At 0.8 pounds of wheat per person per day, a thousand pounds could feed 1,250 people for one day. The three hundred or so people in Winter Territory could eat it for four days, and two thousand pounds would last eight days. Even if they cut their rations in half to meet only their basic needs, it would last just sixteen days.
Aurelian raised an eyebrow. The wheat growing in the fields wasn't ordinary wheat—it was Magic Seed Wheat, a magical potion!
Even the lowest-grade magical potions contained twice, or even three times, the energy needed to stay active compared to ordinary crops.
If someone ate magical potions for a long time, they could develop a source of magic within their body even without meditating. Some with good talent had even advanced straight to the Body Integration level of magic.
"By my calculations, even with the most pessimistic estimate, distributing all this Magic Seed Wheat among the residents would keep them fed for over a month."
A wisp of worry rose to cloud his brow.
Winter in the Frostlands was an endless night. As well as plunging temperatures, there wasn't a ray of sunlight to be seen. Primal Darkness would soon take over this ancient land!
"Let's go! To the town warehouse."
He turned and spoke. He needed to find out how much food the town had left and how long it would last.
With the Magic Seed Wheat included, would they be able to make it through the entire winter night?
The Frost Town warehouse was guarded by Charles, the son of Rune, the town blacksmith.
He stood stiffly before Aurelian. He wasn't tall—barely reaching Aurelian's shoulder—and looked to be only fourteen. He wore a black fur coat.
Though he had a trace of magic within him, he was nowhere near the Body Integration level. The cold wind had left his little face as red as an apple.
"Good morning, my lord. I'm Charles, the warehouse guard."
Although Charles was stiff with nerves, he wasn't as timid as the other residents. After all, nobles didn't have a good reputation among commoners.
"Charles, I need to inspect the warehouse. Show us the way."
Aurelian, a duke, spoke gently but with authority. A competent ruler had to establish a dignified, imposing image in the hearts of his people.
"Yes, my lord. This way."
Taking out a large, pitch-black key, about the size of his palm, Charles headed for the warehouse door.
Aurelian and the other two followed.
As the only large building in Frost Town, the warehouse had plenty of space for storage.
They stopped in front of the sealed warehouse door, with not so much as a crack for a mosquito to slip through.
Before Aurelian's eyes, Charles used the key to unlock the door, whose lock was wrapped in chains like thorns.
Then, gritting his teeth, he put all his strength into slowly pushing open the tall, heavy door.
As if opening a door into the darkness, Charles led Aurelian and the others inside.
Whoosh—
A brilliant light flared in Aurelian's hand, turning into a lantern that illuminated the darkness.
He sensed someone watching him and looked up, meeting Charles's eager gaze.
He immediately understood that look. Charles couldn't hide his admiration and longing.
Realizing that Lord Aurelian had noticed, Charles awkwardly rubbed the back of his head and started leading the way again.
But Aurelian suddenly asked with a faintly amused expression, "Charles, do you want to become a knight?"
Taken aback by the unexpected question, Charles's expression slowly grew complicated.
He clenched his fists, seeming to steel himself as he prepared to say something.
But then he faltered. The words caught in his throat, and the courage he'd summoned slipped away. A look of disappointment crossed his face.
Charles said, "No, I don't."
"I can see your longing for magic in your eyes. That pitiful attempt at hiding it won't fool me."
Aurelian spoke with certainty.
Hume, walking behind him, looked puzzled. As far as he remembered, Charles had always wanted to become an excellent blacksmith like his father.
He had no idea Charles wanted to become a knight. If he really did, Hume would bet a hundred Moon Silver Coins that Rune would beat him until his own mother couldn't recognize him. Rune, nicknamed the Iron Hammer, was famous for his fiery temper and never went easy on his own son.
"Charles, there's no one else here. Tell me what you're thinking. My knight squad is short-handed. If you're willing, I can consider giving you a trainee position. If you prove yourself, you can become a full-fledged knight."
Seeing Charles lower his head and fall silent, Aurelian decided not to beat around the bush. He laid it out plainly.
He had no choice. His knights had dwindled in number.
At this point, whenever he saw a man, he wanted to recruit him.
Still, Aurelian preferred young men and boys. They were at the most impressionable stage of their lives, making them promising recruits.
"But I... don't have any talent. My father doesn't want me to become a knight who risks his life in battle, either. He says I should just focus on doing a good job at the forge."
Charles's voice was full of helplessness.
"If you have a dream, you should pursue it. Talent isn't the most important thing. Hard work can make up for what you lack. If you don't even try, how are you any different from a salted fish?"
Oblivious to the fact that he'd reached the Lower Rank of magic at just sixteen, Aurelian offered his inspirational words of encouragement.
Even if he had to sweet-talk him, he was determined to recruit Charles!
"Will hard work really be enough? I haven't even managed to draw magic into my body. My family and neighbors all say I'm not cut out for it."
Seeing the lord speak like that, a glimmer of hope slowly appeared in Charles's eyes.
"That won't be a problem. Talent has never been the most important thing in magic training. What matters is perseverance. One day, you'll reach the Body Integration level."
Aurelian looked at the skinny boy with an earnest expression and sincere eyes full of hope.
Charles grew excited. The lord thought so highly of him—did that mean he really had the potential to become a knight?
With the lord's approval, Charles found his confidence. He was going to become a knight.
Even if his father chased him with a hammer and refused to let him come home, he would still become a knight.
"My lord, I want to become a knight—and not just any knight, but the strongest one! Then I'll defeat every enemy in the territory!" Charles's eyes seemed to burn with blazing fire.
"Of course. You can report to Master tomorrow."
Aurelian's mouth twitched. So this kid was a hot-blooded, chuunibyou sort after all.
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