246 - - Episode 244 version upgrade?

We all harvested tomatoes and learned about the deliciousness of vegetables carefully nurtured by the Great Spirits of the Forest and the Lower Spirits. Now I want to try rice as well.

"Whew, that was delicious!

After harvesting the tomatoes, we all ate breakfast together. Although fresh tomatoes were just an addition to the menu, I felt that breakfast tasted much better than before, probably because of the light exercise I had received during the harvest.

Hey master. I think it would be delicious if you made ketchup with those tomatoes.

After breakfast, while we were having a leisurely cup of tea, Gina said something nice. ...... It seems a waste to process them, but if tomatoes taste good, it stands to reason that ketchup made from them would taste good, too.

In reality, there may be certain conditions that make tomatoes suitable for ketchup, such as low water content, but it is well worth a try.

Yes, that sounds good too. Do you want to try making ketchup with Gina and Sara?"

"I think we should ask Mr. Toruku to make tomatoes for us, since they are so delicious. I've never made ketchup before and I'm afraid I'll ruin the tomatoes.

Yes, that's right. It takes a long time to make these tomatoes. It would be a waste to use them for practice. I gave ...... Mel the fangs of the fire dragon just in case he fails.

This is bad. I think my sense of value is collapsing. Maybe it's because of the easy access to money, but I'm leaning more towards food. I don't regret letting Mel practice with precious ingredients, but I can't seem to accept my failure in cooking with tomatoes.

"...... I'll ask Mr. Torque to do it for me then. Then Gina and Sara can learn how to make ketchup together.

""Yes!""

That's a good answer, both of you.

"But you had never made ketchup before. Haven't you learned how to make condiments yet?"

"Yes, I know. I don't make the seasoning in the morning because I make it during the night when I run out."

"...... I see, it sure is hard to make seasonings and cook in the morning."

It seems that they only have time to cook at night, since they have so many customers in the afternoon and evening. Well, let's make the most of this opportunity and have Gina and Sara do their best.

After the after-dinner break is over, everyone is told to head out to secure the animals. This time, the number of animals in the vicinity of the fountain house will be more than a hundred. Thanks to Vita, we have the place all ready to receive the animals, and we have already captured a few before, so it should be a quick process.

We will be able to get the animals out of there quickly.

The next morning, after the animals have been captured and released into the forest without any problems, they split up and begin their activities. Gina and the others ask Sylphy to take down the undead, while Bell and the others go on their rounds and do their own thing as usual. What about me?　If all goes as planned, Nomos should be able to finish the wand for me. ...... Until then, I'll just upgrade the park.

I'm thinking of using the ropes to make playground equipment: ...... swings, log crossings, slope climbers, Tarzan ropes....　The Tarzan rope needs pulleys and seems a bit difficult to make. Nomos could make a pulley easily, but I feel awkward because I have interrupted him several times since yesterday to modify his walking stick.

I should prepare the Tarzan rope and ask Nomos to make it when he is free. I also have a rope made like a net that could be used as a playground equipment, but I don't have the confidence to weave it into a net. This time, we should make a swing, a log walk, and a slope climb. This is more like a small update than an upgrade.

I know where to make them, so let's get to it. The number of swings is ...... and Gina will enjoy playing on them, so let's make four swings. It will be more fun if we can all play together.

I'm sure it'll be more fun if we can all play together.

"Whew, it's done!"

...... I talked to myself so loudly that I felt lonely without a care in the world. Sometimes the Bells used to come to visit me, but now there is no one here. It was a bit of bad timing.

The completed playground equipment didn't even move when I played with it, so I guess it's not too strong. I'll have to buy some paint at the labyrinth city next time and check the condition of the ropes more often.

I sit on the grass and look at the park I built. Except for the maze of clay pipes, the rest of the park is made of wood, which gives it a kind of tasteful atmosphere, but I think it lacks in color. If you have colored paints, you could paint the equipment in different colors.

Also, we need a place to take a rest. Rather than simply building a covered resting area, it would be better to ask Dolly to grow trees for shade. Since we have grass, it would be more comfortable to lie down in the shade of a tree. I'll ask Dory to do it right away.

"Dolly, can you do me a favor and grow some trees in the park?　I'd like a tree with broad leaves and a large shade area."

"A spirit tree can cover the whole park, but you don't mean that, do you?"

Dolly asks with a cocked head. I'm pretty sure that's not what she meant. I wouldn't want a legendary tree to grow that easily.

"Yeah. It doesn't have to be a big tree, just enough shade for the kids to rest. The location should be somewhere that doesn't interfere with the flow line of the ...... playground equipment."

Take Dolly on a walk around the park and get three good-sized trees to grow in three different places. If I were a kid, I would definitely climb trees and play. The tree is not so tall, but it has thick branches spreading out horizontally, and the leaves are thick. I'm not an expert on trees, but it looks like a tree I've never seen in Japan. Is it a tree of this world?

This tree produces small berries. They are sweet and sour and delicious.

Like a mountain peach tree or a gummy tree?　When we get tired, we can rest in the shade and climb the trees to pick nuts. Marco will be happy. For a moment I thought it would be hard to clean up, but I guess we can manage with a good cleaning.

"Thanks, Dory. "Thanks Dory. I'm looking forward to it.

Dolly smiles. Dolly's smile is so heartwarming, isn't it? After checking on the coffee tree, we part ways with Dory. I also want to ask her how she likes the playground equipment, but Gina and her friends are out taking down the trees. Maybe we can give her the day off tomorrow to try out the new playground equipment.

I think we're pretty much done with what we can get to soon. Then we can take it easy and play with the belles to restore our energy.

**

"It's done!"

While I was leisurely playing with Belle, Nomos came into the living room carrying six wands.

"Are you finished already?"

You said three days, but I expected it to be around this time of night. It was sooner than I thought.

"Mm. Once we have the sanctuary, we can brew sake with pride. I got a little worked up. We'll make our own ingredients and make good sake!　Oh, and I'll have to make some barrels!"

......Nomos is very excited. I think they've been making spirits with a big enough swing, but in Nomos' mind they've been trying to keep a low profile. I'm a little nervous about what will happen if they go all out.　

"Well, what do you want me to do about it?"

"Well, first we'll set up the staff, and then I'll go and report to the Spirit King. If I can get the jade, this is a sanctuary."

Sounds easy enough. I don't have a problem with easy, though. .......

"You're not going to put any more conditions on me from here, are you?"

"Mm?　............ Spirit doesn't break promises. If you have the right conditions, you can be sure that this place will be designated as a sanctuary."

"Didn't it take you a long time to say that now?　Also, I think the conditions for signing a contract with Dine changed during the process."

"That was before Yuta had set the conditions, and Yuta accepted the change of conditions. This time, we have the same conditions. Even if he comes up with additional conditions, if Yuta doesn't accept them, there will be no problem.

Come to think of it, we accepted it. I remember clearly that I was disappointed because I didn't want to be the last to sign the contract because of the changed conditions. But how could I refuse if the king of spirits made additional conditions?

"Then why did Nomos hesitate to tell you?"

"...... They're not the kind of people who are going to make additional conditions now, but I just thought they might come out and play with the sanctuary designation."

What is that possibility? I don't know what to do if some great man ...... or some great spirit is coming to play with me.

I'm thinking, "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mind."

"That being said. I cannot refuse if you ask me to ward the sanctuary in person.

What are the chances of them coming here?

"I don't know, but ...... even the king of spirits is still a spirit. He is capricious, moody, and loves to be funny.

"...... In case you're wondering, tell them there's nothing funny about it. In fact, there's nothing very interesting."

"Mm...... well, when you have a sanctuary in the land of the dead, that's something. ......"

Oh, this is a pattern that is definitely coming. It doesn't matter if it's interesting or not. If you don't prepare for it, you'll be in a panic later.

"For now, if the spirit kings come, should we offer them some kind of hospitality?

"Hmm?　Are we going to entertain them?　Well, I'm sure they'll be happy to have some food and drink, but they won't be offended if we don't."

"Well, I'll just be prepared."

Even if they do, I can't tell them to just leave when they're done. Spirits are my lifeline. I should at least serve them drinks and food. Other than that, I don't know what else to prepare.

"Well. Then it's time to set up the wands.

"Sylphy, Sarah and the others are out today, so tomorrow morning would be good."

"Mmm."

I manage to quiet Nomos, who seems a bit disgruntled. It's an event, so it's better if everyone is there.

**

"Yuta, let's set up the cane!"

Nomos interrupted us while we were eating breakfast. Tensions are still high even after a long night. We all hurry to scarf down our breakfast and move to the fountain.

"Dene, make sure you can stand on the water."

"Ah, Master!　I want to stand on the water, too.

Marco bites when Dineh asks him to. He had enjoyed playing on the water before. Gina and the others seemed to want to play too, so I asked them to join us.

"Dene, please make sure they can stand on the water too.

"Woohoo, I'll take care of it!"

Now that we can stand on the water thanks to Dine, we all head for the pedestal where we will set up the cane. Gina and the others are having fun on the water, and Belle and Fuchu are getting excited, but that's okay.

I insert the wands one by one into the pedestal and activate them with magic power, leaving Belle and Fuchu to play with them.

fire square pyramid water teardrop wind tornado earth hexahedron light sphere darkness octahedron

The wand will emit and fix its attributes just as I asked Nomos to do. Gina and Belle and the others cheer as the wands are fixed one by one, which makes me feel a little better. Maybe this is how magicians feel.

One thing I thought was a failure. The fountain I made is completely out of power. There is no way that an amateur's work can beat a fantasy-like entity that is glowing, dark, or burning. But it's still frustrating.