The Flower is About to Bloom?
The house-building progressed much faster than I'd imagined.
The spirits stacked the bricks neatly, while the goblins and young squirrels dipped leaves in adhesive mud and smoothed it over the bricks. Then they'd stack another layer on top—but in a zigzag pattern to form sturdy T-shaped joints. More adhesive mud, more bricks.
"Make sure to avoid the window spots!"
At my words, the goblins and squirrels caught on instantly and adjusted their stacking. Once the walls reached a certain height, they'd place wooden pillars on top to secure the framework for the roof. Finally, they'd weave massive leaves over the pillars... and voilà—a sturdy house was complete.
"One finished!"
Kan shouted in his deep, concise voice, and the squirrels and goblins erupted in cheers, high-fiving and dancing around.
"Kieeee!"
"Kkwoong! Kkwoong!"
The spirits giggled merrily, flitting around the house.
We made it!
We did great!
Amazing!
I fluttered my leaves proudly, gazing at the house.
That's pretty damn good.
Clean ivory-brick walls topped with fresh green leaves for a roof. It looked downright respectable.
Pretty house!
Yeah! Super pretty!
Ten out of ten!
No way—hundred out of ten!
How can it be a hundred when ten's the max?!
It just can!
The spirits bickered playfully. I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
Of course, it wasn't perfect. The biggest issue was the wide-open entrance and windows—no doors or glass.
It'd be nice to have glass or doors...
But with our current tech, this was the limit. Still, it was a real house that could withstand rain or even a downpour—nothing like those flimsy twig huts that washed away without a trace.
Let's finish the rest of the houses first.
Jini and Rin, Kan and Tabu all nodded.
"Yes...! I'll work hard!"
"Awesome! Let's go!"
"We'll hurry, my lord."
"Kkwoong!"
Just as we were about to get moving—
"Kkwoong! Kkwoooong!"
Tori bounced excitedly, pointing right at my branch.
Huh? What's up, Tori?
The spirits and goblins followed his finger and froze in shock.
"Kieeee!"
What!?
What's that!!
Why the freakout? What is it?
Curious, I scanned my branches with mana—and when I reached the flower bud—
Whoa whoa whoa?
I was stunned. The very tip of the pink petal had curled outward, ever so slightly.
In other words... the bud was starting to open.
The flower is about to bloom?
Finally, blooming time. It wasn't fully open yet—the inside was still hidden—but it felt imminent.
Jini and Rin flew over to inspect it.
So prettyyy...
I wish it'd bloom soon!
They beamed dreamily. The other spirits rushed in, sniffing eagerly.
Such a nice scent!
A warm fragrance!
So soft and gentle!
Their positive reactions swelled my anticipation. Once this flower bloomed and wilted, fruit would form, right? And that fruit was the Evolution Fruit.
Evolution Fruit, huh...
I wondered what it'd look like. Probably not like ordinary fruit—something more special, maybe?
I hadn't even decided who to give it to yet...
But then—
Wait... hold on!
Something nagged at me.
Doesn't fruit need pollination first?
And...
There's only one flower...
Could a single flower pollinate itself? Some flowers could self-pollinate, sure—but did this one? No way to know!
Oh... problem.
I stilled my leaves, deep in thought. What if it just bloomed, wilted, and that was it?
Can't let that happen...
Rin tilted her head at my worry.
Why? What's the problem? Tell me!
Ah... with only one flower, I'm not sure it'll pollinate...
Pollinate?
She tilted further.
Yeah. That's how fruit forms.
Rin scratched her cheek thoughtfully.
Hmm... I don't know much, but your flower probably can't self-pollinate.
Just as I feared.
This is bad...
I fluttered my leaves anxiously.
But there is a way...
"What is it?"
A way to pollinate a single flower? Rin continued slowly.
We'd need elves.
...Huh?
Elves?
Yeah!
The pointy-eared ones.
Yeah!
Super pretty ones!
Yeah! But you're prettier!
The ones that are supposedly all gone...?
Um... they're not gone! They exist! We just don't know where...
Elf power could pollinate even a single flower!
Rin's eyes sparkled, like she was saying, Pretty smart, right? Praise me!
I couldn't help laughing.
Yeah yeah, thanks.
I lowered a branch to pat her head. Though inwardly, I figured elves were a lost cause.
Still...
This was from the Infinite Growth skill, so there had to be a way.
It had never assigned an impossible task before.
Let's trust it.
With that, I stroked Rin's head and turned back to the bud.
We'll figure the bud out later. Houses first.
In the meantime, the rest of the houses went up one by one. Having the rhythm from the first, the second and third were faster and neater.
Soon, ivory houses dotted the village square cozily. It was hard to believe a flood had swept through—like a dream. Now it was sturdier and prettier than before.
"Kkwoong~"
"Kieeee!"
The squirrels and goblins grinned as they entered their new homes. Kan gazed at the finished village quietly.
"This would have been impossible without you, my lord."
His red eyes shone with pride. I rustled my leaves.
You all did it.
Kan smiled softly.
"Thank you for saying so."
As I basked in the sight, several windows popped up.
Residents' faith has increased.
Rewards granted for completing the village foundation.
Land of Abundance activated: Crops grown in the village yield 1.2x harvest.
Divine Power, Spirit Power, and Demonic Power stat gains increased by 1.2x.
Huh? Rewards? What kind?
Please name the village.
Village name? Tricky...
A tree-centered human realm... The first thing that came to mind was...
Midgard...?
The human world at the heart of Yggdrasil's trunk. Midgard.
But that's the World Tree...
I'm just a weird tree...
Village name set.
Village Name: Midgard
...Huh?
Whaaat? Wait, that was just me mumbling! I didn't answer!
Word spread to the residents instantly. Rin and Jini flew over, giggling.
Our village has a name now?
Midgaaard... Sounds pretty..!
Kan nodded approvingly.
"I don't know the meaning, but it carries your lordship's grand resolve."
"Kkwoong! Kkwoong!"
Tori gave a thumbs-up.
Well... sure, whatever.
And so, our village became Midgard.
"Haa... haa... Let's take a break."
Ashelia, trudging through Pirel Forest, called for a halt. The knights and mages looked exhausted, as did Lillia. That spoke volumes about the forest's monsters.
Of course, this wasn't the empire's full elite—the strongest were tied up at the demonic frontlines.
We're no pushovers anywhere...
Ashelia muttered after a sip of water.
"No casualties is a blessing in itself."
She turned to Lillia.
"Anything yet?"
Lillia's face darkened.
"...Not yet."
"Report immediately if you sense something."
"Understood."
Alone, Lillia sighed softly.
I should have followed those spirits, even if it meant overexerting...
They'd appeared and vanished just as suddenly, zipping off with the goblins, saying their friend was waiting. Too fast to keep up—she'd lost them quick.
Then... the prophecy's hero must be the World Tree?
Highly likely. The spirits' presence didn't guarantee it, but...
Let's scan around.
She extended her divine power far and wide, hoping for a trace. And then—
"...Huh?"
Something powerful hit her.
This is... divine power!
Intensely strong, concentrated in one spot—clearly extraordinary.
Lillia jumped up and rushed to Ashelia.
"I felt it!"
"...What?"
"Strong divine power!"
Ashelia ordered the knights and mages swiftly.
"The saint sensed something—move out."
Lillia led the way.
This much divine power... the prophecy's hero?
An overwhelming volume.
We have to confirm.
She steadied her pounding heart and pressed on.