The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 59

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

Chapter 59

 

* * *

 

There was a reason why I asked ‘Sears’ to take on this task.

 

Alpheus was excellent at labor.

 

Even on the battlefield, when one person could cut down two, Alpheus could cut down a hundred.

 

In truth, having a marquis do labor was absurd… but when time was this critical, there was no choice.

 

‘It’s faster for Alpheus to use his body than for 50 ordinary workers to do the job.’

 

Moreover, Alpheus had good work sense. That was an enormous advantage. Once you explained something, he understood it perfectly.

 

‘It’s really strange.’

 

I thought while crossing my arms.

 

‘Why is it that when a marquis uses inhuman abilities to wield a sword and kill 100 monsters to save people, everyone cheers, but when he uses inhuman abilities to wield a shovel and plant crops to save people, they mock him?’

 

It had always been a truly unsolvable question. Though I’d never expressed it to anyone.

 

I decided to just continue with my crazy thoughts since I was already being crazy. This time too, it was best for Alpheus to demonstrate his abilities for the Empire.

 

“I promise double the efficiency.”

 

I declared in front of everyone.

 

Since Sears was being criticized, this had to be resolved under Sears’ name.

 

‘The continent’s productivity will keep declining in the future, so they won’t cling to Sears and complain again.’

 

But there was a crucial problem.

 

We had no money.

 

“Instead, we need equipment to build the facilities.”

 

“Equipment? The Magic Tower has plenty of that. The slaves… no, the apprentice mages can make as much as needed and supply it quickly!”

 

The mage quickly pitched his sales.

 

“We’re also a bit short on funds… Since we haven’t been able to collect warp fees for a while, there’s been quite critical damage to the Magic Tower’s operating budget.”

 

Then Baron Forman stepped forward.

 

“Forman will provide the investment capital.”

 

He repaid the value of the dinner he had received two months ago.

 

“In return, I want 50% of the additional production.”

 

While doing so, he showed remarkable business acumen.

 

“I’m glad to have an opportunity to invest with faith in you, Young Lady.”

 

Baron Forman said to me with a gentle smile.

 

“It’s not just about the money, but thanks to this, my judgment will become known throughout the Western Region.”

 

However, behind his benevolent expression, his unwithering desire for recognition still gleamed.

 

“Though I’ve retired, everyone will know that I’m not just some washed-up old man in the back room, but a veteran of the intelligence network whose sharp eye is still well-honed.”

 

Then Alpheus winked and gave a thumbs up.

 

“Sears will always repay your trust. Hahaha!”

 

It sounded more like promoting a labor agency than a marquis.

 

I whispered urgently.

 

“No winking!”

 

It seemed that having slept well yesterday, his dark transformation had regressed.

 

Soon, materials began to be transported through Warp.

 

Since expensive materials weren’t used, it didn’t cost much either.

 

With a river nearby, digging water channels was easy. Soon, freshly produced waterproof boxes resembling water collection containers were delivered from the Magic Tower.

 

“Put a shallow slope on the bottom. So water can flow slowly from one side to the other.”

 

I gave verbal instructions while calculating carefully.

 

“At this rate, one box could hold about twenty leafy vegetables… herbs could fit even more.”

 

I even drew upon my hazy memories from my previous life.

 

Though I couldn’t remember the detailed context of the situation, the memory of my past self being directly present at a hydroponic cultivation site was vivid.

 

“Raise the boxes up a bit more. That way you can work without bending your back. Install them securely.”

 

From a distance, it looked like long wooden bridges stretching across the plains.

 

Though Hilberry had assigned a few workers, no one worked as quickly and accurately as Alpheus.

 

Everyone else was more like fumbling assistants to Alpheus. Without Alpheus, it would have been a major construction project taking several days.

 

“It’s not just about making water flow, we need nutrient solution.”

 

I also requested nutrient solution from the Magic Tower. Again, it didn’t require any extraordinary materials.

 

“You can make it naturally with dried fish, clam shells, ash, things like that… but we don’t have time right now.”

 

Again, it didn’t cost much money.

 

We installed a water wheel to use the riverside flow to turn the wooden wheel. And that rotation drew water up to the upper storage.

 

By the time the sunset came, thanks to Alpheus’s efforts, hundreds of cultivation boxes were placed across the plains.

 

Now all the farm workers from the vicinity had gathered to watch. Hilberry too was gaping at the speed with which everything had proceeded smoothly.

 

Watching that spectacle, the mage muttered.

 

“…This is exactly Magic Tower style…”

 

I pretended not to hear. It was a terribly frightening thing to say.

 

Harrison, an Academy senior who had shown talent in magic, had once said, “Naturally, any child with free will would be incompatible in spirit with the Magic Tower.”

 

“I must definitely report this to the Magic Tower Master. He’ll surely come to see it.”

 

But making a good impression on the Magic Tower Master would open up many possibilities for the future. Since I could sell my soul at a bargain price, I immediately replied.

 

“I should greet the Magic Tower Master that day as well.”

 

“Yes. He’ll probably show great interest in you, young lady. And he’ll reward me for reporting this site too.”

 

The mage was happy imagining his own benefits.

 

“Now.”

 

With everything finished, I said to Alpheus.

 

“You open it.”

 

“Okay!”

 

Under everyone’s gaze, Alpheus opened the first gate of the water channel.

 

The gently flowing water moved from the storage to the distribution channels, then slowly flowed into each water tank.

 

The water flow entered like a very thin film brushing across the bottom.

 

“Now, let’s put the seeds in.”

 

I placed the seeds on the small moss arranged on top of the boxes.

 

The countless leafy vegetable and herb seeds that had been densely piled up found their proper places.

 

“Wow.”

 

Baron Forman was genuinely amazed.

 

“Marquis Sears… how can you sow seeds with such delicate hand movements, spacing them so perfectly?”

 

The acknowledged worker answered cheerfully.

 

“Well, it’s easy if you think of it as cutting the necks of enemy soldiers standing in a line! You just need to keep rhythm and apply consistent force while snapping your wrists sharply.”

 

No one could respond to those cheerful words.

 

When night had fallen.

 

People rolled their eyes and whispered.

 

“…Will they really grow?”

 

“It’s not even soil?”

 

“I… I just can’t believe it. Where are there plants that grow like that?”

 

But three days later.

 

Transparent roots grew downward like white threads, and green leaves began to raise their heads one by one. It was the moment that proved life could sprout from land officially recognized as unable to grow anything.

 

“…Th-this… no, why is it so fast? Is it because of the nutrient solution from the Magic Tower? Wait, was there such a nutrient solution?”

 

The farmers gathered around with their mouths agape.

 

“These aren’t the type that sprout this quickly…”

 

I raised my eyebrows while crossing my arms. I tried not to smile to avoid looking frivolous, but seeing the little sprouts emerging made joy rise from deep within my heart.

 

Suppressing that joy, I explained.

 

“There’s no nutrient solution that speeds up growth. What the Magic Tower gave us was just ordinary level.”

 

“Then…”

 

“It’s just possible because it’s hydroponics. The roots don’t struggle to find water, so the growth rate is much faster.”

 

Behind me, Baron Forman whispered to Hilberry.

 

“Didn’t I tell you? This is the talent who fed the territory residents even in isolation in the Central Region where there was nothing.”

 

Of course, I heard all of that whisper. It seemed intentional.

 

“The Western Region’s land, abundant seeds, prepared resources, close cooperation with the Magic Tower.”

 

Baron Forman said vigorously.

 

“Didn’t I guarantee that amazing results would come if such things provide support?”

 

Looking at the dense sprouts in the cultivation boxes, Hilberry swallowed dryly.

 

“If the Western Region doesn’t let that Young Lady go, this is just the beginning.”

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