Chapter 25

After staying up all night, I'm still hyped, but it wouldn't be right to greet the earth spirit Nomos in this state, so I'll take a nap in the kitchen. Sylph will wake me up when he arrives, so I should be fine.

"Yuta. Yuta. He's coming, wake up."

"Huh? What is it?"

"Nomos is about to arrive."

"I forgot. Thanks, Sylph."

I quickly cast purification on my body and head outside.

"Yuta, good morning."

"Quack."

"Good morning, both of you. Where's Nomos?"

"Over there."

Looking in the direction Belle pointed, I saw something tiny approaching. That must be Nomos. He's moving incredibly fast and will be here soon.

"Hey, Yuta. Did I keep you waiting?"

"No, it's fine. Thanks for coming all this way."

"Don't worry about it. If there's a field in the Land of Death, it's more in my jurisdiction. Let's take a look at the field right away."

With that, Nomos walked briskly toward the field, followed by the lower spirits. I've never heard his voice before. He must have brought them to make a contract with me, but is it okay?

Well, if the field doesn't meet the standards, there won't be a contract anyway. For now, I'll focus on Nomos.

Nomos took a handful of soil and observed it closely. My heart is pounding.

"Hmm. There are many things lacking, but it should be manageable."

"Does that mean it's qualified?"

"Well, it's the bare minimum we can work with. Considering it's in the Land of Death, it's worth praising. However, it's the bare minimum. You'll need to work hard, or I'll give up on you."

It's qualified. It feels like a pity pass, but if it's qualified, things should change.

"Got it. I'll work hard, but I don't know anything about soil. Can you teach me?"

"Sure. First, let's mix this soil."

"Huh? Mix it with what?"

"Obviously, to expand the field, you need to mix the soil. Move the rocks blocking the way and bring out the soil from the hole you dug."

I didn't know that. Nomos is the type who doesn't explain things well. He assumes everyone understands and moves forward. I need to be careful, or I'll get lost.

"Got it. Should I bring it all here? It's a lot."

"No problem. The more, the easier it is to mix."

I don't understand, but I stored the rocks and brought out all the soil from the hole I dug. It formed a large mound. What should I do with it?

"Hmm."

Nomos lightly waved his right hand, and the soil from the field and the mound began to move, swirl, and mix like a tornado. I don't understand, but it's impressive.

All the soil formed a tornado and silently filled the hole I dug. I don't understand, but spirits are amazing.

"Is this good?"

"Yes, this is fine. From here, we can gradually expand the soil."

"Thanks. But is it okay to do this much without a contract? I heard it's not allowed to use your power directly for someone you're not contracted with."

"Yes, there is such a rule. But this time, it's about reviving the soil in the Land of Death. I'm not helping Yuta; Yuta is helping me. There's no problem."

Is that so? It feels like a politician's logic, but it's good for me, so I'll go with it.

"Got it. If that's the case, please take care of it."

"Sure. By the way, I almost forgot. Yuta, contract with that lower spirit."

I almost forgot too. I beckoned the earth lower spirit.

"Hey, is it okay to contract with me?"

He nodded. He's still young, but he gives off a seasoned craftsman's vibe. Will he grow a beard like Nomos one day?

"Should I give you a name?"

He nodded again. He's consistent. What name should I give him? The purpose is harvest, so Harvest. It sounds a bit too serious. For a quiet spirit, a serious name might not be good.

How about Earth? It's too straightforward. Then, fertile... Fertile. Yes, that's good.

"I've decided. Your name is Fertile. In my world's language, it means fertile, or rich soil. I'll call you Tulu. Is that okay?"

He nodded. The contract is now established. It always feels anticlimactic.

"Tulu, that's a good name. Thanks."

"O-Okay, nice to meet you."

I heard his voice for the first time, and it was unexpectedly cute. I'm glad I didn't give him a serious name. I'm glad he likes it.

Ah. Belle and Rain, who were watching, must have noticed the contract was complete, as they suddenly rushed to Tulu. They were making happy sounds and introducing themselves. Tulu doesn't seem to mind; they seem to get along well.

"Hmm. Fertile, that's a good name. The contract is established. Basically, Tulu will manage this soil. If Tulu needs anything, tell Yuta. Got it?"

Tulu nodded and looked at me intently. Despite Belle and Rain playing around, he kept his gaze on me.

"Um, do you need anything?"

"...I want the forest spirit's cooperation as soon as possible."

Suddenly, a request from the spirit. The forest spirit... they can help grow plants, so that's good, right?

"Is this place suitable for a forest spirit to stay?"

"I think... it's okay."

Hmm, he doesn't sound confident.

"This land needs a forest."

Well, a forest would indeed enrich the soil. But creating a forest right away? There's no space for that here.

"Haha, Tulu, it's tough to bring a forest spirit to a place with no plants."

As expected, it's too much. Just because the soil is good doesn't mean it's possible.

"Is it impossible?"

Ah, those eyes. Lower spirits seem so pure; their eyes are very persuasive.

"Nomos, to bring a forest spirit, we need at least some plants, right?"

"Well, yes. If we manage this field and plant seeds, sprouts should grow. At least that's necessary."

Tulu will manage it, but we need plant seeds. What should I do? I thought the earth spirit would settle, but now another spirit... isn't the spirit density too high?

"Sylph, it seems we need plant seeds. I wish I could contract with Sylph right away, but with the current difficulty in leveling up, it's unpredictable. If we only have Bell and Rain bring the seeds, what would happen?"

"Hmm, just seeds would be less of a burden, but it would take half a day to go and three to four days to return."

Hmm, sending the young girl spirit and the dolphin spirit on a four-day journey? Is there another way?

"That's tough. What should we do?"

"Well, for spirits, that's not a big deal. Why don't we let them try?"

Sylph says it casually. She was against it before, but is it within their tolerance if it's just seeds? I'm still unsure, and Sylph leans in and whispers in my ear.

(By the way, I wanted to talk to the forest spirit. I'll go to the forest too. I'll take a leisurely walk and be back in a few days.)

So, Sylph will secretly follow them, like when a parent secretly follows a child on their first errand... That should be fine. I'm always relying on Sylph.

(Thank you.)

(It's just a walk to meet an old acquaintance.)

Sylph winked and walked away. Sylph is really cool. I thought she was a bit childish, but I was wrong.

...So, Tulu will manage the soil, and Bell and Rain will go on the errand. It's embarrassing, but in such cases, they need to be motivated for the mission.

"Bell, Rain, I need to talk to you. Come here."

I called Bell and Rain, who were playing with Tulu.

"What is it?"

"Quack."

Rain and Bell flew over happily. Ah, sending these cute kids on a tough journey? I'm about to break down. Sylph nods, so I guess there's no choice.

"Cough. Bell, Rain. I have a major mission for you! It's a much tougher task than before, but are you ready to take it on?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Quack, quack."

"Good. Sylph will tell you where the forest is, and you need to bring back plant seeds. If possible, edible ones."

I shouldn't have mixed in my own desires. Sylph is smiling wryly. I'm sorry.

"Yes, sir!"

"Quack, quack."

"It's a tough journey, but can you do it?"

I can't help but show my true feelings.

"We can do it!"

"Quack."

"Great, show me your best. Got it?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Quack, quack."

Bell and Rain gathered information from Sylph. After a while, they waved and flew away. Sylph followed after a short while. I prayed for their safe return.

"Yuta, you worry too much. If it's just seeds, they'll be back in no time."

"Sylph said the same, but they look so young. I can't help but worry."

"Hehe, Yuta, you're younger than Belle and Rain. Trust them and wait patiently."

What...? No, considering they evolved from floating spirits to lower spirits, that's possible?

"Even if that's true, they're still mentally young. It's natural to worry."

"Hehe, you're right."

Being comforted by Dine... I'm not used to it.

Thank you for reading.