Moving the Chicks
Two days later, Damian and Rosetta headed to the capital. I was glad we could send along souvenirs for Brother Chris and the others—three types of sweet buns (red bean, white bean, and matcha) and the petit wheat dishes.
The warm stones from the stone workshop had been returned in board form. Any pieces that couldn’t be made into boards were turned into gravel.
By calculation, there were enough stone boards for sixty people.
I set aside fifty for the new city and took the remaining ten, along with the oversized boards and gravel, to Varshe’s fortress.
This time, I also brought the Cocotte chicks.
All seven could eat on their own now, their bodies were covered in fluffy down, and I figured it was better to bring them before it got too cold.
When I handed the chicks over to the knights, Georges looked a little sad.
He’d taken care of them for almost two weeks, so he must have grown attached.
But it was only a fleeting expression, so I doubt many noticed.
At Varshe’s fortress, the hut was already completed, and the Dodorin tree was growing well.
Once I start watering with magic, it should bear fruit.
I also planned to take seeds from the large, volleyball-sized fruit to plant around the fortress.
I asked Meyer and Father about these big fruits, but none of them knew.
I wanted to know the name, but there’s no time to check in the library. Not having a name is genuinely inconvenient.
At the fortress, I first handed the chicks to the Bale family.
They were in straw baskets shaped to fit the carrying bag, which probably reduced the jostling a little.
I also gave them the incubator and hatching devices Maria had made.
I moved all seven chicks into the incubator, provided food and water, and completed the temporary living space until the hut’s interior was ready.
The Bale family seemed intrigued by the Cocotte chicks.
Bale’s younger sister especially looked like she wanted to touch them.
Well, with their down and resemblance to chicks, it’s easy to see why they’re adorable.
No one would guess these are the same Cocottes that can be aggressive.
Even if someone besides Bale takes care of them, I was a little worried if the young Cocottes would be okay.
The juveniles in the forest caves had been well-managed by their queen, so none had tried to jump on me.
I want them to handle raising them carefully, since there are things you only notice while actually raising them.
After explaining how to care for them, I checked the hut—it was completed.
Inside, it was divided into a quarter and three-quarters, with double-layered walls to prevent drafts, even in winter.
The quarter was for the chicks, and the three-quarters for the young Cocottes.
The floor had a hot spring flowing beneath it, filling the hut with steam.
I laid warm boards over the whole hut and covered them with soil.
Then, in the chicks’ quarter, I embedded warm stone boards about 70 cm high, leaving 20 cm from the walls as a border.
I didn’t cover the whole wall since the hot spring should keep the ground warm; this way, the boards can be removed and tested.
I also planted bamboo poles 50 cm from the center at each corner, covering them with cloth to make a slightly dim area.
Rosalina sewed cords to the four corners of the cloth so it could be tied to the bamboo and removed easily—for easier cleaning.
From there, the Bale family could make further improvements to suit their care needs.
Outside the hut, I planted seeds from the large, volleyball-sized fruit on either side of the Dodorin tree, five seeds at equal intervals.
After planting, I watered the Dodorin tree with magic, ending today’s work.
I stretched with my hands over my head. “Ah, we’re done.”
“Not yet,” Meyer quickly interrupted.
“What’s left? The main tasks are done, right?”
“What about the Dodorin tree we brought from the greenhouse?”
Ah, I’d forgotten.
The branches had been pruned once by Tom since it had grown too large, but the next day it had bounced back to its original size.
Since it takes up space inside the fortress, it will have to go outside.
I’d worked enough today and felt satisfied, so I decided to do it tomorrow.
The next day, I was outside with Bale.
The Dodorin tree would be planted on the forest side, away from the Cocotte hut.
Bale said he didn’t want anyone sneaking into the fortress by climbing the Dodorin tree.
He’d said it would be fine if Varshe could handle it, so I agreed.
Bale chuckled when I mentioned it.
At the planting site, I had Hamilton and Kamuela dig holes with earth magic.
They grumbled that I’ve been bossy lately, but I didn’t mind—more earth magic for me is fine.
With the holes ready, Meyer took the Dodorin tree from the magic bag and placed it in.
“This is a magnificent Dodorin tree. Did it come from the forest?”
“… Yes.”
I had to lie about the truth, but I agreed.
Meyer and the others suppressed laughter.
“It might be better to support the branches with stakes.”
“Up to you.”
This Dodorin tree would serve until the fortress Dodorin bears fruit.
Since there’s a chance it won’t bear in winter, it might be fine to harvest all the fruit that’s ready now.
“Are the chicks in the hut eating well?”
“Yes, they ate well this morning.”
The new environment seems fine for them.
I asked the observers in Sinana Village, who are helping with Pere’s care, to also record their observations before leaving.
What do you think about this chapter?
