Hiro made his way through the rustic landscape of Eldham village, his footsteps echoing softly against the dirt path. The air was thick with the scent of freshly turned earth, evidence of the ongoing drain digging project that had become a focal point of activity in the area. As he approached the modest wooden house, comprised of three interconnected structures, he could hear the hurried footsteps of someone traversing the bare ground within.

Upon arrival, Hiro or his identity in this universe, Baronet Pierro Sraffa was greeted by Roto, a man weathered by years of toil, yet bearing a palpable sense of reverence in his demeanor. "Oh, lord Sraffa. Forgive us, we were busy working," Roto uttered, his voice tinged with a mixture of anxiety and deference.

"It's me who should apologize for the unexpected visit, Roto. How has your day been?" Hiro inquired, his gaze sweeping over the worn exterior of the dwelling, a testament to the hardships endured by its inhabitants.

Roto's response came in a rush, as if seeking to assuage any perceived offense. "No, no, my lord. You are the lord of this land. Umm... People have been experiencing frequent mishaps with their pantofles this week."

The mention of pantofles, simple slippers worn by medieval peasants, brought to mind the arduous labor undertaken by the villagers in the construction of the man-made river. Hiro nodded in understanding, his thoughts momentarily drifting to the challenges faced by those engaged in such demanding work.

Roto continued, his voice carrying a note of pride mingled with concern. "As the villagers labor tirelessly to carve out the waterway, their footwear suffers frequent damage. My sons and I have been fortunate to contribute in the mornings, but the afternoons are dedicated to the repair of pantofles."

Hiro's brow furrowed in contemplation, recognizing the invaluable skill possessed by Roto and his family in crafting the essential footwear. Their role in ensuring the comfort and safety of their fellow villagers was not to be underestimated, particularly amidst the rigors of manual labor.

With a solemn nod, Hiro reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the resilient inhabitants of Eldham village, knowing that their perseverance and craftsmanship were indispensable assets in the realization of his vision for the community.

As the conversation between Hiro and Roto unfolded, a young man emerged from the depths of the wooden house, his features bearing a striking resemblance to his father. With a hesitant yet determined stride, he approached the two men, his eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

"Lord Sraffa, this is my eldest son, Toma," Roto introduced with a hint of pride in his voice, gesturing towards the young man standing beside him.

Hiro offered a warm smile in greeting, extending a hand towards Toma in acknowledgment. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Toma. Your father has spoken highly of your dedication to the village and your craftsmanship with pantofles."

Toma returned the handshake with a firm grip, his expression shifting from uncertainty to a subtle sense of pride at the recognition from Hiro. "Thank you, my lord. We do what we can to support our people," he replied earnestly, his voice resonating with a quiet resolve.

Roto nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting between Hiro and his son with a mixture of affection and admiration. "Toma has been instrumental in ensuring that our fellow villagers have access to reliable footwear, especially during these challenging times," he remarked, his tone filled with paternal pride.

Hiro nodded in understanding, his admiration for the resilience and resourcefulness of the father-son duo growing with each passing moment. "Your contributions are invaluable, both to the three villages in my land and to me personally. It's heartening to see such dedication to craftsmanship and community," he expressed sincerely, his words carrying a weight of gratitude.

With Tomas by his side, Roto stood a little taller, a sense of purpose emanating from the bond shared between father and son. 

"By the way, Lord Sraffa. How far has the work gone? I heard that you want to make a river connected to the big river in the forest. Forgive my ignorance if I understand wrongly."

As Hiro listened to Roto's question about the progress of the ambitious project, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mingled with a touch of apprehension. The endeavor to construct a man-made river connecting to the larger waterway in the forest was indeed a bold vision, one that had garnered both curiosity and confusion among the villagers.

Hiro thought about his crazy project. Indeed he asked the inhabitants of Eldham village, Bulnes village and Carne village to dig a long and wide drain. 

With a thoughtful expression, Hiro nodded in response to Roto's inquiry. "You've understood correctly, Roto. The work on the drain is progressing steadily, thanks to the tireless efforts of the villagers like yourself. Once completed, it will serve as the foundation for the transformation into a fully-fledged river, flowing through our lands and beyond," he explained, his voice tinged with determination.

Roto's eyes widened in awe at the magnitude of Hiro's vision, a sense of pride swelling within him as he realized the significance of their collective labor. "It's a grand undertaking, my lord. One that will surely leave a lasting legacy for my grandchildren to come," he remarked, his voice filled with admiration.

Hiro smiled warmly, appreciating the earnestness of Roto's words. "Indeed, Roto. Together, we will create something truly remarkable, a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of our people," he affirmed, his gaze sweeping over the landscape with a renewed sense of purpose.

With Toma standing by his side, Roto nodded in agreement, a sense of camaraderie and determination binding them together in their shared pursuit of a brighter future for Eldham village and beyond.

As Hiro conversed with Roto and Toma about the progress of the drain project, Roto's gaze drifted towards a nearby table where a collection of pantofles lay in various stages of repair. With a sense of pride, he motioned for Hiro to join them, eager to showcase the craftsmanship that had become synonymous with their family name.

"Lord Sraffa, if you would indulge us for a moment," Roto began, gesturing towards the table with a slight flourish. "Here, you can see the fruits of our labor. These pantofles may seem simple, but they are essential to the comfort and safety of our fellow villagers."

Hiro's eyes widened in fascination as he approached the table, his attention drawn to the intricate stitching and sturdy materials that comprised the footwear. "Remarkable craftsmanship, indeed," he remarked, running a hand over the smooth surface of one of the pantofles. "It's clear that a great deal of skill and care goes into their creation."

Toma nodded in agreement, a sense of pride evident in his expression as he observed Hiro's admiration for their work. "Each pair is crafted with the utmost attention to detail, ensuring durability and comfort for those who wear them," he explained, his voice resonating with a quiet confidence.

Roto smiled warmly, his eyes alight with pride as he watched Hiro inspect the pantofles. "Our family has been making footwear for generations, passing down the knowledge and techniques from father to son. It's a tradition we hold dear," he explained, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

Hiro nodded in understanding, his appreciation for the significance of their craft deepening with each passing moment. "Your dedication to your craft is truly commendable, Roto. The pantofles you create not only serve a practical purpose but also symbolize the resilience and ingenuity of the people of the three villages," he remarked, his tone filled with admiration.