Chapter 13

As Yuto focuses his energy on the farm and the mines, Jennifer spends the next few weeks at the library doing research on the blueprints they found in the bottom of the lake mine. She uses any clues she can find such as comparing pictures and illustrations between books. Over time, she learns that the greenhouse in the plans should be made of adamantite from the spring mines, and a mixture of gemstones from the lake mines. She learns that this will make the greenhouse more resilient to damage from severe weather, while making a complex network for energy traveling around the building. Because of this, she encourages Yuto to gather as much adamantite and a collection of gemstones from both mines.

After weeks of research, Jennifer also discovers that the plans call for some rare stones called the seasonal suns. The podium in the greenhouse is a strange device that can change he season in the greenhouse, and the seasonal suns are used to power the whole building. The podium is far too complex for Gotts to build, but not Saibara who has experience in building machines. Because of this, she hires Saibara to help Gotts build the greenhouse. Hiring them to build an advanced greenhouse will be expensive, but Yuto and Jennifer feels that the income they will get will make up the cost.

The last piece of the greenhouse is one of the seasonal suns. Jennifer takes time to translate the ancient language, then learns that they all can be made at home with a series of difficult to acquire ingredients. Each sun represents a different season, spring, summer, fall, and winter. Why would anyone want to use a winter sun is something she will never understand. Each sun requires a very different set of ingredients to create it.

Yuto and Jennifer decide to craft a summer sun. Of all the crops they can grow, pineapples is the most profitable. The ingredients are also things that they can fish for in the ocean, so it is very convenient for them. They already have some of the ingredients in the house, they just need to spend a bit of time fishing to gather the rest.

After Yuto is done with his farm work, he joins Jennifer in a fishing trip at the ocean. She would read a set of ingredients that they need, then set a goal to catch that specific type of fish. As they fish, Yuto gets a strong pull on his line. Jennifer helps him reel it in, and they find a huge squid. As the squid struggles to escape, it spits out a piece of the Jewel of Truth from it’s beak. They happily release the squid, then cheer as they have yet another piece of the jewel.

As the winter days pass by one by one, Gotts and Saibara continues to build the Greenhouse. As Gotts builds the adamantite metal frame, Saibara is smelting the gemstone into panels while working on the podium. As Jennifer manages the construction of the greenhouse, Yuto continues to do the farming and the mining. By the last few days of Winter, the greenhouse is completed.

The greenhouse is located between the house and the chicken coop. Gotts had to clear out a few fruit bearing trees to make room, but it is worth the investment. Yuto and Jennifer gaze in awe as they look at the new building in the farm. The crystal panels shine a vivid rainbow shimmer, while the metal frame has a maroon tint to it.

“Pretty good eh? I’d say this is my greatest masterpiece!” bragged Gotts. Yuto and Jennifer nods in agreement, then thanks him for his hard work. Gotts then pulls out a stone from his pocket saying, “I found this while digging the foundation of the greenhouse. It looks important, but I have no idea what it is. I’ll let you have it.” Gotts gives Yuto the stone, he then quickly realizes that it’s another piece of the Jewel of Truth. Yuto looks at Jennifer, then cheer knowing that they have found the fifth piece of the Jewel of Truth.

Inside of the farm house, Jennifer examines all the pieces they have collected so far. The first was found at the stable. They bought the second one from Huang once they could afford it. They found one at the bottom of the spring mines. They got the next one after a squid spit it out from the ocean. And the last one was buried in the farm discovered by Gotts. They know that Mayor Thomas has one as a prize for the spring or fall derby. They can only imagine where are the last three are hidden.

The day after the greenhouse was completed, Jennifer finishes crafting the summer sun. They both enter the winter cold greenhouse, then places the stone on the podium. Nothing happens at first, so they decide to give it some time. The next morning, the stone begins to float over the podium while the inside of the greenhouse becomes as hot as a summer day. Seeing that their plan was a success, they start planting some pineapple seeds they bought from Huang.

On the last day of winter, Yuto walks out of his house to greet the day. The snow is melting, the grass is beginning to grow, and the days are getting warmer. He takes in the slightly chilly air, knowing that starting tomorrow he will go back to planting turnips, potatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, and strawberries once again. He received so much experience from the year before, he’ll have no problems planting crops with his mithril tools this year.

Since it is the last day of the year, Yuto and Jennifer decides to celebrate by meeting each other at the peak of Moon Mountain to ring in the new year and watch the first sun rise. At the peak, they wait for midnight to hear the church bells ring at midnight. They both recall all the memories they’ve made since they’ve met last spring. They were so busy, that they never made friends with the other residents of Mineral town. But since they’ve worked so hard all year together, they were never alone.

“You really love this town, do you?” asked Jennifer.

Yuto takes a deep breath, then smiles happily. “I had so many great memories when I was a kid. Everyone was so social and helpful around here. Back in the city, everyone was too busy to worry about one another.”

She looks at Yuto in awe as he stares down at the town. She then asks, “so, what are your plans once we save Mineral Town from Joja?”

He thinks hard about his answer, then says, “I think I’m going to spend more time with the other people who live here. I mean, I’ve missed so many festivals working hard morning, noon, to night. Until we can save it, I’m going to have to keep missing them. I only hope that the people will appreciate all our work we’re putting in for them.”

“It’s hard to notice, but I feel that they do. When I go to the shop and speak to the others, they say so many great things about you and the farm. They want to help, but they don’t know how,” replied Jennifer.

Yuto looks back at Jennifer, then asks, “what about you? What do you plan to do once we save this place? Do you plan on settling here?”

Jennifer sighs deeply, then answers, “I am not sure. I am only here because the goddess has lead me here. What I do know for sure is that I care deeply for this place. I may not have been here long, but I love the natural beauty and mystical energy of Mineral Town.”

He then looks away blushing as he dares himself to ask, “have you ever thought about being in a relationship? You know. . . Meet someone, settle down, start a new life?”

Jennifer giggles as she blushes, “I do. I wish to meet someone who will appreciate nature as I do. I can only hope that the goddess will bless me with someone I can share my life with someday.”

Yuto smiles. He hopes that the person who she dreams about would be him someday. He wants to tell her how he feels, reach out and touch her hand. As he fantasizes about a life with her, he also feels that now is not the time. Their focus should be on saving the town from destruction, not in a relationship just yet.

A few hours later, the radiant first sun of spring raises from the horizon. The warm sunlight blesses the town with it’s warmth to melt the rest of the snow. Yuto and Jennifer gasps as they see the sunlight sparkles from the drops on the tree leaves. It’s a new year, but they only have two more left to go. They can only imagine what types of memories they will make this year.

Jennifer turns to Yuto, then says, “I have a gift for you. I hope you will accept it.” She then reaches in her bag, then pulls out a potpourri to give to Yuto. As he accepts the gift, she blushes once again, then continues, “I’ve combined a blend of chamomile, lavender, and mint to aid in your sleep. We will be working harder the next couple of years, so I hope this will help you rest.”

“Thank you, I’ll treasure it,” said Yuto. They then continue to look at the rising sun before heading back to the farm. They have a lot more work to do, but they look forward to the future.