#489 The Birth of the Sakura Yggdrasil

“I can’t believe we created something outrageous again...”

A sakura sapling injected with Yggdrasil’s genes.

With my Hand of Supremacy, I planted it in a vacant lot on my farm and watched it grow.

I was about to grow the tree in the dungeon orchard, but the tree spirits who live there advised me to grow it in a larger plot because of Yggdrasil’s sheer size at full maturity. Otherwise, they’ll get caught up in its growth and die.

As I thought, the World Tree is like no other.

I used Platy’s hyper fertilizer to accelerate the sapling’s growth, and within a few days, it grew to the same size as an ordinary sakura tree.

“We really have everything at this point...!”

We have the means to grow Yggdrasil, a supposedly unique tree, and the means to accelerate its growth dramatically. Not to mention, thanks to Platy’s efforts.

She was the one who requested me to the tree, but honestly, all I could do was watch for the most part.

“Your ability helped us complete this synthetic Yggdrasil, Dear. I couldn’t have done it alone because my skills are not as good as Zoth Syra’s,” she says. “Besides, you provided us the land. We can’t do anything without the farm owner’s permission, so it’s a huge help.”

“It’s nothing, really...!”

You make me blush with the sudden compliments.

The sakura tree eventually went into full radiant bloom, and after some time, the iconic blossoms dispersed, revealing lush green leaves.

“Sweeping the petals is so much work!”

However, while the sakura tree was in full bloom, it attracted the attention of the residents, and we had a flower viewing event.

It didn’t feel like the season, but it was still fun.

But our ultimate goal here isn’t the flowers; it’s the leaves that grow after the flowers have fallen.

If those leaves have the same efficacy as the original Yggdrasil Leaves, they will make an excellent herbal item.

Platy could also prepare her aojiru blend 100% on her own.

Now, let’s get some leaves from the Sakura Yggdrasil and start experimenting.

We have plenty of subjects we can test it on.

In one area of our farm, young humans, demons, and mermaids are engaging in friendly rivalry.

Since they’re training through hands-on combat, some people get injured.

Our medic, Gara Ruffa, grumbles that it would be hectic to treat them, so she asks the students to do things in moderation, but...

“How about I take over and treat you guys instead?”

“NO, THANK YOU...”

The students who had been injured during training rejected Platy’s proposal bluntly.

Well, I’m not all that worried since the injuries are only scratches, cuts, or sprains.

Still, they were adamant that they wouldn’t accept treatment from Platy.

“Lady Platy rarely even does something like that. What could it mean...?”

“There’s definitely something fishy going on! I’ve already learned that the word ‘kind’ is not in the witches’ dictionary!”

The younger people have found the secret to living on our farm.

“You clever little...! Just be still and be my guinea pigs already!”

“Did she just say ‘guinea pigs’?!”

Platy chases the kids running away.

They were agile in their escape but couldn’t break off from her. In the end, they were tragically seized and had a (synthesized) Yggdrasil Leaf forcefully slapped onto their injuries.

And then...! 

“The wound closed in an instant! Not even a trace of it is left!”

“We’ve already tested it on monsters, so you don’t need to be scared! It has no adverse effect on the human body. The quality is on par with the original.”

Platy gave her seal of approval.

Now she can use the leaves of the synthetic Yggdrasil to make her aojiru without relying on outside suppliers.

Good for you, huh, Platy?

Actually, I also had something in mind that I’d like to put into action.

“Platy, can I have some leaves?”

“Of course. Anything on the farm belongs to you, so you don’t need to ask permission from me.” 

Thanks, Platy.

Okay, now we got some leaves.

They’re Yggdrasil Leaves, but at the same time, sakura leaves, as the former is a homunculus tree based on the latter.

I know it sounds complicated, but anyway, let’s wash these leaves and then boil them in water. Then, after draining the water, we sprinkle salt and place the leaves between my hands to activate the Hand of Supremacy.

Aaaaand done.

“Salted sakura leaves!”

It was completed in an instant.

The actual recipe would’ve required you to preserve the leaves in salt for over a year, but with the Hand of Supremacy, I was able to shorten that time.

It sure is practical, this ability.

The leaves are done, but the dish itself isn’t.

For that, I’ll need some glutinous rice.

We steam the glutinous rice with a few drops of red food coloring. Then, after forming little balls, we put red bean paste inside and top it off with the sakura leaf. 

What do you think I’m making?

“Sakura mochi, that’s what!”

A pinkish glutinous rice gem! An elegant dessert wrapped in a sakura leaf!

I’ve been meaning to make these ever since Platy picked some leaves. 

We’re talking about a sakura tree with genes from Yggdrasil!

Of course I’d want to try making sakura mochi! 

“Oh, hey, Dear. I wondered what you were going to use the leaves for. You used them to make a dessert, huh?”

Look who’s here.

Platy has arrived, Junior in her arms.

“Are these dumplings... wrapped in the leaves? They look tasty. Lemme try some. Awm. Yummy!”

It’s tasty, she says. That’s great.

“The red bean filling is so sweet and delicious! The leaf’s salty taste accentuates the sweetness. Its crunchiness and the mochi’s chewiness go well together.”

I’m glad she likes it.

Girls have always liked the sweetness of red bean paste, but she even commented on the leaves, so that’s something.

Some people don’t even eat the leaves, after all.

“Ah, but these are Yggdrasil Leaves, right? To think we’re using a luxury item as a dessert ingredient... Foooooooooo!!!”

The next moment, Platy suddenly began to shine!

Her whole body radiated a golden light as if she had powered up!

I could even hear the accompanying SFX!

“What is thisssssssssss? I feel power welling up from within my bodyyyyyy!”

Junior, who was napping in his mother’s arms, was startled awake by the sudden noise, confused by her glowing mother.

“Is this the effect of the leaf? The Yggdrasil Leaves mixed with the mochi and red bean paste, creating an unexpected effectttttttt!”

Right. Sakura leaves are also Yggdrasil leaves.

To think the effect of Yggdrasil Leaves, a super medicinal herb that can heal any wounds and incurable diseases, would present itself in such a manner...!

Amidst this chaos, Veil shows up.

“Hey! My delicious food sensor has picked up something! You made another new dish, right, Master? Gimme, gimme!”

As usual, Veil is quick to notice when I make something new, but a glance at the glowing Platy in front of her, and...

“Never mind. I was mistaken. I’m going home.”

She left immediately.

For a dragon, she’s getting better at avoiding danger, huh?

“Ahhhh! Dear! I can’t believe you’ve created a delicious Yggdrasil sweet with such a potent medicinal effect! Are you trying to compete with my aojiru?! But it’s not fair that your sakura mochi is both effective and tasty!”

I wasn’t expecting this either!

It seems my otherworldly sakura mochi has a mind-blowing effect, removing all kinds of ill health from those who eat it and making them more powerful.

As expected of Yggdrasil Leaves.

...Ah, but wait. The same phenomenon has happened with natto and ramen.

Same old, same old, I guess.