Chapter 96 – Kirika and the Others in the New Settlement

We received a house and a fairly large plot of farmland from this village after relocating here.

Every day, I channel magic power into the farmland alongside Lily’s dad, tending to the medicinal herbs together with him.

The clever dad quickly absorbs knowledge about fertilizer mixtures and all sorts of other things, sharing it generously with me.

“Kirika, I’ll handle the rest. Let’s spread the fertilizer we mixed up last month tomorrow.”

“Got it. Thanks for checking on my field too, Dad.”

Dad pauses his work, wipes the sweat from his brow with his arm, and looks up at me with a smile.

He’s gotten so tanned, and packed on some real muscle—he’s like a whole different person from back then.

“No problem. It’s on the way anyhow. Kern’s expecting you soon, right? Head on out; I’ve got this.”

With that, Dad cheerily starts gathering up the tools and tidying everything away.

“Yeah. Thanks.”

We usually clean up together, but today I’m leaving it to him and heading back early.

Dad’s been smiling a whole lot more since we arrived here.

“Ah, Kern-san! I was just about to head your way.”

“Oh, perfect timing.”

Kern-san must’ve been coming back from the fields too—he and his daughter were lugging farming tools together.

The moment they spot me, both of them break into smiles.

“Here, let me.”

I take the tools from his daughter and walk alongside Kern-san.

Kern-san’s taught me the village rules, shown me where to source fertilizer, rounded up help for heavy loads… He’s been a huge benefactor to me and Lily’s family.

“So, what’s this about?”

“Ah, well… Our grandma and the other village elders wanna go meet the Saintess tomorrow. Could you hitch up the wagon and take ’em to town?”

The Saintess? I nearly grimace and look away.

After all he’s done for us, I can’t exactly pull a sour face.

“Sure, but why me?”

Pulling a wagon? Even Kern-san’s daughter could manage that.

Kern-san eyes me like it’s the most obvious question in the world.

“Tax collector’s showing up that day. Can’t leave the house empty.”

Ah, the tax collector… Yeah, no helping it.

That leaves me as the only young guy in the village who can head out.

“Can’t be helped, then. Leave it to me.”

“You’re a lifesaver.”

I stash the tools in Kern-san’s barn, then head to my own place.

The church didn’t just hook us up with housing and farmland—they even arranged a full year’s tax exemption.

Just for being Marie’s family? Honestly, we’re grateful for the special treatment.

The villagers took it in stride too, no complaints—just “Nice we got the exemption.” Times like this, you gotta pay it back.

“Haa… Forget that—what am I gonna do about tomorrow…”

Kicking a pebble along, I trudge toward Lily’s house in a gloomy mood.

Best to run it by Dad…

I glance up and spot Lily’s mom walking alone a little ways ahead.

Looks like she’s wrapped up sorting recovery potions at the assembly hall for today.

“Mom!”

She turns at my call, stops, and waits for me to catch up.

“Oh, Kirika. Already that time?”

“Dad told me to head home early today.”

Mom smiles. “That’s unusual.”

She’s brightened up a ton since we got here.

I figure it’s the work keeping her busy.

“Got something to discuss. Can’t tell Lily, so perfect timing.”

She catches on “can’t tell Lily” right away, face clouding with worry.

“Kern-san asked me a bit ago. Tomorrow, wagon the village elders into town.”

“Into town? To see the Saintess?”

She lowers her voice as she says it.

I pull a face and nod without a word.

“Does Lily know Marie’s coming?”

“Yeah, Dad told her. She wanted to go at first, but…”

Mom’s expression stays troubled.

Probably had to strong-arm Lily into staying put.

“Gotcha.”

“If she finds out you’re going, that’ll be a mess.”

I know, right.

“Tell Dad for me. I’ll watch my step too.”

“Will do. I couldn’t stop her anyway.”

We part ways midway; I head home.

“This is bad…”

I drop my stuff and wipe off the sweat.

Sink into a chair, cradling my head.

Wonder if Mom’ll pass it on properly.

She’s got her scatterbrained moments—kinda worrying.

Maybe I should’ve told Dad straight-up myself.

I stand—and Lily’s big voice rings out from outside.

“Ah, Natalie-san! Brought Kirika his dinner~!”

“My goodness, slow down! You’ll spill the food.”

Sheesh, what am I gonna do with Lily.

Her whole chat with next-door Natalie-san carries right over.

“Ehehe, goofed again.”

“Everything alright? You taste-tested, right?”

“Kirika says anything I make is delicious.”

“Hee hee. Lucky you, Lily.”

Embarrassing as heck.

But her voice stayed so upbeat, even knowing about Marie. Kinda reassuring.

“Kiri~kaaa! Dinner time~!”

She shoulders the door, trying to barge in.

I rush over and yank it wide open.

“Hahaha, you were so loud I heard everything.”

“Hehe, today’s the first time I made it all by myself.”

Lily pops the lid off the pot and shows off the soup—”Ta-da!” She’s adorable.

Still half-raw and tastes awful, but who would’ve thought that total slacker Lily would start cooking for me.

Me and Mom—we knew her back then—could hardly believe the change.

That journey really transformed her.

On top of that, anyone who can read or write around here heads straight to town, so Lily’s been reading letters for folks in her place. Helped us blend right in.

Suited her high pride perfectly.

She still can’t stick with a job long-term, but I’m cool with it.

She’s finally putting in real effort, after all.

“Amazing! Next spring, I’ll swing back to the village and get their okay for the marriage.”

“They won’t still be mad?”

“Land here’s fertile, remittances have been rolling in steady. They’re over it by now.”

“Phew, good.”

Lily gives a shy little smile.

Total lie.

The last letter from her parents was a straight-up disownment.

That’s why we’ve been busting our asses sending money home for a whole year.

If it doesn’t cut it, I’ll cut ties with them for good and stick with Lily.

Got that resolve locked in.

“Lily, it’s gone a bit cold. Add some water—let’s reheat it together.”

“Okay!”

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