Episode 668: Oasis
The reason for the almond blossoms falling was determined to be Eurasian tree sparrows. This is a heartwarming prank by little birds—or so I thought, and considered leaving it alone, but they’re knocking down a ridiculous amount, so I’ll ask the Spirits for some educational guidance.
It’s not for harvesting, but it’s sad when no fruit grows, and it’s sad when all the flowers are knocked off. Drinking the nectar is one thing, but going completely bald for fun is no good.
Anyway, about Haulon’s vacation plans. When I think of vacation, I think of the South Island with aloha shirts, but it would be nice if Haulon could go somewhere easily and often, right?
Haulon’s [Teleportation] is registration-based, so he can’t just go anywhere. If I prepared something on the banks of the Es River, he could use a boat to get there easily—well, not easily, but he could come and go, but it feels like he’d end up inspecting the fields by the riverside, so pass.
Haulon has a Magic Carpet, so it doesn’t have to be on the banks of the Es River. Actually, the location selection is already complete.
Karn’s Country (here) doesn’t have any neighboring countries that would cause disputes over territory. There’s a huge desert between it and Es. Even if they were to go up the Es River, the Goddess of Es is on Karn’s side.
Unlike the countries in Nakahara and the Talia Peninsula, there are no countries around, so it’s surrounded by vast, freely usable land that no one will complain about.
That’s why it’s okay to build a vacation spot in a suitable place without getting yelled at. The place I found is a desert oasis.
It does rain in the desert, but only a little. Sometimes it doesn’t rain for years. Even when it does rain, it evaporates due to the dry air and heat. The amount of evaporation is greater than the amount of rainfall, so it’s difficult to store the rain and use it as a water source.
But the rain and snow that fall on the mountains around the desert—though quite far away—become groundwater, pass through the sand, and emerge where the bedrock is shallow. That’s the water source for the oasis.
It seems like a mirage, but oases really do exist. However, it’s not quite like a fairy tale because of the sand and hard bedrock. I don’t know about other places, but the place I found only had a little greenery along the water’s edge!
That’s why I’ve added a little human touch, or rather, my touch. Specifically, I planted trees that looked good growing around Es, as well as a type of peach called Sukkari, figs, pomegranates, and rubber trees. Shade is important, and fruit is important too.
The plan is peaches in the spring, figs and pomegranates in the summer and autumn. And of course, sweet watermelons too.
However, the Pineapple Spirit declined. She said there wasn’t enough humidity, so it was impossible. There’s water in the oasis, but the atmosphere isn’t very humid, so it can’t be helped.
“Plants, all good!”
I can’t say it’s ‘overflowing with greenery’ yet, but it hasn’t been long since I planted them, so it can’t be helped. But the growth is much faster than normal, thanks to the Spirits and Asas.
I dug grooves in the bedrock to spread the water a little, and I also brought in soil. Even so, the desert sun and dryness choose the plants that can grow, but isn’t it just right?
“Looking at how the trees are growing, is this a good spot? The sunset should be visible beyond the spring.”
I stop at the water’s edge.
“Master, are you going to ‘boko’ it?”
Ex-Staff asks me, satisfied with looking around.
“I’m going to ‘boko’ it. ‘Stone Spirit, Rock Spirit, Sand Spirit—please do as planned.'”
I hit the ground with Ex-Staff and pour Magic Power into it.
The sand flows away, and a square frame pops out from below! What I asked for was four pillars with a flat stone roof. The modeling is magnificent, because I showed the Spirits the model made by the Earth Folk in advance!
‘Thank you.’
I say thank you and move on to the next task.
“Heave-ho.”
I take out a sunshade cloth from [Storage].
“Ex-Staff, please.”
“Aye aye, sir!”
I have Ex-Staff extend and hang it in all directions. It’s a tarp, a tarp.
I hang about twenty lanterns inside and outside. The Light Spirits escape from the lit lanterns, trace the surface of the spring, and fly around fluffily. It’ll be fantastic when the sun goes down, for sure.
I’d like to fill the inside with carpets and cushions, but it’s hot here, so I’ll set up beach chairs so you can see the spring, and that’s it.
Oh, I have to put out a table for drinks and fruit too. And a few books that Haulon might be interested in.
Yeah, it feels good. For now, should I paint the ‘boko’ frame white with lime later? I also have some stereotypical tropical juice in [Storage], so I’m all set.
Now, let’s go call Haulon.