The Forest People, who did not interact much with foreigners, did not speak to Ekaterina. However, perhaps because of Forli’s presence, some of them smiled or nodded at her, and Ekaterina returned their greetings.
They were all tall and slim, with long, lustrous hair. Even the men had long hair, which suited them and gave them a somewhat neutral look. It was reminiscent of elves, who were popular in fantasy in my previous life, as well as their lifestyle of living in the forest.
At this hour, the women of the Forest People were busy preparing meals. But then, it seemed that some families had men preparing meals. Perhaps because they had a symbiotic relationship with the Great King Bee, led by a Queen, they didn’t care much about gender and chose their roles based on their individual suitability.
Hmmm, surprisingly innovative. I doubt they need an Equal Employment Opportunity Law or anything like that. Not that this community needed such a thing in the first place.
“You are all wearing very colorful clothes, aren’t you?”
The design of the garments they were wearing was antiquated. It was as if, in my previous life, a cartoon character portraying a Celtic tribe dressed in this kind of clothing. There was fine and stunning embroidery on it, and the colors were vibrant.
She had often admired the beauty of embroidery since arriving in Yurinova, but compared to those, the color of this embroidery was unique and wonderful.
She was reminded of Flora when she saw the lovely flower embroidery.
Something like that would suit Flora-chan. I hope she is doing well. And the Prince too.
…I wondered if big brother was feeling lonely without me. It hadn’t even been a day since he had seen me off this morning, and normally I wouldn’t miss him or anything, but he was a siscon.
I was also lonely! Because I’m a brocon!
“The Forest People have excellent knowledge of dyeing. The color of the tent never fades, even when exposed to the wind and rain. I’ve long wanted to spread the product in the Imperial City, but I’m not very knowledgeable about clothing.”
“If that is the case, I would be happy to assist you.”
Ekaterina recalled her experience of assisting in the spread of the heavenly blue.
A small field of crops was planted in a corner of the settlement. Even though they did not settle permanently, their movements were seasonal, so they would most likely be able to harvest summer vegetables, which grow quickly. Some crops, such as tomatoes, might have been introduced by Forli.
And….
…as I thought. I could hear them.
They were buzzing around…
“The sugar beets here are more wild than those planted in the farming villages earlier.”
“…They are shaking vigorously”
The plants at the edge of the field were swaying back and forth, left and right. It seemed as if their leaves were about to fall out.
…and then, with a “plop, plop, plop,” the two-twisted roots slipped out of the ground…
What is this…
“Oh, it looks like the one that failed to mature has just emerged.”
The sugar beets, having broken out of the ground, stood up (…) with two roots, but they were wobbly.
Oh, it stumbled.
“They are referred to as ‘never growing up’ because they remain in the same form as when they were juveniles, unable to mature. They may roam around, but they are pretty much harmless, so you can rest assured.”
…I wasn’t sure what I should be relieved about.
