第４２２堀：現代農耕技術には勝てなかったよ…… (Part1)
**Chapter 422: I Couldn’t Win Against Modern Agricultural Technology…**
I couldn’t win against modern agricultural technology…
Side: Yuki
Before my eyes stood a middle-aged man, his hands and knees pressed against the dirt in utter defeat.
His name: Faide, the God of Agriculture.
"…My existence has no meaning. Hehehe…"
He was muttering something dark under his breath, but I couldn't find the words to comfort him. All I could do was stare at the pathetic, lonely back of this middle-aged man.
Now, as for why things turned out this way… A few days ago, Seraria and the others managed to persuade Faide that we weren't a threat. Finally, we had a formal meeting where I began explaining Weed’s politics and technology.
Seraria and the others could have handled it, but I worried that would downplay the fact that these were Earth-derived technologies. So, I took the lead, bringing Taiki and Taizo along to help with the explanation.
Since I’m the one primarily responsible for Weed’s development, I did most of the talking.
Faide wasn't just some random old farmer; he possessed an incredible flexibility of mind. He could grasp the logic behind Earth’s knowledge and techniques just by listening to my explanations. I suppose being the God of Agriculture means he has the foundational knowledge to back it up.
I could tell he wasn't a fool. He bore no ill will and listened to the new information with genuine joy.
Except for one specific point…
"Say, Lord Yuki. Could I see the fields?"
Indeed, as the God of Agriculture, that was the one place he couldn't ignore.
I had been intentionally avoiding it. I mean, he’s the God of Agriculture—I figured he’d have a lot to say, right? He’s the ultimate professional.
On the other hand, while I have Earth’s knowledge, I’m a complete amateur in practice. I don’t have the hands-on experience of a student at an agricultural school or a lifelong farmer.
I was worried I’d offend him if he saw our amateurish setup, but since he insisted, I had no choice but to lead the way. Of course, I made sure to emphasize that we only had the theoretical knowledge and lacked true expertise.
And then, after showing him the site, this happened.
Judging by his words, his confidence as the God of Agriculture had been utterly shattered. I suppose it makes sense—if there were anything in this world’s medieval-level civilization that could surpass modern Earth’s agricultural tech, Faide would already be a greater object of worship than Lilishe.
"Lord Yuki, your world’s technology is magnificent… No, that is disrespectful of me. This is not a result one achieves easily. It is the culmination of wisdom from countless farmers and scholars. It is the fruit of blood-soaked effort."
Faide spoke as he slowly stood up. He walked over to a tomato plant growing in the field.
"I have never seen such magnificent, large fruit. You there, Mr. Orc. May I have one of these?"
"Go right ahead. The red ones are for our own consumption anyway. Here you go."
The Orc—or rather, John, the Vegetarian Orc King—smiled as he snipped a tomato with his harvesting shears and handed it to Faide.
Usually, vegetables and fruits are shipped while still green so they ripen during transport. Setting that aside, I had brought Faide to the experimental plots managed by John and his crew, rather than the standard fields.
"This is a tomato, yes?"
"Yes, that’s right."
"In the south, they call these 'poison fruits,' but they were edible all along?"
"Haha, well, they are bright red. Why don't you give it a try?"
"I can eat it just like this?"
"Sure can…"
As John spoke, he bit into a tomato himself to put Faide at ease. It wasn't a cherry tomato, but a large, marbled variety that looked incredibly hearty.
John made a show of it. Even though he could have finished it in one bite, he deliberately bit it in half to show Faide the inside. Juice sprayed out, dripping onto the ground.
This year’s tomatoes are looking quite good. It wouldn't be surprising if a unique Weed variety emerged soon. Well, I don’t know the details, so I’ll just have to wait for John’s report.
"Oh! Incredible. I have never seen a tomato this grand."
"Well, of course. My Boss’s homeland is probably the only place that’s performed enough selective breeding to make tomatoes this edible."
"Selective… breeding? Am I correct in understanding that you have reshaped the plant to better suit human consumption?"
"That’s right. To put it simply—at the risk of being misunderstood—we cross-pollinate plants that bear large fruit to ensure the next generation consistently produces large fruit."
"I see. Then this sweetness comes from crossing the sweetest plants together?"
"Exactly. Though, people in this world tend to dislike the idea at first, as if it’s 'tainting the bloodline.'"
"I… suppose they would."
Just as John said, the act of crossbreeding was difficult for people here to accept initially. It stemmed from the obsession with "pure blood" among royalty, nobility, and prestigious families—the idea that mixing was inherently bad. They had applied that same logic to food.
Of course, from my perspective, human blood is already a massive mix of everything.
Regardless, John and his team proved the effectiveness of these methods. Recently, other countries have even begun establishing departments for selective breeding, looking into developing their own unique varieties for export.
I personally think they’re underestimating how much hard work it takes, but you have to start somewhere. The agricultural technology of this continent, which had been moving at a snail's pace, was finally sprinting toward the future.
"…However, these 'cucumbers' are also quite crunchy and delicious."
"Right?! In that case, we have some pickled ones. Want to try? They go great with rice!"
"Oho. That 'rice' stuff? It pairs well with that? I would love a taste—"
Ah, damn it. These two have forgotten the purpose of this visit.
I get it, I really do. When you find someone you click with, you want to keep talking. But not right now. You’ve both forgotten your respective positions, haven't you?
I grabbed both of them by their collars as they tried to head off toward the kitchen.
"Oh? Boss?"
"Hm? Does Lord Yuki wish to eat pickled cucumbers as well?"
"Talk in your sleep. We’re still in the middle of the tour. Furthermore, Lord Faide, we haven't determined if you’re an ally or an enemy yet. Until you make that clear…"
As I put some strength into my grip to drag them to the next location, Faide suddenly shouted.
"I swear my allegiance to Lord Yuki!"
Everyone, including Lilishe and Hifi, stood there stunned by the sudden declaration. Especially since he said it while still being held by the scruff of his neck in a rather pathetic display.
I had a bad feeling about this, but I decided to ask for his reasoning anyway.
"Lord Faide, the explanation of Weed isn't over, and I haven't even touched on the main topic of the Dungeon. Why make such a statement now?"
"I have realized that Lord Yuki does not lie. I have seen these fields, the city of Weed, and the ice you allowed me to help create. I have no further reason to doubt. There is no reason for me to side with those who seek conflict based on false perceptions. Furthermore, I am the one who brought this trouble to your doorstep. I vow my full cooperation."
The middle-aged man, still held by his collar, spoke with eyes full of absolute sincerity.