#47: Permission — Using the Skill ‘Tree Planting,’ I’ll Start a Relaxed Frontier Life in My Place of Exile (WN)

Getting permission to accompany them was surprisingly easy.

“I’ve been working as a merchant here for quite some time, so I’ve already established reasonably safe trade routes. And in case of trouble, my… escorts will protect us. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Such reliable words.

Wondering why she gave permission so readily, I asked, and Ran-san flashed a bright smile.

“Lord Woody, you seem to live under a set of values completely different from ours. From a perspective someone ordinary like me could never see, you might spot new business opportunities.”

Ran-san toyed with a piece of dried fruit in her hand, then flicked it into her mouth with a snap.

A raisin went in, and she ate it happily.

“Lord Woody, you’re a golden egg. Not just for the people of Tree Village, not just for us merchants… but likely for the entire desert region. …Just kidding! I just want to share in the scraps of fortune you leave behind, to enjoy some good luck myself—that’s all there is to it.”

She winked playfully as she said that.

From then on, I sensed no trace of a greedy merchant desperate to earn money.

Instead, what peeked through was a kindhearted concern for the people living in this desert.

I thought… Ran-san was someone I could trust.

Nadja and Aira felt the same way.

So we decided to leave Tree Village together with Ran-san and her companions.

I wouldn’t mind if they came to know about my power.

My resolve was firm.

So I went around to greet the key people in the village, but none of them voiced any objections.

“Don’t worry. Whether it’s one month or two, I’ll manage the village without issue.”

Shekuri-san said this as he proudly thumped his chest—truly reassuring.

“I shall protect my Wind Muscat orchard! And I shall also maintain the Sanctuary!”