Chapter 52

"Hey, Hashira. Can I plant some wheat?"

After announcing the creation of the mandrake field, Reidia asked.

"Wheat? I don't think it was among the crops Claire brought before?"

When I asked Claire, I didn't request wheat.

The reason is that it requires a lot of work to dry and thresh.

If we could do it all at once with machines like in my previous life, it would be fine, but at that time, we only had four people and Rent.

We also had the chewy fruits that could serve as a staple food, and since we didn't have enough hands, I didn't ask for it.

"Cecilia brought it."

"Yes, I thought it could add to our food supply."

Cecilia, standing nearby, folded her arms and said it with a hint of pride.

I see, she brought it as a food supply.

"Since we have more hands now, I think it would be fine to grow it."

"That's true. Cecilia, can you give us some wheat?"

"Yes, of course. I also have rye, so please take that as well."

Cecilia nodded gracefully, and the attendant behind her ran off to the house.

"Oh, if the wheat grows, we can have bread too!"

"I've gotten used to the chewy fruits, but it's not a problem to have more staple foods."

Indeed. Even though we have the chewy fruits, I still want to eat bread and rice. Having more staple foods makes the meals richer.

"Can we use the newly cultivated field?"

"Yes, that's fine."

With that nod, the elves, led by Reidia, began planting the wheat seeds.

"Hey, Hashira."

When I turned around at the call, Durbano and Zoll were there.

"We want to go and gather materials to build the workshop and furnace. Can we take Gaianote and a magic user who can use the transfer magic as guards?"

"Sure. The stones are quite heavy, and it would be convenient if Cecilia could transfer in the future."

I heard from the Demon King that transfer magic can only be used if you have been to the place or can see it. To make it easier for Cecilia to move around in the future, it would be good to enable her to transfer to various places.

"Really!? We're actually going outside!?"

Cecilia was shocked, perhaps fearing the outside of the forest.

"You boasted that you were sent here because you can use transfer magic. Now, show us how useful you can be."

Cecilia turned to me with a look of pleading after hearing Durbano's words.

"I want you to not only travel between the country and here but also to be active in other ways."

"R-really!?"

Unfortunately, we don't need a resident who only travels between the country and here.

If we had a contract for that, it would be different, but the Demon King said they were immigrants. It should be fine to use them in this way.

Since she lives here, I want Cecilia to work diligently and be of service to everyone.

"Renshiro and Rensaburo, can you guard these three?"

When I called out, the two nodded.

"Come on, we have Hashira's permission. Let's go."

"We need to build the workshop quickly to make alcohol."

"Wait, wait! I'm not ready yet! Claire!"

As Durbano grabbed her arm and dragged her, Cecilia looked at Claire with a pleading gaze.

"Have a good trip."

The one she sought help from smiled and saw her off.

"You always rely on Claire, don't you?"

"That's what makes Cecilia cute and interesting."

Normally, you wouldn't rely on someone you dislike. They must be good friends.

◆

After seeing Cecilia off, I headed to the field where Reidia and the others were.

The elves were lined up, planting seeds.

They were pulling a rope woven by the Itsumugiaris and planting in a straight line along it.

After planting the seeds, they used shovels to lightly cover them with soil.

Then, the elves used water magic to lightly water the soil.

As a race skilled in magic, they used it naturally. It looked convenient and enviable.

"Can you sprinkle magic stones on the soil?"

"Magic stones? What's the point of that?"

Althe, who received the magic stones from Reidia, tilted her head.

Outside, magic stones don't work as fertilizer, so her reaction was understandable.

"Sprinkling them will make them act as fertilizer and help the plants grow better."

"O-oh..."

"Try it."

"Understood."

Convinced by Reidia, the elves hesitantly sprinkled the magic stones on the wheat field.

"Hey, the magic stones are buried in the soil... and disappeared?"

The elves were surprised to see the magic stones buried in the soil.

"Hashira, the usual request!"

"Got it."

At Reidia's request, I used my usual growth promotion power.

As the soil glowed emerald green, sprouts began to emerge.

"I can't believe it. The sprouts are already out!"

"With this power, we can grow crops quickly."

"It makes sense that crops that don't depend on the season can grow here."

The elves were amazed at the sight of sprouts emerging immediately after planting.

Our field has a mix of crops that should be grown in different seasons, so it's understandable that they were surprised to see crops that should be grown in autumn or winter thriving.

"Since they've grown this much, we can start trampling the wheat."

"Trampling the wheat right after planting sounds strange."

Reidia chuckled.

Trampling the wheat involves stepping on the wheat seedlings to break the stems, reducing their ability to absorb water and making them more resistant to cold and drought.

This time, thanks to the power, we planted them regardless of the season, so there's no need to prepare them for the cold.

However, trampling the wheat has the effect of promoting root growth and increasing the number of roots. By firmly pressing the raised soil with your feet, you can help the roots grow firmly and straight, making the wheat strong. It's not a bad idea to do it.

Everyone lined up and started trampling the wheat, stepping on the seedlings in small steps and moving forward gradually.

It's nostalgic. In my previous life, trampling the wheat was a seasonal tradition in the countryside.

I remember trampling the wheat with my family.

"Wh-what are you doing, Hashira, Reidia!?"

While we were happily trampling the wheat, Carmilla, who was working in a different field, came over with a changed expression.

She must be surprised to see us stepping on the sprouts. It's understandable to be shocked without the knowledge.

"This is called trampling the wheat. It's a method to make the wheat grow strong. We're not playing and damaging the wheat."

"Is that so? Then, can we trample other crops to make them grow strong!?"

"No, this is a characteristic of wheat and a few other crops. Don't do it to other crops."

"I see. That's a shame. It looks fun, can I join?"

"Sure, come on over."

The wheat field is large, so the more people, the faster the trampling will be.

When I said that, Carmilla came over and took a position in the next row.

However, she stopped as soon as she tried to step forward with her right foot.

"What's wrong?"

"...Now that I'm about to do it, I hesitate to step on the sprouts..."

"I can understand that feeling."

You don't want to damage something you should take care of.

"Think of it as giving the wheat a massage with your feet. It's more about pressing and stimulating them."

"Oh, like massaging Father's back with my feet!"

I couldn't help but feel warm at Carmilla's words.

The Demon King's family may have a dangerous image, but they also have a peaceful and family-oriented side.

Carmilla seemed to be comfortable with the idea and started trampling the wheat without hesitation.

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