Chapter 458 – Tropical Plants and Flower Fairies

“Hmm. I sensed some cheerful atmosphere and came to check.”

“Ah, Tephra. We’re just about to bring water into the greenhouse.”

As I continued working, Tephra appeared in the ritual grounds. When I answered, Tephra nodded with a pleased expression. She probably sensed the activity here and came down from Mt. Tephra.

“Indeed. I heard from Floria.”

Ah. It seems the spirits communicate with each other quite a bit.

“It was decided to be right next to the ritual grounds.”

“Oh ho. That’s wonderful.”

The two spirits happily conversed. Seraphina also noticed Tephra’s arrival and flew over to her happily. It’s good that the spirits and fairies get along so well.

Nodding at their interaction, I continued my work.

“Alright, I’m going to start the water flow.”

I connected the final water pipe and the magic tool that would serve as the pump—when I activated the magic tool, hot water began flowing from the spring toward the greenhouse. This would allow water to accumulate in the storage tank.

However, while we could utilize the hot spring’s temperature and magical power, directly channeling the spring water contained components unsuitable for plants, which would be problematic.

Therefore, when sending the water, we used a magic tool incorporating Water Magic and Earth Magic to separate the components and adjust the water quality to be suitable for cultivation.

This allowed us to cultivate plants while utilizing both the temperature and abundant magical power.

Another magic tool could regulate the temperature and channel water into the greenhouse’s waterways, and it could also be used to prevent heat loss during nights and winter.

After confirming that the installed water pipes were functioning properly, I headed toward the greenhouse while using Earth Magic to bury and conceal the pipes underground.

“Is water reaching the storage tank?”

“Yes. Confirmed.”

Alfred, who was working on the greenhouse side, nodded.

“I’ve also installed the temperature-regulating magic tool… Next is the glass, right?”

The glass walls and ceiling would be double-layered with a gap between them to enhance insulation—keeping heat in and cold out.

I lined up barrels filled with silica sand—and began creating everything at once.

I deployed a Magic Circle. As white spheres of light floated between the greenhouse framework, silica sand was drawn up toward them.

Glass panels began growing from the top and bottom of the light spheres.

Two glass walls were simultaneously generated—their growth stopping once they reached the perfect size to fit the frames.

“…There. How’s this?”

While using structural enhancement magic, I checked for any instability… Yeah. Seems fine.

“My, my. I know how it works, but watching glass walls of this size being created all at once is quite a sight.”

“Indeed. Since it’s glass, it looks beautiful.”

Alfred laughed while Sion nodded in admiration.

Hmm… Indeed, Ashley and Elliot’s ice magic, or Corulis’s crystal generation, might be more visually impressive.

Well, it’s good that it’s not boring to watch.

If I continued at this pace to fill all the frames, the exterior would be complete. Some parts were designed to open and close for ventilation and bringing in outside air, similar to the greenhouse we built in the Barony of Silun.

After filling the frames from walls to ceiling with double-layered glass and applying structural enhancement to each panel—the exterior was finished. Good… Now for the interior.

Once the internal scaffolding and partitions were complete, I channeled water into the greenhouse and activated the climate-control magic tools—both humidity and temperature rose, creating a tropical atmosphere.

“How is it?”

“Hmm. It feels like the Forest of Illusions.”

“With these clothes, it might get hot.”

“…Would it be alright if I took off my jacket?”

When I asked Sion and the others, who were accustomed to the forests around Halvaronis, those were the responses I received.

“I think it should be fine as long as you don’t dress too lightly. Since we’ll be bringing in soil, you might want to hang them somewhere that won’t get dirty… perhaps near the railing on that mezzanine level.”

“Understood…”

Sigritta nodded and went to the terrace seating area to remove her jacket.

Since we still had work to do inside, I planned to lower the temperature before planting the plants… Well, I’ll adjust it to a comfortable level, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

Now all that’s left are the flowerbeds and interior. The waterway systems are already functional.

Water flows through and around the flowerbeds, and using the same mechanism as the water pipe magic tools, it can spray water like sprinklers. The fountain in the hall near the entrance was already operational too.

So, once we add soil to the flowerbeds, we’ll be ready for planting anytime. I’ll bring in fertilizer and soil while adding some touches to give it a tropical feel.

What we’ll plant are bananas, palms, pineapples, various herbs, and cacti. I also brought back plants that bloom purely for ornamental purposes, not for food or medicinal use.

We’ll plant them according to themes in each section… For the cactus area, I plan to create natural rock-like objects to evoke the desolate atmosphere of desert rock formations.

Similarly, for the ornamental areas, I’ll make arches with wire for vines and creepers to climb, create artificial ponds within the flowerbeds along the paths, and various other things to create a jungle-like appearance.

We’ll plant palm trees around the hall area right after the entrance. We’ll prepare fine sand like you’d find on a beach around their bases, combined with the pond to create an oasis-like feel.

Following each section’s theme, I refined the interior while envisioning how it would look once the plants matured. Simultaneously—I created Golems from the prepared soil, which then returned to soil within the flowerbeds, steadily preparing the environment.

“It seems we can start planting the plants soon.”

“That’s right… We can’t finish environmental preparation without planting them…”

When I nodded in response to Ashley’s words, Claudia said:

“I’ll go get them if needed.”

“Hmm. Then let’s start that too. We still have the underground paddy field to prepare as well.”

When I answered, Claudia teleported back home using Teleportation Magic.

The environmental preparation would maintain temperatures and humidity levels ideal for the tropical plants, based on Forset and the others’ comfort levels, with Floria reading the plants’ emotions. The magic tools installed in the greenhouse would maintain the set temperature and humidity.

So there are aspects that can’t be completed without bringing plants from home.

“Theodore, when I explained the situation, those children said they’d help too.”

Said Floria, holding Harvesta’s pot in her arms. “Those children” referred to the Flower Fairies who had settled around the ritual grounds. Looking over, I could see them watching our work with interest through the glass windows.

“What kind of help did they offer?”

“They said since insects can’t get into this transparent house, they’ll take their place.”

Ah, pollination and such.

That’s helpful. With dryads, Noble Leaf, and Flower Fairies… Having those deeply connected to plants gathered here is reassuring for us too.

“I see… Then I should create entryways sized for the fairies to use easily.”

I could probably make hinges and doorknobs using leftover iron and other materials.

But first… I went to the entrance, opened the door, and gestured to invite the Flower Fairies inside. The Flower Fairies entered the greenhouse. Flower Fairies dancing through the air as if performing in the sky.

Seraphina appeared delighted and began happily flying around the greenhouse with them.

Hmm… Once plants are planted and colorful flowers bloom, this will likely become quite an otherworldly scene… Well, that’s fine.

“Floria, are you okay with the heat?”

“Yes. It’s not like my main body is here. Noble Leaf is fine too, and the Flower Fairies also said they’re okay when I asked earlier.”

“I see.”

Noble Leaf… or rather, its original form Evil Weed, grew wild in the Forest of Illusions too. If anything, being able to spend winter in a warm environment might be good for the Noble Leaves.

“Alright… This should do it.”

Mobilizing Aqua Golems too, we transferred the plants Claudia brought… and for now, the greenhouse was complete. Marlene buried the last remaining seedling in the soil, carefully covering it with earth, marking the completion of this phase of work. I nodded back at Marlene, who turned around with a happy smile.

Since the plants were just planted, the flowerbed areas feel somewhat sparse compared to our envisioned completion, but it should improve as they grow.

Floria, Forset, and Alfred also returned after finishing the temperature and humidity settings for each section.

“I think this should be fine. Everyone seems healthy and happy.”

“Everyone” meaning the plants we brought from the southern regions. We made various detailed adjustments like changing soil quality by section and planting compatible species together. This seems to be paying off.

“Alright… The underground section is still to come… but the above-ground part is complete for now. It’s getting dark, so let’s stop here for today.”

When I said this, everyone smiled and nodded.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them grow,” said Grace.

Rosemary nodded at her words. “I’m excited about the herbs. It seems my research will progress well.”

“Yeah. I have expectations,” said Sheila.

For Rosemary, it’s about herbs, while for Sheila, it’s probably the palm trees, pineapples, and bananas. Irmhild laughed amusingly beside them.

“Ah. I forgot. We need to install alarm devices,” said Alfred.

“Then I’ll deploy some Dolls here too,” she said.

Probably to serve as security guards. Since there are guards at the ritual grounds too, our security system is perfect.