[B3]Chapter 174: Overseeing the Hundred Acres (Patreon)

‘For now, I should return to the Embassy Enclave and see what strategy others have devised to tackle this situation…’ Theo mused inwardly, turning on his heel to head back.

The approaching evening draped the town in a cloak of chill and an unusual bustle. The streets teemed with activity, but Theo found no interest in the crowd. His mind yearned for the solace of a quieter place.

Upon arriving at the Embassy Enclave, Theo noted the absence of Liliana and the others. Only a human maid and the Canorian guards were present.

Ella approached with a respectful bow. "Dinner is ready, sir," she informed him, setting the meal before him. Theo ate in silence at the dining table before retreating to his room.

The next morning, as he descended the stairs, Theo's eyes caught sight of Emma and Agnes engaged in a serious discussion at the table. Their conversation halted briefly as they noticed his arrival, then resumed their exchange.

“I've heard that some people use bamboo as food. Can’t we do the same until the situation has subsided?” Emma inquired with a hopeful tone.

“There are some species of bamboo that are edible, but not the ones we grow here,” Agnes answered.

“Oh… then we are left with sugarcane,” Emma responded, grasping the limitations they faced.

Agnes sighed, “Canorians are primarily meat eaters, young lady. While they can consume other foods, they have a preference for the ordinary crops we humans cultivate in Lighthaven Empire. Relying solely on sugarcane could lead to nutritional deficiencies and rising disease rates.”

Theo quietly took a seat nearby. Agnes nodded slightly at him in acknowledgment, while Emma seemed deep in thought.

After a moment of contemplation, Emma's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope as she suggested, “What about hunting in the wilderness to gather enough food?”

However, Agnes quickly extinguished that spark. “The nearby hunting grounds fall under the territory of the Mighty Orcs. Entering there would almost certainly provoke a confrontation, especially now when our neighbors already suspect the Canorians of colluding with the Demon race.”

Emma's hands flew to her temples as she slumped into a chair, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I never imagined things could become this dire. During the Paraxitus Plague’s lockdown, when Grandpa faced a similar food crisis, the owner of East Wind single-handedly provided food for the entire county. I wish that young duke were here…"

“I’m already here, though,” Theo revealed quietly.

Both Agnes and Emma glanced at him, their expressions clearly indicating they were not in the mood for humor and wanted him to stop talking nonsense.

Theo sighed inwardly, reflecting how they doubted his claim of owning East Wind. If Eldwin Ironfist were present, he'd have demanded an apology for their ignorance. But Theo understood that proving his identity wasn't the priority at the moment; there were more urgent matters to address.

‘Should I just provide them with enchanted crops? But that won’t solve the problem in the long term… I need to find a sustainable solution so they don’t have to rely on outsiders,’ Theo mused silently.

Turning to Agnes, he asked, “Why don’t we replace these bamboo fields with crops that can actually be used as food?”

Agnes shook her head. “Bamboo takes two to three years to establish its roots. We can’t just replace it with another crop on a whim.”

Theo sighed. “So you’d rather let your people starve than grow crops that could yield better results and save lives?”

At Theo's biting sarcasm, Emma noticed Agnes's expression turn sour, her face tightening with displeasure. She spoke with a cold edge to her voice, "Can't you show a bit more respect toward Madame Agnes? We are their guests, and besides, we can't grow edible food quickly enough even if we plant now. That’s not a viable solution.”

Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hall as four figures made their entrance through the grand doorway. Leading the group was Liliana, with Gildor, Arwen, and Linwe closely trailing behind her.

Agnes and Emma promptly stood up as Liliana took her place in the main seat. The others followed suit, taking their seats. Throughout this, Theo remained stubbornly seated, indifferent to the presence of royalty.

His blatant disregard didn't go unnoticed; disapproving glances were cast in his direction, marking him as the sole seated figure.

Liliana, sensing the tension, queried, “Why is there a heated discussion here?” Her gaze settled on Emma for an explanation.

With a hint of frustration and bitterness in her voice, the blonde-haired Emma pointedly said, “This guy was being disrespectful to Madame Agnes,” her eyes flicking towards Theo.

The room’s attention shifted to Theo, who seemed unfazed by the stares and more concerned with the matter at hand.

Liliana’s expression grew stern as she caught Theo’s eye, her cold gaze reflecting disappointment. They were here as representatives of the Phoenixwing academy and the Lighthaven Empire; such rudeness was unbecoming and potentially damaging.

However, before she could rebuke him, she paused, giving Theo a chance to defend his stance. The silence stretched, heavy with expectation, as everyone awaited his response.

Theo broke the silence with a firm voice, “My intention was not to show disrespect but to convey the urgency of our situation. The crisis we face threatens lives, and every moment we spend debating could mean more suffering for those we aim to help. I believe in practical solutions, even if they require us to think beyond traditional bounds.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room before he continued, “We can't access the hunting grounds due to the Mighty Orcs' territory, and the trade routes are blocked. The main crops here are bamboo and sugarcane, which are not sufficient to satisfy hunger. So, I question why we cling so tightly to these crops instead of replacing them with edible ones that could help alleviate the food crisis. Doesn't this indicate that those in power would rather see their people starve than abandon their attachment to these crops, which no longer provide sustenance or profit?”

The room fell silent, each person processing his words. Liliana’s features softened slightly as she began to understand the urgency behind his voice.

However, Emma wasn’t one to remain quiet. “And how exactly are we supposed to replace acres of bamboo with edible crops in such a short time? That would require at least a full growing season, wouldn’t it?”

All eyes turned back to Theo. He met their gazes and shut down their doubts with a simple question, “Do you have any better option to tackle this food crisis?”

Silence engulfed the room as everyone fell into their own contemplation. His logic was irrefutable, and there was no counterargument. Reluctantly, they had to accept that he was correct. If they started now, they would at least have a head start.

Seeing their silence, Theo stared into their eyes, as if questioning their intelligence, before finally standing up from his seat to leave. Only Liliana was spared his critical gaze, as she was also deep in thought.

However, just as Theo was about to ascend the staircase, a soft yet commanding voice halted him. "Your analysis is correct," Liliana acknowledged in a cold tone.

Theo paused, turning to meet her intense scarlet gaze. He stood firm, his expression unreadable despite the turmoil within his heart.

Agnes, however, was not pleased with the outcome. "But, Princess, we can’t simply erase crops that are so deeply ingrained in Canorian culture. This might cause unrest among the people." she said gravely, her tone revealing her disapproval.

Liliana’s gaze then shifted to the elderly figure. "Senior Gildor, could we allocate some land for the cultivation of new crops that could alleviate this predicament?"

Gildor nodded, repeating Theo’s words, “The crisis we face threatens lives, and every moment we spend debating could mean more suffering for those we aim to help.” He smiled softly, “This young man’s words are on point and his insights are sharp. Because of our ignorance and attachment to our old beliefs, we can’t forsake our people. We must eventually let go of these traditions of growing bamboo and sugarcane that bind us and make us more dependent on others.”

Liliana’s attention then shifted to Theo, who stood silently near the staircase, seemingly indifferent to the praises bestowed upon him.

Gildor continued, "As the Princess suggested, I will set aside one hundred acres for new crops. If this proves successful, our people will surely understand the necessity of replacing the outdated bamboo and sugarcane fields."

Liliana nodded and addressed Theo directly, “From this point forward, you will oversee these hundred acres. Please lend your expertise to this cause.”

Caught off guard, Theo raised an eyebrow. "How are you so certain of my expertise?"

Liliana's response was sharp and devoid of emotion. "Only a farmer or a fool could speak so confidently about crop management."

Theo chose not to respond, turning his gaze away. Liliana observed his reticence, noting the coldness in his interaction, but she chose not to comment.

In her thoughts, Liliana mused, ‘He is an odd one…’ The young man’s demeanor reminded her of someone she cherished.

‘Grandpa promised he'd send him back on his eighteenth birthday. That's when I'll see him again. If this mission drags on, I'll abandon it. I can't miss that day,’ she mused quietly.