episode_0047

123rd day in the Misty Forest.

Tree trunk house.

I’ve gotten a good grasp of magic.

I can now accelerate like the wind or make my body lighter. With good application, I can move faster and even leap from awkward positions.

I’ve also become quite familiar with spirits.

I used to only be able to focus on a small part of the distant area where the separated stems rooted, but now my vision is expanding. If I adapt more, I might be able to observe all areas at once.

It feels like I’ve gained tremendous power.

Furthermore.

As my main body grows.

As I modify my physical body.

As I repeat my training.

I will become stronger.

Feeling this growth.

Just that makes me happy.

With this power, I can keep the village safer.

“Right. Right.”

However… I’m still far behind Shaela, who’s alone petting the stem wall.

Can I ever catch up to him?

He’s definitely getting stronger quickly, and just seeing him makes me realize my own weakness.

It’s common sense that he can pulverize tens or hundreds of meters with his fists, how can I keep up with that?

A distant goal.

When will I be able to reach it…?

Heh.

“What are you thinking?”

Suddenly, Shaela is looking at me with that question.

It’s as if she felt my gaze…

Even that sensation is surprising.

How does she know?

Is there any point in hiding it?

Or do I have a different perspective like me?

“…What should I do to become as strong as you?”

“Hehe. Curious, aren’t you? I’ve never seen anyone get stronger as fast as you.”

“But it won’t work for you.”

“Huh? That’s obvious. No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to match me.”

“…Did you ask me to hear that?”

“Anyway. You… What can I say. You don’t seem like a combat type from the start.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Which is stronger, your main body or your clone?”

“Obviously, the main body.”

“Which one do you think will be stronger in the future?”

“Well…”

“In my opinion, the clone will be stronger, right? Your main body is only getting stronger in a supportive aspect. On the other hand, the clone supported by the main body is rapidly getting stronger.”

“I don’t know yet.”

“I think I do~ To fight properly, you should rely on your clone and support with your main body. Even then, the chances of winning are low. So there’s no need to rush. Just keep doing what you’re doing. Strengthen your strong body, raise the elves. Create guardians. That’s your strength.”

“…Is that so.”

“Or, well~ Maybe just support me with that ability. Since I’ll be the one raising it.”

“…What did you say?”

“Oh, no, I mean, I’ll help you. I’ll watch over your training.”

There was a grating sound, but…

Shaela’s advice.

Something is starting to take shape.

I don’t fit well with combat, so strengthen the clone or the elves.

I agree.

No matter how much I grow, my main body’s power doesn’t increase.

I can only hope to strike with a bigger stem and finish with a white lotus, but it’s hard to expect more attack power.

Moreover, she said she would watch over my training.

If she helps with my training, I might see the light when I create a strong clone.

I have to take advantage of this.

There’s no need to be impatient, as she said.

Strengthen the clone.

Train with the clone.

Strengthen the fruit.

Raise the elves.

Let’s keep doing what we’ve been doing.

As time passes, I’ll create a stronger clone, and eventually, I’ll become stronger.

Likewise, the elves will also become stronger and support me.

I am that kind of existence.

We all become stronger together.

That’s when I started to realize my identity.

*

Focused on the main body.

The main body has spread about 1km.

The separated stems are planted about 4km away.

Having awakened to the spirits, now all those areas felt vividly clear. Even in distant areas, I could see a lot at once.

First, I checked the village.

The most noticeable thing is the population.

There are already about 600 humans.

Even in a part of the Misty Forest, there were so many abandoned people that they swelled up like this.

Occasionally, I saw a few animal ears or a person with black wings, and some ordinary elves and dwarves were also rescued and settled in the village.

The rescued dwarves voluntarily went under Bolkan, and Bolkan happily raised his glass without rejecting his own kind.

Roughly speaking, Bolkan seemed to be a respected technician even among the same dwarves.

Humans got along well with elves.

Thanks to Shaela’s efforts, they felt a sense of duty and mission towards the village, and naturally communication increased among the village members.

Occasionally, there were human & elf couples, so there was no need to say more.

The number of buildings has also increased significantly.

Public restaurants.

Public restrooms.

Public repair shop.

Public training ground.

Various conveniences, such as facilities built by the elves of the New Order based on human requests, and several buildings built by human architects, were noticeable.

There were no major problems.

Sometimes Shaela would secretly inspect the village in disguise with magic, and if she saw any issues, she would suggest solutions to the elves of the New Order, and everything was resolved before any problems arose.

The village’s power is growing stronger.

The slave hunters are no longer a threat.

They alone can handle it.

If a ruler comes, it will be different, but those kind of people don’t move their bodies easily anyway –

[New Order, I sense a ominous flow.]

[What?….]

Unexpectedly.

The Messiah warned of this.

It seems that something dangerous could happen today.

This flow is not aimed at the village, and the malice is faintly overlapping, but it seems dangerous to pass through here.

Something is ominous.

Just when I was thinking about the ruler, such a warning. I feel a sense of unease, wondering if the ruler is coming.

Then I should check it out myself.

So I turned my gaze outside the village and felt the vast view within a radius of 4km.

The ecosystem comes into view at a glance.

Quickly scanned the forest.

Unknown Misty Forest monsters.

Somewhere there are abandoned humans again.

And monsters that unhesitatingly grab or capture both monsters and humans with tentacles…

I found them immediately.

South of the elven village.

Strange tentacle monsters appeared in large numbers at the edge of my territory. They seemed to reach the village within half a day.

A different type of monster from the Misty Forest monsters I’ve seen so far.

Where did they suddenly appear from?

Very suspicious.

If it was just one or two, I could just pass by, but they are heading in this direction at intervals of tens of meters as if searching for something.

They look like stupid horses at first glance…

Are they doing such group behavior?

Then there must be a commander.

I focused again on that area.

“My children!! Go further. More!!”

Sure enough.

A huge tentacle monster appeared.

With a grotesque appearance of a fleshy body with a huge eyeball and many tentacle arms.

“Today, we will prey! Capture the females, and when the slave hunters appear, rush at them without mercy!!! Kuhaha!!!”

He urged the tentacle monster that seemed to be at least a few hundred, and a great sense of danger like a Kardepyon was felt.

As expected.

That monster is probably on the level of a ruler.

The other monsters are similar to the Misty Forest monsters.

Furthermore, given the peculiar monster with intelligence, it is highly likely that it came from the southern tentacle city that Yian briefly mentioned.

Here in the western city area, I heard that there are not many occurrences of monsters appearing…

This is troublesome.

If things continue like this, we might come face to face.

No, we must strike first.

While hundreds of subordinate monsters are manageable, if we encounter their master, the village’s full strength cannot guarantee victory. Even though I have become stronger, I am uncertain if I can stand against the master.

Therefore.

“Shayella.”

As soon as I returned to my elven form, I called out the name of the village’s strongest weapon.

“Hmm?”

Shayella, sitting at the table, turned to look at me.

His cheeks were puffed up from devouring various vegetable dishes and steak made by the elves. Lately, he has been enjoying not only fruits but also any food that comes his way.

He may be overeating, but it doesn’t matter.

He’s the one who pays for the food.

“I just looked at the view outside the village, and strange tentacle monsters are coming this way.”

“Why is that?”

“There is a strong individual like Cardephion. They have about 300 tentacle subordinates, and they are all as strong as the monsters in the Misty Forest.”

“Oh~”

Chomp chomp.

He swallowed his food and chuckled.

“You’re asking for help, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Ask for help from the goddess. Try saying that.”

“……”

What is this strange request?

What does it mean?

“Don’t want to?”

“Do I have to say something like that?”

“Then come over and hug me from behind.”

“Why?”

“Just because~ It feels empowering. You said you would protect the village, can’t you do this?”

“……”

“Our Chan always followed along nicely.”

Swoosh!

A stem protruded from Shayella’s collar and wriggled around, wrapping around his neck like a scarf.

It was the spirit-infused stem I gave him some time ago.

He stroked the stem and smirked.

As if taunting me.

With a light sigh, he spoke.

“Did you even name it… Why is the name Chan?”

“Hehe. Does it bother you?”

“So, are you going to help or not?”

“Hmm~ I’ll help.”

“What’s with that vague answer?”

“You said you wanted to get stronger. To do that, you have to face danger head-on. It would be good to give the elves and humans you’ve raised some real combat experience.”

“You’re just telling me to block, right?”

“Exactly. And I’ll be watching from the sidelines. I’ll enjoy the show~”

“……”

His mouth twitched upwards as he looked at me.

It felt like he understood my words.

Of course, he did.

He wasn’t joking with his words.

He will help.

Fight on your own.

I’ll watch from the sidelines.

Translated, it means that he will intervene when it’s dangerous.

In other words, clash with all your might.

I will protect you from danger.

Grow on your own.

That’s the intention.

Why am I explaining it in such a long-winded way?

But… I should express my gratitude.

“Thank you.”

“Ah!”

My head cleared once again.

Conversations with him are always like this.

Even if my pride is scratched, a path opens up.

So why hesitate?

Let’s clash with all our might.

[Gather everyone.]

“Everyone probably knows, but I am Ilyan, the first deputy of the god. From now on, I will spread the situation that the god and the goddess have informed us about!”

All elves and humans gathered at the farm.

10 elven priests.

92 high elves.

411 elves.

657 humans.

10 dryads.

16 other races.

There were a total of a thousand people, and in front of them, Ilyan explained the current situation.

Tentacle monsters are coming from the south.

We will now stop those monsters.

We must defend the village together.

And so on.

He finished explaining everything on my behalf.

I don’t need to step forward.

I won’t lead the army.

It’s easier for everyone to be controlled by Illyan, a familiar face to everyone.

Anyway, if I give orders to Illyan or the Elven High Priest, they will each move their armies. I will be the communication network to assist them and support the elves as the main body.

There are no issues with the humans.

Under Floren’s leadership, they selected individuals skilled in tactics or strong in combat to complete the army formation together.

Their determination is strong.

First, the elves.

“For the High Priest!!”

“We will protect our children!!!”

“Let us defend the sacred land!!”

“Follow the noble elves!!”

When it comes to me, my momentum rises, and with a clear hierarchy, everyone follows orders without question. They might even risk their lives without hesitation.

In reality, this side is like a real cult army.

Next is the human side.

“Tentacles… ready! Let’s protect this place!!”

“The land of the only hope. We must defend it!!”

“The time has come to repay the favor.”

“If this falls, it’s all over!!”

“Let’s show the monsters our fear!!!”

“The Goddess will be with us!!”

Under the flushed cry of Floren, the humans with determined faces responded and armed themselves.

They are individuals with nowhere else to go.

Knowing this, they will do their best.

The important thing here is Daguri.

We must use the advantageous position.

The initial High Elves or about 20 humans are the only forces that can face the Mist Forest monsters alone. Therefore, we devised a strategy and distributed forces to capture the tentacles in party units.

Furthermore, this is my territory.

It is where the main body can exert its strength.

Moreover, the Elven High Priest and Dryads easily defeat the Mist Forest monsters.

So….

“Take your positions and ambush!! It’s time to show our true colors to the enemies threatening the village!!!”

If everyone bands together, victory will not be difficult.

While looking at the village preparing for battle under Illyan’s command, I moved separately.

The rest will do well on their own.

I plan to explore the enemy.

It’s also a chance to test out a new body.

*

Squishy~

Slosh….

A tentacled creature slightly larger than a human led the group deep into the Mist Forest.

Squelch~

A massive fleshy body.

A giant eye in the center of the body.

A huge mouth on the back.

Dozens of tentacles scattered around.

With tough and slippery skin, it is resistant to most attacks, can spit out mucus or acid, and can use high-level magic such as hallucination, hypnosis, brainwashing, and confusion.

Such a creature set out to find prey.

However, driven by the excitement of finding a beautiful woman, it moved faster than usual and, before realizing it, had left the ranks and was moving alone.

Squish?

“I’ve come too far. I should go back a bit so I don’t get lost.”

However, that dream could not be realized.

Gush!!

Crunch!!-

“Kik!!?”

It was because what was once a tree extended its trunk and wrapped around the body.

Squish!?

“What, what is this!!….”

Resisting was not easy.

The strength of the trunk was more powerful than expected.

Before a scream could escape, the trunk entered the mouth.

Slosh!!

“Kurt!?….”

Even tougher.

Even more numerous.

Chiiiiick!!!!-

Squish!!!!!

“Gguhaat!!!……….”

Even stronger poison.

Everything was in favor of the superior.

Gush.

Before long, the entire body was covered by the trunk.

The tentacle arms were caught by the trunk arms, the roots rising from the ground wrapped around the tentacle legs, and the tree moved, engulfing the entire body.

Flash!

Eyes wide open, I activated my special ability of disruption, but it was futile against the tree.

Instead, my eyes were just pierced.

Thud!!

“What the-!?”

I never expected the tree, which was just standing still, to launch such an attack.

I was simply swallowed by a larger entity.

Overwhelmed by indescribable terror.

Encountering an unstoppable foe.

Squelch.

In that way, the tentacles were swallowed by the tree without my comrades noticing. And before long, a majestic elf emerged from the tree with a swoosh.

“Looks like a good meal.”

Standing at around 2.5 meters tall.

Arms and legs made of tree trunks.

He was a Dryad warrior.