episode_0017

“Alright, everyone, follow me!”

Five new human companions joined in.

Floren directly instructed the people to build their own houses.

Armed with swords and axes, they cut down trees, not monsters.

“We should also start building houses quickly. We can’t burden Lord Shinmok forever.”

The elves did the same.

Since they couldn’t keep sharing my house, they too chopped wood to construct their homes.

Interestingly, the elves cleanly cut the wood with mysterious power.

They call it Elemental Magic…

How do you even use such things?

Can I use them too?

However,

Even with such abilities, building a house in a day is difficult.

A little help is necessary.

“Everyone, take one each.”

“This is…”

I handed out separated stems to the elves.

Without further instructions, they skillfully proceeded on their own.

“Ahh!! In gratitude for Lord Shinmok’s grace, we shall build the most splendid house!!!”

Swoosh~

The elves are my avatars.

In other words, they can move the stems.

Thus, by directly providing nutrients or nurturing them well, they can turn them into houses.

That’s all there is to it.

Once the structure is set up, they can also decorate the interiors.

Chairs, beds, and various furniture can be easily crafted.

The elves inflated and shaped my stems, each creating their individual homes.

And then,

“What have I witnessed?…”

“The stems consuming trees and growing into enormous houses?”

“Is this an illusion…?”

They also built houses for humans.

Considering both men and women, two houses were built large enough to accommodate about ten people each, ensuring no shortage.

“Wow!! Master Muchan, you’re amazing!!!”

While at it, I also had Floren’s personal house built.

Since he would oversee the humans, it was only fitting to consider this.

Anyway,

Things went smoothly.

Humans were under Floren’s care.

Elves were under Illian’s.

Each fulfilled their roles faithfully.

Starting with small-scale farming, it would likely soon evolve into a village. With the family growing continuously, the territory would expand faster as well.

This way, the main body would also grow rapidly.

*

37th day in the Misty Forest.

Within a few days, the village began to take shape.

Several houses sprouted up.

Crops increased.

Elves and humans communicated, cooked, and ate together.

The scene gradually transformed into a village.

I watched over it peacefully from a corner of the house where I cared for Shaela, observing the scene through my main body’s eyes.

There was no need to go outside.

The village was no different from my body.

Moreover, if desired,

Shak~

By simply shifting my consciousness, I could inspect the perspectives of the elves from the first to the tenth.

While the elves had their own identities, they were also my avatars. It was a natural ability for me to observe them or merge with them as I pleased.

Like watching a documentary,

I observed the elves comfortably.

However,

“Ahh!! Lord Shinmok is watching over me!!!”

Just a brief glance, yet they blushed and raved.

*

“Ahh!! Lord Shinmok is watching over me!!!”

Ninth time.

Germeon.

Male.

Short gray hair is his distinctive feature.

He couldn’t contain his excitement.

It was because Muchan had merged with his body for the first time.

“Hehehe. Allow me to show off my skills!!”

Thud!

Crack!!

With a single leap, he crossed the farm, slashing his arms like swimming.

“Germeon Rain filled with love!!~”

Shalalak~

A green light emanated.

The plants grew about 0.3cm taller with that light.

“Next is my offspring!!”

Swoosh.

Tadadat!!

As Muchan turned his gaze elsewhere, Germeon headed towards another farm.

A farm where elves were gestating.

On a very thick stem, slightly larger fruits than pumpkins hung, but Germeon’s stem bore a whopping two fruits.

“Hu-hoot!! I may have created only one person, but I have produced two children!! I, the ninth, have achieved this!! I’m so proud of myself that I can’t help but hide my tears.”

Whispers as if appealing to someone.

Did my efforts pay off?

A single word from Muchan was heard.

[One correction. The second one should be 3.]

“Wha…what!?”

Shocked, Germion quickly turned his gaze. An elf woman, humming a tune in a corner, was seen caressing fruits.

Flowing silvery hair.

Gem-like green eyes.

Tinia.

Near her, bearing the second name, were three fruits.

“Oh my goodness!”

Germion despaired. Despite his efforts to impress Muchan, all he received was a bitter defeat.

However,

“No need to be disappointed. Your own is about to bear a third fruit.”

“Huh?”

Muchan’s sudden words.

Immediately lifting his head, Germion examined his own.

At the tip of the stem, a small precious fruit was forming.

The child imbued with Germion’s love.

“Oh, my adorable child~”

Witnessing this, Muchan discreetly left, and Germion, moved, caressed the fruit like Tinia.

It seemed as if the baby elf inside the fruit was smiling.

*

“Ugh… why isn’t it working for me?”

In front of the elf farm,

Floren looked on with jealousy at Tinia and Germion, as if touching their child.

She had also planted Muchan’s stem.

Her sincerity was evident as she checked daily, whispering love to the stem just like the elves did, but hers remained unchanged.

“Sigh…”

Sitting beside the stem, she gazed ruefully.

There was no sign of any fruit forming, as only the power of the tree elves could make it happen.

“Still, grow beautifully.”

Unaware of this, Floren reluctantly continued tending to the stem.

Perhaps touched by her efforts,

There was a group of elves secretly watching Floren.

Illyan and some elves conversed quietly.

“That person was the first human to worship the Divine Tree before me. I can’t just watch them struggle.”

“I feel their sincerity.”

“They must be a good person.”

“Let’s help them.”

And soon after,

Belatedly, small and radiant fruits formed.

*

43rd day in the Misty Forest.

Farm.

Elf-made elves were born.

A total of 14.

“Wow~”

“Praise the Divine Tree!!”

“Swoosh~ Hahaha.”

However, they were young.

The newly born ones appeared to be aged between 10 to 20.

Compared to the elves I created, they seemed weaker in strength and mentally immature.

Can these youngsters handle the tasks?

“Oh, these cute little things~”

On the other hand, Floren expressed joy, embracing the children one by one.

Then,

“Hehe. My child must be incredibly cute too, right?”

Her smile widened.

Perhaps due to her recent boasting about planting the elf fruit.

I know the truth.

That all the elves had secretly used their abilities bit by bit for Floren.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

It’s best to keep this a secret.

“Divine Tree. Good morning.”

Illyan approached her.

Curious, he casually asked a question.

“The newly born ones are so young. Is it okay to assign them tasks?”

“Do not worry. They are High Elves. Despite appearances, they will grow rapidly and serve the Divine Tree for you.”

“High Elves?”

“They were born through the grace of the Divine Tree and our care. While not as much as us, they can communicate directly with the Divine Tree.”

“So what kind of elves are you?”

“We are part of the Divine Tree. As mentioned before, please call us Tree Elves.”

“Divine… Tree….”

The title suddenly felt significant.

What’s up with that?

It sounds too grand.

As if becoming a tremendous being.

“Are the humans doing well?”

“Yes. The newcomers are following along nicely.”

Next to the farm.

A wooden house.

Humans are visible.

As they began to formally accept humans, 17 more joined within a week, making it 22 now.

When it came to housing issues, giving an elf a stem and telling them to build was done effortlessly.

However, there seemed to be dissatisfaction on the faces of the people…

“Are you sure they are following well?”

“…It seems like they are doing it reluctantly, but since no one has caused any problems yet and they seem to be completing their tasks, I think we need to observe them further.”

“Alright. Just handle it. I’m not really paying much attention to it anyway.”

“Yes.”

There shouldn’t be any major issues.

I don’t want to be kicked out.

As long as I gain my benefits.

“Later, investigate what they were doing in the tower and which world they came from.”

“I’ll look into it right away.”

“And if you see any humans acting suspiciously, deal with them yourself. I trust Floren to handle it well, but just in case.”

“Yes, leave it to me!”

The family is growing steadily.

A lively scene.

How will they change in the future?

After gazing for a moment, I returned home.

*

Before I knew it, the tree trunk had overturned the house.

Not only on top of the house but also extending several meters to the side, making it no longer look like a house from the outside.

How big is this tree trying to become?

So I moved the trunk to expand the house.

Swoosh!!

Rustling.

Might as well get rid of the house door.

The thickened tree trunk wall opened up a passage.

From the outside, it just looks like a giant growing tree, but once inside the passage, a normal house appears.

The passage can be opened and closed at any time.

It won’t be a problem to live here.

Moreover,

“Now it really feels like home.”

Despite the exterior, the interior is very cozy.

Bedroom.

Living room.

Ordinary rooms.

Dividing the space and setting up various furniture pieces like flower decorations and drawers sculpted from wood in the corners of the house, the elf did a great job decorating.

I made the right choice in creating the elf.

Quality of life has rapidly improved.

Who would have thought I’d get a more luxurious house in this forest than on Earth?

Nothing is lacking.

There’s even a cotton-filled white stem pillow and blanket on the exquisite wooden bed.

And on top of that…

“Uh… Ah… Uh….”

Shaela, who was whimpering, was there.

“Is this practice speaking?”

Her lips kept moving, as if she was practicing speaking.

In fact, it had been over a week since she started uttering sounds. Back then, it was just babbling, but now she had progressed enough to barely understand syllables.

With more practice, conversation might become possible.

“Mm… Le…”

However,

Why can’t she speak properly?

Wasn’t she good at speaking before?

Is it related to losing her senses?

They say that deaf people can’t speak because they can’t learn. Shaela already knows this; it’s a case where she can’t speak.

Then what could the problem be?

I observed Shaela quietly for a moment.

“Ah… Maa….”

She spoke each syllable with a slight tremor, squeezing out the words with force.

Shaela had died from having her throat cut.

Could it be that her vocal cords haven’t fully recovered?

Many thoughts raced through my mind.

Sight, smell, taste, and hearing are all in my head.

Feeding fruit or wrapping her in stems is not efficient as it’s not part of me, but in Shaela’s case, it wasn’t just a simple recovery but a resurrection.

Furthermore, the nutrients from the fruit were far from sufficient.

There could have been a poison or curse unknown to me.

There might be other reasons I’m unaware of.

Oh, I don’t know.

My head hurts.

Swish~

I approached Shaela.

Sitting beside her on the bed, she turned her head.

Eyes unable to see, I reached out towards where I presumed he would be.

Swoosh.

He grasped that hand.

As I gazed at him like that,

“Mu….”

“…?”

“Chan.”

“…Did you just call my name?”

Still lacking in hearing, he only tilted his head.

Seemingly confused about whether he had spoken correctly.

No, there’s no way for him to know if I am Mu Chan.

In that case,

Swoosh.

I drew an ‘O’ on the back of his hand.

Then, his lips curved up in a smile.

“Ye… ssi…….”

Suppressing his breath as he spoke seemed frustratingly cute.

A month after Shaela’s resurrection.

Slowly but surely, she seems to be regaining her senses.

If she continues to recover at this pace, she might regain all her senses within half a year.

But consistent stimulation is necessary.

To stimulate her…

“Shaela. Shall we go for a walk?”

Nothing out of the ordinary.

Walking.

Listening.

Eating.

Talking.

It’s a picnic.

Swoosh~

I rose from my seat.

Shaela held my hand and followed along.

This is our first proper outing together.