Badlands Saga: Reincarnation in a Different World with Extreme Charisma - Chapter 7

Chapter 7   Emerald Sword 1

The summer when the drifters and the mercenary band joined forces was a lively and productive one.

The increase in strong hands capable of combat was significant, but the presence of Ida, the magician, and Kodara, the dwarven blacksmith, accelerated the expansion of the fields.

“From sky to earth, earth to sky, let the ground break and blend,” Ida chanted.

“Whoa, the soil’s turning over by itself! Magic is amazing!”

“Look at all those stones coming out!”

Ida, who never took off her robe even in the summer, broke the hard, dry earth with her magic, and the others used manpower to break up the soil further and remove the debris.

When you dig up the soil, it’s surprising how many stones and roots you find, and unless you properly remove them, crops don’t grow well.

When Ida, looking tired, released her staff from the ground, the moving soil came to a stop.

“That’s it for today. We’ll continue with the next spot tomorrow. Still, the mana around here seems pretty thin…”

“No, no, this is more than enough!”

“Yeah, compared to when we were plowing with flat stones, this is a world of difference!”

In their hands were hoes and shovels made by Kodara, and they beamed with satisfaction.

“Fusha-sama sure brought us some good folks.”

“Really, we can’t thank you enough.”

“…Well, you know.”

It was more like they decided to come along, rather than me bringing them, but there’s no doubt that these were people you couldn’t easily hire under normal circumstances.

Ida’s magic could also generate heat for Kodara’s smithing, making them the perfect team for this resource-poor wilderness.

The iron, which had been a concern, was also taken care of by two merchants who had been trading food with us. With Kodara’s excellent craftsmanship, the farm experienced a significant technological revolution.

Of course, I had to make potions as payment, so I was busy working non-stop… but that couldn’t be helped.

“Hey, hey, Fusha-sama, how come you can do so many things?”

This was while I was in the tower’s laboratory, with Isara’s fairy heating a pot to extract the medicinal properties from herbs.

Mimei, who had come to “help” but was really just playing around, suddenly asked this.

“What’s up? All of a sudden?”

“Well, Fusha-sama, you’re the same age as Big Sis Martha, right? But you can make potions, read books, and you’re not treated like a kid by adults. When I turn ten, will I be able to do all the things Fusha-sama can do?”

“If you listen to your parents and behave well, you’ll definitely be able to do it.”

“Really?”

Mimei, with her forehead exposed and nose dripping, looked up at me with a worried expression, clutching my pants with her small hand.

Well, I’m not actually ten years old, either.

It’s because I have memories from my previous life that I can do so many things now.

When I was truly ten years old, I obviously didn’t think about alchemy or managing fields.

I might have been more focused on card games with friends and scrimping on my allowance.

As I thought about this, I noticed that Mimei was still looking up at me with a worried face, and I suddenly had a mischievous idea.

I took the wooden ladle out of the pot and set it aside, then squatted down and whispered in her ear.

“Mimei, you don’t need to worry so much. Actually, I’m not a normal ten-year-old.”

“Really!? Is that true!?”

Mimei’s loud exclamation made Isara, who had been sitting in a chair and reading a book with a bored expression, glance over.

“Shh, keep your voice down.”

I held up a finger to my lips, and Mimei quickly covered her mouth with her hand, mumbling.

“So, how old are you? Were you a long-eared elf?”

“No, not at all. You see, I remember things from before I was born. That’s why I know so many things.”

This might sound off from the religious views of this world, but sometimes a fantastical story like this is just right for a small child.

Well, if Isara heard me telling such a ridiculous story to a child, she might be quite exasperated…

“Really?”

“Yeah, really. Everyone forgets what happened before they were born, but sometimes there are odd ones like me who remember. So there’s no need to worry at all. Mimei, just grow up slowly and find the things you can do.”

It seemed like she got the part about not needing to imitate me, as her anxious expression eased a bit.

“Well, then… what about before you were born? Were you in a country in the sky?”

“No, I was in a country far from here, living as an ordinary person.”

“Really? Don’t everyone go to the country in the sky when they die?”

“Some do, some don’t. I don’t, but if you’re a good girl, Mimei, you’ll definitely be able to go.”

When I said that, Mimei looked relieved, then…

She fidgeted a bit and leaned in close to my ear.

“Um, since it would be sad if only Fusha-sama couldn’t go to the heavenly country, should I go with you?”

“Don’t be silly. Instead of worrying about that, you should just go to the same place as everyone else.”

As I said this, I patted Mimei’s head. Just then, a voice said, “Um…”

Both Mimei and I looked up in surprise, and Isara, pointing at the pot, said, “It’s bubbling away.”

I quickly grabbed the ladle and stirred the pot, then exchanged a smile with Mimei, who was still holding onto my pants. We both chuckled together.

That peaceful summer quickly passed, and the harvest season of autumn arrived.

In addition to the original fields, the vegetables planted late in the rapidly cleared new fields grew well, and the once-barren land was filled with joy.

And as if drawn by the joy…

Uninvited guests, aiming for the treasure that had suddenly appeared in the wasteland, were also drawing closer.