Grenavier decided to visit the magic tower to take a look at the wizards’ research at Hedel’s request.

However, he felt uneasy leaving Larisa alone at the mansion. In the past, he wouldn’t have cared, but now Grenavier felt more anxious when Larisa wasn’t around.

Eventually, Grenavier took Larisa with him to the magic tower. As Grenavier entered one of the research labs, various exotic plants greeted her.

“Wow, you really came!”

Joseph, who was sitting in a corner, shouted with gratitude. Grenavier felt awkward internally and looked around.

“Is Margerit doing well?”

“Margerit is right here!”

The cheeky bunch of plants seemed healthy.

Grenavier honestly had no interest in plant research. However, according to Hedel and the estate manager, Joseph Phyton’s active involvement in crop cultivation had made the farming progress smoothly. That’s why Grenavier visited first.

“You’re the god of agriculture?”

“Yes? Haha, that’s right.”

Ignoring the strange laughter, Grenavier praised once again.

“I heard that you proposed a way to continue farming without fallowing the land. Is that true?”

“Haha, yes! I selected crops that can be planted in late spring and participated directly in cultivation.”
“If the production increases and the Rodante territory becomes wealthy, the territory may directly invest in the magic tower. In that case, you will greatly contribute to the magic community in Arendia.”

“Haha, thank you.”

Grenavier, repeating praises as if brainwashing Joseph Phyton, pretended to admire exotic plants and quickly went outside.

“Larisa, are you okay?”

Larisa, with a slightly frightened expression, nodded quickly while looking at the insect-eating plants.

“I’m okay. But I want to go for a walk. I want to see what has changed outside.”

“Walking is good. Let’s go.”

Although Grenavier had thought about visiting one more place, what could he do when Larisa wanted to go for a walk? Grenavier carried Larisa and started wandering around the estate.

The newly paved stone path, ordered by the wizards, was quite comfortable to walk on. And, for some reason, maybe due to the mood, Grenavier felt that the fearful glances towards Larisa seemed to soften when he held her.

“Wow! A windmill! I’ve never seen a windmill before, Mom!”

“Really.”

Grenavier didn’t realize the gentle expression on his face every time Larisa laughed.

“Can we go inside?”

“Sure.”

Since there was no grain to mill yet, the inside of the windmill was empty, but Larisa found it fascinating.

“What’s that next to the windmill?”
“Irrigation. It’s a system that lifts water and supplies it to the fields through channels. In our territory, where rainfall is scarce, they say irrigation is essential.”

Larisa exclaimed.

“It’s so fascinating. It would have been nice if William had come with us.”

William was at the academy during weekdays.

“Since William designed the city, he probably already knows what’s installed where.”

“Still, it would be nice to see it together.”

Grenavier nodded, even though he didn’t know what was so good about seeing it together. Larisa’s hair fluttered in the spring breeze, tickling him.

“Lower me down. I want to walk to that place over there!”

Larisa pointed to the plowing area. When they arrived, the women farming with babies on their backs hesitated upon seeing Grenavier.

“Don’t mind me; keep working.”

But the baby mothers continued to hesitate and stand still. Grenavier was about to move away when it happened.

“Um, Lady Witch…”

One of the women approached cautiously.

“Thank you for reducing the rent.”

“It was my son’s decision, not mine.”

“Still, I heard that the lord is a witch. So, I wanted to express my gratitude.”

Grenavier, looking at the woman who bowed respectfully, asked curiously.

“What did you originally do?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, what was your original occupation?”

“Oh, I used to work as a maid in a noble family.”
“Somehow, it seemed evident. Grenavier, thinking of Marina for no apparent reason, asked a question he wouldn’t have asked under normal circumstances.

“How did you end up here?”

“…….”

“If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to.”

After showing signs of contemplation, the woman willingly opened up about her circumstances more easily than Grenavier expected.

“I stole from a high-ranking person… their child. I was chased away. Trying to escape as far as possible…”

“I see.”

It was roughly what he had guessed. Without offering any consolation or response, Grenavier left the spot.

While leisurely walking through the fields, Larisa started singing. Grenavier, listening to Larisa’s singing, immersed himself in thought.

‘It’s too inefficient to assign fieldwork just because there’s a child.’

If she didn’t have a child, she would still be working as a maid in a noble family. That would still be considered elite among commoners.

A woman like her ending up as an unwed mother and being driven here was regrettable. If she had sent the child to an orphanage, maybe she wouldn’t have had to do this. But was it something she couldn’t bring herself to do?