Chapter 292: Until the Helpers Arrive

Welcome to Hell!

We went to check on the farm with worries, but those fears turned out to be unfounded. The farm was surrounded by block walls, and a large amount of sand had accumulated inside. However, once the sand was cleared away, the potato seedlings were almost completely unaffected.

I realized belatedly that the few plants growing in the gravel desert, which all seemed to creep along the ground, might be doing so to survive sandstorms. Indeed, the potatoes that had been buried in the sand for several days were sprouting as if nothing had happened. I think this conjecture was not wrong.

“The farm is safe. We need to clear out the sand, though…”

“Pfft! Look, Boss! There are sandfish mixed in with the sand! They don’t seem to be doing well though!”

We thought about removing the sand that filled the farm, but Tigar who had picked up a small sandfish from within was holding it up with a smile. Its small size probably led to it being swept up in the sandstorm. This is what happens when you have walls surrounding the area… Wait a minute?

A new concern arose, and I quickly headed towards a particular place. It was a pit named by Lorentz, where we were testing if we could cultivate “sand rice.”

“Exactly as I thought.”

“Ah …”

My concerns about this matter did not turn out to be unwarranted. There were small sandfish in the fields of sand rice, and they were actively moving about.

What were these small sandfish eating? The most likely answer was the sand rice itself. What would happen if small sandfish were introduced into the area where I had sown the seeds? The result was lively small sandfish that had eaten the seeds.

This proved that sand rice was indeed the food for the small sandfish, but I was more shocked that the field had been ravaged. I wondered if Nana, who had sown the seeds with such care, would be upset.

“Oh, I see. I’ll have to do it all over.”

However, Nana was almost unresponsive. It seemed that one couldn’t engage in farming if they got upset over a bit of predation. Not only damage from animals but also pest infestations were common in her hometown. To her, the small sandfish were like caterpillars.

Moreover, unless a sandstorm occurred or someone deliberately introduced the small sandfish from the sand sea, this kind of damage wouldn’t happen. She said that it was much easier to deal with than dealing with insect pests like caterpillars.

“That’s how it is?”

“That’s how it is. Now go and remove the sandfish.”

“Alright.”

After I realized just how strong the farmers were, I used spiritual arts to collect the sandfish that were swimming around. Although the small sandfish were only about the size of my thumb, they were so numerous that they added up to a considerable amount. Could this not become a source of food?

I gathered the heaps of sandfish and headed to where Mika and the others were preparing a meal. The purpose was, of course, to deliver these small fish.

“How about this?”

“They seem edible as is, but… we could make fish sauce from them.”

“Fish sauce, that’s a seasoning, right?”

“Yes. Well, it’s useless without salt though.”

“Salt, hmm…”

Although I have little interest in meals other than sweets, I understand that tastier food is obviously better. For that, seasonings were essential.

At the same time, salt is a necessary material for survival. We had brought a large quantity with us, so we were still okay, but eventually, it would run out. Given the difficult circumstances of procuring more, it was necessary to find a place where we could harvest it.

Fortunately, I heard from Woodsorrel and Gardenia that there was a geological formation in the Shumie Mountain Range where rock salt could be extracted. If we search the southern slopes, we might manage to find rock salt.

“We have ten days until Sechs and Sieben arrive. Let’s use this time to explore the southern part of the mountains.”

“Are you saying you’re going on an expedition to investigate? I cannot agree to you going alone.”

“Of course. There’s too much I don’t understand with just my own knowledge.”

If I went to investigate alone, it might be possible to find something distinctive. However, with my limited knowledge, it would be difficult to discern exactly what that something is. Naturally, it made sense to have a learned scholar accompany me.

However, the question now was whom to choose. Who should I take along? The scholars to ask would likely be Decius or Lorentz.

There were others with similar levels of education, such as Marcellus and Asmi, but the former couldn’t be asked to exert himself due to a leg injury, and the latter had difficulty moving during the day due to the temperature. In addition, both were currently busy raising their children. There are reliable people like Sharl and Tuhru, but they would probably be reluctant to leave their beloved daughters for a long journey.

“That’s it… Lorentz for knowledge; Chris and I can handle the security. Then, Apao to carry Lorentz and the necessary equipment, and Shuu just in case we find something heavy. How does that sound?”

“The force seems sufficient. However, I would like you to depart tomorrow.”

“Right, we need to prepare thoroughly. I’ll talk to Tigar and the others.”

After finishing the discussion with Mika, I immediately went to speak with Tigar. As always, he would be in charge while I was away.

However, my visit ended up being fruitless. It seemed that Tigar had gone fishing while I was checking on the condition of the sand rice. With no other choice, I spoke with Sharl who was tending to Reese in the shade outside, and then set out to find Lorentz to discuss bringing others along.

“Ah! I would certainly love to join you!”

Lorentz agreed without hesitation. He was keen on any experience that could serve as material for the travelogue he was planning to write. I had not expected him to refuse at all.

However, it appears I made a mistake at this point. Lorentz was teaching the children at the time, and among them, Lappy and others expressed their desire to come along.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that. This isn’t a sightseeing trip, it’s a survey.”

“Even more reason. I might find something like potatoes again.”

But Lappy persisted, even making arguments that were hard for me to refuse. Lappy could be stubborn and selfish in strange ways but she seemed to have also learned how to argue her point. Was this also thanks to education?

However, I decided to be firm and refuse. This was not merely for fun; the amount of necessary supplies would increase dramatically with more people.

If the number of people increased, we would need to bring a corresponding amount of food, and our traveling speed would decrease. It had taken us ten days to reach this point after landing, and we needed to move at more than double the speed to return before Sechs and Sieben arrived.

If it were just the demons Shuyu and Apao, it would be possible for them to run all day if I could shield them from the sunlight. Running alongside them while they carried Lorentz, Chris, and Woodsorrel would give us plenty of time to conduct our surveys.

But if we increased the number of people and brought additional horses, the situation would change. It was clear that our movement speed would significantly drop. Therefore, I absolutely could not take them along.

“Muuh.”

“Even if you make that face, no means no.”

“Puuh.”

“…It’s a no.”

Countering logic with logic, I explained why I couldn’t bring them in a well-reasoned manner. But now, Lappy was staring at me intently and puffing out her cheeks while pleading to come along.

Maybe I could take her with me. No, if I were to bring one, then I would have to bring them all, so I cannot allow her. As I oscillated between reason and emotion, someone appeared to stop Lappy.

“You shouldn’t trouble Teacher, big sister Lappy.”

“…Mm.”

It was Chirik. He placed his hand gently on Lappy’s arm and spoke softly, causing her to deflate her cheeks and nod her head in agreement. It seemed she didn’t want to show her childish side to Chirik.

I couldn’t help but smile wryly as I patted Lappy on the head, who, though expressionless, looked up at me with a hint of resentment. I knew that wouldn’t be enough to get her to forgive me, so I made a promise instead.

“I will definitely take you along someday. So, for now, please be patient.”

“Mm. Understood. It’s a promise.”

Lappy’s mood definitely improved after I made the promise. However, this was a tactic on my part because I was almost certain that we would soon be heading near the Shumie Mountains.

From the potatoes Lappy had discovered, it was highly likely that there were other edible plants in that area. It was only natural to head there soon to investigate and, if we found anything, to return with the findings. I could bring her along then, so fulfilling this promise was already a certainty, even without making it.

Yet, I made the promise deliberately to appease Lappy. Adults can be cunning. Before Lappy could notice, I hurriedly moved to talk to Chris and the others.