Though there's no owner in The Great Valley, someone needs to manage it.

Ndlov is the chief technical officer of The Great Valley.

He is in charge of every technical issues of the valley. He give orders to many people.

But he never abuses his power. Instead, He prefers the small and simple life.

Ndlov is a diligent guy, who is rare to find these days.

But these days, crops are dying without reason.

It is uncommon that all crops are dying, since The Great Valley is big as a continent.

If The Valley can't produce food, people will starve again.

"We couldn't figure out any reason and any solution for a month."

"Sorry, but this is really weird thing."

"You don't need to say sorry, but all people will ask who is responsible for this. They need a victim to sacrifice."

"What do you mean, Ndlov?"

"I'll resign and say I'm responsible for this."

Ndlov wakes up in a seashore.

He looks around, and it seems like an island where no one is living.

"Hey, you. You finally awake." A boy's voice comes from behind.

"Who are you? Where am I?"

"I'm Nivle. The angel that brought you here."

"You were hit by a truck. This is an island between life and death."

"I... remember. When I was getting back to my home after resigning, I was hit by a truck."

"You are not exactly dead. Your body is in the hospital, being unconscious."

"You have one week. For one week, you have to decide if you want to go heaven or stay in the world."

"Until then, this island is yours. Eat, drink, sleep and do whatever you want."

"So, what will you do?" Nivle asks.

Ndlov finds wild berry trees and eat berries.

Ndlov finds a waterfall and drinks water.

Ndlov cuts the woods and builds a hut.

"You are pretty good at it." Nivle says.

"I lived in the forest when I was young." Ndlov says.

Ndlov finds wild potatoes and plants them.

Ndlov makes a fishing rod and goes fishing.

Ndlov makes a fireplace and cooks potatoes and fish.

"I can't believe that you were a salaryman." Nivle says.

"I was, but I always wanted this small and simple life." Ndlov says.

Ndlov and Nivle sit in front of the fireplace.

"You keep saying you wanted the life like this, but why didn't you do it already?"

"I thought I should help others. If I want the life like this, then others would, too."

"Okay, but eventually you couldn't live as you want."

"Nobody is ready for their sudden death. Me neither, but I don't regret." Ndlov says.

"If there's one thing I regret, it's that I couldn't figure out why crops in the valley died."

"The thing that killed the crops was poison."

"Poison?"

"There's a huge cave under the valley. Your ancestors buried every wastes under there."

"But that's not your concern anymore. You are dead, and somebody will figure out eventually."

"Unless you give up going to heaven and stay in the planet."

Seven days have passed.

Ndlov looks at the house he built.

Ndlov smells the scent of ashes.

Ndlov touches the potatoes he grew.

"Decided your mind?" Nivle asks.

"I thought if I can't be responsible,

I should leave.

But after I die,

so that I really can't be responsible...

I regret giving up so early.

I want to try again.

Let me go back to the valley."

"Well, if that's your choice..."

Nivle touches Ndlov's forehead.

"See ya, Ndlov."

Ndlov falls to the void.

Ndlov opens his eyes in the hospital.

"Doctor! The patient is conscious."

"Can you hear me, Ndlov? You've been slept for seven days."

"I'm fine. But hey, please investigate if there's a cave under The Great Valley."

"What do you mean?"

"Trust me. We don't have much time!"

"You were right, brother. There's a giant cave under the valley."

"How did you find it anyway?"

Ndlov holds his both hands.

"Heaven helped me who didn't help myself."

Someone knocks the door.

"So you should be thankful." Nivle says and grins.

"So, they found the cave under the valley?"

"Yes, sir. What a shame. It was our chance to buy the valley in a cheap price."

"Guess our plan is a little bit delayed..."

Ndlov the Young Farmer © 2023 by Yuaeyin is licensed under CC BY 4.0