010: Four Years Old

September 15, 2020 - 7 minutes read - 1292 words

After the hot Summer and cold Winter, we have arrived at a new Spring. By the way, Spring means my birthday has come as it’s on April 7th. Yes, I’m now four! As children grow up, they are given new freedoms.

As for my family, my mother Elna has finally turned thirty, though she still looks like someone in her early twenties. My father Nord is now 32 years old. He hasn’t aged much either. When I asked him how he felt about his age, he asked me if I wanted to attend a magic school. I said no, obviously.

My sister Eleanora is now 10, it seems she is undergoing a growth spurt. Also, she’s continued to improve with the sword, though her academics are lagging. Is she studying properly?

My brother Silvio is seven years old, he focuses mostly on books with some swordsmanship practice. It seems he is interested in intensive thinking in the future. Is he wanting to become a bureaucrat?

My changes over the last year have been growing taller, making it easier to run around. My magic power is growing steadily as usual. Perhaps I’ve reached the ability to use Transfer Magic over a kilometer or more. I haven’t tried it yet though. If I haven’t been to the other location, I can’t transfer. So I’ll need to visit the royal capital at least once if I want to visit there for my fish transportation scheme.

Now that I’m four, Nord has decided it’s time to take me to visit Koriat Village. I’ve been around the mansion, but never into the village. I’ve been interested in going earlier, but this seems to be some sort of aristocrat tradition, so I wasn’t allowed to visit before now. The tradition seems to be taken somewhat seriously around this area.

“Come on!” Nord

“Let’s go!” Al

We’ve been sent off by my mother Elna, left the mansion heading down the road that leads straight to the village. This road looks well maintained and easy to traverse. It seems to be just wide enough to carry a carriage. Now that I think about it, this may be the first trip where it was just Nord and I.

As we walk down the road, off to the side I can see mountains in the distance and fields close by. It’s a picturesque country road, there’s green on either side like a carpet. While you walk, you can smell the lush greenery and the loams soil. Each time I breathe, clean air rushes in.

Recently, I was reading a new book called “Dumfrey’s Adventure.” In that book, it spoke a bit about a white cereal that was boiled to cook it. It’s rice! It seems to be native to the eastern continent. I’d like to know more, but Dumfrey only wrote a short passage about the rice he found. Dumfrey, you dummy.

“Al, you should be able to see the village soon.” Nord

Oops, I wasn’t paying attention.

It seems like we’re now surrounded by wheat fields. I can now see houses further on. They look like old folk houses from Earth. Here and there are scattered houses around.

Does everyone build the same style of house? Are they built to this density because there aren’t that many people living on the village outskirts?

“Dad, what kinds of crops are grown here?” Al

“We’ll grow barley, wheat, rye, beans, vegetables, herbs, and so on. We also raise chickens, sheep, and cows.” Nord

“Hey” Villager A

“Oh, the Lord has come to visit” Villager B

“Oh, it’s true” Villager C

When the village residents spotted Nord, they started calling out the news to other residents

“Thanks to the spaghetti recipe that the lord has taught us, everyone is quite content.” Villager A

“It’s true, my wife always calls it delicious.” Villager B

Two nearby men are laughing in unison. I’m relieved that the residents have such a cheerful look, and it seems that everyone is getting a proper amount of food.

“It is good. In fact, it’s my son Alfred here who thought of it.” Nord

Nord brought me out in front of him.

“This kid?” Villager A

“That’s right” Nord

Nord is looking proud of me.

“Are you Alfred? How old are you?” Villager A

“I’m now four years old” Al

“You seem pretty calm” Villager A

“He’s different from our kid. That seems nice.” Villager B

The older man poked my cheek while laughing… Excuse me, I’m the lord’s son here.

“Ahaha, I sometimes thinks he a bit too mature myself. He’s kind of an odd child.” Nord

Nord, really? I’m a normal child, right?

“Maybe I’ll bring him again next time.” Nord

“Yes, please come again.” Villager A

“When Alfred grows to an adult, do you think you’ll want him to follow in your footsteps?”

The male villager puts his hand on my head while asking Nord about that. What is with this guy? I have to get him back somehow.

“Good luck on the harvest, don’t get too distracted by your wife’s healthy buns.” _Al

After my reply, it seems to have the expected response.

“Yeah, I guess I do get distracted sometimes. If I get too distracted Natalie will bring me back in line.” Roland

“Hey, don’t get too down.” Al

“Hmm, I don’t know how to reply to that since you’re only four.” Roland

“Haha, Alfred, are you really only four?” Villager B

As we walked on, we could hear the commiserating men talking about their respective wife’s charms and strictness. I guess it’s a regular practice for the wife to manage the household around this village.

I followed Nord to the center of the village. It’s about noon and in the square, the villagers are exchanging harvested vegetables and wheat or storing the harvest in their homes. They also are exchange fruits or mushrooms that they harvested in the forest. Hmm, pears, chestnuts, mushrooms? What is with that one? Is it edible? That mushroom looks like it got tie-dyed.

A person with a boy walks by carrying some rabbits and a deer. I guess he’ll butcher those and exchange them for vegetables or fruit.

“Oh, there’s plenty of people gathered around to barter.” Al

“Yes, the villagers here have enough spare ingredients to barter. That’s a reflection of how well the village is prospering.” Nord

“Huh, my father is a wise lord.” Al

“No, that’s not the reason. Koriat village has had this prosperity for a while. Most trade happens between villagers, so there’s not much use for money.” Nord

“I see” Al

“Did Nord come to visit? Did he bring his son Alfred?” Village Mayor

While we were walking around the plaza, an older man came over to talk with Nord. He looks a little better dressed than the average villager.

“Yes, mayor” Nord

“It’s good to see him growing up. What about you, Alfred, what do you think of the village?” Village Mayor

“Everyone looks happy” Al

After I answer, the mayor smiles happy.

“Everyone looks healthy.” Al

My answer seems to have pleased the mayor.

“That’s right, what does Sir Nord think?” Village Mayor

“This year’s yield is a little better than last year. I can tell by looking at the faces of the villagers.” Nord

“That’s right. We had a good harvest last year too. We all managed to survive winter without needing to ration. I have several reports for you, would you like to run by my house and pick them up?” Village Mayor

“Yes, I’d also like to hear about the recent events in the village.” Nord

“Dad, can I hang around the village square while you do that?” Al

“That’s fine, but don’t wander too far.” Nord

“Yes” Al