Chapter 75

As I became engrossed in the work, various things were completed.

First, the expansion of our home.

In addition to the individual rooms for the newly welcomed Paffa, Lampai, and Gara Rufa, we also made a large space for Bati’s dedicated wardrobe.

Since I had unreasonably asked Bati to make clothes for the suddenly increased monster army, this was also a way to reward her.

Next, the sake cellar.

We set it up alongside the brewery, and the sake production is finally starting in earnest.

Our first goal is to make beer, using readily available materials. I suggested a method, and Paffa and Gara Rufa, combining their guesses and trial and error, are working on it.

The first material we tried was wheat.

We will also try barley in parallel.

These are the crops that grew by mistake when I intended to grow barley and adzuki beans while focusing my thoughts on the soil with the "Bearer of the Supreme."

Will they finally come in handy?

The results will depend on Gara Rufa’s efforts.

Gara Rufa officially took charge of the sake cellar. Taking this opportunity, Paffa took over the brewery from Plati.

Paffa, of course, will be involved in making miso and soy sauce, but she is also very enthusiastic about creating new pickles.

It seems she was inspired to make pickles that better suit the taste of Prince Aruana, who loves takuan.

Is this what it means to be a true partner in adversity...?

Plati was put in charge of overseeing the sake cellar, brewery, and food storage, of course, while also serving as my assistant as the landowner.

As for Lampai, she was assigned to provide support wherever needed based on the situation.

And finally, it was completed.

The kiln for making pottery.

Until now, we had been using items brought from the capital or plates made from carved wood. When the number of people increased, we even resorted to using leaves in dire times, but now we can finally make ceramic plates and bowls!!

I can pretend to be a potter and smash the ones that don’t turn out well with a "crack"!

No, that’s not right!?

We must take good care of things!

In fact, with the monster team suddenly expanding to a hundred, various strains have been placed on different areas.

There weren’t enough places to live, and there was a constant shortage of daily necessities and food.

The new monsters initially absorbed mana like regular monsters, but as they developed self-awareness, they needed food, leading to a shortage.

To make up for the shortfall, they went hunting in the mountain dungeon or collected shells and fish from the seaside.

Bati also worked very hard on making clothes, and the monster dormitories were expanded.

Just as the chaos caused by the sudden expansion was finally settling down, the last piece was completed.

The waterway.

Water from the tributary finally flowed into our settlement.

With the population suddenly increasing to a hundred, it would have been impossible for me to filter seawater one by one with the "Bearer of the Supreme." We were saved.

With this, we can secure a water source suitable for a large group, and finally, we can start...

Rice cultivation!

Rice is what the Japanese are all about!

The results of the large-scale reinforcement we did earlier are now showing!

The soil tilled with the "Bearer of the Supreme" functions perfectly as a paddy field, and when we divert water from the waterway, it holds the water properly without being absorbed by the soil.

We also added a large amount of hyper-fish fertilizer to promote the growth of the crops and finally planted the seedlings we had prepared in advance!

* * *

To carry out the rice planting, all the residents of our settlement gathered.

With a large group, it would be done quickly, and I wanted to make it a festive event.

So, all the beautiful ladies gathered in one rice field.

First lane, Plati.

Second lane, Viel.

Third lane, Bati.

Fourth lane, Barena.

Fifth lane, Paffa.

Sixth lane, Lampai.

Seventh lane, Gara Rufa.

It will proceed in this order.

I and the monster army will be the audience.

Once this field is planted, they will disperse and plant other fields simultaneously.

In other words, this first rice planting is a ceremonial event.

"Okay! Saint-sama! I forfeit!!"

Before it even started, Gara Rufa came to declare her forfeiture, but I rejected it.

"Please! If I participate in a competition where Plati-sama and Viel-sama are competing, I will be instantly defeated!!"

Gara Rufa pleaded with tears.

Don’t worry. It’s not a competition. It’s an event where everyone works together to plant the seedlings.

There’s no competition for speed or anything like that...

"Viel? Is today the day to finally determine who the true wife of the master is?"

"For a mere mermaid to challenge a dragon is laughable. I will show the difference in rank as a living being."

Plati and Viel were sparking off each other.

...

It’s not a competition, right?

Everyone understands, right?

"I’ve been wanting a chance to clearly show who is the best. I’m going to have fun."

"My strength and life are for Plati-sama. I will support Plati-sama, who challenges the world’s strongest dragon!"

"Barena! I will show the pride of a demon!"

"Of course, Bati! If I back down here, I won’t have a face to show Astares-sama!!"

...

I accepted Gara Rufa’s forfeiture.

Instead, she will be in charge of the emergency medical team.

This rice planting race.

It won’t end without incident. It will surely be a difficult event!?