Chapter 5-
After that, we heard the report about the «Empty Wilderness» from Baretta as we walked together with her and Ai, the newly awakened Mechanoid.
«The mana density in the air of the «Empty Wilderness» has reached a minimum of 34% under the effects of the Earth Vein Mana Manipulation Tool and the trees planted by us, the service doll group. The regeneration of the underground earth vein has progressed to 5%.»
“Nice…… Ideally, I would like to fill the continent with enough mana so at least you guys, too, can move unhindered outside of the barrier without requiring a mana recharge.”
«Just your words are enough proof of your love for us, Master. The mana density at present is enough that some monsters, not just the ones with strong adaptation capabilities, will have no trouble staying alive, that’s why we have been carrying out our ‘Nature’s trails strategy’ currently. Creatures that can pass through the barrier, once we also plant trees on the outer barrier region of the «Empty Wilderness» and create nature's trails, will be able to breed here. I’m also expecting that their influx will bring other varieties of vegetation.»
We were currently striving to create a habitat where even some of the apex predators of the food chain like wolves and raptors could make this place their home — so Baretta informed us of their goal.
“So all we have to do is to release our mana and create seedlings for plantation through «Creation Magic» during our stay, right?”
«Yes, please. Also, the time we have been staying outside of the mana-sufficient regions had inevitably increased in our efforts to create the nature’s trails so I would like to request the installation of a «Transfer Gate» and a temporary base for respite at these three locations»
“Alright, then I'll go there right away to check them out.”
I took out my flying broom and flew towards the sky with the spirit cat Kuro in my arms and Teto sitting behind me.
“The greenery has really increased to an impressive degree.”
Nature could be seen thriving on a tenth of the land of the «Empty Wilderness» though it wasn't just limited to that. Meadows had begun to grow around the places adjacent to them, too.
The ground seemed to be going through a mild change here and there, probably because the earth vein regeneration has finally begun to kick in even if at a slow pace, as it began to undulate, forming tiny hills in some places or collapsing in others. There were even many new water sources besides the pond or the river we had artificially dug up that has formed and was now converging into the river outside the barrier.
“This place has really gotten a massive makeover! Let’s visit that big tree place later!”
“Sure, but let’s focus on completing Baretta’s request first!”
Our old home in the outer region where we used to live with Selene was still linked to the «Transfer Gate», and, from the look of it, the service dolls seem to be frequent visitors of this place.
I propped up new houses through «Creation Magic» in the three designated spots that were between our home in the central region and our home in the outer region, then I installed a «Transfer Gate» in each of them.
We quickly surveyed the entire wilderness after that. Then we flew to the thickest tree among the world trees that we had planted in our early years and landed on one of its branches.
“When you think about the previous barren state, this place has really changed, no?’
“Yes-nanodesu.”
«Nya~»
Kuro, the mythical beast, landed on the thick branch after finding the mana being released by the world tree to his liking, took a long stretch with a purr, and worked his whole body to absorb the mana.
Once he got bigger from absorbing mana like this, then it would be his turn to release the mana into the environment. That was how the cycle of equivalent mana exchange ran in this world.
This was just the beginning to take back what we had lost two thousand years ago.
“Majou-sama?”
“What, Teto?”
I sat down on the branch of the world tree, the flowing breeze making my long black hair flutter.
I still remember how dry the air used to be, the painful and intense wind, strong enough to even rob the moisture from the ground. However, it has changed to the present gentle breeze which, while being slightly cool and damp, carried the scent of nature.
“Has this place succeeded in becoming your home?”
“Yeah, it has. It has become my home for me to return to.”
No matter how much I ventured into the outside world, this place has become a significant part of my life, my home to return to in the end.
It's just that, Baretta had to endure the loneliness for some time, but even that would end soon enough. The service dolls that used to be quiet had mostly reached their sublime state and were about to begin awakening their souls, slowly turning this quiet place into a livelier one.
“Well that’s enough reminiscing, let’s go back and have lunch.”
“Let’s go-nanodesu! Teto can’t wait for the fish dishes we previously told to Baretta!”
Then Teto, Kuro, whose coat of fur had become longer by absorbing high-density mana, and I returned to our home and enjoyed Baretta’s cooking to our hearts' content.
For the next week after that, I led a laid-back life disconnected from the outside world by either checking on the multi-medicinal herb garden created in the «Empty Wilderness» or reading a book on the terrace of our home and recharging our spirit gauge and then came the time for us to return to the capital city of the Lovile Kingdom.
However, just as we were about to leave—
«Please Baretta-sama! Please allow me to join Master on her journey so I can take care of Kuro-sama.»
«No means no. I really can’t give you permission when you can’t be active for that long once outside the barrier. Above all, can't you see that even I, as the head maid, am not tagging along with the Master on her journey, shouldn't you take your cue from that?»
An argument was unfolding between the expressionless Baretta and Ai.
Apparently, Ai, who wanted to come with us so that she could stay with Kuro, and Baretta, who has been constantly denying her because just her alone would be unfair, decided to settle it in a match.
Baretta readied herself calmly while on the other side was the one challenging her, the newly awakened Mechanoid Ai. It was an easy victory for Baretta who not only had high mana but also has ample experience.
«Goodbye, Master. I'll be awaiting your next homecoming.»
“We’re off then, later.”
Teto and I passed through the «Transfer Gate» with me carrying Kuro in my arms and returned to the Lovile kingdom’s capital.
We then passed our time here lazily too while temporarily staying away from adventurer work.
"Teto, breakfast is ready~"
"Teto charge-nanodesu!"
We were having our breakfast at the rental house located in the suburbs a slight distance from the city.
«Nya~»
I cooked a seafood-themed breakfast since it was hard to go inland while gazing at the ocean peeking from the window.
"The floating island has still not shown itself."
"Well, it hasn't been that many days since we began waiting. I just wonder if the wait will stretch for months, years, or maybe even decades......"
That being said, time was something we didn't lack, so we could afford to wait while leisurely passing our days. "What's our plan for today, Majou-sama?"
"Let me see. Alright, let's visit the five goddesses' church. We'll pray and offer some donations."
Goddess Luriel had forewarned us about the impending storm in the dream oracle when we were on our escort duty.
I was thinking we should report to her about our well-being and gratitude.
"Alright."
"Everything is ready, let's set off. Kuro, you're also coming with us."
«Nya~»
Kuro purred at my calling and snuggled up to my feet.
The fur of our wise spirit cat, who just had canned cat food and my mana for breakfast, was in excellent condition as usual.
Carrying him in my arms, we left the rental house.
"The sun is too bright today."
"Be careful of sunburn, Majou-sama!"
It had been our vacation these past few days so I was wearing a one-piece white dress and a straw hat prepared by Baretta and the other service dolls instead of my usual witch attire, which I have stored in the magic bag fastened to my waist.
"It's good that I can protect myself from environmental damage thanks to the enchantment on the robe, however wearing it makes me unbearably hot."
A damp salty sea breeze struck as we walked into town, the sensation brought by the wind was different from how it was in the «Empty Wilderness» and gave a nice, refreshing feeling.
Though we would have to take a bath later.
"The heat here is so high that it makes me crave cold food!"
"Nice idea. I guess our dinner tonight will be cold soup."
Making things like cold soup was the special right of ice magicians.
Teto nodded eagerly at my proposal and we made our way to the church while Kuro walked on the wall.
We arrived at the church soon after.
The main gods whom the church of this Kingdom's capital prayed to were the Oceanus goddess Luriel and the Heaven goddess Leriel and their statues had been built inside. The rest of the goddesses were drawn in reliefs.
"Hello. Is this a fine time to offer our prayers?"
"Yes, you can."
We asked the sister who was cleaning nearby and entered the church's cathedral where we offered our simple prayer.
Teto next to me didn't know how to pray but she just followed my example, though I could occasionally feel her eyes darting around. Our spirit cat Kuro didn't come with us and was waiting on the wall of a nearby building, maybe he felt he would be sticking out like a sore thumb.
(We have successfully weathered the storm. We also saved a Cat Sith. Thank you very much.)
And as I offered my prayers with these feelings一一
*You can always rely on your big sister if anything happens, Chise-chan.*
An oracle echoed inside my head, causing me to inadvertently make a bitter smile.
Somehow, I had a feeling that the great goddesses have become quite easygoing.
Once we were done, we left the cathedral and called the Sister from earlier.
"We survived a tough storm thanks to the goddess' grace. It may not be much but this is our donation. I hope it can be used by the Church or the orphanages."
"My, thank you very much for your generosity!"
I handed a leather pouch with three small gold coins to the Church.
I just hope she won't get surprised at the amount when she opened it later, as I looked at her tilting her head. Apparently, she was confused by the disparity between the weight and the number of coins.
Kuro walked in front of us when we were done with our business in the church.
"It seems like Kuro wants to go on a walk, Majou-sama!"
"Fufu, then let's take Kuro for a walk."
«Nya~»
Kuro stopped at many places as we strolled around the city.
He gave cute, charming glances towards the fish shop owners and got some tiny fish in return that were too small to be sold while we bought some fresh fish for tonight's dinner.
Then whenever we encountered stray cats, the adult cats 一 probably because the sense of the presence of normal stray cats and Kuro were far apart 一 treated him with great care, and chatted him up while raising 'nya-nya' sounds.
"What're they saying, Majou-sama?"
"Sorry, Teto. Even my language comprehension ability can't decipher an animal's language."
The multi-language comprehension ability I was given at the time of my reincarnation came in handy when I read all sorts of books. But, sure enough, it couldn't decipher the language of animals.
Though there seemed to be a few entities among the mythical beasts and holy beasts who could speak human language. I'm really looking forward to that.
Just like this, we continued to walk, trailing Kuro who entered the side road or back alley at whim.
We passed by slightly shady-looking shops, the bustling entertainment district since it was lunch time and the normal housing district in the back alley, and we, in the end, existed on the side distant from the sea.
So far, I knew about the eastern district where merchant ships and fishing boats gathered, the noble district where the residences of nobles and the castle deep within the capital were, and then the western district where commoners residents lived.
We didn't notice it, but it seemed we have come to the western district of the capital city from the harbor city where the salty sea breeze mingled in the air.
"Oh, this is our first time here!"
"Yeah. Oh, there's also an adventurer guild. Let's go and drop by. Kuro!"
As I called out to Kuro who was walking ahead of us, he immediately turned back and leaped into my chest.
