The Earth's Blessing

I was finally home after such a long time.

Even though the renovations were finished, I hadn't been able to spend any time here.

The shop was running without any problems.

Kazusa, who was managing the inn, seemed to be doing well too.

"Oh, dust has piled up… Let me clean first."

"Azu-sama, I'll help."

"It'll be faster if we all do it."

We'd been staying at the castle for so long that we could barely manage to come back occasionally to air out the house and keep it from deteriorating.

So it needed a bit of cleaning.

Even though we'd just returned, we decided to do a thorough cleaning.

First, we divided the tasks. Elza and Finn were to hang out the sheets and blankets.

Azu and Orleans wrung out rags for wiping.

Alexia and I used feather dusters to remove dust.

With six of us splitting the work, it finished faster than expected.

Getting to move around actually felt good.

Once cleaning was done, maybe I should treat everyone resting to something sweet.

"Azu, come help me for a bit."

"Okay."

I moved to the kitchen with Azu.

Finn had come looking for food.

She picked up an apple from a box and was biting into it.

"This is a bit sour."

"That variety is like that. The sweet ones won't be ready for a while longer. But sour ones are better for apple pie."

"Really? I haven't eaten it that much, so I wouldn't know."

Finn's words decided what I'd make.

I'd show her how sour apples could become delicious.

"Then let's make apple pie. Want to help since you're here?"

"Sure, why not."

"Finn-san, let's do it together."

The three of us started making apple pie.

I left the peeling and slicing to Finn, who was skilled with knives.

Azu and I made the dough together, and all three of us decorated it before putting it in the oven.

"Alexia, could you light the fire? The magic stone is out of power."

"Come to think of it, we haven't been refilling the magic either."

Alexia's magic lit the oven.

Then a fragrant smell began to waft.

Orleans and Elza were curious too and came over to see.

"It smells sweet. Is this really made from those sour apples?"

"Heating changes the sourness. It's delicious as jam too."

"How curious."

Finn watched the apple pie baking with interest.

Once it was done, I took it out of the oven and cut it into six pieces.

I'd made it large, so each slice was a substantial size.

I added a dollop of whipped cream to complete it.

Well, for this group, it wouldn't be nearly enough, so I put another batch in the oven.

I prepared coffee and everyone ate together.

They clearly loved it, requesting seconds repeatedly, and I ended up baking four more batches.

"So what are we doing now? More helping that princess?"

Alexia asked once we'd caught our breath.

"No, they said they'll manage on their own for a while. It's not good to rely on us too much, apparently. Though we'll probably be summoned again if something comes up."

"Isn't it a bit late for that…?"

"I enjoyed being useful."

"Well, it was a good learning experience. Anyway, first I need to assess the current situation."

Trade with the Empire showed no particular troubles from what I'd confirmed.

Most of it was raw material transport and licensing agreements, so there wasn't much to worry about.

Replication on their end seemed to be going well too.

Soap and perfume were apparently gaining popularity among commoners, and it would be a trend for a while.

Iron ore imports were also continuing.

Currently, the Kingdom could never have enough iron.

If anything, burning stone for processing the iron was what we lacked.

There were burning stone mines in the Kingdom, so we should be sourcing from there…

I'd keep that in mind.

"Let's check on the Earth Elemental Stone in Luido. We're counting on their food production. If something happens, it'll affect our plans."

"Good idea. I've been curious too. With all the power it's been gathering in such rich farmland, there might be changes by now. And also…"

Elza held out her plate, looking embarrassed.

"Could I have seconds, please?"

 

＊　＊　＊

 

The next day, we traveled to Luido.

This place never seemed to change. The people working here were so peaceful.

Various reforms and expanded sales channels should have considerably increased their income, but there was no sign of extravagance.

Exchanging greetings, we moved to where the Earth Elemental Stone was enshrined.

Proceeding through the small shrine hidden by a barrier, we found the Earth Elemental Stone.

Before, it had been about the size of a pebble, but now it was the size of a fist.

"Just as I thought. The soil here is good, and the abundance of harvests must have had an effect."

Elza lifted the Earth Elemental Stone from its pedestal.

"I can feel the spirit's breath. It still needs more time to return to being a complete spirit, but we should be able to borrow its blessing. Azu-chan, come here."

"What is it?"

Elza called Azu over and pressed the Earth Elemental Stone to her forehead, murmuring something.

The Earth Elemental Stone responded, and a small earthen figure emerged from it.

After gazing at Azu for a moment, it gently moved toward her right eye.

"The blessing of a third spirit now dwells within Azu-chan. Controlling it will be difficult for now, but as your power as an Apostle grows, you'll eventually be able to use it."

"I do feel like something has settled in… like I've been filled with something."

Azu stared intently at her hands.

Outwardly, there was no particular change.

"Hey, can't that blessing attach to me too?"

Finn asked Elza.

"Hmm, for someone who hasn't inherited an Apostle's Vessel like Azu-chan, a spirit's blessing depends on elemental compatibility. In Finn-chan's case… you have a strong wind affinity, so it might be difficult."

"Try it anyway."

"All right."

Another small figure emerged from the Earth Elemental Stone.

Finn approached. The little figure looked at Finn once, then ignored her and moved to Elza's mace.

"Oh my, it came to me instead. I do have good compatibility with the earth element."

"Then forget it. I'd have good compatibility with a Wind Elemental, right?"

Elza gave her an oh-dear look as she explained.

Finn didn't look happy but accepted it.

"Your compatibility is quite strong. You could receive powerful blessings like what Alexia-chan gets from the Fire Elemental."

"Whatever."

A Wind Elemental, huh.

We had an Elemental Stone, but unlike the Earth Elemental Stone, replenishing its magic was an unresolved problem.

Finn was probably seeking greater power.

I wanted to tell her not to rush, but knowing her personality, she wouldn't listen.

We returned the Earth Elemental Stone to its pedestal.

For the sake of abundance, it was better to leave it here.