Chapter 30

Yesterday was a good day. Bell and Rain completed their errand mission, we sowed seeds, and enjoyed tea and Japanese sweets. I might have experienced too much joy at once, but it was a pretty good day.

This morning, I also enjoyed seafood with Bell, Rain, and Turu. Eventually, I want to make sure even the Great Spirits, who aren't very interested in food, can join us for meals every day.

I learned yesterday that if I offer good alcohol, they might barge in even if they refuse, but I'll keep that as a last resort.

So, what should I do today? Everyone is back, so I should start thinking about launching a special attack on the monster nest soon.

"Hey, Yuta. Do you have any plans for today?"

"I was thinking about leveling up, but do you have something in mind?"

"Indeed. You should prepare a fertilizer made from small fish and seaweed."

You mentioned that before. It's the one you spread in the space for growing the forest, right?

"Ah, that one. If it's urgent, I can go right away, but what do you think?"

"Indeed. We need a lot, so it's better to start early. Sylph said the Forest Spirit would call for the forest to grow as soon as the seeds sprout, so we'll need it soon."

The seeds should sprout in four to five days. If they come immediately, that means we only have that much time. If the seeds sprout but there's no place to grow the plants, they won't come. That means we'll miss out on fresh vegetables. I need to put in some effort.

"How much do you need? Since we're using a large space, I'm not sure how much to prepare."

"Hmm. Considering the concentration of the fertilizer in the field, at least five times that amount, preferably eight times."

Wow. Can we even make eight times as much? If we stay at the beach and just keep making it, maybe we can manage. But Bell and Rain are checking on the seeds I planted. I want to be back before they sprout.

"If I go now and stay overnight, I can get the amount, but if Bell, Rain, and Turu come with me, we won't be able to water the seeds. It would be a shame to ruin the seeds."

"That's easy. Dine can water them."

"We can't use her power without a contract, right?"

"Use your head. It's not about using her power. Just make Dine feel like watering the base every day."

I see. But is that okay? It sounds like a childish excuse. Is it just about saving face?

"I see. If Dine feels like watering the base every day, it won't be a problem if it happens to water the field too, right?"

I glance at Dine, who is listening nearby. She's a bit dense, so I need to be obvious.

"Exactly. If Dine feels like watering the base, there won't be any problem."

Nemos also looks at Dine after speaking. Dine stands up with a wry smile and launches a ball of water from the spring into the sky. After a while, the water falls like rain over the base.

"Phew. That feels refreshing. The Land of Death is so dry, it's annoying to look at."

Dine's insincere voice is heard. Thanks for reading the air.

"The problem is solved, but I wonder if this is really okay. Is it alright, Spirit?"

"Don't be rude. The premise is wrong. Who else can normally talk to spirits besides you? Talking to spirits without a contract, having tea together, this situation is unprecedented."

I see. So it's a new situation where the rules haven't caught up yet, and there are many loopholes.

"Wait, if that's the case, couldn't I have just shouted that I wanted the seeds to fall in the field, and Bell and Rain wouldn't have had to go on the errand?"

I was quite worried and needed to put in effort to send Bell and Rain on the errand... I wish I had known this sooner.

"Seeds wouldn't work. It wouldn't be natural for the spirits here to carry seeds. If they scattered them unnaturally, it would be a clear violation. The key is not deviating from their duties."

So that's why Dine is watering. If I had whispered to Nemos that I was worried about the seeds in the field, he might have watered them, saying it was necessary for soil management.

"Then, when the Forest Spirit comes, will they have a lot of seeds since it's their territory?"

"Hmm. For a Great Spirit, carrying seeds wouldn't be a burden and wouldn't be a violation."

So... Sylph has been calling Great Spirits, and the Forest Spirit is likely a Great Spirit. A Great Spirit can carry seeds without issue. If the land is suitable for plants to grow, maybe a casual whisper could work.

"Hey, what happens if there's a penalty? Can they be judged?"

"Yes. The penalties were established by the gods to prevent powerful spirits from acting recklessly. They can be demoted or even disappear. Since the penalties are set by the gods, they can't be avoided."

That's more severe than I thought. Disappearing is terrifying.

"Well, I'll try not to make unreasonable requests."

"Wise of you."

"So, Sylph, is it okay if I go to the sea to make fertilizer?"

"Sure."

I store plenty of fresh water to wash the small fish and call out to Bell, Rain, and Turu. Everyone, let's go to the sea.

***

"The sea!"

"The sea!"

"Kyukyuu"

"...The sea."

Bell and Rain are excited, and Turu shyly echoes my shout in a small voice. Sylph observes quietly, as if to say, "Well, what can you do?"

"Alright. Bell, Rain, and Turu, I have a mission for you."

"Yessir!"

"Kyukyukyuu"

"Y-Yes sir?"

"Bell and Rain, your mission is to secure small fish. We need a lot more this time. Can you do it?"

"Yuta, are there a lot?"

"Call me Captain during missions. Got it?"

"Yessir!"

"There are a lot, so do your best."

"Yessir!"

"Kyukyukyuu"

"Good. Turu, your mission is to secure seaweed. We need a lot of it too. Do your best."

"Y-Yes sir."

Turu seems a bit embarrassed. I've already resigned myself.

"Alright, go!"

Bell and Rain head to the sea happily, while Turu goes with a puzzled look. Sorry, Turu. I should have explained more.

"Yuta, weren't you supposed to stop this?"

Sylph looks exasperated. I understand how she feels.

"I wanted to, but Bell and Rain liked it too, so I've resigned myself. You know, humans feel a strange sense of relief when they let go of their pride."

"Pride is important. Don't let it go, especially around humans. It's fine with the spirits, but be careful around humans."

Around humans, huh? That's the real problem.

"Hey, Sylph, can I tell the difference between spirits and humans?"

Sylph looks surprised. More like, "What are you talking about?"

"Well, I can tell if they're floating or in animal shapes, but Sylph and Dine are beautiful women, and I can't really tell the difference from humans. Nemos looks just like a dwarf from my world. How can I tell the difference?"

"Yuta, calm down. You're saying some embarrassing things."

...Yeah, it is a bit embarrassing. If Dine heard, she'd probably faint.

"Ahem... Anyway, since I can't tell by appearance, what should I do?"

"Well, it's the first time someone can see us so clearly that they can't tell the difference from humans. I'm not sure what to do. ...But, lower and middle spirits often fly, and higher and Great Spirits are rare, so it should be fine."

"Is that so? I've never seen a human, but maybe I can tell the difference in town. I'll try not to act recklessly."

"Good. By the way, Yuta, aren't you going to collect seaweed?"

It feels like she's changing the subject... but I shouldn't burden Turu alone.

"Right. I'll go."

I join Turu in collecting seaweed. I take out a large rock and pile up the seaweed and small fish. Rain washes them with fresh water, and we dry them on the rock while continuing to collect more. Breaking the fish's necks is a bit tough.

This doesn't feel like a routine beach trip. The clear, beautiful sea is nice, but maybe we need some bikinis and food stalls too.

When we have enough, I ask Bell to dry the small fish and seaweed with wind.

"Phew. It's getting dark. Let's go back to the beach house."

"Mission complete."

"Kyuu"

"Bell, Rain, we still need more. The mission continues tomorrow and the day after."

"Mission continuation."

"Kyuu"

"Turu, it's tough, but please help."

"It's okay."

I can't help but pat Turu's head when I see her nod. Bell and Rain join in, and we play around. It feels kind of happy.

Back at the beach house, we process the small fish and seaweed. We wash, chop, and grind them into powder. We repeat this for two more days, and we finally manage to get the required amount. Repeating the same task is quite tiring.

Thank you for reading.