I looked over the vast field before us. To give you a good idea of its size... Well, if we were to level it, it would make for a perfect tennis court. A real farmer would probably think it was tiny, but in my opinion, it was more than big enough for a beginner.
Gnome got to his feet. His presence made the greenery surrounding him look even more vibrant as if it felt especially comfortable around him. “Now, that does sound fascinating. Do I sense some more cultivation in our future?”
“In our far future, Gnome!” I giggled. “Even with everyone’s help, I already have my hands full managing this field!”
I had started keeping a record of my observations since we’d planted the potatoes and tomatoes, thinking they might come in handy. My remark about experimenting was just an idea to jot down later and nothing more at this point.
He shot me a smile. “Yes, of course. But the more one has to look forward to, the better. Let’s just make sure this field is on the right track first!”
Gnome still seems to think expansion is a serious goal of mine, doesn’t he?
“As long as this field can produce enough delicious food for everyone, it’s large enough for me,” I said.
After all, if we were really lacking in anything, I could always order it. I only wanted to cultivate this field to experience growing crops by myself. Expansion wasn’t something I was especially looking to do. And besides...
“My desire to eat tasty treats with everyone is stronger than my desire to farm!”
Gnome chuckled. “That doesn’t surprise me in the least, Fran. You’re right, of course. Delicious food is what gives life its vitality.”
My ultimate goal was to live a carefree life with everyone on this island while enjoying the tastiest of meals. That wasn’t to say that I wasn’t curious about the influence of mana-rich soil on crop growth, yield, and flavor, as well as the economic outcomes of those factors...but the truth was that markets and such were no concern of mine anymore. If I did ever choose to run any experiments, they would be purely for curiosity’s sake.
“I think it is about time we had a snack break, Gnome. Is there anything in particular that you’d like to eat today?”
He hummed thoughtfully. “Something refreshing, I think. The sun is truly beating down on us today.”
“Leave it to me! I shall call Alk and the other spirits to join us, and then we can have a lovely tea time together!”
I swiped a finger across my skill tablet. As usual, the screen was crammed full of tantalizing delicacies. Gnome was right in that the sun was strong and hot today.
“Something cool would be nice, like jelly or mousse—but there are already so many varieties of both...” I pondered out loud.
Mousse could be nice, but on a day like today, it felt like a simple jelly would be more refreshing than something creamy and dense. There were jellies with pieces of fruit in them, others made with fruit purée, almond tofu, jellies made with liquor, and ones that came in the most adorable little jars... I’d been perusing the “Summer Desserts” section for some time now, but everything looked so good, it was hard to make a decision!
Just then, a shadow fell over my tablet. It was quickly followed by a voice from above me. “Tea time already? Did you manage to make any progress in your field inspection?”
I shrieked before immediately slapping my hands over my mouth. But unfortunately, everyone had already heard the peculiar noise I’d made... Either way, I didn’t have to turn around to know that the newcomer had been Alk.
I wish he wouldn’t sneak up on me like that! If he wants to give me a heart attack, he sure is going the right way about it!
“None of those look especially filling,” he said. “That one, however, seems tempting.”
“For goodness’ sake, Alk! You already know that I’ll order you whatever you like. There’s no need to give me a fright, is there?”
Ignoring my indignation, he reached over from behind me and pointed at a colorful jelly that came in a round jar. Transparent jelly sat atop a layer of milk pudding, and it was packed with large pieces of fruit. It almost reminded me of a herbarium bottle. The item did seem more filling than the other offerings, though, given that it contained pudding, jelly, and fruit all in one.
“This dessert is similar and looks just as interesting,” I said.
“It’s rather blue... Are you certain that it’s edible?”
“It says it’s a deep-sea jelly! The color comes from an herb called butterfly pea. It’s perfectly edible.”
A layer of blue jelly sat on top of a layer of milk jelly, making for an altogether striking dessert. It was accented by colorful beads filled with fruit purée, making it look like jellyfish or other deep-sea creatures were floating about. In short, it was as much a feast for the eyes as for the belly! Since its coloring came from a natural herb rather than artificial agents, it was safe to eat too.
“If you’re curious, all I need to do is order it,” I said. “It’s jelly, so you’ll be able to eat the whole thing in just a few bites.”
I still had plenty of points, and not only did we have Alk with his supernatural stomach, but we had Salamander, someone who was capable of burning up and swallowing anything! And in any case, I had a pretty healthy appetite when it came to sweets too. You could say I had an extra stomach reserved for them!
I ordered some candy alongside the jelly that we could snack on while we were working. There were flat ones made with plenty of fruit juice that had caught my eye. They came in a box that you could slide open easily to get out, so they were perfect for when your hands were covered in dirt.
I called out the spirits, who were all busy doing their own things, while spreading out the mountain of treats. “The snacks have been ordered! It’s tea time, everyone!”
I was surrounded by cries of joy, bursts of flame, splashes of water, and the calming rustling of wind and grass. The black dragon watched the scene, and his eyes softened with amusement. Though he was in his human form, the sight of the spirits frolicking by his side was like something in a classical painting. I felt a little smug knowing that I was considered to be a part of their world. I sincerely hoped that this happiness could continue, if only for a short while longer.
A prayer for eternal peace accompanied by the fragility of translucent summer jelly... How was that for poetic?
“I’m glad to see you all in such high spirits,” I said. “It just goes to show that the island is as peaceful as ever today, doesn’t it?”
I sighed for a moment, taking in the gorgeous sight of the jelly sparkling in the sunlight. And then I took a step toward the hustle and bustle, not wanting to be left out of it for even a second longer.