Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: The Miracle Fertilizer Triumph
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Not content with just conjuring bread from the air, she perfected a fertilizer that made plants sprout instantly upon application.
Thanks to this, far more food reached the continent's countless starving masses.
Since locals could supply it simply by scattering the Miracle Fertilizer, costs for food transport naturally dropped in proportion.
Even perishable crops that spoiled quickly if stored long-term could now be grown on-site, filling the poor's mouths with even more abundant ingredients as a bonus.
"Truly... We are truly grateful, Priest."
"The great grace of the mage and Lord Igugwoden's love... We will never forget."
Reina Firenshia's status, who had turned this grand invention into reality, soared to the heavens.
At the same time, the fame of the Church that supported the research and the many mages who participated directly rose alongside hers.
For the time being, she had to pull all-nighters with Reina cranking out this 'Miracle Fertilizer' nonstop—but since mages tended to stake their lives on honor over profit, they produced ample quantities without complaint.
Money was nice, but above all, the prestigious title of 'the mage who made bread from air' sufficiently stroked their intellectual vanity. Young talents naturally flocked to learn magic under Reina, who had wrought this miracle.
Seizing the public's attention, she petitioned the Imperial Family directly to renovate the dilapidated facilities—repairing roofs and even building additional labs next door.
In short—
The Wood Magic Tower became the mecca for all mages, surpassing the once haughty Fire Magic Tower's support base by leaps and bounds to rocket into the largest Magic Tower at lightning speed.
And at its center stood Tower Master Reina Firenshia.
In an instant, she ascended to the continent's greatest mage.
But.
She had far too much work left to pop the celebratory champagne.
"I'm gonna die of exhaustion..."
"I know it's honorable work with proper pay, but at this rate, I'll drop dead."
Creating the 'Miracle Fertilizer' still required vast amounts of mana.
No matter how well Reina handled Plain Facts, managing that much mana meant cycling through mages nonstop.
In that situation, maintaining a two-shift system forever was practically impossible.
Many had joined the Wood Magic Tower, but few could collaborate with others using massive mana pools, making it tricky to expand teams further.
Moreover—
'Plain Facts are dwindling.'
Through the mana pathways lit by divine light, Reina instinctively sensed this immense power wouldn't last indefinitely.
'I need to refine it somehow.'
To reduce Plain Fact consumption, she could slightly lower the fertilizer's 'potency.'
She already had the formula, so it wasn't hard for her.
Even if plants didn't shoot up instantly, a world where fields could be sustained continuously would differ vastly from the past.
Besides, while making fertilizer was vital, this power could create far greater things.
To that end, conserving Plain Facts was crucial. There was no guarantee the gods would provide it again.
Thus—
The 'Miracle Fertilizer production' that had run mages 24/7 for three weeks finally wrapped up.
Excluding the week pure formula research and two weeks of field demos, they'd poured every hour into chugging potions and making only this, securing more than she'd expected.
'This amount should solve the immediate food crisis.'
Reina shouted to the dark-circled mages with a satisfied smile.
"You've all worked hard. If anyone wants to stay with the Wood Magic Tower, talk to Vice Tower Master Stella!"
"You've worked hard!"
"Finally back to my family after so long..."
"Hope this frees as many as possible from starvation fears."
"I'm heading to the cathedral starting today."
With about 60% of the remaining mages joining the Wood Magic Tower, the 'fertilizer expedition' disbanded at last—
And Reina returned to the Tower Master's quarters after a full three weeks away from her lab.
'Ughhh...'
After showering, Reina flung herself onto the bed.
Truly.
She never imagined bread from air was possible!
She'd known it was feasible since awakening to 'Plain Facts'—
But knowing and seeing it with her own eyes felt worlds apart.
Now, her name would live in history.
As the great archmage who freed people from hunger.
But Reina's ambitions lay beyond personal glory.
If that were all, she'd have joined the Fire Magic Tower.
She came to the Wood Magic Tower to explore mana in the most diverse ways.
She coveted the Tower Master's seat for the same reason—it allowed freer action across broader domains.
Lying on the bed, Reina spread her hand.
Then raised it high.
This Plain yet subtle divine Fact, intangible yet undeniably there...
The moment she caressed it, overwhelming drowsiness hit.
Probably from soaking in hot water, loosening her tension.
Even with potions, three weeks sleepless... Her body screamed in protest, words unspoken.
Plus, the drug-like high from her unsociable self's 'discovery excitement' had worn off.
'I lived too hard... Time to rest...'
Mumbling that, Reina finally fell into deep sleep.
She awoke precisely two days later, in the morning.
* * *
A few days later.
A soldier visited the Wood Magic Tower.
"Her Majesty the Empress has a message?!"
"Yes! To commend Reina Firenshia's efforts, she formally invites you to a luncheon."
Stella shook the stunned Reina beside her.
"Tower Master! This is great! It's your chance!"
"Chance?"
"You know!! We can't keep begging the Saintess forever!"
"...Ah!"
Reina nodded in understanding.
With the Empress present, she could push budget issues more aggressively.
She might even get approval on the spot. After all, it was the top decision-maker herself.
It'd also reframe the Wood Magic Tower's image.
The Empress treating its Tower Master would irk the Fire Magic Tower Master plenty.
Thinking that far, Reina replied to the soldier without hesitation.
"I'll prepare right away."
"Yes! We'll escort you once ready."
* * *
"Welcome, Reina Firenshia. This way, please."
Guided by an Imperial maid, Reina entered the Igugwoden Imperial Palace.
'Wow...'
It was said to be far more modest than before, yet the palace's opulent interior decorations still dazzled as she walked the red carpet to the luncheon hall—
There gleamed golden blonde hair like a ripe wheat field.
A strikingly beautiful woman with asymmetric hair and deep aquamarine eyes like the sea extended her hand.
"An honor to meet you, Reina Firenshia."
"I-I greet Your Majesty the Empress...!"
"No need for formalities. Sit wherever comfortable."
As Reina knelt on one knee in courtesy, Eirene waved it off and took her seat at the head.
Though called a luncheon, only Reina and Eirene were present.
Reina sat opposite, cautiously observing her.
'She's beautiful...'
Even meeting the Saintess, she'd thought her stunning...
But Eirene embodied feminine beauty incarnate, it seemed.
Snow-white skin peeking through golden locks, sea-deep eyes symbolizing the Imperial Family, and breasts so massive they threatened to burst her dress...
'Bigger than the Saintess's...?!"
If Erin evoked fresh youthful bloom, Eirene was deeply mature and ripened.
Above all, she had a motherly aura that would indulge any whim.
So many people in the world with huge chests...
"You've done so much, Reina. The lives your magic saved are beyond counting. You've achieved what the Imperial Family couldn't—you may even surpass me."
"No, Your Majesty. Without the Saintess and Your Majesty's support, and Lord Igugwoden's Plain Facts, it was impossible."
"Lord Igugwoden's will is vast, but we can't downplay the vessel that realizes it. I, as His proxy, will never forget your efforts."
Swallowing her thoughts as Eirene smiled kindly, Reina mused inwardly.
'She used to be so cold and fearsome... People do change.'
She'd never met her like this before—but from past Imperial decrees, her personality was clear.
'Just make potent potions. Ignore magic research ethics as needed.'
The Saintess appeared before results, derailing it all—no chance to breach ethics—but the Eirene before her seemed distant from that issuer.
Then.
"Your Majesty. Coming in."
With the voice, Imperial chefs filled the table.
The food wasn't overly lavish.
Her now-retired mentor once said old Imperial tables flaunted wealth with grotesquely spice-coated monstrosities—
None such here; instead, commoner fare elevated by masterful cooking dominated.
Though some dishes stood out.
"This is...?"
"You've heard of it? Chicken. Food from the gods."
Ah, the infamous fried chicken dish.
Rumors from cathedral free chicken handouts called it heavenly bliss.
No foodie herself, holed up in the tower slacking—she'd never tried it.
'Just crispy fried chicken anyway.'
Reaching casually for fork and knife—
"Heh heh... Reina, that's not how you eat it."
"Pardon...?"
Eirene smiled with utmost grace, then—
Grabbed it by hand... etiquette be damned, devouring it wildly.
Crunch!
"...!!"
"Ahh... The more I eat, the more divine love fills me—heavenly. Try it."
Reina gingerly picked it up by hand.
The piece... a leg?
Indeed, the end felt like a handle.
"Then, excuse me."
Reina took a bite.
—Crunch!
First, the aroma assaulted her.
A spice blend laser-focused on human appetite!
Then, hot juices soaked her palate and tongue.
Crispy batter's thrill harmonized with chewy meat.
For an ordinary person.
A normal one, 'delicious' would end it.
A sensitive palate might rave it's history's finest chicken.
But.
Reina, chosen by the gods.
Unlike Erin, mana-blocked and borrowing power, Reina fully embodied Plain Facts with her body, replicating 'divine artifacts' herself—
"...!!!!"
Chewing it to bits and swallowing—
Just eating revealed its essence.
What the gods thought creating it.
For a flash, she glimpsed 'the divine realm.'
Thus—
'This sensation...!!!'
Images flashed in Reina's mind.
Sauce. Thick, red sauce.
Powder. Golden sprinkle.
God's dish perfected in the divine realm.
And—
"—Cola!"
Eirene tilted her head at Reina's sudden mutter.
"Hm? What's that, Reina?"
"Cola... No cola, Your Majesty? This would be perfect with cola?"
"......???"
—Unconsciously, she uttered a word unknown even to herself.