Head Butler of the Fallen Villainess-Chapter 51 - 10th Days (1) | Sowing the Future (1)

[Anastasia’s Region in The Garden of Hell (Not Named Yet)]

The morning sky shone brightly on the vast region of this forsaken land, basking the wild meadow and the large log border walls with its warmth…

And within those border walls lay the region owned and governed by a young upstart noblewoman, alongside the help and support of her three most trusted servants.

At present, those four current denizens of the region stood before an empty plot of land, their gazes fixed on it with varying degrees of curiosity and concern.

"So… would this place suffice, my lady?" The butler—and the only man in the group—Sebas inquired with his usual calm demeanor, directing not only his attention but also a warm smile toward the red-haired woman at his side.

On his shoulder rested a hoe, held with the ease of someone long accustomed to physical labor.

"Hmm… I am still undecided…" The young noblewoman murmured, her expression contemplative. "Though I must admit, I do not possess the slightest knowledge regarding farming—thus, I cannot say whether this placement would be suitable or not."

The empty plot of land they stood in front of was… at the bottom-left of her region.

Not exactly tucked away, but still far enough from the central campfire pit and the wooden manor on the center-right.

It also sat opposite the storage area, giving it a practical yet somewhat unimpressive position within the territory.

"...I’m still not convinced this is a good place," the knight of the group, Martha, huffed, crossing her arms in annoyance. "I mean, are we really putting a farm inside Her Grace’s personal region?"

She gestured broadly with both hands, as if to emphasize the absurdity.

"We should be using this land for something more majestic—worthy of Lady Anastasia’s status!"

Her words drew a wry smile from the mistress and her fellow aide, Bella. They both understood her concern, but the knight’s complaint wasn’t finished yet.

"Why not place it outside the walls instead?" Martha continued, her brow furrowed in deep dissatisfaction. "Wouldn’t that make more sense? That way, we wouldn’t be wasting precious space within the region."

Sebas chuckled softly at her objection, lifting the hoe from his shoulder and twirling it absentmindedly.

"Well, as much as I understand your concern, Miss Knight…" He turned his head toward the towering log walls. "Keeping the farm inside makes it easier to patrol. Pests, wild animals, and even monsters could easily trample through the crops if they’re left outside."

"Y-you got a point there... but, still..."

"Well, if you still insist on making the farm outside," his smile widened as he teased, "you could take the night shifts defending our precious cabbages~."

"...!"

His playful jab made the knight hesitate, taken aback by his audacity. But she gave it a thought for a moment.

She didn’t really mind taking such a task… but considering what kind of danger lurked in this place, it would be a task of greater difficulty...

She eyed the butler once…

’He could probably help if I ask…’

Her passing thought reminded her of his prowess, but… her stubborn pride wouldn’t let her utter that request.

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Instead, she threw a glare at the butler, which he met by tilting his head in mock confusion at her rising irritation toward him.

"...I would like to remind you that..." Sebas beckoned to the sides—to everyone, "...there’s only four of us here, you know. We’re not YET feeding a whole village—just ourselves. A small farm inside the walls will be easier to manage and keep safe."

Martha’s mouth opened to argue further but fell shut as she considered his point. It… made sense. But still…

"M-Miss Martha, I-I think a farm close to our home would be quite wonderful..." Bella chimed in, raising a nervous hand in support of the idea. "A-and also—! I-I think having a farm inside would, uh… show Lady Anastasia’s region’s prosperity—! Y-yes!"

"Ugh… I guess you do have a point there, Bella…"

Seeing that she had finally relented, Sebas couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle, glad that it didn’t take much to convince her with the help of their fellow aide.

Though… it did make the butler wonder if she would only listen to her two female comrades rather than him, the single man in the group.

"Well, either way: we gotta show future guests that Lady Ana’s territory is worth living in, and this farm could be one of the main attractions~," he declared, brandishing his hoe as he stepped forward to the would-be field of theirs.

"...’Guests,’ you say, Sir Sebas?" Anastasia echoed, her voice tinged with skepticism. "Would anyone actually visit this place…?"

The red-haired noble wasn’t exactly optimistic regarding future residents for her territory. It didn’t sit well with her either, knowing not just the danger of the monsters lurking in this place but also… the toxic mana environment.

But for her butler? He only chuckled at her doubtful tone.

"My lady, your question should not be ’would anyone want to visit here,’ but instead…" he turned his head, gazing at Anastasia with a warm smile, "it should have been ’how would they live here.’"

"W-what?" She was stunned by his words. "...’H-how would they live here’?"

"Hehe… there we go," he grinned, before returning his focus to the field. "Your job as the lord of this region is to figure out how your citizens would live in your territory."

"Figure... out...?" She echoed once more, still not quite sure of his intention.

"It’s more than just providing food and shelter," he continued, his tone steady yet thoughtful. "A good lord creates a place where people want to stay—a land where they feel safe, where their efforts are rewarded, and where their futures are worth building."

He paused briefly, letting his words sink in for the young upstart lord.

"...It could be something as simple as protecting their harvest from monsters, ensuring they have clean water, or providing a safe place for their children to play... or... as grand as giving them a reason to believe this land holds something better than the life they left behind."

Anastasia fell quiet, his words lingering in her mind longer than she expected.

"If you’re able to figure that out, my lady..." his gaze softened as he glanced her way, "then anyone would gladly live on your land."