Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 217: The Lowest Area of Klaufendam
Talking about rice on Christmas…
At the lowest central area of the bowl-shaped city of Klaufendam lies a mine of non-attriute magic stones, surrounded by numerous workshops of various sizes specializing in magic tools.
Until a year ago, most of these were small workshops, functioning as subcontractors producing magic substrates.
Now, large-scale workshops producing original magic tools, such as magic stoves, have sprung up in their place.
“Ah, Isamu-sama! Thank you for your hard work!”
“Annemarie-sama, good afternoon!”
“Wow~~ It’s Orihime-sama~~!!”
As they walked after stepping out of the magi-car, voices called out from all around. Everyone’s expressions were bright.
“This place has really become lively, hasn’t it?”
“Yes! We no longer have to live in fear of our contracts being terminated, and we’re creating magic tools that can only be made here in the world. Everyone takes pride in their work now.”
“That’s wonderful. After all, work isn’t worth it if it’s not fulfilling!”
“I completely agree. I’m so glad… really…”
Seeing the residents working with vibrant expressions, Annemarie’s eyes welled up with tears.
Noticing this, Isamu gently patted her head without saying a word.
Passing through the central area, Isamu and his companions headed toward the northeastern section of the lowest area.
This part of Klaufendam was unusual, with fields and orchards.
South-facing slopes had been terraced into step-like fields, and even the flat land in the lowest area had been converted into farmland.
While it couldn’t produce enough to feed the entire population of the city, the seasonal crops it yielded were enough to provide sustenance in emergencies.
Having fields safely within the city, even in small numbers, was a rare and valuable resource.
In the surrounding area stood many old workshops, most of which were in disrepair and unused.
A redevelopment plan had been in place for several years to rebuild them collectively, but construction had not yet started. Until recently, it was a deserted area.
However, about ten days ago, it transformed into a bustling hub of activity.
“Ah, Isamu-sama! My lady! Hello!”
Noticing their arrival, Tiramisu called out.
Perhaps taking a break from some work, she appeared relaxed under a simple tarp providing shade.
Beyond her, where the old workshops used to stand, several second-generation magic giants (golems) and knights were working.
“Oh, hello, Tiramisu-san. How’s the work going?”
“Going great! Orihime-sensei even helped out occasionally!”
“Nyafuhn~”
Tiramisu pointed toward the second-generation golems, and Orihime, perched on Isamu’s head, wagged her tail contentedly.
“Wow! That’s amazing; it’s almost complete, isn’t it?”
Isamu squinted and looked toward the indicated area, letting out an admiring voice.
“Is this the ‘tanbo’ (rice paddy) from your homeland, Isamu-sama?”
“Yes, although the structure may not be perfectly accurate, it’s based on what I remember!”
Isamu answered Annemarie’s curious question.
Indeed, the experimental project involving the second-generation golems was a rice paddy.
After returning from the Plazzo Kingdom, Isamu remembered the seeds he had brought and began constructing a rice paddy for planting them.
While he considered building it outside the city, the uncertain cultivation process and the need for daily supervision led him to set it up within the safe confines of the city.
Fortunately, redevelopment in this area had been paused, so he easily obtained permission from Selfars.
In a normal world, such construction would take an enormous amount of time with manpower alone.
But in this otherworld, using earth magic, other magic techniques, and golems (essentially cheat-like heavy machinery), construction proceeded at an incredible pace.
Moreover, Orihime, tired of developing magic circles, joined in, significantly boosting the workers’ morale. The paddy was nearly finished within ten days.
“Alright, let’s wrap up the final touches.”
Saying this, Isamu removed his shoes, rolled up his pants, and stepped into one of the four divided sections of the rice paddy.
After estimating the size by eye, he knelt and began chanting a spell.
“The mire that swallows great beasts, born from stone—Mud Transformation Madness!”
As soon as Isamu cast the spell, the ground in his section began glowing faintly.
Once the glow faded, the area had turned into a mudflat.
“Yep, that should do it.”
“As always, your magic control is remarkable.”
Watching from the edge of the field, Annemarie admired his work.
“I’ve just had to practice efficient magic use because I don’t have much magic power.”
“Even so, it’s incredible.”
“Ahaha, thanks. Alright, let’s finish the remaining sections quickly.”
Slightly embarrassed by the praise, Isamu cast the Mud Transformation Madness spell on the other three sections.
“That should do it. Please take care of finishing the edges where the spell didn’t reach!”
“Got it!”
Having completed his work, Isamu left the finishing touches to Tiramisu.
While the knights were improving their magic abilities through old magic lessons, priority was still given to offensive magic like fire and wind. Thus, few could match Isamu’s proficiency with earth magic.
Some had begun mastering Mud Transformation Madness, so those members would handle the edges.
“I hope this grows well enough, but I really don’t know what kind of soil is best for it.”
Isamu muttered as he washed his feet using water magic.
Not being a farmer himself, he had no idea what soil was ideal for rice paddies.
He simply constructed the paddy based on his fragmented knowledge from casual observations and TV shows.
He had already gathered soil from the fields and fertile forest soil recommended by farmers and planned to mix them in, but there was no guarantee it would work.
“These seeds are blessed by Diaresis-sama and Meator-sama, so I’m sure they’ll grow well!”
“Yeah, that’s true. Plus, Orihime’s helping with the tilling. When I think about it, having the blessings of three goddesses is almost too luxurious, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. Just having one is already a miracle.”
“Right? Well, this is our first attempt, so let’s just give it our all. Next year, we can even bring soil from the Meator River where it’s actually cultivated, and we’ll keep experimenting and improving!”
“Yes, I think that’s the best approach.”
By the time they had finished mixing the soil and lightly flooding the fields, the sun had already started to set in the west.
Incidentally, the water used was a hybrid of the magic tools that generate water (also used in shower magic tools) and a nearby stream redirected from the forest.
The water tools alone provided enough volume, but Isamu felt they lacked nutrients, so he also utilized the forest stream water.
This luxurious setup, with the magic water tools as a backup, resulted in a rice paddy highly resistant to water shortages.
“Well then, let’s sow the rice seeds. Ideally, we’d grow seedlings first and then plant them, but it’s already late in the season.”
Normally, rice farming involves growing seedlings to a certain size before transplanting them—a process known as “rice planting.”
While more labor-intensive, it stabilizes growth, reduces the chances of birds eating the seeds, and has other advantages.
In contrast, the direct sowing method Isamu chose this time requires less effort but is much more unpredictable and left to nature’s whims.
This time, they decided to try direct sowing as an experiment, planning to learn from the results for future improvements.
Moreover, since the seeds were blessed by the goddesses, there was an expectation that they might grow even with minimal effort.
However, at this point, no one fully understood the true extent of the goddesses’ blessings…
The next morning.
“T-T-Trouble! We’ve got trouble!! The paddy fields are in trouble!!!”
Tiramisu burst into Isamu’s laboratory, her face pale, just as he finished breakfast and started analyzing magic circles.
“What’s wrong? Why are you in such a panic? What happened to the rice paddy?”
“It’s growing!!!”
“Growing??”
“The rice is already sprouting!!!”
“…What???”
The rice plants had sprouted.
Tiramisu’s report was remarkably concise, but its simplicity made it difficult to grasp the situation clearly.
Deciding it would be faster to see for themselves, they rushed to the experimental rice paddy in the lowest layer using the magic-powered vehicle.
“Wha…!?”
“This is…”
Both Isamu and Annemarie were at a loss for words as they stepped out of the vehicle and stood on the embankment.
There, emerging from the thin layer of water covering the field, were vibrant green rice seedlings gently swaying in the breeze.