Chapter 56: The Question of the Divine

Just like the vast majority of commoners in this era (whom the nobility refer to as "common folk"), Norris held a natural fear and anxiety toward the nobles. Despite the friendliness of the current Cecil Count and Gawain, who had just become the new lord, old habits formed over decades are not easily changed. Norris had just gone to great lengths to communicate normally with Hettie, and now, with Gawain's arrival, the farmer could not help but feel tense again.

Yet, beyond the tension and humility etched on his face, Gawain noticed something different in Norris's eyes—something not seen in most other commoners. At first, he didn't recognize it, but after half a minute, he realized what was absent: he saw no trace of the numbness that typically characterized the faces of the impoverished.

Though he was nervous, timid, and deferential, there was no hint of numbness. In those deep-set, wrinkle-lined eyes, remnants of lively light still shone through.

It was no wonder Hettie had sought out this farmer to discuss the cultivation plans; Norris had the ability to engage in "discussion."

"How is the land?" Gawain asked in a gentle tone.

Norris held up three fingers, forming a gesture of prayer in front of his chest. "The Harvest Goddess Eve blesses this place. I never expected to find arable land in the Shadow Mountains. The terrain here is level, water is easily accessible, the soil is fertile, and there aren't many stones in it—there's truly no better place for clearing land. Although we are already halfway through the Harvest Month, it's too late to plant rice, but we can sow sweet root and fireleaf. The sweet root can winter in the soil, yielding a good harvest in spring. The fireleaf can be planted alongside the sweet root; it grows quickly due to the nutrient-rich sweet root. We can expect a harvest before the Fog Month. In the following spring, the roots of the fireleaf and the vines of the sweet root will decompose into the soil, providing fertilizer for the next grain crops. As long as the rains come, everyone will have enough to eat."

The sweet root and fireleaf mentioned by Norris were crops unique to this world. In fact, Gawain had found that most of the flora and fauna he encountered here differed greatly from those in his homeland. Even when names were the same, their essence was entirely different. He relied on the "memories of the ancients" stored in his mind to help understand these things. From Norris's answers, he confirmed that agricultural techniques in this world were not as inferior as he had initially imagined. At the very least, this farmer had concepts about intercropping specific plants to improve yield and composting crop remnants to enrich the soil—though these ideas likely stemmed from his personal experiences and lacked systematic theory. This was enough to show that people in this era did not merely sow seeds and wait for rain, relying entirely on nature for sustenance.

Unfortunately, the memories Gawain possessed were not omnipotent. Even the most formidable pioneers were not skilled in every field, and in agriculture, he realized he could not rely entirely on his mental archives; he had to depend on the expert before him.

He gathered some expected yields for various crops, which Norris answered one by one. When they reached the end of their discussion, the old farmer added, "These yields depend on the land's natural fertility and some plant-based fertilizers. This kind of farming depletes the soil's nutrients significantly; even if the land is good, it still requires a fallow period every two to three years. Honestly, these yields aren't that high…"

Gawain frowned. He knew that this world did not have the concept of "chemical fertilizers," and he had not yet found any possibility of producing organic fertilizers from local materials—the elemental periodic table probably didn't even match. So, he asked, "How do you generally improve yields and maintain soil fertility?"

It was Hettie who answered from the side: "If we could access the churches of the Three Goddesses of Abundance, it would be best—the Harvest Goddess Eve, the Spring Goddess Flora, and the Earth Mother and Goddess of Life Gaia. Their priests possess many divine spells related to the earth and plants. However, this southern region is desolate and has never been a significant grain-producing area. Thus, the primary temples of the Abundance Church are concentrated in the central region around the Holy Spirit Plain, and given our territory's current state... it would likely be difficult to attract the attention of the priests."

At that moment, Knight Philip suddenly spoke up, "There's a small church of the Earth Mother in Tanzan Town; perhaps the priests there could help? I remember that in the past, every few years, people from our territory would go to Tanzan Town to invite that priest to bless the land…"

"That priest will return to the headquarters of the Earth Mother in the Holy Spirit Plain this year to receive 'revelations' and won't return for a year," Hettie shook her head. "We can't count on that."

Gawain frowned slightly—he hadn't expected the discussion to lead to deities.

This world had many gods and churches, which he was aware of. Even during his time in the sky, he had witnessed more than one religious war. Although those memories were silent films, the diverse religious symbols and towering churches were unmistakable. Despite the changes this continent had undergone, including the catastrophic events known as the "Dark Tide," religion still intertwined with the mortal races like a creeping vine.

Deities were a part of this world's civilization system.

However, as a time-traveler who had spent many years suspended in the sky, Gawain instinctively kept a distance from the divine.

It wasn't that he stubbornly denied the existence of gods in such a fantastical world—after all, magic existed here, and even his two several-times-great-granddaughters could conjure fireballs with their bare hands. Plus, those priests wielded tangible divine powers; even if he wanted to deny the existence of gods, he couldn't.

He simply had a natural reluctance to engage with something that transcended cognition, experience, and logic.

Having hung in the sky for many years, he had witnessed countless individuals kill in the name of deities. Gawain Cecil had lived for thirty-five years, during which he had closely observed priests performing divine miracles—a power entirely different from magic. There was no need to practice incantations or magical techniques; instead, it relied on sincere devotion and strict adherence to various codes of conduct. Through this kind of self-restraint and certain specific "spiritual talents," humans could wield surreal powers bestowed by the gods.

It was said that all divine spells and knowledge of the gods originated from the ancient "Eternal Tablets." The legendary tablets had been shattered and lost after the First Expansion. Today, only a few large churches known as "core sects" kept scattered fragments of the tablets in their headquarters. Yet, despite the fragmentation, the knowledge and power of the gods continued to exert influence.

But Gawain had never seen the true visage of a deity.

At least not on this continent; as for the heavens... who could say? After all, he had failed to swim back up, so he couldn't confirm whether a white-bearded figure holding a spotlight stood somewhere in space...

Regardless of where the gods resided, Gawain maintained a mixture of three parts awe and seven parts distance toward this power that was difficult to explain with logic.

The power of magic could still be studied and interpreted through calculations and reasoning. Although deemed supernatural, it was also a kind of natural force that could be analyzed. However, divine spells demanded complete faith and dedication, requiring individuals to align their personalities and thought processes closely with the "divine essence." This meant that if he wished to study the divine, he would first have to become a believer, holding an unwavering reverence for the gods. Yet once he entered such a state... how could he still study the gods?

Gawain shook his head, casting these questions aside for now. Regardless, given the current dire situation in this inhospitable place, it would be nearly impossible to attract the church's attention. He looked at Hettie and continued inquiring about increasing crop yields: "If we can't count on the Three Goddesses of Abundance, are there other methods to address the yield problem?"

"The yield issue... frankly speaking, considering the condition of this land and the initial supplies of grain provided by His Majesty the King, we actually aren't lacking in food," Hettie frowned. "With only about eight hundred people in the territory, we can fully sustain them."

"But we can't remain at eight hundred people forever. In fact, I am planning to significantly increase our population through the purchase of serfs and the introduction of pioneers," Gawain shook his head. Hettie clearly didn't yet understand the value of people. "The food issue is fundamental; it's a problem we'll have to face eventually."

While Hettie didn't comprehend the value of people, Norris understood the importance of food. He pondered carefully and dared to respond, "Besides divine spells, another approach would be to seek assistance from druids. The woodland druids can create alchemical potions that effectively increase crop yields. Although their potions are less effective than divine spells, they excel in protecting the land. Additionally, they often possess plant-related spells that greatly aid crop growth."

Gawain's eyes lit up as he listened: this was a route he liked!

Furthermore, hearing that druids produced alchemical potions to enhance soil fertility... could these so-called potions be equivalent to "chemical fertilizers" in this world? Or perhaps something with similar effects?

Regardless, if they could be produced through a fixed method (and possibly in bulk), easily applied, and consistently enhance crop yields, then Gawain decided to refer to these potions as fertilizers!

Moreover, these "fertilizers" even had the added benefit of protecting the land!

He eagerly asked, "Where can we find druids?"

Norris hesitated and glanced at Hettie, who furrowed her brow slightly. "That's another issue... The number of druids in human society is quite limited. They typically concentrate near the Western Region, close to the Mosswood Forest, while in the South, they can almost be considered rare creatures. The Cecil territory has hardly ever interacted with druids, and I don't know where to find them."

Gawain's expression fell with disappointment, while Knight Philip contemplated aloud, "However, due to their lineage, druids have a close relationship with elves. Nearly every druid's heritage can be traced back to elves, including both gray elves and silver elves..."

The gazes of everyone present naturally drifted toward Amber, who stood behind Gawain. Her pointed ears twitched at the attention.

Gawain's face immediately darkened. "Don't be ridiculous; how can she, the disgrace of the elven race, be counted as an elf? What druid would associate with someone like her who engages in petty tricks..."

Before he could finish, Amber's voice rang out, "Actually... I think I might know a druid!"

Gawain: "?!"

The revelation hung in the air, surprising everyone. Amber, known for her less-than-stellar reputation among the elves, claiming to know a druid was unexpected.

Gawain quickly composed himself, intrigued. "Really? Do you know where we can find this druid?"

Amber nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling. "Yes! I met him once while wandering near the Mosswood Forest. His name is Sylas. He's a bit reclusive, but he's kind. He told me he could help with farming and plants. If we can get him to visit, he might help us with the crops!"

Gawain exchanged glances with Hettie and Philip. The potential of having a druid involved in their agricultural efforts was promising. "Do you know how we can get in touch with him?"

Amber thought for a moment, then replied, "I could try to find him again. He's usually near the old oak grove, where he gathers herbs and plants."

"Then it's settled," Gawain said decisively. "We'll need to reach out to Sylas. His expertise could be invaluable for our agricultural plans."

As the discussion progressed, Norris interjected, "If we're involving a druid, it would be wise to prepare a proper offering to honor his presence. Druids hold a deep respect for nature, and any form of disrespect can lead to misunderstandings."

Hettie nodded in agreement. "Yes, we should gather some offerings—perhaps fruits and freshly harvested herbs from the surrounding areas. It's important to show respect and gratitude."

Gawain considered the plan, feeling optimistic about the potential for growth and sustenance in their territory. "Let's prepare these offerings and send Amber to find Sylas. In the meantime, we'll continue with our plans for cultivating the land."

With that, the group began to organize their efforts. Gawain felt a sense of renewed hope; the seeds of their future were being sown, not just in the earth but in the connections they were forming. As they worked together, he could see the foundations of a thriving community beginning to take shape, one that would ultimately lead them to greater prosperity and strength.

As the sun began to set, casting golden hues across the fields, Gawain watched the farmers diligently tending to their tasks, their efforts gradually transforming the barren land into a place of potential. With Norris's insights, Amber's unexpected connections, and the looming presence of a druid, he felt a strong sense of purpose.

Turning to Hettie, Gawain said, "We're laying the groundwork for something great here, Hettie. This territory won't just survive; it will thrive."

Hettie smiled, her eyes reflecting the determination they shared. "With the right resources and the commitment of everyone here, I believe we can achieve that."

And as they set about their tasks, Gawain realized that this new chapter in their lives was just beginning—a journey toward creating a legacy that would stand the test of time. The question of the divine may linger, but it was the connections forged through effort, respect, and understanding that would truly define their success in this world.