Chapter 57

Kazura stood at the entrance of the classroom, took a deep breath, and firmly held the secret letter his mother had given him.

Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there as cherry blossoms danced in the wind.

The boiled sweet potato in his mouth, he slowly chewed and swallowed.

This sweet potato was not seasoned with any particular condiments, but the sweetness inherent in the potato had been brought out by boiling.

It was lightly seasoned, but the subtle, unique sweetness was very delicious.

If he were to compare it to a Japanese crop, it would be like boiled taro without any seasoning.

After putting a few more potatoes in his stomach, Kazura took two boiled eggs, tapped them on the floor to crack the shells, and peeled them.

He thought about adding some salt, but since the salt was something he had brought from Japan, he decided to eat them as they were.

The taste was almost the same as boiled eggs made from Japanese chicken eggs, and the texture was exactly the same.

"…Phew, I think this is enough. Ah, please go ahead and eat. Don't worry about me."

"Um… then, I'll start eating."

The two people who had been watching Kazura eat the potatoes and boiled eggs intently began to eat at his urging.

Kazura took out his mobile phone from his pocket, turned it on, and set a timer.

The time he set was 30 minutes.

"By the way, how are the herbs in the garden? Did they wither while we were in Isteria?"

Since there was nothing to do but watch the two people eat, Kazura brought up the topic of the herbs he had planted in the garden some time ago.

It had been at least 20 days since he planted the herbs, so most of the seeds he had planted should have sprouted by now.

"It seems that everyone in the village took care of them, and they were growing well when we came back. But…"

"But?"

Holding a bowl of mixed rice, Kazura asked Valletta, who had a thoughtful expression.

"The herbs seem to be growing a bit slower than what I read in the book."

"Eh, really?"

"Yes, according to the person who took care of the herbs, the time it took for the seeds to sprout was the same as what was written in the book. But, the growth after that seems to be a bit slow…"

"Does that mean the herbs in the pots that were given fertilizer are growing as slowly as those that weren't given fertilizer or those planted directly in the ground?"

"The herbs that were given fertilizer are slightly larger than those that weren't, but they are still growing slowly."

Listening to Valletta, Kazura crossed his arms and scratched his head.

When he was taking care of the herbs at the mansion, he didn't feel that they were growing particularly slowly.

However, at that time, most of the herbs had just started to sprout, so most of them hadn't sprouted yet.

"I've been pulling out the weeds as I notice them… I wonder what's wrong…"

"Hmm… How are the herbs that were brought as seedlings?"

"The seedlings haven't grown much in size, but they look healthy and green."

"…So, they're not sick or anything."

Kazura wondered if the herbs had been infected with a disease unique to this world, but if they were just growing slowly and not withering or changing color, it seemed unlikely that they were diseased.

Could it be that something special happened to the herbs when they were brought from the Japanese mansion to this world?

"It's strange that they're healthy but not growing… Even though we've given them fertilizer, why aren't they growing?"

"I don't know either… For now, I'll keep growing them and see what happens. If we can figure out the cause, that would be great…"

Kazura and Valletta discussed the mystery of the herbs' slow growth for a while, but they couldn't come up with a specific cause.

During this time, Barin continued to eat silently without interrupting their conversation.

After about 30 minutes, the alarm on Kazura's mobile phone went off.

"Ah, it seems it's time. How does your stomach feel?"

When asked by Valletta, Kazura rubbed his stomach.

He then exhaled deeply and smiled wryly.

"As usual, I'm still hungry. In that case, it should be fine to use compost in Isteria…"

When Kazura said this, Barin and Valletta looked relieved.

However, their relief was short-lived as Valletta opened her mouth with a look of realization.

"But, maybe if someone other than Kazura eats it, some effect might occur… I think it's too early to draw a conclusion."

"Mu, indeed… But, to determine that, we need someone to eat these potatoes and eggs… But, it can't be a villager."

Kazura muttered this, then crossed his arms and thought again.

To quickly determine the effects of the village's crops, he could have someone eat the potatoes and eggs and do some physical activity to exhaust their energy.

If their energy was quickly restored afterward, it would indicate that the village's crops had changed in some way.

However, the villagers' bodies had already been strengthened, so it would be difficult to judge the effects of these foods.

Ideally, someone who hadn't been strengthened should eat these foods, but it couldn't be just anyone.

If the effects of energy restoration were to occur, it would be problematic if the person spread the word.

Thus, the only people nearby who could be asked for help were Zirconia, Isaac, or Haber.

When Kazura looked up at Barin and Valletta, they both seemed to have the same person in mind and spoke at the same time.

"Isaac?"

"Isaac, right?"

"Isaac, I guess."

They were in complete agreement.

A few minutes later, after finishing dinner, Kazura visited the makeshift campsite at the village entrance.

The campsite was already filled with many tents, and a delicious aroma wafted through the air.

It seemed that the campsite was also having dinner.

Kazura brought a Tupperware container wrapped in cloth, which contained the potatoes and boiled eggs from the mansion.

He was going to have Isaac eat these.

Kazura asked a nearby guard to call Isaac, and Isaac soon came running.

"Lord Kazura, I kept you waiting."

"I'm sorry for calling you suddenly. I need your help with something… Should we move to a different place?"

"Then, let's go to my tent. This way."

Isaac led Kazura through the campsite to his tent.

The tent was about the size of a six-mat room in Japan, and a lantern with a lit candle hung from the ceiling, faintly illuminating the inside.

In the corner of the tent was a makeshift bed made of fur, and in the center was a long table and chairs.

Several documents and quills were placed on the long table, indicating that Isaac had been doing paperwork until just a moment ago.

Kazura moved the documents to the side of the table and placed the Tupperware container he had taken out of the cloth, then opened the lid.

"…Potatoes and eggs, huh?"

"Yes, it's a treat."

"Ah, thank you."

Isaac thanked him while looking at the potatoes and eggs in the Tupperware.

He didn't seem suspicious.

"So, what do you need my help with?"

"Um, could you try eating these first? They're quite good."

When Kazura said this, Isaac looked puzzled.

"Eh, right now?"

"Yes, right now."

Isaac seemed confused but took the Tupperware, wiped his hands on the hem of his clothes, and picked up a potato with his fingers and put it in his mouth.

He then chewed it.

"…Yeah, they're delicious."

"That's good. Please eat them all."

"Al, all of them?"

"All of them."

Isaac, who was suddenly told to eat all the food, looked uncertain but followed the order, putting the potatoes and eggs in his mouth one by one and finishing them all in a few minutes.

After eating a considerable amount of potatoes and eggs, Isaac exhaled lightly and turned to Kazura.

"Thank you for the meal. They were very delicious."

"I'm glad. Now, about the favor I need…"

"Yes, please tell me what you need."

When Kazura started to speak, Isaac straightened up and faced him.

"Do you have confidence in your physical strength, Isaac?"

"Physical strength?"

"Yes. You look quite fit."

"I train every day, so I believe I have more stamina than an average soldier…"

"Great. Then, I need you to push yourself a bit."

"Ah, what exactly are you talking about?"

Ignoring Isaac's puzzled expression, Kazura continued.

"I want you to do some strength training here."

"Eh, strength training…?"

"Yes, strength training. …Do you understand what that means?"

"I understand, but… do you want me to do push-ups and sit-ups here and now?"

Kazura had used the word "strength training" as he would in Japan, but it seemed to be understood.

From past experience, some words were understood while others were not, and the difference was unclear.

"Yes. Try to do it with as much intensity as possible, until you reach your limit. I want you to continue for about two hours… or, about one hour, until you're completely exhausted."

The last time he gave Lip D to Barin, who was near death, it took about two hours for the effects to kick in.

It was unclear if the food he had just given Isaac would have the same timing, but two hours should be sufficient.

If there were no effects by then, he could ask Isaac about his condition the next morning to determine if the effects were present.

"Eh, that long!?"

"Yes."

Isaac was surprised by the incomprehensible order to do strength training to the limit for two hours.

However, seeing Kazura nod seriously, he realized he had no choice and steeled himself.

In Isaac's mind, Kazura was a Graciel, an absolute authority.

There was no way he could argue.

"Understood. I'll start…"

"Thank you. I'll set an alarm for when the time is up."

Isaac put his hands on the ground inside the tent and started doing push-ups briskly.

Kazura sat in a chair attached to the long table in the center and set the timer on his mobile phone for two hours.

Two hours later, Kazura, who had fallen asleep with his arms crossed, was awakened by the alarm on his mobile phone.

He must have been quite tired from the day's work, as he had fallen asleep without realizing it.

"Haa, haa, o, is it over…?"

Kazura, still half-asleep, turned his eyes in the direction of the voice and saw Isaac, who was naked from the waist up and drenched in sweat, lying on a mat he had apparently laid on the ground.

Isaac was panting heavily, indicating that he had continued his strength training without slacking off while Kazura was asleep.

Truly, Isaac was impressive.

"Ah, sorry, I fell asleep… Are you okay?"

"Somewhat…"

Isaac, still wobbly, managed to stand up and sit on the bed in the corner.

He was still panting heavily and looked very exhausted.

The tent was steamy and slightly sweaty from the heat Isaac's toned body was giving off.

"Um, how are you feeling… You look very tired…"

Kazura opened his mouth to ask about Isaac's level of fatigue but stopped.

Isaac clearly looked exhausted and worn out.

It seemed that the village's crops did not have the effect of restoring energy.

All that was left was to ask Isaac about his condition the next morning to complete the verification.

"I, I can't do any more… I'm sorry…"

Isaac, still catching his breath, apologized to Kazura.

He seemed to think that he still had to do something.

"No, that's enough. Thank you. Please rest."

"Yes… Um, what was the meaning of this…?"

"Ah… Well…"

Kazura thought for a moment about how to answer Isaac's natural question.

However, he couldn't explain the true purpose.

Saying he just wanted to see how much stamina Isaac had would be too unnatural.

Besides, Kazura had fallen asleep.

There was no way he could say that.

"I have my reasons, but I can't tell you now. Also, please don't tell anyone about what happened since I arrived here. Not even Haber or Zirconia."

"…Understood. I won't tell anyone."

Isaac nodded seriously, trying to steady his breathing.

His honesty was appreciated.

"Then, I'll take my leave. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Yes, see you tomorrow."

Kazura was seen off by Isaac, who bowed deeply as he stood up.

"Hmm?"

Zirconia, who was walking through the campsite toward Isaac's tent, narrowed her eyes when she saw a figure coming out of the tent.

"(Kazura…? Is something wrong at this hour?)"

Watching Kazura's back as he walked back to the village, Zirconia tilted her head.

What could he need from Isaac at such a late hour?

Wondering if it was an emergency, Zirconia walked to Isaac's tent and entered without announcing herself.

"Isaac, about the village's situation during the day… what…"

Zirconia froze at the sight that greeted her as she entered Isaac's tent.

"Ah, Lady Zirconia… Is something wrong?"

Isaac was still naked from the waist up, sitting on the bed and wiping the sweat from his body with a towel.

The ground inside the tent was covered with a mat, which was damp in places from the sweat.

The tent was also warm and humid from the heat Isaac was giving off.

Zirconia immediately stuck her head out of the tent and confirmed the back of the person she had seen earlier.

The figure walking toward the village was definitely Kazura.

"Isaac?"

Seeing Zirconia's action, Isaac called out to her, puzzled.

Zirconia slowly pulled her head back into the tent, turned to Isaac, and, blushing, looked down at her feet.

"…I won't tell anyone."

She whispered this and quietly left the tent.

Isaac, who had been left behind, was bewildered for a moment.

But, as he repeated Zirconia's words and looked around the tent, he finally realized what had happened and hurriedly ran out of the tent to chase after her.