Chapter 23

After weeding the field and picking up small stones, the next task is to till the soil.

"Then, use the hoe to loosen the soil and make it soft. Like this."

I transformed the divine tool into a hoe and demonstrated a bit of tilling to Carmilla.

"Oh, that was a staff just a moment ago, and now it's a hoe. How did you do that?"

"Your focus is on the wrong thing."

Despite my demonstration, Carmilla's attention was still on the divine tool.

I lightly chopped her to get her attention.

"...Sorry."

"I'll show you again, so pay attention this time, okay?"

With Carmilla's attention back, I demonstrated tilling the soil with the hoe once more.

"It's like this."

"That looks easy enough!"

"That's reassuring."

However, using too much force will quickly tire you out. I'll observe Carmilla's performance.

Carmilla, holding the hoe, switched places with me and started tilling the soil with a large swing.

"Is it okay to swing it so widely?"

"It's fine! I have confidence in my strength!"

Clearly, she was using too much force, but Carmilla didn't seem to care as she dug into the soil.

As she said, despite her small frame, her strength and stamina were impressive, and she tilled the soil at an incredible speed.

"Is she okay with such a wild swing?"

Seeing Carmilla's efforts, Leidia, who was taking care of the insect killer, also looked worried. With such a wild swing, it's natural to get tired quickly.

"Since she has confidence in her strength, let's just watch her."

"Right. I'll start preparing lunch."

"Thanks."

It would be difficult to stop and lecture Carmilla when she's so full of energy.

When I said that, Leidia shrugged and went to prepare lunch.

Failure is part of the experience.

As I watched Carmilla, her speed began to drop as she started to tire.

"Hey, what happened to your initial momentum?"

"Trouble, this is incredibly tiring. And my back hurts again."

When I called out to her, I received a response full of fatigue from Carmilla.

Because it's a repetitive simple action, using too much force can be a significant burden.

"That's why I warned you at the beginning. You're swinging it too wide."

"Then, how should I do it?"

Finally, Carmilla seemed willing to listen and asked with a serious expression.

"Don't swing it too wide; use the weight of the hoe to dig. That way, you can till the soil without using much force."

"Ooh! Really! I can till the soil without using much force! Amazing, Hashira!"

As I taught her and demonstrated, Carmilla quickly imitated and exclaimed with joy.

She's a quick learner.

Carmilla laughed happily and continued tilling the soil.

With her abundant strength and efficient technique, she tilled the soil at an incredible speed.

I didn't expect much from Carmilla, but if I teach her properly, she could be a great help.

"Hashira, lunch is ready!"

After supervising Carmilla for a while, Leidia's voice called from the house.

It seems lunch was ready.

"Carmilla, let's stop tilling and have lunch."

"…Can I eat with you?"

She seemed bright and carefree, but she was concerned about something.

"Of course, you're helping with the field. We won't exclude you."

"Got it, we're comrades! Then, I'll eat with you!"

Carmilla's worried face turned into a happy smile.

We went to the front of the house, shook off the dirt, and took off our shoes to enter the house.

Inside, a large pot was simmering over the hearth.

"Lunch is a soup with smoked meat and mountain vegetables, and some chewy fruits that have been grilled."

"Ugh, there are so many vegetables. I don't like vegetables because they're bitter."

As soon as she peeked into the pot, Carmilla immediately complained.

She had mentioned that she doesn't like vegetables.

"These aren't regular vegetables; they're mountain vegetables. They're sweeter and more delicious than regular vegetables. Try them, you might be surprised."

Carmilla received the bowl of soup from Leidia with a complex expression.

When she saw the mountain vegetables with a spoon, she made a face, but under pressure from Leidia and me, she reluctantly took a bite.

"Wow, it's not bitter!?"

Her eyes widened as she expressed her surprise.

She scooped up more mountain vegetables to confirm.

"The vegetables and mountain vegetables I ate in the castle were more bitter and had a strong smell. But this soup is not smelly and tastes good."

"I'm glad you like it."

It's heartwarming to hear that something you've grown is delicious, especially from someone who doesn't like vegetables or mountain vegetables.

Carmilla's honest reaction made Leidia and me smile.

"Here, Hashira."

"Thank you."

I also ate the soup Leidia served.

Without any seasoning like salt and pepper, the soup was delicious with the sweetness of the smoked meat and mountain vegetables.

The bitterness of the ingredients like udo, zenmai, and kogomi was well handled, and their unique flavors and sweetness were well brought out.

Yes, it's a very comforting taste.

After eating a bit of the mountain vegetable soup, I picked up the grilled chewy fruits on the plate.

The slightly cooked chewy fruits had a charred surface, giving them a fragrant aroma like freshly baked bread.

When I took a bite, the slightly hard skin gave way to a chewy interior, much like freshly baked bread.

Eaten hot with oligo oil, they were truly delicious.

"Are these the chewy fruits from the field?"

"Yeah, they're delicious raw, but they're also great grilled and dipped in oligo oil."

"I'll try it!"

When I recommended it, Carmilla grabbed a grilled chewy fruit, dipped it in the oligo oil, and took a bite.

"Both ways are good, but this is delicious too!"

She seemed to really enjoy the grilled chewy fruits and was eating them with a big mouth.

...She looks like a squirrel.

In contrast, Leidia sat properly and ate with good manners, moving her small mouth slowly and steadily.

It's hard to tell who the princess is in this scene.

Carmilla kept asking for seconds, so we had to grill more chewy fruits, but lunch was quickly finished.

Leidia and I usually don't eat that much, so we often save leftovers for dinner, but with Carmilla eating a considerable amount, there was nothing left.

Carmilla, patting her stomach, looked very satisfied.

"Phew, that was delicious."

"It's heartwarming to hear that from someone who made it."

"...But, I wasted such delicious things by burning them."

Carmilla's satisfied expression suddenly turned gloomy.

"I'm really sorry. I promise to make up for the loss by diligently tilling the field."

Carmilla, who usually acted so confidently, bowed her head and said this.

After all, she's a good kid at heart. Understanding the hard work of farmers and the love for their crops, she was able to reflect on her actions.

I was worried if a tyrannical child like her, being the daughter of the Demon King, would be okay, but if she can reflect on herself, there shouldn't be a problem.

"It's good that you understand the value of what we cherish and the hard work involved. Since Carmilla is the daughter of the Demon King, I understand you have your own circumstances. I'd be happy if you could help within your limits."

Even though I said it as the victor's privilege, Carmilla is the daughter of the Demon King.

She can't stay here forever. What we truly wanted was not a perfectly repaired field but a heart that respects the feelings of farmers.

Since Carmilla now has that, I don't expect more from her.

"No problem. I'll help until the end! I'll properly till the field and make the crops grow!"

However, Carmilla dismissed my concern and made such a declaration.

Are you really okay? You're the daughter of the Demon King, right? Won't your parents come looking for you?

Leidia and I had such other worries in our hearts.