Chapter 200 - It's Super Effective!
"Will President Bell and Seth-chan go to the Ancient Ruin's tower a bit later?"
"Seth said something like that. President Bell seemed eager to go right away, but her Witch's Manor live stream on Thursday is in Rashad Territory, right? She seems to have already announced it'll be beyond the former Gnome Village."
"I see."
We returned to the mountain from the cove's tavern, then went back to the Ancient Ruins from the Observation Deck, and then arrived at the back of the church.
Before returning to the Mountain Cabin, I wanted to harvest as many Grapeful fruits as possible, and…
"Sweee, I'm thinking of making a field here, what do you think?"
"~~~♪"
Sweee gave me a thumbs-up.
Alright, alright, if Sweee says it's okay, then it must be fine. Probably…
"All that's left is what to plant."
"First, potatoes, Odapra, I guess. Where should I plant them?"
I showed her the seed potatoes I had dug up, and Sweee flew over, pointing to 'this area' as an instruction.
It was a spot far away from the Grapeful, heavily overgrown with weeds.
"First, we need to pull the weeds and then cultivate the soil."
"Ah, yeah. Well, I can do it quickly like this.
"Ah!"
Excavating to a depth of about 5cm, the weeds were dug up root and all, which looked pretty good.
I want to use this to pull weeds in my garden at home…
"
"Amazing!"
"~~~♪"
Sweee couldn't help but clap at the sight. Fairies have a clapping culture too, huh?
However, I feel like if it's used for peaceful purposes like this, it's good for it to spread… but it can be used for malicious purposes, too.
"After that, I'll clear away the pulled weeds and put the dug-up soil back."
"It would have been better to have a hoe."
"Well, I'll improve it more properly next time I make a field. For today, I'll just plant the Odapra."
I cut the Odapra (potatoes) in half, buried them in the dug-up spots, covered them with soil, and finished.
Thanks to the Farming and Botany skills, I worked quickly, as if it was obvious that burying them here would be fine.
[Farming skill level increased!]
"Congratulations."
"Thanks. Well, I acquired the skill, but I hadn't actually made a field yet, so it's still only level 4…"
I think it would quickly rise to level 5 if I diligently did farm work.
Well, it's ingredients for me and Lupi, so having a level where I can make reasonably delicious food is enough.
"And for watering, with Spirit Magic?"
"~~~♪"
Sweee returned a thumbs-up, as if to say, "Yes!"
Um, for the water spirit specifically, just a gentle sprinkle to lightly moisten the soil is fine, right? I thought, then suddenly,
"~~~!"
"Hm? Oh, for the tree spirit too. Got it, got it."
Is there some kind of fertilizer? No, it's better if there's a spirit's blessing or something; that's more fantasy-like.
"Alright, please water them."
When I asked, water was released like a shower from slightly in front of her chest's Spirit Stone, moistening the Odapra field.
"Alright. I'll save the Glycine and other things for later, and let's pick some Grapeful and head back."
"Woof!"
"~~~♪"
……
…
Returning to the basin where the Mountain Cabin was, the fairies flew over in a panic, which surprised me.
I thought something had happened, but they were just worried that Sweee hadn't returned. She is a queen, after all…
"I think I'll be staying overnight over there quite often, so what should I do?"
"Is it not possible for them to stay behind every time?"
Hmm, taking everyone along might be an option.
From the Observation Deck, there are Drab Wolves on both the northeast and southeast sides.
Well, Sweee seems to be explaining everything properly to everyone, so I'll leave that to her.
"Sweee, tell them I'll make Dried Grapeful as an apology."
"~~~♪"
Descending the slope, I returned to the Mountain Cabin after a day.
Lupi curled up under the usual loft bed, looking content.
Now, first, I'll put the Grapeful I'll use for brewing into the storage.
I asked for a light and went downstairs to the 1st floor, about to open the storage, when…
"Shou-kun, the box is glowing!"
"Huh? A reply already? That's fast…"
For now, I'll transfer the Grapeful to the storage, but capacity is getting tight.
Oh, right. While I'm at it, I'll smoke some meat and make it portable. The Greydeer meat should be fine.
"Alright. And now for the letter…"
When I opened the Magic Transfer Box, there was one letter and an empty leather pouch. Did they eat the Dried Papu Fruit and Dried Grapeful?
"I'll read it after I calm down."
"Yes."
Sweee and the fairies must be waiting, so I tossed the letter and leather pouch into my inventory.
Stepping out onto the dirt floor from the back entrance, the fairies were already waiting on the table.
"Alright, alright, just a little longer."
While making Dried Grapeful, I asked Mion for a quick confirmation.
"There were quite a few things to report to Argenta-san, weren't there?"
"I have them noted down; shall I read them out?"
"Yeah, sorry. Please do."
"Yes!"
Mion read out what she had neatly noted down in order.
・Church to the north. Abandoned house beyond the sturdy gate.
・No Goddess Statue inside the church.
・Port and lighthouse to the northeast.
・Ancient Magic Brewer in the port's tavern.
・Lighthouse light is out.
・Large passage beyond the lighthouse. Door not opened.
"There's quite a lot to report."
"Shou-kun, you're working too hard."
"No, well, yeah…"
This time, it just so happened that exploration was concentrated in places I hadn't been to.
Only the large passage at the back of the lighthouse seemed related to the Ancient Ruins itself.
"~~~!"
"Oops, sorry, sorry.
I dried two bunches of Grapeful at once, completing the Dried Grapeful. I transferred them to a flat plate and offered them up.
"~~~♪"
The fairies swarmed around. I was glad their mood had improved.
Alright, I guess I'll read the letter…
"Dear Shou-sama,
Thank you for your prompt reply.
We are continuing our research of documents here, and I apologize for the lack of significant progress.
This communication is regarding a separate matter, if I may say so; Hii-sama was greatly pleased with the dried fruits you sent us the other day, and we were wondering if you could send more…
We humbly request your cooperation.
Please do not hesitate to inform us if you encounter any difficulties on your end."
"…"
"We need to go gather Papu Fruits."
"Is there still time?"
"Yes. It's just past 9:30."
I need to get enough for Sweee and the others too, so I'll collect enough to fill my backpack…