The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living [Novel] Chapter 72

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Chapter 72

“…Hmm.”

Everyone blinked in astonishment as they watched the wheat grow taller with each passing day. The Eastern farmers, in particular, couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“Wow, it’s already grown this high!”

“It doesn’t look like Lady Brisa will have an easy time beating this…”

Around that time, not a single seed had been sown in the Western herb field. There were even rumors circulating that after uprooting the herbs, something other than wheat had been planted, soybeans, of all things.

“See?”

Dalia said with a bright, triumphant smile.

“She’s so far gone, she can’t even tell wheat and soybeans apart anymore.”

“What?”

I furrowed my brows.

“The ants… grew bigger?”

Rumors had spread far and wide about the five giant ants Dalia was controlling.

“And word is, those ants work remarkably well.”

“I bet they do,” I said, nodding at the news delivered by the farmer. “Ants are extremely strong.”

“Pardon? Those tiny little things? At the end of the day, aren't they just ants?”

“Well, an ant can lift at least fifty times its own body weight.”

Of course, if they simply expanded in physical size, their bodily proportions and biological mechanics would change, which might alter the math. But judging by their recorded work speed, that didn't seem to be the case.

“From what I hear, it’s not just their size that increased. Their strength-to-body ratio seems to be preserved. If so, their speed must be incredible.”

“H-how do you know all that?”

“Knowledge of pest control and biology is essential for crop management.”

“In any case… they say the wheat has already grown this much,” the farmer said, gesturing with his hand to gauge the height. “S-shouldn’t we… be doing something too…? And why did you plant green manure soybeans instead of wheat…?”

“Just wait a little longer.”

As far as farming went, everything was unfolding exactly according to my plan.

The herbs and leafy greens in hydroponic cultivation were thriving. The wheat seeds that Dalia had prioritized and sent over were also being carefully sorted.

It was just as I was standing there, surveying the field.

“Brisa!”

An unexpected voice called out from behind me.

“Leopold?”

Surprised, I spun around.

Leopold was frantically dismounting from his horse.

“I thought you said you had business to attend to for about ten days?”

When I asked, Leopold answered calmly, “Today is precisely the tenth day.”

Is it?

I suppose it was.

Tilting my head in thought, I asked, “What brings you all the way here, though?”

Alpheus and I had been staying at the Seldoche Plains ever since the summer wheat contest was declared. Naturally, Leopold should have been at the Archduke’s residence.

Only after asking did it suddenly dawn on me.

I had something to talk to Leopold about regarding the puppy.

The puppy had been getting along splendidly with me at the Seldoche Plains all this time. It hadn't hurt a soul, acted adorably around everyone, and lived just like an ordinary dog.

Even Hilbury had grown so fond of the puppy that he spent hours playing with it.

“Ooh-too-too, my little baby. How can you be so precious…?”

Honestly, I didn't think their relationship quite warranted Hilbury calling it ‘my little baby,’ but…

“My goodness, you’re so well-behaved, sweetheart… How long has it been since I held someone so tightly in my arms like this…?”

I’m pretty sure this is the first time, though…

At any rate, Hilbury doted on the puppy endlessly.

To what extent? He had come by yesterday evening specifically to take the puppy away to sleep over.

“Puppy! I am taking the puppy with me to sleep tonight!”

It was true that the puppy had been exceedingly gentle all this time. In fact, it was quite the gentleman. I wasn't sure if calling a wolf-dog a ‘gentleman’ was entirely appropriate, but…

It didn't even sleep on my bed, even when I told it that it could.

It understood almost everything humans said and ate human food. So while I raised it with peace of mind, a tiny sliver of anxiety always lingered in the back of my mind. That was why I had intended to refuse Hilbury’s request.

I could never forget the terrifying brute strength it displayed when we first encountered it.

However, before I could even say a word, Hilbury had shouted desperately.

“I absolutely must take him with me tonight! Under no circumstances should you let the puppy sleep in your room! Please, I beg of you! It is an old man’s final wish!”

Was it… really that serious…?

Worried, I had even sent along a muzzle and a leash.

However, because it happened so suddenly, I hadn't gotten the chance to ask when he would return it.

Having grown attached to the little guy, a part of my mind had been occupied with thoughts of the puppy the entire time.

To think I’d run into Leopold first.

“Um, listen, Leopold… I have something to tell you.”

I shifted my eyes awkwardly.

“Grandfather explained everything to me,” Leopold said elegantly, cutting me off before I could even speak. “The puppy. He said you found him.”

“Ah, right. You were looking for my research paper to domesticate him, weren't you?” I nodded cheerfully. “He’s actually well-tamed by now. Of course, he was fierce at first, but after I kept him for about a week, he didn't cause any trouble at all.”

“Hmm, is that so?” Leopold gave a vague response. “It certainly was fascinating.”

He always spoke in such ambiguous terms, so I didn't pay it much mind.

“His Grace took him away last night, but if we meet him later in person…”

Excited by the prospect of discussing the puppy with Leopold, I was explaining enthusiastically when Leopold calmly interrupted me.

“Ah. I already met him, and I sent the puppy somewhere.”

“Huh? You sent the puppy away? Where?”

“Back to the person who originally looked after him. He was sent quite far, so you won't be able to see him for a while.”

“…What?”

It felt like I had been hit over the head with a blunt object.

When I handed the puppy over to Hilbury, such a possibility hadn't even crossed my mind. Naturally, I had assumed I would see it again in no time.

“Are you…”

I stared straight at him, my face pale with shock.

“Did you just… take the puppy away from me?”

Leopold blinked slowly, then gave a slight nod. “I suppose… that’s one way to put it…?”

It was a complete confirmation.

Because it was a sudden farewell I had never anticipated, my voice began to tremble.

“To me, who was taking care of him… without a single word… you just sent him away somewhere?”

Just as I was about to burst into anger, I caught myself.

The puppy was originally Leopold’s property.

I quickly tacked on a follow-up. “…is what I was about to yell at you. I just said it on your behalf to save you the trouble.”

After all, I was the one who had brought someone else’s livestock all the way here without asking.

Leopold let out a slow sigh and asked, “Why? Are you upset?”

“Not at all. What right do I have?”

After raising an eyebrow and maintaining my manners, I confessed my true feelings.

“It’s just… I feel a bit empty. I grew quite attached to him over the week.”

“So you’re the type to give your heart away quickly. That’s something I never realized during the two years we attended the Academy together.”

He crossed his arms and continued, “…Well, I do feel sorry for taking him away so suddenly. But it was an unavoidable situation for me as well.”

What kind of utter nonsense was this?

He was the owner, and I was the one who had dragged the creature here on a whim.

I shook my head. “No, he was yours to begin with.”

Then, stealing a cautious glance at him, I made a subtle request. “Do you think I could see him again later? Alpheus is going to miss him terribly, too.”

“You’ll be able to see him again. If you truly wish to,” Leopold replied in a strange, unreadable tone.

Dejected and feeling downhearted, I asked, “Ah, by the way, what did you name him?”

“Just call him ‘Puppy.’ He didn't have a name.”

“I see.”

I nodded.

I suppose that made sense.

When trying to domesticate livestock for a specific purpose, getting too attached was counterproductive.

It was just like how you couldn't bring yourself to eat a chicken if you had named it and raised it like a precious pet.

Thinking about it that way, my conscience pricked at me again. It was very possible that I had needlessly introduced a creature to the outside world when it was intentionally kept isolated to prevent emotional attachment.

I sighed, reflecting on it privately.

Still, bringing a living creature along without the owner’s permission was undeniably wrong.

Feeling indebted to Leopold, I offered earnestly, “Um, if there’s anything I can do to help, I really will do whatever it takes.”

At that, Leopold raised an eyebrow, his gaze turning languid as he asked, “Whatever it takes?”

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