Ribbon

Our journey, though protected by the Tree Barrier of the World Tree, was still a harsh one.

I had the reassurance that I could return home whenever I wished, but the others didn’t share that comfort.

They couldn’t help but wonder when they’d finally be free from this desert expedition.

The villagers who would later become residents of the new settlement were visibly anxious.

Still, our journey proceeded surprisingly smoothly without any outbreaks of frustration.

There were two main reasons for that.

First, thanks to my ability to endlessly produce fruit, everyone was actually living better than before.

And the second reason was…

“Wow, Dad! This is so tasty!”

The presence of Wheel-san, his wife Catherine-san, and their children — who adored their parents so much they followed them all the way here.

Normally, the distance from Tree Village to here would be considerable, but as expected of the offspring of a Divine Beast, distance wasn’t a problem for them.

Their smaller forms, each about the size of a small earthen mound, would rumble toward us, showing off their big round rumps as they came and went.

“Nom, nom… yummy~”

“Yummy~…”

“(…So cute.)”

Watching Wheel-san’s children nibble on fruit with their front teeth was somehow healing.

Just seeing them seemed to wash away the weariness of the day.

Before we knew it, everyone — Nadja, Aira, and even the villagers — were smiling.

I remembered hearing once in the royal capital that just watching animals could bring peace to the heart.

Even though they were the children of a Divine Beast — something to be revered — they were still irresistibly adorable.

Watching them eat fruit so earnestly, or toddle around the area, made my heart feel warm.

“How frustrating… yet I cannot deny how delicious this is. My pride won’t allow it.”

One guinea pig girl with a little ribbon tied on her head spoke, flailing her legs as she ate her fruit with delicate dignity.

She was the only one among the children who spoke in a refined, noble tone — like a proper young lady.

For some reason, I couldn’t help but keep my eyes on her.

Could this be… love?

(Probably not.)

I’d been curious for a while, but finally couldn’t hold it in anymore.

I decided to speak to her.

“Hey, you there…”

“W-wah!? What do you want!?”

The guinea pig jumped, trembling as she looked up at me.

I must’ve startled her.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. Would you like this?”

“What… is this?”

What I held out was a fruit from one of the new trees I could now plant after leveling up my Tree Planting skill — a mango.

“It’s a mango.”

“Mango…?”

She tilted her head in confusion, the large motion almost toppling her entire body sideways.

“Ah—!”

I hurriedly caught her in my arms.

Warm, soft, and fluffy — the sensation was dangerously addictive.

“Sorry, are you alright?”

“H-how dare you! To touch a lady so suddenly! B-but… I suppose I am grateful…”

With that, the little lady-like guinea pig hopped away and began eating the mango at a safe distance.

“Oh… it’s delicious…”

Seeing her expression melt into happiness filled me with an odd sense of satisfaction.

I thought to myself that it would be nice if she told me her name next time, then looked around.

It seemed others had gotten inspired by my example.

“Oh, Divine Beast-sama! Would you like some of this?”

“Thanks~!”

“Divine Beast-sama, the peaches higher up are sweeter and tastier!”

“Oh, really? Munch munch… you’re right, it’s delicious~”

Everyone began offering fruit to the Divine Beasts’ children.

Surprisingly, the little ones didn’t shy away or act frightened at all — they happily accepted fruit from everyone.

“The guinea pig Divine Beasts are so cute! Woody, let’s keep one at home!”

“Zzz…”

Nadja came over, cradling a sleeping Divine Beast child in her arms.

Of course, that wasn’t possible.

“Nadja, that one’s a Divine Beast. You can’t keep it as a pet. If you want one at home, get a normal guinea pig.”

“Buu.”

“Pouting won’t help.”

“Buu buu.”

“Even if you act like a pig, it’s still a no.”

Well, I couldn’t blame her.

Seeing Wheel-san’s big happy family made even me want to raise an animal of my own.

“Munch munch… this loquat thing’s pretty good! Not too sweet, just right for Divine Beasts like us!”

“Munch munch… Woody, I’d like a wind-element version next!”

“Oh! Then make an earth-element one too!”

As the Divine Beasts mingled with the villagers, Wheel-san and Simurg-san ate loquats — fruits that had appeared alongside the mango trees.

Yes, even Simurg-san, who was supposed to be guarding the Sanctuary, had tagged along this time.

Apparently, the reason was simple: he wanted to eat more of the new mangoes and loquats.

Still as free-spirited as ever.

And Wheel-san… what did he mean by “Divine Beasts like us,” exactly?

At any rate, the journey continued smoothly.

Everyone’s stress had eased, and we’d introduced two new fruits to the world.

Next, I’d have to finally face that issue I’d been avoiding until now.

The following day, to resolve my concerns, I summoned the tree list display inside my mind.