Stuff like this reminds me that I am in another world. While I recognize [Potato] and [Wheat], I had never heard of either of them growing this fast in my old world. Not that I can complain, this just helps further in my plans.

  But I never heard of [Red Meat Mushrooms]. This definitely didn’t exist in my old world. I mean the idea of a mushroom tasting like meat sounds ridiculous! Though based on the system’s description this is exactly the type of crop I need to help the gnolls! Definitely a big find!

  “These are interesting crops. I can definitely see [Potato Seed] and [Wheat Seed] as something the farmers would use. But where did you get these [Red Meat Mushrooms]?”

  In lieu of an answer, Zeph pointed behind towards my orc minions. All five of them smiled while waving, like kids expecting a reward for doing their chores.

  “We were exploring the caves and managed to find a lot of them boss. They were so good we almost ate them all.”

  Mordred interjected, “I stopped them before they could. I’m not sure how but I thought you’d find them useful boss”

  “Good job Mordred, I could always count on you.”

  My Minotaur blushed, happy to get my praise before pumping his fist in joy. “Always boss! ~”

  I gripped the bag of crops in my claw tightly, satisfied with the big beginning in my empire’s food production. “Veehahahahaha, I can’t wait to start. With this we are on track to secure our food supplies! ~”

  “Is that really going to help?” Katherine countered. “Even if you can get those gnolls to actually farm, it’s not like they will be able to succeed. After all, farming has always been difficult and at most we’ve only been able to produce enough food to barely feed ourselves.”

  “I’ve noticed that. A few times I’ve checked around Greyston and only found maybe two fields of crops. Why is that?”

  The priestess then began to explain. “To the best of my knowledge I have learned that it is hard to maintain a large enough field only to produce so little crops. It was deemed a waste so small fields we’re used instead.”

  “And is more than one crop used after each harvest? Do you use anything besides water to maintain them?” I asked, curious to see how she would answer.

  Instead, Katherine tilted her head in confusion. “…What do you mean? They’ve only ever used one crop for each soil. We’ve never seen much reason to change it.”

  “Ah and that’s the problem.” I expressed. She raised an eyebrow on that response.

  I then began to explain some of the basic information I learned from my old world. About the methods of crop rotation and the use of fertilizers. These were stuff that anyone who’s ever had an interest in farming and or those like me who thought it would be useful information for survival.

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  Katherine seemed intrigued if not a bit skeptical. “What an interesting theory. Though I have to wonder how a monster like you would even learn of this kind of knowledge when no book has even alluded to this ‘crop rotation’ method.”

  She then began to look at me suspiciously, her eyes squinting as I felt her intense stare like needles at my scaly skin.

  Crap seems I went a little too far in delving in my old world’s knowledge! I need to figure out a way to answer her without indicating about my origins quick! Even if I don’t care if anyone finds out it’s not like I can just go out and expect them to believe me!

  …. Well, Mordred might blindly believe me, and I can already imagine him already hyping it all up. And V would probably think it was cool too. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad to tell some of them in the future.

  But right now, I can’t take that risk. Especially with this naggy priestess here. The problem is, how should I go about this? I can’t just lie so carelessly with my followers watching us. I had to make it convincing enough that I had discovered it myself.

  Watching her glare, I decided to speak now before her suspicion grew. “I noticed that there was a lack of details on methods to improve the soils’ qualities, so I did some experimenting myself on my own free time.”

  She contemplated for a moment of my explanation before nodding. “I guess that makes sense, if that is true then you will be making history as a monster finding such a discovery. This would have to be reported back to the bishop when he comes by.”

  “Y-yeah, that makes sense.” I nervously said, unsure how this would affect things in the world.

  As I was finishing in getting pass this hurdle, Zeph walked up towards us. He was giving me a glance, with a knowing smile I’ve been growing used to seeing. I could tell that he didn’t buy that story one bit. Especially after what he said next.

  “Wow with how busy you’ve been bossman I’m amazed you found the time to make such a breakthrough!” He expressed, everyone but me clueless in his subtle jab at my lie. At least it looked like he won’t expose me for the time being at least so I can deal with that matter later.

  The rest of my followers meanwhile were conveying their amazement over my accomplishment. I would normally revel in it, but I was too anxious to enjoy it. Instead, I got us back in track.

  I lightly coughed to grab their attention and gave out my orders. “If we are done, there are much work to be done. We need to get started as soon as possible. I’ll need some of you to help me with carrying the equipment we need to the gnolls’ homebase. I’ll need a few of you to join me if you have the free time. The rest of you, return to your regular duties until I come back.”

  They nodded, understanding their assignments. As I expected, Mordred was the first to offer his help. Considering how busy I’ve been I haven’t been able to get my first henchman for personal assistance.

  It was decided that I would go with Mordred, a few goblins who seemed interested in farming, some wolves to help with travel, and of course our guest Katherine, who plans to continue to monitor me.

  We managed to find the gnolls’ homebase rather easily. It was deep in the forests between Greyston and Mivtic. The area was surrounded by trees with a large clearing that provided plenty of sunlight and space which made it perfect for fieldwork. They were next to several hollow caves that were large enough for groups of gnolls to sleep in which was indicated by the fur of some beast I don’t recognize laid out like bedrolls. There were scattered bones inside as well which would make great material for the fertilizers. There was one unused cave with plenty of room that would be perfect for the mushrooms to grow in.

  Overall, I could see the potential in this location for the crops to cultivate. Now I just need to start preparing the groundwork for them. I forged some basic farming tools like hoes, sickles, watering cans, and shovels using some extra [Iron] and [Wood] I brought with us. They look crude but should get the job done.

  I also noticed that there’s a pond not to far off from where they are. I experimented a little and created a waterway from it to bring it closer and created something similar to a makeshift well so they can more easily gather water both for drinking and watering their crops.

  With that everything should be ready to start. “Alright everyone I need you to start using these tools to prepare the fields. Mordred you can help by helping to clear some tress for us to give them more space to work with. Make sure not to have them crashing at our location, got it?”

  “Right away boss!” Mordred replied, flexing his arm to show off his muscles before grabbing his trusty ax and began swinging at the nearest trees I pointed at.

  I instructed my minions on how to use each tool, starting with tilling the soils to prepare the fields. It was hard work with even the goblins beginning to sweat. The wolves meanwhile decided since they couldn’t help with the work, they would go out hunting instead. All the while Katherine watched from a distance, trying her best not to show her bewilderment. She looked at each of the structures and tools I forged with amazement as well as how us ‘barbaric’ monsters were being productive.

  Once we were done everyone was panting for air, clearly exhausted from the hard work. I gave everyone a break while I proceeded to plant the crops, having the [Potato Seeds] and [Wheat Seeds] planted right next to each other. I’ll have to look for more types of seeds if I want to get a proper crop rotation going but for now this should suffice.

  Next was to water them. To speed up the process, I used my [Basic Elemental Magic] to create some water from my hands and throw them at the fields like water ballons. I had to use more mana to produce large amounts of water so by the time I was done I was lying on the ground with a massive headache.

  “…. yeah, won’t do that again…. I think I’m better off watering them by hand instead….” I managed to complain, exhaustion in my tone. “Mordred, I need you to carry me back after I finish planting these mushrooms.”

  Mordred gave me a thumbs up to express his acknowledgement over my orders. Instead of walking there myself, he carried me to the cave I indicated as I struggled to plant the mushrooms in a cool and damp part of cave.

  And with that all the preparations were finished. All we need to do now was wait and come back regularly to water them. “Alright we’re heading back!”

  Night was starting to settle in, and we were all tired. We made sure to rush back, I decided to continue to lay on Mordred shoulder instead which he never minds.

  “Is this really going to work?” Katherine voiced as she followed behind.