181: Satā's Greenhouse

"Alright, first things first—this is a regular greenhouse."

I open the greenhouse door and step inside with Viridianiara and the others.

Normally, for hygiene and to prevent contamination, I'd have to make sure Viridianiara and the others wore brand-new clothes and shoes, put on masks, and disinfected their hands and arms, among other precautions. However...

Currently, the only plant being cultivated in this greenhouse is Heikyo Moru. Considering that this Heikyo Moru is known to thrive abundantly in its native system, Moru Fregler, which indicates its strong vitality, we should actually take precautions when leaving the greenhouse to prevent pollen and other particles from attaching to our bodies.

Yeah, I'll have the main unit prepare a removal mod.

"Unexpectedly, it's growing quite a bit."

Since I started cultivating it aboard the 'Carnival Viper' after receiving it from that eccentric guy in the Nerialni Potts system, it's been growing steadily. It's originally more like a weed or wild grass, so it's highly resilient and multiplies easily, even when tended casually. That's why it looks like this.

Inside the greenhouse, there's a hydroponic kit set up, with one Heikyo Morelyu plant per compartment.

The current total is... over a hundred.

They really do reproduce quickly.

"Sat, where are you getting the nutrients dissolved in this water from?"

"I'm generating them using a mod from the ether space surrounding this greenhouse. Since my main body is in an energy-rich environment that never runs out, I can create anything I need."

"Will they grow into the intended form like this?"

Well then, if it doesn't work, we'll have to order replacements from Seiryō Corporation or the Morulyugrā Star System, adjust the greenhouse conditions, and try again. Even if it fails, that outcome is necessary too.

Moreover, the current generation will be raised within Ether Space, where a different operating system is being deployed...

If the necessary qualities are lost from Heikyo Morilyu, that in itself can be a useful outcome.

The outcome of failing to develop normally can also be useful.

That's what research is like.

"Master Sata. Wouldn't you be more concerned about genetic diversity? Six parent plants seem like a hard limit, don't you think?"

"True, that is a problem. But that's something we'd have to source from the Morilyu Flagger system—something I can't do anything about. It's completely outside my expertise."

"I see."

The genetic diversity that Mebokshi worries about... well, I'll just pretend I don't see it.

Though I'd rather not look, I have no choice but to close my eyes—after all, after so many generations have passed, what remains in the Moruyuregura system might be entirely different from what it once was.

I'll make sure to clearly state in the report that there were only six original parent stocks.

Still, this scent... for some reason, it's lifting my mood. Satu? Is this room on this side?

And then, Vilijanira suddenly exclaims, noticing the two doors at the far end of the room.

Moreover, both rooms are sealed with mod-based locks, so they cannot be opened without first removing the seals.

As for the contents of the rooms...

"One is a storage chamber. It houses younger generations of stock, put into a mod-induced slumber in case of emergencies. Naturally, no one except me is allowed to enter."

"Hmm, and the other one?"

"This is the accelerated cultivation chamber. It runs an automated growth mod that combines plant acceleration from the Groglorbeta system's Sw, lighting mods based on the Nelianipotts and Shiblasmith systems' Sw, and automatically investigates, prepares, and adjusts all necessary internal components. The magnification factor is... probably around 100 times?"

"......"

Vilijanila and the others are bewildered by my words.

I'm not denying that we're doing something significant, but is it really enough to stop completely?

"Um, Sat... "

"Let me be clear. This plant is specifically chosen because it doesn't show visible issues even if grown under chaotic conditions like those of Hekyomoruy. We're still going to check for any real abnormalities, so until those results come in, there's no guarantee it'll work out smoothly."

"Is that so."

In reality, this growth promotion chamber seems suitable only for plants that can withstand rough treatment, like Hekyo Moryu.

Delicate plants might wither within just an hour outdoors, for all I know.

Also, a mod has been set up to prevent excessive growth, so the greenhouse won't end up bursting from overgrowth.

"There's just a small space left for some research equipment... I'll have to borrow surplus items from Seiryō Corporation. Buying them personally would be way too expensive."

"That's probably true."

Well, that's about all there is to say about the greenhouse.

Since we've just started today, naturally there's nothing to show—practically nothing at all.

"Satā-sama."

"What is it? Meikoshi."

From what we can see at the current state, there's still plenty of room within the greenhouse, correct?

"Well, yes. Even with equipment installed, there should still be space to grow a few different types of plants."

"Then, let's gradually increase the variety when the opportunity arises. Since we're already at it."

"Something easy to grow, even for a beginner, would be ideal. Also, keep in mind that there's no guarantee they'll be edible, so please keep that in mind now."

Also, in the empty spaces, we decided to grow several plants that could be considered spices or herbs, and later we planned to go buy seeds and seedlings.

Whether the plants grown in the Ether Space will be edible for ordinary humans, or even grow properly at all—well, that's part of the experiment.

No matter what the outcome, selling the experimental results to Seiryō Corporation should bring in enough revenue to recoup the costs.