Chapter 5: Cowards Win through Sheer Numbers

“This is some really impressive work for such a short time,” said Mia.

Accompanied by Arshia and Cyril, Mia headed out to take a look at the surrounding fields that had recently been tilled for farming. But not before requesting a set of the same work clothes as Arshia and changing into them. When it came to her own protection, Mia spared no expense.

Hmm... It feels a little stuffy in these, but I guess that’s part of the package. They certainly look like they can stand some wear and tear. Honestly, it’s probably better to wear these when going into the forest...

While privately assessing the quality of her attire, she scanned the fields.

“The land in Tearmoon has always been suited to farming,” Arshia stated, “so it only took a little bit of work to get the soil ready for use. Headmaster Galv also managed to convince some of the Lulus to give us a hand.”

“Oh? The Lulus? That’s very nice of them. I suppose I’ll have to figure out a way to thank them somehow...” said Mia as she put a contemplative finger to her chin.

Cyril smiled at her. “I don’t think you have to worry about that. The Lulus are a hunting tribe that lives off the forest, but recently, with my family’s help, they’ve started making use of the fields. Interest in farming is growing among the tribe members, so they’re starting to place a great deal of hope in Wagul.”

“I see. Well, if that’s the case, then...”

Geographically, Saint Mia Academy was in close proximity to the Lulus’ village, so it was important for the tribe to be supportive of the project.

After going on a narrated tour of the fields, Mia was deeply pleased by their beauty. The land was well-tilled, and plots were neatly arranged. There was also a lot of it. The care that had gone into their cultivation was readily apparent.

She grew increasingly confident as she took in the impressive sight. Look at all these fields! There are so many! With this much farmland, we’ll have no problem dealing with the famine!

“So, how’s the cold-resistant wheat research coming along?” she asked Arshia. “Have you had any breakthroughs recently?”

Arshia tensed at the question. “We don’t really know yet. Last fall, we looked into a lot of possible options and planted a number of seed types that had potential, but we’ll have to wait until they can be harvested to know for sure, and that won’t be until a little later. We’re still researching in the meantime, looking through literature and such, but...”

“I see. Well, no surprises there, I suppose. That’s how farming works, after all.”

Wheat took a good deal of time to grow. Mia was certainly aware of this fact. She just hadn’t until this moment fully considered the implications.

Hold on a second. Does this mean that if there’s a single failed attempt, we’ll all be in serious trouble?!

Her concern, though belated, was valid. Research relied on trial and error, but when it came to farming, trial attempts were extremely limited. Each attempt had to proceed through the necessary seasons, and there was only one cycle of seasons a year. Her inner chicken immediately began to stir. Suddenly, the vast stretches of farmland that had until then seemed almost excessive...now felt worryingly inadequate.

If we can only run one trial a year, we’ll need more land. Much more. So we can test more each time!

That was the coward in her talking. Said coward’s understanding of the situation was also...completely correct! They only had one shot at this. No retries, no excuses. In other words, it was similar to taking an exam at Saint-Noel.

Which means our approach should be the same.

Mia, proud princess of Tearmoon, approached tests in a fashion that reflected the enormous size and capacity of her empire—overwhelming the foe through sheer numbers. Sheer number of answers memorized, in this case. Before each exam, she’d commit the entire scope of testable material to memory. That way she’d be ready for whatever the exam threw at her. It was an invincible test-taking tactic!

The same concept can surely be applied to developing new wheat strains.

If they only had one chance to get it right, they had to cram as many experiments into it as possible. Breadth was the name of the game. If there were a hundred cakes and only a single cake was delicious, how would you find the delicious one? Mia’s answer: eat all of them!

She would win through sheer numbers.

We’ll need an even larger area of land for that. This isn’t nearly enough. I need to look for people who can help... Outcount Rudolvon for sure. Then, hm... The central nobility will almost certainly refuse. Who else can I ask— Ah!

A scene from her summer vacation flashed across her mind. She’d been on her way back from Ganudos when she’d briefly stopped there.

“Yes, maybe I can ask him for help. Outcount Gilden...”

She pursed her lips. The geographical opposite of Outcount Rudolvon’s domain, Outcount Gilden’s lay on the northern fringe of the empire. Unlike the central nobility, he might readily agree to lending her his farmland.

“Hm? Is something the matter?” asked Arshia. She frowned at Mia, who’d been muttering under her breath.

“Huh? Oh, I was just thinking that I might know someone who could help us with our wheat problem. There’s an Outcount Gilden whose domain is up north...”

Admittedly, they could probably develop cold-resistant wheat if they spent a couple of years experimenting on the academy’s fields, but Mia didn’t want to wait. Every unsuccessful year would eat away at their stockpile, as well as her sanity.

Ludwig did say we should be fine, but still...

In general, Mia believed everything Ludwig told her, but the thought of a steadily diminishing food supply evoked visions of a steadily approaching guillotine. If she had to be reminded of that every day...

I don’t need to be a prophet to know I definitely don’t want to be in a situation like that. It’s way too stressful!

She needed cold-resistant wheat. To feed the empire, yes, but also to make sure she didn’t lose her mind. It was therefore imperative that she secured more land to conduct more expansive experiments.

With that said, I have no idea how the experiments are actually done, so I should probably have them go there directly and take a look at the land for themselves.

With her mind made up, she nodded to herself and said, “It’s a place with some good farmland. I’d appreciate it if you could go there and take a look.”

That was how Arshia Tafrif Perujin and Cyril Rudolvon beheld for the first time a host of agricultural techniques alien to their experience in the southern warmth, invented and refined by the people who farmed the harsh lands of the frigid north.