CH 121

Picnic, huh… – i novels

()x10-13 minutes

The leisurely journey through the sky had come to an end, and they arrived at the spring house.

“Welcome back, Yuta!” “Kyukyu!” “Welcome home!” “Kuukuu!”

Bell and the others, who had been sent ahead, jumped onto me.

“Everyone, I’m back. Just wait a moment while I put Sara and the others to bed.”

Yuta politely declined Bell and the others’ enthusiasm and left the base. With Silphy’s help, he carried the kids to bed while they were still floating and gently laid them down. It might be surprising to wake up and find oneself lying in bed after flying. Fukuchan, Mamechan, and Uri watching over them was a heartwarming sight.

After putting Sara and the others to bed, Yuta went outside and greeted everyone upon his return. The Bell group rushed over, full of excitement, and he lovingly petted and played with them. He greeted Dyne, Nomos, and Dolly, but wait…

Come to think of it, whenever he returned, Dyne would always come flying over. But something seemed off this time. Had she grown up?

“Hey, Nomos, Dolly. What’s up with Dyne?”

“It’s nothing important.”

Nomos responded decisively. What could have happened? Yuta wondered curiously, and Dolly explained with a wry smile.

“Dyne is feeling a bit sulky. It seems she was sad that she wasn’t invited to the showdown with the Adventurer’s Guild.”

So, she hadn’t grown up after all. Is this one of those situations where a close friend feels abandoned and left behind while others have fun?

Hmm, it’s true that it can be quietly upsetting. I’ve had similar experiences, so I understand how she feels. But should a Great Spirit be feeling that way? Well, it’s not completely unreasonable, but since I understand her feelings, I should comfort her. After all, I’m the one who caused this.

“Dyne, the reason I didn’t call you was that our activities were focused in the forest. There’s no special reason behind it. I simply asked Dolly to accompany us during the showdown with the Adventurer’s Guild because that was part of the plan. If our activities were centered around a water area, it would have been you, Dyne, whom I would have called. It’s about choosing the right person for the right job.”

“Really?”

Dyne asked with a slightly skeptical tone. She’s completely turned into a sulking elementary schooler.

“Of course. Everyone knows that Dyne is reliable. I wouldn’t deliberately exclude you from the group. In fact, when we returned here, I was planning to ask a favor from you, Dyne. Right, Silphy?”

“Yes, that’s right. We were discussing asking Dyne for help while you were flying back.”

“R-Really? …I see. Yuta would never leave Onee-chan out. I’m sorry, I got a bit sad for no reason.”

Dyne said with a pout. It tugged at Yuta’s heart a little.

“N-No, well, it is lonely to be left behind. I’m sorry too. But relying too much on a powerful Great Spirit is a problem. I’m just trying to do as much as possible with me, Bell and the others. Please don’t misunderstand.”

“That’s right. Depending entirely on your Onee-chan won’t help you become a respectable adult. I understand. Your Onee-chan will watch over you, Yuta.”

Dyne declared with a bright smile, her expression changing rapidly. Also, I can’t claim to be a respectable adult, but I’m already an adult.

“So, what is it that you need from me, Yuta? Your Onee-chan will do her best.”

I also wanted to take a nap, but it’s difficult to explain everything after waking up in this situation.

“I want to introduce fish and aquatic plants into the waterways and ponds. I’m not sure if it’s possible, and I need Dyne’s help as she manages this spring. I was planning to ask for your assistance, but is that okay?”

“Of course. Leave it to your Onee-chan!”

Dyne puffed out her chest and took on the task. Bell, who had been listening to the conversation, imitated Dyne and also thumped her chest. Bell must be learning various gestures like this.

“I think it would be better to keep the central spring clean without introducing fish or plants. What do you think?”

“Hehe. That’s easy for your Onee-chan. Then let’s go right away!”

“Wait a moment, it’s still dark, and I want to take Sara and the others with us. I’m also tired and want to do it after I wake up. Also, Dolly, what about the aquatic plants? Will they thrive in these waterways and ponds?”

“There are few places that block sunlight, so it’s only possible in the areas with forests and Spirit Trees. But we can make it work with careful selection. However, I don’t know about fish food.”

Indeed, the intense sunlight pouring into the shallow waterways would be tough without careful selection. And fish food…

“Dyne, do you know any insects or creatures that wouldn’t be affected by the land of death and could serve as fish food?”

“Well, if they don’t damage crops or carry any poison even as adults, I can make a judgment. But I don’t know if the fish will eat them.”

Hmm. As long as they’re not dangerous insects, it should be fine. Since it’s the first time, I’ll focus on securing plants and try to find small fish like Medaka for the pond. Expanding the spring at the final endpoint of the waterway would also be a good idea in the future.

If I catch a lot of fish and release them here, it might become a fishing spot. I can leisurely sit there at the base and fish… But I need to start by acquiring fishing equipment.

It seems quite challenging, but if it’s possible, I want to give it a try. It’s a bit sad that Bell and the others won’t be able to race through the waterways anymore, but if obstacles increase, they will find new ways to have fun, so it’s not a problem. It could be an obstacle course race.

“At first, let’s not touch the waterways and focus on creating an ecosystem in a manageable forest pond. Let’s go to the river after everyone wakes up. What about you, Nomos?”

“I have something to take care of, so I won’t be going. Is that alright?”

It’s probably related to the sanctuary. I should ask later to see what’s going on. If they suddenly say, “Starting tomorrow, this place is a sanctuary!” I’d be surprised.

“If you have something to do, then it can’t be helped. But is it okay if I summon you in case something happens?”

“Yes, there’s no problem with that. However, I can’t imagine a situation where I would be needed with Silphy and the others around.”

“Well, that’s true, but if there’s a situation related to earth magic that Turu can’t handle, I’ll call you.”

“Understood.”

I wonder what kind of situation it would be where I need to call Nomos for something other than earth-related matters. A situation that Silphy, Dyne, and Dolly can’t handle. Could it be that the continent is about to collapse? I can’t really imagine a situation where I would need him.

“Silphy, I’m going to take a nap, so when Sara and the others wake up, please wake me up.”

I asked Silphy to be my alarm clock and entered the bedroom to sleep. But we ended up going out right after we returned. I had planned to wait until things settled down, but considering Dyne’s state, it couldn’t be helped. Well, it’s a fun event, so there’s no problem. I’ll rest well and enjoy it too.

————–

In the morning, Silphy woke me up, and I shook off the drowsiness and prepared breakfast. Well, it’s just taking out food from the magical bag.

“I’m done with the preparations, so you can start eating.”

At my words, everyone started eating breakfast. It’s been a while since I’ve had fish. At Torque’s Mighty Arms Inn, breakfast is mainly meat. I like meat, but if I eat it every morning, I start craving fish.

“While you all eat, let me explain. Today, Silphy will take us to a river or rather, a pond in the forest.”

“A pond? Master, is it some kind of new training?”

“No, it’s more like a picnic. Since it’s in the forest, there will be monsters, but our purpose is to catch aquatic plants and fish to introduce them to the spring here. We need to establish an ecosystem in the land of death.”

“A picnic, you say?”

“Yeah, it’s like a leisurely walk in the forest while securing plants and fish. Since Silphy and the others will be there to handle any monsters, there’s no problem. Let’s relax and enjoy ourselves.”

“A walk in the forest. How is it different from exploring the Labyrinth Forest?”

…I wonder how it’s different? That’s right, we experience nature with monsters almost every day. And the food we eat is the stockpile of supplies, so it’s not much different from usual, and there’s no special feeling.

It might be an extreme argument, but picnics are activities that people who are distant from nature do to experience it, right? Even though we’re constantly playing with nature at the risk of our lives, it makes me wonder about picnics.

“Well, let me explain. We won’t be fighting today. Silphy and the others will take care of everything, and we’ll be safely collecting things in the pond in the safe forest.”

“I see, so the purpose is to study the forest plants and collect fish and plants for the pond at the base. Master, I’ll do my best!”

“I’ll do my best too!”

“Me too!”

“…Y-Yeah, let’s do our best.”

It’s not quite what I had in mind. But well, they’re full of enthusiasm, so let’s consider it a good thing.

“Yuta, going to the forest?”

Bell flew over with a large sandwich in her hands. I thought she was too focused on her food, but it seems like she was listening to our conversation.

“Yeah, we’re all going to the pond in the forest today. We’ll be collecting small fish and plants. Help us, Bell.”

“Yeah! Bell will help!”

“Counting on you. But don’t move too much, or the meat might fall.”

While shaking her hands with the sandwich, she showed her enthusiasm, and the meat almost fell out. I warned Bell, and she quickly took a bite of the meat. She’s quite the glutton.

Childhood experiences continue to shape us even as adults. If Bell and the others become the kind of personalities that obsess over food when they grow up, it’ll be my fault.

While I’m around, feeding them is not a problem, but what about when I’m gone? Maybe I’m subjecting them to unpleasant experiences. But it’s too late to go without meals now. If they give me a longing look while I’m eating, the guilt would be overwhelming.

Should I start a culture where I offer food to the spirits? I need to think about it. I’ll discuss it with Silphy too. I’ve started worrying about various things. We finished breakfast, washed the dishes, and stored them away.

“Silphy, do you know a pond in a place similar to the forest near the base where creatures live?”

“Yes, I know one. Should I take you there?”

“Yes, please.”

With the destination easily determined, except for Nomos, we set off together. It seems like the picnic won’t be as exciting as planned, but let’s make the most of it and have fun.