A Certain Compiler’s Afterword

Thank you for picking up this book. Thanks to all of you, I was able to release the fourth volume of Fushi no Kami’s compiled version. In addition—as it was already announced on the bellyband for volume three—a manga version will come out soon. I would like to once again express my gratitude for everyone involved in the publishing of this work. Thank you all so much.

Now then, if my sightseeing report goes smoothly, this should be a real treat.

This time I’ve come to visit Adele, also known as the green city. Its main attraction is undoubtedly the vast green space that includes the former Ajole village. The green tract of land close to the city is home to the Ajole Agricultural Research Institute. Formerly, it was only a single division under the Territory Reform Promotion Office. Now it has become so big that it is not only flooded with training and research requests from research institutions and related organizations from many nations, but it’s also turned into a tourist attraction for people visiting Adele city. When I was at university, I remember my friend at the department of agriculture getting all excited about their seminar trip to the Ajole Agricultural Research Institute.

It is widely known that the agricultural divison’s origins lay with Ash’s experiments in a garden in the corner of the academy’s dormitory, but it should also be noted that it only became this big through the strenuous efforts of its first division chief, Mrs. Suiren.

The Agricultural Research Institute’s archive displays many thank-you letters sent to this sacred place from all over the world and from every time period. The tanned staff member who showed me around appeared very proud of that fact. He referred to the huge research institute as “our field.” According to him, “Our fields aren’t just in Adele city. All the agricultural organizations and businesses, all the agricultural students, all the individuals who trained here... Everyone who sympathizes with our ideals and owns land—their fields are also our fields.”

The numerous thank-you letters told stories of famine-stricken areas that had been saved by food aid from their fields. And they don’t just supply food, they also provide stored seeds and suggest suitable farming methods. This willingness to offer long-term assistance stems from the institute’s own beginnings. “Just like our founders were helped in getting back onto their feet, we help anyone who suffers from hunger,” the employee proudly proclaimed.

Apparently, the employee’s home area also benefited from their fields in the past. “There are many people in my hometown that feel indebted to our fields. Those who have gone on to become successful, like company presidents, donate every year through the Renge Foundation. Although they personally call it “tax planning,” he told me.

That’s another famous name he mentioned there! The foundation is said to originate from Mrs. Renge’s efforts to organize the various donations from influential people—such as local aristocrats or the Quid company—during her time at the Territory Reform Promotion Office. It appears that even now the two best friends continue to support each other.

“Now, don’t just stare at the documents here. You’ve got to make sure you cover the most important things too,” the employee lectured me as he showed me the way from the laboratory to the staff cafeteria. “All the vegetables here come from our fields. Eat to your heart’s content!”

—Written while eating a large, multicolored assortment of vegetables.