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Volume 5 Chapter 11-1: Cannabis Cuisine

「So, the cannabis has been harvested. Then let’s head to Bell Erucy tomorrow. We have no time to lose.」

Though I wanted to relax a bit, every minute and second is precious right now. I want to quickly obtain the cannabis and start developing the drug. It will take time to produce and distribute the drugs.

「There’s no need for that, Cyril-sama,」

Johann, the kobold chief, stopped me while breathing raggedly. Then he waved towards the wagon, and the cargo bed opened, revealing a pile of harvested cannabis. It was lush green, with splendid flowers and fruits.

「This is the first batch. We’ve loaded as much as we could onto this high-speed carriage you gave us, Cyril-sama. More carriages are on their way. The rest will be delivered by them.」

「I’m grateful. This saves me the trouble of going there myself.」

With so little time left to maneuver, such consideration was truly appreciated. Among the five leaders of Bell Erucy, Johann of the Kobold tribe was perceptive and fiercely loyal to me. He was a man I could really rely on. When the time comes to welcome races other than elves and fire foxes to further expand Erucy, I would start by welcoming people from Bell Erucy. I was thinking of entrusting him with the selection of people for that.

「Then, we’ll start moving it in immediately. Please grant us permission to enter Erucy.」

「Count on it. Also, Johann. We’re having a feast tonight. Would you like to join us? Of course, we’ll provide lodging for everyone who came today.」

「Us too!? Is that really okay?」

「Of course. The efforts of Bell Erucy citizens in mining coal and cultivating cannabis have been a great help to us.」

 Bell Erucy had always been a great support to Erucy. They mined and transported coal, and they had successfully harvested the cannabis. We also received various information from the refugees who came to Bell Erucy, and it served as a bulwark against the Empire.

「Then, I’ll gladly accept your offer. A feast hosted by Cyril-sama, I’m looking forward to it!」

「Look forward to it. I’ll prepare delicacies that you can’t eat in Bell Erucy. …And, please keep it a secret, but I’ll also prepare some souvenirs. Please give them to your family.」

「My wife and children will be delighted!」

I shouldn’t favor one of the five leaders too much, but this much should be fine. After thanking Johann, the kobold chief, I asked Yukino to arrange his guide and lodging, then left with as much cannabis as I could carry.

I moved to the workshop. First, I separated the male and female cannabis plants. THC, the narcotic component, is almost absent in male plants. Only female plants would be used for drug production, while male plants would be used for food. It was easy to tell them apart; the female plants have white fuzz on their stems. I carefully sorted them out. After all, the male plants were a valuable food source for Erucy. It would be a problem if I accidentally mixed in female plants.

「Well, that’s the sorting done.」

I finally finished separating the male and female plants. It took quite a lot of time due to their large quantity.

「Maybe I’ll add one more dish to the feast.」

Since Johann would be there, I should let him taste a cannabis dish. We grew as much cannabis as possible in Bell Erucy’s vast farmlands. Erucy’s population alone couldn’t consume it all. Although the female plants were dangerous and needed to be carefully handled, the male plants should be utilized as an additional food source in Bell Erucy too.

However, it was clear that Bell Erucy’s citizens might be hesitant to use them as food, having never eaten them before. I should use this occasion to help them understand the deliciousness of cannabis cuisine here. Today’s feast was a great opportunity for both the people of Erucy and Bell Erucy to try cannabis dishes.

「Cyril-kun, are you there?」

I heard Kuu’s voice while preparing the food. I stood up and opened the door.

「Yeah, I am. Come in.」

Kuu entered the workshop a bit formally. She gently held her belly, all her actions showed concern for the child within her. I accompanied Kuu to where the cannabis flowers were.

「What brings you here today?」

「There’s no particular reason. I just wanted to have a relaxed chat with you. So I slipped away for a bit. Everyone is tired today, and with their minds on tonight’s feast, it was easy to get away.」

Kuu smiled and playfully stuck out her tongue. Come to think of it, I haven’t been able to spend time alone with her recently due to her attendants always being around.

「That’s right. I wanted to talk with you too.」

I pulled Kuu into an embrace and kissed her, deeply, with my tongue. Her fox ears stood straight up.

「What are you doing all of a sudden?」

Kuu blushed and protested when I released her from the kiss.

「I just felt like it. It’s been a while, so I couldn’t help wanting to kiss Kuu when I saw your face. Did you dislike it?」

「…I didn’t dislike it. I also wanted to kiss you.」

Kuu was so cute. I wanted to go further but held back. Kuu’s well-being was far more important than my own desires.

「Kuu, your belly has grown quite a bit, hasn’t it?」

「Yes. fire foxes have quick pregnancies. Also, recently, the children have started moving inside. I’m really looking forward to the birth now.」

「Yeah, I’m excited too. We need to make Erucy a peaceful country before these children are born.」

For that purpose, I would become a demon. I won’t let anyone take away the happiness I’ve finally grasped.

「Cyril-kun, have you decided on a name?」