Chapter 29

A week after Carmilla harvested the forest strawberries, a flame rose in the distant northern sky.

It didn't rise just once, but repeatedly, two, three times, soaring high into the sky.

There was no way a flame could rise naturally in the forest, and I could sense the residue of magic.

"Could that be Claire's signal?"

"That magic is Claire's!"

It had been about two weeks since Claire left, and since Carmilla said so, it must be correct.

"Rento, Claire should be in the direction the flames rose. Please go and bring her back."

Rento nodded and ran north.

After watching him go for a while, I continued working. Soon, Rento returned with Claire.

However, next to her was a greenish ant, about twenty centimeters in size.

Rento led the ant to a large tree near the house and gestured for it to climb up.

The ant, somewhat confused, bowed slightly to us before climbing the tree.

"Claire, you've returned safely."

"I have returned, my lady."

...I want to welcome Claire's return, but the presence of the ant is very concerning.

What is it?

Even if I ask Rento, he can't speak. However, I think he didn't bring it for no reason.

"Hey, Leidia, do you know what that ant was?"

"I think it's an Itotsumugiaru."

"What kind of creature is it?"

"It's a magical ant that lives in trees. It spins threads and weaves leaves to form nests."

"Could it be that he brought it for the threads?"

"Probably. I really needed some fabric, so this is a huge help."

In our current environment, we can't make fabric or clothes. Both Leidia and I had been washing and reusing our only sets of clothes.

We managed somehow, but our clothes were starting to wear out. Even though we washed them, it was awkward to wear the same clothes all the time, especially for Leidia, who is a woman.

When we dried our clothes, we ended up wearing nothing but fur, like primitive people.

I was fine, but it was a bit awkward to see Leidia in such a revealing state.

I also wanted some easily usable fabric and towels, and the Itotsumugiaru seemed to solve various problems, so I had high hopes for it.

First, I thanked Rento for bringing the Itotsumugiaru.

Once the nest-building in the trees is complete, I'll go and check it out.

"Claire, did you report to the kingdom successfully?"

After learning about the Itotsumugiaru, I asked Claire, who was rejoicing at the reunion.

"Even though the Demon King was surprised, I was granted permission for you to stay."

"That's great."

With this, we can avoid a future where Carmilla's father attacks us.

I was relieved to have avoided a potential major problem.

"Does that mean Claire will be staying here for a while?"

"Yes, I will take care of you without holding back—no, I will take care of you, my lady."

Claire's declaration was very cheerful.

She was speaking her true feelings, but I'll pretend I didn't hear that.

I was also busy with work in my previous life, so I can relate to her feelings.

"However, to improve our life here, I will have to return occasionally..."

Living in the forest is fine, but to improve the quality of life, it's inevitable.

We can't get iron or seasonings here.

When I do, I'll have Rento guard us as he did this time.

"Claire, did you bring the crops and seasonings I asked for?"

"Of course."

When I asked, Claire showed me a large cloth bag.

Inside were many bottles of seeds, each labeled with the name of the crop.

Tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, cabbages, pumpkins, cucumbers, radishes, spinach, corn, grapes, eggplants, cabbages, carrots, onions... and there were also seasonings and what looked like cotton.

"I knew about your abilities, so I brought a variety of seeds regardless of the season."

With my growth promotion and magic stone fertilizer, I can grow crops regardless of the weather or temperature. Of course, they taste best when grown in their peak season, but I can grow any crop year-round.

Knowing the benefits of Elphira's blessing, I asked Claire to bring a wide variety of seeds regardless of the season.

"Sure enough, the Demon Kingdom of Belgios has a rich variety of crops."

"Many new crops will be added."

Leidia and Carmilla also looked happy to see the new crops.

"Let's start planting the seeds, then."

"Of course, I've prepared many fields for this day!"

With the seeds Claire brought, we moved to the newly created fields.

There were many ridges that Carmilla and I had made, and the neatly arranged rows looked very satisfying.

"The fields have increased significantly since two weeks ago."

"You've overdone it a bit, haven't you?"

Claire and Leidia were a bit taken aback.

I must have been too excited about the new crops and overdid it.

"Well, that's true."

"Plowing the soil was fun!"

While I was feeling a bit awkward, Carmilla was completely unfazed.

Yeah, I agree with Carmilla. Plowing the soil and planting new seeds was very enjoyable. It's too late to change what's already done.

"If we use all these fields, we definitely won't have enough manpower."

Leidia, who has been focusing on crop management recently, stated this.

Thanks to the Kira Plants and Insect Killers, we don't have to worry much about animals, monsters, or insects, but it will be difficult for five of us to manage so many fields.

"Then, let's increase Rento's companions."

By increasing the number of Gaia Notes like Rento, we can not only increase the labor force but also the fighting power.

When I imagined increasing Rento's companions, three more Gaia Notes were born, growing from trees in an instant.

"Oh? The number of leaves on their heads is different?"

They looked almost identical to Rento, but the number of leaves on their heads was different.

Two, three, four leaves. It's easy to tell them apart, like second, third, and fourth sons.

I'll name the one with two leaves Rento Jiro, the one with three leaves Rento Saburo, and the one with four leaves Rento Shiro.

It may lack creativity, but it's easy to understand.

"Oh, Rento has increased!"

"The Gaia Notes were born so easily..."

"Living in the heart of the Dead Forest is reassuring, but this is clearly overkill."

Carmilla was delighted at the increased Gaia Notes, while Claire and Leidia were stunned.

Rento alone was a formidable force, so it's understandable that they were surprised by the addition of three more.

"Now we can fully use the fields to grow crops."

With the increased labor force, we started planting the new seeds.

We carefully decided what to plant in each field.

After planting the tomato seeds, I watered them and applied growth promotion.

Immediately, tomato sprouts appeared from the ridges.

Good, if this goes well, we can eat tomatoes. I'm looking forward to the harvest.

"Lord Hashira, please do the same here."

"Got it."

While looking at the tomato sprouts, I moved to where Claire, who had finished planting, called me.

I watered and applied growth promotion, and sprouts appeared there as well.

"Lord Hashira's power is incredible. You seem like a god of agriculture."

"Is that so?"

I do have the blessing of a god of abundance, but it would be complicated to explain, so I didn't.

Thinking about it casually, Claire spoke seriously.

"I apologize for giving my opinion so soon, but to consider future development, I think we should also consider increasing the number of people, not just Gaia Notes. Relying solely on Lord Hashira and Lord Rento is risky, and without craftsmen, we can't increase the number of items."

She must have the knowledge to develop the land from working for the Demon King and Carmilla.

Indeed, we currently rely heavily on my power, and as Claire said, we lack craftsmen.

While agriculture is developing, there is no secondary industry.

"Thank you for your opinion. I'll consider increasing the number of people."

In addition to increasing the Gaia Notes, it's probably a good idea to consider increasing the number of people for the future.