Chapter 23

Pitchforks were used to scoop up things like hay in a farm, and were big enough to kill a person.

"Your sister isn't like a monkey at all. She's an angel. I think you don't need to worry so much. She's probably worried too, so why don't you talk to her tomorrow?" - (Nikolai)

"Yes...You're right."

Alexei lied. He was scared of being rejected, and had no intention to talk to Ekaterina at all.

The next morning, Alexei looked impeccable as usual. Seeing this, Nicolai gave out a wry smile.

"Good morning, Duke. You look well." - (Nikolai)

"Ah, good morning. That problem from yesterday was solved. My sister came and talked to me after school. Sorry for troubling you."

Alexei spoke with feigned indifference. Then, suddenly looking embarrassed, he casted his eyesights down and said in a hushed voice:

"Also...Thank you for your advice... Thank you for yesterday."

Nicolai smiled, but then grimaced and rubbed the back of his head.

"Ouch."

"? What's wrong?" - (Alexei)

"Ah, just the way they give me the looks... Well, it's nothing."

Nicolai didn't really understand it, but it seemed like he, despite being a boy, had been shot by a stray bullet in a crossfire from the girls' secret fight over Alexei. No, it was bound to happen because Alexei was somehow acting warmer lately, unlike his usual difficult-to-approach self. Like that smile during the entrance ceremony.

So troublesome.

"Well, that's good."

Alexei smiled slightly and nodded at Nicolai's answer, and a silent scream echoed in the classroom.

...

This happened some time after Ekaterina's and Alexei's reconciliation.

Forli, who was researching the afforestation process in the duchy, arrived at the office to make a brief report. It's another power lunch, served with Ekaterina's and Flora's cooking.

"First of all, I have identified the districts that have been deforested but not yet reclaimed due to various reasons. They will be our first targets for afforestation.

As for the saplings, this time we'll plant the ones growing natively in our forests. Logging has stopped in some areas due to the Phantom Dragon's appearance, and the lumberjacks there are in trouble due to lack of work. If they know they will be paid for the work, I'm sure they will want to do it.

Then, I recommend letting some farmers take charge of cultivating the saplings. Even those who only owned intertile land will be able to grow some. Aside from black dragon cedars, I think we should also mix in some varieties that can be harvested as food or wood like walnuts and cherries. Black dragon cedar can be sold for a good price, but it'll take twenty to fifty years for it to be usable as building materials. We need something that can be harvested sooner, I believe."

Yes, Forli is very capable!

He has transformed an obscure idea into something useful, and even combined it with countermeasures against unemployment, poverty and famine.

Also, as Japan's afforestation plan practically includes only cedar, the nation has to deal with its side effect of pollinosis. Their water-retaining capacity was also low, and it's not very good for the ecosystem. With an afforestation plan that makes use of both cedar and broadleaf trees, the populace here won't have to deal with those problems anymore.

(E/N: Pollinosis - also Hay Fever, caused by environmental allergens such as pollens, moulds, animal hair, etc.)

"Have you thought about a system on how to buy back saplings from the farmers?" - (Ekaterina)

"Let me see. I've thought about tax exemption for the cultivators, but actual payment is probably better. After all, afforestation is a new concept. Everyone believes that growing something immediately edible on farmland is the best method, so we need to show the benefits of afforestation." - (Forli)

He's also correct here. A lot of people will reject an idea simply because they've never done it. When I was still working as a system engineer, releasing a brand new system was always a big problem.

"What do the Forest Folks think?" - (Alexei)

Hmm?

"They're doubtful that it'll work, but they appreciate the efforts to stop deforestation." - (Forli)