ALL NOVEL Chapter 69: Young Tree Forest Blessing
Author note:
This is the start of Episode 2. I wasn't sure if I should start Episode 2 next time, but I decided to start episode 2 this time, since it's the start of the day.
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The next day, I received an email from Kayo, Riko and Miki during lunch at school. They were talking about the next town for EO. They said it was unfair that I was the only one going. If they said that, there would be many people who wanted to go to the next town. Kaito was also insisting on taking him with me this morning, but I guess players who aren't summoners don't go to Freetia in the first place.
I'm sure Ruin-san and the other production workers are also curious. They were looking for items from other races. I've heard that items with some kind of special ability or interaction with other races, like Hephaestus, are possible.
So, the only one who will be accompanying me to Freetia is Hephaestus. This Hephaestus was able to pay for his lodging with the initial contract, but I had to pay for his journey to Freetia. He looked very apologetic, but there was nothing wrong with thinking of it as a prior investment.
After school, it was time to play the game. I logged in and headed for the Adventurer's Guild together.
We used a horse-drawn carriage to get around. It was the first time I had seen a horse in this game. I tried to see if I could identify it, but it was impossible. I guess it's impossible to summon a horse...too bad. I think it would be very useful. I've always walked to my destinations, so using a horse would speed up my travel considerably. I'd like to have one someday.
We climbed into the carriage and set off for Freetia, the country of freedom. We passed through the Beginning Meadow and entered the Young Tree Forest, but there were no monster attacks so far. According to what I've heard, the carriage has been specially warded to prevent monsters from approaching.
I've heard that it doesn't work on Gerbera Grow, but they've made a contract with it so that they can pass through, so it's safe. And then we came face to face with Gerbera Grow. It looks like Gerbera Grow is blocking the way, but is that okay?
"What do you mean? What is this?"
"Why is Gerbera Grow blocking the road?"
It seems to be an unusual situation for the drivers. We're not going to get into a battle or anything here, are we? We usually don't win...then Gerbera Grow is puckering up its mouth...what is this? I don't sense any hostility, but...
"Takuto, do you want to fight?"
Lily asks me. Well, I don't know what to do...
"Wait! Takuto-sama! It has no intention of fighting!"
"Setia? What's wrong?"
"I heard its voice. It has something to say to you, Takuto-sama"
It wants to talk to me? From this plant? And you said you heard its voice, no way...
"By any chance, can Setia talk to it?"
"Apparently, yes. I'll be right back!"
After saying that, Setia gets off the carriage and talks to Gerbera Grow.
Seriously...I didn't know she had this kind of power...is the suspicious skill the elven knowledge? How many skills are packed in there? This skill...
As I'm thinking about this, Setia finishes her conversation and returns.
'What did Gerbera Grow say to you?"
"Emm, that is..."
Hmm? Why the grimace?
"Gerbera Grow-san wants to eat Takuto-sama's homemade food"
.........What?
"Wait a minute, how can that be?"
"It seems that Takuto-sama is always cooking something that smells good in the forest and seeing the forest monsters and Lily-sama enjoying it made it want to eat it too"
Ah, yes. That sounds too familiar. However, the food situation is actually not so good. I've got boar meat and salt, but...
"Then, it seems to be a nuisance, should I make something? Can you ask it, if there is a request?"
"Yes! ......Hmmm, eh!? That's..."
Is there a problem?
"What's wrong?"
"Emm, it wants to eat the honey dish that Takuto-sama made last time"
Lily reacted to the words...the dish you made when Chess came...
"Eeh!? That's Lily's dish"
Yeah. Lily loved the last dish.
"Isn't it unavoidable? It won't let us go on like this"
"But~"
"I'll make it for you as soon as I get the ingredients, so just bear with it today"
I managed to persuade Lily and then tried to cook, but we were in a forest full of greenery, is it safe to use fire here?
"Setia. Can you ask it, if it's okay to make a fire here?"
"Ah, that's true. I'll ask"
As soon as Setia asked Gerbera Grow, the grass and trees suddenly moved, exposing the ground in one spot. In addition, the vines brought stones and deadwood with them. It's amazing...you're the guardian god of this forest. I quickly built a fire and started cooking. Then I gave the finished product to Gerbera Grow, who munched on it with relish.
Now, let's see what happens...
After finishing its meal, Gerbera Grow approached me. Immediately, Lily and Ion try to step forward to protect me, but I stop them.
But it's really big when you look at it up close...about 4 meters...it's really scary. Just as I was thinking this, I heard a man's voice.
『Thank you for granting my wish. To thank you, I give you the blessing of the forest』
Gerbera Grow sprouts a vine and green light pours down on me from the vine. And then the info flows.
『You have received a blessing from Gerbera Grow. You have received the title 『Blessing of the Young Tree Forest』』
Wh, What~!? I got a title! I'm sorry for being scared. It's a nice plant! Let's see what it looks like right away.
Title: 『Blessing of the Young Tree Forest』
Effect: Enables identification of plants
A title that can be earned by being blessed by Gerbera Grow in the Young Tree Forest.
When I thank him, I hear his voice again.
『Blessings to you on your journey』
Then the vines that had been blocking my path disappear into the forest, allowing me to pass. Gerbera Grow moves away from me. There are some things you have to say when you receive a gift.
"Guardian God of Young Tree Forest. I thank you for your blessing"
I thank him and return to the carriage. No, I have to thank even the monsters. Last but not least, the carriage heads for Freetia, the land of freedom.
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Author note:
You didn't think he'd be able to feed Gerbera Grow. He can't feed it, but he did get a title, so you guess you could say he succeeded in feeding it.
Next time, we'll finally arrive in a new country. Various sub-species are scheduled to appear, so please look forward to it.