#1151 Fountain of Wisdom

Phew, that was a good match.

After that, I spent about an hour playing God Figure with the Demon King.
It had been a while, but it was just as fun as ever.
And with all the updates over time, the game had gotten even better.

For a moment, I thought about getting seriously into it again… but with three kids just born, if I got too absorbed, Platy would definitely get mad at me...

Anyway, putting that aside for now, the main event today is the trade fair.

So far, I’ve checked out what the Mermaid Kingdom and the Demon Kingdom had to offer. Naturally, the next stop is the Human Kingdom.
Now then… what kind of special products do they have?

“Ah! Lord Saint, welcome!”

Ritheseus...

Why is it that every kingdom's leader is personally showing up for this event?

“As the president, I want to do whatever I can for the Human Kingdom. Plus, this whole event was my idea, so I figured I should see it through to the end.”

How earnest...

All right then, what kind of special products has the Human Kingdom brought?
I’ve already seen vaccines and collectible figures, so my expectations are prepared for the unexpected.

Bring it on!!!

“Allow me to introduce our first item! Minotaur beef, carefully raised by the Minotaur tribe!”

...
Huh…?!

“This beef is known for being incredibly juicy and tender. The moment you put it in your mouth, it practically melts. Its reputation extends not only throughout the Human Kingdom but also abroad!”

U-Uh yes, I know that...!
After all, I’ve actually had Minotaur beef before…

“But recently, production of Minotaur beef had completely stopped. The bloodline of the premium cattle, passed down for generations, was suddenly lost. Our government tried to support its revival, hoping to bring back one of our kingdom’s most iconic products, but it wasn’t looking good...!”

Oh, they even offered support?
Ritheseus, you’re more considerate than I thought.

“But then, out of nowhere, the bloodline was revived! Seeing this as a perfect opportunity, we doubled our funding and began expanding its market.”

Yeah, this trade fair is definitely the perfect place for that…

“Next up, we have the finest brand of Satyr milk, provided by the goat-like Satyr therians! We also have processed dairy products like butter and cheese! These are sure to become a major source of wealth for the Human Kingdom!!!”

Listening to Ritheseus’ passionate presentation, I couldn’t help but think about something completely different from the products themselves.

His selection is… surprisingly normal.
Like, it actually makes sense.

Highlighting local specialties, adding value, delivering them to consumers, and using the profits to revitalize the region.
Isn’t this exactly what a trade fair is supposed to be?!

Not that Arowana or the Demon King were wrong in their approach, though…!

I had been kinda worried about Ritheseus after our last meeting, but I guess I had nothing to worry about?
As I thought, this guy really is the right person to lead the Human Kingdom!

“Well then, Lord Saint, please check out the other exhibitors as well.”

Huh?
Other exhibitors?!

But I’ve already visited the Mermaid Kingdom, the Demon Kingdom, and now the Human Kingdom. That should be everything, right…?!

“You underestimate this trade fair, Lord Saint. Look over there.”

Huh? Over where?
I turn in the direction Ritheseus pointed, and…

“Pottery! Get your Elven pottery here!”
“Brand-new works from our up-and-coming artisans!”

Elves?!
Elves are selling bowls and cups made of pottery?!

“Wait, the elves are participating in this trade fair, too?!”
“THAT’S RIGHT!!!”

That voice...The Elf Chief, LLLLC?!
A.K.A. L4C?!
And even the Elf Monarch?!

“These pieces were handcrafted by young elven artisans in our forest!”
“They were inspired by the legendary works of Master Aileron, and now more young elves are pursuing pottery! This trade fair is the perfect stage to showcase their talent! We appreciate the invitation!”

L4C and the Elf Monarch are both shouting excitedly.
But why are they so far away?
One of the normal elves at the booth answer my unspoken question.

“The two of them are High Elves. They can’t leave the forest.”

Oh, so they’re observing from the very edge of their territory…!
Now that I think about it, we’ve been developing this land a lot. We’re trying to make it more livable for people while preserving as much nature as possible.

“The elves are an independent force, not part of any of the three major kingdoms, so they have every right to participate in the trade fair on their own. That’s why I reached out to invite them,” Ritheseus explains.

Wow. Always thinking ahead, huh?

“Our wares don’t stop at pottery! We’ve got something even bigger!”
“Lumber! The finest wood straight from the Elven Forest! You guys are building a nation here, right? You’re gonna need some top-quality materials!”

Hold on. Weren’t you guys all about protecting the forest?
Did you… sell out?

Questionable motives aside, I do need lumber!
So far, we’ve just been using whatever trees we cut down during land clearing, but as our territory expands, we’ll have to start sourcing materials from outside.
Besides, I literally just pledged to be eco-friendly, so I don’t want to cut down more trees than necessary.

Wait, did they just call it high-quality lumber?
Tell me more.

“Hmhmhm… Our finest timber… we call it Elf Cedar!”

Elf Cedar?!

“When we were restoring the nearly-extinct Elven Forest, some of the trees we planted grew super straight and sturdy! And you humans pay big money for construction wood, don’t you? We’re about to get rich!”
“We’ll use that money to buy more of Master Aileron's pottery!”

Ah, I see. It’s greed.
They fell in love with Aileron's pottery, got sucked into the world of currency, and are now selling wood to fuel their obsession.

Wait a second. Cedar trees…?
Did they mix cedar into the reforestation efforts back then?!

Is this okay?!
Are we about to introduce hay fever to this world?!

“Oh, we’ve got other types of wood too! We thought it’d suit the orcs, so we named it Orc Oak!”
“You mean actual oak? From Europe?!”

Guys, there’s already a tree called “oak.” Don’t make things confusing!

And it’s not just the elves. It turns out a bunch of other smaller races have joined the trade fair too.

Like the dwarves…

“We, the dwarves, have handcrafted these fine tools and crafts! This is our time to shineeeeee!!!”
“And we, the people of Demon Isle, won’t lose either! Our latest specialty, refined coffee beans, improved through trade and experimentationnnnn!”

So many different groups have shown up for this fair.
I didn’t expect it to get this lively.
Once the Farm Kingdom is fully established, will all these products start making their way across the world from here?

“Uryaryaryarya! One Gonkotsu ramen, ready to go!”

Veil?!
Even the dragon Veil is participating?!

“Of course! Where there are customers, there I shall be! I must sell more ramen and use up my gonkotsu broth!”

She’s so dedicated to consuming dragon extract…

“And for today, I have a brand-new product! Behold, freeze-dried ramen with concentrated broth! Now you can enjoy my ramen at home!!!”

This dragon…
She went from making instant ramen to inventing freeze-drying technology?!

What incredible progress…

“…Hey, Master. After looking at everyone’s goods, don’t you think…?”
“Hm? Think what?”
“Almost all of these ‘special products’ exist because of you.”

Hm?

“The Demon Kingdom’s statues? Your idea. The Minotaur beef? You rediscovered it. The vaccine? You pushed Garra Rufa to develop it.”
“Th-That’s just a coincidence…!”

And the wakame seaweedhad nothing to do with me.
But… Elven pottery, cedar trees, even Demon Isle’s coffee…?

“The civilization and culture these guys are building is all connected to you. So, basically… you’re the one evolving this world...!”
“Stop overthinking things!!!”

I quickly shoot down Veil’s terrifying conclusion.
But deep down… I’m not so sure.