Chapter 10

So, without further ado, I decided to create orchards for each attribute in Tree Village.

The location is just before the forest where Simurgh lives.

I plan to use the space between the village and the forest.

"Since it's the forest where the Element Trees are located, it might be straightforward, but how about calling it Element Forest?"

Following Naja's suggestion, we decided to name it Element Forest.

Considering the future, I also plan to create a smaller version of the same forest in Guinea Village. When the World Tree there grows larger, spirits will likely appear.

Since we're putting in so much effort, it would be a waste to make it solely for the protection of spirits.

So, I decided to turn this place into an experimental ground for managing Element Trees away from my direct control.

Ideally, through trial and error, we can eventually harvest and preserve Element Fruits without my help.

Until now, Simurgh and I have been managing it, but it wouldn't be right to keep bothering Simurgh forever. It might be time for us to let go.

I decided to entrust the management to someone else.

When it comes to trees, the elves are the best choice, but they are already managing ordinary trees.

After discussing with Utena, we decided to entrust the management to the elves who have been coming to the village recently, but there weren't enough of them.

So, we came up with a plan.

We decided to have the elves and dark elves manage it together.

"Hmm, is it really going to be okay...?"

Saying this and tilting her head is Utena, who is in charge of reforestation in Tree Village.

For the establishment and maintenance of Element Forest, we will also need the help of Utena and her subordinate elves.

Utena is expected to be the person in charge of this project.

"I think it will be fine. No one dislikes cute things, after all."

"Is that so...? Well, I do think both are cute."

The meeting place we are heading to is near the House Tree where the elves live.

We plan to introduce the elves and dark elves who are looking for work in Tree Village here.

Like the dwarves, the elves and dark elves also have a strong faith in spirits.

Therefore, they are the most suitable candidates for managing this place where spirits will reside.

There aren't enough elves alone.

And among the dark elves, there are a few who haven't found jobs yet, aside from those who want to be soldiers.

This is a good solution to various problems.

...Whether it will work out or not, we won't know until we try.

When we arrive, there are two figures standing apart from each other.

I will handle the dark elf, and Utena will handle the elf for the introduction.

"Why do we have to work with dark elves... This is just... (muttering)"

Saying this with a dissatisfied look is the elf, Geeg.

"Did you say something, Geeg?"

"N-no, nothing! I'm Geeg, nice to meet you!"

Utena seems to be a high-ranking person among the elves in Vivi Village, and Geeg looks quite nervous.

He doesn't seem to be able to argue in front of her.

"Nice to meet you."

The dark elf, Juna, is timidly looking down and glancing at the elves.

"Let's go then. It's not far from here, so there shouldn't be any problems."

Considering that this will be a model case for the future, Utena and I will jointly provide the explanations.

When we arrive at Element Forest, the first thing we encounter is a wave of heat.

"Ugh, it's hot..."

"Only a bit better than the desert..."

The first area we see is the Fire Forest, where various fire-attribute trees, created by crossbreeding with Fire Trees, stand in a row.

It's very hot due to the burning trees.

Just walking through the Fire Forest makes us sweat profusely.

Geeg, who is not used to the heat, looks quite uncomfortable, while Juna, who has lived in the desert for a long time, still seems quite at ease.

"Mr. Woody, please."

"Thank you."

Seeing me sweating, Aila made a cold towel for me.

While enjoying the cool sensation on my face, I explain each tree one by one.

By the way, the Fire Marons, which can be used as explosives, and the Fire Mulberries, which can be used as shot, are not here.

They are dangerous and could be misused if they fell into the wrong hands, so we are growing them in a hidden place.

"Phew, the problem is solved all at once..."

After passing through the burning Fire Forest, we come to the Water Forest, where a large number of water-attribute Element Fruit trees stand.

The ground is full of puddles, and the humidity is very high.

The coolness feels good after the heat, but coming here directly would probably make one feel sticky and uncomfortable.

Further ahead, the Earth Forest gradually rises in height and soil depth, and after passing through it, we arrive at the Wind Forest, where a strong wind is blowing.

"What a mysterious array of trees... I thought managing trees would be easy, but I'm starting to lose confidence..."

With a big sigh, a pig comes up to Geeg's feet.

"Oink."

The Wind Pig is rubbing its feet against Geeg's legs, as if to say, "Try your best."

Although it didn't come out at first due to its shyness, there are tree guardian animals in the other forests as well.

By the way, there are a few spirits, though they are not easily noticeable.

Since it would be difficult to manage all the trees with human labor, we decided to have the tree guardian animals handle what they can.

Tree guardian animals are much more intelligent than Wood Golems, so they can be entrusted with tasks like monitoring people who try to steal the trees.

"Pigs are cute..."

Juna doesn't seem to be as affected and is looking at the Wind Pig with sparkling eyes.

Seeing Juna's energetic appearance, Geeg seems to be motivated not to be outdone.

The Wind Pig is blowing wind around, as if to say, "Well done."

"So, this is the entire Element Forest."

"Beyond that, there is the forest where the divine bird Simurgh lives, so entry is strictly prohibited from here on."

Utena points to the forest where Simurgh lives.

We have reorganized the area for this forest, making it stand out on a higher level than the surrounding area.

We have also placed tree guardian animals around it for security, so people should not enter easily.

"Spirits are here too."

When Juna says this calmly, Geeg looks surprised.

"S-spirits too!?"

"Yes, we have seen them a few times and are used to it, but it was quite a shock at first."

Juna, who is already accustomed to life in Tree Village, seems to be leading Geeg, who is still getting used to it.

At first, Geeg was muttering about not wanting to work with dark elves, but as he saw the Element Forest and the tree guardian animals, he seemed to forget about the small details and started to get along with Juna.

"Hmm, it seems to be quite a challenge... I'll do my best, Juna."

"Thank you, Geeg."

The two shake hands.

While they haven't completely trusted each other yet, it seems that Geeg is willing to make an effort.

"Oh, right. Utena, can I plant a few more trees in Element Forest?"

Today is just for the initial meeting, so I remembered what I wanted to do after dismissing Juna and the others.

"Well... of course, that's fine. Fortunately, there is still plenty of space in the sanctuary, so there shouldn't be a problem with more trees."

With permission granted, I decided to plant more trees.

Thanks to recently planting new House Trees, tree planting has progressed, and my tree planting level is finally about to increase.

I wanted to raise it to a nice round number here.

Tree Planting Level: 10

Number of Trees Planted: 1207/1600

Smile Points: 20032 (1 tree per 4 points)

Skills: Plant Pots, Crossbreeding, Automatic Harvesting, Harvest Bag, Tree Placement (Improved), Tree Group Transfer, Tree Guardian Animals

I needed to plant about 400 more trees, but I kept putting it off.

While I can level up by planting Wood Golems and putting them in Harvest Bags, it feels wasteful to store so many.

I wanted to use the trees in a way that would benefit the villagers, so this Element Forest is perfect.

I decided to plant the trees quickly and efficiently.

I tried to plant them in a balanced way to maintain the landscape.

I noticed there were fewer Water Trees, so I planted a bit more of them.

"Meow."

While planting, I could see the spirits.

They seem to be in a good mood, surrounded by trees of their own attribute, and their energy feels higher than before.

Some of the spirits even came and sat on my head.

Is my head a power spot for spirits or something...?

"Tree planting has reached a certain amount. Level up! New trees are now available for planting! You have gained the Tree Improvement skill! Your Harvest Bag has been upgraded to Harvest Bag (Improved)!"

While thinking about this, my tree planting level increased.

I could level up one more time with the points, but planting over 3000 more trees from here would be too much, so I'll stop here for now.

It's great that new trees are available.

And... Tree Improvement?

Could this be the skill I've been looking for all along?