Two years have passed.
　Finally, he was seventeen years old in the counting year.

　The current population is one hundred and thirty. Of these, there are twenty slaves, which means ten new children have been added to the population.
　The slaves don't know how to use them, but they don't imitate whipping.

　It's probably wrong.
　But for my mental health, I don't want to use my slaves in the right way.

　My people's ethics are the same as mine from being with me for so many years.
　So abuse is not an option.

　There's plenty of food on hand.
　We have plenty of food and plenty of reserves.
　I'm still glad I bought a horse. Horses produce a lot of feces for their low mileage. They're a great match for Norfolk farming.

　In fact, we had a great harvest this spring.
　And we've been growing a few grapes recently.

　If I have one complaint, it's that the slaves don't work very hard.
　Their physical abilities are too low.
　That fellow from King Loseys.......

　This is the wine we make from the grapes in our village. Go ahead.
　Hmm.

　The griffon poked his head into the large water bottle I had prepared for him and drank the wine.
　From our point of view, it may be enough for twenty people, but from the griffon's point of view, it's only one cup.

　'It's not much,'
　That being said...

　Pay too much money and I won't have any to drink.

　How are you doing these days?
　It's okay. It's all because of you.
　Hmm. I haven't done anything of note.

　The griffon snorted.

　'I think it's time for you guys to be on your own. What do you think?
　I'd ask you to protect it if you could, but I'm afraid we don't want to be stuck with it forever.

　I haven't received much help from the Gryphon because of my luck.
　However, the peace of mind that this guy can help me is great.

　''Then again, how come people are so cute when they're kids, but they turn ugly when they're adults?
　Is that what you're going to tell me?
　You were ugly to begin with.

　Excuse me. She was pretty. Look at her.

　I'm kidding. But it wasn't a pretty face, was it?　You were an adult from the beginning.
　Ha. My body is a child and my brain is an adult.

　I cowered. The reason for my reincarnation is a mystery after all.
　It doesn't matter now.

　'But even without your support, I'll still bring you booze every year.
　Of course. You will always be in my debt.

　The griffon says pompously.

　''Then let's have our blessing back.
　Yes. Please.

　When I answer that, a sensation of something leaving my body hits me. The 'blessing of language' has been lost.

　I'm going to go home then. I'll see you later.
　I say and turn away from the gryphon. The next time I see him is in the New Year.

　'Oh I forgot to mention one thing,'
　The griffon said and held me back.

　''If you and your descendants find yourselves in a tight spot, I'll help you for once, depending on your daily attitude and how you ask.
　'That's ... thank you very much. I hope that time never comes.

　We'll get through this on our own if we can.

　Yeah. It's just too much work for me. Try to avoid it.

_______________________________________________________________.

　Hey, I'm home!

　I called out at the entrance to the village, and Tetra came running.

　'Welcome home, dear!'
　When was the last time I married you?

　We don't have time for foolishness. Come on now.
　Tetra says and tugs at my clothes.

　Her face is serious.
　What's going on?

　Leader!　Oh my God, oh my God!
　Ron came running in. Ron's face was drawn up, too.

　'What's going on?'
　There were 30 people coming in.

　Thirty?
　What's with that number of people?

　Walking to the center of the village, I see those thirty people.
　They are of all ages, young and old, men and women.

　''You are the village chief of this village?!
　One of the taller men ran up to me.
　'Yes, just in case. What about you guys?

　I ask plainly.
　'My name is Ial. We are.....

　The man began to talk about their situation.
　For all intents and purposes, they seemed to be residents of King Ferrum's country.

　There were few sorcerers in King Ferrum's country and they were susceptible to curses.
　That's why there were often famines in the country.

　'So every year the tax gets heavier and heavier but if I can't pay it, he'll kill me. I really wanted to run away to King Loseys' country, but he refused to let me go. I was trying to decide what to do, and then I heard a rumor about this village.
　"Rumor?
　Yes. That deep in the forest there is a paradise protected by the Gryphon. And that the children abandoned in the forest were alive. I had no idea it was true.

　No, it's not true. It's not paradise at all. You know, we're going to have regular farming, too.

　That's the point. You want to live here?
　Please. I'll do any job you want....

　The thirty refugees bowed their heads in unison.
　Now, what to do........

　Lulu!
　Suddenly, one of the refugees shouted.

　What the hell is this?

　Lulu!　You're Lulu, right?
　A woman exclaims with tears in her eyes.
　Could it be.........

　Your mother?
　I asked, and Lulu nodded.

　Lulu's mother approached Lulu and tried to hug her.
　Lulu paid it off with her hand.

　'Why, why?'
　Her mother backed away with a shocked look on her face.
　Lulu glared at it.

　'Don't act like a mother now. You have a habit of abandoning me!'
　Lulu exclaimed and turned to me.

　'Mr. Alms!　I disagree. Let's send them back to King Ferm as soon as possible. It's like an idiot to squabble with King Ferm for these people!
　The refugees show a variety of expressions at Lulu's words.

　Angry faces, sad faces, resigned faces.

　　'I'm against it too. I don't like what's going on!'
　Ron's mouth twitched.
　'I agree with Ron. Because you're an outsider.
　Rosward says grimly.

　'I suppose I should accept that!　Because you're here for the same reason we are, right?
　'I'm the same as Seo-yeon. If you're in trouble, it's our turn to help each other. Now it's our turn to help.
　As they say this, they look at the child mixed in with the thirty people.
　The two seem to have their hearts set on the child rather than the adult.

　'Alms. I'm against it at the moment. Because I don't trust him. Maybe it's King Ferrum's plan to get in from the inside and take the village away from us. We should get confirmation first.
　Tetra said with a calm face.
　In other words, she said, if it's trustworthy, I'm for it, she said.

　Well, yes. 'So it's important to confirm.

　''Well, I'm going to go with Tetra now to King Ferrum's country to check it out. In the meantime, you guys keep an eye on these people.
　I say this to my companions and then turn to the refugees.

　'As such, you'll have to stay outside. We will provide you with food. Don't get any strange ideas.
　Yes, sir. Thank you for giving me a chance. At worst, I could be a slave.
　With that, Ial lowered his head.