Unstoppable

“What, what is this? It’s even tastier than the apples I used to sneak from the duke’s house…”

“I’ve never eaten apples like this even at home…! It’s so good it feels like they’ve been drenched in syrup or honey!”

My impression was almost the same as theirs.

I didn’t even have the energy to retort to Aira about her snacking habits.

I crunched into the apple.

Once I started eating, I couldn’t stop.

The difference was obvious the more I chewed.

The inside was filled with nectar, and I could see it was packed all the way through.

The World Tree Fruit was so delicious that my brain struggled to process it, with no point of comparison to describe it.

But since I was used to apples, I could really sense their level of taste.

“This is the kind of deliciousness you could sell…”

“If apples taste this good…”

“Then I can’t help but expect even more from the peaches…”

We all bit into the peaches we held in our other hands.

“““U… UNBELIEEEEVABLY DELICIOUS!”””

Of course, the peaches didn’t disappoint either.

It was my first time biting directly into a peach, since I had always peeled them before… but the skin was thin, so I could eat it without trouble.

The flesh melted softly, and the juice burst in my mouth the moment I bit in.

Happiness spread across my mouth.

I had never eaten peaches this good!

Even as a duke’s son, I had never tasted anything like this—this was food worthy of being served at the king’s own table!

“DEEEEELICIOUS, it is!”

Simurg-san seemed to have only now eaten an apple, shouting his praise belatedly.

It looked like the Divine Bird also approved.

Just like with the apples, this was definitely delicious enough to sell.

I didn’t have any plans for trade yet, but…

When I built a sanctuary and started dealing with other towns, these fruits might become one of our main trade goods!

Before I knew it, all the fruit on the tree was gone.

Everyone swallowed hard.

Their faces clearly showed they hadn’t had enough.

Well… I felt the same.

Thanks to everyone eating fruit and smiling, my Tree Planting Points had increased more than before I planted anything.

In that case, maybe planting another round would be fine.

If I had extra points, I might as well plant some fruit trees I’d never eaten before.

I decided to plant peach, apple, and pear trees.

An hour later—

The harvested fruit trees bore fruit again after just one hour.

A total of twenty-five fruits: ten peaches, ten apples, and five pears.

We first ate the peaches and apples.

At just the right timing, we then tried the pears.

“““DE-LI-CIOUSSS!”””

It was my first time eating a pear. Its texture was similar to an apple.

But how should I put it… it was juicier and more refreshing than apples.

And that didn’t mean it lacked sweetness.

Each droplet of juice bouncing around in my mouth carried a firm sweetness. If anything, when considering the overall taste, it felt even sweeter than an apple.

“““……”””

Before I knew it, all the pears were gone.

We still had apples and peaches left, so we ate those.

But even then, including myself, everyone looked unsatisfied.

Receiving their silent protest, I ended up planting more trees until everyone was satisfied…

Creating fruit trees as requested left me exhausted, and I fell asleep on the spot.

When I woke up the next day, all the fruit trees I had planted had withered, except for the World Tree.

So, if I left them in a place without water, they’d wither after a day.

The World Tree was the exception, surviving even when left in the desert.

“I guess we really need to make the sanctuary soon.”

“Yes, it would be a loss for humanity if such wonderful fruit trees were allowed to wither.”

“That’s an exaggeration…”

“Exaggeration? Nonsense! Allowing fruit that delicious to wither is something that must never happen!”

It looked like both Aira and Nadja had become addicted to the fruit.

After all, yesterday the two of them had eaten until their bellies bulged like expectant mothers.

But this morning, they were back to their usual slim figures.

I had no idea what kind of bodies they had. The mysteries of the human body, I suppose.

“I shall scout from the sky and find a suitable location!”

Even though yesterday he had said we could take our time choosing a sanctuary site, Simurg-san seemed to have changed his mind. Apparently, he too had been enchanted by the fruit.

With enthusiasm, Simurg-san soared into the sky, vanishing in an instant.

—S-so fast!?

As expected of a Divine Beast.

Though, his motivation was fruit.

Still, from the sky, he would surely be able to see many things.

And since we had used the Tree Barrier to travel at an impossible pace for days, it should be fine to establish a sanctuary in this area.

While I was thinking that, Simurg-san returned.

He was as fast coming back as he was leaving.

“I have found a settlement of locals. If we walk, we should arrive within the day.”

I had always wondered where the locals were. Apparently, they were closer than I thought. But, Simurg-san added:

“It seems they are struggling with water and food.”

“Let’s earn their gratitude and make them citizens of our country.”

“Aira… you’re not supposed to say things like that out loud…”

“Ah, sorry, my honest feelings slipped out (tehepero).”

I ignored Aira’s use of that old gesture, long extinct in the royal capital.

Yeah, if there were people in trouble, we should go help.

As long as Aira and I were together, we could handle most problems.

And so, for the first time in the desert, we made contact with the locals—