The Spark

Ireland, Queen's Village.

In a small courtyard, Franz and the Jennings family were eating porridge made from sorghum and beans.

Franz rarely cooked, and he wasn't especially good at it. But he hadn't eaten this kind of meal in over a decade, so he found it delicious.

The Jennings family could barely fill their stomachs on an ordinary day, so they didn't mind such coarse food. Or perhaps they were simply happy to have anything to eat.

Scathach scratched her head.

"You're quite right, but we won't survive this year. I can give you a discount, at least."

She still wanted to sell her hair to Franz. He was at a loss, but finally took out two pounds and handed them to her.

Scathach was thrilled. It was the first time in her life she'd ever handled such a large sum. After carefully putting away the two big silver coins, she handed the scissors to Franz.

When he made no move, she started to cut her own hair.

Franz had no choice but to stop her.

"Just leave it on your head for now. I'll come back for it when I need it."

Franz's words struck Scathach as odd. She thought about it for a moment, then said,

"Shouldn't you pay a storage fee, then?"

Franz nearly choked. He gave the plainspoken yet shrewd farm girl before him a helpless look.

"Cash on delivery. If there's anything else you need to trade, come to the Old Church tomorrow."

Only after Franz left did her younger sister, Ella, react.

"That gentleman was so handsome."

Scathach nodded. "And he knows how to farm."

This was an unrealistic divider...

After confirming the state of the whole village, Archbishop Rauscher went to see the local village chief.

The archbishop was white-haired and white-bearded,