Between the towering red trees stretching toward the sky, Diara's wagon could be seen. Leading the way ahead of the wagon, Gallad guided the path with gestures and his voice.
Following Gallad's guidance, the group moved through the forest path far more easily than when they had first driven the wagon into the red forest.
"It's not far now. We'll likely arrive at the farmstead in time for lunch."
Gallad said, walking beside the wagon. Through the gaps between the red trees, Latela Mountain loomed slightly larger than it had the previous day.
"Uncle Gallad, how's the farmstead doing these days?" Diara asked.
Gallad stroked his bearded chin and replied
"Aside from bringing in a southern crop called Moroheiya and a crop from the northeastern islands called Chiphchipi last spring, nothing much has changed."
"Moroheiya… I remember it having a bitter taste. Since it's a southern crop, I wonder how well it grows here. How's it doing?" Diara asked.
"They say in Kisha and Aroon it's considered a royal vegetable, highly prized. But to my taste, it's too bitter… and even when made into soup, it's so slimy I can't stand it. Lisia said that with the current weather, it's too cold, so they plan to grow it in the greenhouse to get through the winter."
Gallad spoke to Diara about the Moroheiya being cultivated at the farmstead, recalling its bitter taste with a grimace.
"Nia, haven't you tried it in Ixtarn? That vegetable, Moroheiya. Ixtarn is close to Kisha, isn't it?"
Reave asked Nia.
"Molokhia? We don't eat it. It's too bitter, a grass we don't like."
Nia replied, sticking out her tongue and shaking her head as she recalled the intense bitterness, speaking to Reave.
"Huh? Molokhia? I was asking about Moroheiya. What's this Molokhia vegetable?" Reave asked, confused.
"Molokhia is Moroheiya. Moroheiya is Molokhia." Nia clarified.
"What's that supposed to mean… Why call the same thing by two different names?"
Reave shrugged, frowning and tilting his head.
"It's probably because, among the three desert kingdoms in the south, Aroon calls it Molokhia, while Kisha calls it Moroheiya." Diara explained.
"Oooh…"
"Wow… I see."
Reave and Nia responded, making small sounds as they absorbed this new piece of knowledge.
"Yawn~ By the way, when we get to the farmstead, there'll be some delicious food, right? I mean, after yesterday's mushrooms and Blindfish, we've been eating some pretty tasty stuff, so I don't have any complaints. Still, it's a farmstead, so I'm kinda looking forward to it."
Reave said, scratching his head and glancing at Gallad.
"Heh heh heh. You won't be disappointed. Our farmstead has oversized potatoes you won't find anywhere else, barley that's sweeter and nuttier, and fruits that taste far better than the usual ones. We also keep bees, so you can try some honey mead."
Gallad said with a broad smile, then grabbed the reins of the horse pulling the wagon and guided it through a wider gap between the trees.
"We're almost there." he added.
After passing through more of the red forest's trees under Gallad's guidance, they reached the farthest foothills of Latela Mountain. There, between the red trees, a tall wooden fence made from felled trees came into view.
"This is the last of the red forest's trees. See that fence over there? We've arrived earlier than expected." Gallad said, pointing to a fence roughly 6 cubits (3 meters) high, with thorny bushes planted beneath it to protect against intruders.
"It's to keep out the occasional beasts. We've moved it farther out since the last time you were here, Diara."
"Yes, I see you've planted thorny bushes. Are deer or wolves still a problem these days?" Diara asked.
"Wolves are rarely seen around the farmstead anymore. But deer—some of them still manage to leap over that fence, so we had to put up lattice fences near the fields." Gallad replied.
"That's a relief, at least. I remember you had to build watchtowers because of the wolves back then." Diara said.
"Yes, those are still standing inside the farmstead where the old fence used to be. They're a bit cramped for some of the heavier folks to climb, but they're still near the potato and barley fields. Speaking of which, there's my chubby friend now."
Gallad said, pointing to a man leaning against the gate of the wall ahead.
"Gallad! You're finally here!"
The stout man called out, approaching the wagon.
"Roper! Long time no see, and you're still as plump as ever." Gallad teased.
The man, Roper, approached with open arms and clapped Gallad's shoulders. His skin was rough, his belly protruded, and greasy chestnut hair peeked out from under his hat.
"You smell more like mushrooms every day. And who are these folks?" Roper asked.
"They're Diara's party, members of the Knights of the Hidden Moon. They're passing through on their way to Ves-Dinas." Gallad replied.
"Is that so? Hahaha, it's been a while since we've had guests. Welcome!"
Roper said, taking off his hat to reveal a shiny bald head.
"I'm Diara. Is Lisia at the farmstead?"
Diara asked, stepping down from the wagon to greet Roper.
After exchanging greetings, the wooden gate of the farmstead's fence opened. Roper grabbed Gallad, asking for help with fence repairs before sunset. Gallad promised Diara they'd meet again at the farmstead, waving to her and the group as they entered.
*****
At the farthest foothills of Latela Mountain lay the farmstead of the Knights of the Hidden Moon. Beyond the outer wooden fence, the horses' steps were light as they trotted along the flattened dirt path.
In the fields, two large horses pulled plows, turning over the soil of a harvested field. Nearby, fields with lush green crops yet to be harvested caught the eye. On an artificial lake, dug to hold water from a stream flowing down from the heights of Latela Mountain, a few ducks quacked, dipping their heads below the surface to hunt small fish.
Diara, holding the wide brim of her sun-shielding hat, gazed at a group of people gathered along the path.
"Lisia!"
Diara called out loudly, pulling the reins to stop the wagon and addressing the group gathered in a field of overturned soil. She stepped down from the wagon and called again.
"Lisia! It's me, Diara!"
"Diara! It's been a while!"
A woman from the group responded, approaching Diara.
She wore a deep blue robe like Diara's but without a wide-brimmed hat. Her elegant figure was evident even through the robe, with long legs and short blonde hair. Her large violet eyes and the small mole beneath her gently smiling eyes left a striking impression.
"I'm on my way to Ves-Dinas. Lord Ratak asked me to check on the farmstead's situation if I had the chance."
Diara said, grasping Lisia's hands as she approached.
"Lord Ratak did? I've got documents summarizing everything that's happened here. You can take a look when we head back to the farmstead. But right now, we're preparing a spell to restore the field's fertility. Since you're here, could you lend a hand? Is that okay?" Lisia asked.
"Of course. A fertility restoration magic circle? Let me grab my staff."
Diara replied, heading back to the wagon.
"Please, Diara." Lisia called after her.
*****
Shortly after, Diara and Lisia stood at opposite ends of a wide field. Between them, a magic circle had been drawn on the ground with the tips of their staffs. The farmstead's workers sprinkled white powder along the lines, making the circle clearly visible.
"Let's begin, Diara."
Lisia said, closing her eyes slowly, gripping her staff with both hands, and planting it into the ground as she focused her mind. Diara followed suit, channeling mana into the magic circle.
Above the white magic circle drawn on the plowed field, a blue light began to overlay, gradually filling the lines.
'Casting a spell on such a large magic circle must require an immense amount of mana…'
Gravel thought, watching the two mages from a distance.
After some time, the mages observed the process as the circle filled with mana. When the spell was complete, the magic circle pulsed with light. Supported by the farmstead workers, Diara and Lisia moved to a low, wide bench at the field's edge, sitting with their heads bowed, breathing heavily.
"Phew, thanks to you, we finished much faster, Diara."
Lisia said, exhaling deeply to calm her rapid breathing.
"You were going to cast this massive circle alone? That's incredible, Lisia."
Diara said, lifting her head from watching sweat drip to the ground and looking at Lisia.
"Heh, it's a long and tough job, but it's my duty."
Lisia replied, standing up.
"Then I'll leave the cleanup to you. I'll head back with our guests first." Lisia said.
"Yes, Lisia. We'll finish up and follow." a worker replied.
"Hey, everyone, let's wrap up the plowing and head back!" another worker called out.
With brief farewells from the workers, Lisia walked ahead toward the wagon, greeting the rest of Diara's party.
"I'll drive the wagon, Diara." Lisia offered.
"Thank you, Lisia."
Diara said, climbing into the wagon with a pale face.
The wagon moved again, traveling along the path between the farmstead's fields.
"I've got the farmstead's progress and logs documented, but I'll organize them a bit more thoroughly for you, Diara. There's plenty Lord Ratak will be pleased with."
Lisia said, smiling softly at Diara.
"Yes. But are you really okay, Lisia? You used so much mana…"
Diara asked with concern.
"I'm used to the fertility restoration spell by now, I suppose. If you hadn't been here, I'd probably be stuck in my room all day. So, thank you again for coming just in time."
Lisia replied, her eyes crinkling as she met Diara's gaze, then turning back to hold the reins and continue their conversation.