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The Reincarnated Thirty-Something Woman’s Otherworldly Reform Life

[Everyone’s Mixed Feelings]

Translated by: ME

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

(This young lady is fascinating!)

Victor was buzzing with excitement.

Despite having the most adorable face he had ever seen on a woman, she stood before these shrewd old foxes—men far older than her—without a hint of tension or intimidation.

Furthermore, her logic was incredibly sound. She didn’t seem like a toddler at all... no, it was as if an adult was inside her.

The fact that her speech remained so fumbling only made the situation more amusing.

Glancing at Dominic, who sat beside him in stony silence with a sour face, likely clutching his head in agony internally, Victor felt like he might burst out laughing.

When Magnolia turned her gaze toward Claude, he met her eyes and spoke.

「...The reason the Margrave’s house is taking the lead in establishing this business is to provide employment opportunities for the destitute of this territory. Since there are various types of tasks, individuals may freely choose based on their preferences, physical strength, and capabilities, and they will receive appropriate wages for their labor. We will not force anyone to work against their will, but it will provide a livelihood and a profession, while also serving as a social contribution by preventing a disease that was previously untreatable. I ask that you consider this as much as possible.」

Dan, the representative of the slums who had been watching the exchange in silence, met his gaze without saying a word.

「Furthermore, I wish to request that both Guilds handle the recruitment and the series of routine operations involved. Since this matter deeply concerns the territory, we will likely seek your cooperation and advice on various points moving forward.」

「「Understood.」」

「As for the Seed and Seedling Union, we plan to place orders for seeds and saplings later. We also intend to have the Glassblower Guild and the Pottery Guild manufacture bottles and jars. We plan to distribute the requests evenly among the various workshops so that production can proceed on a reasonable schedule.」

Claude once again yielded the floor to Magnolia for further explanation.

「Regarding the bottleth and jar th, provided they meet certain th tandardth, pleat he feel free to uthe thith ath an opportunity for your young apprenticeth to practithe. At h for the Butcher, F ithmonger, Produce, and Baker Guildth, I with to purchathe your unthold thtock and dithcarded itemth.」

「Purchasing unsold stock?」

「Aye. Of cour the, you may keep whatever you need for your own con thumption or for dithcounted thaleth in your thhopth. I'm thure there are thothe who look forward to thothe bargainth. ...But for the itemth that will inevitably remain and be wath-ted, or the thingth you know will be dithcarded from the thtart, I with to buy them at a price that coverth the cotht with a thmall profit added.」

「Why would you want such things?」

Magnolia nodded at the skeptical voice.

「Firtht, for the thake of hygiene. If raw foodth are thimply thrown away, it ith very unthanitary. Unlet h they are burned or buried deep underground, they can contribute to the thpread of dith-eatheth. Thecondly, becauthe it ith a wath-te. It ith unfortunate for both the theller and the maker when perfectly good merchandise ith thrown away. If it ith edible, I want to find a way to eat it. Bethideth, wouldn't you all rather avoid a loth-th by recouping even a thmall amount than thimply taking a dithcarded deficit?」

「...What specifically do you mean by 'discarded items'?」

「Thinthe it ith for conthumption, they mutht, of courthe, be freth enough to eat. Therefore, anything thpoiled will be exthcluded. From the butcherth, for exthample, I plan to buy not only meat and protheth-thed goodth, but altho boneth and internal organth. Of courthe, thith ith not mandatory; only the thhopth that with to participate need apply.」

The guild masters gave somewhat absent-minded responses, but Magnolia paid them no mind and turned toward the representatives of the farming communities from each cardinal direction (North, East, South, and West) near the capital.

「My requetht for the farmerth ith that I with to receive advice on growing cropth, and thimilarly, I would like to purchathe anyth-thing that might be dithcarded, thuch ath produce that hath grown too large.」

「...Are those for eating as well?」

「Aye. Depending on the item, we might be able to turn them into protheth-thed goodth, and I with to provide mealth for the people working at the new work thhopth. Thith produce will form a part of that. Of courthe, that includet h all of you who help uth ath well.」

The four representatives, who had likely been tense being surrounded by people they didn't usually interact with, looked at each other, their faces brightening at the unexpected proposal.

「For a noble like the Young Lady... to speak with such consideration for us makers and farmers, and even for the workers... it is truly a blessing. We will gladly cooperate.」

They bowed deeply. Magnolia nodded and turned to face the priest.

「Regarding the church, I would very much like to borrow your kitchenth and work thpathe.」

「It is close to the slums, after all. A business where those in need can earn their daily bread and many who would have suffered from disease are saved—I shall certainly assist you.」

Priest Sharon smiled gently and nodded to Magnolia in a supportive manner.

「Thinthe you are lending uth the thpathe, I would altho like to provide mealth for thothe affiliated with the church.」

「Oh, that would be wonderful.」

「I would like to dith-cuth the finer detailth with you on another day.」

Just as she took a breath, Hugo raised his hand again.

「Earlier, a question was raised regarding whether the new products intended for the new workshop would actually be effective. The Knight Order has received a report that a message was sent to the *Champery* from the previous merchant fleet of the nation of Ignis, which is currently anchored in the Marinaze Empire on its way home. I have brought the details of that report with me.」

As they looked over the documents Ethan distributed, they saw a record of an experiment conducted with volunteers to verify the effectiveness, with the rule that it would be halted immediately for treatment if anyone’s condition deteriorated.

The subjects were divided into four groups: one group eating the same diet as before, one eating the same diet plus sauerkraut, one eating the fruits and vegetables mentioned this time, and one eating both the fruits/vegetables and the sauerkraut.

In the group eating the same diet as before, multiple people developed rashes identified as Sailing Sickness, so the experiment was immediately stopped and dietary therapy was administered. It was noted that everyone had already recovered.

Furthermore, in the other three groups, no one developed symptoms of Sailing Sickness.

Therefore, it was concluded that sauerkraut is indeed useful.

Additionally, it was suggested that the possibility of prevention would likely increase if used in conjunction with fruits and vegetables.

(Ernest... you're amazing for proving it, but that was dangerous...)

Magnolia let out an involuntary sigh.

While it was incredibly helpful that he had conducted a verification experiment that Magnolia herself had been too afraid to suggest, she was terrified by the thought of something happening to someone.

(Well, I suppose that’s how much he wants to solve the mystery of Sailing Sickness—or rather, how much he truly wants to eliminate it... It must be a truly desperate desire.)

Naturally, when someone’s life was on the line, even Magnolia’s "iron heart" felt like it might shrivel up.

(The weight of a life is a bit too much for a mere former thirty-something woman. I have to save as many people as I can, no matter what...)

While staring intently at the documents, Magnolia remembered the foreign boy she had met the other day—the boy with sun-kissed skin and golden hair.

「Furthermore, we have received a formal request from the Champery Merchant Company, petitioning for permission to purchase large quantities of sauerkraut when they make port in Crews, as well as the right to export it to other nations.」

In coordination with Hugo’s words, Ethan held the document high and moved it slowly from side to side to show everyone.

Servas, who had been quietly (?) watching the progress of the meeting, nodded.

「Very well. We shall proceed with formal discussions between the Margrave’s house and the Champery Company at a later time.」

Upon receiving the answer, Hugo and Ethan bowed deeply.

It was then.

「...Making promises like that with foreign countries, are you just planning to use us slum folk as cheap labor to rake in the gold?」

Dan, the slum representative who hadn’t uttered a single word until then, threw the words out while glaring sharply at the members of the Margrave’s house.

The voice Dan produced for the first time was thick with suspicion, distrust, and caution—a mixture of many negative emotions. His tone and demeanor evoked images of past hardships, bitter memories, and harsh experiences.

「The wages are intended to be standard rates. As explained earlier, there may be slight differences based on age, physical strength, and the nature of the work...」

「Is that right? You can say whatever sounds good, can't you?」

Interrupting Claude’s calm explanation, he scoffed and glared at them.

「What’s the catch? Offering us jobs... are you looking for sympathy?!」

「Dan!!」

The Merchant Guild Master called his name in a booming voice, trying to silence him.

A stir went through the meeting room.

「...Ha! Social contribution? We aren't in a position to be receiving charity from the likes of you!! Besides, you say you’ll use the slum folk, but then you say you won’t force us to work? As if anyone can disobey an order from a noble!」

He had a point. Indeed, the disparity in social standing was often an immovable reality.

It was usually the ones on the receiving end, not the ones giving orders, who got the raw end of the deal.

And living in the slums, they must have faced groundless discrimination, mockery, and deception. He likely carried a heavy burden of bitter and pent-up feelings that words couldn't express.

Dan, who looked to be approaching his forties, had an exhausted appearance that seemed to testify to that reality.

In times like these, one has to go down to the same level as the person and clash with them head-on to reach an understanding.

...Even if you clash head-on, sometimes it still doesn't work. But if you try to wrap things up too neatly, you'll only get rejection in return.

Magnolia’s willow-thin eyebrows arched sharply.

Sensing the ominous atmosphere, Claude told her to wait, but there was no way she was going to wait.

She took a deep breath and tensed her lower abdomen.

「Haaaaaaaaah?! Hey, what are you getting all shynical for? Being like that ithn't cool or thmart at all!」

Everyone in the meeting room widened their eyes and stared at the tiny daughter of a Marquis.

*****

Note: I call it Magnolia: Banchou Mode

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