Chapter 19

Orkidea's arrival in the village indeed brightened the atmosphere.

"Hehe, everyone, thank you for your hard work today."

During the day, Orkidea mostly walks around the village, helping with small tasks.

At the same time, she plants and nurtures flowers in various places around the village.

Places that previously, due to soil issues, had never seen flowers bloom properly, are now adorned with a variety of colors.

Incidentally, the Alraune, like Orkidea, are a species that generally consume a plant-like diet... in other words, they can live sufficiently on photosynthesis and the nutrients I provide (though apparently, the taste is still bitter).

In the village, which was previously dominated by male Beowulfs and had a rather chaotic atmosphere, a more vibrant ambiance is beginning to emerge.

Hmm, it feels good.

This might be similar to the recent trend in home centers.

In the past, home centers mainly sold large items for businesses, so the vast interiors were often rather dull.

However, now many stores are designed to appeal to general consumers, with stylish layouts.

They have cafes and craft classes, making them enjoyable for both women and children.

"Beautiful... Orkidea is so beautiful..."

While Orkidea, like a flower fairy, elegantly waters the flowers, several Beowulfs are talking.

"Ah, having women in the village really is a treat for the eyes."

"We don't have any women, after all."

"Both Mako and Orkidea are beautiful, and it's a great motivation for us every day."

...Hmm, I agree that Orkidea is beautiful, but I feel a bit uncomfortable being called beautiful myself.

Maybe it's just because I've been so busy with work and haven't had much time for romance, so I'm not used to such compliments.

As I think about this and head home, I see Mau and Fressa in the backyard garden.

"Like this... I can give the flowers the power inside me."

Mau seems to have planted flowers in her vegetable garden.

She is apparently nurturing them with Fressa's help.

"Wow! I've never seen such beautiful flowers in this village before!"

"Hehe, are these vegetables in the garden grown by Mau-sama?"

"Yes, with Mako's help, they'll be ready to harvest soon."

"Growing so many vegetables is amazing, Mau-sama!"

"Hehe."

...

Sigh... It's so soothing.

Watching the two of them chat happily from a distance, I can't help but smile naturally.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

"Mako"

It was in the afternoon.

While I was grooming Entia inside the house, Meala, who had just returned from outside, called out to me.

"There's a visitor at the square looking for Mako."

"Really? Me?"

In this world, I don't have any acquaintances outside the village who would come looking for me.

...Could it be.

Iksa's face flashed in my mind.

(...Has it been found out that I live here?...)

If they start asking about my magic and background again, what will I do...

As I think this and hesitantly head to the square, it seems the visitor is not Iksa.

A large, luxurious black carriage is parked there.

In front of it stands an elderly man dressed in fine clothing, with a gentlemanly or even aristocratic air.

"Ah, hey, Mako! This is—"

One of the Beowulfs notices me and calls out.

Before I can react, the elderly man runs over to me.

"Are you Mako-sama!?"

What! What's going on!?

He seems to be a bit teary-eyed!

"Nice to meet you! I am the current head of the Weebleu family! The head of the family that runs the fruit and vegetable store in the market city where the hostage situation with the bandits occurred!"

Hearing this, I remember.

Yes, the store where Mau and Meala were taken hostage.

The store owner... the head of the merchant family.

"Yes, that was a difficult situation... but why are you here to see me? Oh, maybe to request compensation for the damage to the store..."

"Compensation!? No way!"

The head of the family, with tears streaming down his face, grabs my hand.

"Of course, the store needs repairs, but that's just a matter of fixing it! More importantly... I was moved! I heard from the knights about how you suppressed the bandits without any casualties! It was amazing! The employees of my store were very grateful! As the owner, I am here to express my thanks!"

He shakes my hand vigorously.

My arm feels like it's going to fall off.

"Ah, in my younger days, I was a bit of a troublemaker and even aspired to be an adventurer. I have the utmost respect for brave individuals like you! I thought you must be a well-known person, but everyone said they didn't know your background! It took a lot of effort to find you based on the information I had!"

"Ah, I see..."

It seems he came here simply because he wanted to meet me.

Troubling... If it gets out that I live here, maybe the knights or even Iksa and the others will come.

I don't want to make a big deal out of this...

"Um, Mr. Head, could you please keep it a secret that I'm here..."

"Secret, you say? Hmm, I don't understand the full situation, but I can see there must be some reason. I will not disclose this to anyone. However—"

He clears his throat.

"I would like to return a favor for this matter."

"A favor?"

"As the owner, I must return a favor for saving my employees."

He seems to be a very principled person.

He cares for his employees and is a true role model as an owner.

But...

"Hmm, a favor... I don't really need anything..."

As I think about this, Uga arrives with a basket full of tomatoes.

"Hey, Mako! Look! Finally, our tomatoes are ready for harvest... Huh? What's going on?"

Right—seeing Uga's tomatoes, I have an idea.

"Um, I have a request. Could we sell the vegetables grown in our village at your store, Mr. Weebleu?"

"Your vegetables, you say?"

Selling them at the market is an option, but if we can sell them at a well-established store, it would certainly attract more customers.

However, Weebleu places his hand on his chin and frowns, saying, "Hmm..."

"Mr. Mako, I must be honest, I do not compromise on business matters."

He looks at me sharply.

"This is land outside the human residential area, in the territory of the beastmen. The land here is not suitable for growing crops. Vegetables grown here, even by chance, may not be of acceptable quality."

"What!?"

"Uga, calm down."

I calm Uga down and take a tomato from the basket.

"Would you like to try one? I don't think it will taste bad."

These vegetables are grown with scientifically formulated fertilizers, so they shouldn't be bad.

"Alright... I'll try one."

The head of the family takes the tomato from me and brings it to his mouth.

But, considering he runs a high-end fruit and vegetable store, he must have a refined palate and would likely give a low rating to amateur-grown vegetables.

"Even with the recommendation of the respected Mako-sama, I will not give an overly positive evaluation—"

He takes a bite of the tomato.

"Delicious!"

He exclaims with such enthusiasm that I'm taken aback.

"This freshness! The refreshing acidity with a hint of sweetness! I've never tasted such a tomato!"

As expected, he is skilled at food reviews.

He finishes the tomato in an instant and looks at me with sparkling eyes.

"I would like to sell these in my store!"

What a quick decision!

It feels like I'm watching a two-panel comic...

"Thank you. How many—"

"All of them! Give me all of them!"

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

After that, the head of the family bought all of Uga's tomatoes and left in his carriage.

Incidentally, the price was one silver coin for every ten tomatoes—since there were 40 tomatoes in total, the transaction was for four silver coins.

Apparently, this is a very high price for tomatoes.

"Sorry, Uga. I know it was sudden, but I sold all the tomatoes you worked so hard to grow."

"No problem. I can grow more. Besides, if I can sell them at such a high price, I have no complaints."

Uga smiled.

However, this was just the beginning of a major event that I would face for the first time since coming to this world...