Chapter 640: The Cacao Plantation

“Once our break is over, let us go and apply plant nutrient solution where we planted the cacao seeds.”

“What shall we do about harvesting the cacao fruit?”

“I intend to gather as much as possible. Nero, you brought sacks, didn’t you?”

“Of course, but… would it not be better to summon the knights?”

Nero might be right. Still, if an entire cacao plantation appeared in a single day, even the knights might be disturbed. What a dilemma.

“First, we shall grow the cacao trees by ourselves and see what happens. Depending on the result, we can bring the knights from tomorrow. Ordinarily, we shouldn’t be asking knights to do that sort of work.”

“The servants and gardeners all seem busy as well.”

Exactly. In the end, we were the only people likely to have any time free. Even we had to make potions, study and build magic tools, which reduced that time still further.

We might need dedicated workers to manage the cacao plantation. I would consult Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela tomorrow.

After resting, we went to apply the plant nutrient solution where we had planted the cacao seeds. The wooden markers made each location easy to find.

“I’m going to apply the solution now, so you should stand back a little.”

“Understood.”

As I pulled out the marker, Lady Fabienne and Nero moved away. That should be far enough. I opened the bottle, poured its contents over the planted seed and hurried back to join them.

At once, a sprout emerged, followed by a trunk and leaves. It shot upwards and, in moments, bore a great many cacao fruit.

The sight was plainly abnormal, but I was accustomed to it from the game. There, a tree had appeared with even more of a sudden pop.

“That seems to have worked.”

“D-Does it?”

“Lady Fabienne, you have my sympathy.”

The two of them looked bewildered. They were about to witness the same sight several more times, so they would soon become accustomed to it.

We went around applying every bottle of plant nutrient solution we had brought. By the time we finished, a small cacao plantation stood before us.

“Depending on the demand for chocolate, this may not be enough.”

“Then we must make more plant nutrient solution after returning to the estate.”

“I shall begin harvesting the cacao fruit.”

Nero started picking the fruit, but his sack quickly filled. Each tree bore a tremendous number. Bringing the knights tomorrow was now a certainty.

I wanted to let them taste chocolate first so that they would undertake the work in good spirits.

“Bitter chocolate would be good too.”

“What’s bitter chocolate?”

“Chocolate that isn’t sweet.”

Lady Fabienne looked confused. Her face seemed to ask whether there could possibly be any demand for unsweetened chocolate.

There certainly was. I loved sweet chocolate, but I liked bitter chocolate too.

“I would like to taste it as well.”

“I forgot! Lelie hasn’t tried any yet. As soon as we return, we shall ask the head chef to give her some.”

Carrying a sack packed with cacao fruit, we returned to the estate. Should we bring a cart next time? Then again, collecting more fruit than we could process would only create problems. I had to finish the chocolate-making magic tool quickly too. Wasn’t I becoming far too busy?

Naturally, we delivered the fruit to the kitchen immediately. At the same time, I taught the head chef how to make bitter chocolate.

“I see—bitter chocolate. I shall try it at once. Lord Julius, we have also finished another batch of chocolate.”

“Thank you. We shall take just a little.”

With chocolate in hand, we headed to the workshop, where Rosalia and Lelie were likely to be. Nero looked pleased that his sister would finally taste it.

“Are Rosalia and Lelie here?”

“Ah, Brother Julius!”

“Kyuu!”

The three of them started guiltily at the table. Their movements suggested they were hiding something. Suspicious—extremely suspicious.

“What were you doing?”

“Erm, well…”

I looked at the table and found some uneaten chocolate. Apparently, the head chef had given it to them. I see. We had already reached the point where I needed to regulate how much they ate.

Nero smiled wryly at the flustered Lelie.

“All three of you, eating too much chocolate is unhealthy. Though I admit we’ve just brought some more ourselves.”

I placed the chocolate on the table and sat down. Nero immediately brewed tea for us.

We had finished a substantial task, so we would take another short break.

“Lelie, did you like the chocolate?”

“Yes, it was wonderful! It tasted like happiness.”

I was glad. Nero and Lelie deserved to enjoy chocolate too. Even though they hadn’t received the Green Spirit’s blessing, they were members of our family as far as I was concerned.

I offered the chocolate from the head chef to Nero and Lelie. Mira gave a pointed chirp.

Oh, very well. Mira could have a little too.