HTLCCBFT Chapter 96

Has The Lord’s Career Chart Been Filled Today? – Chapter 96

Bathed in the awestruck and astonished gazes of the Laina people, Oliver calmly carried—or rather, half-hoisted—a golden cat as eye-catching as himself, beginning his inspection along the ridges.

He was certainly not out for a leisurely stroll but to scout a suitable location for building a pigsty.

Under ideal conditions, each breeding sow would require at least 30 square meters of activity space, which would also serve as the farrowing area later on.

Fortunately, the large cat he had casually named “Cat God No. 2” was remarkably well-behaved, its head resting obediently on his shoulder, its soft paw pads gently supporting his arm and other shoulder, slightly distributing its weight.

As Oliver walked, he pondered.

The site for the pig farm required even more consideration than the chicken coop.

It needed flat, dry ground with relatively high elevation to prevent water accumulation and dampness that could breed bacteria.

It should be sheltered from the wind and face the sun to ensure good ventilation in summer, preventing excessive heat, and to facilitate setting up protective canopies for winter cold protection.

Since each non-pregnant sow needed to drink 12 liters of water daily, plus the water used for cleaning, the pig farm also had to be close to a water source.

To make full use of the large amounts of manure and wastewater produced daily, aside from the water source, the pig farm naturally couldn’t be too far from the farmland.

Beyond these requirements, the soil needed to be loose and breathable, preferably on a gentle slope… this way, it wouldn’t accumulate water internally during heavy rain, nor would it be washed away or collapse due to the rising Laina River, while also allowing fertilizer-rich water to flow naturally into the fields.

Timely, localized disposal of the manure water could also prevent potential environmental pollution issues.

Oliver couldn’t help but glance toward the southeastern part of the Laina territory, centered around the castle.

The answer was already clear.

It needed to be located between the Laina River and the farmland, with a certain slope—after looking around, only that area seemed most suitable.

But just as he, holding the quietly resting large cat in his arms, prepared to head over for a closer look and confirm the terrain, a series of urgent “cheep cheep cheep” sounds suddenly came from behind him.

Along with them were several equally hurried footsteps.

Huh?

Slightly surprised, Oliver turned around.

He saw two lean, long-legged young chickens—having completely shed their adorable, fluffy, and round juvenile appearances—running frantically toward… his direction.

Taking a closer look, he could also see thin strings tied around their legs.

Though after their frantic escape, the strings had become dirty from the muddy ground.

Watching Lucy and the others chasing desperately after them, Oliver couldn’t help but chuckle.

It seemed the chicks had escaped again.

As if noticing the smile on his face, the golden cat, which had been obediently held and hadn’t moved at all, suddenly lifted its head.

It quickly turned its head, quietly watching the two fleeing chicks.

…… Before…… Oliver……

…… had been…… petting and holding them…… all the time……

Without Oliver realizing it, the two chicks, which had been heading straight for him, their “mother,” were now being watched by those golden eyes.

The moment those emotionless golden eyes swept over them, they strangely froze in place.

Though it was only a very brief pause, Lucy, who was closely pursuing them, caught up.

She was clearly the shortest among the four who had come to “capture the fugitives,” yet her legs moved astonishingly fast, putting her at the front of the group.

When she saw the chicks standing dumbly before Lord Oliver, she acted with decisive resolve.

Unlike the commoner apprentices behind her, who were still fastidiously mindful of the mud on the ground, she seized the moment and lunged forward directly!

—Muddy water splattered everywhere.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness.” Lucy skillfully held one chick in each hand, bowing apologetically to Oliver, who had witnessed the entire scene. “They flew out.”

She offered no explanation that it was the negligence of the four apprentices learning chicken-rearing methods from her—who had carelessly forgotten the Lord’s instructions in the booklet to trim the chicks’ flight feathers in time.

In her heart, she believed that as the one teaching them the techniques, any failure to instruct them properly was her own fault.

Oliver could clearly see this.

Looking at this little girl who, in such a short time, seemed completely transformed—confident and authoritative in front of others, yet still nervous and uneasy only in his presence—he smiled gently and praised, “No need to apologize. You’ve done very well, Lucy.”

“…… Your Highness”

Lucy’s face only grew hotter.

She had received so many rewards, yet she hadn’t managed her duties properly. And now, the Lord was praising her so kindly—she felt utterly unworthy of it.

Before she could speak, the commoner apprentices following behind her, each with varied expressions, finally snapped back to reality.

One stepped forward to take the chickens Lucy was tightly holding, while another, with a flicker in their eyes, bowed politely directly to Oliver, apologizing for their oversight in their work.

To their surprise, though this Lord—who shone with such beauty—was smiling, his deep blue eyes, tinted by the sunset, held little warmth.

They only heard him give a slight nod, not looking at them, and say calmly, “You only need to say these words to Lucy. If such a situation occurs again, proving you are unfit for this work, speak up promptly. I doubt the great Cat God would be willing to bestow wisdom upon fools who cannot learn to be careful.”

—Was the Lord… somewhat angered?

Realizing this belatedly, they couldn’t help but widen their eyes in guilt and fear.

Deep down, as freemen, they did indeed look down upon Lucy, who had only recently gained the Lord’s favor and been elevated from slavery to freeman status.

Moreover, Lucy, despite her young age, was stern when teaching them, never hesitating to harshly reprimand those who made careless mistakes.

This, without a doubt, had greatly wounded their pride.

If not for the fact that this coveted position required passing Lucy’s “assessment” in the end, they might have been tempted to secretly teach this arrogant little girl a lesson behind the scenes.

Before they could offer any further excuses, Oliver nodded to Lucy—whose clothes were dirty but whose eyes shone brightly—and said with a smile, “Lucy, come with me.”

“Understood! Your Highness!”

Lucy knew perfectly well that the gentle Lord was being so strict with them in order to establish her authority.

Lucy casually wiped the dirty marks from her face, revealing a shy yet happy smile.

Oliver indeed had nothing for Lucy to do.

But after what had just happened, he didn’t want the still-dirty Lucy to return under the strange gazes of some people, so he simply brought her along.

Of course, he didn’t plan to stay too long at the temporary pig farm site either.

It was almost dark, and it might rain soon.

The construction of the sheds would have to be postponed, probably for another half month until the rainy season completely passed.

For Lucy, simply being able to follow behind the Lord, listening to his gentle and pleasant voice occasionally asking her about things, was already the happiest thing.

It made her even happier than receiving that beautiful little cabin.

After walking quite some distance, her gaze finally fell upon the silent large cat.

Oliver keenly noticed her gaze gradually becoming infatuated and couldn’t help but ask with a smile: “Lucy, do you like cats too?”

Lucy subconsciously nodded.

After coming to her senses, she blushed and shook her head in embarrassment, explaining: “I… I’ve never seen one before.”

Not to mention such a majestic, noble, and aloof large cat with flawless golden fur like the one before her.

Even ordinary mixed-color kittens – she had never seen them, having been born during the famine.

She couldn’t even explain it herself… even though she had not only seen but personally cared for those plump, golden-yellow chicks covered in fine down.

Why would she still be attracted to this less fluffy, more dangerously wild life?

The fluffy faith, of course, conquers all!

Oliver’s smile deepened as he suddenly spoke: “Would you like to ask it if it’s willing to let you pet it?”

The originally lazy, content golden cat suddenly froze.

Its breath caught as it slowly widened its deep, dark golden eyes, filled with utter disbelief.

…… Oliver……

Let her…… pet me?

It absently tightened its left paw resting on Oliver’s right shoulder, the soft, warm paw pad instinctively applying slight pressure to the slender shoulder.

Oliver vaguely sensed its momentary stiffness and couldn’t help but glance down at it, asking quietly with some confusion: “Cat God?”

In his mind, this overly familiar large cat was incredibly friendly.

If it was willing to actively approach an adult male like him, how much more so for a girl like Lucy who had even more affinity.

It remained completely still.

Lucy gasped in excitement.

She had already been deeply captivated by the powerful charm emanating from this noble and beautiful creature.

She asked cautiously: “Your Highness, is it really alright?”

Oliver glanced at the unresponsive large cat and said less certainly this time: “If it’s willing.”

It seems rather unwilling….

Lucy’s heart raced unbearably.

But after reaching out her hand, she hesitated slightly.

Her hands had just been digging in the mud and were far too dirty—they would surely soil this impossibly beautiful large cat…

Better not.

Lucy gazed longingly at the glossy-furred feline, whose aloof, turned-back posture was so captivating it made her heart race. She quietly took a few steps closer before steeling herself and declaring, “Thank you, Your Highness, but this time I should—”

Before she could finish her insincere refusal, the golden-furred cat—which had been resting elegantly and almost motionless in the blond lord’s arms—suddenly launched an “attack” without warning, as if sensing a threat from her sudden approach.

The fluffy, long tail mercilessly swatted toward her!

“Thwack”

Not only was Lucy, who had been “struck,” stunned, but even Oliver was momentarily bewildered.

This familiar method of protest…

He couldn’t help but pick up the languid cat draped over him and examine it carefully. But even after his arms grew sore and he had to reposition the liquid-like cat back onto himself, he could detect no clues from that handsome feline face full of innocence and bewilderment.

Oliver was puzzled.

Do all cats named “Cat God” prefer using their tails to strike people?