Composting meant fermenting plant debris, kitchen scraps, and manure together.
Dry grass, fallen leaves, fruit peels, slop, manure, and crushed bones were thrown into pits in layers, with thin layers of soil sprinkled between each layer.
This fermentation required regular stirring to maintain aeration and even decomposition—four to five months to become organic fertilizer.
Thane's Master of Humus could make this fertilizer ready in two weeks, requiring townspeople to stir it daily.
The first week, the smell from the compost pits was absolutely brutal. Every time Thane went to observe, he'd cover his nose and mouth tightly, dig out a spoonful for a glance, then immediately bail.
Staying even one more second, Thane feared he'd absorb the smell permanently.
Otto supervised while five farmers handled the stirring work.
"Otto, can you get me a different job?"
The farmer by the manure pit, already thoroughly soaked with the smell, had his nose stuffed with linen and spoke nasally: "Last night when I went home, my wife wouldn't let me in the house."
Otto sighed and pointed to a short, fat teenager nearby: "My youngest son is at the manure pit next to you. I can only let you switch with him."
Everyone now knew that composting meant stirring manure pits with sticks daily. Nobody wanted to do it anymore.
Just two meals a day—who could work their ass off for that?
"What about switching to another group?"
Due to insufficient manure, some compost pits had more mud and wood ash mixed in, plus weeds, moss, leaves, and small amounts of bird droppings. While turning the piles regularly, they also added small amounts of water to maintain moisture.
This organic fertilizer fermented faster—with Thane's Master of Humus bonus, about a week was enough. It was also perfect for growing grain crops.
Due to the mud, these compost pits didn't smell great either, but compared to the manure pits, they were heaven.
Otto sighed again. The resigned farmer beside him said calmly: "Loff, you'd better give up these pipe dreams. Nobody will switch with us."
"But there's good news too."
Otto suddenly lowered his voice: "The lord told me to tell you five that when you're done, you'll each get an extra 4.4 pounds of meat plus a set of clothes."
The farmers' eyes lit up. Loff leaned on his stick toward Otto: "Not work points?"
"Real meat—we'll hand it out as soon as the work's done!"
"That's awesome... Hey!"
Excited Loff's hand slipped, he couldn't steady his stick, and fell straight into the manure pit!
"Save me!"
...
...
"So did you save him or not?"
In the blacksmith shop, Thane was forging iron while listening to Otto's report, trying not to crack up as he asked.
With all the necessary tasks assigned, Thane was free to forge the single-handed sword he'd promised Pamin.
Thane was also curious about the effect of material with 100% increased finished product strength combined with Precision Forged Edge enchantment.
"Of course we saved him."
Otto smiled bitterly: "But Loff was covered in black and yellow nastiness—nobody dared get close. We could only hand him the manure-stirring stick and let him grab it to climb out.
Actually he could have climbed out himself, but there was... stuff... all around. He had no choice."
"But now he should be thoroughly marinated."
"Hahaha!"
After Thane finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter, and Thane couldn't help joining in.
After the big laugh, Thane commented seriously: "That's actually perfect—all future composting should be left to him."
With that comment, everyone couldn't help laughing again.
Until Pamin approached and reported to Thane: "Baron, two merchant caravans have arrived from the south."
Everyone immediately stopped laughing. Eliric gripped his battle axe: "I'll go round up the boys."
"Hey!"
Thane stopped Eliric and asked: "What are you planning to do?"
"Aren't we robbing them this time?"
"...I'm a lord, not a bandit."
Thane rolled his eyes.
Each stage had its own goals and corresponding methods.
Like when starving and cold, you had to find food first, but once basic needs were met, you considered long-term development.
Besides, he'd never actually robbed anyone!
Even his earlier last resort had been legal!
Now that supplies weren't critically short, normal trade was the way to go.
"Let the caravan enter town and notify Kralfard to receive them."
"Yes, Baron."
Pamin went to make arrangements.
Thane couldn't continue smithing here, so he cleaned up and returned to the manor.
Soon after, Kralfard brought a young man in his twenties to Thane.
The youth smiled and bowed ninety degrees:
"Good day, noble Baron. May the light of the Dawn Lord shine upon you."
Thane raised an eyebrow—a believer.
Backward eras were always full of worship for deities, and this world was no exception.
Especially when hungry and cold, people liked to find faith to help them keep going.
The Dawn Lord was this world's largest church.
Even the religiously chaotic Loanium Empire had several churches, including in Earl Ividaya's territory.
But Thane didn't believe.
Mainly because it was useless.
As a transmigrator, his very existence was heretical.
Unless there were benefits.
"I am Maxim Silverdove, from Oak City, coming here with respect, hoping to trade with you and your people."
"Welcome, young and handsome Silverdove of Oak City. You've seen that Shadowpine Ridge now has a lord, so when your caravan entered here, you had to pay taxes."
Maxim's voice was gentle and his attitude humble, which gave Thane a good impression.
But taxes couldn't be reduced.
"Of course."
Maxim very proactively pulled out an exquisite small leather pouch from his chest and offered it with both hands:
"This is three gold coins—my caravan's entry tax. Thank you for allowing me to trade here."
The pouch was embroidered with a proud, head-raised dove, decorated with wheat sheaves and leaves.
Looked like the Silverdove family wasn't small potatoes.
Thane accepted the pouch and opened it to see three shiny, beautiful gold coins.
Gold coins rarely circulated among commoners. Nobles had abundant resources, so their coins were naturally well-maintained.
Thane kept the pouch and returned the three gold coins to Maxim: "The pouch is beautiful—I'll keep it as a memento. For the tax, I don't want gold coins—I prefer your goods.
Do you have farm tools in your caravan?"
"Yes, noble Baron." Maxim nodded.
"Good, leave them all."
Although all the Beuigclair caravan's farm tools had been distributed, there still weren't enough.
Many farmers were still using wooden hoes when turning soil, only scraping a shallow layer.
"Certainly, but all the farm tools together aren't worth three gold coins."
"I also need other iron implements."
Maxim seemed hesitant: "This..."
"I'll pay you with goods or gold coins for anything over the tax amount."
Thane could see from Maxim's troubled expression that this exceeded the tax amount. He was afraid Thane would make him pay more.
Ordinary iron farm tools usually cost sixty to seventy copper coins, but an ordinary iron sword cost at least ten silver coins, with better craftsmanship costing even more.
Thirty iron swords would cost more than three gold coins.
"Frankly, my people just went through tax collection and probably don't have much to trade with you.
I estimate only I can trade with you in Fontdmer Town."
"No problem, Baron."
Maxim agreed readily, then asked curiously: "Are the Blackstone Mountains part of your Shadowpine Ridge? If so, please allow me to trade there."
Blackstone Mountains?
Those two words made Thane's heart skip a beat. He straightened up involuntarily, crossing his hands in front of him:
"Have you been there before?"