Chapter 104 — Three Soils, One Understanding
S.C. 1511 — Early January
Foosha Village — Underground Lab (Main Table)
The underground lab was quiet but warm, lantern light flickering softly across Ren's work table.
On top of that table sat three small clay bowls—simple, ordinary, but carrying pieces of three different worlds he was slowly tying together.
Ren placed a fresh parchment sheet in front of him, dipped his charcoal pencil in ink, and whispered:
"Let's understand what lies beneath our feet."
Zemo jumped onto the stool beside him and sat stiffly, trying—failing—to look serious as his sweeping tail made little dust clouds behind him.
Ren pretended not to smile.
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Step 1 — Feeling the Soil
Ren touched Bowl A first.
Foosha Village Soil — Familiar and Gentle
Warm.
Loose.
Grainy.
Full of tiny roots and compost.
"So breathable… but not much strength," Ren murmured.
He moved to Bowl B next.
Forest Mineral Soil — Deep and Ancient
Cool.
Heavy.
Rich dark color.
Left a faint brown stain on his fingertips.
"It's packed with minerals. Stronger… slower… steadier."
Zemo sniffed it and instantly sneezed.
Ren chuckled.
"Yeah, you've made your opinion clear."
Then came Bowl C.
Island Cliff Soil — Odd but Perfect
Coarse.
Light.
Mixed with crushed coral and shell dust.
A pale, sandy grey.
Ren pinched a handful, rolling it between his fingers.
"This one… is surprisingly nutrient-dense despite its look. Strange but promising."
Zemo nodded like he had discovered it personally.
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Step 2 — Water Test
Ren poured a measured cup of water into each bowl.
Foosha Soil
The water vanished almost instantly.
"Fast drainage… like the soil refuses to hold anything."
Forest Soil
The water spread slowly, soaking deeper.
"A strong drinker. Holds every drop."
Island Soil
Water lingered on top, then gently seeped through.
"Balanced… like it knows exactly how much to keep."
Zemo barked as if impressed by the island's intelligence.
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Step 3 — Nutrient Test
Ren placed a smear of each soil on a clay tile, then pressed a charcoal stick into each smear.
Foosha Soil → Light mark
Forest Soil → Very dark mark
Island Soil → Medium-dark, dense
Ren's eyes gleamed.
"So the island sits right between village and forest nutrition… the best of both worlds."
Zemo puffed himself up like he contributed to this finding.
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Step 4 — Root Simulation
Ren took a piece of yarn and dragged it through each bowl to mimic how roots behave.
Foosha Soil
Roots slipped through effortlessly.
"Great start for seedlings."
Forest Soil
Roots pushed slower but locked in deep.
"Great anchor… but hardworking."
Island Soil
Roots glided easily then clicked into place once deeper.
"…Perfect for long-term growth."
Zemo looked smug.
Ren patted his head.
"Yes, yes, your island is amazing."
---
Step 5 — Pulling Everything Together
Ren arranged the bowls in a triangle and wrote notes around them:
Foosha Soil — "Soft & Breathable"
Fast drainage
Low nutrients
Easy root spread
Good for sprouting
Weak for long-term crops
Forest Soil — "Rich & Demanding"
High nutrition
Slow water movement
Deep root anchoring
Great for herbs
Requires careful water control
Island Soil — "Balanced & Reliable"
Moderate-high nutrients
Steady water retention
Excellent for sturdy crops
Ideal for hidden or long-term farming
Best for self-sustaining fields
Ren leaned back.
"The island is perfect for agriculture… not too rich, not too weak… just stable."
Zemo wagged his tail—hard—like the island's official representative.
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Step 6 — Soil Triangle Map
Ren sketched a triangle on parchment:
Forest Soil
(High Nutrients)
/ \
/ \
Island Soil — Foosha Soil
(Balanced) (Breathable)
He shaded each point lightly.
The island sat right in the middle.
Balanced.
Stable.
Dependable.
Just like the base Ren wanted to build.
---
Step 7 — Decision for Field Trials
Ren wrote:
Next Steps — Field Test (Small Scale)
□ 5×5 meter patch on island
□ Plant multiple edible crops
□ Minimal extract use to avoid suspicion
□ Observe for 30 days
□ Compare yield and soil health
And beneath it, he underlined:
Everything must remain discreet.
Zemo curled beside him, finally tired, drifting into a soft nap.
---
Ren cleaned the table, stored the bowls on Shelf 2, blew out the lantern, and whispered to himself as he headed toward the tunnel:
"Understanding the earth means understanding the future we're building."
He glanced down at Zemo.
"And now… we finally know where our crops will grow."
Zemo flicked his tail in sleepy approval.
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End of Chapter 104