Chapter 365 – Greenhouse and Noble Leaf

“Well then… I have one thing to say as well. I’ve already heard in detail about the current situation surrounding Verdgar and about all of you. I also know that you’re trying to free the goddess Shuath—Lady Claudia—from the labyrinth. And on top of that, you’re considering how to maintain the labyrinth. Do you still feel the same way about this now?”

“Yes. I believe it’s worth putting in the effort after the matters with the demons and the Last Guardian are resolved.”

I nodded while looking straight into Ignatius’s eyes.

Effort. You could even call it part of daily life or one’s livelihood.

To build a system that allows the labyrinth to function even without Claudia. It probably won’t be as easy as saying it… but precisely because it aligns with what I want to do—not for anyone else’s sake—I’ll pursue it.

“…I see. In that case, I also have something to entrust to you.”

“What might that be?”

“Along with the methods for the ritual, there are also documents left by the Seven Sages concerning the labyrinth. They will surely be of use to you.”

…I see. He must have said this because he heard about my engagement and contract with Claudia. I don’t know how much we can alter the labyrinth’s foundation, but having something to start from would make a world of difference compared to starting from nothing. When I bowed, Ignatius narrowed his eyes and nodded.

—Now then. Two days after our discussions with King Melvin and Ignatius at the royal castle, I needed to visit Michelle in the Barony of Silun regarding the Noble Leaf matter.

After finishing breakfast, we began preparations fairly early in the morning. Besides our group heading to the Barony of Silun, there were also Alfred and his team, as well as Old Sigmund and all the workshop staff.

The reason for going today was because Father was also scheduled to come to Termwills now that autumn had arrived.

It might also be partly timed to coincide with my approaching birthday, but it would be efficient to meet up with Father and the others in the Barony of Silun and then return to Termwills using Teleportation Magic.

“Let’s see… The materials are this and this…”

The materials for building the greenhouse had been prepared last night. Before moving to the location, we divided up the task of checking whether all necessary items were present.

“Okay. Everyone, line up—”

“Um… 1, 2, 3—”

Meanwhile, Floria was lining up the floating Noble Leaves in a row, and Seraphina was counting them.

We were going to transplant the Noble Leaves into pots with Levitation incorporated and have them accompany us to the Barony of Silun.

Not just the Noble Leaves to be entrusted to Michelle, but since everyone was heading to the Barony of Silun, it was becoming quite lively.

We also planned to cultivate the seeds received from the Noble Leaves using Water Magic, but I thought the parent Noble Leaves would probably want to see the faces of their foster parents and the environment where their children would grow up… hence this arrangement.

“Good morning, Theo-kun.”

“Good morning.”

“Ah, good morning, both of you.”

Guided by Cecilia, Alfred and Viola also arrived in the courtyard where preparations were underway. For building the greenhouse, we planned to install magic tools to regulate temperature and humidity.

A greenhouse with just glass walls wouldn’t be meaningful. It would still get cold at night, and if the sunlight was too strong, making the interior too hot, that wouldn’t be good either. So, measures were needed to maintain a stable environment. Rosemary had some know-how in that area from various experiments she had conducted for cultivating Alraunes.

“The materials are all here,” Grace reported with a smile, having finished checking while looking at her notes.

“Mhm. Then shall we go?”

“Alright, we’re jumping.”

Claudia activated Teleportation Magic. Our destination was the stone monument in the basement of the Silun Baron’s residence. Enveloped in light, when I opened my eyes, we were standing there.

The materials were packed in wooden crates for easy transport. We applied Levitation to the crates and carried them outside together.

The exit from the basement was Ashley’s room. After informing Kennel of our arrival via the communication device, a knock sounded.

“Come in.”

When Ashley responded, Kennel entered the room.

“Welcome back, everyone.”

We had notified the Barony of Silun in advance. Kennel’s face broke into a smile when he saw us.

“Hello, Kennel-san.”

“Yes. Count Gartner has been staying here since yesterday. Miss Michelle has also arrived.”

Since we had coordinated via the communication device, the other party was fully prepared and had adjusted their schedule to be here.

“In that case, we should greet those two first.”

“Understood. Then… this way, please.”

“Good afternoon, Father, and Michelle-san as well. It’s been a while.”

We were shown to the reception room, and together with Ashley, I greeted Father and Michelle.

“Ah, Theo. It’s good to see you looking well. And to Lady Ashley, I hope you are in good spirits.”

“Yes. Welcome to the Silun Baron’s residence. I apologize for the delayed greeting as I was away on business.”

“G-good afternoon, Ambassador, Ashley-sama.”

We exchanged greetings in this manner.

“I heard you’re going to build a greenhouse on the land secured within the territory.”

“Yes. I apologize for the rush, having just arrived here.”

“Not at all. If it’s alright, may we accompany you? We won’t be a bother.”

“When you say ‘we’…?”

“Daryl is here as well. For the sake of future learning, so to speak.”

Daryl, huh. If he’s going to inherit the territory, the Noble Leaf Farming Method probably isn’t someone else’s concern anymore.

“Understood. Then shall we go together?”

Accompanied by Ashley, Father, and Michelle, we headed toward the baron’s main entrance. There, a carriage was already prepared, and everyone was dividing up the task of loading the materials.

“Is this the last of it?”

“Mhm. Finished loading.”

“Indeed. We’re ready to go whenever.”

At Irmhild’s words, Sheila nodded, and Old Sigmund, noticing us, called out.

“Yeah. Thank you. Good work, everyone.”

After thanking everyone, I decided to introduce those meeting for the first time.

…Father and Michelle were wide-eyed seeing the floating Noble Leaves, after all.

“This lady is Michelle-san.”

“Mhm. Michelle, nice to meet you. The Noble Leaves were curious about what kind of person you are, too.”

As if responding to Floria’s words, the floating Noble Leaves gathered around.

“N-nice to meet you… I’m rather inexperienced, but…”

Michelle and Floria shook hands. Then Floria glanced toward the Noble Leaves.

Mimicking the exchange between the two, the Noble Leaves extended their leaf parts. Though hesitant, Michelle seemed somewhat delighted as she gently shook hands with the Noble Leaves.

“They seem to like Michelle.”

“Really?”

At Floria’s words, Michelle smiled.

Then Daryl, who had been called by a servant, also arrived. He showed a slightly strained smile at the scene before him, but quickly composed himself, so it seemed he was getting used to it smoothly.

“This is my son, Daryl.”

“Um… I’m Daryl Gartner. Pleased to meet you.”

When Father introduced him, Daryl also gave his name and bowed.

“I’m Michelle. Pleased to meet you.”

Now then. With the introductions finished, we promptly split up into the carriages and headed to the planned site for the greenhouse.

The town next to the Silun Baron’s direct domain was where Michelle lived. Though called a neighboring town, it was only a short distance away, very close.

It was a tranquil town with fields spreading across flatlands. A moat doubling as a water channel surrounded the town, and after crossing a wooden bridge and proceeding a short way along a street inside the town, we reached our destination.

“This is it.”

We arrived in front of Michelle’s house and got out of the carriage. It was a modest but solidly built brick house.

Opening the gate, we entered the courtyard. A wooden deck extended out beside the entrance, making it quite a charming, warm-feeling home.

The area that should have been a garden was instead a field. That must be Michelle’s experimental ground as well.

“We searched for a location in this town suitable for a greenhouse, and it turned out there was an empty plot next to Michelle-san’s house. Since it was just right, we decided to use it.”

Ashley explained clearly for Father and the others. The arrangement was that the baron’s household would purchase the land and convert it into a greenhouse.

We had received information about the size of the land beforehand via the communication device and had prepared models and such accordingly.

“Now then… even though it’s rather abrupt, shall we complete what needs to be done?”

Unloading the materials from the carriage, we prepared for the Magic Construction. First, we quickly built a simple fence around the land to make the work somewhat less conspicuous. Although the baron’s household planned to explain to the residents, we were also going to install various magic tools and such.

After enclosing the land with the fence, following the scale model, we created foundations for erecting pillars, then extended frames to form the greenhouse’s framework.

Processing silica sand with Earth Magic and Fire Magic. Producing glass panels. We fitted them into the frames one by one. Outer and inner sides. By placing two glass panels with a slight gap between them, we created an air layer to enhance insulation.

From the ceiling to the walls, it was all glass. We applied structural Enhancement magic to reinforce it so it wouldn’t break easily. Well, let’s make it sturdy enough that it won’t break even if a child throws a stone at it.

The walls also functioned as sliding glass doors. They could be opened when needed to facilitate air exchange and temperature adjustment.

“Now then… Michelle-san. I apologize for interrupting the work, but allow me to explain about the magic tools.”

“Y-yes!”

Michelle nodded with a tense expression.

“First, then, the magic tool for drawing water from the irrigation channel.”

Drawing water from the nearby irrigation channel, we ran it through pipes.

It was the water flow control pipe used in hot spring facilities. The mechanism allowed water to be used like tap water when the magic tool was activated.

“Can you use magic to make it rain over a small area?”

“Yes. It’s necessary for farm work. Though it’s difficult without a water source.”

Hmm. Then it should be fine. We could store water in barrels temporarily, and then use Water Magic to make it rain inside the greenhouse and such.

Simultaneously, we used magic to turn over the soil inside the greenhouse, removing stones. We created fields where crops would be grown.

“What about that magic tool over there?”

“Ah. That one adjusts the temperature inside the greenhouse. We designed it so the usage is intuitive.”

The workshop team including Alfred, and the magicians like Rosemary, Ashley, and Marlene, divided up the task of installing the magic tools in places that wouldn’t block sunlight. Somehow, the appearance of the magic tool resembled a weather station.

It was a magic tool incorporating three types: Fire Magic, Water Magic, and Wind Magic. It functioned like a blower responsible for temperature adjustment.

It created airflow toward the ceiling, causing convection throughout the entire greenhouse. If it was cold, it would send warm air using Fire Magic stones; if hot, it would cool using Water Magic stones, and so forth. Operating in sync according to the engraved Contract Magic, it could maintain a set temperature.

Temperature adjustment was also possible by controlling the magic tool’s output. By touching the magic stone placed in the center inside the weather station and wishing for the room to be a bit warmer or cooler, the Fire and Water Magic stones would synchronize and adjust the output accordingly.

Since the self-mobile Noble Leaves were scheduled to reside in the greenhouse as caretakers, regarding heat and cold, we could discuss while observing the Noble Leaves’ reactions.

We needed to supply magical power to the embedded magic stones… but since Michelle herself was a magician, that shouldn’t be a problem.

There were three more magic tools prepared this time. One was for adjusting humidity. Using Wind Magic and Water Magic, it could gather moisture from the atmosphere or release it.

Another one created a field using Dark Magic to weaken sunlight. This would be used when the sunlight was too strong. It covered the entire greenhouse, weakening the sunlight.

And the final one was for Michelle herself to wear.

“When working inside the greenhouse, please be careful not to suffer from the heat. As a precaution, I’ve also prepared a magic tool that envelops the wearer in a weak cool air during work.”

“Thank you.”

Continuing the work of constructing the greenhouse and installing the magic tools while explaining each one to Michelle in this manner—we finished by completing the fence surrounding the land.

We had planned to connect it to the fence between Michelle’s house and create a gate, but according to Michelle, she felt more at ease if she had a clear view from her house, so we had the wall between Michelle’s residence and the greenhouse removed. Additionally, we installed an alarm device, and then it was complete.

“Is this about it?”

“About. Mhm. Then for now, let’s call it finished.”

Alfred and I nodded to each other, and when I announced the completion to everyone, applause erupted from Kennel, Father, Daryl, and the others who had been watching. Both the party members and the workshop staff clapped cheerfully.

“Magic Construction… I saw it once before, but this time it’s different again. Well, I enjoyed it.”

“…I had heard it was a greenhouse… but I never imagined it would become something to this extent.”

Father nodded quietly, and Michelle murmured while scrutinizing the completed greenhouse.

“Mmm… They’re happy it’s warm.”

Floria voiced the Noble Leaves’ feelings.

“If security is needed, I’ll lend a hand.”

Rosemary hid her mouth with her feather fan and gave a small shudder. She probably intended to bring her dolls. Yeah. It might indeed be more reassuring to deploy them. If Michelle is okay with it, I’ll bring them later.

“From here, actually operate the magic tools, ask the Noble Leaves if they’re comfortable… if there are no issues, try growing crops inside. If any inconveniences arise, please notify Kennel-san, and we’ll come each time to make adjustments.”

“Thank you very much!”

Michelle bowed deeply. All that remained was to hand over the Noble Leaf pots and seeds, and then our work in the Barony of Silun would be complete. Let’s relax a bit in the Barony of Silun before returning to Termwills with Father and the others.