Last night was intense in more than one sense. I understand that Dalia is upset with me, but that's not enough reason to do what she did. I couldn't sleep because of everything that happened yesterday because of how I treated the Marchioness and because of all of Dalia's worries. Obviously, this is our fault for accepting that math challenge.
Since I barely managed to sleep, I decided to go early to distribute the remaining printing presses. As soon as I arrived at the guild, Mateo asked me for advice. They didn't know how to set up a "production chain" among several guild officials. It's normal for them to have trouble with the printing press. So, I took the necessary time to explain it calmly, so everything would work quickly and at a good pace.
I spent the entire morning going from the carpenters' guild to Guild X and back to the carpenters' guild. Every time I returned to the carpenters' guild, I feared running into the Marchioness. (Yesterday I blamed her for everything that happened, and I shouldn't have. She's suffering too, and I'm just another miserable bastard living in her city. I didn't have the authority to point at her, and yet I did. I should apologize to her when I see her.)
Once the deliveries were finished, lunchtime had already passed, so I went back home to eat something, since it was close by. The guys served me their food. it's clear they don't cook anything special when the rest of us aren't around. I ate the roasted meat, thanked them, and went straight to the company.
As soon as I arrived, the artisans were still working on glass production with Hunt, so I didn't want to bother them too much and called Hunt and Pudiente without interfering. They probably already know this is going to take a while.
==+-+-O-+-+==
●― Mmm ― he sat down and intertwined his fingers, waiting for the others to take their seats.
■― What's going on? ― he asked, frowning.
●― I've just delivered the thirty printing presses, and now I don't know what to do… ―
― Pudiente ― That's why we've gathered. We need help. You know how crazy it's been to manufacture those glass jars… ―
●― That's not it. ― He raised a hand, cutting off the complaint, and sighed. ― This city is a mess. There's poverty everywhere. People fight over a bit of meat, and many over a piece that I doubt is even in good condition. ―
― Pudiente ― Let them work. There have always been lazy people. ―
●― When it's children fighting, it's not the same anymore. ― Neo rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. ― Yesterday, a peasant died in a monster attack. ―
― Antón ― You know very well it wasn't the Marchioness's fault. ― He pushed himself off the wall.
●― I knows. I'll apologize to her when I see her. But that's not what I mean. The peasant died because of the attack… and even so, that's not the point. ―
― Pudiente ― That's normal, isn't it? Those of us who leave the city know what we're risking. As a merchant, you should take precautions before traveling. ―
■― You're right. Still, I also understand Neo. ―
●― I don't have the slightest fucking idea how many people die every day from malnutrition, extreme poverty, cold, and God knows what else. ―
― Pudiente ― And what do you want to do? Life is like that. ―
●― What kind of bullshit excuse is that? How are we supposed to let someone die in the street? How are we not going to do something? Bro, Hunt, does this seem normal to you? ―
― Pudiente ― But why us? There are people with more power who could do something. ―
●― If those people with power do nothing, then we will. We can build barriers. I have a lot of mana. ―
Hunt noticed that the two knights went from a relaxed stance to a tense one, ready to intervene at any moment.
■― Neo, I think you're getting a bit carried away. ―
●― Just a perimeter to protect the farmers. If they don't die, there will be more food. I'm sure of it. ―
― Levi ― Neo, I understand what you want. But monsters will keep attacking. The walls will break, and then they'll have to be repaired. ―
●― I know, Levi, I know. ― He raised his hands and tensed his fingers, drawing a shape in the air. ― Hunt, we could make a wall of Frisian horses, with a water-filled trench and spikes. ―
■― You know the madness you're talking about. Think about it, Neo. What happens if there are thousands of peasants working and a monster break through the wall? ―
●― Damn it, you're always looking at the worst-case scenario. I've seen the fields, they aren't being worked. You've seen my parents' farm, you know what the land is like. They haven't used it properly. Just by expanding the cultivated area five kilometers more, we could feed a huge number of people. ―
■― You know what five more kilometers mean, right? That's about a 7.2 kilometer radius. That's almost 48 kilometers of perimeter. Do you understand how insane that is? You couldn't do it alone even in a hundred years. ―
●― Seen that way, maybe not. But if you help me, it'll take half the time. ―
■― Where are you going, you fucking madman? I don't have anywhere near as much mana as you. ―
●― Then we talk to the Marchioness. She puts people to work. ―
■― And they'll rise up against her for forcing them. ―
●― Damn it, you always pull out the worst option. I don't know… we show people that plant-based food can be better and tastier than living only on meat. We introduce the potato. ―
■― See? When you think a bit more, good ideas come out. Fine, how do we make people want them? ―
●― If people want bread, potatoes, legumes… there will be those who want to plant them. But if they die before doing so, it's useless. With walls. One at five kilometers, another at ten, at fifteen, at twenty. ―
■― That'll take years. ―
●― Yes. But what if, on top of that, we push the future forward a bit and improve agricultural methods? ―
■― What do you mean? ―
●― Like this, thinking fast and sloppy. a reaper with two combs that move with the motion of the cart itself. (Horses) pulling it. ―
■― And a seed drill? ―
●― But for all of this, we need to create the lathe and the milling machine. ―
■― Right, then we need gears. And how do we move the shaft of the lathe or the mill? ―
●― A steam boiler. ―
― Pudiente ― Hey, hey, calm down. What the hell are you talking about? None of this makes any sense. ―
●― We're talking about creating an agricultural revolution, changing the future of this city. ―
― Levi ― Neo, what are you implying? Are you trying to change the city's diet? ―
― Antón ― Or eliminate the Marchioness. ―
●― Change the diet, yes. The Marchioness, no. ―
― Levi ― Even so, if a single company changes the diet of the entire city, they'll go after the Marchioness. ―
●― That's easy to fix. We'll convince the Marchioness. ―
The knight couldn't take Neo's insinuations any longer and drew his sword.
― Antón ― You intend to manipulate the Marchioness? ― Levi stood beside his friend and drew his sword as well.
― Levi ― So that's your plan from the start. ―
■― Calm down. Don't you already know Neo well enough to know he's not serious? Right, Neo? ―
●― No. Actually, that's exactly what I mean. To give her moti… ―
― Antón ― Sorry, Hunt. But we're going to have to stop Neo. Yesterday he shouted at the Marchioness and blamed her for a death. Today he's already talking about going against her. ―
■― Wait. ― I stepped between them and Neo, hands raised. ― Let him explain, at least. ―
― Levi ― Let's hear him out. ― He lowered his sword.
●― I mean… just like I taught him the printing press, I want to propose these ideas to improve the city. ―
― Antón ― Your intention may be good. ― He lowered his sword too. ― But I don't like what you're planning. Many nobles will oppose it, and the Marchioness will be exposed. ―
●― Not if she's the one proposing the agricultural improvements, in front of the other nobles. If she carries the banner of change, no one can question her. ―
― Pudiente ― I don't know what you have in mind, but to do that, you'll need a lot of people… or a lot of technology. ―
■― We're engineers. Technology is exactly what we have in abundance. ―
― Levi ― Whatever you are, that doesn't change the fact that you could create new tools for weeding in such a short time. The sowing season is about to begin. ―
●― Yes, we can. And we already know them. These are tools that would take peasants, or even you, hundreds of years to develop. We're just going to give you a big push. ―
― Pudiente ― "You," huh? You're arrogant. You mean only you know how to make them? ―
■― Get this into your head, Pudiente the printing press you think is so marvelous is a piece of shit compared to what Neo and I used. And don't even try to imagine it, because you won't be able to. ―
― Pudiente ― Fine, fine. But aside from that… do you know how many enemies you've already made? And the consequences of your inventions? ―
The two foreigners looked at each other and smiled in a very particular way. It was a familiar feeling. Six years ago, the professors at the university had given them the same warnings, with the same arguments. And back then, they hadn't been swayed by words of fear either.
●■― The Lord has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of strength, love, and prudence. If we walk under the protection of the Almighty, we shall dwell under the shadow of the Omnipotent, and he who… ―
― Levi ― Quiet. You are more dangerous than I thought. ― He said, hands trembling.
― Antón ― Levi, those are the words of the… ―
― Levi ― Shut up. ― He silenced him instantly.
― Pudiente ― What are you referring to? Even they are scared. ― He looked at Neo and Hunt with fear.
― Levi ― Shut up. ― His legs were trembling. ― That phrase must not be spoken again. Not yet. If you put them in danger, I myself… ―
― Antón ― You have very dangerous thoughts. I don't know where you were raised or where you're from, but it's clear it's not this kingdom. ― He said, moving Levi's hand away from his mouth. ― Neo, rethink what you're planning. When you have a proper reflection, tell us what you want. For now, we leave the conversation here. ―
― Levi ― Don't even think about doing anything reckless before or during the festival. ― He leaned back against the wall. ― People will come from other cities. Not just merchants, but plebeians too. And I don't want this to end in a rebellion. ―
― Antón ― Your words sound very sweet to outside ears. If any weakness is perceived in the Marchioness, we could enter a war within the city. Many nobles want her position. And a single mistake at the festival could be fatal. ― He also leaned against the wall. ― Didn't you have a new invention to work on down there? ―
■― Neo, we have glass jars. Please, make those pickled cucumbers like your mother used to. That flavor can't be compared. ―
●― Okay, okay, but will you help me? ―
Neo exited the room first. Antón followed silently. Levi looked at Hunt with an expression that asked what had just happened. Hunt didn't say a word. He only responded with a look that made it clear he didn't know either.
A plank from the ceiling lifted, and three men dressed as peasants descended. One of them approached the door and closed it gently. The other two went to Pudiente.
― Sir, are you alright? ―
― Pudiente ― Yes. I just thought, for a moment, that it would come to swords. ―
― X ― Your father warned me. Those two boys aren't normal. I wanted to investigate them, but I wasn't given permission. ―
― Pudiente ― That's strange. Do you know why he made that decision? ―
― X ― No, he just told me it would be fun. ―
― Pudiente ― I don't understand my father. First he gives the company to those two, then they kill our best transporter. And now he won't let you investigate them. ―
― X ― The lord has his reasons. ―
― Pudiente ― I don't know what to say, really. ― He took a sip of wine that one of the men had brought him. ― Keep an eye on them. And anything unusual, report to me. ―
The door opened and Hunt entered. He looked at the three men.
― Pudiente ― Let me introduce you. They're acquaintances. Also, merchants. They were worried because I haven't gone drinking with them in days. ―
■― Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. ―
― Pudiente ― Well, what's going on? Did you forget something? ―
■― I just came to call you. Since you didn't follow us… ―
― Pudiente ― One second. I'll come down now. ―
==+-+-N-+-+==
After the meeting, we got to finishing another batch of glass jars. Hunt wanted to start with the pickled cucumbers, but I was missing a lot of spices. We went to buy them and decided to begin the preparation tomorrow. The rest of the afternoon we spent working. In the end, Hunt and I stayed later to make sure the jars cooled properly.
When I got home, everyone was already asleep. I showered quickly. The hot water washed away the fatigue of the day and the accumulated sweat, but I didn't pay it much attention. I had a bowl of soup that I assumed had been left for me. It smelled strong, of vinegar and herbs, and I found it easy to eat without thinking too much.
Then I went to the workshop and, with a fireball, lit up the room, it was completely empty. Dalia wasn't there as usual. The workshop was too clean, someone had even cleaned the tools and lined them up. It felt strange, but I didn't dwell on it and went straight to bed.
Upon entering the room, the fireplace was lit and a small candle burned on Dalia's nightstand. She was already asleep, but the sheets were smooth and the pillows in place. I blew out the candle and settled on my side. I noticed she didn't move when I got in, and her breathing was uneven, as if she were having a nightmare. I hugged her from behind as always and let myself fall asleep, closing my eyes.