Chirp Chirp Chirp

  In the forest green, lush, and , the chirping and tweeting of various birds and critters could be heard eg throughout the blue sky with the rising of the sun. A new m has started yet again.

  Despite the thiess of the opies and the high density groves, the forest and the vilge within were not dark at all. The gentle sunlight seeped from the forest's rooves, caressing the solid ground and illuminating the vast surroundings. Shade and light, both in harmony.

  After yesterday's events, Grey and Yuna had dinner with Aria's family. Even then, when they were the guests, they did not sit idly and also helped out in preparing and cooking, even using the meat they had just procured a couple hours before.

  The dinner after py ohe dining table was full of smiles and ughter as the night tihere was only one person clouded with gloom, and that person was her than Kris who had just gotten a long scolding from Aria.

  Not only miss the booze he so wanted, Aria also found out about his mischief. It has been a long time since Aria scolded him like so, and he couldn't say he leased about it. He didn't want to relive such tragic memories.

  After dinner. Falroe guided Grey and Yuna to the house they were going to stay at. It was not in any way as rge as their home in Galderia, but it was a fortable size and they couldn't find any fault with it. It was warm and cozy. There was nothing they could pin about.

  Of course, as Yuna promised yesterday, she was the one who prepared breakfast for the two of them. It must have been because of her dedication but she mao wake up much earlier than usual. Needless to say, Grey was extremely happy,

  "Oh! Good m Mister Grey, Miss Yuna. Did you have a good night?" ［or］

  Just as they walked around the vilge, on the way to Aria's residence, Grey and Yuna were greeted by a familiar figure. It wasn't only or, the uard, Alto, was also with hom. They are once again patrolling the vilge.

  "Good m too, Mister or, Mister Alto. And yes, we did have a wonderful night. It was rexing." ［Yuna］

  "Yuna's right. It has been some time since we've slept in a fortable bed. A good sleep really does heal one's fatigues." ［Grey］

  "Hahaha, that's good to hear... By the way, where are the two of you heading right now? Are you going to the market?" ［or］

  "Hmm... That would be hard, isn't it? It's still quite early. There should only be a few stalls open this time..." ［Alto］

  ented Alto, followior's words. He was showing signs of as he scratched his cheeks. If it was yesterday, Grey and Yuna would have found his as strahankfully, they learnt a few things about the vilge from Falroe when they were having dihe night before.

  Unlike normal vilges, Malus is a special case. While it is still a part of the Kingdom of Ingrasia, with it being located deep in the forest, it's basically its own indepe settlement. In faot many people even in the same territory khat the Malus vilge eves.

  The Malus vilge is also quite rge despite being only called a vilge. While normal vilges have at least 200 people, averaging at double that amount, Malus vilge has a popution reag well over two thousand people.

  Being isoted from the outside world, the ey ihe vilge also works a little differently. While they do use kiels when some merts happen to pass by, people usually barter foods with one ahis is the reason why many families have farms of their own, bartering in their specialized goods.

  Well, such a system isn't going to affect Grey and Yuna much. With how much food and resources they have in the "Iory", even if they do not barter, they could just live their daily lives normally. Hunting and fing also isn't out of the question.

  "No, we're going to Mister Falroe's house. It seems like there's a few things he wants to talk about with us." ［Grey］

  "The Chief, huh... Then we shouldn't dey you any further. I'm sure they are already waiting for you." ［or］

  "Then, see you ter, Miss Yuna, Mister Grey. If you ever need something, you t on us." ［Alto］

  "Un. Thank you." ［Yuna］

  It was a short versation. After they waved their hands goodbye, Grey and Yuna tinued heading towards Aria's residence which was located just a couple hundred meters away from where they were staying.

  After a couple minutes of walking, they finally arrived in front of the house. Now that they saw it during the m, illuminated by the sunlight, it looked even more beautiful and vibrant.

  Knooock

  "The door's open, Please e in." ［Falroe］

  After knog on the door, a few times Grey and Yuna were quickly invited over to the house and they did just so without uttering much words. For some reason, they felt a little nervous eve was already their sed time entering.

  "We've e to visit." ［Grey］

  "Pardorusion." ［Yuna］

  Saying their greetings, Grey and Yuna both took off their boots at the entrance before heading towards the living room. There was o, it was that they were already aced to such a habit.

  In the living room, there were four people. There were Aria's young-looking parents, Falroe and Valka, Aria herself, and of course, the groom-to-be, Kris. It was worth mentioning that Kris still looked haggard from yesterday's lengthy scolding.

  "You're quite early. Did you enter some trouble?" ［Falroe］

  "Ah, no, there's no such thing. We just thought we'd head here early since we have nothing much to do." ［Grey］

  "Un. We just thought it would be better to arrive early, rather tha's also a nice ge of pace from our usual routine." ［Yuna］

  "I see, I see. That does sound good," ［Falroe］

  As everyone greeted one another, Valka took it upon herself to head to the kit and brew some tea. They weren't ohe two were aced to, but from the looks and st alohey k was going to be a good brew.

  Kris, after seeing the tea, couldn't help but wear a dark expression. He has already been drinking the same thing over and ain for the course of a few weeks, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was already tired of it.

  "Children, would you like some tea?" ［Valka］

  "Thank you, Missus Valka." ［Yuna］

  "Thanks." ［Grey］

  heless, even when he had already grown tired of it, Kris did not reject Valka's offer and gracefully had some of the tea she offered. After all, what kind of man would go against their future mother-in-w. Only a fool would do so.

  pared to the teas they've had before, the one Grey and Yuna are having were on the sweet side. It was one which even children would enjoy. To be frank, rather than tea, it was more like fruit juice, only that it was warm and had an aromatic st.

  "Grey, Yuna, have you gotteo the vilge already?" ［Falroe］

  "Dear, you're being too much. Grey and Yuna had just arrived yesterday. It's too soon to be asking such a question." ［Valka］

  "ht. Huhuhu! How silly of me. It's really good that you're with me, dear. I'm so lucky to have a smart aiful wife!" ［Falroe］

  "Dear, stop it～! It's embarrassing～!" ［Valka］

  It was still early in the m yet sweetness was already filling the air, Falroe and Valka, eveher people were present, didn't fail to show their sweet and sappy affe to one another. It was as if they were just newlyweds, especially with how youthful they looked.

  Rather than Falroe and Valka, the one most embarrassed iuation was their eldest daughter, Aria. The same thing also happehe day before at the dining table and she was just as embarrassed.

  As much as Aria wanted her parents to stop flirting in front of the guests, she couldn't do much about it. Thankfully, her Grey nor Yuna mi. Kris had also gotteo it. It has bee a regur se in his daily life.

  "Mom, Dad... Please stop..." ［Aria］

  "Aww～ Does our baby want some love from Mom as well?" ［Valka］

  "Oh? Does Aria feel lonely?" ［Falroe］

  "No, Mom, Dad! Please stop already! You're embarrassing me!" ［Aria］

  Well, every time Aria wao intervene, her parents' affe would always switch to her. Even when she was already a full grown adult, and one about to get married at that, her parents always treated her as if she was still a child. They are just a very affeate family.

  Whilst Aria was trying her best to deny her mother and father's loving hugs and kisses, Grey, Yuna, and Kris decided to ignore what was happening and have their own versatioea and some cookies Grey and Yuna brought.

  It took quite a while before the otion calmed down and whehing was over, Aria could be seen pouting, her face red from embarrassment. She was now sitting beside her mother who is trying to gain her fiveness, all the while wearing a warm and smiling face.

  "Sorry for the otion. Where were we again?" ［Falroe］

  "Umm... Mister Falroe, we haven't started talking about anythi." ［Grey］

  "Oh, is that so? Wait... What was I going to talk about again?" ［Falroe］

  Falroe scratched his head as he rummaged through his mind, trying to remember about why he called Grey and Yuna in the first pce. Grey and Yuna could only ugh wryly about his gestures.

  "ht... I suppose I haven't really told you much about the vilge, huh... Have I told you about the vilge's in?" ［Falroe］

  "No, it was only up until the vilge's demographid ey." ［Grey］

  "I see, I see, then I guess we'll be starting there. As you see..." ［Falroe］

  Grey and Yuna's attention on him, Falroe started expining about the Malus vilge's in. It was only a legend passed down geion after geion in the vilge, but all the vilgers believed it.

  Acc to the legend, hundreds of years ago, there was a rge war across the ti. It was a battle between two a empires dragging with them the other kingdoms and tries into a path of destru.

  The kingdom which was the predecessor of Ingrasia was alsed into this flid several huhousand lives were lost and all sorts of disasters sprouted all over the pce.

  Fortunately, in times of turmoil, a hero arose from that a kingdom. She, who was on S-ranker, mao break through the Camity Css. With her power, she led the people to safety and saved thousands upon thousands of lives.

  A feassed and the war was finally over. Not only lives, but maories were lost. Despite such huge losses, the people couldn't be any happier that the times of chaos were over. It was the start of a new era.

  The king of the a kingdom at the time tried to grant the here territory and a high-ranking title, but the hero refused the offer and instead decided to live the rest of her life in the forest.

  With her were the allies and refugees she met along the way, creating a vilge of their own. Time passed and the vilge grew rger and rger until it became the Malus vilge which many people call their home today. A vilge which served as a sanctuary for elves who .

  "And after thatー" ［Falroe］

  Falroe was about to tihe story, but for reasons only he knew of, he suddenly cut his own words, leaving Grey and Yuna a little puzzled. He was thinking of a little something, albeit not so seriously.

  "Right... Grey, Yuna, do you want to see something iing?" ［Falroe］

  Out of nowhere, Falroe suddenly suggested somethiher Grey and Yuna expected. The very hing they khey found themselves heading out of the house and headed somewhere, Falroe wearing a gentle smile on his face.

  For mio e, Grey and Yuna, led by Falroe, headed towards the ter of the vilge. They talked and ughed about a couple of things before a certain sight made Grey and Yuna stop oracks and look in a certain dire.

  "Huhu, a high-ranker's eyes sure are amazing. To think you could already see it from this dista's quite a sight isn't it?" ［Falroe］

  Leaves shimmering like emeralds uhe soft starlight, branches which reached proudly into the eternal blue sky, and roots spreading far and deep into the ground. It was a sight which could leave one frozen, uo mutter a single word.

  The sacred tree back at the city of Torvis, but the one just up ahead was even much bigger. It stood proud and tall, easily surpassing a hundred meters i with its trunk measuring more than a dozeers in diameter. Calling it massive would just be an uatement.

  Grey and Yuna have been traveling on the forest ground sihe day before and the opy of the forest was thick to the point that it covered almost every inch of the sky. Even when such a tree would easily stand out, her of the two has noticed it up until now.

  "Huhuhu, why don't we have a closer look?" ［Falroe］

  "A-Ah, yes..." ［Grey］

  Once again, Grey and Yuna's feet moved towards the tree and a few moments ter, they arrived. It was even more majestid beautiful up close. Just the mere sight of it was enough for them to feel humbled. It was truly magnifit.

  Around the tree was a variety of flrowing vibrantly and full of vitality. There were also butterflies, bees, dybugs, and a variety of beautiful is. Calling it a hidden paradise wouldn't be an exaggeration at all.

  "Amazing... What a beautiful sacred tree..." ［Yuna］

  "Huhuhu, not quite. You see, this tree is quite different from those trees you see in other elven towns and cities. We call it 'The Tree of Life'!" ［Falroe］

  Falroe proudly procimed as he stretched his arms out left and right, fag Grey and Yuna with the tree behind him. His face couldn't be any prouder as he announced such a statement to the world, his gentle smile extending from ear to ear.

  Ohe tree's name resounded iheir ears, Grey and Yu something brew iheir hearts. They couldn't tell whether it was excitement, curiosity, or something else. But there was ohing for sure. They were both in awe.

  "This tree, you see..." ［Falroe］

  Following su introdu, Falroe tinued his story from before. Since he has already told the vilge's in, this time, he focused on the hero he has beeioning all throughout the story.

  The hero was someone loved by the people. It was not only because she was strong, but she was also kind and benevolent. Whehere was injustice, she took it upon herself to solve it ahose who needed help.

  Ahing about her was her curiosity. Before she was a fighter, she was also an alchemist. She has explored the world far and wide in search of all kinds of herbs and alchemy ingredients. And her greatest creation was her tharee of Life" which was now befrey and Yuna.

  'Amazing... This is a product of alchemy, huh...' ［Grey］

  Grey was ihought as he touched the tree's trunk. ected to it, he felt even more overwhelmed. As she looked up towards the tree's opy, all he saw was a sight of green, a beautiful green he would never fet.

  ??Appraisal?? ［Grey］

  ----------------------------------

  [Magit]

  [Species] Leifdorn Oak

  [Age] 467 years

  [Status] Healthy, Inplete

  [Description]

  Left behind by the Divine Alchemist, Rista, the Leifdorn Oak absorbs mana from the air and ground and turns them into the purest form of mana for nourishment. Its leaves and fruits are of the highest quality and could serve as medie to many diseases and at the same time, increase the vitality of those around it. All parts of it are precious and couldn't be procured anywhere else.

  However, due to its pure nature, it also attracts all manners of beasts. Occasionally, it absorbs corruption from the surroundings to purify it, warding off all sorts of monsters and creating a sanctuary around its immediate viity. It is also called the Diviree and the Tree of Life.

  While almighty and powerful, the Leifdorn Oak is not plete. It cks the nourishment from God's grad due to this, it could not mature to being a true diviree. It cks the essence of creation.

  -----------------------------------

  Long. That was Grey's first impression as soon as he saw the Tree's status s. He had seen his fair share of status s but it was his first time seeing a description so long his eyes were about to pop out of its sockets.

  Well, apart from the tree's long description, there was one more thing which caught Grey's attention. It was the one in its status. While dispying "Healthy" was normal, it was his first time seeing the word "Inplete" in living things.

  Grey had only seen such a status on equipment, tools, devices, and the likes. While it was made with alchemy, it was still sidered a living thing, Grey just couldn't his head around how a living, breathing thing could be inplete. No matter where he looked, no part of the tree looked at it.

  "Is something wrong, Grey?" ［Falroe］

  "Ah, no... No, actually, I've been w about something... This hero you were talking about, is she perhaps your aor?" ［Grey］

  "Huhu, that's right. Though none of us, her desdants, could be a match to her, I am proud to call myself as such. Actually, Aira..." ［Falroe］

  At Grey's curious question, Falroe started telling stories once again with glee visible on his face. Yuna was listening closely, but the one who asked the question, Grey, well... his mind was somewhere else.

  Whilst Falroe tinued babbling, Grey started reading the tree's long description and learning a lot of things about how the vilge came to be. Some of the questions on his mind have finally been answered.

  The vilger's youthful looks, their amazing vitality and energy, the onsters in the area, and how the vilgers mao procure a lot of meat, everything finally made sense as Grey tinued reading the description.

  There was only ohing Grey was worried about. It was that the tree attracts all sorts of beasts in the area. Now, he could finally uand why the guards in the vilge were strohan the ohey met in other settlements. In fact, they could even go toe to toe with knights.

  Even Falroe, despite just looking like your young average man, was at k. He owerful enough to match the head of the knights back at Torvis. Heck, even Valka was at D-rank, powerful enough to crush boulders with her bare hands. It was the result of fightis attracted by the tree over the years.

  Of course, the number of average people in the vilge still surpasses those which are strong by a rge margin. It was that those who are trained in battle are really good at it. They were true warriors living in the harsh wilderness.

  Finally, there was the "Essence of Creation" which caught Grey's eyes. It reminded him of the "Blood of Creation" he once read at the familiars' status boards. Something which he apparently possessed.

  "Here, Grey." ［Yuna］

  "Huh? Ah?" ［Grey］

  "It's some fruits from the Tree of Life. Mister Falroe said we could eat some." ［Yuna］

  "Oh, thank you." ［Grey］

  With his mind wandering afar, Grey didn't notice Falroe had already finished up with his story. Thankfully, her Falroe nor Yuna noticed he wasn't listening at all. It was a close call.

  As soon as he bit on the fruit, a uaste flooded his mouth and caressed his to wasn't like any fruits he had eaten before. On top of that, he could feel his body feelier only after a few bites.

  "Oh! How delicious!" ［Grey］

  "Un! It's sweet and refreshing! I have some more?" ［Yuna］

  "Sure, sure, have as many as you like." ［Falroe］

  Yuna's eyes gleamed brightly as soon as she heard Falroe's response. Even when her mouth was still full, she grabbed a couple of fruits with both of her hands and wolfed them down, making her look like a chipmunk stuffing fruits in her mouth.

  Falroe chuckled heartily at the sight of Yuna's healthy appetite. It was like he was feeding an adorable little animal and reminded him of the times when Aria was still a little child. A warm smile soon bloomed on his face.

  "Now, why don't we explore the rest of the vilge. I'm sure you'll find more iing things along the way." ［Falroe］

  "Un!" ［Yuna］

  Her mouth still filled with fruits, Yuna immediately agreed with Falroe's suggestion. It made the tter chuckle once again as he turned around ahe way, Grey and Yuna following behind him.

  As frey, he still couldn't get his mind off the Tree of Life's description. While he doesn't feel any ominousness from it, his curiosity was bugging him. There was ohing he wao try but was feeling flicted if he really should.

  "Grey, we're going to leave you behind if you don't hurry～!" ［Yuna］

  "Ah, ing!" ［Grey］

  His heart still shrouded in mystery and curiosity, Grey decided to turn around and follow Falroe and Yuna. He wao try something out but decided to leave it for another day. For now, he'll be enjoying his day with Yuna.

  Leaves and grasses rustling, caressed by the gentle wind. The flowers swayily and the bees and butterflies dang freely in the air. Pead silence has returo the pce again.

  CHAPTER 139 END