been eagerly awaiting this mont.
The farrs simply nodded, their expressions sowhat vacant.
"It might be better to take things slowly."
"Excuse ?"
"Have you noticed their expressions?"
"Ah! I suppose I was too preoccupied with what I wanted to convey. Take your ti to consider it, and inform when you're ready. I plan to stay here for a few days."
With Ian's intervention, Dominic finally ceased speaking.
The farrs still appeared bewildered, as if they couldn't fully grasp the situation.
It was evident that Laki would have a lot to explain that evening.
"Can we use that watchtower?"
"Certainly. It was used by the managers, so it should be comfortable enough for a few days."
The sun was now setting.
**
"So, you had intended to hire them all along?"
"Absolutely."
"Out of sympathy?"
"Out of necessity."
The view of the sunset from the watchtower was truly breathtaking.
Dominic and Ian, seemingly in unspoken agreent, conversed as they watched the fading light.
"While I may not be well-versed in farming, I do listen. Different lands and regions have varying planting and harvesting tis, levels of rainfall, and so on. Even the depth at which seeds should be sown and the amount of water required can differ. Where could we find soone more knowledgeable about this farm than these people?"
"I see. But you seed certain they wouldn't leave. How did you know?"
Though Dominic had initially asked, "Do you have any plans to leave?" Ian realized that Dominic had been confident that the farrs would stay.
"If I were in their shoes, I would have been eager to leave this farm. I would have wanted to depart the mont I gained my freedom."
"That's because you're resilient."
"...What?"
"People like you, the strong ones, can easily change their residence or surroundings. You can live wherever you please and then return to your hotown. But ordinary folks can't do that. If they have a family and land, that place becos their hotown. What's so special about a hotown?"
Struck by Dominic's casual words, Ian was left speechless, his lips trembling. Yet, he couldn't find the words to respond.
'So, the ability to leave was indeed a privilege.'
The young knight, Ian, who had departed from his hotown, was beginning to feel a surge of emotions.
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