Chapter 329 – Tasting Event of the Giant Pumpkin

“Hmm… Seeing them again, they’ve really grown quite a bit.”

The next day—today was a rest day from Knight Order training. Since letting the pumpkins grow any larger would be problematic, I went to check the field we’d created beside the storage shed, where several Monster Pumpkins were sitting majestically on the straw.

The pumpkins’ condition—thanks to everyone’s diligent care, they had colored beautifully and gave the impression that now was the perfect harvest time.

As for the Evil Weeds, they were peeking their faces out between the straw and pumpkins, basking comfortably in the sunlight.

“I thought turning them over would be difficult since they grew so large, but with the magic tools, maintenance was easy,” said Cyrille the Centaur with a smile.

“I’m glad the magic tools were useful.”

When pumpkins approach harvest time, you need to turn them to change which side gets sunlight… but with the Levitation Magic Tool, that effort isn’t too burdensome. It’s a repurposing of aerial combat gear, but it’s what you’d call effective utilization.

The Evil Weeds are merely agricultural supplements. To make crops bear fruit well, human hands are still necessary.

“With this many, cooking them all seems like it’ll be tough.”

“I don’t think we need to eat them all after harvesting. Assuming they taste good, it might be better to take one or two to the Barony of Silun and have them cooked there for tasting.”

“I see. Showing them the actual thing and having them taste it is better than just explanations.”

Rosemary nodded as if convinced.

“We’ve entrusted the Evil Weeds to the old man, and he said crops are growing larger in his fields too.”

“With pumpkins this size, normally the flavor would deteriorate. Showing them together should serve as good evidence.”

“That’s true. We’re incorporating Evil Weeds into farming methods, and having actual harvests makes the credibility different.”

I nodded at Ashley and Claudia’s words.

So we all started harvesting the pumpkins. Throughout the harvesting, the Evil Weeds remained quiet. They didn’t become aggressive or interfere with the harvest.

“Since cold days will increase from now on, it might be better to return the Evil Weeds to pots and bring them indoors at night.”

“I read in a book that they can survive through the year if kept in warm places.”

That resilience makes you remember they’re monsters after all.

Hmm… Then let’s transplant them right away while harvesting. Using Earth Magic and Levitation, I dug up the surrounding soil and returned them to pots without damaging their roots.

After finishing the harvest, we decided to let the pumpkins rest for a few days, then divide the work among us to make pumpkin dishes.

With this quantity, it seemed today would be all about pumpkins—not just the originally planned pumpkin pies, but also soups, cookies, and more… But with the Labyrinth Village residents also present, there wouldn’t be any leftovers.

“Hmm. With them this big, maybe we should use magic to cut the pumpkins too.”

I levitated the Monster Pumpkins brought to the kitchen, washed them with water, then cut them using Water Magic. Then I further divided them into sizes suitable for each dish. The cut surfaces showed nothing unusual—they just looked like regular pumpkins, only larger.

“Then, let’s begin.”

At Mihaela’s words, everyone nodded. For some reason, I felt the female members were particularly motivated.

Camilla had also rolled up her sleeves, excited to serve Elliot some delicious pumpkin dishes.

Mihaela, Cecilia, Grace, and Rosemary took charge of pumpkin pies. Marlene, Sheila, Camilla, and Valentina handled the soup. Ashley, Claudia, Irmhild, Seraphina, and Charlotte were in charge of making sweets.

Claire, Cyrille, Irmhild’s parents, and the Labyrinth Village residents were also divided into groups to make pumpkin dishes together.

Elliot, Old Sigmund, and I took on supporting roles like cutting ingredients and mashing pumpkins. Elliot was quite skilled with a knife too.

“Elliot-san, you seem quite accustomed to cooking.”

“During my early days in Silvatoria, there was a period when I cooked for myself,” Elliot said while cutting pumpkins with a laugh.

I see. Before he distinguished himself as a Magic Knight, he must have had various hardships.

Old Sigmund and I divided the steamed, softened pumpkins and used Wind Magic to crush them into paste, actively incorporating magic into cooking.

“Hmm. Using magic like this is enjoyable,” Old Sigmund said with a smile.

“Making magic serve daily life… that’s the philosophy of Tower magicians.”

“That’s right. It’s slightly different from the Sages’ Academy’s purpose.”

Charlotte and Valentina exchanged words while cooking.

As we cooked harmoniously together, the sweet aroma of pies and cookies being made stimulated our nostrils. I was looking forward to the results.

With many hands making light work, I had some free time, so I decided to make one simple dish myself.

Removing the seeds, I cut the pumpkin into bite-sized pieces and put them in a pot. Covering it, I used Wind Magic and Water Magic to pressurize and heat it. Once softened enough for a skewer to pass through, I transferred it to a dish, added chopped bacon, lightly sprinkled salt and spices, then topped it with cheese—finally lightly roasting it with Fire Magic. Pumpkin cheese bake. Being a simple dish, it was finished in no time.

“That looks delicious,” Sheila said, looking at the finished dish.

Apparently, using magic for cooking had drawn everyone’s attention. Well, partly because the ovens were occupied, so I used magic.

“Well, as a snack substitute.”

So we all decided to have a light taste. This would be an important item for gauging the results of Evil Weed farming methods. First, I tried it myself.

Hmm… When it enters my mouth, the flavor of roasted cheese, the pumpkin’s aroma, and sweetness spread throughout.

Hmm. Similar to the water quality of the Fire Spirit Hot Spring, perhaps. Whether I feel magical power is present because I used magic in the cooking process or because it was planted with Evil Weeds…

Curious, I carefully examined an untouched, uncut pumpkin… Yeah. It seems to have contained some magical power from the beginning.

When ingredients contain magical power, it adds depth to the flavor, similar to monster ingredients, perhaps. Unexpectedly, might this be better than regular pumpkins?

“Hmm… Yes. This is good quality.”

“It’s fluffy and delicious.”

“I thought growing too large might affect the pumpkin’s flavor… but that seems to have been unnecessary worry.”

Everyone’s reviews weren’t bad. Since I didn’t do anything particularly elaborate, this must be largely thanks to the Evil Weeds’ contribution. The idea of utilizing Evil Weeds in farming methods seems like it might work out well.

The pies and soup were finished, and the cookies were baked too. The time was just past noon. Quantity-wise, it was plenty. We set up tables in the courtyard, having a tasting party under the blue sky.

“This is… delicious.”

The pie had a flaky crust with just the right sweetness… Yeah. From texture to taste, including visual appeal, it’s exquisite. Worthy of Cecilia’s strong endorsement as Mihaela’s specialty dish, you could say. The soup with basil sprinkled on top is perfectly seasoned too. The baked sweets are crisp and go well with tea. The cooking methods are probably good, but the pumpkin itself must taste good too. I can feel magical power as well. The way the magical power works… still similar to the hot spring’s. Doesn’t seem harmful to the body.

Thinking that an all-pumpkin menu might become tiresome, we also prepared sausages, bacon, and such.

The Labyrinth Village residents, either in high spirits from the cheerful atmosphere or because they were assigned, brought out instruments and started singing and dancing. Seraphina was happily flying around.

“Hmm. Good work,” I said, lightly patting the heads of the Evil Weeds we’d potted and placed in the courtyard. They shook their heads, quivering.

Watching them, Harvesta turned her head around… then quietly placed seeds she held in her mouth at the base of her pot. …Somehow, it looks like she’s entrusting the seeds to us.

“…Is it okay to take the seeds?”

Saying this, I picked up the seeds, but Harvesta didn’t attack. Seeing this, the other Evil Weeds followed suit, as if following the example.

…Would you call this a symbiotic relationship? Perhaps the Evil Weeds have recognized humans as partners. Maybe they’ve learned that being under human protection means safety?

Anyway, I’ll gratefully take care of the seeds. I was wondering whether the changes in Evil Weeds’ nature would continue or be limited to one generation, and how to handle seed collection. This is a welcome development.

For Elliot and Camilla’s wedding, we’ve invited Father and Malcolm too. Naturally, we’ll discuss the Evil Weeds with both of them then. This will surely be useful not just for the barony but also for developing farmland in the Marquisate of Broderick.