Put simply, a greenhouse was just a glass house.
Silas instructed Mudsdale and the others to transport all the materials to the flower field where tulips had previously been planted.
He first dismantled the large glass panels one by one, carefully checking to make sure none of them were cracked or damaged.
Picking up aluminum alloy pipes, he used them as the framework, fixing them firmly into the ground around the perimeter.
He had already measured the area in advance, so now he only needed to ensure that the framework was upright and stable.
The clay used to reinforce the aluminum pipes around the edges was produced by the Mudsdale themselves, further enhancing the overall stability.
After the main framework was completed, the glass still couldn't be installed right away. A secondary frame had to be added—not only to prepare for mounting the glass panels, but also to further strengthen the structure.
By the time Silas finished all this work, without realizing it, it was already noon. The scorching sun beat down mercilessly, making it hard to endure.
"Forget it," Silas said, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he patted the Mudsdale beneath him. "I'll continue when it's cooler this afternoon. First, I'll install air conditioning for you guys."
"Mud!"
The eldest Mudsdale stamped its hooves excitedly and happily carried Silas back to the stable.
The stable was spacious, so placing an air conditioner inside was no problem at all.
And it wasn't just for the Mudsdale either—the little Mareeps could come over and enjoy the cool air too, instead of collapsing beside their huts under the blazing heat, sweating all over the ground the moment they lay down.
Silas ran a power line over from the ranch house, connected the electricity, and even taught the Mudsdale how to use the air conditioner.
The three of them immediately turned it on, unable to wait a second longer. Standing right in front of it, the cool breeze blowing straight at them made the third Mudsdale let out a deeply satisfied snort.
It leaned closer to Silas, thinking that he was really far too good to them.
With air conditioning, they no longer had to fear the heat.
They could finally sleep comfortably at night.
"As long as you like it," Silas said with a smile, patting them lightly. Leaving them in the stable, he then called over five little sheep from the sheep village.
"Maa!"
(It's so cool!)
Pretty Mareep was the first to rush in, letting out a blissful cry.
"Maa ~"
The other four Mareep followed in unison, crowding around the Mudsdale.
Seeing five Mareep suddenly nearby, the Mudsdale leader clumsily but carefully pressed the remote control with its nose, lowering the temperature and increasing the fan speed.
The "whoosh whoosh" of cold air blew their fur into a mess, causing the Mareep to squeeze closer together, weaving back and forth between the Mudsdale's legs.
"Don't crowd too close. The whole stable will cool down soon," Silas reminded them.
After filling up the water troughs and feed bins, he finally left.
The day's high temperature was easily over thirty-five degrees Celsius; even the air itself felt scorching.
Silas first made a trip to the lake. Both Relicanth and Veluza were there, hiding beneath the lotus leaves to cool off.
In the heat, the lotus plants were actually growing even faster. He could already see a few green buds forming—before long, lotus flowers might begin to bloom.
After confirming that both Pokémon were fine, Silas didn't linger outside and quickly returned to the house.
He had barely stepped inside when Minccino ran toward him, holding a strawberry milkshake high above its head.
"For me?" Silas asked.
"Min~!"
Minccino nodded vigorously—it had made it together with Alcremie and the others.
Bending down, Silas accepted it and scooped up a small spoonful, putting it into his mouth. The sweet-and-tart flavor of strawberries mixed with light, creamy milk instantly drove away the heat lingering in his body.
"It's really delicious! Minccino is a little chef now too!" Silas praised.
"Min!"
(Really? I can be a chef too?!)
Being praised—especially by Silas, whose cooking was amazing made Minccino spin around in circles with joy.
Hopping and skipping, it ran back into the kitchen, eager to share with Alcremie and make more for the other partners to taste.
Silas smiled and shook his head. Since it was the perfect time to rest before cooking, he sat down on the sofa, sipping the milkshake they had made, his heart feeling sweet as well.
After only a few sips, he saw Minccino poke its head out of the kitchen, calling out to the other Pokémon to come and join in.
Morpeko, who had been lying on Silas's legs, was the first to perk up its ears and dash over.
Then came Phione, Dolliv, Popplio— even Cyclizar was called in to help.
Before long, clattering sounds echoed from the kitchen, mixed with Minccino's and Alcremie's bell-like laughter.
Just as Silas finished the last sip of his milkshake, his peripheral vision caught movement from the kitchen.
Minccino was standing on tiptoe, trying to reach a carton of Moomoo Milk from the cupboard, its tiny paws clinging to the edge as it wobbled precariously.
Cyclizar had shifted into its battle form, holding a spoon to stir cream in a blender with one hand, while using the other to support Minccino so it wouldn't fall.
"Be careful, don't fall," Silas called out.
"Min!"
Wobbling but managing to pull the Moomoo Milk down, Minccino gave him a sweet smile and continued chatting animatedly with Alcremie about making other flavors of milkshakes.
Leaving them to it, Silas picked up the blueprints from the coffee table.
"The greenhouse needs waterproofing, and the roof must have a certain slope," he muttered to himself as he made adjustments, also finalizing the locations for the ventilation and temperature control systems.
Once built, the greenhouse would be used for a long time and wouldn't be changed later, so everything had to be done perfectly.
After putting away the finalized blueprints, Silas glanced at the time.
It was getting late—it was time for lunch.
Turning off the television, he stood up and headed to the kitchen.
The moment he stepped inside, the scene before him made him laugh.
A carton of Moomoo Milk had tipped over on the floor. Alcremie was carefully wiping it with a small cloth, but the more it wiped, the more the floor became smeared with milk.
Minccino stood on a small stool, gripping a whisk with both hands and struggling to stir cream in a bowl. Cream had splattered all over its body, yet it didn't even notice how messy it had become, turning into a little "paint-splattered kitty."
Nearby, Cyclizar was using a blender to mix a milkshake, pouring a pitch-black liquid into a bowl in front of Morpeko.
Morpeko glanced at Cyclizar's eager expression and, as if bracing itself for death, cautiously dipped a bit into its mouth.
Instantly, its tiny face scrunched up as it muttered softly, "Morpe…"
(So bad!!!)
"You guys are having a lot of fun, huh?" Silas said with a laugh, eyeing the group.
"Cyc~"
Cyclizar approached with an awkward grin, offering the milkshake it had made.
The bowl was completely black—there was no way to tell what ingredients had even been used.
And if even Morpeko thought it tasted awful, Silas certainly wasn't brave enough to try it.
Raising his hand, he lightly knocked Cyclizar on the forehead and said sternly, "Look at what you made. Is this something people can eat? Out you go."
After shooing Cyclizar away, he took Morpeko along with it.
Pointing at the floor Alcremie had wiped, Silas pursed his lips. "Who told you to wipe the floor? You're just making more of a mess."
He picked Alcremie up and set it on the counter, washed the small cloth, and began wiping the floor himself.
Just then, Minccino let out a panicked squeal.
Dropping the whisk, it rushed over and hugged Silas—it had gotten dirty.
Patting its back, Silas comforted it gently. "It's okay. Let Kangaskhan take you to wash up."
Calling Kangaskhan over, he had it take Minccino and Phione to bathe. After thoroughly cleaning up the kitchen, Silas finally began preparing lunch.
(End of Chapter)
TN: Are there no greenhouse building in Harvest Moon? I thought there was one.