It was a week later that Gon, who had left for the Grand Duchy of Foal, returned to Agartha. It was late in the evening when he returned, so after dinner and after the children had gone to bed, the whole family decided to listen to his story.
Gon reported that the damage to the soil in the Grand Duchy was lighter than expected. Nevertheless, the crops that were to be harvested this year were almost completely wiped out, and Gon has decided to give up on this year's harvest and take various measures to prepare for next year's crop.
"If the mud dumplings take root, next year's harvest should be much better," he said.
However, since it was impossible to say for sure, Mei would visit the site once every few months to see how things were going. She is accompanied by a gnome, an earth spirit. With May and the gnome, they are a hundred strong. May is very enthusiastic about the project and says she would be happy to help.
"I agree that you should go to the Foral, but I think you should change your appearance.
It was Sidi who opened his mouth. Now May is a great sage who has made a name for herself throughout the world. Many call her a saint. When such a person goes, the Grand Duchy is in an uproar. She will probably be treated with respect and hospitality, and at the same time, she is expected to ask for advice on various matters. This, he said, would make it difficult for him to concentrate on his original purpose, the restoration of agriculture in the Grand Duchy.
May says humbly that it is not true, but I agree with Sidi's opinion. I agree with Sidi. It is easy to imagine that she will not say no if she is asked to do something. If she does that, she may end up working overtime, staying up all night long. If she gets sick because of it, it would be a loss for her.
"No, there is no need for you to go to the office, since there is no problem at this moment. If it is too much for me to handle, I will consult with you again.
"Okay. Then I'll leave it to Gon to deal with For-Al. I'll leave it to Gon to deal with the foral. Mei, if Gon gets into trouble, you can count on me then."
They nodded at my words.
"If we are going to continue to send Gon-san to Foral, I don't think we can continue as we are now."
Ferris looks at all of us and speaks in a calm voice. Ruara reacts to this.
She is right. I agree with your sister Mei and Mr. Gon's involvement in the restoration of agriculture in Foral. But I think we should ask for something in return.
"Quid pro quo: ......?"
I cross my arms and think. Because, according to Ferris and Ruara's opinion, it is very likely that the countries affected by the volcanic eruption of the Lace volcano on the island of Rwazan will continue to ask Agartha for food aid in the future. Although Agarta itself was not directly affected by the volcanic eruption, it cannot respond to all the countries that come to it for assistance.
"We would prefer money or the country's technology and specialties," he said.
"And that's what you're demanding from us: ......"
"Yes. I don't think it is necessary for you to tell the messenger directly. Leave that to me and my sister Ferris.
"What do you think, Rico?"
I look at Riko, who is sitting next to me. Her clear eyes are fixed on Ruara and the others.
"It's a difficult question, isn't it?"
Ferris and Ruara nodded slowly at Rico's words. Rico closed his eyes and thought about something, then opened his eyes and continued speaking.
"Ferris and Ruara have a good point. If other countries knew that we had provided the Grand Duchy of Foal with a large amount of food aid, they would probably ask for assistance from countries suffering from food shortages. However, Agartha does not have an inexhaustible supply of food. It is difficult for Agartha to respond to all countries by itself. ....... But I do not think that we should ask for something in return. Why don't you ask ...... various countries this time?"
"Ask various countries?"
"This big eruption ....... There are many countries that have not been affected. The countries around Agartha are almost unscathed. We are asking these countries to provide us with a little bit of food.
"...... I see. So, we collect food from each country once in Agartha, and then distribute it to the countries that have requested relief. That would be a good way to deal with a large number of countries.
"Then I will write a letter to the Great High King Reborn."
"Oh, May. I'm sure that the Great Sage King will support us as soon as he receives a request from Mei. I'm sorry, but thank you.
"Well, I'll ask Niza's father for help."
"Oh, please do, Sidney. You can take Pia with you if you like. The king would love to see his grandson's face.
"Well, I guess I'll go and see His Majesty the Hereditary and ask him for a favor. Ferris, Rualla. I want you to send a letter to the less affected countries asking for food aid.
At my words, they bowed their heads in silence.
"Ferris, Luara."
"...... Hi, Sister Rico."
"Thank you."
"...... what?"
"Both of you are really serious about Agartha, aren't you? It made me happy."
"......"
Ferris and Ruara look at each other. They did not expect a compliment from Rico, who is usually so strict.
"If we have to provide food for other countries, the Agartha army will be in charge.
Suddenly, Matkal opened his mouth. Everyone looks at her.
"I suppose we could use Linos-sama's transfer wards, but if we do that, the matter will end in an instant. It depends on the distance to Agartha, but transporting food is a good training for soldiers.
"What do you mean?"
As the country changes, so does the land. High mountains, wide rivers, muddy lands. ....... By walking in different places, we can increase our experience. We don't want to raise soldiers like that, who only look at a map to make a ...... plan."
"Ha ha ha."
I laughed out loud. Matkal looked at me and was astonished.
"No, I'm sorry. I see. It's just like Mato. All right, I'll think about it.
After I said that, I folded my arms, lowered my voice a little, and continued speaking.
"Actually, that's what Klimiana does."
"Really?"
"Yes. They're not here for training, though."
"What do you mean?"
"Crimiana's soldiers are transporting food. They're going to make a survey of the state of the country. How the crops are growing, how the people are living, how well the soldiers are doing. ....... And then they will expose the weak points and use them as a breakthrough to bring the country under their control. They give food for free, but in return they take the country. It's like they say, nothing is so expensive as free food.
Matkal froze at my words.
"Well, we don't have to go that far. Well, we don't have to go that far. If anything goes wrong, we can have Sadakichi and the others check it out. Then we just need to make sure that the crops don't rot."
"In that case, don't worry. I will ask for help from the spirits.
It was Soleil who opened her mouth. She said that when she goes to help, she asks the spirits living in the country to protect the crops in Agartha from rotting. She says that if Soleil, who has a contract with the Lord Shenlong, asks them to do so, most of the spirits will listen to her.
"Well, it is true that we want to ask for something in return from the country that requested our support, but we dare not do so. If they feel indebted to us for it, great. We are prepared to be criticized for our foolishness and naivete. If you want it, give it. We'll take it."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Later, this strategy worked and Agartha succeeded in procuring many supplies. They generously shared them with the countries that requested them. As a result, Agartha and its friendly nations became firmly united.
Incidentally, Soleil went to many countries to request the spirits to help her with supplies. She used a transferring ward to move around, but sometimes travelers happened to see her making a request to the spirits. There, Soleil's beauty attracted their attention, and it was rumored that a beautiful nymph with wings on her back had descended. Later, in some areas, the legend of the nymphs was passed down, but the Linos of today had no way of knowing such a thing. .......