A little while after Mrs. Eureka started using the aloe ointment, I received an invitation to dinner from Miss Maika. The invitation came with a request for an extra supply of aloe ointment, as it was running out fast since both were using it. My parents aggressively pushed me, so I knocked on the door of the village chief’s house. The person who greeted me was Miss Maika.
“Welcome, Mr. Ash.”
“I’m here today at your invitation.”
Miss Maika was suddenly very nervous, so I gave her a bow. I’ve done this before, but as always, I’m mentally scarred.
“Hmm, you’re using weird words again.”
However, it seemed to relieve Miss Maika’s tension immediately.
“You look more gorgeous than usual today, Maika.”
Even though it was me she was talking to, she seemed to have pulled out her best suit, probably because she was inviting a guest. As a token of my gratitude for her concern, I quickly complimented her. I guess every woman likes to be complimented on her fancy clothes. Miss Maika turns bright red.
“Oh, thank you…….I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”
In fact, my mother gave me the best clothes she could find. As expected of the village chief’s family, Miss Maika seems to have mastered the art of socializing.
“Oh, my God, you’re right. You’re a much more respectable gentleman today, Ash.”
Behind the red-faced Miss Maika, the most graceful person in the village appeared. It was Mrs. Eureka.
“It’s a great honor to hear you say that, Mrs. Eureka.”
“Come on in, come on in. I’ll do my best to make you feel welcome.”
“Excuse me.”
As we were ushered inside, I thanked Miss Maika’s father, who was waiting for us in the living room, as well as the current chief of the village, for inviting us here today. The village chief is quite capable, but in my opinion, Mrs. Eureka is more powerful.
At any rate, Mrs. Eureka was a daughter born and raised in the home of a prominent person in the city. It is said that this village was settled about fifty years ago by people from a nearby city. At that time, the leader of the settlement was the second son of a powerful family in the city – the grandfather of the current mayor and the great uncle of Mrs. Eureka.
From generation to generation, the head of the village would go to the main family in the city to serve as an apprentice, where he would gain knowledge and connections before returning to the village to take over as head of the village. In this way, they maintain their abilities as the leaders of the group.
The current chief of the village also went to the city to serve as an apprentice, and fell passionately in love with a young lady named Eureka. It seems that he had a story to tell, but I don’t know that much about it. It may be a story that cannot be told to children.
“Now that we have a nice guest, let’s get dinner on the table.”
The four of us sat at a solid table. Next to me is Miss Maika, and in front of me is Mrs. Eureka. I still haven’t grasped the etiquette of this world, but I wonder if there is such a thing as “up” or “down. Well, I sat down as I was guided, so I guess that’s not a problem. By the way, Mrs. Eureka’s cooking looks delicious. I heard that she was the daughter of an influential family, but I wondered if she had the kind of family background that would allow her to cook for herself. Or did she learn to cook after coming to the village?
“………….”
When I think about it, I have not become familiar with this life at all, even though I decided to broaden my view of this life and started reading more than just stories. I think I’m going in the wrong direction if the next step after stories is to read practical books on survival.
The dinner at the village chief’s house was really beautiful, unlike our own dining table. Not only were the dishes colorful, but they also seemed to have good table manners. It might be natural for them to think that they were descended from a powerful family in the city. Her husband was educated there, and the lady is undoubtedly a lady of the house.
I was in a bit of a hurry, but I managed to eat in a way that was not unsightly. It was thanks to the memory of what seemed to be a previous life. It was the first time in this life, that is, in eight years, that I had eaten with manners in mind.
“Hmm, Ash, you really are a gentleman. You’re so smart.”
“The way you eat is so beautiful, I’m just copying you. Isn’t that getting a little too much? The food is very delicious. Eureka-san’s cooking skills are wonderful. It’s too early for me to envy your husband.”
“Well, I’m glad. You heard me, dear? I got a compliment from a young man.”
After all, it was Mrs. Eureka who was in control of the conversation. The husband, however, smiled happily when the wife was praised. The way he nodded his head and said, “That’s right, that’s right, that’s right,” I had no complaints at all. He seems to be very passionate and I really envy him. Next to me, Miss Maika seemed to be in a bit of a foul mood. I wondered if there was something in it that she didn’t like. Many wild vegetables have a strong bitter taste, you know.
“Anyway, Mom, is there something you want to tell me?”
“Mmm, Maika. You don’t have to look at me like that.”
With that, Mrs. Eureka leaned against her husband. I don’t know what she means by that, but I’ve learned that the couple is very close anyway. It wasn’t enough to give me heartburn yet, but I was anxious to see what would happen by the end of this meal. Miss Maika’s lips pursed in reluctance, but she relaxed her grumpiness a little. It might be hard for a child of her age to see her parents in full blown love affair in front of other people.
“But I certainly need to talk to Mr. Ash. Do you mind?”
“Yes, of course. Anything I can tell you.”
“I was wondering if you could tell me about the aloe medicine you made.”
“Did you have any problems with it?”
I was so nervous that I spoke a little fast. From the moment I entered this house, I had been paying attention to Mrs. Eureka’s hand without a second thought. There didn’t seem to be any problems…….
“No, no, no, no. The effect is fine, in fact, it makes your skin look younger, which is really wonderful.”
“I see. I’m so glad to hear that.”
It would be a lifelong tragedy if I had hurt Mrs. Eureka, to whom I am indebted. I let out a sigh of relief and leaned back in my chair.
“Well. So, what can I do for you?”
“Yes, I heard that you are thinking of selling this very nice medicine through Mr. Quid. Is that true?”
I nodded honestly. I have no intention of hiding the sale. Eventually, I want to use the profits to make life in the village easier. Then Mrs. Eureka raised her eyebrows in annoyance.
“Yes…….Then I’m a little worried about something.”
“Oh, yeah. What is it?”
I’m intrigued by the fact that someone as big as Mrs. Eureka is worried about me. From the look on her face, it seems like a nuisance, but still, perhaps because she is immersed in the boring village life, she gets excited by stimulants.
“I’m sure this medicine will sell very well, so your family will have a lot of money, and you’ll stand out from the rest of the village.”
“Haha, I see. It’s true that if you can clearly see the disparity, it will cause friction.”
Mrs. Eureka’s eyes fluttered as she nodded in admiration at the village chief’s consideration for my family.
“Maika told me that you know some really difficult words, Ash.”
“I’m Mr. Folke’s top student.”
I learned very little from that man. But I believe that we are both in pursuit of knowledge. That’s why I use him as an excuse in these situations. It’s all Priest Folke’s fault that I’m such a weird kid.
“I’m sure Mr. Folke will be very proud of you for this. I also talked to my husband……the village chief.”
Yes, Mrs. Eureka said, in her capacity as the head of the village.
“I think what you are trying to do is a very good thing, and I don’t want you to stop. I really don’t.”
He doesn’t want to use force to control me from above. He is very considerate towards a child. On the contrary, it made me feel sorry for him.
“I just wonder if we could work together to figure out how to do it without causing any problems afterwards.”
“Thank you for your advice. I almost caused trouble for the village.”
“No, really. I hadn’t thought that far ahead, I was so naive.”
I didn’t intend to waste money just for personal greed, but I had to save it for whatever I wanted to spend it on, and that alone could make me jealous. Rumors of people hoarding money with no intention of spending it (although they do) are said to cause the devil’s tail to grow, both in this life and the last. My father, in particular, never fails to buy alcohol with some of the money he saves. If that happens, he may be ostracized by the village.
“Hmmm……but then……”
What should I do? I don’t know how much I’ll be able to sell, and since it’s my own production, I’ll only be able to make a small income. On the other hand, purchases that would help the village would be expensive, so I would have to save up. And if I save up, there will be a problem.
“Mm-hmm……”
As I was lost in my own thoughts, suddenly a figure next to me stood up.
“Don’t bully Mr. Ash!”
Next to me, of course, is Miss Maika. She is staring at her own mother with a red face. No, she’s not bullying me. In fact, she has been very kind to me.
“Oh, you’re going against your mother, Maika.”
Why are you wearing a villain smile there, Mrs. Eureka? It’s amazing. It looks great on you.
“If you’re mean to Ash, I won’t forgive you even if you’re my mother!”
“Why? Ash, you’re trying to do something bad.”
If it hadn’t been for Mrs. Eureka’s point of view, I might have ruined the relationship in the village, so I had no words to reply. Unlike me, though, Miss Maika seems to have plenty.
“That’s not true! Ash has been thinking hard about what’s best for the village, like buying livestock for everyone or buying farming tools!”
“Oh, that’s a surprise.”
Said Mrs. Eureka, pressing her cheeks together, forgetting her villain smile but Miss Maika, desperate to appeal, doesn’t notice the change.
“It’s true! Ash has been thinking about the village for a long time. You’re an amazing person!”
“And you’re a very nice person, aren’t you?”
“Yes, he is!”
In response to Mrs. Eureka’s casual request for consent, Miss Maika immediately nodded. It was probably a reflex around her spinal cord.
“I’m embarrassed to be praised so powerfully.”
I muttered a small laugh and Miss Maika stiffened. And then, just when I thought her face couldn’t get any redder, it did, and she collapsed into a chair. I hurriedly supported her shoulders and saw that she had apparently fainted. I was a little startled, but Mrs. Eureka was holding her mouth and laughing elegantly but loudly. Her husband made the same gesture. They sure are a married couple.
“I was wondering when the play was going to start, Eureka.”
“You’re so cute like that, Maika.”
“I’m sure it was cute, but……surprised me.”
“Yeah? I was hoping that Ash-kun would be as upset as Maika.”
When she smiles at me with such a face with a hint of mischief in her eyes, I want to roll her around in my palm. But the husband next to me gives me a boost of rationality. The husband was entranced by the expression on Madame Eureka’s face, a little slutty and admiring. If I give in to temptation, I can’t help but think that I’ll end up with that face too.
“Now, all kidding aside……Ash, did you ever thought about doing that with your medicine money?”
“Yes. I’m finding life in this village a bit of a struggle, and I want to make it a little easier for everyone.”
Resisting the temptation, I nodded with a serious face that I barely managed to keep. I feel like I’ve risen to the level of a gentleman.
“Then I guess it would be easier if you used the money from the medicine to buy food and tools from Quid……”
I can’t help but chuckle at those words. Perhaps Mrs. Eureka was testing me to see if I would not waver in my temptation. However, the richness of my memories of what seems to be my previous life is not so low that I can be satisfied with that.
What we need is not the highest level that is currently available. It is a minimum that does not exist in the here and now. It’s something that can only be found in a book of dreams. But if I want to make that dream come true, even just a little bit, just a grain; I have to rely on the power of the whole society.
If it is impossible for one person to do it, use the power of 100 people, if it is impossible for 100 people to do it, use the power of 10.000 people.
“I’m not going to be a saint and say, ‘Everyone’s happiness is my happiness’…….”
I purse my lips into a smile.
“It’s just that the luxury I seek requires everyone to be happy.”
My dreamy smile was fierce and hungry for unfulfilled ambitions. I felt Mrs. Eureka’s face tense slightly. Is my smile despicable? Is it sinister? I don’t know, but I don’t care. This is the way I want to live in this life. As I stare at her, Mrs. Eureka probes me with a firm voice.
“What luxuries are you seeking? May I ask?”
“I want to live a life of convenience and abundance, a life that can only be found in books, in the legends of ancient civilizations.”
Water, sewage, air conditioning and heating, sanitary housing, new clothes, a full table and good drinks. Machines to help with the hard work, and faster-than-a-horse transportation to connect the world. Oh, the things I miss so much that I almost drool over them. These are the fruits of human wisdom, whose principles, structures, and methods of operation are unknown to me.
I can’t do everything by myself, from finding them to procuring materials to manufacture them. After all, I need human hands, a lot of hands. The hands of a capable collaborator. You said earlier that you wanted me to think about how to do it with you. Then I want you to think about it. I want you to think of a way for this greedy dreamer to keep running without falling.
“So, Eureka-san, would you like to take a bite of the aloe ointment business and donate the profits to the village?”
Now that you’re a special first-come, first-served, you can expect to participate in management as well as receive a large share of the profits. I smile charmingly and make an invitation. From Mrs. Eureka’s point of view, the look on my face would appear to be the devil’s beckoning.
“Ash, you’re a lot funnier and scarier than Maika said you were.”
“I’m sorry to be the odd man out.”
At my answer, Mrs. Eureka giggled and smiled like a flower. It quickly turned into an intelligent smile, the kind that a competent manager would show in a magazine interview.
“I’m glad that you, the developer of this new product, suggested it to me. I’d be happy to help you make some money.”
“I hope so, too.”
The problems pointed out were completely blind spots, but it was fortuitous that I was able to get the village chief’s family as collaborators early on, as I knew I would have to talk to them eventually. This will make it easier for me to negotiate with Mr. Quid, and I may be able to use the network of contacts the mayor’s family has in the city. I can also expect them to help me with my plans, which are lacking in many other ways.
Of course, I would like to show some sincerity as well as help. As a token of my sincerity to my collaborators, I will quickly make a manual of the ointment making procedure and entrust it to Mrs. Eureka…….
“So, I’m going to put together some instructions on how to make the ointment and give them to you on a piece of paper soon.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Of course, I’ll give you all the information you want because you’re helping me.”
It would be too much trouble for me to do it, so please take the whole rights with you. Both Mrs. Eureka and Miss Maika can read, so simply handing them over in paper form will be enough to recreate it. If it will improve the lives of the entire village, it will be of minimal benefit to me.
Specifically, it would be enough for me to thank Mr. Van for the paper and pens, Mr. Quid for the extras, and to compensate him for the supplies (including paper, pots, etc.) that were consumed for the experiment. If you want to give me more, I’ll be happy to take it. Then I’ll give it to Priest Folke to use as a reserve fund to buy other books.
“If the sale goes well, it won’t be too difficult to do, so I’m hoping to get some help from the villagers. But it’s too early to start selling. I’ll leave it to you to take charge in that area.”
“So……I understand. I’m not sure what you’re going to do after this, Ash.”
I guess they want to see what I’m thinking, since I practically threw away my rights regarding the aloe ointment.
“I’d like to help Mr. Van, help Priest Folke, and read another book to test my knowledge. There’s so much more I want to do.”
After medicine, I would like to try my hand at poison. This may sound like I’m getting into something very dangerous, but I’m talking about insecticides and rodenticides. In particular, I would like to develop something for rodents. It would be easy to kill a bitter enemy.
With medicines, you have to use the right amount of poison, but with poisons, you only have to use more than the right amount of medicine, so it should be much easier. My guinea pigs will be very active. I’m getting excited about killing them!
For now, let’s go hunting with Mr. Van. And I need to get some poisonous plants. In the fall, we have to save enough grain in the storehouse to last us through the winter, however short it may be. If I can find a new rat-proofing system by then, wintering will be much easier. I’ll spare no effort to make it easier.