Raising the Grand Duke of the North as a Farmer Behind Dad’s Back - Chapter 48

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 48
* * *
“Hmm?”
Duke Rowen startled at the arrival of the letter.
The letter from the Northern Region contained bad news.
“Good heavens! The warehouse burned down entirely!”
It was a request to see if he could spare some Rye Seeds to purchase.
“……Sigh.”
Well, this was awkward.
He’d already distributed all the Rye Seeds to the territory’s people long ago.
Still, he couldn’t simply feign ignorance of the Northern Region’s plight.
‘That’s right.’
Since things had come to this, he’d have to make a request to the Temple for more seeds.
‘Let me hint that our Eastern Region is in short supply……. I’ll add just the right touch of grievance to the tone…….’
His pen moved across the page with deliberate urgency.
* * *
The next day.
“The riiiiiver!”
The Veil River!
“Snooooow!”
Snow was falling!
“Poooollution!”
Dark, murky Pollution everywhere……!
“What on——”
I was suddenly hoisted up by the scruff of my neck.
“Where do you think you’re running off to?”
“Oh? I’m fine!”
I whispered to His Grace the Grand Duke, who looked startled out of his mind.
“I’m extremely holy right now!”
[Holy Power-infused Ear Cuff (Holy Power flowing: x1)]
– Holy Power flows through it
– Gives you peace of mind when worn in Polluted areas!
That was right.
I was currently…….
Outside the village of Bedel!
Specifically, to conduct the long-awaited expedition to the Veil River.
Beyond the village, harsh cold still beat down on us, and dark Pollution lurked in every corner.
Of course, I’d made all the necessary preparations.
‘Holy Power-infused items!’
If you stuck Holy Power Stickers on non-living objects, the Holy Power’s effect would persist for as long as the object’s durability held.
‘Maybe it’s because the object has no life force?’
It wasn’t particularly affected by surrounding Mana either.
Just like a Holy Artifact, in fact.
‘Sticking Holy Power Stickers directly on my body has a limited duration anyway. So rather than using Purification Power, it’s better to wear sacred items around my body!’
Especially next to Vasili the Grand Duke, whose Mana was incredibly potent—this approach was far more efficient.
‘Heh, it’s like wearing armor!’
Of course, I wasn’t the only one wearing this “armor.”
I’d secretly stuck stickers on the belongings of Vasili the Grand Duke, Kamila my lady’s maid, and Felix as well, all of whom had come out to the Veil River with me.
Though Felix believed the items were Holy Artifacts that His Grace had brought from the depths of the Grand Duke’s Castle.
[Holy Power-infused Cloak (Holy Power flowing: x1)]
[Holy Power-infused Gloves (Holy Power flowing: x1)]
[Holy Power-infused Straw Hat (Holy Power flowing: x1)]
“…….”
“…….”
“Don’t you think only I look utterly out of season?”
The Grand Duke, with a straw hat draped behind his thick winter cloak, muttered under his breath.
“It’s just your imagination…….”
With a heavy dark cloak made of beast fur draped over him, the Grand Duke looked absolutely immense—like a mountain itself.
Exactly like a ruler of the Northern Region.
And of course…… me too!
“Hm.”
That’s what I wanted, but the reality was a chubby little snowman.
“Um, I think I’m wearing too many clothes!”
A red ear muff, scarf, gloves of course, and two layers of outer coat, five layers of clothing underneath, and fur boots I couldn’t even remember where I’d gotten!
“Look at this!!! My arms are so fat I can’t even stand at attention!”
The Grand Duke stifled a laugh with a grunt.
“Right. If things get desperate, I’ll just roll you to the village, so brace yourself, you pig-hippo.”
“Your Highness! I’ve found the way!”
Just then, Felix signaled us.
The Grand Duke lifted me up lightly and set me on the Black Horse that had been pawing nearby.
“So… you’re saying we’ll survey around the river.”
“Yes!”
The Grand Duke supporting me from behind made a thoughtful sound.
“True. I was thinking I should take a look myself anyway.”
Nod, nod.
“When we purified the pillar belonging to the Veil River, we need to make sure no damage comes to the village.”
The horse moved slowly forward. I scanned the surroundings carefully.
The Veil River.
A river that cut across the heart of the Northern Region.
The village of Bedel where I lived was located at the upper reaches of the Veil River.
Which meant the lower reaches of the Veil River were still surrounded by a dark zone of Pollution.
‘So no matter how much we unlock the Dragon Vein of the Veil River, it’ll still be difficult for people to live around the lower reaches.’
But at least,
‘at the upper reaches, people can fish or come and go!’
And as proof of that…
Pop! Pop!
[A quest from the God of Rivers and Seas has arrived!]
[Catch Blue Thorned Trout (0/3)]
[“Can you catch them~?”]
[Reward: Pure Pollution-free Holy Power Sticker x300]
[A quest from the God of Rivers and Seas has arrived!]
[Catch Giant Silver Trout (0/5)]
[“Will you ever meet them~?”]
[Reward: Pure Pollution-free Holy Power Sticker x500]
[A quest from the God of Rivers and Seas has arrived!]
[Gather Striped Silk Clams (0/5)]
[“Will you gather them~?”]
[Reward: Pure Pollution-free Holy Power Sticker x400]
.
.
.
‘So many quests arriving all at once!’
Besides, fish were precious food that filled our bellies with protein during the cold winter months.
In short, it was exactly the kind of resource the Northern Region needed right now.
But purifying the pillar immediately would be reckless.
Because…
‘If we’re not careful, we could cause a flood.’
It was a simple reason.
If we thawed the frozen river all at once, the sudden surge in water flow could cause the river to overflow.
‘The lower reaches would definitely flood.’
But the upper reaches weren’t safe either.
It was because of the state the river had fallen into during the years of neglect.
A river untouched by human hands for two years. There was…
“There! I see it!”
I pointed to the massive dead tree blocking the middle of the river.
“A huge fallen tree is lying there!”
…filled completely with all manner of naturally accumulated debris.
“If we leave that alone, the water channel will be blocked and the river will overflow toward the village!”
“I should make a note of that. Felix.”
“Right away. I’ve written it all down~”
Felix checked the positions carefully as he continued upriver.
Today he’d decided to inspect without undertaking any major work.
Fallen trees and scattered debris were frozen solid in the current conditions, making removal difficult. They needed more hands.
“It’ll take considerable strength to clear this, won’t it? Right, little one?”
Uncle Felix spoke cheerfully, ruffling my hair before continuing.
We’d reached the mountainside without noticing.
“I don’t think we can ride any further up… what shall we do?”
“I want to check the upper reaches too, so we’ll walk from here.”
Rowen and I dismounted.
While the Grand Duke tethered the horse, Felix swept his gaze across the surroundings and approached.
“Little one, want to race your uncle up to that peak?”
I threw my hand up at once.
“I’m definitely first!”
That was the moment.
Inhale.
The world spun before my eyes.
Like yesterday in the Library.
……
But it lasted only a moment, then everything felt normal again.
I gripped my skirt hem.
‘My body doesn’t feel quite right, I think.’
My heart pounded irregularly.
Could this be a symptom of No-Core Syndrome?
‘I can’t stand just lying in bed.’
Fortunately, this was different from the symptoms of No-Core Syndrome I knew. After checking my condition carefully, I let out a breath of relief.
My condition had been slightly off since yesterday, and after experiencing the fire, I’d grown a bit more fragile.
I patted my cheeks.
‘We’re heading back to the Manor soon anyway, so I’ll just push through.’
Everyone was pretending nothing was wrong.
In truth, everyone’s spirits were dampened by yesterday’s fire.
They were managing their sorrows by focusing on rye cultivation and fishing… I didn’t want to dampen the mood unnecessarily.
“Why did you suddenly stiffen like that?”
At that moment, I heard the Grand Duke’s weighty voice from behind.
I shook my head vigorously, my chin bells chiming with the motion.
“It’s nothing at all!”
With the village’s circumstances already poor, I couldn’t become a burden too.
Besides, it was I who’d pressed to go exploring. I had to complete the expedition with vigor!
“Oh, Uncle Felix! Wait for me!”
“Come on, hurry!”
“Hani, don’t run—go slowly.”
“Okaaaaay!”
Thump-thump-thump!
“Didn’t I just tell you not to run and to go slowly?”
“You did, sir.”
“Now it seems my words fall on deaf ears.”
Leaving his grumbling behind, I scampered over and crouched beside Felix.
Felix, who’d been staring intently at the river, murmured aloud.
“Strange though… I can’t see a single fish scale… will fish really return to this river?”
He was right—the river lay empty.
“It’s like a barren aquarium.”
“They’ll return! It’ll be teeming with life again!”
“Is that so?”
If the Dragon Vein here flows again!
And if ‘that’ exists upstream!
“Well, if our little darling says so, then so it shall be! But aren’t you cold?”
“No! I’m chubby!”
Chuckling, Felix hoisted me onto his shoulders and swiftly began ascending the mountain.
The uppermost reaches where the Veil River’s greatest tributary begins.
The terrain there was exceptionally treacherous and steep. Far more so than the mountain where the Guanglong dwelt.
“Let me down here!”
“All right.”
I hopped down to the ground and paused to survey my surroundings. Then I peered underneath a rock that looked promising.
‘……Hmm.’
Flicker-flicker.
‘There it is!’
A tiny, droplet-shaped form sleeping beneath a blanket of pristine snow and ice…….

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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