I plowed.
I put my whole heart into the work.
It felt wonderful.
Still, I didn't let myself get carried away. The size of the fields in the Village of the Great Tree remained the same as last year. From here, I would make the rounds to Village One, Village Two, Village Three, and Village Four to establish new plots. Since I’d asked each village to decide on their locations and crops beforehand, the process went smoothly. Whenever I felt like I hadn't plowed enough, I simply moved on to the Great Tree Dungeon.
Asa had sent a request from the hot spring area, so I cleared a field a short distance away from the springs. They wanted fruit trees as well, which I was happy to provide.
I also headed out to create fields near the entrances of both the Southern and Northern Dungeons. When I’d visited during the winter, the Lamia Race seemed quite interested in farming. I thought it might be a bit awkward if I only provided for the Lamias, so I extended the offer to the Giant Race as well, and they accepted enthusiastically. Since these were small plots, I told them I didn't mind if they simply consumed the harvests themselves. I let them know that if they ever wanted to start farming in earnest, they only had to ask.
Finally, I visited Village Five.
This was the place that required the most care, which is why I saved it for last.
First, I changed my clothes. Yes, I made sure to wear my finest attire.
Then came the greetings.
"Yes, hello. There’s really no need to worship me, you know? A simple wave is fine... Wait, who was it?! Who taught them the Three Cheers of Banzai?!"
This was the Demon Kingdom’s territory, after all. We couldn't have the Demon King getting the wrong idea if he saw such a display.
"I’m sorry for being so late to offer my greetings. Though, I feel like I visited quite often during the winter, didn't I? I look forward to working with you all again this year."
I tried to tell them I didn't need any tributes.
Apparently, I was required to accept them. Fine, I would do so gratefully.
Oh, I wasn't allowed to receive them directly, either?
The protocol was for Yoko to receive them first... no, wait. Hii of the Mercury Race received them before Yoko. What a hassle. Then again, I supposed Roku had it even worse, as she was the one tasked with creating the tribute ledger.
"Yes, keep up the good work."
It took half a day just to process the tributes. Afterward, there was a banquet. I say banquet, but I could hardly eat a bite because of the relentless onslaught of people coming to greet me. Was this some sort of harassment? I wished they would consider my perspective a little more...
When I complained, I was told this happened because I rarely showed my face. Even so, Yoko was the official representative of Village Five.
"Am I not merely the Acting Village Head?" she asked.
"Well, yes, but..."
I honestly felt there would be more to gain from building a connection with Yoko than with me. Still, I kept a smile on my face and greeted everyone. It was exhausting, but I endured it, knowing it was only for one day.
The next day, I finally got to work. It was probably for the best that the gatekeepers looked at me with suspicion while I was in my working clothes.
My task was on the hill above Village Five. Originally, I had planned to plant something there when the mansion was built, but I’d put it off because of the situation with Pirika, and then winter had arrived. My apologies.
With the Universal Farming Tool, things might have grown even in the dead of winter, but I didn't want to push my luck where crops were concerned. I would only consider that in a food shortage. Fortunately, the Dungeon Potatoes had done their job well, and food was being distributed sufficiently throughout the Demon Kingdom. Apparently, no one had died of starvation this past winter. However, it seemed we would have to worry about a drop in food prices starting next year. It was a good problem to have, and I hoped the stability would last, but the world is rarely so simple.
Since there was very little greenery on the hill, I decided to plant fruit-bearing trees.
"I would like a few of those trees from near the inn in the Village of the Great Tree," Yoko requested.
Trees near the inn? Which ones did she mean? Not the short ones... ah, the Cherry Blossoms.
"Those are for viewing; they don't produce edible fruit, you know?"
"But they bloom with those beautiful flowers, do they not? I believe such elegance is a necessity."
She had a point. Ah, so that was why Yoko had been hanging around the inn lately. They were just beginning to bloom. I decided to plant a concentration of Cherry Blossoms in one area. It would take a few years, but it might be pleasant to hold a flower-viewing party here once they were in full bloom.
"What is a 'flower-viewing party'?"
"Hmm?"
I realized I’d spoken the thought aloud.
That very evening, we held a flower-viewing party in the Village of the Great Tree.
I explained the concept, and everyone jumped into action. In essence, it was just an outdoor banquet held beneath the Cherry Blossoms. Since everyone was well-acquainted with banquets, no problems arose.
The Nyunyu-daphne who were available gathered and used their abilities to illuminate the night, taking the place of lanterns. They provided a lovely light-up for the trees. We draped red cloth over the long wooden benches to give the setting a sophisticated feel, and the music was kept soft and atmospheric.
"I see, I see," Yoko said, looking far more delighted than I had expected. Well, I was making her work hard in Village Five, so I suppose she deserved this much.
"Village Head, we've brought the goods!"
The Dwarves arrived, hauling eight large barrels of sake. I thanked them and told them they could start drinking whenever they liked. I asked them to hold off on the food for just a moment, though.
The High Ogre Maids were busy in the inn's kitchen. The star of today’s menu was shrimp. Apparently, the population in our shrimp farming ponds had grown beyond all expectations. I wondered if it was really alright for them to multiply that quickly in less than a year.
It made me curious. If it was this easy, why wasn't anyone else farming them?
"Village Head, I suspect farming those shrimp would be difficult anywhere else but here," explained one of the Lizardmen in charge of the ponds. If the experts said so, I suppose that was that. I wondered if it was the feed, or perhaps something else? Regardless, the shrimp were delicious, so I wasn't complaining.
As people began to gather and the maids brought out the food, the banquet officially began. Kuro and his pack were relaxing near my seat. I gave them a few strokes.
A little later, the children arrived, led by Lu, Tia, and Hakuren. It might have been a bit dull for the kids, but I wanted them to experience the atmosphere.
There was fried shrimp, steamed shrimp, and grilled shrimp. And the scent of sake...
"No, you don't. Urza, Gral, put those down."
The two of them would have to make do with juice. I handed them cups and told them to look up. We were here to admire the Cherry Blossoms, after all.
...
My apologies, Zabuton's children. Were you preparing something while hiding up in the branches? Please, don't let me stop you. Does the atmosphere feel different now? D-don't worry about it.