kscans

Chapter 33 - The Neighboring Forest and the Little Person

"I understand the situation. My goodness…"

After hearing the explanation from the Frontier party that had emerged from the forest, Gaius wore a complex expression that was hard to describe.

If their story was true, this was a matter of great importance.

The forest had regained its original power, activating the monsters and beasts. Furthermore, an ancient pact had been revived, and it was now possible to use magic in this area. It wouldn't happen immediately, but those born here, who ate what was harvested here and lived here, would naturally awaken the magic they were supposed to have been born with.

It was hard to believe, but he couldn't deny the reality before his eyes. A verdant land, revived in an instant. Since this was real, he had no choice but to believe any other preposterous things that might happen.

So this was what the legend of the Forest Master was about.

Because the Forest Master had weakened, magic had vanished from the land, and it became impossible to use. When put that way, it was a simple formula. It was precisely because this forest existed that this area was farmland hundreds of years ago. Why had such an important piece of history been lost? With the development of many technological devices, people had leveled mountains, filled in rivers, and expanded the places they could live. In that process, there must have been other forests they destroyed that also fit the legend.

Thinking that far, the color drained from Gaius's face.

Could it be?

"If we had killed a Master and destroyed a forest… what would happen to that place?"

The Little Person narrowed her eyes slightly and gave a pained, bitter smile.

"Nothing would happen. Magic and sorcery would just disappear. There would just be a normal life, living by human strength alone."

A normal life? In other words, if you can use magic, you can live an abnormal life?

He glanced over and saw one of the Frontier party members levitating water in mid-air. Everyone washed their hands and faces with the water that dripped from it, and then an unnatural wind blew the moisture away. The wind that drifted over was faintly warm, and it swirled around the person who was likely controlling it freely.

This was magic. This was everyday life in Frontier.

No need for wells or basins, not even a hand towel. At this rate, they could probably start a fire without tinder. That must be why they traveled so light. The princess of a royal family visiting with only a single carriage. Because they had magic, they didn't need a lot of luggage. They could substitute for anything. A scene that should have been commonplace in Flawers a few hundred years ago.

Compared to this, life in the Flawers capital was primitive to the extreme.

Gaius gnashed his teeth at the foolishness of the people of the past. He was stunned by the magnitude of what they had lost.

As they watched the members of the Flawers knights, their faces filled with remorse at the unbearable truth, the Frontier party exchanged glances.

The Little Person had taken on the task of explaining to them, and they had listened to her story in silence.

She had explained the Forest Master, its origins, and its significance, and that this time it had been revived with the help of the Queen from Frontier's royal capital. She completely concealed the matter of the Golden King and the Master's successor. The presence of Pochiko-san on her shoulder also lent credibility to her story. The royal family of Frontier had a good relationship with the Forest Master and received its blessings.

It was a clever way of putting it. She hid everything inconvenient for their side and made sure to impress upon them, over and over again, only the disadvantages of antagonizing the Forest Master.

The knights were filled with admiration.

"What happens next is up to you. I hope you can make effective use of the revived forest. As long as you don't invade the Master's territory, this place should be safe. Flawers is a country with scarce magic. Treasure what you have now."

With that conclusion, the young child turned on her heel, and Gaius hurriedly called out to her.

"Please wait. You must come to the royal capital."

"Hae?"

Gaius knelt before the Little Person, his eyes pleading as he looked up at her.

"I would like you to repeat what you have just said at the royal castle. We do not fully understand the details. In order to convey this correctly, please."

"Impossible."

The Little Person cut off the dumbfounded Gaius with a single, sharp word.

"One, I only have permission to stay for five days. From both Flawers and Frontier. Two, I can’t tell you anything more than what I’ve already told you. Anything further requires proper negotiations between adults, not me. Three, you must treasure the forest and the Forest Master. If your royal family can’t even understand something that simple, then I see no value in speaking with them. That’s all."

Gaius stood with his mouth agape as the Little Person puffed out her chest, turned her back for good, and headed for the carriage.

She only had three days left. She had heard it was a half-day carriage ride to the nearest town. For now, she wanted to return to the village, explain the situation, and then head to the town right away. She didn't want any extra trouble.

Always and forever, a self-centered Little Person.

"…And that’s why the Forest Master was revived. The greenery has returned to this area, so keep up the good work with the farming. I’ve spoken to Molt, so I’m sure he’ll keep an eye on things. Don’t be surprised if a giant frog shows up, okay?"

The villagers listened to her story, dumbfounded.

"So that’s what that light was."

"We could see it even from here."

"Yes, it was like a sparkling rain of light fell, and in the blink of an eye, the green returned…"

"We are so grateful. So, the Master…"

At that, the people bit their lips.

They had cultivated this desolate land, desperately continuing to farm. If it hadn't been farmland to begin with, they wouldn't have been able to continue for so long. Being near Frontier, and in a location where its residual power could reach, the land was still better off than other places. But even so, their harvest had been decreasing year by year, and they could see nothing but a dwindling future. Just as a vague sense of anxiety had begun to fill people’s hearts, this strange event occurred.

How truly grateful they were.

Among the smiling Frontier party, only the Little Person was looking at the village fields with a slightly pensive expression.

"You know, I was wondering, what do you do for fertilizer? I don’t see a compost pile or smell anything."

"Fertilizer? Um, vegetable scraps from the harvest and leftovers. And maybe weeds that we’ve uprooted and let dry."

Huh?

"We also bring in rich soil from the forest."

The Little Person couldn't help but press her hand to her forehead at the villager's answer.

Oh, dear. I see.

They know that forest soil is fertile and good for growing plants. Related to that, they probably understand things like green manure and leaf mold. But they don’t understand that the creatures of the forest also contribute to the nutrients. It was likely a side effect of the land being so rich with magic hundreds of years ago. If you can get a bountiful harvest without doing anything, there's no need to make any effort. Agriculture by human hands in this world was still in its infancy.

Hmm. Should I teach them, or should I leave it up to them? A catalyst is always necessary for anything.

"You see…"

Choosing her words carefully, Chihiro explained to the villagers.

She told them that animal droppings and carcasses were a part of the forest's nutrients. In fact, you could even say they were the main part. The villagers' eyes widened as if scales were falling from them at her matter-of-fact explanation.

"I think I understand. That’s why the weeds grow so well around the latrines."

"And the chicken coop and the pasture, too. I always thought the grass grew unusually well there. So that’s why."

It seemed the villagers had vaguely sensed it themselves.

Relieved by their understanding expressions, the Little Person nodded deeply.

"Collect the livestock manure and mix it with straw and soil, then let it sit. When it starts to ferment, the surface will turn white. When that happens, mix it well and let it sit again. Make sure to put a roof over it so it doesn't get rained on. If you keep doing that, the bad smell will disappear. When it doesn't smell anymore, the compost is ready."

The villagers listened obediently, nodding and taking notes on paper.

"Is it bad to spread it directly?"

"That's an option, but manure releases gas and heat as it decomposes. That can actually cause the crops to wither."

"I see. So it can cause harm. Then, would it be effective in winter, when the fields can be left alone for a long time?"

"Ah, yes, you can do it then. In fact, by spreading it directly, you can encourage the snow to melt faster."

The room buzzed with a lively question-and-answer session.

The Frontier knights watched with wide eyes.

After a long discussion about agriculture, and asking them to share the information with other farms, the Frontier party departed for a nearby town.

Little did they know that the villagers who saw them off were pressing their hands together as if in prayer, sending their gratitude.

And so, a village was born that worshiped not Frontier, nor Flawers, but the Little Person. Not religion, not loyalty, but worship.

Their watchword was the Little Person. Their doctrine was to treasure the Forest Master.

It was the moment a very simple and straightforward seed of faith popped out of the earth.

"May I ask you something?"

"Hm?"

"Regarding what you said earlier, you seem to be very knowledgeable about agriculture. Where did you learn all that?"

At Dolphen’s question, the Little Person’s shoulders jumped with a giku sound.

A cold sweat trickled down her back as Chihiro tried to think of an excuse.

What should I do? Maybe I got a little too carried away. I can’t exactly say it’s knowledge from a manga from my past life. Hmmm.

Watching the two of them, Adoris let out a bored yawn and threw out a lifeline.

"Does it really matter? It’s the Little Person, after all. It’s a bit late to be surprised by her mysteries, isn't it?"

There it was, the magic phrase. Because she's the Little Person. That settled everything.

Dolphen looked exasperated, but he probably had no intention of probing further. The corner of his mouth was slightly raised.

"Indeed. Well, mysteries are to be expected with Chihiro-sama. It was a bit late for that, wasn't it?"

"Chi-heeero-sama?"

"…"

"Hey, Dolphen, say that again. Didn't you just call Chiihiro by a weird name? Hey."

"Hmm? I have no idea what you're talking about."

It seemed his interest had now shifted to another topic.

Adoris grabbed Dolphen’s shoulder and shook him. Dolphen deftly evaded him.

Chihiro let out a sigh of relief and watched the scene with an amused smile.

I’m really blessed with the people around me. I may have resented God for a moment, but right now, I have nothing but gratitude.

As she swayed with the gata goto of the carriage, the Little Person looked up at the sky from the window.

Thank you. I’m doing great today, too.

With a murmur that no one would hear floating in her mind, the Little Person goes her own way.