Volume 7, Chapter 5: Individual Differences and Speculation (2/2)
When locusts cause damage, their bodies undergo morphological transformations. Locusts flying in from distant places had developed lighter wings.
“I thought so–. Then, how much distance do these locusts cover when they fly?”
“….” It was outside of Maomao’s field of expertise. Yao and En’en also joined the discussion, tilting their heads.
“They can’t fly that far, right? It would be a few ri at most. They’re insects,” Yao said.
Rahan continued on with a nod. “Interestingly, there has been no locust damage in the vicinity of the village with the outbreak. With such a large number of locusts, they’d need a place to eat and grow.”
However, the villages in the vicinity did not suffer locust outbreaks.
Rahan took out a map from his breast pocket. It was a large, complete map of Rii. “Just then, you claimed they can only fly a few ri, because they’re insects, right?”
“Yes. Even a couple of ri is a generous estimate.”
“However.” Rahan took out a cord and set it on the map. It seemed that he didn’t want to draw on the map directly, so he used a cord to produce a line. It was placed diagonally from the northwest, extending to the region of the village. “This is the direction of the seasonal wind.”
“Are you saying that they rode the winds?”
“I guess so. In that case, not just a few ri, even dozens of ri is not out of the question.” This time he placed a Go stone on the map.
“What does this Go stone represent?” En’en pointed to the white stone.
“The area with locust damage. Using this as the relay point, would it be fair to assume that the locusts travelled from further northwest?”
“It’s in the direction of Hoku’aren.”
“…” Uneasy sweating ensued.
Merely speaking logically, Yao had not realised the implications of her words. What Rahan was suggesting was a few steps ahead, in the future. En’en seemed to understand, but she had no plans to meddle, choosing to earnestly adore her young lady.
Rahan bundled up the papers with the collection of numbers. “For the most part, with this many, it shouldn’t pose as an issue. I’ll take over and arrange for someone else to deal with it in your place.”
“…you should’ve said so earlier,” Maomao grumbled.
Rahan waggled his index finger. “You can collect figures, however, if they’re not exact, you’ll lose sight of what’s apparent. You have to make accurate measurements from the start.”
She understood what he was trying to say. He probably already obtained the useful numbers.
With that, Rahan made to head back, so Maomao grabbed onto his sleeves. “You haven’t forgotten, right?”
“Ooh, that’s right.” Rahan took out a package theatrically. There was a single root vegetable in it.
“!!” Maomao found herself sniffing the air.
“Then, I’ll be heading back.”
Once she received it, her business with Rahan was settled.
“What’s that? A carrot?” Yao closed in for a peek.
“It’s certainly a carrot, but that is…”
Apparently, En’en knew what it was.
However, Maomao could only stare intently at the carrot. “Ffufufufufufufufufu”
“W-what’s wrong?”
“Ufufufufufufufufufu”
“En’en, Maomao is kinda weird!”
“Milady. Maomao is normally weird.”
Their words went in one ear and out the other. It wasn’t anything important compared to what’s in front of her.
“Fufufufufufufufufufu”
“It’s indeed strange! That thing you received, isn’t it some kind of strange medicine!”
“Milady, it’s okay. It’s medicine, but it’s not anything strange.”
Maomao raised the package of carrot high into the air and twirled around. “It’s ginseng—“
Ginseng.
Despite being called ginseng, it wasn’t mere ginseng. Medical ginseng, from ages past, cannot be cultivated and can only grow and be found in the wild. It is also known as bangchui(棒槌).
Red ginseng that has been steamed and dried with the peel intact. Something of this size was certainly a high-class item.
In a room filled with dead insects, under the scrutiny of a flustered Yao and a calm En’en, Maomao danced her happy dance for the first time in a while.