BOPE 56

Chapter 56 …

A short while later, a man entered the room with hunched shoulders, head bowed, following behind the treasurer.

Seeing him tremble like a criminal—even though he had been summoned by her—made Donghee feel even more apologetic.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”

Donghee spoke as kindly as she could to ease the farmer’s tension.

“N-no, my lord. J-just being summoned like this is… is a g-g-great honor.”

His voice trembled like a bleating goat, stuttering badly. Whether that was his usual tone or the result of nerves, it was incredibly effective at evoking sympathy.

“Come sit.”

“N-no, I couldn’t possibly…”

“Your legs must hurt. Don’t make me say it twice—come and sit.”

The farmer looked as though he couldn’t tell whether the lord was being genuine or testing him, wearing an expression like he might cry at any moment.

According to Scrooge, he had just turned thirty. But from the look of him, after all he’d endured, he seemed well past forty.

“The lord has given you an order. Sit.”

Scrooge repeated firmly, prompting the farmer to hesitantly take a seat opposite Donghee.

He sat barely on the edge of the chair, looking like he’d bolt the moment Donghee sneezed.

“Relax. I have a lot of questions. This might take some time.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Donghee gazed at him with soft eyes. She had never imagined in her life that someone would be this nervous because of her.

In the Grace territory, no one dared treat Donghee carelessly. Not even when Chloe Grace used to run wild like a spoiled brat.

What had once felt awkward was gradually becoming natural. It was true—position makes the person.

“I’ve heard you’re an excellent farmer.”

“You flatter me, my lord.”

The sudden compliment seemed to make him even more nervous.

“And your name is…?”

Just as Donghee was about to ask, a familiar blue status window popped up in front of her.

Its flashy blinking entrance was now more annoying than impressive, the awe from the first encounter long gone.

Emergency Mission!
Please name the farmer who will be a great help to the Grace Territory. If the farmer likes the name, you will receive hidden points.

Oho! A name-giving quest.

Last time, naming someone had expanded her area of influence. This time, it seemed the reward was just hidden points.

The previous reward was better, sure, but hidden points were still valuable. You could do a lot with them—definitely worth it.

Donghee thought for a moment and recalled a currently popular actor known for his flower-boy looks.

“Chwar-noo?”

She exaggerated the pronunciation, aiming for something that might fit this world too.

How about it? It’s the name of a super handsome actor—do you like it?

Beep!
This name doesn’t suit a farmer at all. “Chwar-noo”? That’s like calling Cheolsu “Charles.”
Points will be deducted for this ridiculous name.
Oops! Forgot—you don’t have any points left to deduct. Sorry, poor user.

Where’s the power button?

While Donghee looked around for a non-existent off switch, the status window wiggled like a cartoon butt and vanished.

Don’t get mad at an inanimate object. Stay calm.

After regaining composure, Donghee looked at the farmer—who was still gazing at her innocently—and gave a benevolent smile.

“Oops, my mistake. Your name was… Farmer, wasn’t it?”

If the architect was named Builder, then Farmer seemed fitting for a farmer.

Donghee raised her eyebrows in anticipation, looking at him.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Farmer felt a mix of awe and fear knowing the lord knew his name. It was true that Steward Scrooge knew him well, but the lord too?

He straightened up even more rigidly and waited for the next words from Donghee.

As Farmer blinked his pure cow-like eyes, Donghee quietly waited for the hidden point notification.

She was determined to save up and expand her inventory next time she got points.

The name is as unoriginal and cookie-cutter as it gets, but the kind-hearted farmer is 85% satisfied. You have earned 85 hidden points.

It felt like getting mocked for scoring 50 points after laughing at someone who got 20, but 85 points was still 85 points.

Donghee’s heart warmed.

“I’ve called you here to get advice on farming.”

“Pardon? From someone lowly like me…?”

Farmer flinched like he’d been electrocuted, clearly at a loss as to how to process what was happening. He kept glancing nervously at Scrooge.

But Scrooge looked just as stunned. He simply alternated glances between the two, as confused as Farmer.

“You’re an expert in farming, aren’t you? It only makes sense for someone like me, who knows nothing, to ask you for guidance.”

“I-I’m not sure how I could be of help…”

His voice trembled less now—perhaps that goat-like voice had indeed been the product of nerves. Now, he looked sharp, hanging on Donghee’s every word.

Donghee patted him on the shoulder encouragingly and continued.

“I plan to reclaim the wasteland near Grace Castle.”

Farmer’s expression instantly soured.

He knew all too well how impossible that land was. He’d tried everything to cultivate it, only to fail again and again—losing not just time and effort, but hope.

Donghee saw his quick shift in mood but didn’t waver. She had every intention of turning his despair into hope.

“I know the land’s not suitable for farming. But I’ve found a way to make it usable.”

“…Is that really true?”

Farmer finally responded, still in disbelief.

Even his stutter had vanished. It was a topic dear to his heart—the abandoned lands had long weighed heavily on his conscience.

Donghee leaned in like she was about to share a great secret. Farmer instinctively did the same.

Satisfied with his curiosity, Donghee lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

“It requires a special kind of fertilizer. I’ve already made it. Take it and try turning that wasteland into fertile soil.”

Farmer’s eyes widened in disbelief.

A noble raised within castle walls, claiming to have developed fertilizer? It made no sense.

Seeing his confusion, Donghee quickly racked her brain for a believable excuse. She couldn’t just say it was a system window.

“I read it in a book. The Grace Castle library has some amazing books. I just happened to find it there.”

Farmer slowly nodded, though he still seemed unconvinced.

Before he could grow more suspicious, Donghee launched into a stream of half-English mumbo-jumbo about terrain, weather, and agriculture.

“Farming isn’t just about experience. You need proper technology, skill, feel, and above all, a dream that won’t give up. You know what I mean?”

She rolled her Rs and over-enunciated every syllable like her tongue was slathered in butter.

Farmer blinked in awe and nodded vigorously.

“I will do my best, my lord.”

Now, his eyes were full of trust.

Donghee smiled, proud of the outcome. Just thinking of all the English words she had summoned made her head ache.

“Do your best. If the reclamation succeeds, I’ll reward you handsomely.”

“I’ll do everything I can!”

Farmer’s voice was full of confidence now.

“I’ve already hired laborers to help you. You’re in charge of the whole operation, so I’m counting on you.”

As Farmer responded, Anna re-entered carrying a tray of food.

Freshly baked bread and steaming hot soup gave off a comforting aroma.

“Place it here.”

Anna laid the food on the table.

Smelling the rich, slightly sweet scent, Farmer gulped unconsciously.

His hunger, dulled by nerves, returned with a vengeance the moment the food’s aroma hit him.

Afraid his stomach might growl in front of the lord, he wrapped both arms around his belly and tightly shut his eyes.

Better not to see the food than to look at what you can’t eat.

Donghee was wondering if he might plug his nose next when her kind voice rang out.

“You probably didn’t have breakfast. Eat this first.”

“My lord…”

Farmer’s big eyes welled up with tears. Embarrassed, Donghee got up from her seat.

“It must be uncomfortable eating in front of me. Eat at ease. Ask for more if it’s not enough.”

She said it casually, like it was no big deal.

Farmer, unable to hold back any longer, let a single tear fall as he stared at the meal.

Welcome. You’ve never met a kind lord like this before, have you?