Ore No Ongaeshi: High Spec Murazukuri Chapter 7

Another close call, 11:38pm.

Anyway, for those who missed yesterday’s post, I was busy with work so i couldn’t translate yesterday.

Not much to say today, I was listening to stand-up comedy shows in netflix while translating, that was probably one of the reasons I didn’t finish this sooner.

I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Next chapter tomorrow if nothing happens at work.

Chapter 7: The first step of the village reformation.

After having breakfast and having finished the preparations, I led the children towards the forest.
Of course, the village chief also gave his consent.

After walking for around half an hour in the animal trail, we arrived at a place near the lake, there I began explaining the children about the plants.

“Ok, we will harvest the wild plants growing around here and place them on the handcart.”
“But, Yamato-niichan… these are “Demon’s fruits”… they cannot be eaten…”

The leader-like boy said to me as he pointed to a plant in front of us.
It appeared that children in the village had prior knowledge about the local plants. They were taught about the plants that grew by the water, and they told me about this one specifically. That this one was toxic and couldn't be eaten.

“It is as Guts says, Yamato-sama. We are not supposed to eat this plant, it is called Inahon.”

Leesha, who was next to me, also confirmed the same thing. As the granddaughter of the village chief, she probably had been taught plenty of things since a young age. By the way, Guts was the name of the leader-like boy.

“I see, so this is called Inahon, huh? Poisonous… Since this is bad for your stomach, has any of you been feeling unwell or with a stomachache? ”
“Uh, everyone’s fine Yamato-niichan! ”
“I ate that soup until I was full! ”
“Rather than unwell, I'm feeling great! “

The children began answering to each other at my sudden question.
They showed a better countenance compared to last night, and their eyes had a brighter gleam. Since they were in their growing period, as long as they properly are, they would quickly recover their strength.

“I want you to listen properly to this. This is not a poisonous plant. The proof of that is me and you. Because among the vegetables in the soup this morning, this Inahon was also cooked inside the pot.”

I tried to explain slowly, so that there was no confusion.
I told them that in the stew earlier, the Inahon fruit was also present, and that everybody ate it. Of course, I tasted it for poison in advance.
This grain-like fruit, called Inahon, after being boiled with the meat and mushrooms was very soft and delicious.

“Eh!?　Perhaps, it was that chewy grain that was in the pot…”
“It was amazingly delicious! ”
“What! That means Inahon was not a demon’s fruit at all! “

The children were convinced after my explanation.
After they experienced it on they own, they finally judged that the story they have heard so far was just a mistaken superst.i.tion.
Children were better at having a flexible mind at times like this, compared to adults. Because their concepts weren't deeply rooted, fixing their wrong ideas could be done fast.

“So you were also collecting Inahon yesterday, Yamato-sama…”

Leesha, who was surprised at first was now also convinced. It was due to the fact that she also ate the same meal as everyone, and showed no adverse effects. Well, I did feel a little guilty about tricking everyone and deceiving them into eating it.

“Back in my hometown, this was a staple meal. I immediately recognized it when I saw it.”

I explained while resting my gaze on the natural “paddy field” spreading in front of my eyes.
That’s right — — — — this “Inahon” was in fact a “rice plant”. The true ident.i.ty of this plant was rice.

◇

(I never expected to find a plant so similar to rice in a different world…)

While we were on our way to the village yesterday, I found this natural paddy field and I almost jumped from the excitement. That sudden sight really astonished me, as it came into view soon after leaving the forest.
But chances were that this was just a plant that was similar in appearance. That’s why I secretly grabbed some and took it with me. I wanted to see how it would actually look like when cooked.

(It’s taste before cooked was like that of normal rice. Although it might be some kind of ancient variety of rice, the taste was still the same of that of rice…)

I tried tasting the rice, and since I couldn't sense any toxin, its safety was confirmed. So, I secretly put some in the pot to try it.  I wondered about what kind of reaction the village children would have after eating it.

And the strategy was successful.
The children were happily eating the rice in the pot with a joyful expression. Their face was a really happy one.

And what came from that was the evidence that Inahon was a delicious food, better yet, it came to them in the form of a real experience.

◇

“Ok, now that you understand, let’s get to work. We’ll reap all the ears growing around here for today, and will take them back to the village.”

I showed them how to harvest them with the scythe for wheat harvesting that I had Leesha prepare beforehand.
I reached for the middle part between the root and the ear of the Inahon, grabbing several plants and cutting them, I repeated it several times in order to teach them. I was lucky that the experience I had helping at my grandmother’s house in that small town where she lived was useful.

“Ehhh, do we have to reap all those Inahon!? ”
“That’s impossible, Yamato-niichan! “

The children raised complaints at my instructions.
After all, this natural paddy field was quite extensive. I’m not even sure how many days it would take to finish harvesting the whole field by the hands of these small children only.

“Did you already forget this morning’s promise?　Those who properly do this job will have more food to eat.”
“Uhm… I’ll do my best! ”
“I’ll give my best too! ”
“Me too! “

After hearing me talk about food, the children got suddenly motivated. They began their Inahon hunt soon after hearing my directions.
There were plenty of small sickles for wheat harvesting in the village. I took off some of the sharpness with a sharpening stone. This much sharpness was enough, for a small child, to harvest Inahon, even if they had to spend a little more time.()

“Don’t push yourself too hard, we will continue tomorrow with the parts that weren't finished. Also, be sure to take breaks while working.”

Rice harvesting consumed more energy than one imagined.
It would be a problem if they got too tired and injured themselves. Therefore, I instructed them to keep the working at a moderate pace and take breaks in between.

After giving away the instructions for the Inahon harvesting, I decided to move to the next point of action.

“You are good at drawing/writing, right? ”
“Ye, yes, that is the only thing I'm good at.”

After hearing their strong points, I divided the group of children before we started.
This little girl with a frail body told me she was good a drawing. Her parents were originally painting craftsman, so she was dexterous with her hands.
Of course, since paper was a luxury good, she said she had been drawing images and letters on the ground or on wooden boards, with charcoal and stones since a young age.

“Then, use this “notebook” to record the progress of the Inahon collection. The reason was what I explained earlier.”
“Y, yes, I understand, Yamato-san… Wow, it is really easy to write in this!　So, such thing existed out in the world! “

The girl said so, impressed by my notebook and pencil.
I handed those items in order for her to record this, I had them in my backpack in case I needed to write something. The reason for recording all this was, to leave the technique for the village’s future generations.

In the near future, I think I will replace the wheat fields in Urd Village for paddy fields. I will explain it later, but for this to work, it was necessary to accurately record the state of the paddy field and the process of harvesting.

“This is amazing… I can draw the lines beautifully…”
“Just make sure to properly get the gist of the process.”
“Ok! “

She seems to have understood the reason for describing the process. Her body might be small and not really fit to perform heavy work, but she surely was a smart child. She was writing all the important points. So, I guessed it was fine to leave her alone for now.

After I finished giving her instruction, I went to where the rest of the children were.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Now I'll tell you what your job will be.”

These were the boys and girls whom I chose by intuition.

“Yamato-niichan, what are we going to do? ”
“No matter what it is, we’ll work hard! “

These were the older children with a sharp gaze. Everyone was eager to get work a.s.signed to them already. Children with a good fighting spirit were the ones chosen.

“Yamato-sama… you need me too? ”
“Yeah, that’s right.”

Among these children was Leesha, the chief’s granddaughter. I got the perfect job for her.

“I’ll have you go “hunting for beasts” with me. This will be the most important and dangerous job.”

“Uhm, hunt!? ”
“But we cannot use they bow like Leesha.”
“But Yamato-sama, that is dangerous! “

Everyone was surprised at my words.
Anyhow, it is true that the beasts in the forest were dangerous. Even the adults in the village had trouble hunting the Big Rabbits, let alone other more dangerous beasts.

That's why, most of the children haven't even set foot inside the forest before. Despite it being a forest with many things to give.

“Yeah… it really is impossible.”

In fact, the children are even afraid of their current surroundings.
But because they heard the story about me defeating the Big Rabbits from Leesha, they are still enduring, since I'm together with them.()
Even the leader-like boy Guts is scared.

“Ok, I will teach you a way so that even you children, will be able to defeat a Big Rabbit…”()

Then I began guiding on how to defeat a Big Rabbit, with a practical lesson.

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