As my oasis expanded, two fruit-bearing plants appeared in it as well, and they're served on a wooden plate in front of me now.
"Why melons and pumpkins?"
Those two are not particularly to my liking, so I'm a bit dissapointed. Personally, I would have preferred to have apple or grape trees instead. Either way, they're the first fruits to naturally appear in the oasis, so they're special in a way.
"These ones are as tasty as those you create with magic," Ragna said.
Hearing his opinion of the two fruits, I decided to take a bite of them too.
"Not bad."
Both were rich and sweet. They're clearly of top quality. They only taste ever so slightly different from the ones in my previous world.
"But as long as I can recreate them, they're pretty much useless."
"No, we'll have a use for them. We can't just always rely on you for food. So please, let us grow them."
"Do whatever you want," I said, giving him permission.
He's right. It would be troublesome if Ragna and the others keep relying on me for food even in the future. I don't want them to become like baby chicks, always waiting for the worm.
This is a good opportunity for them to find a way to have their own reliable source of food.
I would've given them the seeds of more fruits and crops, but unfortunately, the seeds of any thing I create with magic won't grow. No, more clearly, they fail to grow. The soil I plant them in is simply not suitable for any of them.
"We'll take care of them, Lady Rhea!"
Listening to the conversation, all the other lion men cheered. They've actually been present from the start. They're also the ones who gathered and served the melons and pumpkins, planning to make them their dinner, along with the fish in my pond.
Right now, we're on the flat area where they would move in. Three large huts had already been built to serve as their homes. All we're setting up now is the center of the base with a circle of sturdy stones. It's where they'll repeatedly put up a campfire for cooking and as a source of heat for cold nights.
"Will you be comfortable living here from now on?" including Ragna, I asked all the seven lion men and women.
"Yes. We honestly can't thank you enough for allowing us here."
"Just the air around here feels way better than outside."
"The heat of the sun don't get here either."
"Not to mention, we get to eat and drink to our hearts' content."
They all give their praises to me and the oasis.
"It's paradise. Frankly, I feel bad for the ones outside," Ragna lastly said.
Ragna had given me plenty of information about the desert lands. There are apparently many races out there that group up and form tribes. There are also vagabonds and bandits who travel alone. And every last one of them are fighting to survive.
Understanding how rough this world is, I'm glad I met the lion men first.
In reality, they could've easily killed me and take my oasis as their territory on our first meeting. But they didn't do that, and they negotiated. And now they're acting as my protectors.
I wanted to thank them, but after acting all high and mighty in front of them all this time, I just couldn't.