Chapter – 61
Budding Life and a Revolution at the Table –
The Livestock Rearing Team Is Formed!
Guided by the sacred beasts, forest chickens, rock goats, and forest pigs arrived at the village. They brought with them new breaths of life and vast possibilities for the people’s diet to Akio and the others’ settlement, “Akio’s Town.” With the operation of the bathhouse running smoothly and the initial plans for the purification system progressing well, Akio declared the formation of a new specialized team to establish a full-fledged system for raising and managing these livestock.
“Everyone, listen up! These animals have become our precious companions, but to raise them in good health and make the most of the blessings they offer, we need dedicated care backed by expertise and love. Therefore, starting today, I propose we establish a ‘Livestock Rearing and Management Team’!”
As Akio spoke powerfully before the villagers gathered in the plaza of the Central Hall, a murmur of excitement filled the air.
Ayane, who had been the first to volunteer to care for the animals, was appointed team leader by the recommendation of Akio and Sylvia and with the unanimous approval of the villagers.
“Ayane, with your kindness, sense of responsibility, and above all your love for animals, I’m sure you’ll make a wonderful leader. I’m counting on you.”
At Akio’s words, Ayane blushed slightly, but her eyes shone with awareness and determination befitting the First Lady, and she nodded firmly.
“Yes, Lord Akio! I will do my utmost to live up to everyone’s expectations!”
Under Ayane’s leadership, the livestock team was joined by Kina, a beastkin with a natural affinity for animals (especially eager to work with the forest pigs), several refugees who were accustomed to caring for animals since childhood, and the animal-loving Miko and Yume as assistants. Alto and Kenta also supported the team by repairing sheds and crafting tools for making new feed. Sylvia promised to back the team with her knowledge of medicinal herbs to help manage the animals’ health and prevent disease.
The team’s first task was to further improve the rearing environments to suit each type of livestock and to secure a stable supply of feed. For the forest chickens, they built a spacious coop and a sand-bathing area in a sunny location. For the rock goats, they constructed sturdy shelters to provide shade and protection from rain and wind, along with small play areas that recreated the rocky grasses the goats favored. Since the forest pigs were particularly strong, Dolgan lent his expertise, and a rearing area enclosed by iron-reinforced, robust fencing was built.
Then, a few weeks later, thanks to the devoted care of Ayane and her team, the village received its first “blessing.”
“Lord Akio! Lady Sylvia! Please, look!”
Ayane rushed into the Central Hall, brimming with excitement and holding a basket full of freshly laid, still-warm forest chicken eggs. The eggs were slightly smaller than chicken eggs from Earth, but their shells were beautifully colored and seemed to overflow with vitality.
“This is wonderful! Ayane, you’ve done well!” Akio exclaimed, his eyes shining.
That evening’s dinner immediately featured dishes made with the eggs: simple boiled eggs, fluffy omelets, and vegetable-rich egg soup. The villagers raised voices of delight at the rich flavor of the fresh eggs they were tasting for the first time.
“So delicious… To think we’ll be able to eat something this nourishing every day!”
“With these eggs, the children will surely grow even healthier.”
Ayane, in particular, felt deep joy and fulfillment at seeing their efforts translate into the tangible result of better food and the smiles of the villagers. Her cheeks were faintly rosy with a sense of accomplishment—and above all, with happiness at being praised by Akio.
Next, the milking of the rock goats began, and fresh goat’s milk became a precious source of nutrition for children, the sick, and the entire village. Using the milk, Sylvia also began researching preserved foods with medicinal benefits, such as cheese and butter, and the dining table showed signs of becoming even more abundant.
With the addition of livestock as new companions in Akio’s Town, the people’s diet was on the verge of a revolutionary change. It was a blessing that did more than simply fill their stomachs—it enriched their hearts and gave them renewed energy for their daily labor. The challenge undertaken by Ayane and her livestock rearing team had only just begun.
