Chapter 339: Trouble in the Fields

Translated by Zzonkedd

Edited by Gumihou and Onionpi

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I was enjoying a leisurely breakfast and lazing around comfortably when sounds of hurried feet across the floor alerted me. [8] I looked up to see Alban running over, looking very excited.

M-mukouda-san! [8] Trouble! We have trouble! The fields! Th-the fields!

The fields? I frowned. Oh, you mean the vegetable garden?

Yes, yes, the f-field! The field!

[8] okay, just what is going on? Also, even though our vegetable is not that big, it could still be considered a field if one stretches their imagination. I supposed its probably a precious field to Farmer Alban.

Lets roll with that first.

Is there something wrong with the field?

Alban nodded many times at that [8] but offered up no explanations.

I supposed I should go take a look,

Im pretty sure there was nothing to worry about so I went outside without my familiars to check out the situation.

Indeed, Alban led me to the field situated next to the servants quarters. Nearly everyone was standing around it except for Alban who had left to call me over.

[8] My guards looked surprised but no one had weapons in their hands, so I guess whatever trouble it was, it was not particularly dangerous. My anxiety decreased and I walked quickly over.

What happened?

Um the people nearest to me moved away, giving me a clear sight of the field

W- wait, whats that? Whats going on?

I rubbed my eyes and stared again.

The seeds that we had sown yesterday had all sprouted. In fact, they had more than sprouted, the plants had all grown up, especially the vines and a lot of them were sporting flower buds.

A-Alban, is it normal for plants to grow at this rate?

N-No, Ive never heard of such a thing before

Then was it the power of other world seeds?

Even so, isnt this too effective?

Although I had some expectations from other world plants I never thought they would grow into mature plants literally overnight! [5]

Wait.

Hold on a second.

Yesterday, in addition to seeds, I also bought something else, liquid fertilizer.

Yes, we sprinkled liquid fertilizer onto the seeds after planting them. I quickly took the bottle out of my [Item Box] and looked at the ingredients list. Then I looked at the instructions on the side and

Geh

Wh-what is it? asked Alban nervously. [5]

We may have gone overboard with the fertilizer

Oh?

Yes, were supposed to dilute 1 cap of fertilizer for every 10 litres of water, but we only dilute it in 1 litre of water

In fact, I vaguely remember putting four caps of fertilizer into a 4L watering can [5]

I looked at the densely packed field that was looking more and more like an overgrown weed jungle. The seeds were not the only ones benefitting from the fertilizer, the weeds were really tall too. Well have to pull the weeds out to prevent them from sucking out the nutrition and choking my vines and vegetables.

Well have to transplant some of those fruit vines and vegetables that were growing too close together and-

Big brother Mukouda! Its flowering, its flowering!

Lotte-chan swung my hand excitedly as she pointed at the growing buds.

I blinked.

Nope, they were still literally growing right before my eyes.

Wait, wh-what should I do? I have to pollinate them, right? I shook Alban. Do we need to pollinate Muskmelons and Watermelons?

Eh? Polli what?

Of course, he wouldnt know! Or if he did, he probably wouldnt use the word pollinate.

Wait, wait, wheres my seed packet? Wait, I dont have seed packets for Muskmelons and Watermelons I managed to shake out all the seed packets I have and s.n.a.t.c.hed one up. Cuc.u.mber! Thats right, Cuc.u.mbers are in the gourd family just like Muskmelon and Watermelon!

[9] I quickly looked through the instructions on the packet for Cuc.u.mber seeds as well as Pumpkin seeds and, well, the general census was that its better to pollinate if I want better fruits. Also, considering how fast the flower bud was maturing, natural pollinators probably wont be able to keep up.

[9] Right, I said, as I opened up [Net Super] and tapped the tab for stationeries and bought a box of soft-tipped brushes. Heres what were going to do.

[9] What are these for, Mukouda-san? Alban was studying the brush in his hand curiously.

[9] Were going to pollinate the flowers. It will result in bigger and better fruits, I said simply. No need to burden them with explanations about Cucurbitaceae plants or the s.e.xual reproduction of flowers etc. Anyway, take the brush and touch the yellow part here

[9] I stroked the tip of the brush against the anther to gather the yellow pollen.

[9] transfer the yellow stuff to the middle bit here

[9] I touched the pollen to the stigma in the centre of the flower.

[9] and thats it. Well, its best to touch the brush to different flowers from the same type of plant and cross-pollinate for the best result.

[9] Hmm, never heard of this method but I guess theres no harm trying, said Alban.

Right, just give it a try. Anyway, all the gardeners please focus on pollinating the flowers today. Since the flowers bloom so quickly, its better to give them a little help. [5]

Um! Lottes arm shot up and she bounced in place for attention.

Yes, Lotte-chan?

Brother Mukouda, Lotte wants to work in the field too!

Teresa frowned at her daughter, This child

Hoho, you want to do field work? Then, you must make sure to listen to your fathers instruction, okay?

[5] Okay!

Well, Lotte wasnt really registered as a worker, so its fine if she does field work today.

Once that was decided, everyone scattered to their own jobs. The ladies to their work in the main building while the guards went off to their posts. I continued to pollinate the flowers with the gardeners for a while. Answering their questions the best I could.

[9] I wonder if this works with fruit trees too, mused Tony as he pollinate a Watermelon flower.

[9] Well, I should think so, I said. Normally this job is done by bees, b.u.t.terflies or the wind. Were giving these flowers a bit of help since they bloom and wither too quickly for the bees to come.

[9] Ah! So thats why my harvest was so much better when we got ourselves a beehive.

[9] Oh, youve kept bees too? I asked, very interested in this topic.

[9] Not very well, they all flew away a year later

[9] Thats too bad

[9] Brother Mukouda, this one is starting to bloom!

Good job Lotte, make sure to keep a sharp eye on those flowers.

Okay!

While Lotte-chan stared earnestly at a patch of pumpkin buds, I left the gardeners to finish the job and made my way back to the living room.

Fer looked up the moment I came back, Well? What was it?

The seeds we sowed yesterday unexpectedly bloomed, I said. The plants matured literally overnight.

So? Whats wrong with that?

Theres nothing wrong, were just surprised.

And?

I would have answered him if not for the huge yawn that took over his face.

youre not at all interested in the plants, are you?

Umu, not at all.

Hey, then why did you ask?

If they happened to grow into sentient monster plants, [6] I could go squish them. Anyway, arent we supposed to go hunting today?

Eh? Thats right, I did promise. [1] However, I wanted to drop by the Adventurers Guild, maybe visit Lamberts

Oi, you had better not think about stopping me from hunting again. Well?

Ughhh Fers gaze was a little sharp today

Ehhh, of course not. I just have to stop by Lamberts and the Adventurers Guild

You dont need to take all day for that,

Well, I certainly dont need to although I would certainly like to

What an indecisive creature. Just get the job done and we can go hunting. Oi, Dora, Sui, lets go!

Well, I guess todays itinerary has been decided.

Yahoo!

Lets go~~!

Wait, wait, I have to pick up something from the bas.e.m.e.nt first.

Slow! Do your thing quickly!

Yeah, yeah. I went to the bas.e.m.e.nt and picked up the shampoo, soap, Divine Medicine hair restorer etc and stuffed the lot into my [Item Box].

I found Fer and the rest of my familiars were waiting impatiently for me back in the living room.

Alright, get on. Time to go.

Pressed by Fer, I had no choice but to get on and we sped off towards Lamberts.

Fer: I would never use the word squish

Gumihou: Hmm? What was that?

Fer: You made me sound OOC, I would never say squish

Gumihou: You just said it twice in a row, trololol!

Fer: You!!! Despicable weak human! I shall squish you!

Gumihou: Nyeheh, thats four times now.

[1] Structural Change: Combine 2 paragraphs

[2] Structural Change: Combine 3 paragraphs

[3] Structural Change: Combine paragraph & dialogue

[4] Structural Change: Change pa.s.sive sentence to dialogue

[5] Delete Repet.i.tive or Pointless Information

[6] Additional Information for Aesthetic Purpose

[7] Add Dialogue Tag

[8] Creative Licence Taken fix the hastily written text so that it doesnt look quite as hurried and abrupt.

[9] Give a slightly more comprehensive pollination explanation. Also, the beehive thing is Gumis contribution.