Chapter 91 - Preparation

“Oh, gosh, no. My aunt lives here. I come here often to get her some food from time to time. And milady, please speak casually to us. We feel more comfortable that way.”

The woman had a giant paper bag filled with food that the estate distributed a while ago in her hands. There was a distinct family seal stamped on the cheese. It was said that the cheese was quite rare, so only one was given to each person. It seemed there was more to the story than she was telling. Maybe someone was sick at her aunt’s house or something.

‘Since I met her here, should I help her out?’ wondered Ella.

“It’s great that you’re good with your family. If there’s anyone who can work from your aunt’s family, bring them. I’ll have a job arranged for them,” said Ella to the woman.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. I actually want a girl, if it’s possible.”

“A girl? Of course! I will bring her tomorrow. Thank you. Thank you so much!” said the woman excitedly.

What Ella offered wasn’t just a job. It was a chance to leave this place and acquire proper housing in just a month. People began to mumble among themselves. Just one word changed one’s life. It was obvious that people began to think that maybe they could get such chances. Even though they adapted to their current lives, it was natural for them to yearn for better ones.

Ella scanned the people watching her with such longing. She then found a few among them. It seemed it wasn’t a bad idea to find those who could be her hands and feet right now, so she asked, “You and you. And, hmm… Lastly, you. I have a favor to ask. Can you do it for me?”

“Of course, milady!”

Two young men, one middle-aged lady, and a teenage boy nodded passionately and came over to Ella. They couldn’t believe the chance they were given.

“All of you must have jobs already. Is it really okay?”

Ella’s words told them that they could refuse if it concerned them, but the man, who seemed larger than the others, waved his hands as if he had heard something very troubling, walked over to her, and replied, “No, no. It’s perfectly fine. I work at a merchant company, loading and unloading stuff. It’s something that can be filled right away if I quit.”

Then another man, who was a bit scrawny, quickly explained himself, “I’m in a similar situation. I work at a diner, doing petty things. There are so many out there who can take my place. I’m so glad that I can be of your service, milady.”

The lady, who used her sewing skills for a living, and the boy who used to run errands around the town, passionately explained that they had no problem either. It seemed they would be furious if Ella didn’t give them a job.

“Alright, then. Come to the estate in two days. I’ll give you all a job.”

The four of them brightened up. Ella then got up on the horse, leaving behind the other people, who looked at her as if they were wishing for another chance. Staying any longer was only going to give them false hope, so she coldly escaped the area. After acquiring the information she was looking for, meeting people she didn’t expect, and escaping from other people’s line of sight, Ella smiled with satisfaction.

Then, Ella stopped by three more wells. After checking the water level of the first well, she only scanned the people near the other three wells. Everywhere was the same as the first slum she visited. No one seemed worried about the rain. All four slums were so spotless that there were no concerns about hygiene, and people started the day full of energy. Their happiness even made her happy, and she also felt responsible.

‘I should keep their bright expressions from turning gloomy out of concern over the drought and the plague.’

She had the responsibility to not look away as someone who knew the future. She felt her shoulders become heavy as she became delighted.