Chapter 28

In the south of the current base, I created a forest space of the same size. Then, since I had nothing to do again, I decided to make a large amount of dried fish today. If I have nothing to do, I get worried and get scolded by Nomos for being annoying.

I cleaned a large number of fish and soaked them in seawater. This time for an hour and a half. This should make them perfectly salty. Probably.

While the fish were soaking, I watered the fields with Turu and had Nomos check the soil. It seems the soil mixed well and the microorganisms are gradually increasing.

Originally, I had crushed and mixed a large amount of small fish and seaweed, so it was said that the current state is closer to normal. However, I was told to make the same fertilizer again when putting soil in the forest space.

Well, I need Bell and Rain's help to catch small fish, so it will be after they return. If the plant seeds arrive, maybe greenery will grow in the Dead Land. I'm looking forward to it. I want to eat vegetables.

An hour and a half passed since the fish were soaked in seawater. I moved them to the drying rack and arranged them. If the dried fish turns out well, maybe next time I can get octopus or squid and process them.

If I could use recovery magic, I could try raw fish, but it's impossible without a contract with the spirit of life... It's too difficult in the Dead Land.

Once the forest is made, trees and grass should be alive, so it should be okay, right? It would be quite tough if animals were needed. It's impossible for wild animals to come here on their own even if the forest is made, right?

***

I spent the time making small things, cooling off in the pool, and talking with Dine, Nomos, and Turu, until the day Bell and Rain were supposed to return.

By the way, Dine was emphasizing how much she possessed the dignity and kindness of an older sister. I can't help but wonder why she is so attached to the position of an older sister.

I spent the time feeling restless. I had done all the small things, so the time passed slowly without anything to do.

"Yuta-kun, if you have nothing to do, why don't you increase the water channels?"

"Increase the water channels? I don't mind increasing them, but where should I lead them?"

There is already a water channel to the pool, and the drinking water is stored. The toilet is just a hole with sawdust, so there's no need to lead water there.

"I want you to lead a water channel to the forest space. Water is needed in the forest, right? Besides, the spring in the forest is beautiful."

I see. The water volume is apparently abundant, so it shouldn't be a problem. Without water, the trees would die in the Dead Land where it doesn't rain.

If there's a spring, it will be easier to water the area, and some water will inevitably leak from the joints of the water channels. It should help prevent the ground from drying out completely. It's not a bad suggestion.

"Alright. I'll make the water channels after putting in the soil, but I'll make the spring part now. Since it will be in the forest, a pool-sized spring should be fine, right?"

"Thank you, Yuta-kun. I'd be happier if it's round."

"Round? Why? It's just more difficult to make."

"Maybe, but imagine it. If you're walking in the forest and come across a spring, what shape would it be?"

It's like a quiz. No, more like a personality test.

"Ah, I do imagine it as more round than square, but what's the meaning?"

"There's no meaning. But I think the image is important."

I want to punch her. I really want to punch her. But Dine is here with good intentions. I'm the one being helped, and she's the one helping. ...My stomach hurts.

"Alright. But a perfect circle is impossible."

"That's fine. Thank you, Yuta-kun."

Dine patted my head. I feel humiliated that being patted on the head calms me down. Dine can be reliable at times, but she's mostly natural, so it feels very strange when she acts like an older sister.

I headed to the forest space with Turu. I took out the largest rock and had Turu stand in the center. I gave her a bamboo stick of the right length and stabbed a survival knife into the rock, circling around it.

It turned out to be a slightly distorted circle. It's a simple compass, so it's inevitable that it would be off a bit while circling. All that's left is to dig the rock along the cuts.

After finishing the spring and returning to the base, Dine came over, very pleased.

"Thank you, Yuta-kun. It's really beautiful. It will be the perfect spot for a nap once the forest is there."

...That's the reason? It's true that having a spring in the forest is good, and I might have made it eventually even without Dine's suggestion. But... watching Dine hum a happy tune, I thought, God, please give that natural spirit a punishment.

***

Midnight. They should have returned by now, but Bell and Rain still haven't come back. I know they're fine because they have Sylph and are spirits, but their appearance makes me worry more than necessary.

"Yuta-kun, are you still awake? I'll wake you up when they return, so why don't you get some sleep?"

"Umm, I tried to sleep but couldn't. I'll stay awake and talk with you."

"Yuta-kun, you worry too much. I'll be your conversation partner."

"Hehe, thanks."

While talking, I waited for Bell and Rain to return. Dine taught me about the roles of spirits and various things about this world. It was surprisingly informative. And this world... there are too many wars. I'm scared to go to town.

I got so engrossed in the conversation that I didn't realize it was already morning. Dine's stories were unexpectedly interesting. Especially the story of the Seadragon that was launched high into the sky and became a god in the forest. Apparently, that's how the legend of the Seadragon becoming a god started, but it seems that Seadragons don't actually become gods. I'm very curious about what happened to the Seadragon that was launched.

I went outside to bask in the morning sun and stretch. My butt was sore from sitting for so long. Rock benches aren't suitable for long periods of sitting.

After washing my whole body and looking up at the sky, I saw two dots approaching.

"Hey, Dine. I can't see clearly, but are those Bell and Rain flying there?"

"Oh, yes, they are. It's Bell and Rain. They look very energetic, so I'm relieved."

"That's good."

I'm glad they returned safely. They fly so slowly when carrying things. Bell flies like a gale when not carrying anything, but the dots approaching are moving slowly. It will take a bit more time.

"Welcome back, Yuta."

Sylph was suddenly standing next to me. She must have returned ahead of them.

"Ah, welcome back, Sylph. Good job... You really look tired. Did something happen?"

"There were no major problems. But those two are still children. Their unpredictable actions made me quite anxious. I'd appreciate it if you didn't send them on errands for a while."

To be so exhausted that even the Great Spirit of Wind looks tired... I'm scared to ask what happened.

"That's what happened. Thank you so much, Sylph."

"You're welcome. Well, they're almost here. Greet them with a smile."

Following Sylph's advice, I looked up at the sky, and they were close enough to see their faces clearly. They looked happy and energetic.

"Bel, Rain, welcome back!"

Shouting loudly, Bell and Rain waved and flew over.

"Welcome back!"

"Kyu"

They flew into my chest, and I hugged and praised them.

"Good job. You did well to return safely, Bell and Rain."

"Good job!"

"Kyu"

Watching them laugh and fuss in my arms, a sense of relief welled up. I'll wait until they're a bit older before sending them on another errand... How do spirits grow?

"Ah!"

Bell suddenly shouted and floated up in front of me. What is it?

"Bel, good job. Mission complete."

"Kyu Kyu Kyu"

Saying that, she handed me a small leaf-wrapped package. It's the seeds. I almost cried. I can't cry, I need to take them properly.

"Bel, Rain, you did a great job on this important mission. You overcame the difficulties and returned safely. I'm very proud of you. Thank you very much. The mission is now complete. Take a good rest."

"Thank you!"

"Kyu Kyu"

They flew into my arms again, and I hugged and praised them. Looking up, I saw Nomos and Turu watching with warm smiles. It's a bit embarrassing.

"Nomos, Turu, good morning. Bell and Rain brought back the seeds. Let's plant them in the field right away."

"Hmm. Well, that's good."

"...That's good."

It's embarrassing. I feel very embarrassed. They are watching from a distance, not wanting to get involved, but they are saying something out of politeness.

"Ah, thank you. Hahaha."

It's awkward. It's incredibly awkward. Sylph is looking away, and Dine is shedding tears of emotion. No one is reliable. I need to move the conversation along and make everything okay.

"These are the seeds they brought back. Can Nomos and Turu identify the types?"

"Hmm. I'm not very interested in food, so I can't tell in detail, but these two were eating leaves. The other two were eating roots."

So the earth spirits aren't interested in food? They seem to know what kind of plants they are, but they aren't interested in them as food. Well, that's fine. Let's plant the seeds right away. Hooray for vegetables.

Thank you for reading.