Chapter 5: Harvest to Hearth

“Do you deliver?”

“Of course! Absolutely!”

Flash.

When I effortlessly slung a sack containing 50 Potatoes over my shoulder, the lady’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Wow, you’re stronger than you look, huh?”

She grinned broadly, clearly impressed by me.

“This is nothing. Where should I deliver these?”

“Follow me.”

She led me deeper into the Village, heading toward an inn slightly away from the marketplace. 

She guided me to a back door connected to the kitchen storage.

“Set them down here.”

The storage was packed tightly with ingredients. 

It was a sign the inn was doing good business.

“Here you go.”

The lady casually pulled out five small silver coins from her purse and handed them to me.

This amount was half of what I earned working at the farm. 

In just two days, I had made the equivalent of half a month’s wages.

“Thank you! I’ll be going now.”

“Wait a moment.”

As I turned to leave, the lady quickly grabbed me.

“You said you grew these yourself, right? I’d like to buy Potatoes regularly.”

“Really? For real?”

She nodded.

“For now, keep supplying the same amount every three days.”

“Yes! I’ll do that! These Potatoes are delicious! You won’t regret it!”

“I can tell they’re tasty without even trying.”

She gave a knowing thumbs-up.

I was over the moon at the unexpected business opportunity.

Not only was I grateful for her bulk purchase, but she was also willing to buy regularly.

Shimmer.

I could almost see a halo glowing behind her.

“Do you grow anything other than Potatoes?”

“Is there something you need?”

“Hmm… we’re running low on carrots and onions soon. Tomatoes or eggs would be nice too.”

“All of those?”

“I’m not saying you have to bring them, so don’t feel pressured. Our inn adjusts the menu based on what ingredients we have.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Bring whatever you harvest, as long as it’s good quality. If the price and condition are right, I’ll buy them.”

“Thank you so much!”

“I’m buying because the quality is good. Crops this fine are hard to come by around here.”

“Yes! I’ll see you in three days then.”

Truly, you shouldn’t judge a person by their appearance.

The lady, who seemed gruff and intimidating at first, was bold and generous.

My steps felt light as I left the inn.

Now that I had a buyer, all that was left was to work hard and make money.

Jingle.

With my purse full, my heart felt warm.

Should I buy some carrot and onion seeds before heading back to the Floating Island?

“Hmm~ Humm~!”

A cheerful hum escaped me as I walked.

I was about to buy carrot and onion seeds and head off when—

Sniff sniff.

“Hm? What’s that!”

The smell of freshly baked bread wafted from a bakery.

“That smells delicious…”

I couldn’t just pass by.

Come to think of it, I had promised the kids I’d buy bread once I made some money.

And I wasn’t the same person who used to hesitate over buying a single loaf.

Alright, with a full purse, why not?

“Give me some bread, please!”

I ended up buying ten loaves, filling a bag to the brim.

“Heh, the kids will love this, right?”

A warm smile spread across my face.

I remembered an older worker at the farm who used to buy chicken dishes for his family on payday. 

His tired face would light up with a smile, and now I understood why.

“It’ll get cold. I’d better hurry!”

Clutching the bread bag tightly, I rushed back to the Floating Island.

***

“I’m back.”

“Welcome back. Sniff sniff. What’s that smell?”

Elenia came close, sniffing like a puppy, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she spoke.

“There’s a delicious smell coming from somewhere. Did you bring bread?”

“I promised yesterday that I’d buy tasty bread if I made money selling crops.”

“Did the sales go well?”

Instead of answering, I shook the bread bag.

“Wow! Bread!”

“I tried to hurry, but it’s cooled a bit. Still, it’s way better than the dry, hard bread we had last time.”

“Bread! Bread!”

Elenia shouted with childlike excitement.

We gathered around the bread.

Elenia took a big bite of a piece.

“Mmm! Freshly baked bread is this delicious!”

“Chirp!”

I might’ve gone overboard buying ten loaves, but seeing their joy made it worth it.

Watching them eat somehow made me feel full too.

“Yum yum. Why are you just standing there? Eat some too.”

“Alright.”

I finally picked up a piece.

With one bite, the rich aroma of butter filled my mouth. 

The soft, chewy texture grew more flavorful with each chew.

“It’s delicious.”

Why did today’s bread taste better than ever?

Maybe it’s because I’m eating with family, laughing together.

“By the way, what happened with the Potatoes?”

“Sold them all, of course!”

“Impressive! Wasn’t it tough doing business?”

“It was chaotic at first, but the fruit stall next door cheered me on, so it was fine.”

“You worked hard.”

My shoulders puffed up with pride.

“And I got a deal to supply crops to the inn!”

“Is that true? Does that mean we can keep eating warm bread?”

“Huh? Why’s the conversation going there? It sounds like you’re telling me to keep buying bread.”

“As expected, you’re quick to catch on.”

Elenia flashed a satisfied smile, as if her goal had been achieved.

While we focused on eating bread, a thought struck me, and I spoke up.

“Hey, I feel like I’ve gotten stronger lately. I was lifting heavy bags like they were nothing!”

“That’s only natural. The crops grown here are packed with nutrients, giving your body energy just by eating them.”

“That’s why? No wonder I’ve been so full of energy.”

“It’s not just the crops. This place was originally a training ground for the ancients.”

“A training ground?”

“Yes, a place to hone body and mind.”

“Tell me more.”

“Here, your abilities grow several times faster than on the ground. That’s why your strength has increased just from farming.”

So, my newfound strength wasn’t my imagination.

According to Elenia, the Floating Island was built high in the sky to harness the universe’s essence, much like how magic towers stretch toward the heavens for the same reason.

“The Floating Island gets more amazing the more I learn.”

“Haven’t I told you several times? This is the greatest thing the ancients left behind.”

“Why are you so proud? You’re not an ancient.”

“How dare you! I was born on the Floating Island, and this is my home. Isn’t it natural to take pride in my home?”

“That’s how it works?”

I’d heard fairies are born from the essence of forests. 

Elenia must have been born when the Floating Island had a beautiful garden.

What was the Floating Island like, adorned with a beautiful garden?

Gazing at the somewhat barren Floating Island now, I briefly imagined its glorious past.

“Ah, I ate well!”

“Chirp!”

“Oh, I forgot to plant the seeds.”

I need to plant them early if I’m going to supply the inn in three days.

After enjoying the savory bread, I planted carrot and onion seeds in the field.

Pat pat.

“Grow well.”

I covered the soil carefully, returned to my spot, and lay down.

Crackle crackle.

With the sound of the campfire as a lullaby, I drifted into a cozy sleep.

A bright, sunny morning arrived.

***

“Good morning!”

“Good morning!”

“Chirp!”

Today was the day to deliver crops to the inn.

“How are the carrots and onions I planted?”

I headed straight to the field.

“Wow!”

Sprout.

The field was lush with green leaves.

“These are ready to harvest!”

I grabbed a stem and pulled. 

Carrots and onions came up easily from the soil.

“They’re perfect!”

After harvesting a ton of fresh onions and carrots, I packed them into a bag and hurried to the inn.

Knock knock.

“Ma’am?”

For some reason, there was no response when I knocked on the back door.

Did I come too early?

She’ll probably show up soon.

I set the bag down by the door.

Murmur murmur.

“Huh? Is someone inside?”

I faintly heard voices from within the inn. 

Just in case, I headed to the front entrance.

The closer I got to the entrance, the louder the voices became. 

There were definitely people inside.

Should I go in?

“Excuse me.”

But my voice was quickly drowned out by the noise.

“Hey, where’s my potato soup!”

“It’s coming right now!”

“Yo! Two more potato soups over here!”

“We’re out of ingredients, so we can’t take more orders!”

Clatter clatter.

The first-floor dining area was packed to the brim.

Amid the chaos of customers and staff, everyone seemed to be clamoring for dishes with Potatoes.

The inn was busier than ever.

It was rare to see it this crowded so early in the morning.

Where’s the lady?

I poked my head in, scanning the inn for her.

“Table over there, two potato soups still haven’t come! Prep three more!”

The inn lady was rushing between the kitchen and the dining hall, carrying plates.

She looked too busy to talk, so I planned to just leave a message about the crops.

“Ma’am!”

I called out, but the noisy hall swallowed my voice. 

I waved my hand, but she was too busy to notice me.

“Ugh…”

I squeezed through the crowded tables to get closer to her.

“Um, ma’am.”

“Can’t you see I’m busy? Orders come out in turn!”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Oh, my goodness!”

Finally recognizing me, the inn lady’s eyes widened, and she rushed over.

“Oh, you’re here at last!”

“Hello!”

“When did you get here? I’ve been waiting forever~”

She bounced with excitement, her eyes full of affection as she greeted me.

…Was this lady always this friendly? 

Her voice seemed a pitch higher too.

Her gaze felt like honey was dripping from it.

“Just now. Sorry for calling you when you’re so busy.”

“No, it’s fine. You must be tired from coming all this way~ Haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“Uh, not yet, but…”

“Then come sit over here. I’ll bring you something delicious.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Oh, come on, sit down. I want to treat you.”

Overwhelmed by her insistence, I ended up sitting at a table, bewildered by the unexpected hospitality.

The reason for it soon became clear.

“Did you bring the Potatoes?”

Her eyes sparkled as if she were waiting for a gift.