episode_0020

46th day in the Misty Forest.

“Great one!!”

“Ah~ Thank you for accepting us.”

“We feel the embrace of the divine. This is surely our paradise.”

Outside the house, such voices could be heard.

Upon closer inspection, three ordinary elves brought by Tinia were freely praying in front of the house.

Currently, my house is gradually turning into a giant tree.

Perhaps that’s why they revered my house as a sacred and great tree.

They mentioned that their great leader had died and gone to the tower to seek a successor, and they seemed to have found me as the replacement.

Not that it matters….

It’s annoying.

I summoned the tenth elf of the tree.

[Elysion.]

[Gasp! Lord of the tree. Did you call for me?]

[A few elves who came recently keep bothering me in front of my house. Tell them to stop.]

[Yes, understood!!]

Not long after, a blonde elf appeared.

“You guys! The Lord of the tree is annoyed. Come here quickly!”

“Oops, we’re sorry!!”

“We’re just so happy.”

“Sorry, sorry. We’re sorry!!!”

Elysion led them away.

They probably won’t bother me anymore.

Therefore, I focused again.

I am currently training my main body’s senses.

As the area expands and the main body grows, the senses have been renewed.

Specifically, a deep connection with the separated stems.

Originally, the separated stems could only move with willpower, but now I can move them directly when I concentrate.

Much more precisely.

Much faster.

And if I want, I can even check the view of the separated stems.

In other words, I can move like a clone.

It just requires a lot of concentration.

Therefore, I focused on my main body and felt all the stems.

A radius of 200m connected to the main body.

The entire village’s view is clearly visible.

It’s no different from my body, so it shouldn’t be difficult.

This time, I focused on feeling the separated stems much further away.

300m.

400m.

500m.

The farther the distance, the more concentration is required.

This should be manageable as the main body grows.

It was quite a fascinating sensation to feel the situation of the surrounding forest.

600m.

700m.

800m.

The limit is approaching.

It’s difficult to survey all the areas.

Therefore, I narrowed down the range in a fan shape to focus on further areas.

900m.

1km.

I reached the end of the area.

However, it requires a lot of concentration to focus on other areas.

Nevertheless, it is a remarkable achievement.

I can survey a radius of 1km and control the stems.

And above all….

“I, crave for alcohol.”

A presence was captured through the view of the stems.

A short, muscular man.

He looked like a small human, but he was sitting on a fallen monster in a way that didn’t seem quite human.

A heavy-looking giant hammer.

A powerful energy flowing through his body.

He definitely wasn’t an ordinary guy.

But he seemed more like a guy who enjoys alcohol rather than a slave hunter.

“There’s plenty of meat, but without alcohol, I can’t muster any strength. Ugh~ Geez. I drank for nothing and mixed up the delivery items. What a hassle.”

Muttering to himself.

I roughly understood the situation from his muttering. He seems like a quirky guy who made a mistake and got discarded after drinking.

And….

Although I was hesitant, he wasn’t human.

Through the senses of the plants, I could sense that he was a different species of human.

What could his true identity be?

That’s what I need to find out now.

Swoosh!~

“Hmm?”

I created a human-shaped stem and spoke to him.

“Hey. Who are you?”

“Huh? A plant that can talk even though I haven’t had any alcohol?”

“You don’t seem human, what species are you?”

“Oh, really talking, huh? Quite an interesting fellow. What’s your identity?”

I thought I would be on guard, but it was surprisingly peaceful. However, full of curiosity, I responded to questions with more questions.

I introduced myself first.

“As you can see, I’m a plant. My name is Muchan. Who are you?”

“Oh, interesting. Encountering a talking plant is surprising enough, but asking about my species. Usually, people mistake me for a small human and move on.”

“So that means you’re not human.”

“I’m a dwarf. A tall dwarf! I’ve never seen a dwarf taller than me.”

“Dwarf….”

“Ah! This is perfect. Since you’re here, could you show me the way? If you’re a plant, you must know where we are. Right?”

“You’re not on guard against me?”

“Haha! If we can have a conversation, what is there to fear? I’ll even repay you by showing you the way.”

“If you plan to leave the forest, I wouldn’t recommend it. Slave hunters roam outside.”

“Slave hunters? Haha! It’s okay, it’s okay. I can be treated well anywhere. In fact, those guys should bow down to me.”

“Are you that strong?”

“Rather than being strong, I know how to make weapons. The best weapons that anyone could desire.”

“You were a blacksmith.”

“I’ve been hammering away my whole life.”

The dwarf lifted the hammer he was holding.

It looked like a giant hammer that could have been used to refine living beings.

“Impressive.”

“Haha! You have a good eye.”

“Why was such a fellow discarded?”

“He mistakenly modified an item belonging to a high-ranking dominator instead of the administrator due to being confused after drinking. Well. Haha! Where is the fun in being alive.”

“So you have nowhere to go.”

“That’s right. So, could you please show me the way out? It’s been a while since I had a drink, and I want to have a good time. I’ll even make you the equipment you desire!”

“By any chance, is the alcohol the main purpose?”

“Of course! Everything starts with a drink. Might as well have a good drink here since we’ve already met.”

Alcohol….

He’s a craftsman.

A valuable asset to the village.

So, it wouldn’t hurt to consider him.

“Would it be okay if we go anywhere as long as there’s alcohol?”

“Yes. Once I’m drunk, I feel like making anything.”

“If I provide you with alcohol, would you be able to make equipment every day?”

“Hmm? Is this a recruitment offer? If you can satisfy me with good alcohol and a place, I can work for you. I was thinking of settling down somewhere anyway.”

“What kind of alcohol do you like?”

“Don’t beat around the bush! I won’t touch it if it’s not strong.”

“Strong alcohol… Wait a moment.”

Squeeze.

Pop!~

“Oh?”

The stem opened up to reveal plump grapes.

Squeeze!

He squeezed the grapes into a wide stem bowl and added a small amount of real poison while he was at it.

Drip….

Bubbles rose.

The grape juice began to ferment in real-time, turning into a rich wine.

It was his first time trying it, but it wasn’t difficult.

He made poisoned grape wine on the spot.

He added enough poison to make the alcohol strong without harming the body and also added some nutrients that were good for the body.

This should be decent alcohol.

“Try it. It’s alcohol.”

“Haha… I never thought I would receive a recruitment offer from a plant and witness a plant making wine.”

Swish.

He took the stem bowl.

Sniff.

“Oh. It smells more fragrant than I expected.”

Without hesitation, he took a sip of the alcohol.

Gulp~

“…Kwaaaaaah!!!!!”

His eyes widened.

The beard trembled and the cheeks, which were in good condition, suddenly blushed.

The tip of the nose almost touched the ground.

“Do you like it?” I asked for his opinion.

To which he replied like this.

“I love you!!!”

It was a sudden confession.

“Hehehe. Elves, huh. I never expected them to live here farming.”

“Wow, a really big dwarf.”

“He seems to have great strength.”

In front of the house, the elven tree spirits surrounded the dwarf I brought.

Name: Volkan.

Species: Dwarf.

Age: 86 years old.

Characteristics: Despite his age, he is robust and loves alcohol, and when drunk, he is said to pick up a hammer and make something.

Dwarf Volkan decided to work in the village because he fell in love with the alcohol I made.

It was the best alcohol he had ever had.

His stats even rose significantly.

Thanks to that, he received guidance and arrived in the village without any trouble, and was greeted by the elven tree spirits in his astral form.

“Now this is where you will live.”

“Are humans living here too? Hehe. It’s quite an interesting place. But… you said you were a plant, but you’re not just an ordinary elf who handles plants. I almost got fooled.”

“…Think what you want. They are elves who will live together here, so just introduce yourself.”

“Alright.”

Volkan spread his arms as if to say he was glad to meet everyone.

“I hope you don’t keep your distance from me because of prejudice. I like elves too.”

“We welcome you too.”

“You’re not a typical dwarf. If the tree spirits guided you, then you are also our family. If there’s anything uncomfortable, please let us know.”

“Hehe. Then I’ll have to build a forge, so I have a favor to ask. I’ll be drinking a lot of alcohol and then going to hammer things in a hurry.”

“What?….”

He demanded it outright after asking for an introduction.

He needs materials to build a forge.

It’s not a bad idea.

If he is really a skilled craftsman, it’s right to invest in him.

“I’ll help with that.”

I actively helped him.

1. Sell underground tunnels and spaces.

2. Get materials like stone, iron, etc.

3. Provide alcohol and snacks regularly.

The conditions Volkan requested were difficult, but too easy for me.

1. Digging tunnels and creating underground spaces is no different from my body.

I vigorously moved the roots to dig tunnels and create wide underground spaces.

2. Stones and ores came out as I dug the ground.

They may be unrefined raw stones, but Volkan will process them.

3. Providing alcohol and snacks is no big deal.

I will cultivate crops underground, make various alcohols, and if the humans ask, they can handle snacks and cooking.

In other words, it was done in a few hours.

“Wow. You’re done already?….”

While taking a break and looking around the village, Volkan, who seemed to find it hard to believe my words, went into the deep and wide underground tunnel that I had created.

But it’s not over yet.

“I will decorate the house.”

“If you have any furniture or interior design you want, please tell Lapherdion.”

“How would you like the workshop to be structured?”

I ordered the elves to decorate the interior.

The tree spirits are my avatars.

They freely shaped the stems and decorated the underground interior as Volkan wanted.

Thanks to the fourth Lenia, who made magical lamps with stems, the atmosphere was quite cozy.

“Amazing!! I never knew elves had such incredible abilities!!!”

However, it only took half a day.

The damp underground space turned into a cozy secret space.

“Now it’s my turn!”

Crack!!

The last part was Volkan’s job.

He took out a small pouch from his pocket and threw it.

The pocket grew larger with light, spitting out various tools and unknown mechanical devices.

A black hammer of an unknown material.

A slightly larger cylindrical furnace than a volleyball.

Goggles resembling something out of a sci-fi movie.

A hammer with steam rising involuntarily.

“Are you carrying all of this around? To have all of this come out of a small pocket… ”

“Ah, it’s a pocket dimension. I used to be a wanderer. But that’s over now.”

Clang!

He used the hammer and nails to shape and refine the stones and ores he had picked up with the root stem, turning them into square shapes or into the desired forms.

Do I need a furnace for this?

“Hey, Elven gentlemen. Could you help me a little more?”

Afterwards, Volkan received help from the elves to renovate his house to his liking.

A disguised door was installed at the entrance to the underground.

Stairs leading underground were installed.

The interior of the wooden house was suddenly covered with shiny stone slabs.

All of this didn’t take more than a few hours.

The workshop was quickly built.

Even…

“Now, let’s have some drinks! We should have a good time.”

“I’ve already made several barrels in the warehouse.”

“Great! Would you all like to join me?”

“The wine made by the Divine Wood!… We will join you.”

“Oh! I can’t resist what the Divine Wood has made!!”

“It feels good to work together. I also want to join in.”

After the work was done, they all had a small party together.

Appetizers made from crops and wine I made.

That was enough for the party.

“Haha! Everyone can drink well. I didn’t expect the elves to hold their liquor so well!”

“Volkan has a charming personality.”

“Haha! Are you looking at me without prejudice? Thank you, I feel like crying.”

By the way, the elves of the Divine Wood had a resistance to poison like me, so they drank the alcohol well.

Thanks to that, the elves and Volkan quickly became close.

With this, Volkan should be able to settle down well.

I’ll make magic tools for him every day.

But…

Gulp!

“Kya~”

“Kue-”

Is that alcohol really that good?

Even the elf drank the alcohol without coming to his senses.

Gulp~

Curious, I took a sip as well.

The sharp taste spread smoothly and deeply, as if piercing the body.

It’s strong, but quite good.

Then…

*

Wooden stem house.

“Shaela, do you like alcohol?”

“…?”

“It’s a strong drink, but it’s not harmful to the body and it’s healthy, you know? Want to try it?”

Grin.

Shaela tilted her head.

Since she didn’t seem to understand properly, I poured wine into a stem cup for her first.

Swish.

Sip~

The cup confirmed the smell of the recipient.

Not sure, she grinned and slowly took a sip.

“…!!!”

Slightly surprised, her head tilted back.

It was difficult to tell if she didn’t like it or liked it because her eyes didn’t move, but that could be distinguished by her next actions.

Swoosh!!

Gulp gulp!

She drank the alcohol in one go.

Silently, she opened her mouth with a “Kya~” and even handed me the empty cup.

Thud.

“More… please.”

Fortunately, she seemed to like it.

That’s good.

With its sharp and stimulating taste, it could help with the recovery of her taste and smell.

“Alright. Drink as much as you want.”

I made the alcohol on the spot for her.

She was still frustrated despite being enthusiastic since the slave hunter incident.

I have to do well even with things like this.

She kept drinking until her stomach was full.

*

Misty forest at night.

“Ri…ght…”

Shayla, with her cheeks flushed, started to gently stroke my forehead as I drifted off to sleep. It’s strange how she’s able to doze off even though she usually struggles to speak. It’s ridiculous, so I just stared at the quiet girl.

Phew!~

My breath, heavy with intoxication, pricked my nose.

“……….”

She really got me good.

To think that this is a goddess.

To think that she’s the one who took down the hunters in one shot.

The gap is too big.

Thud!

Look.

Her leg is now on my stomach.

When I gently move her leg away, her hand comes to my face and snuggles up again.

“Ooh… stop.”

Just holding hands, the distance between us was broken.

She caressed and hugged my body until morning, making me feel incredibly strange, so I had to escape to my true form in the middle of it.