The first rays of sunlight came through my bedroom window before the servants had even begun moving around the mansion. I woke up early. This would be the first day when I would truly put my lands into operation. After washing my face and changing clothes, I left my room and found the hallway silent.
The smell of breakfast was already coming from the kitchen.
When I entered the dining room, I noticed that Liriel and her assistant were already awake. Scarlett appeared shortly afterward, still stretching her arms. Rai'kanna entered next, followed by Elara, Lyannis, and Vespera.
We all sat at the table.
One of the servants brought bread, fruit, cheese, milk, and roasted meat, a common meal for the dragons. They had also prepared some foods more familiar to human customs for us.
While we ate, I began explaining the plan for the day.
"Today we will begin planting."
Scarlett smiled.
"Finally."
Elara rested her elbow on the table.
"Have you already chosen where each crop will be planted?"
"Yes. Yesterday I observed much of the land, and I already have an idea."
Liriel took a sip of tea before speaking.
"The Purification stabilized the soil considerably, but there are still areas that will need more time to recover all their nutrients."
I nodded.
"Then we'll start with the best regions."
Liriel's assistant seemed quite excited.
"I've never participated in planting before."
Rai'kanna gave a small laugh.
"Then today will be your first experience."
After breakfast, we headed to the storage room, where the servants had already separated tools, bags of seeds, and barrels of water.
Dargon was also waiting.
"Good morning, Lord Takumi."
"Good morning."
He opened a simple map of the property.
"As you requested, we marked the areas most suitable for starting cultivation."
I observed it carefully.
It was exactly what we needed.
Putting the map away, we headed toward the fields.
The sun was still low.
A light mist covered part of the plain.
I took a deep breath.
The mountain air remained pleasant.
I picked up a hoe.
"Let's begin."
The servants soon started working.
Some removed smaller stones.
Others organized the planting beds.
The women didn't just stand around watching either.
Scarlett picked up a hoe and began preparing part of the land.
Rai'kanna did the same a few meters away.
Elara and Lyannis organized the seeds.
Vespera helped the servants transport the tools.
Liriel carefully examined the quality of the soil before indicating the best locations for each crop.
Her assistant wrote everything down in a small notebook.
"You really analyze everything."
Liriel smiled.
"Every detail makes a difference."
I began opening the first furrows in the soil.
The difference compared to the previous day was obvious.
The soil still required effort, but it was much softer.
It was possible to work without as much difficulty.
After some time, Elara approached carrying some seeds.
"These will be the first ones."
I took a handful.
"Let's start with wheat."
She nodded.
Carefully, we began distributing the seeds throughout the planting beds.
Right afterward, we covered everything with soil.
The servants came over carrying buckets of water.
Irrigation began shortly afterward.
While we worked, Dargon approached.
"We also separated seeds for vegetables."
"Great."
"We can use that area near the river."
I looked in the indicated direction.
It really seemed like a good place.
We headed there.
The soil in that region was even better because of the natural moisture.
We decided to plant carrots, potatoes, and some vegetables.
The women worked with great dedication.
Scarlett cleared part of the land using her sword to remove larger roots.
Rai'kanna carried bags of seeds practically by herself.
Lyannis organized the planting beds with precision.
Vespera helped the servants distribute water.
Even Liriel's assistant joined the work.
At first, she seemed clumsy.
She ended up dropping an entire bag of seeds.
She became completely embarrassed.
"I'm sorry."
Scarlett began to laugh.
"It happens."
I smiled as well.
"Don't worry."
She sighed in relief.
"I'll pay more attention."
Shortly afterward, she was already helping normally.
The work continued throughout the entire morning.
When the sun became stronger, we took a short break.
We sat in the shade of a tree.
The servants distributed fresh water.
Everyone was tired.
Even so, the atmosphere was light.
Rai'kanna looked at the fields.
"I never imagined planting would be this much work."
Lyannis agreed.
"It also requires a lot of patience."
Liriel watched the soil from a distance.
"Now it depends on nature."
I looked at her.
"And mana."
She smiled.
"That too."
After resting for a few minutes, we returned to work.
There were still many seeds to plant.
We spent much of the afternoon expanding the planting beds.
We also planted some fruit trees near the mansion.
According to Dargon, that area received plenty of sunlight throughout almost the entire day.
By late afternoon, everyone was already showing clear signs of exhaustion.
My hands were covered in dirt.
So were my clothes.
Scarlett was breathing deeply.
"I admit that fighting monsters seems easier."
Rai'kanna laughed.
"At least monsters don't make us dig all day."
Even Liriel seemed a little tired.
Her assistant simply sat down on the grass.
"Now I understand why farmers are so respected."
Everyone laughed.
I looked at the newly planted fields.
They were still just small rows of soil.
There was no guarantee of success.
Even so, I felt a different kind of satisfaction.
For the first time, those lands were truly beginning to change.
Dargon approached.
"It was an excellent start."
"I hope so."
"It will take us a few days to finish all the planting."
I nodded.
"We're not in a hurry."
The important thing was to do everything correctly.
The sun began to disappear behind the mountains.
The servants gathered the tools.
We slowly headed back to the mansion.
As soon as I entered, I felt my entire body becoming heavy.
The women seemed to be in the same situation.
Scarlett let out a long sigh as she threw herself into a chair.
"I don't think I've ever been this tired without fighting."
Rai'kanna immediately agreed.
Liriel's assistant could barely keep her eyes open.
Liriel simply smiled as she watched everyone in that situation.
After dinner, no one had the energy to talk for very long.
The first day of work had come to an end.
There was still a lot to be done, but the first seeds were finally beneath the soil.
Now all that remained was to keep working and wait for those mountains to respond to the effort that we had all devoted throughout that long day.