Christopher managed to convince his father that they were potential investors he had managed to attract before getting his permission to bring them around the fief. True to its reputation, the land in Shantire's fief made for great scenery and beautiful photographs. The hills rose in arches before diving into ravines, and the spiny trees painted the background with different textures.
"The Shantire fief is as beautiful as always," Samantha smiled. They had all changed into travelling attire, made up of practical shirts and long pants paired with boots.
In fact, the moment Libitina stepped onto the wet grounds of the fief, Willow and Tudor had gone bonkers in her mind.
"Master," Willow cried out, "the ground is so wet! It's mushy and gross but I like the mud! Let's play, let's play!"
"What cold wind, I feel the dancing wilderness of the forests, Master!" Tudor tweeted excitedly. "Master, let us go free later, I want to fly into the skies and taste the wet air with my tongue! Whooo!"
"Calm down, spoilt brats," Libitina had laughed. "Help me see if the soil is suitable for growing fungus."
"Fungus? Mushrooms? Master, I can sense a lot of fungus roots in the ground," Willow tilted her head. "Its everywhere and anywhere."
"I am also sensing the huge web of mycelia underground, Master," Tudor closed its large eyes and waved its ears around. "They are full of vitality. They are probably growing very happily underground and are very healthy!"
"Great! Thanks, Willow and Tudor!" Libitina cheered. "I'll let you guys out to roam around when no one strange is around."
"Beautiful, but not bountiful," Christopher sighed, unaware of Libitina's inner dialogue. "Nothing edible comes out of our land quickly enough. Lady Mer- I mean Lee, what do you think?" For safety's sake, Libitina took on the pseudonym of Lee while Sydney became Syder per usual.
"Yay, thanks, Master!" the two spirit animals hurrahed. She was still absentmindedly thinking of how to put the mushroom cultivation plans into action when Christopher asked her the question.
"What do I think?" Libitina said, pursing her lips. "It's full of decay with the abundant water. I smell rot everywhere."
"Lee!" Samantha nudged her in the ribs painfully.
"What?" Libitina looked at her questioningly. She finally noticed Christopher's crestfallen face before realising the misunderstanding. "Christopher, just because something is decaying does not mean it's not good. That goes for your fief, and for people in general."
"Huh?"
"I was thinking that your lands are moist, and the weather is suitable as well. You have abundant land that you can source for your spores, and the variety is almost unlimited as what we have observed on our tour. Those that you can't cultivate, you can just source from your hills, such as wild truffles. The return on investment is also fast, about a month or two. Most importantly, there is no competitor."
"Lee, what are you talking about?" Samantha asked in shock.
"Young Master Christopher," Libitina looked at the black-haired boy. "Are you interested in building a mushroom cultivation factory?"