Chapter 66 My Staple Crops

Hmm . . . She does have a point.

Athena might hold the knowledge of the world, but none the experience. Good thing that I had one B-grade Token left, just in case I needed someone else.

"Very well, then." Using it, I summoned a Farmer since there was no Agriculturist in the selection. If I wanted that, I would need an A-grade Token.

Turnip was the farmer's name, and I couldn't be more surprised — mind the sarcasm. He looked as skinny as a twig, and he had a big head with bulging eyes and huge teeth.

"Your orders, my lord?" Turnip asked with a no-nonsense face.

At least he was formal despite the fact that both his face and name were a joke.

<Cruel. Host is pure evil. The system loves it!>

I was only speaking the truth.

"I need you to plant these seeds," I said and passed the seeds to him.

I called for Florin and looked back at Turnip. "She will help you plant these. Make sure that she's planting and taking care of the seeds."

Florin pouted. "I'm offended, my lord. Of course, I would do my duty! I won't just be another mouth to feed. Besides, I love to plant. That's my past time in the orphanage."

"Good. Then you'll love your new role as a farmer here."

Florin shrugged. "As long as I get to eat and live comfortably."

She then roamed her eyes around the area. "By the way, do we have enough land to plant all these seeds? They take so much space, you know."

"I don't want you to plant crops for an entire village. Just plant enough food for the two of us for months to come. The Tokens don't eat."

Florin's face brightened. "Ah! That's right! I forgot about that. I thought they were also players like us." Her eyes then went big and shiny. "So that means . . . my lord and I are the only players here!"

I rolled my eyes and flicked her forehead. "Don't think of unnecessary things, and do your job properly."

"It's possible to have large-scale production of cereals, tea, grapes, vegetables, and herbs without fields stretching out as far as the eye can see," Athena chimed in. "Economize on valuable crop space by setting up hillside terraces or building a vertical farm.

"There's a hilly terrain just south from here before the mountain range. It's only about a fifteen-minute walk or a five-minute run."

She then addressed Turnip and instructed him. "Place a mini-field on the slopes in the form of broad steps. Construct clay bumpers around each terrace, or the layer of fertile topsoil will quickly be washed away. While you're at it, dig irrigation channels with openings for drainage. Periodically plant Azola, an aquatic fern– its roots host a bacterium that can absorb nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form suitable for plants. It is an excellent natural fertilizer."

Turnip nodded in understanding. I bet he already knew what he should do, but Athena reminded him nonetheless.

"Growing rice will require you to have a river or lake nearby to irrigate your crops by gravity via canal or hoses. Luckily, we have those since we're closer to the mountains," Athena said.

"Coordinate with Daedalus, our master builder, for the things you need," I butt in. "Also, if you need help in constructing that rice terrace, you can also ask for his help. I want food on my table as soon as possible."

Turnip nodded. "Understood, my Lord."

"Don't forget. Rice shoots must be protected from strong direct sunlight and weeds. This crop requires a lot of water, but the water level should only cover less than half of the plant. To avoid unnecessary waterlogging, drain water from time to time through a canal system," Athena reminded and added further. "Before planting rice, flood your field pre-emptively to wash away any unwanted seeds and prevent weeds from growing."

All Turnip could do was nod like a chicken picking grains in the face of Athena's wisdom or, if I might add, barrage of words.

I didn't understand anything she said, but I bet Turnip did, so all was well . . . I hope.

The amount of hoping I do lately was unhealthy.

I was glad to have acquired Athena first. A lot of problems and future problems were and could be solved by her. She even seemed more like the lord than I was.

Not that I minded. After all, that meant less work for me.

"Rice can replace bread and other grains as the basis of your diet, so I don't have to stretch at how important it is that they should be constantly cared for," Athena said seriously. "The grains can be used to make starch, flour, alcohol, or wine. Rice germ makes oil, and rice straw works well as paper pulp or mattress filler. Rice flour can also be used as the foundation of many cosmetic products such as powders, blushes, and oils, which in turn can be made into creams and scrubs."

Now I know why she stretched the rice so much. Cosmetics would forever be a woman's best friend no matter what time and dimension we were in.

Athena cleared her throat when she noticed that I was looking at her, full of meaning. She must have read my thoughts, evident by how she immediately changed the topic.

"The bran, the stuff that remains after the grain has been cleaned, makes good feed for livestock and poultry. By the way, the duckling and fish you raise in the paddy field can also become the protein in your meal if ever you acquire ducks and fish in the future."

I nodded. "Thank you for explaining the 'basics' of farming to us," I said.

On the other hand, Florin only yawned at the side. Her face told me that she didn't care about what Athena said as long as she did her job.

"Florin, Daedalus is already finished with that field." I pointed to a small five-by-five meter newly plowed land.

"Get to work and start planting those root crops there. There's a well over there if you ever need water."

"Roger that!" Florin readily went in that direction together with Turnip. Seeing from her eager steps, she must be glad to finally get away from Athena's lengthy speech.