Episode 20: Jaga
Several days had passed since I heard Cornelia’s resolve.
For these past few days, I’d been constantly troubled. I’d been agonizing over how to interact with Cornelia.
“You see, Onii-sama. I always want to be with you, Onii-sama. And, this time, I’ll be the one to protect you, Onii-sama!”
I want to protect Cornelia. But she feels the same way.
Having memories of my past life, I can’t help but treat Cornelia like a child.
But Cornelia already possesses the significant strength to think and act for herself, like an adult.
In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to go against Cornelia’s will.
I’ll have to keep taking Cornelia to monster subjugation sites. But it’s also true that I have anxieties about that.
That’s due to my lack of command ability.
In the game, no matter how many monsters there were, the maximum number you’d fight at once was six. However, in reality, we have to face over a hundred monsters simultaneously.
My weapon is the knowledge I gained from the game, but this is a good example of how relying on it completely leads to failure. I need to hone what you might call my command ability.
“How am I supposed to train something like party command ability…?”
“Onii-sama?”
“No, it’s nothing. More importantly, aren’t you bored?”
It was just me and Cornelia in the office. I had to work, so I couldn’t pay much attention to Cornelia. But, for some reason, Cornelia was beaming, watching me with a smile.
I felt a little bad for Cornelia.
I mean, I’d rather ditch work and play with Cornelia too.
But, work…
Speaking of work…
“That’s right. I’m meeting a merchant later, Ria, would you like to meet him too?”
“A merchant?”
“If there’s anything you want, I’ll buy it for you.”
“Really!?”
Cornelia was absolutely beaming. Seeing that smile, I felt my own heart lighten.
◇
“Thank you for your continued patronage, Baron Baumgarten-sama. Is that the rumored younger sister princess with you? My name is Benno. I am deeply indebted to Baron Baumgarten-sama for his favor. I look forward to our continued business.”
“My name is Cornelia. It’s nice to meet you!”
Benno, who usually had an unreadable, shrewd demeanor, looked astonished at Cornelia’s words. That’s right. Ordinary nobles wouldn’t act so friendly towards commoners.
Cornelia was bedridden for many years, so her education is delayed. I need to start teaching her etiquette and the like, befitting a noble, soon. The academy awaits in two years, after all.
“So, Benno. Did you find that item?”
“Eh, ah. Ahem. I believe I’ve found what Baron-sama was looking for.”
“Oh?”
“It’s called the Jaga Flower, named after the place where it was found. The flowers have withered, but I’ve obtained the seeds. Here they are.”
Inside the box Benno took out were about ten items that looked exactly like Potatoes. This looked promising.
Potatoes are plants native to South America. They’re a prime example of a plant that can grow even in barren land. And they’re nutritious enough to become a staple food.
Besides the poorly growing wheat, I’ve been desperately wanting a staple food that can grow in the barren lands of this Baumgarten Territory.
I reached out and lightly grasped one of the Potatoes.
It’s firm. Doesn’t seem like it’s rotten.
“So, can these be eaten?”
When I asked the most crucial question, Benno’s eyes widened, and he shook his head from side to side.
“Please wait! According to a note from the merchant who handled them, these seeds apparently contain poison!”
“Poison!?”
Hearing the word “poison,” Cornelia slapped the Potato out of my hand.
Then, she glared at Benno with a frightening expression, her hand reaching for the sword at her hip.
“Are you trying to harm Onii-sama with poison?!”
“P-P-Please wait! I would never, ever intend such a thing! Touching the seeds themselves is harmless! Eating them can cause severe stomach aches and the like, but it’s not a life-threatening poison!”
“Calm down, Ria. I’m fine.”
“But…”
“You were worried about me, weren’t you? Thank you. But I’m okay.”
“If you say so, Onii-sama…”
I patted Cornelia’s head to calm her down.
“Benno, my apologies. It seems Cornelia was startled by the mention of poison.”
“Thank you for your intervention. Haa, I felt like my lifespan just shortened.”
“Forgive her.”
We may be at the bottom rung of nobility, likely inferior to Benno in terms of wealth, but we are still nobles, distinct from commoners. If Cornelia were to strike Benno down for insolence, it probably wouldn’t even become an incident. That’s how insurmountable the wall between commoners and nobles is.
“As an apology, I’ll buy all of these seeds.”
If these tubers are the Potatoes I know, or a variety close to them, they could become the savior of this Baumgarten Territory.
The toxicity doesn’t seem too high, so first, I’ll properly process the Potato sprouts from about half of them and have the standing army try eating them. Depending on the results, I’ll serve them to the children we’re looking after at home. If the children are also fine, then we can officially start cultivating them.