Chapter 52

---

Evening.

I tried changing the shape of the house using the magic key I received, but this time, no matter how much I used it, it didn't break.

Since it's just right, I think I'll try increasing the number of house shapes today.

I'll change it into various forms like a castle, a traditional Japanese mansion, or twin towers, and register them. Of course, I'll do this while lying around in the room.

This way, I can change the shape without getting physically tired.

Sakura's lap pillow is perfect as usual.

...Hmm, what other shapes haven't I tried yet...

While searching, I suddenly thought of something.

"Sakura, Anne mentioned something about using the underground. Can I do that too?"

"Um, do you mean creating a basement? I think it's possible."

Oh, really?

Even though it's growing from the ground, can I still make a basement?

"It's not that the ground is densely packed with roots. The foundation is solid, so it should be fine even if you expand it."

I see, I see. Then, let's try extending it underground a bit.

"But, how should I arrange it? I've never done this before."

"The method is the same as for any other renovation. You can reconfigure the ground in the property area block by block."

As she said, I focused on the property area in my mind.

When I tried moving the ground around the house in blocks,

"Wow... It really worked."

A part of the room sank into the ground. This is amazing.

"No, no, it's mostly your power, Master. I only used my magic to recognize the property area."

"Is that so... But how do you determine the property area?"

Not everything can be moved like these blocks, right?

"Yes. The area is determined by the range where my magic or your magic has permeated. In this case, the area within twenty meters of the part you planted is considered the property."

"That's quite a large area. Our property has really expanded."

After all, part of the forest is now completely part of our property.

This is because the area that turned to ash from Hestia's breath, I replanted and restored to look like a forest.

I haven't received any complaints about this, and Dianaea told me that this area doesn't belong to anyone.

Also, the werewolves asked me,

"Our king restored this place! So, please use it freely!"

So, I'm using it without any issues.

"Well, let's start with a new underground room."

I tried making a hole one block deep and burying the first floor.

Surprisingly, it easily sank into the ground.

"Wow, it buried so easily."

The building became one floor lower.

This is interesting.

If I can freely control the height, the possibilities are endless. Let's try a bit more.

I dug the ground one more level. Then,

--- *Snap*.

I felt something being crushed.

"Huh? I felt something being crushed. What was that?"

"Ah, this hardness and vibration... It's probably an Extreme Magic Stone. It's a mineral that occasionally forms in areas with high magic concentration, like dragon veins. It's quite hard and doesn't crush easily, but during renovation, a strong magical load is placed on the earth, which probably caused it to crush."

"Is it okay to crush it?"

"Yes, it has no effect. Monsters that use the energy from such magic stones might weaken, but it doesn't affect us. In fact, the soil improves as the magic returns to the earth."

I see.

Then it's fine.

"Alright, let's try a bit more. Sakura, I'll leave it to you."

"Okay!"

And so, I kept burying it.

---

--- A few minutes later.

My house disappeared from the Magic Forest.

No, to be precise, it was completely buried.

"...I didn't expect the whole building to be buried."

"It went in nicely. As expected, Master is meticulous. Now, from the outside, it will only look like an apple orchard and a small cottage."

Yeah, yeah, that's true. It's nice of you to praise me.

And indeed, it went into the ground nicely.

"But, can we still get out of here?"

"Oh."

The doors and windows are covered with soil.

The soil won't flow in thanks to the magical coating, but we can't go in or out like this.

Well, we can breathe, so I wonder where the air is coming from.

If I change the interior, I can add a door on top and exit, but,

"If I add a door on top, it will just be a pitfall when entering."

"Ah... We should add a new staircase for safety."

I made a mistake by burying it without thinking.

It seems I need to consider the appropriate structure when burying it in the ground.

"...But, burying the overly large part might be a good idea. It will also ensure stability."

"Yes, that's a possible use."

Hmm, well, today's just a trial.

Let's call it a success since I was able to create a new shape.

"The magic key... How about... 'Retreat'?"

I registered it with the magic key.

Well, I probably won't use it again, but just in case.