Chapter 563: Believer Mode
After finishing the application of Dondon Nobīru, we parted ways with the gardeners on the spot. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, and dusk was settling in. If we didn’t hurry back, we would likely cause everyone unnecessary worry.
We had been handling soil, so I made a mental note to wash my hands thoroughly. My clothes… hmm. Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be much dirt clinging to them. A quick brush-off by the rear entrance should suffice.
When we returned to the castle, we were greeted by Sophia-sama and Erwin-sama. It seemed the servants had informed them of our arrival. Servants were stationed everywhere throughout the castle—nothing escaped their notice.
“Welcome back. You were working quite late, I see.”
“My apologies for the delay. We were applying the newly created fertilizer to a sapling.”
Sophia-sama and Erwin-sama’s eyes flew open at the same time.
They really did resemble one another.
Without a word, they stepped closer with alarming intensity. The sudden pressure of their presence made Fabienne and me lean back instinctively.
“You have already developed something that may aid in the restoration of greenery?”
“As expected of Julius-sama. To push forward what had been progressing so slowly—truly, as expected of Julius-sama.”
He said it twice.
Apparently, it was important enough to bear repeating, though he didn’t seem to realize he had done so.
This was bad. My face was starting to twitch.
Hold it together. Smile. Smile.
“… I’m grateful that you’re pleased, but it is still only in the testing stage. We will need some time before we can determine whether the fertilizer will truly aid in restoring the greenery.”
“That is perfectly fine. We are moving forward, and that alone is enough.”
Both of them gazed at me with shining eyes.
This might be a problem.
They were no longer merely hopeful—they were entering full believer mode. No… perhaps they had already crossed that threshold.
How did it come to this?
That evening, I ended up sharing dinner with my newly converted devotees. The King and Queen were absent once again.
They were likely traveling tirelessly across the kingdom, striving to rebuild the Kingdom of Raven. Perhaps I should provide them with beginner stamina recovery potions as well. If anyone needed support, it was surely them.
“The materials you requested have been delivered to your room,” Sophia-sama said. “Not in overwhelming quantities, but I have gathered as much as possible.”
“Thank you very much. This will allow me to increase the number of automatic magic stone pulverizers.”
“If you are too busy, Julius-sama, we could request that a magic tool artisan affiliated with the royal family manufacture them instead. Naturally, it would be treated as strictly confidential.”
Hmm.
It was true that we needed the automatic magic stone pulverizers. However, we did not require a massive number of them. Once the purification of the corrupted land was complete, they would no longer be necessary. And even if I explained the design to a craftsman, production would take time.
If I built them myself, it would be far faster.
“I appreciate the offer, but there is no need. I can produce them quickly enough. If I work during the evening hours, it will not be a problem.”
“Are you certain? I feel as though we are placing too much burden upon you.”
“Please don’t worry. I am doing this because I wish to.”
Sophia-sama still looked unconvinced.
But truly, if I ever reached a point where I didn’t want to handle it, I would simply pass the task to someone else.
It might reduce the time I spent with Fabienne, but I could compensate by helping wash her in the bath.
Not for any improper reasons, of course.
“How long do you believe it will take to see results from the new fertilizer?”
Erwin-sama asked, his brows knit with concern.
Naturally, he was worried. Depending on the outcome, the fate of the Kingdom of Raven could shift dramatically. The forestry industry across that mountain range stood on the brink of collapse.
“Let us see… We may need approximately seven days to properly observe the results.”
“Seven days? That is remarkably swift.”
“I-Is it?”
Ah.
Erwin-sama must not know.
He did not know that I had once grown a tree instantly using concentrated plant nutrient solution.
Judging by Sophia-sama’s impressed expression, she was unaware as well. It seemed Daniela—my sister-in-law—had never mentioned it.
Which meant Daniela herself likely didn’t know.
And if that was the case, then Alex—my older brother—had not spoken of that dangerously potent potion either.
That made sense. If they had known, they would surely have asked me to recreate it.
Alex’s consideration warmed my heart.
I had nearly been deified.
Thanks to him, I might yet remain human.
Fabienne was wearing a slightly frozen smile, but hang in there just a little longer.
After that, we steered the conversation toward safer topics and enjoyed a delicious dinner.
Once we returned to our room, it was immediately time for a bath. Nero must have arranged it.
We had been crushing magic stones and working outdoors all day—tasks that left one less than pristine. He likely thought it best for us to refresh ourselves quickly.
As expected, he was attentive.
The three of us entered the bath together.
Naturally, I carefully washed Fabienne’s body. Not just her body—I helped wash her hair as well. When she praised me, saying I was quite skilled, that alone was enough to satisfy me.
I prided myself on the dexterity of my hands.
Entirely unrelated to anything improper.
After the bath, I immediately began crafting additional automatic magic stone pulverizers.
With the materials provided, I could likely build three units.
That would not take long.
The first unit was always the most difficult. After that, the process became almost trivial.
I activated my Craft skill at full power, entering serious mode. In that moment, I must have looked like a thousand-armed deity, assembling components with impossible speed.
In roughly thirty minutes, I completed all three automatic magic stone pulverizers.
As expected of me.
My talent was frightening.
Though, to be fair, it was all thanks to my skills.
Truly, I was blessed.