zChapter 46 - Arc 2, Crescent Moon (1/2)

The fourteenth day.

After making sure that everyone had taken a seat, Ernst opened his mouth and spoke.

“I believe that you all have discussed well with each other. Though it may not have been enough, compared to when you all first arrived here, I believe that you now understand much more about each other.”

Ernst had always sat there like a doll, not reacting even the slightest bit – so when they heard him now speak, everyone looked at him with baffled expressions.

“During the winter, I traveled around to view the villages and towns. All of you did your best to help one another, sharing your wisdom amongst each other and living with indomitable wills which refused to be overcome by anything. I began thinking. Every single person in Meissen put forth their utmost effort in order to live. Yet, despite all of this, why did Meissen continue to be so poor?”

Everyone’s faces warped. He felt as if he could hear a scoffing voice saying, And just what would a high-and-mighty noble know?

“And then, I discovered something quite strange. Everyone knew of the other villages and towns which also made up the land of Meissen. Yet, it could not be said that anyone had ever tried to forge a deep understanding between the villages or towns.”

Ernst placed his hand on the large table which he and the twenty-six other people sat around. He drummed his fingers on its surface.

“For example, this table. It was Eitt Village that created this table. Because of the influence of the Grude Continent on the forest near Eitt Village, the trees grow enormous in size. This table was made out of a single tree.”

A stir erupted from the other villages as they imagined just how colossal the tree must have originally been if even the table was this size.

“Furthermore, that carpet.”

Ernst pointed a finger at the carpet laid out in front of the fireplace.

“That there was made with wool contributed by Caralime Village, dyed by Iben Village, and woven by Arruca Village.”

The people from Caralime and Iben stood from their chairs and went over to take a look.

The people of Caralime Village who only sold wool couldn’t tell, of course, but as people who worked with dyes, the representatives of Iben Village were somewhat able to recognize the colors.

“The bordering on the carpet was made with Arruca Village’s wool. Although the wool from Arruca Village is certainly short, it has a magnificent luster to it. It glitters with the same glossiness as silk… Now then. How much would you be willing to buy this carpet for?”

Ernst directed this question to the merchants of Saiquani and Folea who sat on either side of him. The four merchants stood from their chairs, touching the carpet with their hands to thoroughly evaluate its weight, its reverse side, and the tint of its colors.

“This would be about 150 aquia, I suppose…”

“For us, we’d give 170 aquias for this.”

When they heard the amount of money the merchants cited, the heads of the people of Arruca Village snapped up like broken strings.

“The amount of wool used was two bags of Caralime wool. The original cost is 20 aquia. Even when you add the cost of coloring by Iben Village and the price of Arruca Village’s wool and weaving, the total amount isn’t more than 50 aquia.”

Ernst stood from his seat, then walked toward the fireplace.

He passed by the side of the people of Caralime and Iben, who had dumbfounded expressions on their faces as they touched the carpet. Ernst took in his hand a piece of firewood which was piled up separately from the firewood currently burning in the hearth.

“This is the Kalia wood which came from Maine Village. It is very light and easy to carry. And…”

Ernst threw the piece of wood into the fireplace.

“It has a wonderful scent.”

A gentle fragrance wafted through the room. Everyone closed their eyes in a daze.