After three minutes of waiting, sitting cross-legged in front of Miss Tanya’s house, I was able to get my hands on the long-awaited book. The moment I saw it, I got nervous, the book was more damaged than I expected. The binding was in shambles. There was no sign that it had been handled roughly, so it must have deteriorated with age.
It was a mistake to take it outside. I felt a pang of bitterness as I turned the pages. I know I should read it carefully indoors, but I can’t help but want to read it. Instead, I’m determined to get every word I read into my head. Now is the time to show my spirit, my guts, and my persistence. The title of the book has some parts that have been lost, but it reads “Practical Beekeeping”. The title is right on the money.
“Great…….”
When I opened the book, I found a very detailed description that can only be described as over-technological, considering the current situation in this village. The types of bees that are suitable for beekeeping, their activity temperature, and their activity radius are all indicated in precise quantities. There are pages on how to handle bees, how to harvest honey, how to overwinter bees, and even how to process the harvest.
There is enough information in this book to get me started as an apprentice beekeeper. But there is one thing that is just as important, if not more so, than the information in the book, the age of this book.
There is no doubt that it is a very old manuscript. Based on the characteristics of the font, I would guess that it is a copy of a book from the early days of a late ancient civilization, or the grandchild or great-grandchild of one. To put it bluntly, it’s an incredibly valuable piece of archaeological material that came out of a house in a village like this. I’ll definitely show it to Priest Folke. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled and pleased.
“Hmmm. This is really interesting.”
It is a very meticulous manuscript, but there are a few parts that don’t make sense. The writing is neat and orderly, with a definite regularity. It doesn’t seem to be a typographical error or omission, just something I can’t read. If I’m right and this is a manuscript from the early days of Late Antiquity, then it is connected to the period when the culture of Early Antiquity was most strongly preserved.
“This looks like a clue popped out of a crazy place. Excellent, this is a really great book.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, does it help with……beekeeping?”
“Yes, it sounds like a really great book on that front too. I’ll have to read more about it, but it’s all we need to get into the beekeeping business. The only other thing we’ll need is some practice and experience.”
I carefully close the book. It’s horrible for me to read any more of this valuable material here. At the same time, it’s terribly pleasant.
“Tanya, how did this book come to your father’s possession? If you know anything about it, could you please tell me?”
“Well……said it was a family heirloom.”
That’s right. This one is worthy of the word.
“I heard that my ancestor got that book and started a beekeeping business. He used to be known as a great beekeeper, and his name was…….”
“I’m sure it’s true. Your ancestors must have been able to read this book. The beekeeping techniques described in this book are very advanced.”
“It must have taken some trial and error, but the success rate must have been high. At any rate, the experiments have been done extensively by the author of this book and by the pioneers he referred to.”
“And this book is very old. The book itself is also very valuable. It’s not an exaggeration to say that it’s a treasure.”
“Oh, no. I mean, it was in our house.”
“It is a family heirloom. Your ancestors must have kept this book in their possession and protected it with great care.”
I put my hand gently on the cover of the book wondering how much time had passed since this silent sage had spoken. I wonder how many people he has given his wisdom to. It seemed that it had been a long time since Miss Tanya’s family had been able to read this book. And yet, they have kept this silent sage as a family heirloom, letting him escape from the tyrants of time and passing him down to the present.
I have to protect a book I can’t even read with all my heart. It is a tedious task, it’s meaningless but it’s something I can’t give up on. The book was left here like it was connected to this point. At this moment, when Miss Tanya has lost sight of the beekeeping techniques that have been passed down in her family, it has been connected. I feel a determined will. A brave will to resist the tyranny of time.
“Tanya, it is a family heirloom that your ancestors and your parents have protected for generations. I’m sure the contents would love to be passed on to you.”
“What’s in it……?”
“Your family has inherited the art of beekeeping. Why don’t you take it over now?”
“I’m a beekeeper?”
As if kidnapped by a dream, Miss Tanya mutters with a dumbfounded face.
“But I can’t read a……book……”
“That’s not the point.”
If you can’t hear this silent wise man’s voice, I can tell you. If life has meaning, then I am definitely living for it now. So there is only one thing I need.
“Ms. Tanya, you either want to take over this lost technique or you don’t, that’s all.”
Only the will to fight the tyranny of time is enough. Will you let a piece of knowledge remain buried in the vast flow of time? Or will you jump into the flow, grasp the knowledge, and raise it up for someone else to inherit?
“It’s obvious. It has always been a dream of mine.”
Her words were quick. She had already given it a lot of thought. She had seen her parents and longed for them, and after their deaths, she must have been inspired.
“I want to…….I want to be like my dad, like my mom.”
Welcome, comrade who lives by dreaming. And thank you, comrade, who has ended up dreaming. To the ancestors of Miss Tanya’s clan, I offer a prayer of thanks. Your fight has now been rewarded. One piece of knowledge that should have disappeared has been passed on.
“Come on, we’re going to be busy!”
It’s utterly embarrassing that it’s the crucial fall harvest season! But if we hurry and prepare now, we may be able to make it in time for next spring. It’s better to be quick than slow.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to borrow this book. It’s a family heirloom, and I’m sure it’s important, but I’d like to read it while it’s in storage at the Church.”
“Well, if you’ll take care of it……that would be great.”
“Of course! Anyone who treats this book badly will die a horrible death!”
Specifically, I can use them as test subjects for a poison recipe that I created in large quantities as a result of my attempts to develop a rat poison. I know the lethal dose if I’m dealing with a guinea pig, but I have no experience with any kind of human-to-human use. I’d be happy to have a chance to experiment.
According to the book, it can be used as a substitute for anesthesia or as a cardio tonic if used properly, so I want them to suffer as long as possible for the sake of medical development. As I was burning passionately with the desire for justice, Miss Tanya and Miss Maika looked at me threateningly. Don’t worry, I’m not a scoundrel.
＊＊＊＊
With a somewhat frightened look on her face, Miss Tanya gladly lent me the book. Immediately, I carried it to Priest Folke. Although it was quite damaged, the priests of the temple were experts in keeping books. They will prevent it from deteriorating further and may be able to repair it a little. I really wanted to run, but I was accompanied by Miss Maika, so I tried to walk slowly.
“Miss Maika, can you give a message to Mrs. Eureka?”
When I asked the girl walking alongside me, she loosened her cheeks happily.
“Yes, yes.”
“I think we can start a beekeeping business and I want Tanya to take over it. I guess those are the main points. We need to have a detailed meeting later.”
“Hmm, okay. Can I read that book with you?”
“Of course you can. It has a lot of difficult content, but you will grow a lot when you finish it. It will be fun.”’
Let’s share this wonderful knowledge together. I smiled a big smile, and Miss Maika smiled shyly. It’s good to have friends. It warms the heart. A third person’s voice disturbed the peaceful atmosphere.
“Hey, Ash.”
The gruff voice belonged to a boy who was physically two years older than I was. This was Jekyll, Miss Tanya’s brother. He was one of the members of the group I was in when I was lost in the forest. Behind Mr. Jekyll were the other members of the group at the time, as well as the other boys I usually hung out with. They are all energetic kids who get scolded at home for playing in the mud.
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“Come with me.”
Unusually, it seemed to be an invitation to play with me. Judging by the hard look in his eyes and the unfriendly attitude of his companions behind him, the kind of game we were going to play seemed rough. As was the case when I went into the village to gather wild vegetables in the spring, I was apparently disliked by the village children, or rather by the younger men.
“I’m sorry, but I have to carry some important books to the church, so please invite me again next time.”
I politely decline. I have no time to deal with the ill will of others in this life. In the future, it may be better to set up a meeting to discuss and build a relationship…….I am not good at dealing with people who can’t talk about profit and loss.
“Are you afraid?”
“Yes, I’m afraid.”
I do my best to acknowledge Jekyll’s assertions with a smile, challenging him in a cocky voice. In this village, where there are no doctors, even the slightest injury, such as tetanus, can be fatal. It’s not that I’m afraid of you, Jekyll. He must have sensed my inner thoughts from my reply. Jekyll’s face instantly turned bright red.
“Let’s go, Mr. Maika. I don’t want to expose this book to the elements.”
“Don’t run away, you coward!”
When Jekyll yelled out, the others started yelling. They call me a wimp, a weakling, and so on. I’m not going to be disturbed by that, not even a little. Before they can say anything back, I quickly turn away and start walking. When I looked at Miss Maika to make sure she wasn’t going to be late, she looked even more disappointed than I was. She’s cute, but I’m not sure she’s the daughter of the village chief.
“Ash, are you sure you want to let him say that? If you were serious, you’d be all over those people…….”
No, I’m outnumbered, so I can’t use physical means. Even taking on Jekyll alone would be tough since he is two years older than me at this stage of growth. If I had a weapon, I’m pretty sure I could use it, but that’s no way to fight a child’s fight. As Miss Maika looked at me and whispered, Jekyll’s group’s cursing got worse. Then Miss Maika’s face became even grimmer.
“I’ll go complain!”
“Oh, come on, Maika, don’t worry about it.”
I try to soothe her, but if that calms her down, humans are more noble creatures. Rather, I chuckle at Miss Maika, who seems to be angry with me.
“Yes, Mr. Maika, I have a sudden problem.”
“Huh?”
She squealed in surprise, but that was the point, so I read the question out loud, keeping her surprised.
“True strength is bravery, false strength is barbarism. What is the meaning of this?”
“What? Well, let’s see………I think that’s the one from the Church book……..”
“Yeah, that’s the direction I’m going.”
The word was coined from an anecdote about the Dragon God, who is revered as the god of war among the three pillars dedicated to the temple. According to the Dragon God, there are two kinds of strength: the brave and the savage. The Dragon God explains the difference between the two. The savage only knows how to attack with his claws. True strength lies in courage, and the strength of barbarism is the manifestation of weakness.
To put this into simple modern speech: There are two kinds of strength: bravery and savagery. A brave man does not commit violence, and a savage man does not hurt others unnecessarily. True strength means being brave and savage strength is the opposite of weakness.
The proverb “True strength is bravery, false strength is barbarism” was born from this. Miss Maika has even been studying these literary phrases lately.
“Oh, I get it! That’s……ehehe, I see, that’s what it is, isn’t it?”
To put it bluntly, they’re savages, so let’s just leave them alone. We laughed and nodded, and walked briskly to the church. We hadn’t solved the problem, but I was glad that we didn’t have to do anything naughty with the rare book.
It was still too early to say so. When I turned around, I saw that Jekyll had just picked up a stone pellet. Imagining the implications of this action, a cold will flowed into my thought process. In the world at large, this would be called the will to kill. Immediately, I pushed the book to Miss Maika and stepped forward as if I were her shield.
“You’re not going to throw that, are you?”
“You got a problem with that?”
Of course I have. I don’t know why he dislikes me so much, but I will never forgive him if he damages the book. If it comes to that, I’ll ask Miss Maika to protect the book.
“If you use it, I will consider you to be waging war, and I will attack you thoroughly, using every weapon and tool I can find.”
I’ll use more strong words and let them misunderstand that I’m an unruly person.
“I repeat, I will attack you thoroughly, with spears, traps, poisons, in every way, for years, even decades. If you throw that stone now, I will not forgive you for the rest of my life.”
When I mentioned the method of attack, Mr. Jekyll flinched, perhaps remembering that I was being trained by a hunter. I stared at him for a while, and when I saw that he was not moving, I turned away.
I think that if I continue to stare at him, he will run away, but I feel that it will be troublesome later to corner him to that extent, so I pull back from him. The main reason is that I want to evacuate the book indoors as soon as possible. Miss Maika was frozen, so I pulled her by the hand and headed for the church, when she muttered to me with her face down.
“Oh, thank you, Mr. Ash……for protecting me.
“I did what I had to do.”
That beekeeping book is a very valuable resource, you know.