Chapter 81

We immediately started planting the seedlings of vegetables and fruits that had been brought over into the field we made yesterday.

"Alright! So, first, watch how I and the other Beowulfs do it!"

Following up from yesterday, Uga took charge briskly and taught the Berserks of the village how to farm.

Uga has really become reliable.

By the way, apart from the fields, the Beowulfs who joined Garai's group were engaged in house repairs.

For the still insufficient food and plant transportation, we directed the wild boars to handle it.

It feels like the development of this village has really started to take off.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Uga noticed the figure of a rabbit兽人少年——Muu, hiding in the shade of the forest.

Just like before, he was hiding in the shadows, watching them.

"Hey, are you going to join in?"

Uga called out to him.

At first, Muu was confused by being called and tried to hide again, but then, as if he had made up his mind, he showed himself.

"Y-Yes, please let me help."

Thus, he also joined in the field work.

A rabbit兽人 mixed in with the bear兽人 village.

Bushi had mentioned before that he had settled here due to certain circumstances, but what kind of past does he have that led him to be here?

While thinking about this, the work progressed smoothly...

"Alright, this should do it!"

The transplanting of the seedlings brought from Abatos Village was completed.

"Alright, then, Miss Orchidea, please take over."

"Yes, it's finally my turn."

The soil, enriched with my "liquid fertilizer," was now ready.

Into this, Miss Orchidea, the Alraune, poured her power.

The vegetables grew rapidly, becoming lush and abundant in no time.

"What the...!"

"I never thought I'd see such a sight in this village..."

The Berserks were also bewildered.

Until yesterday, the village had no trace of green, and suddenly, a garden had appeared.

"I'm... I'm moved..."

"Me too..."

Some of the Berserks even started to tear up.

To be so deeply moved, it made me feel both happy and a bit embarrassed.

"Hehe, I'm glad."

"Yes, thank you, Miss Orchidea."

Seeing their reactions, Miss Orchidea also smiled and clasped her hands.

Then she looked at me and said, "It would be presumptuous of me to speak for you, Mako-sama, but I don't think you called me to this village just for this, right?"

"Yes, you're right, Miss Orchidea."

I had been hesitant to ask her for more after she had just used her power, but it seems she had read my mind.

We both turned our gaze towards the forest surrounding the village.

"Terrible..."

Miss Orchidea's expression turned painful.

The forest, with its thin, twisted trees, stood on a land that had lost its vitality.

We walked into the forest.

"These trees, though they have become so thin... they must have been strong and sturdy before."

As she touched the withered trees, Miss Orchidea spoke.

"Mako-sama, may I have some of your 'liquid fertilizer'?"

"Yes."

"Ten of each type, if possible."

"Ten!?"

Surprised, I still generated the "liquid fertilizer."

As I produced it, Miss Orchidea drank the contents of the ampoule in one go.

"Ugh..."

"Miss Orchidea, are you okay!? Are you going to drink twenty-nine more!?"

To explain, this "liquid fertilizer" is apparently quite bitter.

"It's... it's okay... and lately, it's started to taste a bit better..."

"Are you sure your taste buds aren't just off!?"

Nevertheless, Miss Orchidea, who had finished drinking the "liquid fertilizer" I produced, looked a bit pale.

But since it's a nutrient for plants, it should be healthy for her...

"Phew... then!"

With determination, Miss Orchidea began to channel the nutrients she had absorbed into the trees through her magic.

As the divine light emanating from her body touched the surrounding trees, they began to rustle and expand, their roots, trunks, branches, and leaves stretching and growing rapidly and robustly.

"Full power!"

Is Miss Orchidea a bit high?

Anyway, thanks to her full power, the forest grew at a visible speed...

"Wow!"

"Amazing!"

Not only the Berserks but also the Beowulfs were shouting at the sight.

The withered forest had been transformed into a lush, healthy one.

"Amazing, Miss Orchidea!"

"Hehe, thank you!"

I high-fived Miss Orchidea.

The field was now full of fresh, abundant crops.

The forest was green and vibrant.

Who would believe that this was the land where the Berserks had been exiled until just a moment ago?

"Hmm..."

I walked around, touching the surface of the trees that had grown into large ones.

"Branches shaped like a mountain, pointed leaves... it's a conifer..."

The unique smell of the trees tickled my nostrils.

"Quite a unique smell, isn't it?"

"Yes, it must be the unique scent of these trees."

But it's not an unpleasant smell.

Rather, it's a refreshing one.

(This smell... it's a bit like... that...)

Anyway, thanks to Miss Orchidea, the trees had grown.

Not the thin, twisted ones from yesterday, but healthy, straight ones.

They would make excellent timber.

"Alright! Let's build a bigger house, not just a small hut!"

"We can do it, remembering how we built the store in the capital!"

The Beowulfs who had participated in building the store in the capital, along with Garai and me, started cutting the timber.

With Miss Orchidea's help in drying and other processes, we secured the necessary wood.

Using my "alchemy," we created the scaffolding materials just like in the capital and began building the house.

The Berserks were amazed by our efficiency and speed.

However, they didn't just stand around.

They watched us, learned, and joined in as part of the construction team.

Meanwhile, the field team of Berserks was learning how to grow crops from Uga.

Yes, thinking about it, they are beastmen who originally lived with humans.

Their knowledge and awareness of development are on par with humans.

They are a highly civilized race.

There's no difference from humans.

"Alright, let's take a break for now!"

"What? It's already this time?"

From morning until past noon, everyone had been working tirelessly.

They had forgotten their fatigue and were surprised by my call.

Everyone stopped, drank water, and ate food.

"Hmm..."

In the midst of this, I picked up the wood chips that had come from making the timber and sniffed them.

The unique smell wasn't strong...

An idea popped into my head.

"How about we try making some smoked food?"

"Smoked food?"

Maul and Meala, who were nearby, reacted.

Smoked food is a cooking method that enhances the preservation of ingredients by smoking them.

In Japan, the most famous example is probably "katsuobushi" (dried bonito).

Recently, there's been a smoked food trend, and camping supplies at home centers include easy-to-use smoking equipment for general users.

I decided to use the salted meat that Iksa had bought in town yesterday but hadn't used.

Using the smoking equipment I had alchemized—the "smoker"—I used the wood chips from the timber I had cut earlier and smoked the salted meat for about an hour.

"Alright, it's done!"

The result was smoked meat.

We immediately tried it out.

"Delicious! It's like ham!"

"Yeah, exactly like ham."

Maul and Meala munched and gave their opinions.

"Plus, the smell is good. This will allow for long-term storage, right?"

And Reire added,

"Yeah, for adventurers and travelers who are tired of just dried meat, this could be a good companion for long journeys."

"True, it might be more popular than dried meat."

The types of wood that go well with smoking are limited, and conifers are generally not suitable for smoking, but this wood seemed to be the right choice.

"Cheese is also good when smoked."

"What about vegetables?"

"Vegetables with a lot of water content don't work well. Fish and shellfish too."

Salmon, squid, and scallops are popular.

"Fish... I hope we can go fishing again soon."

Bushi, who was also enjoying the smoked food, muttered.

*Ponpoko!*

*Coriya!*

I noticed Chibi and Pocota playing with a wooden ball that Garai had made.

"By the way, Pocota, have you been traveling with Muu for a long time?"

I asked Muu.

"No... I became friends with Pocota when I came here."

Muu answered after swallowing the smoked pork.

"So, you originally lived in that forest?"

"Yeah. Sometimes he goes back into the forest, but he always comes back to me without being attacked by other beasts."

"Interesting..."

By the way, Pocota, a creature from this forest, wasn't aggressive.

"Hey, Pocota."

Curious, I went to Pocota and asked,

*Poco?*

"Do you have any raccoon dog friends?"

*Poco... ponpoco!*

Suddenly, Pocota started running.

He headed towards the forest, jumping at the entrance.

*Ponpoco!*

It seemed like he was calling me.

"Are you trying to lead me to your friends?"

*Coriya!*

Chibi also ran to Pocota.

"Let's go and see."

I decided to follow Pocota into the forest.