Chapter 16: The Wormgrass

Russell worked tirelessly until nightfall, finally measuring the approximate area of the Magic Herb Village. After all, a single Sprite Grub could only affect 150 acres of magic herbs, so the size of the Magic Herb Village was quite small, only 500 acres.

For the short term, 500 acres would be enough. Russell didn’t think he would have any other means of obtaining new sprite grubs, as they were extremely rare.

The reason why the nobles had a steady supply of sprite grubs was due to the long-term cultivation of magic herbs, which had a small chance of re-creating new sprite grubs. Although there was a possibility of sprite grubs being born in the wild, it was almost negligible.

Within the 10-20 year lifespan of a Sprite Grub, it was considered very fortunate if it could cultivate another Sprite Grub. As for the Sprite Grub evolving into a mushroom bird or a fairy, the odds were equally minuscule.

Fortunately, fairies often lived for more than 50 years, and even 100 years was not uncommon. Such a long lifespan was enough to cultivate many sprite grubs for the family, and one of them might get lucky and evolve, continuing to ensure the supply of magic herbs for the family.

“I hope my mushroom bug and sprite grubs work hard to cultivate magic herbs and quickly produce successor sprite grubs…” 

Steward Morris handed over the jade box containing the sprite grubs.

Russell took it casually.

Inside were three lazy, fat worms. These worms had vibrant patterns and a smooth, jade-like texture, which made them seem adorable rather than disgusting.

“Mushroom bug, little guy, you go first and settle in.” Russell extended his hand, and the Fluorescent Mushroom Bug, with its greenish pattern, obediently crawled onto his palm.

These sprite grubs had already formed a contract with Russell, making them mentally connected and able to be simply commanded by him.

“Wow, what a beautiful and amazing little creature,” Charles marveled beside him. “It’s truly hard to imagine that it’s these creatures that create magic herbs and materials, adding infinite beauty to our lives.”

Walking to the largest and thickest birch tree, Russell placed the fluorescent mushroom bug on the trunk.

Seemingly understanding that it had found its new home, the fluorescent mushroom bug crawled on the trunk a few times and eagerly opened its tiny mouth, spitting out a small seed. If one did not look closely, the seed would be almost invisible.

The seed landed on the birch trunk.

In an instant, a cluster of green mushrooms sprouted, visible to the naked eye. The delicate stems and flat caps made them look extremely charming. The cluster of fluorescent mushrooms had about seven to eight fruiting bodies arranged in a ring, resembling a large green flower.

These mushrooms glowed green at night, like a ghostly fire. Some people called them ant streetlights.

However, the wormgrass was much larger than the ordinary fluorescent mushroom. The one on the birch tree was as big as a sink.

“Good job, little guy.” Seeing the wormgrass settle down, Russell picked up the mushroom bug and placed it back into the jade box-when the wormgrass is attacked, it would condense into a seed and then revert to magic power, returning to the mushroom bug’s body.

Protecting the mushroom bug was tantamount to protecting the wormgrass.

“Rudy,” Russell turned and looked at an elderly man among the serfs, “you have been planting fluorescent mushrooms for my father for a long time. Now I am appointing you village chief of Magic Herb Village, responsible for managing the serfs and growing the Fluorescent Mushrooms.”

Rudy was a serf technician given to Russell by the Baron. Calling him a technician was a bit of a stretch; he was just a serf who knew how to plant magic herbs.

Hearing this, Rudy was overjoyed. “Lord, you can rest assured. Red Nose Rudy will grow the best fluorescent mushrooms for you!”

After appointing the Village Chief of Magic Herb Village, Russell wasted no time in rushing to another measured field.

The field was planted with wheat, but that didn’t stop Russell from requisitioning it and converting it into a rainflower magic herb field. He planted a rainflower wormgrass with blue bird-like flowers in the wheat field. “Starting tomorrow, Old Hans, Rudy, you must arrange for new serfs to come to the Magic Herb Village, harvest the wheat, and under the guidance of these technicians, plant Rainflower on 150 acres of land.”

The young wheat seedlings wouldn’t be wasted. After harvesting, they could be used as green fodder to feed cattle and sheep.

The Black Waist Snake Estate didn’t raise cattle or sheep; the previous alfalfa village was responsible for growing fodder, which was then transported to other estates along with livestock.

Now, there was no need to transport it elsewhere. Russell planned to raise some cattle and sheep in the future.

For now, the alfalfa would be used to feed the war horses.

A short time later, in another field across the river, Russell planted the third dill wormgrass, officially completing the wormgrass planting.

By now, it was completely dark.

Russell didn’t have the heart to let Old Hans and the other serfs return to their homes to eat. Instead, he specially instructed the kitchen of the estate annex to make more bread.

Of course, the fine white bread made from refined wheat flour was out of the question.

Steward Morris could only give each serf a piece of hard, dense black bread made from a mixture of wheat bran, barley flour, bean flour, and grass seeds, with a rough and slightly sour taste.

“Praise the Lord, you are as generous as a dragon!” Old Hans grinned broadly when he received a piece of black bread the size of a hollow brick.

Unlike the soft white bread, the black bread was very dense. One piece was enough for his entire family to have a dinner.

The serfs expressed their gratitude and left the outhouse, munching on the black bread.

Russell, along with Charles and Eric, went to the upstairs dining room to enjoy a dinner of beer and roast meat.

As for his four armored knights, they were currently stationed in the Magic Herb Village, each guarding a wormgrass. The newly planted wormgrass was in dire need of nutrients. If they were attacked or eaten, it would severely damage the wormgrass, significantly affecting the growth of the magic herbs.

“Morris, send more roast meat to John and the others,” Russell instructed.

“As you wish, Lord,” Morris acknowledged the order and quickly went to the kitchen to relay Russell’s instructions.

“Oh, my goodness!” exclaimed Mrs. Moore, the cook, her apron tied and sleeves rolled up. “The lord is truly generous, giving out bread and roast meat… the serfs on the estate are so fortunate, they may not meet a lord like this in several lifetimes!”

As she spoke, she shouted to Barbara, the kitchen maid who was washing pots, “Silly girl, how many times do I have to tell you to check the roasting oven!”

“It’s still roasting, it’s not time yet, Mrs. Moore,” Barbara replied.

“Heaven forbid, I ask you to check the oven and you learn to talk back to me!” Mrs. Moore fumed, placing her hands on her hips. “It’s bad enough to see sacks of flour turned into bread and distributed to those smelly serfs, and now you have to upset me!”

Barbara, helpless, quickly wiped her hands and rushed to the roasting oven, “I’m checking it, Mrs. Moore.”

Mrs. Moore paced a few steps and called out, “Mrs. Brown, did you bring the cheese? I have to make a dessert for the master!”

“Coming, coming,” Mrs. Brown ran over.

“Sorry, I have too much to do,” Mrs. Moore’s tone softened and she put on a smile. “I can only ask you to do the work.”

Mrs. Brown said hastily, “You must be kidding, Steward Morris has assigned me to help in the kitchen, so just treat me as a kitchen maid and use me as you see fit.”

Mrs. Moore, stirring the cheese, said, “You and Mr. Brown used to stay alone in the estate annex, it must have been quiet and easy, but now that the Lord is here, the annex is lively, but the work never ends.”

“Before, we still had to clean the whole annex, and we didn’t dare to slack off. Now, with more people around, there are more conversations, which is better than before,” Mrs. Brown took over Barbara’s work, putting on gloves and preparing to wash the pots. Before touching the water, she quickly placed her hands under her chin and prayed, “Praise the Lord!”