Episode 34: If You Have No Bread, Eat Kombu
“Kombu is a type of seaweed. Drying it makes it light, not bulky, and long-lasting. You can eat it as is, but consuming too much can upset your stomach. If you eat it daily, it’s best to rehydrate it in water first. This dissolves any harmful components.”
“…I see. It’s not bad as a temporary food supply. More than anything, it’s good that it’s light and not bulky. Whether it’s stored in the warehouse or transported by carriage, light and small is best.”
Right now, the Communicator Doll controlled by ＜Ringo＞ is trying to sell kombu to Kullavia Telek.
“So, Zwei-san. Well, I probably don’t think this will become a staple food… do you understand that?”
“I understand. …We are not producing enough staple grains to sell. I am sorry about that.”
“No, no. That’s not a problem. It’s nothing to apologize for. Originally, we should have prepared it ourselves. …So, I’m sorry, but even if you bring a lot of this kombu, the exchange…”
As expected, or rather, as a matter of course, the chairman of the merchant association is only thinking about his own town. No, that’s within expectations. There’s no way he’d think about the refugees who have settled outside the town on their own. Unless they were former residents or relatives, they are complete strangers. Although they are technically the same citizens, politically and practically, they are more like neighbors to be wary of.
“These, or food equivalent to these, would be fine. I want you to provide them to the refugees outside… outside the town.”
“…!? That’s…!”
Kullavia Telek gasps at the sudden mention of refugees.
“I think you’re vaguely aware, but they’ll eventually turn into a mob. The only way to prevent that is to provide food and earn their favor.”
“Well… well, I was certainly thinking about that…”
“There’s also the option of Zistroi them all, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. And, if possible, I want to incorporate them. Above all else, we need manpower.”
Kullavia Telek pondered Zwei’s words, controlled by ＜Ringo＞. The fact that she didn’t immediately deny it probably means that she considered our proposal to be reasonable. Of course, there’s also the positional consideration that we hold the fate of Telek Port City in our hands.
“…I understand. I’ll call a meeting with the members of the merchant association to discuss the distribution to the refugees and the food provision. How much of this kombu do you have prepared this time?”
“This time, about a thousand of these box sizes. If there are no problems, we will bring them fully loaded from next time. Also, as I mentioned earlier, here’s water.”
“…Water? Is it… in that white box?”
Next up is the 50-liter Cellulose container of Drinking Water, created at the suggestion of Commander (Eve). Because it has been sterilized, it will not rot unless the container is damaged, and it is a new product that can be stored for a long time. In practical terms, the storage period is expected to be about 5 years.
“Yes. Because it’s sealed, it won’t rot. When you use it, you destroy the container. This town doesn’t seem to have any problems with water, but I don’t think that’s the case for the refugees.”
“The water source is… that’s right. That Grassland should be a spring. I haven’t confirmed it, but if that many people are staying there… it may already be contaminated. …Then, this?”
“I’ll provide it. Originally, I didn’t intend to put out this much. I’m loading a lot as ballast. This box is hard, but brittle. Be careful when handling it, as it will break if you give it a shock. After you’re done using it, you can burn it as fuel.”
“I understand. I’ll put the water issue on the agenda as well.”
The Telek Port City is also struggling with the refugee problem. They can’t leave it alone, but they have no choice but to leave it alone. If we can somehow manage that, then we can proceed with matters that are advantageous to ＜Paraiso＞.
“Also, I want to do a little experiment with food.”
“…Experiment?”
Zwei raised her hand, and in response, the Doll Machine (Communicator) Drei, who was accompanying her, placed a bag on the desk.
“I brought potatoes. If we can cultivate them successfully, we should be able to harvest them in about 90 days.”
“Potatoes, huh…? I heard that the potatoes I know don’t grow well in this climate.”
By the way, the potatoes I brought are a type that seems to be classified as taro. They were secured by the intruding bots from those cultivated in the surrounding villages.
“That’s probably something that’s cultivated in cold regions… cold lands. This is something that’s cultivated in warm regions. I want you to be able to cultivate these kinds of things and secure as much food as possible.”
“…That’s right. From now on, such efforts will be necessary…”
“You can incorporate the refugees well and have them work as farmers. Even women and children can work if you don’t push them too hard.”
That’s right. As a result of discussions between ＜Ringo＞, Commander (Eve), and the five sisters, it was decided that the majority of the refugees would be assigned to agricultural work. There is no land around Telek Port City that can be used as farmland, but it seems that the plains where the refugees are gathering can be turned into fields. Although there are ups and downs, we have no choice but to use it for the time being. In the future, it would be good to clear the forest and turn it into farmland.
“That’s right… If we prepare food for the time being and give them work…”
“Men are trained as soldiers. Women and children are assigned to farm work. As for those who cannot work… for the time being, we can have them think about assigning work, or if they can move their hands, they can do side work. Even if we can’t distribute wages, if we use food as compensation, it should last for several years.”
“…Heh. You’ve thought it through well. I wish you could participate in our meetings.”
“If necessary. However, for the time being, you have no choice but to direct us.”
“I know, as expected. Seriously, you’re too talented and I’m afraid of what you’ll become.”
＜Ringo＞ judged that she had succeeded in persuading Kullavia Telek, and decided to play her next card.
“If you’re going to cultivate farmland, you’ll need tools. We’ll provide these.”
“I see… …No, that’s right. I’ll ask you. This city really can’t handle it on its own. Basically, I’ll follow all of your instructions. It’s quite pathetic, though…”
＜Ringo＞ was relieved by his reply. Even if he were to be stubborn here, it would only lower the success rate of the future plan, and there would be no good. Since she had obtained his general agreement, ＜Ringo＞ decided to start the plan.
“Commander (Ma’am). I have obtained Kullavia Telek’s approval. May I begin the plan?”
“Yes. Thank you, ＜Ringo＞. Please report on the progress of the plan as appropriate.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
First of all, secure food. Some of the harvested kombu is sent to the drying process. Schools of sardine-like fish are caught and also dried. Also, this time we are going to try fish farming. Fortunately, the library contains papers on aquaculture, so we can respond immediately if we create the equipment. We will create rafts and other things with the equipment in ＜The Tree＞ and conduct aquaculture off the coast of Telek Port City.
Equipment and Farming Equipment for making such food. Bots for secretly infiltrating, and some combat machines for use as ambushes. And above all, the emergency-produced dried fish and Drinking Water. These are fully loaded onto the completed second cargo ship and sent out immediately with the escort Destroyer (Charlie).
“Did we load a lot of cutters this time?”
“Yes, Ma’am. They will be used for fishing in the nearby sea and for managing aquaculture. We also manufacture fish fertilizer and plan to grow a large amount of crops. I would like to conduct a cultivation experiment first if possible, but time does not allow it.”
“That’s right. If we had decided sooner, we could have done tests or anything on some land beforehand.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I will take this as a lesson and strive to improve myself further.”
“Hehe. Thank you, ＜Ringo＞.”