The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 441

The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I’m a “Farmer”, Not a Demon King! ~

Chapter 441   Talk to Leireine

“I haven’t been here in a while… and there really is nothing.”

After receiving Leireine’s welcome (if you could call it that), we arrived at the cabin we usually used when coming to this village. However, the journey there was truly remarkable for its lack of anything.

All that was present were houses where the elves lived, the forest, trees, plants, and nature. Also, elves lying by the roadside or clinging to our feet.

That’s roughly the scene. It hadn’t changed at all since the last time I visited.

It’s impressive how they manage to live here with so little change. For these folks, it might be a source of happiness – eat, sleep, play, eat, sleep – such a life.

Certainly, it might be easy for elves.

In reality, it would be way too dull for a human. Even in an ordinary village, you hear stories about people leaving due to boredom.

But then, does that mean Lilia is normal? After all, she left here because it was boring, right? It’s a normal action in an ordinary village.

…Is that normal? …No, that’s not normal by any means.

Well, setting that aside, what should we do next? I wanted to discuss it with Leireine, but given her current state, is she still unable to revive?

…Well, since I’m here, how about paying a visit to the Sacred Tree of this place? Last time, my rank was low, and with the newly acquired ‘Mindlink,’ I could only exchange emotions. But now, I’ve learned enough to have a conversation. Though, if someone asks me what we would talk about, I’d be a bit puzzled. Well, I should at least mention Flora’s situation.

Well, it depends on whether the Sacred Tree here feels like talking. It seems disinterested in the world to the extent that it doesn’t even need a name, and there’s a possibility it might not engage in conversation.

But anyway, I have to visit Leireine. I can’t go to the Sacred Tree without permission.

So, I headed towards Leireine’s place and coincidentally found her outside the house.

“Ah, Leireine. There’s something I wanted to ask, is it okay?”

“Ah, Vesnar-san? Yes, what is it?”

The conversation with Lilia seemed to have ended on a good note, and she appeared to be in a good mood, so now might be a suitable time to ask for advice.

“If it were you, what kind of gift would make you happy if you received one?”

I asked Leireine with a smile, but…

“Huh? Are you going to give me something?”

The response I got was exactly the same as her daughter’s. …These two really are like mother and daughter. The mother who became a queen to show off and the daughter who aspired to be evil to show off… Aren’t they too similar?

“No, it’s not a gift for Leireine…”

“Ah… right, of course…”

When I denied it was a gift for her, she seemed disappointed, thinking she might get something. Leireine visibly drooped her shoulders.

… Somehow, even though it’s not my fault, I feel an intense sense of guilt.

“…It’s not a gift for Leireine, but I was thinking of giving something to the elves. You know, they’ve come to the Flower Garden and helped me out. Well, thanks to you all helping, I’ve been saved in various ways. Probably.”

“R-Really? I’m glad to hear that everyone has been helpful…”

Feeling overwhelmed with guilt, I tried to lift the mood somehow, and it seemed to work.

“So, about the gift…”

“Oh, right! Um, if it were me… Hmm…”

When I steered the conversation back to the gift and prompted her for an answer, Leireine seemed to snap back to attention, thinking about my question.

“Oh! Water, please! The one I got before has already run out!”

And the answer she gave was something like that.

No, that’s not it. It’s not about that. I want her to tell me something more conventional as a ‘gift.’ Well, it’s my fault for not specifying ‘other than elves.’

“No, not that kind of thing. I mean something more ordinary.”

“Ordinary, you say? Hmm?”

“Or rather, it doesn’t have to be me for water. There are a few people here who can use ‘Irrigation’ as well, right? I sent some of them over, even though there are only a few. Why am I still the ‘water guy’?”

“Well, the ‘farmers’ who have come here recently and brought water are nice, but it still feels a bit lacking.”

Are there differences? Could it be the blessing of the sacred tree or differences in rank?

But there’s nothing we can do about that. The blessing of the sacred tree isn’t something they can work hard to obtain. As for rank… they’ll have to work hard for it.

“Well, those issues might be resolved in the future… so be patient.”

“Okay!”

Leireine replied happily, but well, probably in a few decades, they’ll be able to enjoy delicious water every day. These elves will probably live for another few decades, if not a hundred years, so as long as they can enjoy it after that, it should be fine.

“So, is there anything else you’d be happy to receive? Oh, right… for example, is there something you’d be happy to receive from Lilia?”

“From Lilia? Um… well…”

Leireine has a daughter Lilia— a child. It makes sense that the things a ‘mother’ would want from her child might be the most useful to know, right?

“Would flower decorations be nice?”

“Decorations?”

“Yes. It’s like making a ring by picking flowers. She used to make them for me a lot when she was little… Though, it hasn’t happened recently.”

Well, lately, Lilia has been either in Karakas or the Flower Garden all the time. It’s natural that she doesn’t get flower decorations.

But when she say ‘recently,’ it’s definitely not a story that’s only a few years old. I think it’s probably about ten or twenty years ago.

“So, handmade gifts from children are always appreciated?”

“Yes! Anything that child gives me makes me very happy as a mother!”

Well, even if it’s handmade, there would be limits to what’s age-appropriate. If a ten-year-old sent flower decorations, it would be heartwarming, but if I were to send flower decorations, it might seem weird. I would think, “Prepare something a bit better,” and others would probably feel the same.

Well, what if I really made it like that? A living decoration with an automatic defense function that doesn’t wither, and if you water it every few days, it continues to live.

Whether it’s appropriate to call it a flower decoration is a bit questionable, but there’s no doubt that it would be useful.

“I see. Well, I got some ideas. Thank you.”

“Eh? What’s it for?”

I thanked Leireine for giving me some ideas about gifts, but she seems to be puzzled about why I’m thanking her.

“By the way, is it okay if I go to the Sacred Tree here?”

Whether she’s aware of it or not, having received advice from her and now thinking about the next goal, I asked her that.

“The Sacred Tree, is it? That’s fine, but is there something going on?”

“No, it’s not like that. I just have a bit of a consultation about Flora. More like, things I want to talk about.”

“I see. If that’s the case, there’s no problem. Please feel free to do as you like.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty the Queen.”

“Yes! You’re welcome! … Ouch.”

Since she assisted me with the consultation this time, and I’m genuinely grateful, I addressed her as ‘Your Majesty the Queen’ to express my gratitude. It seemed to make Leireine happy—perhaps too happy, as she ended up biting her tongue in excitement.

It’s true what they say about making mistakes when you get flustered or excited… They really are like mother and daughter.