Chapter 137

The reputation and name are surprisingly bringing in decent things.

Perhaps, it might be because of the rumors that our village is a good place to live, overlapping with other positive whispers.

A land where commoners can thrive.

And it’s getting even better.

People from surrounding villages are gradually moving here.

Lately, the pace has accelerated, and the increase in population is anything but ordinary.

We need to quantify the population and manage such tasks, but we’re still lacking in manpower for that.

Fortunately, those who come rarely leave once they arrive. Once they confirm the rumors of this being a great place to live, they settle down and find ways to make a good life here.

There’s also a subtle rumor spreading that this place is good for curing illnesses, so occasionally, people bring their sick loved ones here for recuperation.

Thanks to the Great Abbey, which has become a landmark, all patients are well taken care of there.

Any kind of positive rumor was welcome.

Since our small village relied heavily on human resources, every bit of good news helped.

We’ve started constructing a laundry service, and simultaneously building a school and post office in the village.

Once the villagers learned about the post office, their anticipation was evident.

The growing expectations for a better life.

The satisfaction and pride that they’re contributing to these changes.

These elements together inspire the residents.

Even Anne and Evangelin couldn’t hide their excitement about the post office.

The convenience of selling homemade food and clothes directly from home—though this delivery privilege will only be granted to homes ensuring quality.

I fully trust the quality of what Anne and Evangelin make, so I plan to allow them as the first examples of personal transactions.

“Would you like to try this?”

So naturally…

When I come home, Evangelin always brings out an abundance of snacks.

With her dishes up for evaluation again, she’s putting extra effort into making delicious meals.

As part of that effort, I’m the one tasting her daily experiments.

“What is this?”

“It’s a sweet dessert made from bananas.”

“Hmm…”

The caramel aroma blends perfectly with sweetness.

It melts smoothly in your mouth, coating it with a rich sweetness that lingers softly before fading away.

The dessert leaves a lasting impression with its banana fragrance.

“Pass!”

“Yes!”

Though my playful approval comment makes her clap happily in relief.

After finishing the dishes, Evangelin quietly approaches me on the couch, exuding a peach-like fresh scent that feels particularly enchanting today.

“You’re beautiful.”

“Huh?”

My calm compliment surprises her, leading to her shy smile—a key part of her charm.

She sits beside me and leans against my shoulder gently.

“Once the post office opens, can we sell freshly picked fruits too?”

“Yeah, but we’ll have to exclude fruits under exclusive contract with the royal palace.”

“How amazing…”

“It’ll make everything much more convenient. I’ve also been thinking about introducing bicycles to improve local deliveries.”

“Bicycles?”

“Yeah. Want to see?”

I wrap her warmly in a coat and head outside to show her a prototype. There stands a sturdy, albeit slightly crude, bicycle next to our house, ready to greet us.

A standard bicycle design familiar from modern times, with two notable differences: an extra seat at the back for passengers and a small basket in front for carrying goods.

Speed is essential in delivery, especially for keeping food warm during transport. Though roads aren’t perfect yet, bicycles are still faster than walking.

Bicycles will be provided free of charge to delivery personnel initially, with plans to sell them separately later if desired.

I’m also considering setting up a bicycle factory to mass-produce them through specialized processes. While there’s a possibility of expanding into cars or other factories, that’s just my ambition for now. First, we need to focus on road maintenance and distributing bicycles within the village.

In the village, bicycles could serve as alternatives to horses or carriages for short distances or leisurely rides around town.

Despite its seemingly simple structure, a bicycle involves quite complex mechanics, especially the chain, wheels, and brakes. It requires advanced casting skills and high-strength steel, so I’m planning to build a smelting furnace nearby if possible.

For basic models, we’ll use wooden planks, while premium versions will feature stronger materials. Even though wooden bikes are durable, premium ones will naturally last longer.

“Wow!”

While I can shield her from direct wind, I can’t block the overall chill. Riding through winter’s cold breeze, Evangelin enjoys the speed, lightly shielding her face from the wind. Thanks to the power of her necklace, she doesn’t shiver from the cold.

“Is it fun?”

“Yes!”

Her sparkling eyes suggest she’s already eager to take delivery orders herself. After giving her a chance to ride in the backseat, I offer her the front.

“Do you want to try riding it yourself?”

“I’ll give it a shot.”

With determination, she mimics my posture and looks at me confidently before pausing briefly in silence.

“What do I do next?”

“Balance yourself and move forward. See the handles? Pull them to slow down.”

“I’ll try.”

I forgot how few toys existed in medieval times. Simply riding a bike brought Evangelin immense joy.

After a few failed attempts, she successfully balanced the bike and moved forward wobbling slightly. Her triumphant clapping and bright smile contrast beautifully with the dry winter air.

“Hehe.”

She manages to pedal forward despite some swaying, quickly learning to turn and completing a U-turn to return to me triumphantly. She places her hands on her hips, reminding me of Anne. Living together must make people resemble each other; even their laughter and actions sync. Unable to resist her cuteness, I gently embrace her.

“You did great. You have talent!”

“Really?”

“Of course. Maybe we should build a family bike park where everyone can ride together?”

“Yes!”

Building a bike park or dedicated paths wouldn’t be hard. I’d just assign someone to do it.

On our way back, I rode Evangelin’s slightly creaky bike, trusting her impeccable balance despite occasional wobbles. Eventually, she reached a comfortable speed, returning home with a hint of reluctance. When I told her she could use the bike anytime, she excitedly pecked me on the cheek, spreading her pure happiness to me.

“What’s this?”

The bike naturally caught Yul’s attention. The child squats down, poking the wheel curiously, looking at me with wide-eyed wonder.

“This is a bicycle.”

Evangelin steps in to explain, having experienced it firsthand.

“Bicycle?”

Yul’s pronunciation has improved significantly. Being able to pronounce “bicycle” correctly must be a sign of growth.

“Yeah. Do you want to try it, Yul?”

“Un!”

Though still learning “yes,” it’s undeniably cuter this way. Evangelin seeks my permission through a silent glance, which I nod to approve.

I don’t worry about injuries since I’ll follow closely and can always cast cushioning or healing magic if needed.

“Sit here.”

I lift Yul onto the rear seat while Evangelin steadies the bike, taking a deep breath.

“Hold onto Mommy’s waist tightly, okay?”

Yul nods, wrapping his tiny hands around her waist—not really holding but merely clinging close. His adorableness makes me wish to capture the moment in a photo.

The first pedal turns, the wheels roll together, and the bike moves forward. Yul’s round eyes widen in amazement.

Everything flows naturally. Yul’s mouth opens wide, making delightful sounds as the wind brushes past. I stroll alongside the bike, ready for any mishaps, though Evangelin handles it skillfully. A sudden burst of spontaneity sees Yul release her waist to raise his hands skyward, but no accidents occur as she remains focused on pedaling straight ahead, seemingly unaware of the missing touch.

After about ten minutes of circling around the house, the short ride concludes. Sweat glistens playfully on her forehead from the exertion.

“It was fun!”

Yul chatters excitedly, recounting the grand experience in great detail.

“Yuri wants to try too!”

Naturally assuming his place, Yuri tries to sit on the saddle but finds the pedals out of reach, deflating momentarily before slumping dramatically with a pout.

“What should we do?”

“Aww…”

A child-sized bicycle designed purely for fun hasn’t been made yet, though I do have blueprints for a four-wheeled version, which can’t be built instantly.

“Yul.”

“Un.”

Understanding the word “tomorrow,” Yul’s expression immediately shifts as he vigorously nods.

“Bicycle!”

“Yes, I’ll make you a bicycle tomorrow.”

“Great!”

He then cuddles into my arms, bombarding me with endless kisses—an affectionate gesture reserved for when he’s happy.

“Let me take Jack for a ride too!”

Finding the bike amusing, she offers to take Jack from the greenhouse for a spin, making me chuckle.

“Then take Yuri too!”

Equally thrilled by the bike, Yul sticks to the backseat as the red-eyed child and the red-haired woman ride off toward the greenhouse together. It was a lovely sight—save for the occasional heart-pounding moments due to unexpected wobbles—but otherwise, everything went smoothly.