Chapter 87

"No way."

Mother immediately refused.

How cold!

"Because I'm a tree spirit, I don't find your presence unpleasant. It's better than having Hilg around, but I can't have other spirits lingering in my territory. Please go elsewhere."

Mother said this matter-of-factly and tried to head back to her dwelling.

"Please, Mother. I can't walk anymore. My teleportation isn't working well either."

"I don't care. If you're an adult spirit, you should take care of yourself."

Mother turned her back on Woodbaum and started walking away. It was a typical response from her, but I felt sorry for Woodbaum, who was on the verge of tears. Considering he left the nest at fifty, he is indeed a mature adult spirit, nearly two hundred years old, but I couldn't just leave him.

"Mother, he's so pitiful."

I ran up to Mother and pleaded in front of her.

"Even adults get sick, and it's tough."

He doesn't seem to have a fever, but he looks tired. Even though I only got colds in my past life as a human, I understand how difficult it is to be sick.

And the loneliness that comes with it.

Being sick is scary when you're alone. Mother might not understand this feeling.

"Mother..."

I looked up at her, sniffing.

Mother pursed her lips and thought for a few seconds before sighing in exasperation.

"There's nothing I can do. I guess I've become soft."

When we returned to Woodbaum, he hesitantly spoke up.

"Is it okay for me to stay here?"

"I'll allow it. However, you don't get along well with snow, do you? Winter is coming, and this mountain will become a harsh environment for trees."

"True, trees can't survive in extreme cold."

Seeing Woodbaum's shoulders droop, I made a suggestion.

"Hey, why don't you come to the northern fortress?"

If he goes down to the foot of the mountain, it will be a bit warmer, and the soil and water will still be clean. I thought it would be a more comfortable environment for Woodbaum. I need to ask the one-eyed knight and the captain if it's okay to let Woodbaum stay, but I'll take him there for now.

"Fortress? A place with human soldiers?"

Woodbaum asked, sounding uneasy.

"Yes. Everyone is nice, so they'll be kind to Woodbaum. ...But, um, they do cut down trees. They need firewood for the forge, and people can die from the cold..."

I cautiously explained, but Woodbaum didn't get angry.

"I understand, it's fine. As long as it's not excessive, it's good to be of service to humans."

He crouched down to meet my eyes.

"It's rare for a spirit to protect humans. Do you like humans?"

"...Yes, I do. Mother also helps the king of this country."

I included Mother to avoid being seen as an anomaly.

Woodbaum nodded in understanding.

"Ah, if your parents are involved with humans, you tend to be the same."

"Woodbaum, do you dislike humans?"

"I don't dislike them. I've been disappointed by some, but I don't intend to attack them. If you take me to the fortress, I'll behave."

"Okay. I'll take you. Mother, is that okay?"

I turned to ask, and Mother nodded. Then she said to Woodbaum.

"Woodbaum, don't be a burden to my child."

"Thank you, Snowlea."

I think it will be a burden on everyone at the northern fortress, but at least the spirits have agreed. I jumped onto Woodbaum's leg, trying to attach myself, but I couldn't get a good grip and slid off.

After repeating this a few times, I asked Woodbaum, who looked puzzled.

"Can you carry me...?"

"Oh, I see."

He finally understood what I was trying to do and picked me up.

"Wow, you're so fluffy!"

Mother scolded Woodbaum, who was rubbing his cheek against my white fur.

"Got it? We're going to move."

"Okay, please do."

I said goodbye to Mother and aimed for the one-eyed knight. As I wrapped Woodbaum in my body, we turned into a blizzard.

In no time, Woodbaum and I arrived at the northern fortress.

"It's outside. The one-eyed knight is..."

Stretching my neck from Woodbaum's arms, I saw the one-eyed knight holding a broom, looking surprised. He seemed to be sweeping up fallen leaves.

"Oh, it's you, Mil. You surprised me."

The one-eyed knight could only see Woodbaum's back. It would be shocking to suddenly see an unknown man appear in front of you.

After looking at Woodbaum, he turned back to me.

"Who is he? A spirit?"

"Yes, a tree spirit! His name is Woodbaum."

"Woodbaum, huh? Hello, human. You're quite tall."

Woodbaum raised his hand and smiled brightly at the one-eyed knight.

"What's going on?"

"Mil is with another spirit."

"We're getting used to it."

Behind the one-eyed knight, about ten other knights were there, holding brooms, dustpans, and large bags for leaves, ready to clean the courtyard. Tina and Rekka were also nearby, approaching to see what was happening.

I introduced Woodbaum to everyone and explained why I brought him to the fortress.

"So, I want Woodbaum to stay here until he gets better."

"Please, humans. I won't interfere with your work. I just need a corner of the courtyard."

As Woodbaum and I pleaded, Rekka stepped in to help.

"Deputy Commander Grail, please. We can't turn away a spirit in need."

"I understand. We can't turn away a spirit in trouble. I need to check with the captain, the commander, and the king, but I think they'll agree."

The one-eyed knight sent another knight to fetch the captain. Woodbaum smiled and expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, humans."

He glanced at me and said,

"Maybe I should stay in animal form like Milfia. It might be easier for humans to accept me."

He put me down and transformed. In animal form, Woodbaum becomes a stag. Like his human form, he's not particularly large but not small either. His body is brown, and at first glance, he looks like an ordinary deer, but his antlers are unique. They are made of wood and have leaves, which are now red from autumn.

"That's how it is."

I looked up at the smiling stag, thinking it was the first time I found someone's head interesting.

"That's right, it's late autumn now. But they'll fall soon. In spring, new leaves will grow again."

"Wow."

As Woodbaum and I were talking, a red flame appeared on his back.

Kugalg was using teleportation to come here.