My house in Einzheil is large.
It has a considerable number of rooms, and the kitchen is spacious.
There is enough space for a large group to dine, and there is even a bath underground.
The garden has sufficient space for training, a spot to enjoy tea while viewing the flowers Wendy has grown, and enough room to lie down and take a nap in the sun.
If one were living normally, there would be no complaints; it is more than spacious enough. However… I must do something about the souvenirs from the Elf Forest.
I intend to stick my new weapon and partner, the small Spirit Tree, into the ground when at home.
Ielo-san also told me to do so, and sticking it in the ground has the advantage of causing Yggdrasil flowers to bloom around it, so this is mandatory.
In addition, I must create the herb field that Mizera received… Considering the landscape and other factors, it is quite difficult.
Different herbs likely have different cultivation requirements, and I cannot simply pack them tightly together…
「Milord?」
「Hmm. Oh, Mizera.」
「Do you have a moment? It is about the herbs we received from Mazetta-san…」
「Ah, I was just thinking about that. Regarding the location… I have not decided yet.」
「I see. Then this is perfect. You know the shinobi girls’ house next door? They said we could use their garden.」
The garden of the shinobi girls’ house?
Certainly, my house’s garden is connected to the neighboring houses with a single gate, enclosed by a large wall forming a compound for three houses. Although it is divided according to the original property lines and does not overflow…
Come to think of it, when Iris built her house next door, didn’t she give me the rights to the garden?
I had completely forgotten and had not extended my hands into Iris’s garden until now, but is this acceptable?
Moreover, the purpose is a herb field and the Spirit Tree’s bed…
「I think you should confirm with Iris first…」
「It seems she asked Iris-sama immediately. Iris-sama said she does not mind whatever we do. It seems she likes you quite a lot.」
「I think she likes the ice cream… But I see. That is helpful.」
「The Shinobi girls actually thanked us. They said they are happy to receive shares of dinner and desserts.」
I had only been sharing leftovers when I cooked too much dinner or obtained a lot of delicious food.
Even so, they happily accepted the pot each time and returned it cleanly washed, which made me happy in return. To think they would repay the kindness like this… It is good to do such things.
They guard the gate every day, and when we go out, if Mizera stays behind, they protect her, for which I am already grateful.
Alright. I will continue to share more food with them from now on.
「Then, let us gratefully use the space. Let us get started immediately.」
「Yes. Let us do our best.」
Well, the location was settled, so it was time to create the herb field and the Spirit Tree’s bed… But how should I proceed?
What conditions are good for the Spirit Tree’s bed?
What precautions are necessary for a herb field?
I had no idea… So, I called for a sensei.
「Sensei! Please help us!」
「S-Sensei? Being called that by Master-sama makes me feel ticklish. Well, but leave it to me, I suppose.」
Bounce!! The sensei, Cyan-san, confidently tapped and shook her breasts.
After all, she is the daughter of Mazetta-san, who is Mizera’s master as an apothecary.
Since she herself had learned various things from Mazetta-san, I had called her!
「Then, let us till the soil. It is a waste of the fine lawn, but… let us go for it!」
「「Ohhh!」」
We responded spiritedly and swung our hoes.
Finally, it was time for my Farming skill to shine!
It was one of the skills given by the Goddess, and I had acquired it thinking it would be useful somehow, yet it had never been used until now!
Fuhahaha! I know well that the power of skills is immense, having been in this world for some time!
Swing the hoe! Swing! Swing! Swing!
Fuhahaha! It was done in no time!
…Haa. Haa. This is strange.
My waist and arms hurt… I should have the Farming skill, so why!?
「Master-sama? You do not need to put so much strength into using the hoe. If you use the weight of the hoe itself, it will be less tiring.」
「Please tell me such things earlier…」
「S-Sorry. I was looking at Mizera-chan while teaching…」
「W-Well, I have the Farming skill, after all? It is natural for me to teach Mizera.」
Yes, yes.
Mizera does not have the Farming skill, so it cannot be helped.
「…Master-sama. Farming is a passive skill.」
「Hm? That is right. Does it not make one better at farming?」
「The partner in farming is nature. Is it not impossible to become ‘better’ at dealing with nature…?」
「Eh… Then what does the Farming skill…」
「It slightly raises your stats… perhaps?」
…In other words, an improvement in stats suitable for farming?
I thought it had never been used, but was it actually quietly active all along?
The stats necessary for farming are probably STR (Strength) (because farm tools are heavy) and VIT (Vitality) (because my back hurts). Those portions were added, explaining my wretched state… I see…
「Ah, but there are rumors that having the Farming skill yields better harvests, or that fruits become sweeter with it! Also, there are things that cannot be harvested without the Farming skill…」
「Rumors…」
「Awawa… D-Do not be discouraged, okay? Having the skill is not a disadvantage, so it is not useless!」
Th-That is true.
It is better to have it than not.
For example, the Alchemy skill, another normal skill received from the Goddess, has been very useful…
I somewhat wish she had given me the Appraisal skill first and let me acquire others while researching skills, but it is better than nothing!
「Alright. Let us switch gears. I will rely on your advice from now on.」
「Understood! But first, there is something I must do.」
「Something Cyan-san must do?」
As I wondered, Cyan-san plunged both arms into the tilled soil.
After digging in up to her elbows and further, she seemed to be channeling magic power…
「What are you doing?」
「I am checking the condition of the soil. How far roots can extend vertically and horizontally. If there are stones hindering root growth, I crush them, and I make the soil drain well. Also, I mix magic power into the soil to make it easier for crops to grow.」
Oh, ohh… As expected of another world.
Even handling soil involves using magic power…
「If I do not do this first, it will be difficult later. I am glad you called me. I will also carefully prepare the spot for the Spirit Tree’s bed… And, done. Perfect. I believe this soil is now as good as that in the Elf Forest.」
「Amazing… Is this not a unique Elf technique?」
「Is it? I have heard they have done this since ancient times, but I do not know about information from outside.」
Oh… Does this mean we will be able to harvest delicious vegetables like those we received in the Elf Forest?
We are growing herbs, but will they grow as splendidly as they do in the Elf Forest?
「Alright. First, let us start with the plants that require ridges. Also, some plants have specific spacing requirements, so I will teach you about those as well.」
「Please help us, Cyan-san.」
「You do not need to be so formal. This is my way of saying thank you.」
「Thank you…?」
「Yes. I did not pursue the path of an apothecary. But seeing Mizera-chan become your disciple made my mother look so happy. So, this is my thanks for that.」
Ah, I understand the joy of gaining a disciple.
For a skilled apothecary like Mazetta-san, being asked to teach her techniques must have felt like validation of her life’s work, making her happy.
「Such… I have not learned enough to call myself a disciple…」
「She said you were serious and earnest, respected her efforts, and were rewarding to teach. She said she had gained a good disciple. She even complained that you did not take a single note.」
「…I am grateful. I will continue to do my best!」
「Hmm. I look forward to seeing what happens when you master both alchemy and apothecary skills. Now, after making the ridges, let us explain the characteristics of each plant as we plant them.」
Thus, we completed the herb field and the Spirit Tree’s bed in front of the Shinobi girls’ house.
Mizera said she would take care of them, and it seems a virtuous cycle has been created, where she checks on them to refresh her mind when she hits a wall in her alchemy studies.
Thanks to me carefully digging the soil and Cyan-san thoroughly checking its condition, the Spirit Tree’s bed seemed to be comfortable, or so the Spirit Tree seemed to imply.
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