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 Year 79 Month 1

 Roots, the subterraneanwork of trees. Through it, I am connected to the tens of thousands of trees within my valley, and beyond.

 These roots, they cover vastnds, serving as the forests backbone, carrying information, minerals, essences, and mana. These roots, they go through many kinds of soil, so they pick up the subtle shifts of the mineralposition, and, a feature of my various subsidiary trees, act like little sensors, collecting measurements.

 When it rains, when it snows, when the earth shakes a little, when theres a bit of shaking, through [roo], the roots and the subsidiary trees all collect data. Data, which my root-brains, Trevor, Dimitree, and Ivy feed on. Vibrations, humidity, magic. Together, all these sensors form a vast array, and so, we can now triangte the sources of tremors, and unusual magics, to determine direction.

 Some trees in the distance would feel it first, a tug, a pull. Thenter more trees pick up on the tremor.

 An earthquake. A minor one. Even the volcano gives out little warning signs, the small tremors before it starts to erupt, when some part of the volcano starts to spit outva. This ability could have saved more beetles, if we had it a bit earlier.

 Its Trevors newest skill addition.

 [Tree-iangtion]

 Crunching all the data, to tell me whats happening in a distant location, without having to actually be there.

 If we had magic sensors Alexis is about to start with her usual marketing of magicbs.

 Lets start materialbs first. I understand thats a prerequisite to the development of magicbs?

 Ah.. erm.. Yes. We would need to have the ability to analyse materials, and develop mana-sensitive materials, then only magicalbs.

 So lets do it. What do I need to get to materialbs? Once we have that Id like to analyse that dismantled airship, again.

 What? Really?

 Yes. Ive decided to get magic sensors. I imagine that would be very useful if we had another case of that super-blizzard.

 Alexis nods, Ah yes. So, material research first?

 Yes. Get to it.

 Sure. Alexis looks awkward, she floats around, a part of her happy, yet a part of her quite confused. ...What made you change your mind?

 Was I changing my mind? I thought I just wanted more time to mull over whether thats the right direction for us.

 Alexis seems like she is about to bark some kind of retort, before she seems to realise ...do tree spirits normally take so long to think?

 Hmmm. No?

 Well, it makes sense, that is amon kind of myth associated with tree-people that they tend to be sluggish and take forever to decide. Alexis is talking to herself now. "It''s like that council of trees in LoTR. Took them forever to decide, didn''t they."

 Huh. Is sheining that I took too long to decide? But at least I did decide, no?

 Ah never mind. Starting material testing and treeb varieties.<ul><li><ul><li>Eye-Tree Stage I research option unlocked - 2 months remaining</li></ul></li></ul><ul><li>Beetle - anti-magma armors stage 2 -pleted</li></ul><ul><li><ul><li>Beetle - anti-magma armors stage 3 - 3 months remaining</li><li>Tree - volcanic adaptation stage 3 - 2 months remaining</li></ul></li></ul><ul><li>Roots - Volcanic mineral harvesting - stage 1 -pleted</li></ul><ul><li>Roots - Volcanic mineral harvesting - stage 2 -pleted</li></ul><ul><li>Roots - Volcanic mineral processing - stage 1 - 5 months remaining</li><li>Materials testing - stage 1 - 3 months</li><li>Treeb varieties - stage 1 - 12 months</li></ul>

 Research is taking longer, as earlier predicted. Magic is going to be necessary, and though I have to take precautions on who and what gets ess to magic, I''m starting to lean on the side that it''s an eventual step I have to take, one way or another, I cannot face the threats this world has with one hand behind my back.

 A necessary risk.

 I will have a long conversation with both Me and Alexis, on magic, on the sorts of magic I will give them ess too, though with Me, I have less ability to control her. My hope is, they would be able to give some contribution to the defense against the next demon king, as they have more experience in magic as heroes.

 Meanwhile, New Freekas having a small boom in terms of growth. The era of peace, and the reputation of stable, secure food supplies attracts more refugees, even from the other nations, not just Sh. A busy time for the council of New Freeka, and theyve been hard at work, to expand their town premises, prepare new farnds. More people, more food, more homes, public services need to be expanded. Of course, there''s usually a need for refugees to ''buy'' their way to ''public'' services, such as the right to use some of the new housing.

 At the same time, theres been more focus on security and screening, so the NFHC hired some of theid off soldiers to work as guards. Ivy says some of the councilmen feel a need to bolster their forces, now that they are actively threatened by the presence of the Valtrian order as apeting political power, what more, with Jura and the Valtrian orders secure, legally protected position.

 A faction in the council emerged which wants to assert ''independence'' from the Orders growing influence, and this faction somehow managed to coerce Yvon, such that she voluntarily resigned from her position as the chairperson of the council. Her position has been tenuous and under scrutiny for some time, as it''s an open secret by now, that her soul is contracted to me, and that leads to a whole lot of corridor whispering and rumors about Yvon being promised''.

 But to theyperson unfamiliar to the nuances of New Freeka politics, her statement to the public atrge sounded voluntary enough.

 Im resigning from my post as chairperson of the New Freeka council, with immediate effect. Ive led and held this position since New Freekas founding, and finally, after almost 5 years, I believe this fledgling nation is in safe hands, and I can finally hand the reins over to someone else, and spend time with my son.

 How sweet. Spend time with Roma, whos now almost 6 years old.

 The pressure to counterbnce Juras growing influence meant the person holding New Freekas chairperson role had to more than independent. In other words, against the Order, against me.

 Frankly, its just silly political struggles. Arge faction within the councilmen themselves understand this, after all, they know I can crush them. So they are left in this ufortable situation where they yearn for to be the ruling group, but acknowledge that without me, they have nothing to rule.

 Anyway, silly silly things, these jostling for ''authority'', as long as nothing unreasonable happens, Ill let them be. Ivys got all of them monitored, and retaliation wont take much time at all.

 Lady Yvon. Jura was one of the few she met after her voluntary withdrawal. I heard the news, frankly, its disappointing, but the Tree Spirit expected it.

 Sheughs, Hah, well, thats life.

 Jura shrugs. So, really, retirement as a mother?

 Why, do I not look like I have motherly desires?

 Juras turn tough, and he takes a small alcoholic beverage and offers it to Yvon. Frankly, no. Youre the warrior-queen type.

 Yvon sips on her little drink. Well, to be fair, it has some truth, I admit feeling a little jealous that Romas a lot more attached to Eriz than me. For all these time Ive been trying to get this town in order, Eriz has been more like his mother, more than I ever have. So yes, a bit of it is a desire to make up for what I have failed to do.

 "Really? I really didn''t see you as the actual mother type, though most of New Freeka regard you as the ''mother'' of this city." Juraughs, he offers his small cup of alcohol and the two cups meet softly. They both take a sip.

 "Anyway, my times up. And time management has never been my strong suit. There''s never enough time to do right by New Freeka, or by Roma."

 Times never enough. Ites with the job. Look at me, or Laufen. Both of us are so busy these days, we only have a bit of time to spend with Lausanne and the kids. I try to make dinner happen, at least we still meet up Lausannes been bugging me forbat practice every time we meet.

 Oh yes I have heard a few captains sing praise of her talent. Shes really good for her age. My son''s not showing any interest yet, though.

 Well, may not be a bad thing. Laufen constantly worries shell injure herself. At least Romas just ying chase, or spending time with wooden toys. I just hope Lausanne doesnt find someone who doesnt know how to hold back and injure herself from practice.

 You know, I could offer to spar with Lausanne. Yvon nods. Now that I have free time.

 Jura smiles, I would appreciate that. It will be good for her growth, that she fights someone with a different style.

 So I take that as a yes?

 Yes, yes. Please tell Lausanne youre her new sparring partner.

 Yvon nods, Great! Their cups are both empty.

 Jura leans forward. Ah, all of you, can you leave? The guards nod to Juras instruction, and so they leave, leaving Jura and Yvon alone in the room.

 Huh. Something important?

 Yes. Ill cut to the chase, really. Its about Roma. Is he rted to the royalty?

 Damn. The Tree Spirit saw through that too? Yvons fist smack her other palm, and Jura just shrugs at her statement.

 Does the Kingdom of Sh know about it?

 I sure hope not. We forged a fake marriage arrangement with one of Galens knights, one of the other elves. It also helps that Roma does not manifest any of the human traits yet, so no one will know whether hes part-human until hes much older.

 But he will, it''s only a matter of time before he asks of his own heritage. How many know of this?

 Maybe 10?

 That is too many. Where are the 10?

 I I dont know.

 In which case, you better start preparing Roma. If youre lucky, he gets forgotten by the Kingdom, as just one of the many bastards royalties have. If youre not, theres going to be a group out for his head.

 Well, now that I have some free time, looks like I should get started on his practice.

 Jura nods. You should. He needs the ability to protect himself. Youre good, but you wont be able to stop all of them.

 Can I count on you to protect him?

 Jura pauses, and shrugs. Maybe.

 Yvon smiles weakly. Ah well.

 If youre going to start preparing him, then have him practice with Lausanne. I can permit ess to the Training Rooms, or use the one near the Main Tree.

 I will. Thank you.

 Take care, Lady Yvon.

 Yvon nods, and she leaves.

 The rooms empty, and so Jura leans back and he speaks out loud. Its quite obvious hes talking to me.

 Royalty. As you predicted.

 Its obvious, isnt it? She sent her baby so far away with protectors. If its not royalty, I doubt shed take such precautions. Its such a cliche.

 I thought its just a motherly thing to do, to keep your child out of harms way. But Im happy that she offered to practice with Lausanne. Thatll really help me and Lausanne. If only the others show any interest in learning how to defend and protect themselves.

 Theyll be fine. So long as they remain in the valley, the beetles will look out for them. What do you think about her recement?

 Smart, but a little greedy. The position he takes isnt one he truly believes in, hes only taking it because it allows him to be in a greater role. I believe hes just saying what everyone else wants to say, but dont have the guts to say. A mouthpiece for the anti-Order faction, so hes going to try to stonewall a few of our initiatives.

 Well, it is normal in politics. The opposing party will try their best to stop us. As long as its not too annoying, let it be. If you run into trouble, let me know, Ill crush them.

 Jura nods. I figured you would say that. Oh yeah, my [diplomat] and [warrior] sses merged yesterday night. Its now [Warlord].

 Sounds like an upgrade.

 It is. I feel stronger already. Cumtively Im level 80! I think its due to your influence

 Great. Well, its good that Juras getting even more powerful. All that [powerleveling] and [learning aura] helped, after all.

 He sighs, and its a loud, long sigh. TreeTree. I think I think this is my limit.

 Huh?

 I can feel it. Even though my sses merged, I have a sense, a feeling in my chest. That this this is as far as I can go. My body and soul is at its limit of growth.

 Strange words. Do people not grow, gain levels, as long as they push themselves, fight monsters and gain experience?

 Well, in theory, yes. But other than heroes, most of us teau at some point. For those who are not so gifted, we would experience multiple teaus. Thats why Im worried for Lausanne, too. She might be doing well now, gaining levels and all, but there is a point where our body, our souls reach a teau.

 Well, I think Jura did mention something simr in the past, but it didnt register as something significant in my head.

 We are not born heroes, and so, we have a limit. They say

 I cut him off then. Rubbish. Are you sure youre not just feeling tired and start mumbling? Rather than talk about limits, take a dip in the bib and let me have a look at whats going on. Come back to the main tree.

 Ah

 Jura somewhat reluctantly put himself for examination.

 And first things first, I notice the arrangement of stones near and around his mana spring. The core of the soul is different fromst time, I recall it looking like a few scattered mounds of rocks around the mana spring, but this time, those mounds are shaped like a proper wall around the spring, a bit more like the ranger. Theres a better structure and organisation to the rocks and stones. I suppose this is what the ss merger did to theyout of the rocks.

 Next, I looked at the mana generation, it is healthy, and quite good, doesnt look like theres any blockage or dark spots that suck up his mana. The springs spewing out mana very well, the supply of mana or life force is good. Not as much as the heroes, of course, but its healthy for someone like Jura.

 Then, I look at the body, the bodys healthy too. Juras not a young man anymore, by elven years hes a middle aged man. Despite that, the bodys in good shape, hes strong, hes fit. The shores on the body is taking up all the mana the body can offer, and there are no blockage to the mana flow to any part of the body.

 Hmm, so why would he feel like this is his limit? Is this something not on the mana? I draw on the power of my [soul forge], and channel it to my main trees bib pod, hoping to have a look at a bit more.

 With the [soul forge]s power, more data appears. First, the rate of production of mana from the spring, and then the passive mana consumed to sustain each level and skill. Its denoted as two bars, mana produced and mana consumed.

 Is this the mana were familiar with, or another kind of mana? Alexis asks, shes also looking Juras body.

 Well, as it turns out, it sort of is, the normal kind of mana. Each person produces a certain amount of mana, but it is allocated into two pools, active and passive. Active goes into the persons actual mana pool that is used to cast spells and activate skills, Passive is directly consumed to sustain the bodys stats, power and all the other passives. The passive, ismonly referred to as the bodys vitality or life force.

 It is the data finally answers the question.

 Juras vitality is maxed out. And his bodys consumption of that vitality is also maxed out. Though nothing is wrong with him, he is right to say something is wrong. Its like a car thats already pushed to the limit, and can go no further. A car that hit its speed limit.

 Sounds simple enough, can you tweak the soul such that it produces more vitality and less mana? It sounds like he doesnt really need that much mana as a warrior. Maybe some of his skills and abilities consume them, but I think a higher level would be better. Or maybe, you could just give him an upgrade? I wonder whether you could upgrade souls.

 Its something I want to think about. There may be other ways to go about it.

 Tweaking the soul, well, I could, but I need to be very sure it works. The soul forge, if used incorrectly, can cause great damage.

 Year 79 Month 2

 I finally got the skill. We needed to decorate a [subsidiary tree]s customisable rooms with beds,plete with partitions, segregated washrooms, a reception area and a dining area.

 [Tree Lodge]

 [A tree with a whole lot more space than it looks! Each tree lodge has 10 rooms, a restaurant, a cozy lounge, a reception, and a kitchen, all while looking no bigger than any other tree! Needs to hire workers to work]

 [Limited to 5, and each lodge must be a distance away from the other nearest lodge]

 Uh. Odd, it''s the first time a tree skill has a minimum distance requirement. I cant cram all the tree lodges in one ce?

 Me, I got the skill. I can make you a tree lodge already. Well, once its fused with Me, the slot would free up again. Mes her own person and she doesnt use my tree lodge slot. Its like Alexiss own independent bib-thing, which is now a weird crazy looking tree with lots of vials, tubes and other contraptions, and strange blobs flowing up and down its side. It''s so weird that I have to use beetles to guard it.

 Awesome. I had ideas for names again. Want to hear it?

 What?

 Hotel Treevago. Hey, I know that joke. Do they alle from the same generation? Is there a kind of speed difference in time between this world and ours?

 Alexis facepalms. Me, thatsme. And it sounds kind of wrong. Like a bad reproductive disease.

 Meughs. I know, its a joke. Im probably going to call it something a bit more proper. Perhaps, the Faraway Home-e.

 Thats not much better!

 The palms, then? I think theres a luxury hotel by that name, isnt it?

 The palms but were not at the beach!

 How about the Pinewood?

 Oh, okay, the Pinewood sounds better. Alexis puts her spiritual fingers on her chin. She''s thinking rather seriously.

 "Or the Oakwood. I think that sounds quite ssy as a hotel."

 "Me, you sure you want to be a hotel?"

 "Hell yeah. Alexis, stops questioning my decisions, I know what I want to do."

 "Ah, I know you won''t change your mind. Fine, fine. You''ll need to hire workers and you will need money. And where can you get it?"

 "TreeTree, can I get a loan? You''re rich, right? I''ll pay you back when I start to make money."

 "Okay. 30 gold for now. Consider it my investment."

 Alexis smacks her head. "TreeTree, you''re being awfully generous."

 Great, thanks TreeTree! Lets totally do this. Uh.. but wait. If the soul forge merges me with the [Tree lodge], does that mean I take the position of the current Tree Lodge? Thats not a great location, I would prefer one right in New Freeka!

 Ah hmm.... I mentally connect to the soul forge, and then, a little prompt appears. Alexis and the Tree-minds didnt have this issue since they are located right next to me, so after the merging isplete I can just spawn them there. But New Freeka outside the range of the soul forge so I have to use the Carrier Drone.

 [Carrier Drone. After a soul is merged with an object, skill or person, it can choose to be a deployable egg. The carrier drone will then carry the egg within it to the desired location, where it will spawn into the merged structure! But beware, the carrier drone is vulnerable, and destruction means death to the cargo as well.]

 Once again, the system to the rescue." A little too convenient, but hey, that''s life.

 And so, I initiate the soul forge. Mes soul leaves my [soul realm], and into the forge, together with the [Tree Lodge], which melts into a greenish like liquid, and the soul forge then spins the two together. Me''s soul takes the form of a white light, and together with the greenish liquid, it mixes into a mild green light.

 Lightning strikes at the branches of the [Forge Tree], making an electrical connection to the heavens above, and it periodical pulses, and the thickness of the lightning increases.

 And the spinning within the forge speeds up intensely, as more power and mana are drawn through the roots. Activating a soul forge result in a lot of mana and energy flowing through the roots, especially from the leyline, it feels like having a whole lot of water flowing, spinning around me, like I am stuck in a whirlpool.

 Zap! Onerge lightning strikes the [forge tree], and then, itsplete. The merging is done.

 A small greenish egg appears from the forge tree, containing a sleeping Me as a hotel-spirit-tree.

 A drone beetle appears, its bodys hard shell open to reveal something resembling a small but very long limb, it lifts up that small egg, the size of a dog (its rtive), and ces it in apartment on its body, then the shell closes.

 Wow. It even has a little storage space.

 Imand a dozen beetles to quickly escort the drone to the marked ce in New Freeka, a ce Me chose beforehand, where she wanted the hotel to be. It''s nighttime, and Jura has already made arrangements for the beetles to enter the town premise. Once the carrier drone arrives safely, the drone beetle starts to dig itself into the ground and it starts to melt?

 Its melting? The body of the carrier and the egg liquefies into a greenish goo and it seeps into the ground.

 Whoah. Alexis is quite amused by it. "Magic?"

 "I.. I think so?" Well, I have no idea. I don''t know how the deployment works either.

 Its actually an empty plot ofnd, owned by the Order, and now, a wall starts to appear around that plot ofnd. The ground starts to expand, actually, inte upwards, but still entirely covered in earth.

 Its still inting, and the inting earth starts to take the shape of a cuboid block made of dirt and roots. Its like somebody took a hardened cube of earth filled with roots and ced it where the empty spot once was.

 Then suddenly, a sign appears on thatrge mound of earth, on the frontage that faces the towns streets.

 Under construction. Grand Opening in soon!

 Me, you there? Alexis asks, a little worried. Me''s her only friend.

 Yes, but Im very busy! Me replies back, Ill let you know when Im done! I got tonnes of options before this thing opens!

 And Me vanishes, merges into the wooden block, and she didnt speak a word for the rest of the month.

 The odd mound of earth, that strangely manages to remain cube-shaped draws a whole lot of curious onlookers, but most people didnt think about it too deeply. Just one of those strange things that happen in a world with magic, oh look at that strange earth-block.. Must be some magical shit happening in the Valtrian Order, again. Compared to trees that spit fire, rtively mild as weird things go.

 Shes busy in there." There''s some kind of noisee from that wooden block. I think it sounds a bit like construction work, but it''s a tree-structure, there would not be actual construction going on. Maybe it''s just some kind of sound effect.

 Running a hotel isnt going to be easy, and afterzing around for so long, itll take some time before she gets the hang of it. A, Alexis is worried. Hey, take your time, alright? Yell if you need help, I''ll try to help out."

 Me did not reply. The noise is getting louder.

 Alexis sulks. Me, you''re okay, right?"

 "She''s in there. I can feel it. Just give her space."

 "Okay Me, let me know if you need anything alright."

 Me didnt respond. But I think the message got through, she said it so many times, she''s almost nagging.

 --

 Is it something youre working on, TreeTree? Well, I told Jura to set aside that plot ofnd for me, but I didnt really tell him what exactly itll be, so now that theres a cube of dirt there, he had to ask.

 Sort of. Its going to be a project by Me.

 Me? Is that the hero? Oh wait, Jura didnt know about Mes soul. Even when hes in front of Alexiss bib, all he sees is a glowing blob, and not Alexiss ethereal form. So, hes not spoken to them at all.

 Come to think of it, nobody knows about Alexis and Me''s second life as a soul.

 Now I hope they don''t identally expose themselves as former heroes. Announcement No chapters next week. Taking a break.

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