Chapter 116
Morning rounds.
I was worried because of yesterday's tree monster, the one I named Eco, but it seems fine.
Marshmallow and the others, along with the snow amoebas, are as usual too.
No playing in the snow!
It was more intense than usual today.
Why?!
Next, I check the river.
For some reason, I end up having to watch a strange dance for ages.
I wonder what this is about. They don't seem to be trying to annoy me, so I can't stop them.
...Huh, there's still more?
I'm sorry, but I really want it to be over.
Thank you... That was... sort of fun.
My clothes, wet from the snow, also dry naturally by the river.
Was I there that long...?
I check the crops, just in case, while looking over the fields.
I'm glad the farming team seems to be working hard today too.
The field amoebas are working hard too... Huh! You're going to dance?
Huh? But the water amoeba already showed me its dance.
I try to decline... but it's already started!
Why?!
I watched until it was over, doing my best.
Really, that's enough.
When I make my rounds in the Fruit Tree Forest, the field amoebas here are dancing too—a different dance from the one in the fields earlier.
...Um, thank you.
I've already given up.
But just the first one, please.
If I hadn't stopped you, how long would you have kept going? No, what you just did was more than enough—really, more than enough!
There are no problems in the Fruit Tree Forest, either.
Core and the others have been out hunting since this morning too... That's a huge haul.
Isn't this a little too much?
The little goblins are working hard, but is there still more?
Ah, Ai and the others are working hard too.
The children too? What could have gotten into everyone?
Um, maybe we should stop hunting soon.
I can't see the little goblins because they're surrounded by prey.
Yeah, thank you.
What's that?
A shadow suddenly appeared from above!
I jump in surprise... Huh? What is this enormous fish?
Fluffy? Huh! The flying lizard too?
Oh... um, you worked hard.
Thank you.
Oh, One-Eye and Three-Eyes have come to cheer them on.
Good work... huh?
Fluffy, wait!
Where are you going?
Fish? ...Ah, no more fishing today.
I've had enough.
Really, enough.
There's a fish about ten meters long right in front of me.
More than enough.
I finally make it to the lake where Eco and the three stick insects live.
Everyone's a little too hyper today.
I can't help wondering if they've been drinking, but...
One-Eye is guarding the alcohol, so they should probably be fine.
...They're this hyper without drinking?
That's scary in its own way.
I wanted to name the stick insects too, but gave up.
All three look exactly alike, no matter how I look at them.
I can't tell them apart.
...Looks like not naming them was the right choice after all.
The mini stick insects have, um... increased in number quite a bit.
And Eco has grown incredibly powerful.
It's a little impressive that even a tree monster can grow this much.
No problems with the stick insects, either.
I was worried because of yesterday, but they seem to be fine.
Apparently, the fungi and pests have been dealt with somehow.
I need to be careful about invisible fungi and such.
Hmm?
The stick insects gave me a strange fruit.
Something golden wrapped in what looks like a thin membrane.
While I was wondering what to do, Core came over.
For now, thank you, stick insects.
...
The fruit is in the bowl.
Core brought a fork.
Am I supposed to crush it?
I see.
When I crush it, a fragrant aroma spreads through the air.
It smells like maple syrup.
I give it a little taste... It's maple syrup.
Oh, I got something good.
I want some eggs.
Pancakes need eggs, after all.
...I guess I'll look for some.
Even so, everyone was unusually energetic today.
Could it be because of what happened to Eco yesterday?
They seem to be fine, though.