Kays Translations

Chapter 99: Let Flowers Bloom on a Withered Tree

The next morning, I entrusted the barrels of Plant Nutrient to the knights and prepared to leave. Thanks to Lionel’s arrangements, we could return to Mount Claire before midday.

I owed him and the knights a reward for their work.

Rosalia and Mira approached while I dressed for the journey.

“Are you going out, Big brother?”

“Yes. I’m returning to Mount Claire.”

“Kyu!”

Mira clung to me.

“Would you like to come?”

“Kyu!”

“Very well. Rosalia?”

“I’m continuing my magic tool.”

She had become completely absorbed in invention. I hoped her eventual husband would allow her to continue.

“Lord Julius, may I accompany you?” Mars asked.

“You too? Certainly.”

Perhaps he wanted to observe Mira outdoors—or witness the Plant Nutrient’s effect. Since the item was supposed to act gradually, I didn’t expect much visible change during a single visit.

While we waited for Lionel, I instructed the servants to purchase treats for the knights. I included the household staff as well. Everyone serving House Heine mattered; I didn’t want to appear as though I valued only the soldiers.

“Forgive the delay,” Lionel said when he arrived.

“You aren’t late. Mira and Mars will accompany us. Is that a problem?”

The two stood beside the entrance and looked at him like abandoned puppies.

Mars, please preserve some dignity.

“There’s no objection,” Lionel said after a pause. “However, neither of you is to act without permission.”

“I understand.”

“Kyu.”

Lionel nodded as though both answers were equally clear. Could he understand Mira now?

Our carriage headed towards Mount Claire, followed by a wagon carrying the barrels.

The Plant Nutrient was concentrated and had to be diluted before use. In the game, applying it undiluted could make a sapling become a tree almost immediately. Creating that sort of spectacle here would be disastrous, so the instructions had to be followed precisely.

We reached the manager’s residence near the mountain. This time, he had received proper notice and welcomed us formally.

I searched for Chigo berries along the road but found none. The knights had evidently collected every available fruit. Their thoroughness was admirable.

“I’ve been expecting you, Lord Julius,” the manager said.

“Gather all workers. I’ll explain how to use the potion.”

“Yes, my lord.”

While he summoned them, I ordered barrels of clean water prepared.

The workers gathered quickly. Lionel provided a small platform, and I climbed onto it, feeling ridiculous.

“Yesterday, I inspected the mountain,” I began. “If nothing changes, nearly all the newly planted saplings will die during the winter.”

The crowd gasped.

That was slightly exaggerated; not every sapling would die. But urgency would encourage careful work. I felt guilty, yet the mountain’s survival mattered more than my discomfort.

“Don’t despair. A great magic pharmacist developed a potion called Plant Nutrient. It should save the saplings.”

Excited voices rose.

“And these barrels contain that potion.”

The workers cheered.

Was this how great leaders inspired crowds? I felt less like a leader and more like a fraud.

“I’ll explain the correct use. You must follow the instructions exactly.”

Plant Nutrient was to be diluted thirtyfold, then applied one cup at a time directly to the soil around each sapling.

“Never pour leftovers across the ground. The potion accelerates every plant, including weeds. Careless use could cover the entire mountain in uncontrolled growth.”

Every worker listened with complete seriousness.

Once the explanation ended, the knights supervised dilution while I checked each barrel. The solution was transferred to smaller containers, and teams carried it across their assigned slopes.

Soon everyone was moving among the saplings.

This should help them survive the winter. In several years, they would become a healthy new forest.

I folded my arms, closed my eyes, and nodded in satisfaction.

“Lord Julius!” a knight shouted. “Look at this sapling!”

I didn’t want to look.

Beside me, Lionel was undoubtedly staring with half-lidded eyes.

“What happened, Lord Julius?”

“Perhaps the dilution was wrong. Maybe it should have been fiftyfold rather than thirtyfold.” I laughed weakly.

When I finally opened my eyes, Mount Claire’s bare slope had vanished beneath trees already as tall as adults.

The effect resembled the game event in which the World Tree was restored.

I had completely underestimated it.

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