Gawain knew perfectly well that Norris had no idea what the "position" he spoke of actually meant, nor did he know what form the new system about to be implemented on this land would take. Right now, he was simply immersed in the muddled joy of becoming a "respectable man." But in truth, this old farmer probably could not even imagine how those respectable people living in the towns normally lived.
But that did not matter, because what Gawain intended to establish in this world was an order and situation that had never existed before. Not only Norris, but even Heti and Rebecca could not imagine it.
He knew he had to proceed carefully, keeping everything stable and under control to avoid provoking the backlash of this era through excessive haste. But he could not simply do nothing—the warning from the satellite monitoring station still rang in his ears. If the Magic Tide truly could not be avoided, making an effort was better than making none at all.
After Norris left, Heti finally could not hold back her question. "Ancestor, do you really intend to have him manage your fields?"
Gawain had long known Heti would have doubts, so there was not the slightest surprise on his face. He merely smiled at her. "Is there something wrong with that?"
"Although he can read, he..." Heti had wanted to say that he was lowborn, but after thinking it over, she changed her wording. "I fear his experience is insufficient, and he does not understand the rules of high society. If you make him your estate steward, I worry he will botch things up—and end up being punished for nothing."
Gawain merely looked quietly at Heti. Only when she began to feel uncomfortable did he suddenly ask, "Where is this high society