Chapter 204: The Battle Cry and Hymn Together
“Th-this can’t be! The Great Tree…!”
“Did we disturb the land of the Green Goddess…?”
“No, if the goddess hadn’t granted it, with that depth, even a branch would barely suffice to take anything.”
Being downwind, I can hear everything clearly. Could it be that the timber here has ownership rights? But then again, the goddess—oh right, the Dogu was a woman. It’s a hassle being seen, I think as I glance toward the voices.
Dwarfs!!!! No, maybe not, but they’re short and bearded! Dwarfs!
“The Spirit pulled it out for us.”
“You can understand me!?”
I owe a great deal to the Language Spirit.
“I am Gamri of the Black Iron Pit, an Earth Folk.”
“Likewise, I am Grido of the Red Silver Valley.”
“And I am Morik of the Sulfur Valley.”
The first to introduce himself, Gamri, has a black beard braided. Grido sports a dark brown beard split in the middle, curving outward. Morik has a brownish-gold beard, shorter and straight compared to the others.
“I’m Soleil, from the island near Naruadeid. The island doesn’t have a name yet.”
It might be fine to introduce myself, but just in case.
“Long one, have you met the Green Goddess?”
Long… well, I thought the three of them looked short and stout, so I guess it makes sense from my species’ perspective.
It seems Gamri is the leader, stepping forward to ask me.
“If the Green Goddess is a humanoid made of baked earth, then yes, I have met her.”
“Oh!”
“What? An outsider… without it being the summer solstice!?”
Overly dramatic dwarfs. Their beards cover their small expressions, so maybe that’s why they’re so exaggerated?
“That is indeed the vessel of the goddess; she resides within.”
Gamri says with a solemn face.
Breaking news! The Dogu is a costume! So she really is a recluse?
“Every year, we offer a handful of earth to the goddess at the summer solstice and receive branches in return. May I ask how you obtained the Great Tree?”
“A handful of earth…?”
I look around. All I see is the desolate landscape I walked through.
“Could it be from here?”
This land is far from the Dogu’s preferences; it’s barren, with no grass. It’s cold and has little rainfall, filled with rocks.
“Indeed. On the winter solstice, we obtained a handful of earth, performed the ritual, and offered our prayers.”
“Rituals and prayers don’t turn barren land into rich soil, do they?”
In Nakahara, the Wind Spirit brings rich soil. In this world, I can’t completely dismiss the idea that rituals might have some effect beyond just mindset.
“If such a thing were to happen, other races would have long since invaded this place.”
Right?
“The goddess favors rich soil where trees can grow. Was there any specification for the earth we offered?”
I sense a miscommunication somewhere in the past.
“…none. So recently, we haven’t even been granted branches…”
“Then it makes sense; this place hasn’t even seen moss grow lately.”
“We must urgently inform all the burrows.”
The three of them say in unison.
What does “burrow” mean? It seems to refer to a village or settlement.
“Long one, thank you. By the way, what do you plan to do with that wood?”
“Furniture, doors, wainscoting.”
Floorboards could work too. However, it’s still a while before the timber dries.
“Have you decided on a craftsman to process it?”
“No, I can’t imagine anyone else here could work with the wood from this lake.”
“That’s right; I doubt anyone besides us can swing an axe or use a saw properly.”
The speaking order seems to be Gamri, Grido, then Morik. It appears the one with the most impressive beard speaks first.
“Well, I’ve already cut off the branches.”
“W-what!?”
“What a beautiful cut!”
“It’s true!”
More dramatic antics.
“The Great Tree, the dream of the Great Tree… but the cut is even more beautiful than mine.”
“At least I want to process the branches while I’m still alive. But my skills won’t suffice.”
“I could use the branches for a battle axe handle… but I lack the strength.”
The three of them are disheartened. It’s because I used the Zanzenken…
“Either way, processing it right away is impossible. It needs to dry.”
“I can dry it! I can dry it! Let me dry that Great Tree! No, let me show you my skills! I want to touch that Great Tree…!!”
Gamri is pounding the ground with his fists in a state of fervor.
“Well, if you can dry it, that would be appreciated.”
“Really!?”
Stop it, the bearded old man is looking at me with teary eyes!
“Uoooooohhhh!!”
“Gamri of the Black Iron Pit! Show your manliness!”
“Gamri of the Black Iron Pit! Show the strength of the Earth Folk!”
“Fuhnuuuuuuuuh!!”
“Gamri of the Black Iron Pit! Just a little more!”
“Gamri of the Black Iron Pit! There are two more to go!”
So, I entrusted them with drying the logs, but they’re so loud. I had this image of dwarfs being quiet. But then again, the seven dwarfs from Snow White are also called dwarfs. I guess it makes sense.
Magic… Gamri calls it skill, but as I watch, it seems the Spirit is helping to extract the water. Moreover, it appears that the sounds of their cheers are infused with magic power, as every time their voices rise, the Spirit lends its strength. It seems like they’re enjoying the sounds too.
I thought about inviting a blacksmith to the island, but I’ll refrain from recruiting. This seems like something that works better with more supportive companions.
It’s like the hymns sometimes heard at the Spirit’s Branch or the Temple. Those also infuse magic power into their voices. They look quite different, though!!!
With sheer determination, they managed to dry everything without cracking, and in the end, Gamri collapsed, carried away by the other two. They were overjoyed when I gave them a branch each as thanks. In front of this Great Tree, they were so selfless, but I suppose it was a branch they wouldn’t receive after spending half the year on rituals.
I received a stone to guide me to the Black Iron Pit from the breathless Gamri, so I’ll ask to visit their workshop sometime. When the suffocating memories fade away.
Feeling utterly exhausted, I stored the logs and branches in [Storage] and headed home. I’m in the mood to spend some quiet time with Rishu.