Chapter 64 The Marquis' Favorite
"It's still quite a broad range, isn't it? When I think about the feelings of the farmers around here, it's just unbearable."
Amelia the Pharmacist Girl let out a painful sigh.
"It's for safety, but it's still a harsh request."
However, Jade the Farmer responded strongly. His eyes were still red from crying earlier, and his voice was nasal.
"We're fine. We can feel that many people, starting with the lord, are watching over us. There's nothing more joyful than this. Honestly, when I received the order from Sir Ain early this morning, I almost lost hope. But even with our foolish actions, the lord was still watching over us."
Ain, who had been standing in the corner of the tent looking like he didn't know what to do with himself, reacted with a start to Jade's words.
"Are you trying to despair in front of His Excellency the Marquis and insult me?!"
"No, no, that's not what I meant at all. I made a thoughtless remark."
Jade hastily denied it, but it was clear that Ain was offended. Then, Rebecca, who was standing next to them, quietly approached them without making a sound.
"You two, please stop already. Can't you both try to understand each other's positions and feelings? Jade's words were certainly hurtful to Ain. He's just following orders from above, after all. He doesn't know why he has to do it."
'Wait, is Miss Rebecca saying he's incompetent for just following orders without thinking?'
"I-I'm deeply sorry. I spoke without thinking."
Jade bowed his head deeply to Ain.
"Hmph. That's why ignorant people are..."
Ain was still visibly annoyed.
"By the way, Ain, didn't you think that ordering the destruction of the crops people worked so hard on would provoke a reaction?"
"It's just that the lord ordered me to harvest the sick crops, right? That's only natural, isn't it?"
"Yes, that's true. It's a fact that we have to follow orders, but why didn't you explain the situation properly?"
"It's a waste of time to explain things to ignorant people!"
'Not yet!'
Ain's arrogant attitude infuriated Sara, but Rebecca continued to speak calmly.
"Ain, the reason they're harvesting the crops they grew themselves is because His Excellency the Marquis directly came and gave the order. They understood the situation and agreed, and if they had left it alone, it would have led to a big problem. Compared to you, Ain, who has had many opportunities to learn, they may be ignorant. However, they're not incompetent. If we give them the right knowledge, they won't react foolishly, and Jade wouldn't have been disappointed."
"But, as Miss Sara confirmed earlier, the order from the lord didn't have any detailed instructions, and the explanation was vague. What can I do about it?"
Ain loudly proclaimed his own circumstances.
"That's true, Ain's circumstances are unavoidable. After all, it's because 'you didn't know'."
"Yes, that's correct."
"Moreover, as the bureaucrat in charge of agriculture in this region, it's not strange that they didn't notice the anomaly until 8-year-old Ms. Sara pointed it out. It's clear that they didn't know. By the way, Ms. Alicia (Alchemist Girl) and Ms. Amelia (Pharmacist Girl), who are over there, noticed that the wheat was diseased just by looking at it. Although they're women, so they can't enter the Academy..."
Rebecca usually smiled in front of people. However, Sara realized that her stuck-on smile, like a Noh mask, changed depending on the situation and angle. And from the subtle changes in her tone of voice, Sara sensed that she was extremely angry.
'Scary... really scary...'
Now that it had come to this, Ain realized that Rebecca was angry. And that he himself was being pointed out as ignorant.
"It's fine. Lady Rebecca, you can just leave it at that."
Marquis cut in, breaking the heavy, cold atmosphere.
"Yes. I apologize for my impertinent words."
Rebecca easily backed down.
"Ain, if you can't do anything more, then leave. But if you can do something that will benefit this land, then stay. Choose either one, and I won't blame you."
Ain, who had been looking down, still raised his face and declared to Marquis.
"I have made a grave mistake. Although I am weak, I may still be able to do something. Since immediate action is necessary, I will call upon the cooperation of the farmers and idle residents in the other regions I am responsible for."
"Is that so? Alright, I leave it to you, Ain."
"Yes. Then, I will take my leave."
With that, Ain left the tent.
"Lady Rebecca, you've been given a troublesome role."
"No, it's nothing much."
"Originally, it's something Robert should be doing, though."
'Huh? What's going on with these 2? Are they the only ones who understand each other?'
"Grandfather, did Miss Rebecca just say something intentional?"
Marquis had a sly expression on his face.
"Sara, there's a trick to moving people. However, it's a shame that Lady Rebecca is the one who's most skilled at such tactics."
"I just said what I thought, that's all."
However, Rebecca maintained her calm demeanor. Marquis let out a light sigh and said to Robert.
"Robert, I think it would have been better if you and Lady Rebecca had switched places. Ah, what a shame..."
"Father has always favored Revi, after all."
"Honestly, if I had a child, I would even let them marry someone from Grandchester just to inherit it. It's really a shame..."
'Oh my, so that's how it was. Isn't this something Uncle Rob should be doing?'
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