Nelson confirmed with Isaac if he understood until this point. His answer was positive, so Nelson continued his explanation.
「Although it wasn’t stated in the report, when did the rain fell, but you had visit the Grisea village about........ 1 month ago. Sometime after that, the rain fell and then they desperately build water channel? Well it’s not a story that I don’t understand. However.......」
When Nelson said that, he pointed his finger at the river that was drawn on the map.
「If the water surface in this river and this water channel had the same attitude that is. Unfortunately, this water surface in this river is too low for it to flow to the water channel. Even if you put the water channel further at the upstream, the upstream river was distant from the village and there were many hills between them.」
「Wha.......? Then that water, where does it come from......?」
Hearing Nelson's explanation, Isaac looked over the map and groaned.
Isaac had personally seen the water flowing in the water channel with his own eyes, so it was a fact. He had thought that it was certain that the water channel was dug to the river.
But that river cannot flow to the water channel.
As far as can be seen on the map, there were no other water sources near the village, where the water come from, he really doesn’t had the slightest idea.
For water channel flow to cut through the hill or detour around the big hill was impossible if you realistically considered the available time or manpower.
「That’s what I still don’t understand...... Well, If we investigate the water channel then I will understand.」
「That’s right, then tomorrow once again I will go to Grisea Village.」
To Isaac that was in high spirit, Nelson shook his head.
「You should do your other tasks. Moreover, the availability of water at Grisea Village is not a bad news, so, now we will just pend the matter of where are the water sources for another time. Even if we go to Grisea Village now, it will take a full day. We don’t have time for conducting another investigation.」
「..... Yes. I ask for your forgiveness.」
Isaac dropped his shoulders. Because of his lack of attention, another cause of concern appeared in Nelson’s domain.
When Nelson saw Isaac's expression, he once again lightly tapped Isaac shoulder to ease his tension.
「Do not worry so much. The number of your visit to Grisea Village can still be counted with one hand. Besides, it’s not a bad news. Rather it was good one. You can understand the local geography now. Isn’t this considered a good ending?」
「But, even if this time all ends well, when I think that because of my mistake something that cannot be undone happened, then....」
Isaac get further discouraged, so Nelson sighed in disappointment and changed the conversation topic.
「By the way, how is Rize recently? Do you both get along well?」
「Eh!? N-No, nothing important happening, Sir!」
Hearing that sudden question, Issac become flustered and hurriedly answered.
Seeing that Isaac's response, Nelson was sighing exaggeratedly.
「Hear me Isaac, you can’t turn my daughter's face with this. Although I don’t know what her preference in men is, I am certain it is a person who can attack and seize the fort at the same time.」
「..... Nelson-sama’s daughter, ojou-sama is nicknamed Arcadian’s Shield. I think her fort is nothing less than impregnable stronghold.」
「Wahahahaha. What a wise choice of words! Surely that girl fort is worthy of that moniker!」
To the Nelson that was laughing hard, Isaac can only said,
「No, That is not joke, but the truth....」
And drop his shoulders once again.
✦✧✦✧
On the other hand, at the same time, in the residence of the Grisea Village ‘s chief, Valin. Surrounding the hearth, with firewood crackling under the flame, was Kazura, Valetta, and Valin. The three of them was talking about the crops and the taxation.
(TL: the poor guy was always referred as village chief by the author, so I changed that and typing Village Chief was time consuming)
「I see. So, every two or three months, you send tribute of crops as tax. Does the Noble trade it with other areas to change it into money?」
「Yes, because that money was for the tribute to the Royal Family, if the tax are not collected, then he will get reprimand from the Royal Family. But if you receive permission from the Royal Family, it’s possible to pay the tribute with crops or other goods directly instead of money.」
「Fumufumu. Valetta-san is knowledgeable. I admire you.」
Hearing Kazura compliment, Valetta face became a little blushed, she then smiled.
「Father has told me various things. Since I’m a village chief’s daughter, if I don’t have education to some extent, I can’t guide the villagers.」
(Need help on this line: 村長の娘であるからには、ある程度の学がなければ村の人たちに示しがつきませんから)
「Yes, even if she’s my daughter, Valetta is a very smart girl. Even if she came from a small village like this one, she could served under the the nobles like Nelson-sama. So, I think that i was better for her to had a proper education, even if it was only for little, however ...」
Hearing Valin’s word, Valetta turned her face to him and smiled sweetly.
「Uun, no. I like this village so I don’t want to leave it. Moreover, if I left, this house will immediately be covered with dust. After one month, father will be buried under masses of dusts.」
「Wait a minute, Valetta. What cruel words. No matter how you see it, Father can clean the house too.」
Valin said this while gazing at Valetta with a warm eyes.
Maybe, Valetta worried if Valin living alone in this house.
Seeing this two person, Kazura’s heart becoming warmer and he thought「To had such strong filial love, she was a devoted daughter.」
(ED: And so Valetta slowly trapped Kazura in her webs of moe...) (TL: So true brother, so true...)
「So then err... The tax for this time is 8 tenths of the previous tribute, right?」
「Yes. It was Isaac’s instruction yesterday. The proper tribute was in crops, however, the potato in the fields have not full-grown. Also, the fields for growing the beans for the tribute were repurposed for the planting of quick growing plant that the village will use as food.」