The Greatest Man in the World Hides His Power

22 – Winter – 1

After the harvest, farmers take a break in winter.

So, instead of farming in the winter, those who work on the farmland pass the time by doing other things.

One of them was training.

“One! Two! One! Two!”

The residents of the territory had an obligation to participate in protecting the territory in case of an emergency.

It is said that it is compulsory in other territories, but it was not particularly compulsory in the stein territories.

Winter is a season of rest for farmers who have worked hard all year.

There are people who want to take a break or take a break rather than participate in training, so Lucy said that training by force would not be effective.

Nevertheless, most people in the Stein estate participate in training in the winter.

The reason was simple.

It was because participating in the training would reduce taxes.

Of course, it was also because he knew he was the one who could protect his family in the worst case, but it was an undeniable fact that the tax part was huge anyway.

“Not a bad policy.”

Looking at the parade ground where white snow began to fall, I said to Atram. He, who is in charge of training the villagers along with the soldiers, relaxed his stern expression and glanced at me.

“This is also Miss Lucy’s will. That everything has a price.”

“The fact that the lord doesn’t use extravagance must also play a role.”

The lord sends a portion of the tax collected during the year to the capital and manages the manor with the remaining expenses.

It is up to the lord to decide how much money he will spend on himself in the process.

I heard that among the territories I heard while drinking at the academy, there were nobles who raised the tax rate to 80% and made it just enough for the territories not to starve to death, and spent all the remaining money for their own luxury.

In that respect, the tax rate of Stein Youngji could be said to be very conscientious.

In addition to tax cuts like this, it must be a decent place to live for the locals.

“I don’t think it’s too loose, but…”

“Well, even then it doesn’t cause a problem. Anyway, everyone is doing well.”

I didn’t have anything to do, so I came to the training area, but there didn’t seem to be anything I could wear here.

Atram seemed to want me to be the drill instructor, but it was clear that they wouldn’t come out tomorrow if they were trained by me.

If I had to train them, it would be better to only train Atram and a few other qualified soldiers.

“Why do you look like that?”

“No. I want to make sure the training goes well these days.”

“Grasp. It’s not easy, but I’m doing it somehow.”

That sounds very nice. I wondered what it would be like to gradually raise it to the next level.

“Hey! Chunyoung!”

As I was talking with Atram and watching the parade ground where the villagers and soldiers were training, I heard a sound coming from behind.

It was Elan. She walked with a leisurely pace and was wearing light clothing, probably because it was not cold.

“It’s snowing.”

“To an elf who is in harmony with nature, this much cold is nothing. And aren’t your clothes thin too?”

What I am wearing is an artifact Cecil gave me before. It doesn’t get dirty, it fits the body, and it’s not uncomfortable to move, so it’s always worn even though it’s a suit.

But as she said, it was true that it was thin enough to wear in winter.

But it didn’t matter too much to me.

“I don’t get cold.”

Because it’s the basics of not being able to read Chinese characters.

At her insignificant remark, Atram fiddled with her own fur and gave her an envious look.

“I envy you.”

They don’t just look at you, they talk. I gave him a light slap on the back and laughed.

“I can teach you if you want.”

“Hmm… Thank you, but just learning right now is overwhelming.”

“Then I can’t help it. By the way, Elan, what’s going on?”

“Lucy told me to pass it on to you.”

It was a work order. It seems that a new mission has been handed down to me, who has not been assigned a special mission.

Let’s see…

“Hmm?”

[Help the temple.]

“Huh? Temple support. This isn’t much. Temples are always in short supply. It’s like volunteering and going to help. We’ve all done it.”

Is that so? It’s not a combat mission, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Because in times of peace, you have to do things that are peaceful.

I said goodbye to Elan and Atram and headed towards the temple I had been to before.

When I arrived at the temple, an elderly priest was waiting for me.

“Welcome.”

A Hiran priest.

The old man who was said to have stayed in the Stein Manor for a long time was quite large for a priest.

It looks gentle on the outside, but my eyes can’t be fooled.

This old man. He is talented. At least stronger than Atram.

But he seems deliberately to hide himself, so he needn’t mention it.

“I wish you the protection of the Goddess.”

“I hope the priest will be blessed by the Goddess… I have come because the lord’s deputy has instructions for a mission.”

“Aha. I see. Thank you. The orphanage is being renovated.”

“Can I help you with the maintenance work?”

“hahahahaha. I can do the repair work myself. But in the meantime, I want you to take care of the children in the orphanage.”

Take care of the child. It’s not an easy task.

I’d rather catch monsters. I don’t know what to do with the kids.

“Don’t worry too much. They’re all good kids.”

“Then I’m glad…”

He seemed to notice my embarrassment and spoke softly. He went with him to the back of the temple and saw a shabby building with children gathered in front of it.

Seeing how dirty the soil is, I wonder if it’s right to take a bath first.

“Everyone. This is Brother Chunyoung, who will be taking care of you today. Everyone knows about Brother Chunyoung, right?”

“Yes!!”

Huh? How do you know me

“Mister Chunyoung! Is it true that you caught the Minotaur with one sword?!”

“I heard you made a flash golem explode with one punch!”

“He said that he killed over 30 dire wolves in an instant!!”

“Mister! Could you teach us your swordsmanship?!”

In addition to the monsters caught with Cecil, there are quite a few monsters caught after returning to the academy.

Lucy did not hide from the villagers what kind of beasts and activities the other people and soldiers, not just me, had captured, and announced it.

It was aimed at a kind of propaganda effect.

It was a policy to promote the stability of the territory, and the effect was great. Even the children in the orphanage reacted this way.

“Okay, I’ll teach you. But before that, there’s something you need to do.”

“What?!”

“It’s a bath. If you don’t wash your body thoroughly, your body will become weak. You won’t be able to practice properly with a weakened body, right? Priest. Can I use the bathhouse?”

“That’s not difficult… But unfortunately the firewood…”

“It’s fine. All you need is water.”

“Have you received any artifacts from Lord Cecil?”

It’s not like that. I’m just thinking of boiling water with my inner energy. Instead of answering, I just smiled. Hesitantly, he called a girl who was a little taller than the other kids, but still had a child.

“Esili. Please guide Cheonyoung to the bath.”

“Yes. Come over here.”

I followed a freckled girl in her mid-teens to the temple. After going a little further, I saw a small building made of stone.

It is a bathhouse filled with water in the form of drawing water from a stream.

As I watched the inside of the bath, which was separated into men’s and women’s baths, I said to Esily, who, like the other children, was squeamish.

“Can I get help washing the girls?”

“It’s not difficult, but the water is cold, so everyone is reluctant…”

“I’ll take care of that part. Please bring the children. Oh. And if you need hot water, bring it too.”

“Yes.”

She goes, and I put my hand on the device that supplies water to her bathtub.

The water is as cold as ice, probably because it is winter. With water like this, you wouldn’t even want to wash your face, let alone take a bath.

But that’s why it’s so difficult…

I put my hand in the water and used my energy.

– Bubbling!!

The cold water starts to get hotter. How long has it been since you started pouring that water into the bathtub?

I can see everyone coming here with laundry.

“Whoa, whoa!”

“Look at that! It’s hot steam!!”

“Wow!”

I’m excited. Well, being dirty probably wasn’t good for the kids either.

I nodded to Esily, who was looking at me with a bewildered face, and the children started hurrying inside with the laundry.

“Come on. Come on in.”

“Cheonyeong-nim, are you going to wash too?!”

“Let’s wash together!”

“I’m fine. I took a bath yesterday.”

“I’ll wash up then!”

The boys go inside. As ten children entered and heard the clamor of washing, I adjusted the cold and hot water to the right temperature for a bath.

How long has it been?

“Hey!”

“You son of a b*tch!!”

A commotion was heard from the men’s bath. When I went in, there were two boys fighting and banging.

“What happened to you fighting like this?”

“Rosé poured water on me first!!”

“This bastard used my soap on his own!!”

As if they had already beaten one or two, they both left dark red marks on their faces. I watched them and shook my head.

“Violence is something that should not be used recklessly. It is okay to use violence when dealing with monsters and to protect oneself and one’s family. Lastly…”

“…..”

“Only to those who would damage the peace. I won’t teach you how to fight unless you promise it.”

“…That, that.”

“Now, look at each other and reconcile.”

I wanted to reconcile, but I felt like my young mind was getting in the way.

In that case, an adult should step in here. I held both hands. And when we shook hands with each other, the hesitant two opened their mouths.

“Mi, Mi, Mi… I’m sorry… I sprayed it with water.”

‘Crazy bastard, you made a mistake first!’ Didn’t say it out.

Well, that kind of thing is unnecessarily proud of Murim people.

“No. I’m sorry too. I used my own soap…”

It was a warm response, as warm as the warmth of a bath.

Um. After all, the kids are like this!

After taking the children’s bath, she looks much better than when she first saw her. I took the children and headed towards the orphanage again, and Priest Hiran, who saw the children washed up, was delighted and asked me.

“How did you do it?”

“There are many ways. hahahaha.”

“This is great. That’s great. Thank you.”

“By the way, if you don’t have enough firewood, could you ask the castle?”

I don’t think Lucy would turn that down. But he just shook his head slowly.

“I can’t. Sister Lucy’s situation won’t be so good right now… I can’t ease the burden, but I can’t.”

“Yes?”

“Brother Chunyoung. I hope you will become Sister Lucy’s strength.”

What’s wrong with her?