Chapter 35

"Hashira, let's head to the harvest!"

The consultation was interrupted by Carmilla, who had apparently finished taking measurements.

This time, she was properly dressed, which put my mind at ease.

As for the private room, I'll hear the results of their calm discussion later.

"I kept you waiting."

When the slightly blushing Claire arrived late, we decided to head to the harvest.

I want to share the joy of harvesting new crops with everyone.

"This time, it's not just Carmilla's mochi-mochi fruits, but we can also harvest grave apples and pink cherries."

"Oh, we can finally eat those too!"

"I sometimes eat things I see in the forest, but I'm looking forward to tasting the ones Hashira has grown."

The things I grow with my ability are generally sweeter and more flavorful than those that grow naturally.

If they're even more delicious than what we get from the forest, I'm really looking forward to the taste.

We took the baskets and moved to the field.

First, we harvested the mochi-mochi fruits that Carmilla had grown from scratch.

These were grown without using my ability at all.

It took longer to grow because I didn't use growth promotion, but they seem to have grown well.

"Are we really allowed to pick them!?"

"Yeah, most of them are ready for harvest. Actually, I want you to remember their size and firmness."

Since you still have little experience, it might be difficult to judge, but I want you to be able to do it on your own eventually.

Fortunately, there are many other things to compare them with, and they also grow in the forest.

"Got it."

When I nodded, Carmilla started harvesting the mochi-mochi fruits first.

"... Hmm, they're definitely smaller and less firm compared to the ones in Hashira's field."

"That's because I used my ability to promote growth on the ones in my field."

Carmilla's fruits were grown without any of those, so they're a bit smaller, and the branches and leaves are also a bit smaller overall.

"... Should I use Hashira's power for my field too?"

After comparing them with the ones in my field, Carmilla muttered this.

It might be more efficient, but this is a field that Carmilla enjoys working on. I don't think she needs to force herself to match.

"Now that we have more crops and fields, we have more food. There's no need to rush, so Carmilla, do what you like."

I don't want to suddenly lose my blessing, but there might be times when I can't work on the fields due to illness or injury.

I thought it would be good to establish a method of growing without using my ability for such times.

It would be difficult for me to take care of everything as the fields expand.

"Got it. Then, I'll keep it this way."

Carmilla said with a relieved smile.

Claire watched this with a warm smile.

After finishing the harvest of the mochi-mochi fruits, we moved on to the grave apples and pink cherries in the fruit field.

The grave apples were full of large fruits, and the pink cherries were hanging with many small, bright fruits.

When we picked the grave apples, we wiped them lightly with our sleeves and ate them right away.

It seemed that no one put them in the baskets, and the sound of three people biting into them overlapped pleasantly.

First, we tasted them.

As we looked at each other and smiled, the sourness and sweetness of the grave apples spread in our mouths.

"Oh, the flavor is really different."

"They're juicier than the ones from the forest."

Thanks to Elphira's blessing, the grave apples we grew were far superior to the wild ones.

Not only were they sweeter and more sour, but the juice overflowed in our mouths.

"Delicious!"

"I've never eaten such delicious fruit in the castle."

Carmilla ate with shining eyes, and Claire ate with a look of amazement.

Claire's reaction was the best I've seen. She might prefer fruits over meat or vegetables.

She usually has a stern expression and demeanor, so it was a bit surprising to see this girlish side.

We gave the core of the grave apples to the nearby Kiraplants and Insect Killers.

They are basically omnivores and enjoy eating such things.

"Then, let's try the pink cherries next."

"Yes, that's a good idea."

We all agreed to taste the pink cherries before harvesting them.

The small, bright pink fruits contrasted beautifully with the green branches and leaves.

After enjoying them with our eyes, we gently picked them with our fingers and put them in our mouths.

The smooth skin gave way to a rich aroma, a refined sweetness, and a subtle sourness. The flavor was neither too bold nor too subtle.

"... It's a very refined taste."

"Yeah, it's not flashy, but that's good."

"It's a taste you want to have after a meal."

I can understand that. It might feel best to eat this after a meal.

It seems to refresh your mouth with a refined sweetness.

"I like the pink cherries the most."

Claire, who had been giving off a vibe of being a fruit lover, showed the strongest reaction.

Her usually stern expression completely changed to one of bliss, and she declared her love for the pink cherries.

It seems she really liked them.

She savored the second and third fruits, putting them in her mouth one by one.

"Can't believe Claire would lose her composure like that."

"Yeah, it's rare to see."

Claire's composure made Leidia and me chuckle.

"Miss, please wait. I understand the seeds are a bother, but at least put them in a handkerchief. Thanks to the Itsumugia ants, we have enough fabric."

"Aw, that's a hassle."

Claire stopped Carmilla, who was about to spit the seeds into her palm, by giving her a handkerchief.

Well, it's better for a lady, and now the Itsumugia ants can make handkerchiefs quickly. Claire is right.

Even though her face relaxed after eating the pink cherries, she didn't forget her duty as a caretaker.

After the tasting, we moved on to the main harvest of the grave apples and pink cherries.

We carefully harvested them to avoid damaging the fruits and stems.

It's part of the fun to take a bite or two during the harvest.

It makes the harvest more enjoyable.

It's boring to work silently, so we often have casual conversations during such times.

The main conversation is usually led by the women, and I often answer or listen when they ask me something. This time, because of the pink cherries, I suddenly wondered about something.

"By the way, in everyone's hometown, is it said that if you can tie the stem of