Chapter 54

Having successfully completed the exam, I am now waiting for the results. Normally, it takes about a week for the results to come out, but this time, due to the number of people involved, it will take around ten days.

When I said I would give the two of them a present as a celebration, they said they needed to think about it, so it's on hold for now.

With nothing left to do, I suddenly looked out the window and saw that the snow had almost completely melted.

Spring seems to be just around the corner. With this, I can start farming.

"Alright, let's make a garden in the yard!"

"It's a home garden, then!"

"Hehe, is the farmer's blood calling out to you?"

"Well, that's part of it, but we're running low on sugar. I thought about planting sugar beets. Also, I want to try planting these mysterious seeds I picked up in the labyrinth."

"Sugar! I'll definitely help!"

"Hehe, Luna, you're so practical. I'll do my best to help too!"

I'll try to see if I can harvest twice by using the Growth spell for accelerated cultivation. When I tried using water from magic and well water before, there was hardly any difference, so I'll use magic to save effort and train my magical power.

But then, our yard is about 15m by 10m. It might be good for a home garden, but if I want to do it seriously, it's not enough... It seems a bit difficult to make a proper farm in the capital.

"Hey, even if we turn the yard into a field, it won't be enough. What should we do?"

"Yes, in that case, how about buying some land outside the city walls?"

"Probably, if you ask a real estate agent, you might get some good information."

So, I'm currently at the real estate office I visited before.

"Excuse me!"

"Yes, yes! Oh, you're the young master who bought a house before. Thank you for saving the capital!"

Huh? How do you know me?

"As a merchant, information is life. The information that the owner of the Water Luster and Silver Thunder, who saved the capital from large monsters, is already well-known among merchants. Although, apparently, a gag order has been imposed?"

I see, they're not to be underestimated. Probably the guild master, Lebrant, or one of his subordinates... In any case, I should be careful. But it's probably not Lebrant.

"No, I just protected my own home. I came today because I have something I want to ask."

"Yes, yes! Please tell me anything! I'll do my best to help!"

"Um, I want to make a field. Do you have any good places? Preferably next to or near my house. If that's not possible, outside the city walls is fine too."

"Please wait a moment... Oh, I have a few good options!"

The options presented were three places.

1. A dilapidated house about 10 minutes walk from my house, right next to the city wall. If the house is demolished, it can be used as a field. 50m x 50m without the house. Rent: 10 gold coins per month. Purchase price: 2000 gold coins.

2. The owner of the house next to mine is considering moving. If I help with the cost of the new house, they might move quickly. 30m x 30m garden with the house. 80m x 60m without the house. Rent: 70 gold coins per month. Purchase price: 18000 gold coins.

3. A place outside the city walls, a bit far from anything. 200m x 300m. Rent: 10 gold coins per month. Purchase price: 3000 gold coins.

I checked all of them, but the first and third options are a bit iffy. The security doesn't seem great, and it would be hard to deal with any issues outside the city walls. The third option is the largest, but...

The neighbor is moving? Then I'll go with that. It might cost a bit, but it's good to have the money circulating.

"Then, I'll buy the house and land next to mine. 180 platinum coins, right? I'll add 20 more to give to the current owner."

"Understood!! Thank you for your purchase again! The house next door should be empty in about 5 days, so you can use it freely after that!"

"Then, I'll come back in 5 days to get the key to the house."

"Yes! I'll deliver the key to you once everything is arranged!"

I still have a lot of money, but I've used quite a bit. Well, if I go to the labyrinth, I won't have to worry about food, and I don't really need that much money.

On the way back, I checked the neighboring house again. It's quite large. It's actually a mansion, and the garden is quite spacious.

They said it's 80m x 60m, but checking with spatial awareness, it seems to be about 80m x 70m. I feel like I got a good deal.

...But the mansion is quite dilapidated. It will need a lot of repairs. I'll have to complain to the real estate agent next time.

"Master, what do you want to do with the mansion?"

"It's quite dilapidated, but it might be usable after repairs."

...Using my broken item box, I can probably store it.

However, the layout of the house looks quite old, and even if I repair it, it might be difficult to use.

There's a chance the interior is clean, but if it is, I might not want to move in.

I'll just rebuild it and store the mansion. I have a log cabin, but it might be useful for something.

If I can create a magic item with storage for a log cabin and lend it to the two, it would help their adventuring.

I'll give it to them as a celebration gift.

According to the real estate agent, all the furniture will be taken, so it will be just the building.

"Today, let's start by turning the yard into a field! I'll prepare the soil."

I used Wind Cutter, Uplift, and Earth Shake to prepare the soil. I almost ran out of magic power before, but now I have plenty to spare. It's nice to feel my growth.

"Let's plant the sugar beets."

"What about the mysterious seeds?"

"I'll plant those in the new place I'm buying. If something creepy grows, I don't want it near the house. Oh, and I'll need to build a fence with wood or soil when the neighbors move out. A simple wooden fence should be fine."

The field isn't that big, so I'll have the two build a wooden fence now.

"Can the two of you build a wooden fence? I'll plant the seeds."

"Understood."

I spread the powder made from crushed shells I picked up in the labyrinth to enrich the soil, mixed it with Earth Shake, and carefully planted the sugar beet seeds, watering them afterward.

I didn't realize it, but it seems about three hours have passed.

The two have already built a large wooden fence in no time. I just need to wait a few days.

...The two built that much in three hours? They're too good.

By the way, it's now mid-afternoon. I had a late lunch at the meat skewer stand. It was the last day of the stand, so I got a lot of service.

When the new store opens, I'll ask them to supply seafood and add grilled shellfish to the menu. I also want to make yakisoba. Since there's no sauce in this world, it will be salt yakisoba, but I think seafood salt yakisoba could be a hit.

I'll ask Gal to make a simple noodle-making machine and have the meat skewer stand buy it. If it can change the thickness of the noodles, it would be great to have thick and thin noodles.

Hehehe, the new store is only a 15-minute walk from my house. I'll have them make new dishes. It will be convenient when I don't feel like cooking.

I can ask the two to help, but I also want to go out with everyone! The meat skewer stand seems to be planning new dishes, so I'm looking forward to it.

After parting with the meat skewer stand, we wandered around the market and found something interesting at a young lady's stand.

"Oh, it's a skillet. It seems quite useful."

Honestly, there's not much difference between a skillet and a frying pan. The main features are higher heat retention and thicker material, and it's less likely to stick.

"Oh, what a cute customer. This frying pan is made by an apprentice blacksmith. It's a bit thick and heavy because they're still an apprentice. How about 3 silver coins?"

3000 yen... It's a bit expensive, but the lady is beautiful and has a lot of charm.

Should I buy it? No, as a man, I feel I should!

"It's a bit expensive. Can you lower the price a bit?"

When I tried to buy it with evil thoughts, Luna sensed something and interfered. Damn!

What a capable maid!

"Oh, are you the young master's attendant? But the material is high-quality iron. It won't stick and is quite affordable. 3 silver coins."

"3 silver coins."

"Hehe, you understand business, don't you? You must be a hero, right?"

Hmm, merchants are quick to catch on, as the real estate agent said. Even a stand owner knows. But I need to teach her a lesson for saying it so easily.

"Miss, that's a forbidden phrase, isn't it?"

I subtly sent a bit of pressure to her and smiled.

Her face turned pale, and she started to look flustered. Maybe I overdid it a bit?

"Yes, you're right. I'm sorry! Here, I'll throw in a knife and fork as a bonus!"

Is this a penance? It seems these are also made by the apprentice blacksmith, with 'Terry' engraved on each.

Since I bought it, I might as well make a dish that goes well with a skillet. This 26cm skillet with a depth of about 5cm should be enough for three people.

I have plenty of shrimp and squid from the labyrinth's sea area, and I bought eggplant. I also bought garlic substitute, which was sold in a basket for 1 silver coin. It's probably just garlic, but I don't know why it's called a substitute.

It's apparently cheap because it's easy to get from the vegetable labyrinth, but it's unpopular because of its strong smell.

I love garlic, so I might go to the vegetable labyrinth early to get more.

In any case, tonight's dinner is decided.

Shrimp and squid a la plancha, vegetable and bacon pizza, baguette, and vegetable soup. I haven't made pizza since Alice's birthday.

I remember making a lot of dishes then. I have the ingredients, so I'll make it for the two next time.

"Master, what's this smell? It's quite unique."

"This is garlic substitute. I've had it before in Sixus."

"This is called a la plancha. It's shrimp, squid, and eggplant cooked in olive oil with minced garlic substitute. It's delicious, so try it?"

"Ouch...!! It's delicious! It has a unique flavor that's addictive!"

"Amazing! I didn't know garlic substitute could be used like this! The shrimp is also very fresh and delicious."

It seems that in this world, it's usually eaten as a vegetable, not as a seasoning.

"The pizza is also delicious! The cheese is fragrant and amazing! Master, it's so stretchy!!"

"The combination of bacon, vegetables, and cheese is perfect!"

The two seem to have enjoyed today's dinner. The a la plancha is especially delicious after a long time!

With olive oil and garlic substitute, I can use various ingredients. I might teach it to the meat skewer stand, but will they copy it quickly?

The meal is over, so it's bath time today.

"Um, I'm going to take a bath. What about you two?"

Lately, they come in without me saying anything, so I ask to give them time to prepare!

"...Um, I'll wash your back!"

"Hehe, I'll wash all sorts of things!"

Let me be clear. Luna and Yomi have grown! I won't say what, but they have definitely grown! It's really scandalous!

In the end, I had another restless night.

Three days later, the real estate agent brought the key. It seems they moved out quickly as a thank you for the 20 platinum coins.

In any case, I now have the old mansion and land! The exam results haven't come yet, so I'll start renovating the mansion tomorrow!

I'll update bit by bit.

I'd be happy if you could rate and bookmark it.

I want to improve my expression and explanation. If you have any recommended novels, please let me know.