Volume 4 Chapter 5 Heartless Words Hurt Me
After that, I and Lord Reichner received an explanation from the captain about the goods obtained from trade.
Most of it was minerals, but since we can't carry things that spoil on a long sea journey, it makes sense.
Now that the sea route is set, the captain said he wants to actively transport plants in the future.
The biggest harvest was various minerals, including unknown metals, and spices.
Spices are precious, and minerals will probably help in the development of Alchemy.
Lene will be super excited if I tell her.
I'll try to negotiate to buy some later.
Now that the long talk is over, we all went our separate ways, but the captain said the next voyage is in ten days, so I handed over the magic stone early.
This should make the journey easier, I hope.
* * *
"I'm home!"
"Welcome back, papa!"
I talked for a long time, so it was evening when I got back.
As I entered the hallway, Mariana, who had come home with Lene, greeted me.
For a moment, I felt my tired body regain energy.
"Maria, thanks for the welcome. Papa is happy!"
"Ehehe!"
"...huh?"
While I was petting Mariana as usual, I noticed a presence coming from the back of the hallway.
Lene and Belle should be in the kitchen, so then──
"Maria, are Minori and the others back?"
"Yes, Papa. Big sis Minori, Big sis Suzu, and Big sis Ai have come back."
Oh, really?
They said they went far this time, so I should listen to their stories.
I also need to tell them the ship has returned.
"And you know, big sis Minori easily defeated that monster! It was really a strong opponent, but big sis is amazing!"
"Wow! That's awesome! Amazing!"
"Ahaha... being praised like that makes me shy!"
Sitting around the dinner table, we munch on food while listening to Ai's adventure stories.
Mariana is super excited about her sisters' tales, but Minori looks a bit shy and rubs her cheek.
"Hey, MarMar. You're neglecting your food."
"Oh, yes, I'm sorry, Mama."
Realizing she was too noisy, Mariana hurriedly focuses on her meal.
She's a smart and polite child, and I'm really excited about her future.
"I'm sorry too, Mama. I just wanted to tell Maria quickly, and got too excited."
"Hehe, that's okay. But I'm happy to see you all getting along."
Watching Ai shrink in embarrassment, Lene giggles.
The eldest daughter, who was so stiff when we first welcomed her, has changed quite a bit.
"I have some good news too. The fleet that left for the western sea 2 months ago has returned."
"Oh, that's interesting. Did they find any continent to the west?"
Hearing my report, Suzu's eyes sparkled with excitement.
My little sister has started to express her feelings more lately.
I guess it's thanks to being in a happy family.
"In the west, there were a continent and many islands, big and small. I can't tell you the details because they're classified, but it seems we can get some interesting things. Especially minerals, which could be helpful for both me and Lene. I'm thinking of negotiating to buy a few for research purposes."
"Wow, that sounds exciting. I wonder if there are any minerals we've never seen before...?"
Just as I expected, Lene looked excited, gazing up at the ceiling as if dreaming about the unknown minerals.
After all, explosives and other attack-related drugs use a lot of minerals.
There's a chance we could even make new explosives, so I understand why my wife reacts this way.
I'm also an enchanter and a gemcutter.
I can cut minerals other than magic stones too.
So, naturally, I'm quite interested in unknown minerals.
"Mama, you're slacking on dinner!"
"...I'm sorry, MarMar."
Just as Lene was feeling down after being called out by Mariana for what she had just let slip, the dining table burst into laughter.
* * *
"I see..., there are many interesting things, huh?"
After dinner, in the workshop, Lene was murmuring as she read the list I had written down.
The list of imports that the captain told me about is currently confidential, but I got permission from Lord Reichner to show it to my wife under the pretense of contributing to the development of Alchemy.
"So, Lene, are you mainly interested in the minerals?"
"Yeah... But I'm also curious about the plants we decided not to bring back this time."
"Ah... that's true too."
The captain gave me a list.
We didn't bring back any plants that got hurt on the long trip, but we have this.
I wonder if the next trip, in ten days, will be better.
"If we can bring back seedlings or seeds, maybe we can grow them in Lana's field."
"My dreams are getting bigger!"
Lene closed her eyes happily, hugging the list.
Plants that don't like the weather won't work, but maybe I can ask Lana if it's okay.
"...Oh, right. By the way, Lene, about the 〈Magic Stone of Key〉..."
"Hmm? Did you find a new plan?"
I shook my head at Lene's hopeful words.
There is no new plan.
Because there isn't one.
"I'm not thinking about a new plan. We'll still make the 〈Magic Stone of Key〉."
"Eh, but...the ice moss? How are we going to get it?"
"Kukuku."
Lene doesn't understand what I mean, but I just smirked.
I have a plan.
So I don't need a new plan.
"...Ryuuji, that's a creepy reaction."
"Ugh."
My wife's words hit me hard, and I was crushed.
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