As April arrived, the fields outside Bunta City were once again dyed brownish yellow by dense stands of wheat.
The fields renovated through the Farmland Renovation Project had complete irrigation facilities. With the help of various kinds of Farmland Magic Machinery, Bunta City was guaranteed a bountiful harvest unless some particularly severe natural disaster struck. This year was no exception.
Yet faced with this abundant harvest, not all the farmers outside Bunta City were delighted. A considerable number actually looked thoroughly dejected.
Bateru had spent over half an hour cycling all the way from Luke Village, more than ten kilometers away. The moment he entered Mexilan Village and glanced at the surrounding fields, he was so stunned that he forgot to pedal. He nearly tipped over, bicycle and all.
Barely managing to steady himself, Bateru forgot all about his treasured bicycle, which he had finally brought himself to buy for eight gold coins just two months earlier. He rushed straight into the wheat fields beside the road, bent down, and cradled an ear of wheat in his trembling hands.
Feeling the weight of that ear of wheat, Bateru shuddered twice, then suddenly muttered a couple of vicious curses. He turned, grabbed his bicycle, vaulted onto it, and pedaled hard, charging like a whirlwind into nearby Mexilan Village.
Seeing Bateru hurtling toward them on his bicycle like a madman, the villagers of Mexilan Village scattered out of his way. They had barely begun to curse him when they recognized who was riding. Instead, they pointed at Bateru and burst into loud, mocking laughter.
Hearing their jeers, Bateru flushed crimson. Ignoring everything else, he rode straight to a two-story house at the far end of Mexilan Village that looked recently built. He jumped off his bicycle and strode straight inside.
**"Hey, Sakeqi!