Harvested vegetables from the dungeon farm:
Flame Tomatoes
Thunder Paprika
Let’s try these two vegetables as they are.
「Wow! So delicious!」
「They’re incredibly tasty even if you eat them raw!」
Honestly, I’m not a big fan of raw vegetables due to their texture and grassy flavor, but these are surprisingly enjoyable. In fact, I can’t stop eating them.
「Could this be the effect of the Holy Water……」
It seems to enhance growth and improve quality.
Truly a wish come true.
Now, while they’re already delicious as is, I’m eagerly anticipating what Martina will cook with them. She mentioned making a marinade.
「Coming right up!」
Martina, wearing an apron, says cheerfully.
…Wait, did she also buy that apron from Gregory-san’s shop?
It looks good on her.
-0-
As Martina happily prepares the dish, humming to herself, I sit on one of the wooden chairs crafted by the Woodmen, observing her. Suddenly, I hear footsteps coming down the stairs.
—It seems someone has awakened.
「…………」
Descending from the second floor, accompanied by the five Woodmen, is the girl with pale purple hair in twin tails. She looks around anxiously, perhaps unsure of where she is.
When our eyes meet, she speaks sharply.
「W-who are, you?」
Gripping her staff tightly with both hands, she begins to channel magic power to it.
Oi oi… aren’t you being quite too wary?
「Ah! Could it be that these Woodmen are your familiars? Are they monitoring me, the one who lost consciousness? What are you planning?」
「Calm down. I saved you.」
「S-saved me?」
「I used this sword to rescue you as you were falling toward the underground lake.」
With that, I reveal the Dragon Tree Sword.
「Wh-what’s that…?」
The girl seemed a bit taken aback.
Well, this weapon does suffer in the visual department, but considering its specialized farming abilities, it’s hard to evaluate. I personally like it, though.
「Indeed, it may look a bit lackluster, but it’s a bona fide item—specifically, a magic tools used for enchanting magic power.」
「Magic tools… Wait, are you a mage?」
「Strictly speaking, not quite. I’m just a farmer.」
「Huh?」
She gives me a skeptical look, as if she’s about to retort, “What are you talking about?”
—-right, I haven’t introduced myself yet.
「My name is Bale. And the girl over there…. completely absorbed in cooking and oblivious to our presence, is Martina. She’s an adventurer exploring this dungeon.」
「Hmm…」
The girl remains cautious.
However, her memory of being rescued seems faintly intact, and she starts to introduce herself hesitantly.
「I’m… Kiara. Kiara Fontenmayer.」
「Fontenmayer…?」
「Oh, you’ve heard of it? Well, naturally. After all, my family is renowned as one of the world’s foremost magic researchers!」
Kiara smiles heartily.
And honestly, it makes perfect sense.
I am familiar with the person named Fontenmayer.
Why? Because they are one of the key characters in the game Fantasy Farm Story.
That person’s name is Slafin Fontenmayer, a renowned magic researcher whose reputation echoes across the continent.
In the game, Slafin Fontenmayer plays a role of “helpful character” similar to Gregory-san—exchanging crops for useful items (magic tools) with players to assist them.
And now, it seems that Kiara Fontenmayer, the girl before us, is Slafin’s daughter.
…Of course, in this game world, which is currently my reality, families exist. Even if the game doesn’t explicitly mention it, there’s nothing strange about Slafin Fontenmayer having children here. After all, I have family in this world too, even though things are different now.
Still…… it feels a bit surreal.
And then…
「Ano… Well…」
Kiara stammers and her voice is barely audible.
As I listen attentively,
「Th-thank you for saving me… And, um, sorry for being suspicious…」
I respond modestly with 「It’s okay.」. I expect that making a big deal out of it would only complicate matters.
At that moment,
「Alright, it’s don—–e! You’re awake!」
Martina finally notices Kiara’s presence.
The self-introductions begin anew.
「Nice to meet you, Kiara-chan!」
「N-nice to meet you too, Martina.」
Martina, with her friendly demeanor, interacts with Kiara just as brightly as she does with me. Kiara, on the other hand, seems a bit shy. Although she accepts the handshake, she can’t quite meet Martina’s gaze directly.
Despite their contrasting personalities, they surprisingly seem to get along well.
「Oh, right! Kiara-chan, are you hungry?」
「h? Oh, now that you mention it… I might be a little hungry.」
「In that case, try these!」
Martina offers Kiara a marinated dish of Flame Tomatoes and Thunder Paprika. Then,
「V-vegetables…?」
Kiara’s expression suddenly tightens.
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