Chapter 10

This is the second chapter of the honey story. Another chapter is scheduled to be published today.

Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Saki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

"Earlier, you mentioned that your father has a weak leg. Was it due to the aftereffects of the war?"

Uncle Raudin nodded with a smile.

"Of course. If someone like Harold, who knows the ecology of bees, can help, it would be greatly appreciated. – Can you come right away?"

"Yes! Thank you! I'll call him right away!!"

Soon after, Harold, Saki's father, arrived and, together with Uncle Raudin and Saki, they managed to collect several honey-filled frames using the same method as before. Each time they received an explanation, they were amazed, and when the demonstration was shown, they were even more astonished.

But, as expected of an expert, he quickly got the hang of it and was very fast after that.

"This is revolutionary! We can harvest honey multiple times without destroying the hive!"

He quickly finished collecting the honey-filled frames in no time.

Afterwards, they squeezed the honey at Rask's workshop and checked the quality. Harold's expression, which had been somewhat gloomy when he arrived, was now beaming with joy. They collected a total of six honey-filled frames after Harold arrived, plus the one Saki collected first, making it seven in total. According to Harold, two of them should be left for the bees.

"Only one of the ten frames had the queen and the larvae. We should leave a few for the bees."

"Will that reduce the amount we can harvest?"

"Previously, we could only harvest about two frames by destroying the hive. With this method, we can harvest three times as much from one box. The bees will quickly replenish the honey because they don't need to rebuild the comb for the larvae."

"The honey is the food for all the bees. Let's leave about two frames. If we take it all, the bees might move away."

"That's wise. If we have enough, there won't be any problems."

"Let's fill the boxes with all kinds of honey!"

"That's right. We'll place the boxes where we've found hives before. Also, bees swarm during this season. If we place the hives in suitable locations, they will multiply."

Harold laughed happily.

"Although the flowering season is over now, with the changing seasons, we can eventually harvest honey from clover, dandelions, strawberries, and blueberries."

"Yay! Strawberries! Blueberries! Rice!"

"Huh? Rice? Can we harvest honey from rice?"

"The flowers will bloom!"

"Oh... I see. So, this would be the first time harvesting rice honey."

If we can harvest it, it will be the first rice honey on this continent.

Uncle Raudin nodded, his fist to his chin.

"Alright. Harold, can you make the bees build hives around the rice fields?"

"Yes. I'll place them in various cultivated areas. If we harvest once before the rice flowers bloom, we should be able to get almost pure rice honey."

"Let's also try to improve the hives. Can you do that?"

"Of course. Can I have those old boxes? I want to try various things before the ordered hives arrive."

"No problem! You can have the new ones too! I have a few in stock, so it's fine!"

Saki's father, Harold, immediately started improving the boxes and nets.

First, he made boxes similar to the ones they used earlier. He added platforms and roofs to the bee entry and exit points. He also cut a small part of the side of the box and attached a fine net to improve ventilation. He then attached a part of the collected comb to the net.

"The park nearby is in full bloom with acacia flowers. I'll go and set up the hives in the usual places."

"I'll help!"

"Sure. Prepare some logs as a base. It's better not to place the hives directly on the ground to prevent water accumulation and insect invasion."

"The hive by the shed had the right conditions!"

"That's right."

Deek went to get the logs, and Harold took a short break, sitting in a chair, dragging his right foot slightly.

"If everything goes well, we can harvest a lot in about ten days."

Really!

It seems a bit different from my previous life. Harvesting in ten days is amazing!

"It becomes more concentrated and richer over time. Once, I harvested a very large hive, and the center was much richer than the outer parts. The honey from the center was much richer than the average hive. It was easy to tell because the hive grew over time."

"So, if we mark the boxes and determine the timing, we can choose to harvest either light or rich honey."

Uncle Raudin smiled slyly.

A large quantity.

Many varieties.

Different concentrations.

Highly valuable rice honey.

If we plan it well, we can make it a specialty product.

"Good thinking, young master. You have a good expression. That's exactly right."

He laughed and had a nostalgic look on his face.

"You resemble the previous master. He often listened to our work and even chatted with us."

"I respect my grandfather too."

Uncle Raudin smiled bitterly.

My father is completely different.

"– I know it's disrespectful to say, but my father is a bit of a dreamer."

"I understand. He's not the type to put in practical effort. He's caused a lot of trouble for everyone."

Uncle Raudin apologized sincerely, and Harold smiled.

"I'm relieved to hear that. Young master – no, Lord Raudin. This honey can become a specialty product if we put in the effort. Can you entrust me with a part of it? I will make sure it succeeds."

Of course, Uncle Raudin had no objections to the offer.

"– Yes. I'll leave it to you, Harold."

"Understood. – I'll go set up the hives."

Deek returned with the logs on a cart, and Harold stood up.

"I'll go with you."

It's important to see it with my own eyes, Uncle Raudin said, standing up.

I want to see it too!!

It's the beginning of beekeeping!! I definitely want to see it!!

"Uncle. I want to see too!!"

"Ashe... – I would say no because there are bees, but – if you stay far away with Lord Raudin, I'll allow it. – Lord Raudin, please don't put Lady Ashe on the ground."

Understood. Uncle Raudin nodded and picked me up.

"Alright, Ashe. Let's collect a lot of honey."

"Okay! Honey!!"

It's going to be a lot of fun!!

Thank you for reading.