A hospital had been built in Village Five.
I had proposed the facility as a way to return at least a portion of the tax revenue to the residents. Honestly, given the sheer volume of tax revenue we were seeing, I wouldn't have minded making medical treatment entirely free for them.
The hospital was finally finished, and I went to inspect it before the grand opening, but...
It wasn't quite what I had imagined.
Hospitals did exist in this world, but they weren't common. Healing magic was the primary reason for that. The Church was the institution that employed the majority of those capable of using such magic, so naturally, people rushed to the Church whenever they were sick or injured.
So, what exactly did a hospital do here? They cultivated and sold medicinal herbs. Because of this, they were more commonly known as "Medicinal Herb Gardens" rather than hospitals.
Consequently, what stood before my eyes was a massive medicinal herb cultivation facility.
About twenty cultivators hired from Village Five to staff the facility were lined up nervously before me. The atmosphere made it impossible for me to admit that this wasn't what I’d had in mind.
"I look forward to your future success," was the best I could manage to say.
Well, I suppose it wouldn't go to waste.
As it turned out, while free treatment wasn't being provided to the residents of Village Five, ultra-low-cost treatment was being offered at the Church. Apparently, that had been the result of a collaboration between Yoko and Saint Seles.
Now, those who were most delighted by the completed hospital were Lu, Tia, and Flora. However, Lu was away in Shashato City for her research, and while Flora was currently in Village Five, she was busy at the miso and soy sauce huts.
Only Tia was here with me. She had seemed lonely immediately after her mother, Ruincia, departed, but she appeared to have recovered by now.
"One extra-large room, four large rooms, and twelve small rooms. The temperature can even be adjusted on a room-by-room basis. Are these Lu-san’s magic tools?"
"It seems so. I heard she even mobilized researchers from Shashato... but what’s this jar with the overflowing water?"
"That’s a magic tool as well. It’s likely being used to circulate the water."
Apparently, it was a two-part magic tool used to move water from a low point to a higher one. It was supposedly indispensable for cultivating medicinal herbs.
"That's convenient. How much distance can there be between the two parts?"
"Not very much. In this facility, maybe as far as the next room? Since there are various other restrictions, the pumps we use back in the village are actually superior in terms of convenience."
Is that so?
"Those pumps are truly incredible. To achieve that level of performance without using a drop of magic power! Even the Chief was investigating them thoroughly."
"Wait, she was investigating them?"
"Please rest assured. My mother put a stop to it."
"N-no, I wouldn't have minded teaching her if she’d just asked."
"Thank you. However, please wait until the Chief actually bows her head to ask you."
"I... I see."
The pump wasn't exactly a dangerous secret, and I felt it would be fine to let the technology spread, but I decided not to press the issue.
Following Tia's instructions, I made my way through each room of the Medicinal Herb Garden, swinging my Universal Farming Tool to prepare the soil.
Lu had been conducting research in Shashato City. Her current project involved the Teleportation Gates, but things didn't seem to be going well. Ever since she returned to the village, she had been incredibly clingy.
Haha. There, there.
"Let’s finish the harvest first. That’s why you came back, right? You can be as clingy as you want after that."
"I feel like I worked so hard I didn't even have time to feel depressed," Lu sighed later.
"Good work with the harvest. Here, have some tea."
"Thank you."
"So, I heard the research hit a wall. I’ll listen if you want to vent."
"I’m done venting for now. More importantly, can I go back to Shashato City again?"
"After the festival?"
"Yes."
"I don't mind, but you'll have to be the one to convince Alfred and Lupumirina."
"Alfred will probably be fine, but Lupumirina... I wonder if she’ll cry."
"I’ve noticed she’s been more attached to Tia than to you lately anyway. She and Aurora are as close as twins, after all."
"U-ugh, my standing as a mother is in jeopardy... but my research..."
"Hahaha. Well, regardless, don't push yourself too hard. Try not to let the stress pile up."
"I'll do my best."
Preparations for the Summer Festival had begun. I felt at ease knowing the Civil Official Girls would be managing everything again this year.
"Regarding my role in the events..."
"We are fully aware. Please leave everything to us."
They really were reliable. They were reliable, but they were agreeing to the part about reducing my workload, right?
"Keep my appearances to a minimum..."
"Rest assured. We would never do anything to trouble the Village Head’s heart."
Oh, good. However, I wasn't a fool.
"If possible, I’d like a firm promise that you’ll reduce my role..."
"We promise. We will reduce the Village Head’s appearances."
"Good. I’m counting on you."
I really was.
"But just to confirm—what exactly is the baseline for this 'reduction'?"
"..."
She averted her eyes. Then, she immediately tried to change the subject. It was almost impressive that she refused to tell a direct lie.
I glanced to the side and noticed Zabuton working on a new outfit. It was for a man, and judging by the size, it was meant for me. It was far too small for Galf or Gatto, and neither of them would wear something with that much ornamentation.
It looked like I was destined to work hard for this year's festival too.
Then again, I remembered what I had just told Lu. I shouldn't push myself too hard or let the stress build up.
"I’ll tolerate a certain number of appearances. In exchange, please make sure I have proper break times. Also, ensure the festival doesn't grind to a halt just because I’ve stepped away for a moment."
Being the sole focus of the entire event was a massive amount of pressure.
"We will do our utmost to meet the Village Head’s requests."
"I'm counting on you."
I set back to work, tilling the fields after the harvest with my Universal Farming Tool. Once this was finished, the festival would begin. It was still a few days away, but people were gradually gathering from the other villages to help with the preparations.
I wondered what was in store for us this year. I was genuinely looking forward to it.
Lupumirina: Lu’s second child. A daughter.
Aurora: Tia’s second child. A daughter.