บท 43: IMPLEMENTING CHANES: PART IV

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After Serfred broke down the details of the girl's agenda on her written notes. It seems it caused quite some unhappy people. It seems the villagers weren't happy at all with what they were hearing and started whispering to each other.

"If you have any questions, please don't be afraid to ask." He said, seeing all the displeasure on almost everyone's faces.

One of the villagers who work as a builder raised his hand in the air and asked: "I understand it is our responsibility to pay taxes. But, why must we?"

"That's right, the empire never did come to help us. It was all Tina works, not theirs."

Everyone started voicing out their opinions and one could barely understand them. But someone's words caught everyone's attention.

"They even tried to kill her."

The whole place turned silent as the atmosphere turned gloomy. Serfred did not expect things to go this bad. How he wishes the girl was right here and answered all these people's concerns.

"My Lady, please hurry up."

Meanwhile, Athena and Lirius just arrived at one of the fields he has asked the Elder Chief to clear up.

"This should do it," She smiled as she stood in the center as she prepared herself.

"Here, drink this. I think it might help lessen the draining of your mana." Lirius handed her an odd potion. The fact the color was bright purple made it look very appealing.

"Lirius, is this..."

"Do you think I'm stupid enough to hand you something I've never tested?"

The girl didn't reply at all as she quickly drank the potion. But soon choked when the man had more to say to her.

"Well, animals tried it, but I've never tested it on humans."

The girl had already finished the entire bottle as her eyes bulged in shock from what she just heard. It was already too late as she swallowed the last drop down into her throat.

"Lirius, are you trying to kill me?" Athena raged as she threw the bottle back at the man as he caught it and only checked if she finished everything. He ignored the girl as he packed the bottle back into his bag. "Are you even listening to me? Why the heck would you..."

"I've saved your life so many times, do you think I'll just let you die after saving you."

His words hit the girl right in the heart where it hurt the most. She couldn't believe she just misspoke and said all those awful words without thinking twice about them. Even if it was the first time Lirius had created such potions, it was always for her benefit and not to harm her.

"I'm sorry."

"Never mind that, hurry up already. I still have more things to do. Plus, I'm sure that idiot is now in such a situation where he needs our help."

"Ah, right."

... Ah, I can do this. No need to worry, I've done it so many times. All I need to do is focus all my energy and release it on the land.

It was indeed as simple as that, but since the area she was trying to restore was much of a bigger scale. She doubts she'll be able to restore all of it. But, she needed to challenge herself in order to improve oneself. She always believes that the more she pushes herself the more her skills will develop.

The air around the girl became warmer as she gathered all her energy within her. Soon, a small spark of lumineux appeared in her hand as she slowly kneeled down and placed it on the ground. As she started the enchantment which was almost like a song, more and more luminuex appeared out of the ground.

... I'm doing it, I can do this. Just a little more, and I'll be able to bless the land next to it as well.

Athena felt a strange feeling within, it felt like her body doesn't feel that drain at all, despite all the energy she has expected. It made her look at the man as she realized the reason why her body felt so relaxed. 'So, the potion worked. I guess I owe him more than an apology.'

As the lumineux in her hand vanished into the lands, the whole field was now a fertile land.

Lirius walked closer to the girl as he reached out his hand, impressed that she was able to handle all the stress and was still able to hold her head high.

"Seems it worked."

"I guess it did." She smiled which eventually brought a smile to the man's face. "Lirius, thank you."

Time passed by rather quickly, and before they knew it, the whole village center was in chaos. Both Athena and Lirius looked puzzled as to what was happening.

Diana was trying to help Serfred calm the villagers, however, none of their words were getting through to them. Not until she saw the person who could. "Tina!"

The villagers quickly turned back to their calm and usual self, they even greeted the girl as she approached them.

"What happened?" Athena asked.

She expected Serfred or Diana would explain, but instead, one of the villagers answered her.

"Tina, you know that we all trust you. We all believe in you, but, we can't agree with your proposal. I mean, taxes... Why must we pay when the empire never done anything for us."

Everyone looked at each other worriedly as to how the girl would respond. Since it was the girl's idea in the first place, they expect her to be upset with them.

"Agree, why should we."

Serfred: "HUH?"

Villagers: "...."

Lirius only smiled for he understood what the girl was trying to do.

"You're all right, why should we pay them taxes? They never came to help us in the first place."

"That..."

"Well..."

The villagers were suddenly unable to speak, they did not expect the girl would also show such indifference towards the empire.

"However, paying taxes is our responsibility. As a citizen of this empire. Yes, paying them taxes after what they did... I mean, you know what happened. But, still... I wish to help those who are in the same situation as us. As you know, the taxes will also go to the church. Which, the church will distribute to other areas that are in need."

"Then, Tina, isn't it better if we just pay you. You've done more than what the empire has done."

Athena didn't think that far couldn't answer them right away. Instead, a person who hardly speaks to the villagers answered for her.

"That is only possible if the land is under her name. But, you all know who is the owner of the land."