CH 128

Long-cherished Wish – i novels

()x10-13 minutes

As I called out to Dolly with excitement, waving my hands, she approached with a curious expression.

“What’s the matter? Yuta-san, why are you making such a fuss?” she asked.

“Well, you see, this! It’s something made from processed plant seeds. I was wondering if you could create it with your abilities,” I said, showing her a tuna mayo rice ball from a magical bag. Oh, my heart was pounding so much. If Dolly could make rice, it would go well with this dish. What should I do without worrying?

I had actually planned to have Silphy and the others check Japanese food before, but I completely forgot due to various reasons.

“Oh, it’s rice. It’s not eaten in this continent, but it’s a staple in other places,” she calmly replied.

The answer came easily. Haha, I should have asked earlier.

“Yes, it’s rice, but can you make it, Dolly?”

“Yes, I can.”

I raised my fist silently towards the sky. The biggest concern about food was resolved so easily. For some reason, Bell, who had flown over to the top of my raised fist, sat there, fluttering. She was cute, so I forgave her. Holding Bell in my arms, I continued to ask Dolly.

Even though it’s called rice, there are various types, so I handed her the tuna mayo rice ball to taste. I felt like drooling, but I had to hold back. If things went well, I could eat delicious rice to my heart’s content.

“It might be difficult to discern the taste since it’s seasoned with salt and fillings, but can you make something similar?”

Dolly closed her eyes and earnestly confirmed the taste. The atmosphere was tense.

“As for the texture, the grains are firm, with a slight stickiness and a hint of sweetness. It’s not the exact same thing, but if it’s something similar, I can make it,” she replied.

“Please, I would appreciate it.”

I bowed deeply, bending my waist at a right angle. I would forget about the pain in my back caused by farming for now.

“Haha, you don’t have to bow so deeply; it’s alright,” Dolly said, her gentle smile radiating like a halo. Should I pray?

“Hahaha, I’m happy too because rice is a staple for me. I really want to eat it. Can you make it for me?”

Upon my request, Dolly’s face clouded slightly. Did something happen?

“Yuta-san, I’ve heard about the discussion regarding staple foods, and even though it makes you very happy, it pains me to say that there is a problem with directly consuming the seeds we create as forest spirits,” Dolly explained.

Ah, I see. It’s true that if we were to eat the grains created directly, we would be skipping various processes, which could pose some issues.

Even accelerating the growth of plants requires utilizing a certain amount of natural energy, and it could lead to the depletion of soil nutrients. The absence of such concerns does seem problematic.

“Well, if that’s the case, then there’s nothing we can do. Just knowing that rice exists makes me happy, so please don’t look so apologetic. Is it okay if we create rice by establishing rice fields and growing it? And is it alright for Dolly to rapidly accelerate the growth of the planted rice?” I asked.

“Yes, that would be fine. If we create the soil and utilize its nutrients, there won’t be any problems. I can assist you sufficiently,” Dolly assured me.

That’s a relief. It would be impossible for an amateur like me to grow rice on my own. If it’s possible to accelerate its growth rapidly, then we can manage somehow.

“Thank you, Dolly. That’s more than enough. Oh, when accelerating the growth of rice, do we need to allow some time gaps, similar to how fruit trees bear fruits?” I inquired.

“You don’t need to do that in the case of rice. Since the trees in the forest shorten the time span to a few years, it’s safer to have time gaps. But in the case of rice, which grows within a short period, both the soil and rice can develop without any issues,” Dolly explained.

Great! Oh, but should we do rice planting? When I was in elementary school, we had a rice planting event as part of our school curriculum, and I still remember it. It was quite a fun memory, and I thought it might be a good experience for Sara and the others. Although there were hills and such, they don’t exist in the Land of Death, so there shouldn’t be any issues in that regard.

…It’s complicated. I’m torn between the desire to obtain rice as soon as possible and the desire to create memories for the children.

…Sigh, I guess it can’t be helped. Even if I ignore everything and leave it all to Dolly, should I have still let them experience rice planting? I can’t seem to genuinely celebrate the rice without worrying about it. It seems like we should proceed with the rice planting event.

“I’m genuinely happy that we don’t need time gaps. Since I’ve never made rice before, could you lend me your knowledge, Dolly? Also, we’ll need Nomos’ assistance in soil preparation, and rice fields require a lot of water. Dyne, do you think we’ll have enough water even after creating the rice fields?” I asked.

“Hehe, Yuta-chan, I understand that you’re excited, but please calm down a little. The children are also bewildered,” Dyne scolded me gently.

I was subtly shocked by Dyne’s scolding. It was quite a blow. When I glanced at Sara and the others, they averted their gazes. Well, they understand that I’m talking to the spirits, but it must look odd to see a single man getting all worked up by himself. I can understand their desire to look away.

“Ahem. You don’t need to help me anymore today, so Sara, please go and train with Fukuchan and the others. Use the experience from yesterday’s training, where you accidentally destroyed the nest, to think of various strategies,” I said.

“Yes, understood, Master. We’ll train in the usual place,” Sara replied as she ran off with Marco, Kika, and Fukuchan. It seemed like she felt relieved to leave this situation. Maybe it’s just my imagination? Although I don’t have confidence in my own energy level after the previous excitement, let’s assume it’s just my imagination.

“Since we’re still going to have a discussion, Bell and the others can go and play. I’ll call for your assistance if I need it,” I said.

“Alright,” “Kyu,” “Understood,” “Kukuu,” replied Bell and the others happily as they flew away. It seems like all I could see was the topic of rice. When did Bell, who I was holding, fly away? And when did she separate from me?

“Ahem. Dyne, is there enough water?” I asked seriously.

“Pufu, Yuta-chan, even if you suddenly put on a serious face, your previous embarrassing state doesn’t just disappear,” Dyne replied, teasing me with great joy. It’s a tremendous shock. And Dyne’s face is shining like never before. I guess she’s happy with the change in our usual roles.

“Sylphy, did I really make a fool of myself?” I asked.

“Well, it might be an exaggeration to say you made a fool of yourself, but it was certainly quite different from your usual self,” Sylphy said, smiling a little. Yeah, the odds are against me. Let’s put on a calm facade and try to change the atmosphere quickly.

“I see, I got a little too excited and my energy levels went overboard. I’ve calmed down quite a bit now. So, Dyne, do we have enough water?” I asked.

“Huh? W-Well, yes. We have abundant water, so unless it’s a massive scale, we should have enough,” Dyne answered, slightly pursing her lips in a disappointed manner. Is she dissatisfied that I didn’t panic or try to hide my mistake? I have no intention of letting Dyne play around with me so easily. I’m the one who teases her, not the other way around. I won’t waver from that stance.

“In that case, it’s fine. Nomos, Dolly, can we use the forest soil for the rice fields?” I asked.

“Hmm, we need to make some adjustments, but generally, it should be possible,” Nomos replied.

“Yes, I believe the soil will be fine. However, since rice fields require draining water, it would be better to consider the location,” Dolly added.

Ah, I see. Water can flow through any block thanks to the waterways, so adding water isn’t a problem. But the issue lies in finding a suitable location for drainage during the water removal process.

“Dyne, it seems like the water from the rice fields would be beneficial for living creatures too. It feels wasteful to just discard it, doesn’t it?” I said.

“Hmm, that’s true. It would create a more comfortable environment for living creatures, so it’s a good idea to make the rice fields right before the final destination of the large spring. That way, we can adjust the water level of the spring and quickly pour water into the fields. Moreover, the final large spring can become a thriving ecosystem with an abundance of life,” Dyne explained.

I see, that sounds good too. It’s difficult to increase the population of large fish with only forest ponds. If we have living creatures in the rice fields, we can release fish into the final large spring and create a fishing spot as well. Haha, the possibilities are expanding.

“Understood. We’ll create the rice fields in the block just before the final destination of the spring. I’ll need a lot of help, so please assist me,” I said.

“Hmm, I could use a drink tonight,” Nomos replied.

“Oh, I want to drink too,” Dyne chimed in.

“Hehe, count me in as well.”

“I don’t have anything to do with making the rice fields, but I want to drink too,” Silphy added.

…Well, it’s fine. If they’re willing to make rice for the sake of alcohol, I’m even willing to buy up an entire brewery. But, as great spirits, they shouldn’t be making those “Is this my chance?” kind of faces. Especially Nomos. It just makes me sad to see him smirking in satisfaction.

“Silphy, I’ll need your help with drying the harvested rice after cutting it, using the wind to accelerate the process. I’ll also need your assistance with polishing the rice. There won’t be any issues, right? Tonight, I’ll bring out three casks, so think about what kind of alcohol you want to have,” I said.

Huh? But if it’s drying, can’t Dyne just remove the moisture and finish it quickly? But I vaguely remember hearing that sun drying makes the rice taste better… It’s a dilemma.

I’m also uncertain if Dolly can intervene with the grown and harvested rice, and whether we should insist on sun drying. Delicious rice would be preferable, but I recall that leaving the rice as is for drying took about two weeks… Hmm, I don’t know the correct answer.

Well, let’s just decide based on how we feel at the time. If I want to devour a bowl of rice as soon as possible, I’ll ask Dyne to assist. If I want it to be delicious, I’ll rely on Silphy.

I stop thinking and watch the great spirits get excited about what to drink. I feel like I’ve had this same thought before, but spirits who are motivated by alcohol… It’s convenient and affordable.