Neris pointed to Eidan and said, “This is Sir Gavin, who hired you. You can call him Sir, no need to say Sir. Since I introduced you through Betty, I brought you today, but from next time, Sir Gavin will give you instructions directly through letters. Can you read and write?”

Commoners were often only educated enough to read or even just know a few words.

Of course, Neris had checked Rob’s literacy before hiring him, as she had to deliver various instructions as an adult aristocrat through letters.

Rob answered with embarrassment, “Yes, Miss. I learned a bit.”

“That’s good. Sir Gavin hasn’t personally come here before, so you’ll need to guide him today.”

Rob, still amazed, replied, “Yes, Miss. I’ll do my best.”
Eidan didn’t say anything helpful. However, he didn’t say anything obstructive either. He just silently looked at Neris when Rob pointed towards the field, indicating that he would guide them.

Neris naturally took the lead to make Eidan, or rather, the name she just made up, “Sir Gavin,” look like a courteous person.

Rob, walking around the well-maintained field, explained to both of them. “The soil is good. Even if we can’t produce a good yield this year due to the season, whatever you plant will grow well. I thought it would take a long time to choose because I didn’t touch it for too long at first, but it got organized faster than expected.”

Eidan nodded with an expression that seemed to contain some satisfaction, at least in the eyes of the mind. Neris thought that he must be doing well enough. If it were Claudwin, he might have made a few cheeky remarks, but Eidan wasn’t Claudwin.

Neris, who came from Rohez, where people mainly farmed, had some sense of it. She realized that the land saved by Claudwin was of a suitable size for one person to manage. And the color of the soil looked fertile and appealed to her.

Next, Rob pointed to the forest surrounding the field and the cabin. “It’s a bit away from the commoner’s town, but there are no dangerous mountain beasts. Once you cross there, it’s a quick walk to the village, so it’s convenient and nice to live here.”

Neris thought that there might be a difference of opinion on the expression “quick walk.” Anyway, she was relieved that Rob thought it was quick.

After briefly talking about the beautiful scenery and the pleasant weather in the vicinity, Rob showed them the cabin last.

Although the cabin made of wood was small, it had a barn appropriate for the size of the field, and there was also a chicken coop.

“It’s great to have chickens. I’m really thankful that you said we can eat the eggs. I’ll work hard, generous Miss.”

Neris had never requested chickens. Her employer seemed to be a person who properly gives something when giving. The cabin was neat, and various tools were provided. There was no shortage, and even the oven was clean.

With this, as long as the salary continues to be paid steadily, Rob would be able to accomplish a lot here. Neris was relieved.

Of course, with no watchful eyes, Rob could work dishonestly or talk about Neris’s instructions to others. However, she thought the possibility was low.

First of all, Neris knew well about Betty. Even when talking about her family, Betty was a person who did not tell pleasant lies. In response to Neris’s question letter about Rob’s experience sent through Betty, she emphasized his honesty several times in her reply.

“And there’s no use telling anyone.”
Hallowed Grass and Thorn Pockets were plants widely known in their respective hometowns. Even if Rob privately sold herbs to the doctor in Sedona, it wouldn’t have much significance.

However, all of these were just theoretical discussions, and one had to experience it to truly understand. What was the reality behind someone with a good reputation like Nellusion?

Nevertheless, Neris liked Rob’s simple, blinking eyes.

Rather than scheming while observing, when he thought, he used all the muscles on his face, earnestly contemplating.

It felt good. Neris thought so as she took in a breath of fresh air.

Rob, who had been pondering about what else to introduce to these valuable guests, suddenly seemed to remember something and brought it from the outside of the cabin.

Eidan, who stood like a scarecrow during the Sedona tour, quietly looked down at the potted plant thrust in front of him.

“I tried planting some of the seeds you gave me. They seem to be growing well, just as you said. Since I can’t play until I get my salary, and seeds aren’t good if kept for too long… I also learned a bit of know-how.”

Rob showed Neris a pot full of vibrant plants.

There were ten one-foot-tall plants with something resembling a pouch or thorn attached. In between, there was grass that looked like a tuft of grass at first glance, but it had a deep silver color and was mixed with half-inch-long furry grass.

It was Thorn Pockets and Hallowed Grass.

Having a job that neither restricted freedom nor was difficult, and providing a salary and living expenses, Rob was very grateful.

So, he wanted to show the strange and generous owner what he had done so far.

However, the person who originally employed Rob to pull out the seeds and grow Thorn Pockets, Gavin, seemed unimpressed.

Instead, the person who introduced him to the job, probably the appreciative one mentioned by Betty, Neris, seemed pleased, her eyes twinkling.

“Good job. Did you safely retrieve the Thorn Pockets?”

Unlike Betty, who served a high lady, Rob was a village tax collector for a local lord who came to collect taxes. This young lady, who looked too beautiful and fair to belong to the same world, was difficult to even glance away from. Rob explained while looking down with a respectful demeanor.

“Yes, miss. As you suggested, I was going to sell them at an expensive price, saying that even the roots were for sale, and… I had enough to live on.”

In Kynia Village, where Thorn Pockets were rapidly disappearing, an outsider like Rob couldn’t have just dug them up. So, Neris made sure to give him a hefty sum of money to buy the roots.
The couple who had employed Rob until now apologized profusely as they sent away the young man with a tight financial situation. Hearing that he would receive some mediation fee, they quickly dug up a few more Thorn Pockets and sold them.

They asked him to use that mediation fee for living expenses, even if just for a while.

After all, there might have been a judgment that Thorn Pockets were reaching their end, even if a few more roots were left.