130 - - Episode 128 Long-cherished desire

I had Dolly make me another forest, and as I was wondering what to do next, I had a feeling I was going to come up with something very important. .......

What ...... am I missing?　I have a feeling that a very simple, yes, very simple thing will bring me happiness.

"...... Yes!　That's right. That was easy. Rice!　Why don't you ask Dolly to make rice? Dolly, come here for a minute.

I excitedly waved my hand and called Dolly over, and she came up to me with a curious look on her face.

"Yes, sir?　Yuta, what's going on with you making so much noise?"

"Yeah, you know, this!　This is a processed plant seed, and I was wondering if Dolly could create it with her abilities?"

He pulls out a spare tuna mayo rice ball from his magic bag and shows it to Dolly. Oh, my heart is racing so fast. If only I could get Dory to make me some rice, this dish would be good with rice.　I don't have to worry about it.

I was going to ask Sylphy and the others to check out some Japanese food before, but there are so many things I forgot about it.

"Oh, rice. It is not eaten on this continent, but it is a staple food elsewhere.

The answer came easily. Hmmm, I should have asked sooner.

"Yes, it's rice, but can Dolly make it?"

"Yes, I can."

Silently, he pumps his fist toward the heavens. My biggest concern was easily solved with food. For some reason, Belle swooped down and sat on top of my fist, but I forgave her for being cute. I just held Belle in my arms and continued to ask Dolly questions.

Since there are many kinds of rice, I offer her a rice ball with tuna and mayo and ask her to taste it. I almost drooled a little, but I held back. If it works out, I can eat all the delicious rice I want.

"I know it's hard to tell because it's seasoned with salt and other ingredients, but can you do it?

Dolly closes her eyes and seriously checks her taste buds. The mood is tense.

The texture is firm, sticky and slightly sweet. I can't say it's the same, but I can make something similar.

"By all means, please."

Bend at right angles at the waist and bow your head. Forget about the pain in my back from farm work.

"You don't have to bow so low, sir.

Dolly's gentle smile seems to have a halo over it. Shall I worship her?

"Ha-ha-ha, rice is a staple food for me too, so I'm happy. I'd like to eat it right away.

Dolly's face clouded over a little at my request. Did something go wrong?

"Yuta-san. I heard that it is a staple food, and it pains me to say this to Yuta, who seems so happy, but eating the seeds as they are is a problem for a forest spirit."

......Oh, so you say. It is true that if we eat the produced grains as they are, we are skipping a lot of processes, so there might be some problems there.

Even rapid growth of plants uses natural energy to some extent, which can cause depletion of nutrients in the soil. The absence of even that is certainly a problem.

"No, if that's what you mean. Don't look so apologetic, we're just happy to know that there is rice. You don't have a problem with building rice paddies and growing rice, do you?　And is it okay to have Dolly rapidly grow the rice that you planted?"

Yes, that's fine. If you build the soil and use its nutrients, there is no problem. I can help you enough."

Good. Just the thought of me growing rice as an amateur is too much for me. If it's possible to make it grow rapidly, I can handle it.

"Thank you, Dory. That's all I need. Oh, if you want the rice to grow rapidly, do you give it a little time to grow, like a tree in the forest that grows fruit?"

I can be patient, but there is no doubt in my mind that I want to eat as soon as possible. If it can grow all at once, rice will grow as soon as the rice paddies are ready.

In the case of rice, that is not necessary. The trees in the forest are shortening their time from a few years to a few decades, so it's safe to give them some time, but in the case of rice, it's a short period of time, so the nutrients in the soil and the rice can grow without any problems."

OK!!!　Oh, but should I plant rice or something?　When I was in elementary school, we had rice planting in school and I still remember it. It was a fun memory, and maybe we should let Sarah and the kids experience it. There were leeches and such, but they are not in the land of the dead, so that should not be a problem either.

...... is a difficult one. I'm torn between wanting to get rice as soon as possible and wanting to make memories for my children.

.................. Well, it can't be helped if it comes to mind. Ignore it and let Dolly take care of everything, but I still wonder if I should have let her experience rice planting.　I am not going to be able to enjoy the rice honestly, and I think we should have a rice planting event.

I'm honestly glad that I don't have to spare time for it. I've never grown rice before, so can you lend me your knowledge too?　After that, we need Nomos' help to prepare the soil, and rice paddies use a lot of water. Deanne, do you think the amount of water is enough to make a rice field?"

"Uh-huh, Yuta. I know you're happy, but calm down a little. The children are confused.

Dine rebuked me. I was shocked. When I looked at Sara and the others, they looked away. I'm sure they understand that I'm talking to a ...... spirit, but the picture I get is of a crazy guy having a big party all by himself. I can certainly understand the temptation to look away.　

"Ah, my dear. Sara and the others can go train with Fuku-chan and the others. You can think about what you did when you destroyed the nest in yesterday's training.

"Ah, yes, I understand, Master. I will go to my usual place for training.

At my words, Sara ran away with Marco, Kikka, Fukuchan and the others. Is it my imagination that she seemed relieved to be able to leave this place?　I'm not sure about my earlier tension, but I'm going to chalk it up to my imagination.

"I'm going to tell you a story, so come and play with us, Belle and the others. I'll call you if I need your help.

Yes... cue... yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

The belles, perhaps bored with the story, flew away happily. All I could really see was the rice. I was supposed to be holding Belle in my arms, but before I knew it, she was flying in the sky, and when did she leave me?

"Oh, yeah. Deanne, is the water okay?"

"Pfft, Yuta. You can't get rid of that ugly look you had earlier by suddenly turning serious.

Dinee was so excited that she was making fun of me. I'm in shock. And Deanne's face is shining brighter than ever, as if she is happy to be in a different position from usual.

"Sylphie, have I been exposed to any ugliness?

"Well, ugly is a bit of an exaggeration, but it was definitely a lot different than usual.

Sylphy's face is also smiling a little. Well, we're at a disadvantage. Let's keep our cool and let this mood pass us by.

"Well, I'm a little too happy and excited. I'm much calmer now. So, Dine, do we have enough water?

"What?　Well, yes. We have plenty of water, so I think we'll have enough water unless we make a big operation.

Dine answered with a slightly pursed lip and a disappointed look, as if she was dissatisfied with my calm response. I don't intend to be played with by you so easily. I'm the one who plays with him, and he's the one who gets played with. I have no intention of changing my stance.

"Then it's all right. Nomos, Dory, can you manage the soil in the rice paddies with soil from the forest?"

"Well, we'll have to do some work, but I think we can manage for the most part.

"Yes, I think the soil will be fine. However, we should consider where to make the rice paddies, since they have to be drained.

Uh, okay. The canal runs through every block, so it's not a problem to let water in, but where to drain it when it drains is a problem.

"Deanne, the water in the rice paddies seems to be good for living things. But is it a waste to just throw it away?"

"Hmmm, yes. It would be a good idea to build a rice field in front of the big spring at the last point, since it would be a habitable environment for the creatures. That way we can adjust the water level of the spring and let all the water flow in at once, and I think we can build a rich ecosystem in the last big spring.　

Well, that's a good idea. It is hard to increase the number of big fish in a forest pond alone. If there are more creatures in the rice paddies, we can release fish into the big spring at the last point and make it a fishing pond. Hmmm... My dreams are expanding.

I understand. I'll build a rice field in the block one block before the fountain at the final destination. I'll need a lot of help from you.

"Well, I would like to drink tonight."

"Oh, I want a drink, too, sister."

"Hmm, I'd like to have a drink too."

"I don't have anything to do in the rice paddies, but I'd love a drink."

.................. No, that's fine. If you could make rice for as little as sake, I'd be willing to buy up the whole brewery. ......But since you're a great spirit, what do you think?　Now's your chance, right?　I wish you didn't look at me like that. Especially nomos. It makes me sad to see the smug look on his face.

"I want Sylphy to help me with the drying after harvesting the rice by blowing the rice and also to help me with the milling, so it's no problem. We'll serve three barrels of sake tonight, so think about what you want to drink.

Huh?　But I think the drying process will be quicker if I have Dineh drain the water out. But I also remember hearing that drying in the sun makes the rice taste better. ......

I wonder if Dolly can interfere with the rice after it is grown and harvested, or should I insist on drying in the sun?　I'd be happy to taste it, but I think you have to dry the rice as it is for about two weeks. ...... hmmm, I don't know the right answer.

I don't know what the right answer is. I'll decide according to my mood. If you want to eat a bowl of rice as soon as possible, ask Dine, if you want it to taste good, ask Sylphy.

I stop thinking and look at the spirits who are excited about what they are going to drink. I think I've thought the same thing before, but the spirits that work with alcohol are inexpensive and helpful.