Chapter 45: Chapter 45: A Fantastical World
"Composting technique?" Upon hearing the new term from Su Li’s mouth, Vandar indeed had a puzzled expression, shook his head, and said, "I’ve really never heard of this technique before. What’s the principle behind it?"
Su Li explained in detail: "It’s about collecting human and animal excrement, then fermenting it with plant ash, straw, weeds, leaves, and other materials, to form something similar to fertilizer, to increase the fertility of the land. In the Empire, even the horse manure from the noble’s stables is a resource, selling for 1 copper coin per cart. And only civilians with connections can enter the castle to make this deal."
Vandar was a bit disgusted upon hearing this, and said, "I don’t know which forbidden book, sir, where you read about this disgusting method. But I can assure you on the honor of a Druid, plants won’t like this method."
"Why?" Su Li asked in astonishment. Are there plants that don’t like fertilizer?
"Would you like to pile up a lot of foul-smelling dog feces and horse urine next to your residence? Even if they’re dried out." Vandar said, "Empire farmers purchase horse manure because it can be used as fuel instead of firewood. Why don’t they purchase pig manure or dog manure?"
Su Li was shocked. If a Druid is so adamant about this, then perhaps composting techniques really aren’t suitable for this world?
This world’s operating rules are quite special; apart from extraordinary powers, each race also has its own characteristics, some different from Earth, and also different from Earth’s legends.
For instance, firearms do exist in this world, with Dwarf Gunners among the dwarves.
But firearms haven’t spread to any other races beyond the dwarves, for no reason other than world rules being different. Elves, even if they obtain dwarf firearms, can’t activate them. There’s never been an elven ranger using firearms in this world. The same goes for humans.
Gunpowder seems to only be activatable by the uniquely temperamental bloodline of the dwarves.
So the idea of developing firearms in this world to overthrow the Human Empire and unify the entire world can be dispelled. Even if you completely copy the most advanced explosive formula from the past life, it won’t work. If not made by dwarves, it simply won’t explode.
Su Li curiously asked, "Since the whole world doesn’t have fertilizer, how do you increase agricultural yields?"
"Of course, it’s through the Essence of Nature." Vandar, rarely given a chance to promote the Dawn Church, became excited and fervent.
He was now rejuvenated, much like a flamboyant forest elf, desperately showing off everything.
"I must tell you about our Dawn Church’s doctrine. Legend has it, initially, this land was created by a Divine Spirit, and was once devoid of life, lacking even a warm foothold. The Dawn Goddess was so graceful that the sun gifted her with a gift of warmth and light. As she walked the land, grass, flowers, trees, and fruits grew. As her song played on, animals crawled out of the soil. It is said she was a kind and amiable goddess, wearing a crown made of barley and wheat, often pregnant as some churches interpret differently, though I do not agree."
"There was once a village struck by drought. The villagers and farmers were destitute, for they could only harvest dust. But after embracing the Dawn Goddess, their situation changed instantly, with enormous cabbages, carrots, apples, and strawberries ripening early, and pigs and cows growing fatter due to overfeeding."
"Stop, stop, stop!" Su Li hurriedly interrupted him. The hopeful and beautiful generous doctrine of the Dawn Goddess was of no interest to him; in his previous life, he was overwhelmed by too many promises, leading to his exhaustion. In this life, he only wanted to enjoy: "Get to the point, directly talk about the Essence of Nature."
"The Essence of Nature is a type of extraordinary ability of our Dawn Church. Unlike other churches, which have various sects and knight orders, our generous Goddess also grants us a divine ability. As priests of the Church, we can tame and command the Essence of Nature, representing the tamed wilderness, which the Dawn Goddess tamed for humans and elves, and serve plants, animals, and locations."
Su Li furrowed his brows and asked, "So what functions do these Essence of Nature have?"
"Their functions are complex; they’re peculiar, proud, yet not subservient, each with its own will. For example, the Polevik, the Father of Grains, appearing in the eastern provinces of the Empire and the forest edges of the elves, is composed of hundreds of wheat stalks with little faces, little legs, and little arms, longing to nourish the soil with blood sacrifice."
Nourishing the soil with blood? This setting seems similar to the previous world; land irrigated with blood becomes more fertile.
Su Li was immediately intrigued and asked, "Are there any other Essence of Nature?"
"Additionally, there’s Lady Logan, the essence of fiber plants, residing in the fields where crops are grown. She looks like a tiny hairy old woman, astonished by everything. Lady Logan can possess scarecrows to drive away intruders and unwanted animals."
"The Beast Master is a gestalt essence residing in flocks of sheep or goats. It has no physical form but can speak through animals. It’s arrogant and terrified when challenged by strong personalities. However, it possesses the power of hope bestowed by the Dawn Goddess. If it exists in a livestock group, the pregnancy rate significantly increases, with more births per pregnancy. The reason elves have so many spirit horses, griffin horses, white lion giant eagles, and war eagles is because they can coexist harmoniously with the Forest Essence."
"Of course, these are the more common Essence of Nature, but many hide in towering mountains, deep valleys, and dark underground places, even the most learned scholars have never seen them."
Mention of the Beast Master reminded Su Li of something, and he asked Vandar, "Speaking of which, how are those two Fire Rabbits doing now?"
The female rabbit among the two Fire Rabbits was pregnant, so she didn’t commit suicide after being caged.
But when the team arrived at Marle Castle earlier, the two rabbits were in low spirits, and if not for Vandar’s joining midway, they wouldn’t have survived to give birth, likely dying of depression.
Vandar replied with some pride, "Under the care of the sisters of the Dawn Goddess, the two rabbits are in much better spirits. But I still suggest, my Lord, that you build a pasture. Besides grazing your warhorses and cattle, perhaps we could raise some animals of more precious value."
"You make a good point," Su Li nodded and said, "I’ll have the knights’ squires participate in its construction tomorrow."
Building stables and pastures for knight lords was originally one of the duties of the knight’s squire. After completing the settlement of the residences today, tomorrow these squires should start this work.