Chapter 7: (Cultivation) Fertilizer

“No, what is this. …… Can potatoes grow this fast?”

I muttered to myself as I looked at the well-grown field with a hoe in my hand. No, isn’t it overgrown?　It was my first time farming, so I had to go through a lot of hardships, but I used my otherworldly knowledge to grow the crops, and I couldn’t hide my surprise at the results that were beyond my imagination.

I was astonished at the effectiveness of fertilizer as I compared the field where potatoes were growing with the knowledge of the other world with the field next to me where nothing was growing with the conventional method. In the other world, instead of praying to the gods, they use fertilizers to grow things, so I gave it a try, and the effect was beyond my expectations.

Isn’t this going to change the common sense of agriculture?　　Is it okay?　　As I was thinking about this, Vigna came in, looking a little tired, probably from using too much magic.

“I’m tired, Grace, I’ve finished building the wall.”

“Oh Vigna, you’re already tired? Would you mind using some magic? I want to steam this and eat it. I’ll give you some too.”

“You… I’m tired after building mud walls with magic. I mean what are you making me do with the magic I worked so hard to learn? Well, I’ll do it.”

“By the way, you don’t have to adjust the magic output because Bowman made it happily. I saw it in the “World Knowledge” earlier, if it’s within the degree of a fire dragon’s breath, then the food can withstand the temperature in the pot.”.

“What do you want from a pot? …… Isn’t that old man crazy?”

When I handed the pot to her, she mumbled and complained while putting water created with magic in the pot and started to warm the pot using fire magic. I felt nostalgic remembering the time when we used to take food from the kitchen and eat it together when we were in the castle.

I quickly put the potatoes I had harvested into the pot. The water, warmed by Vigna’s magic, began to boil immediately.

“And what about the mud walls? Do you think they will keep out the monsters and such?”

“Well, I think it’s better than nothing… if it’s a beast-type monster, it can manage that. But if it is a sub-human type monster like a goblin, it can only buy us time.”

She then pointed to the earthen wall she had built, which was as tall as I was. It’s not much, but it’s a lot better than nothing. I would have to think about further measures in the future.

“It would be better if we could build a high ground and have guards…”

“There are too few people… Galatea and I can’t be on the lookout every time. Anyway, how’s that thing you’re working on coming along, what was it?”

“Yeah, fertilizer. It’s going great.”

“I mean, what is fertilizer anyway?”

I was about to explain it to Vigna who had a suspicious look on her face, after sighing exaggeratedly.

“I can’t help it. I’ll explain it to you, you stupid muscle brain.”

“Oh? I’ll crush you.”

“I’m sorry for getting carried away,  Vigna-sama! Fertilizers are applied by humans as nutrients for plants to grow. Plants need nutrients just like humans need nutrients, so we spread them on the soil to support them.”

“Hmm, I see. So, how does it work?”

Scary! She didn’t look at me like she was looking at a prince, she looked at me like she was looking at her prey. I couldn’t help but speak respectfully. I’m a member of the royal family. What are you trying to crush? 

Also, her reaction is thin. She definitely doesn’t understand. I sneaked a peak at Vigna nodding with a calm face.

“Well, seeing is believing. I’m going to try some of this.”

While I was talking, I took the boiled potato out of the pot and peeled it. The steam coming out of the potato was really appetizing.

“What’s this, it’s good!”

“No fair! I’ll have some too. Oh, you’re right. It’s delicious and it seems like it helps you recover from fatigue.”

I closed my eyes involuntarily as I expressed my impressions, Vigna also picked one up and was entangled with the taste giving the same impressions. No, it’s really good. The crunchy texture and the faint sweetness dominate the mouth.

“No, it’s really good. What’s wrong with this? Don’t tell me you stole this from the royal family when you left the castle.”

“No! it’s certainly that good. Using fertilizer, I could grow it quickly in the field here.”

“What? What are you talking about, it’s only been two days, Crops shouldn’t grow that fast, you’re lying….”

My words finally made her realize that there were potatoes growing in the field. She was absolutely stunned. After all, crops don’t usually grow at this pace.

“Is this the power of fertilizer? That’s amazing! So this is how plants grow in another world. I guess we won’t have to worry about starvation with this.”

“No, I wonder about that…” 

I’m sure it’s not like this in other worlds either… When I looked it up in the World Library, all it said was that fertilizer would nourish the plant and make it grow well. I wondered if it would grow so fast and taste so good. So could the cause be the fertilizer I used? 

“So what did you fertilize it with?”

“The bones of the old fire dragon that Galatea defeated.”

“What? Monster bones? Is that safe? Isn’t it cursed? I ate it…”

“It should be fine, but…”

It’s not surprising that Vigna was shocked. Basically, monster bones and scales are used as materials for weapons and armor. But it’s still part of a corpse.  I guess it doesn’t give a good impression.

I wonder what she would think if I told them that monster droppings can actually be used as fertilizer. I’d probably get killed while she says “What are you making me eat.”

I’m sorry for Vigna looking at the potato in my hand with tears in her eyes, so I use the “World Library” on the potato in my hand.

—————

Because of the magical power of the old fire dragon, the potatoes grow better than the normal ones, taste better, and have the effect of recovering magic power.

———–

What is this? It also restores magic power? What a scary thing! The potato seedlings themselves were bought at the market.  After all, it was the effect of the fertilizer. I’m not sure if the effect would be the same if it was another monster. It’s worth a try.

“Oh, it says it restores magic power. It’s not poisonous, so don’t worry.”

“What? Recovering magic? Normally, you have to use those awful magic potions to recover magic!”

“Yeah, but I checked it out with World Library, so I’m pretty sure it’s accurate.”

She stared in disbelief at my words and then she closed her eyes and mutters something. She just holds her head as if she doesn’t understand.

“It’s true. I’m recovering… I’m shocked. Well, if you say it’s okay, it must be okay.”

Perhaps it was foolish to think that way, but she started eating the potatoes since I continued to do so. It’s really delicious. This is an unexpected byproduct.

According to World Library, there seems to be no magic or monsters in other worlds. To be honest, I can’t even imagine how they live there, but I guess it’s safe to say that the other world is more developed in many ways.

Combining this world with the technology of the other world may lead to unexpected synergies, as in the case of this fertilizer.

“Master, the road has been cleared! This will make it easier for us to carry the goods.”

“Oh, well done, Galatea.”

I smiled at Galatea, who had arrived at just the right moment, dressed in a dirt-stained maid’s uniform. I had asked her to remove the obstacles where the path used to be. This should be better than the animal path. 

“I sensed joy from Master. I’m happy too. So if you don’t mind, could I have a reward? I’m a little dirty, so if you don’t like it, you can do it later.”

“Oh, of course! Galatea’s hair is so beautiful, it feels so good to touch, it’s more like a reward for me.”

“fufufu… Master has a smooth mouth. You’re a playboy, aren’t you?”

I stroked Galatea’s head as she smiled happily at me. Another unfamiliar word came up. Well, judging from the context of the conversation, it must be a compliment. As I was thinking that, I felt her eyes on me again.

“What’s wrong?”

“Hey, I tried my best to build that wall too.”

I’m not sure why Vigna turned away a bit when she said that. Oh, she’s jealous because only Galatea received a reward for her hard work. But I can’t do it now can I? I looked at my hand and guess.

“Oh, if you want more potatoes, you can eat another one. There’s still more.”

“….”

I don’t know why she didn’t like what I said, but her lips twitched and she glared at me. I’m not sure why, but she felt more murderous than the assassins that attacked me in the past! You were eating them like they were delicious just now. You like potatoes, right?

“Hmph… I’ll take some.”

“What’s with you?”

That said, Vigna roughly snatched the potatoes and went off somewhere. Did I say anything wrong?　

“I sense Tsundere from Vigna. It’s adorable and yet, Master is a love-comedy dense protagonist.”

“Love comedy?”

Galatea saw us and said with a giggle. I’m not sure what a love comedy is, but I’m the protagonist, so I guess it’s an appropriate term for me as the lord.

I thought to myself as I ate a potato. If I continue to increase my understanding of the other world, won’t I be able to do even more amazing things? For that, I need otherworldly goods.

“I’d like to take a look at what Souzi left behind at the mansion.”

“I’m sorry, but when my father became ill, he destroyed those things and gave them away to his people, so all that’s left is me and what was in the basement.”

“I see. …… Well, that’s just the way it is.”

“Oh, but there might still be something in the village where the people lived, if you want I could show you.”

“Really, that would be great! Thank you Galatea.”

“I sense excitement from Master. I’m glad. It used to be a really nice village.”

She gives me a big smile as she says this. Well, let’s leave aside whether we can find Souzi’s relics or not. I want to understand the current situation and explore this area. If we have more people in the future, we’ll probably use this place.

That’s why we decided to explore the area tomorrow.

——————–

Domain Information

Residents: 3 people (Galatea added)

Otherworldly Comprehension Level 2

(Able to understand what things they touch and how to handle them, and how they can be used if they are low level when exposed to raw materials)

Technology: otherworldly cast iron technology

Existential awareness of guns

Awareness of the existence of robots.

NEW: Knowledge of fertilizer

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