Farming Life in Another World

It was still winter, with snow lingering around.

After finishing my patrol around the village, I returned to the mansion gates.

Loo greeted me there.

That’s unusual.

Did something happen?

Loo pointed behind me as if to answer my question.

There were Ria and six high elves standing there.

They weren’t there before… so they used the invisibility cloaks, huh?

I hadn’t even noticed the six of them trailing me.

Ria said, as Kuro and Yuki, on either side of me, puffed up proudly, looking quite smug.

Fufufu, adorable.

Hmm?

There are two more in the trees?

At Kuro’s comment, two more high elves wearing invisibility cloaks, descended from the trees.

As expected of Kuro.

Nice job, well done.

「So, how was it using them?」

Loo asked the group.

「We lost sight of each other, which was a problem. Also, on snow or mud, our footprints show up, so we need to choose our path carefully.」

Ah, that makes sense.

They’re only invisible, not actually gone.

「Also, it feels like the cloaking effect is weaker indoors. We got detected by several people.」

That’s probably not an issue with the cloaks, just that the people who noticed are very sharp.

Or it could be a racial trait.

「That may be true, but it feels like they work poorly with artificial surroundings. Best to think of them as outdoor gear.」

I see.

「Also, it would help if the material was a bit thicker to ward off the cold. A winter and summer version could be useful.」

Listening to Ria’s feedback, Loo started considering improvements.

Well, there’s also the question of whether to mass-produce these cloaks in the first place.

「Even if we do, it’ll just be a few for village use. They’d be too dangerous to let out in the world.」

「Agreed. We’d be in trouble if they ended up in the hands of assassins.」

Absolutely.

We’ll have to handle them carefully.

…….

Two faces flashed through my mind when I thought who might smuggle them out—Ursa and Tiselle. But that’s a secret.

-0-

Frau’s mother, Shirukine-san, arrived in the village.

This must be about the chameleon-like monster, the Mereokan.

I’m glad she came, but it’s faster than I expected.

I spoke with Frau last night, and Frau informed Beezel this morning.

Now, it’s noon.

Isn’t she busy managing her territory?

「I heard from Bee that you’re looking for a partner for your Mereo. I’ll drop anything to be here for that.」

Well… priorities differ from person to person…

According to Frau and Beezel, Shirukine-san deeply treasures the Mereokan, so much so that even Frau and Beezel can hardly approach them.

「They’re an essential resource, after all. Oh, and feel free to call them ‘Mereo’. It’s easier, isn’t it?」

…It sure is.

「So, just to confirm, the Mereo at village chief’s place is male?」

He mentioned it himself, so I think so.

Would you like to see for yourself?

That would probably be faster.

「Yes, I’d appreciate that. Oh, and would it be alright if I bring some company along?」

Shirukine-san had arrived using Beezel’s teleportation magic, accompanied by a woman who was waiting a short distance away.

「She’s the head caretaker for my Mereos.」

With no reason to refuse, I gave permission.

Oh, but won’t she get cold since she just got out of hot water?

Shortly after arriving in the village, she collapsed from exhaustion but quickly bounced back.

Claiming she felt sweaty, she’d asked to use the bath and was just in there a moment ago.

She said not to worry about it.

Understood.

We were to travel using the universal ship.

Incidentally, Beezel’s teleportation magic can’t reach Village Four.

The village has a device that prevents teleportation access.

It was once a royal villa, after all.

It’s only natural for it to have that kind of security.

Apparently, the device only started working properly recently, though.

-0-

While traveling via the universal ship, I learned more about the businesses Shirukine-san runs.

The core is Bubble Company, which Shirukine-san manages directly.

This company operates Aphrodite Beauty for nobles, Apollo Beauty for commoners, and Athens Beauty for export.

Apollo Beauty, which advertised in the horse drawn carriages of Shashaato, was the one aimed at the general populace.

Makes sense—if you’re going to advertise, it should be to the commoners.

Advertisements for nobles would hardly boost sales.

「Exactly. Nobles value exclusivity and tend not to care about widely promoted items. However, they also dislike being the only ones without something, which is quite the hassle.」

It sounds like a lot of trouble.

I’m glad I can leave all of that to Michael-san.

-0-

When we arrived at Village Four, Shirukine-san and the caretaker woman went straight to Mereo.

「What a rugged look! Those warty scales! The slightly oversized head! And male genitalia! It’s definitely a male!」

「Yes, yes, absolutely!」

They were delighted.

So, about finding a wife for this Mereo…

「We’d be happy to help.」

Good to hear.

「But there are a few conditions I’d like to negotiate.」

Naturally.

Probably about ownership of the offspring.

「That’s part of it, but also about selling products made from the body fluids.」

Ah, right, got it.

Since business is involved, I can’t make the decision alone.

It’s unclear if we’d even want to get involved in beauty products.

This sounds like something for Loo.

Or… maybe Frau would be easier to negotiate with?

They are family, after all.

……

Then again, it might make things harder.

Let’s discuss this with everyone after we get back to Big Tree Village.

It’s a bit of a rush but we’re already going back to Big Tree Village.

But the woman in charge of breeding will remain to check the Mereo’s breeding status.

Please take care of it.

-0-

Upon returning to Big Tree Village, the women took the reins, deciding that Malbit, the angel chief, would take charge in negotiating with Shirukine-san.

Meaning, they plan to go all-in on this negotiation.

I’ll stay out of it entirely.

I’ll leave everything to Malbit.

My role? To just nod for the final confirmation.

The negotiation with Shirukine began.

「Just so there’s no misunderstanding or saying that someone’s cheating someone later—I’m telling you upfront, all twelve of the Mereos we’ve raised are females.」

Huh?

「You’re aware of the over-hunting of Mereos, right? When we noticed what was happening, we protected the ones we could find, but we were only able to save one male. Unfortunately, he was quite old by then and no longer capable of breeding.」

Hmm…

「That male passed away from old age around thirty years ago.」

I’m sorry to hear that.

However, since he died of old age, he did live a full life.

He should be commended for that, I think.

「This arrangement is beneficial for both sides. So, I’m willing to be flexible in some areas.」

That’s a relief.

「But there’s one thing I absolutely need to ask for.」

What would that be?

「Mereo females, even though small, have their own territories. It’s within that territory that the female entices a male for mating. But keep in mind, it can take years to establish a territory.」

Hmm?

Meaning?

「Village Chief’s Mereo would need to come to where our Mereos are housed… over on Bee’s territory.」

Ah, I see.

If Beezel’s teleportation magic is up to it, we’d only need to move him from Village Four back to Big Tree Village.

「But given Mereo’s size, it might be a bit difficult even for Bee.」

I see…

Well, there are options.

We could arrange for the universal ship to assist.

We could even transport him on a dragon’s back.

Or, I could ask the ancestor-san to use his teleportation magic.

Moving him shouldn’t be an issue.

「Given the circumstances, I’d like him to stay for about thirty days.」

It seems a male is rarely so easily swayed by the female’s seduction, even in her territory.

And, from what I gather, Shirukine-san’s hoping they can manage as many reproductive activities as possible, hence the thirty-day stay.

As for that, it’ll depend on the devil girl in charge of caring for Mereo here.

She has granted us full authority over his activities, but she was quite adamant about not relinquishing him entirely.

Even if it’s for thirty days, whether she’s comfortable with letting him outside at all…

Alright, I’ll confirm with her right away.

I should head over to Village Four, bringing the caretaker along as well.

In the meantime, Shirukine-said said she’ll proceed with the beauty product negotiations with Malbit.

…

Will everything be fine if I’m not here?

「Don’t worry. Even if you take your time coming back, it won’t be over.」

Malbit said with a cheerful smile, while Shirukine-san, slightly more focused, readied herself for negotiations.

And over there… Beezel was peeking out from behind cover.

Hey, if you’re cheering her on, why don’t you join her openly?

Impossible?

Yeah, I understand.

Ehto… how about coming along to Village Four with me?

Impossible too?

Want to keep watching over her, just in case?

Ah, love really is something.

-0-

AN: So, all of Shirukine’s Mereos are females.

(A guess that came up in the comments…)

But I don’t care, I’ll still write it.

That’s what Isekai Nonbiri Nouka is about!

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