Chapter 145

When I wake up in the morning, I rub Anne and Evangelin’s bellies.

Whether or not the magic will take effect, I always cast Healing, Calmness, and Peace on them.

That lazy, pleasant feeling of magic always gives them a bit more comfort to sleep longer.

“Are you awake?”

I can’t help but be more careful now.

It’s natural for me to worry about them and pour my time into their well-being.

This has become an inevitable, normal part of life—especially now, even more so than before.

“Yeah… I want peaches. Our baby wants peaches.”

Right after waking up, Anne is already craving sticky, juicy peaches.

She pats her belly, making excuses for the baby, then sticks out her tongue with a “Heehee!” when I catch her gaze.

Her brazenness makes me laugh too.

I’m really looking forward to the day the baby is born.

A child who looks like Anne, one who resembles Evangelin, and maybe even one who takes after me somewhere in between.

“Let’s go get some peaches.”

As we descend from the bedroom, I keep a close eye on the stairs.

Though they’re not steep, I think about installing something slip-resistant or soft for safety—not just for the future baby but also for the current expectant mothers.

Or perhaps expanding the house to include a first-floor bedroom would work too.

It seems it’s time to consider another renovation.

“Okay!”

“Yuri likes peaches too!”

Yul perks up at the mention of peaches, her eyes lighting up as she tags along beside us.

With such cute words, how could I possibly deny her peaches?

“I want some too.”

Even Evangelin joins in, waking up amidst all the commotion.

She sheepishly smiles and quietly sidles up next to me.

Today must be Peach Day.

I’m glad I stored plenty of fruits in the bag; there’s no need to worry since we can always grow more in the greenhouse if needed.

“Let’s eat downstairs.”

After confirming that they’ve safely descended, I follow last.

The life burgeoning inside their bellies feels faintly vibrant.

I have a feeling this will become a daily habit—checking on the babies’ growth.

Once you know something exists, it becomes impossible to stop paying attention to it every single day.

“It’s delicious.”

The sliced peaches disappear quickly from the plates I set out.

And when I offer light sandwiches, they devour those too.

Today, instead of Evangelin, I’ve taken charge of breakfast.

It’s not bad, considering it’s also a chance to level up my cooking skills.

“Take it easy. If you need me, press this.”

“Okay.”

“Yes.”

I hand each of them a small tool—a button device connected directly to me, crafted hastily last night.

If they press it, I’ll instantly warp back using the Warp Device I always carry in my bag.

Now that I have responsibilities, I’ve prepared everything carefully.

With that done, I head out to do my work.

Their waving goodbyes and smiles slowly fade as I leave.

By my side, a tiny child clings tightly, riding a four-wheeled bicycle with the happiest grin ever.

“Do you like riding your bike, Yuri?”

“Of course! Yuri rides bikes super well!”

“Heehee.”

Today’s farming day.

Yesterday, I was too busy boasting about the pregnancy around town to finish planting seeds.

The spirits in the greenhouse can handle their tasks fine, but now that spring has arrived, the fairies’ duties have changed slightly—they need to work in my fields outside the greenhouse.

“Spring!”

“I can work hard!”

“Just tell me what to do! I’ll plant everything!”

Eager fairies trail behind me, buzzing excitedly.

With Yul flitting around and the fairies chattering, my head starts to hum with noise.

Second year of spring.

My mainstays remain unchanged: Kingsberries and Musk melons.

While these are my primary crops, I plan to diversify by cultivating various vegetables that are healthy and can serve as food supplies.

I might sell them cheaply to people running restaurants in town, or if they don’t sell, I’ll just toss them into the system to convert into gold.

Although selling directly to people is usually more profitable, my basic plan still revolves around selling to the system.

Even small profits add up when accumulated in large quantities, which is the core strategy right now.

Of course, regular transactions with the royal palace and cities will continue.

If I can increase production, I intend to expand further.

With the automated farm soon producing massive amounts of goods, the possibilities are endless.

“Hmm…”

Unfortunately, I’ve temporarily gone broke.

I knew buying seeds would cost a lot, but without calculating beforehand, I didn’t realize how much gold would vanish planting such a wide variety across this vast area.

But that means the potential gold earnings will also be enormous.

In my second year, I’m bound to become even richer.

“If worse comes to worst, I should hire some people…”

Paying wages and hiring humans might work, but compared to fairies, their speed and efficiency fall short.

Given my farming skill has reached master-level, any inefficiency would frustrate me.

In this regard, fairies meet my minimum standards.

They’re perfect examples of workers capable enough to handle tasks at my farm.

Even with their help, it’s still insufficient.

It’ll likely take three days instead of one to finish planting everything.

Owning extensive land is great, but dealing with such an overwhelming workload isn’t ideal.

That’s why I decided to recruit new fairies.

The peaceful forest where the elf and her tree once thrived seems like the best place to start.

Thanks to the Warp Device, traveling here is effortless.

“Yul.”

“Yes!”

“Dad has somewhere to go briefly, so stay and play nicely with the fairies, okay?”

“Yuri will play well with the fairies!”

“Good job, Yul. You’re such a good listener.”

“Heehee.”

Leaving without warning wouldn’t be right, so I give her a quick reassurance before acting.

Back in the day, I acted impulsively whenever I felt like it, but now I have certain obligations tied to me.

The more I cherish someone, the more constraints naturally arise.

Living alone used to mean complete freedom, but now, even minor restrictions feel worthwhile.

Especially since happiness outweighs any inconvenience.

Besides, having a Warp Device is incredibly convenient for moving around freely, eliminating distance and boosting efficiency.

As soon as I arrive, the crisp forest air greets me with its vivid scent of life.

“Human!”

“Hey, Fruit Human!”

So they still call me “Fruit Human,” huh?

The tranquil forest erupts into lively chatter as fairies gather around.

Thinking about it…

How exactly am I supposed to recruit fairies?

First things first, I pull out some fruit to win their favor.

Some fairies ask about Anne, curious about her clothes.

Apparently, Anne’s outfits have sparked a trend here too, evident in the confidence gap between clothed and unclothed fairies.

It’s amusing to watch.

“Hey, everyone.”

“Yes!”

“You called?”

“At our place, you can wear bright, cheerful spring clothes and eat as many delicious fruits as you want. Interested?”

“Really?”

“That sounds amazing!”

“I wanna go!”

Still, they hesitate to move easily.

I didn’t expect them to jump at the offer so readily.

“Hello again.”

The elf, calmer than before, greets my arrival.

“Are you doing well?”

“Yes. Actually, if it’s not too much trouble, could you visit your father for me?”

“Not a problem.”

“Great! Let’s go!”

Without hesitation, she agrees and dashes off enthusiastically.

I casually jog after her, wondering how the Branch of Blue-Green is faring.

Curiosity sparks within me.

[You’ve arrived.]

“Uh…”

The tree appears less vibrant, wilting rather than thriving.

“Why has he become like this? Do you know?”

“Give me a moment.”

The life force I thought would last several years seems to be fading rapidly.

And yet, the source of vitality and possibility remains clear—

A tiny seed nestled within the tree.

[You’ve noticed.]

“Is this seed the ‘possibility’ you mentioned?”

[Yes. My future… and the forest’s future.]

So that’s what you meant by possibility—the intent to sprout anew.

[This seed won’t bring forth me again. It will birth something new.]

“What?”

[A small, unfamiliar being destined to grow in a new environment. It will require care and nurturing.]

Then, the tree—referred to as “Father”—uses its branches to place the seed in my hand.

[Forest-scented human. One who has earned the affection of fairies and transcended barriers to gain the gentle regard of all plants… Can I entrust this to you?]

It’s quite a weighty request.

Essentially, I’m being asked to create a new home for it.

“Where should I plant this?”

[That’s up to you… Just choose a suitable location and nurture it well.]

“And the elf?”

[She’s too tender-hearted to accept my request. She’s trying hard to ignore my death.]

There’s an unmistakable sadness in the tree’s tone as it faces impending farewell.

Fear of parting is understandable, clearly reflected in the elf’s expression now—unease, dread, and forced calm masking her effort.

“In that case… I’ll find a proper new home for it.”

[I entrust this to you. The forest’s life will eventually migrate to wherever this new life blossoms, though it may take time and face challenges. But nature follows its own pace.]

“Understood. Leave it to me.”

[Thank you. Now, I can rest peacefully…]

The tree falls silent after handing over the seed, its spiritual energy fading.

“…?”

“Are you alright?”

“Yes…”

“Do you see this seed?”

“Is this the possibility Father spoke of?”

“Yes.”

“I cannot see it. There must be a reason Father entrusted it to you. Please take good care of it. I need to stay here and care for Father until the very end.”

Unable to look at the seed, the elf turns away, then embraces the skeletal tree with affection.

[Green Possibility]

It’s strange to see such an abstract name attached to something shaped like a seed.

This indicates just how extraordinary the potential contained within this creation of “Father” truly is.

I tuck it carefully into my chest.

Though I won’t act immediately, I’ll scout suitable areas while exploring.

I came here to recruit fairies but ended up taking on an extra responsibility.

Not that I mind—it feels meaningful to shoulder others’ expectations, especially when it’s a positive duty.

I believe goodwill generally returns as goodwill.

Though I acknowledge the world doesn’t always operate perfectly, there’s no reason to view it negatively first.

Warmth deserves warmth.

For the sake of building a kinder world—and passing this mindset onto my child—I’ll proceed warmly.

“Where should I plant this?”

I know nothing about geomancy.

What I trust is the instinct honed by my master-level farming skill.

An innate sense guiding me toward the perfect spot.

From farming to wandering through forests, I’ve gained another task today.

---