After learning about the Verdant Continent's Core, this very forest, and that the roots of the forest were incredibly important to everything, I began growing slightly… Just slightly, worried about everything. If this weirdo of a guy goes down there and tries to do something funny with the roots, everything is going to go downhill from here!
Even more, he wants to mess up with the Tree of Beginnings?!
From what I learned, he was the child of the First Tree that appeared in this barren continent long ago, directly created by the Gods or the World itself, this Tree gave birth to many Spiritual Races including the Fairies and of course Titania herself, the first Fairy.
It also gave birth to the Guardians, made specifically to protect Titania and the forest as powerful beasts embodying nature elements such as swamps from the Snake Queen, Underground from the Mushroom King, and the Skies from the Crow King.
This forest and perhaps the entire continent wouldn't had been as threatened as it is now if we still had those Guardian Beasts… Sadly, they were corrupted and slain, revived, and slain again by us. The least we can do is try to take upon part of their responsibility. Not like I'm being forced to it, but I feel it is like… what I should really do.
I care about this forest, and all of these people living here. The fairies, the squirrel kin, the brownies, and even the gnomes. I don't want to leave them to die horribly because I just didn't felt like helping.
I've always been … Some people through my entire life have called me dumb, childish, idiotic, or that I have no brains for wanting to help others I care for… But I know that's not the case.
This game has changed my life a lot and has done so many things for me too… I've changed as a person, I've grown more confident on myself, and I am slowly developing more brave as well. I want to protect my home here, the second home I have.
"So Planta? Are you willing to give us your aid?" Asked the Gnome Chief.
"Ah, I already said so, I am! I'll come back in just… forty minutes, and we'll dive back to there." I said. "Any of you guys don't have to feel obligated though, I can go by myself if it come to that. I've got my tamed monsters and my summons, and I can bring the whole Mushroom Brigade here to protect the village from any other monster attack."
"No, we are helping too, Planta." Said Titan. "I'll also come back in a few minutes."
"Me too! I've got my kids and all but I'll manage to get here as fast as I can." Achlys nodded.
"I don't have much to do, but I am quite hungry so I'll also go for a few minutes to grab something to eat outside." Said Lily.
Titania and the Gnome Chief looked at us with eyes shining with gratefulness.
"Thank you so much, you're all our heroes!" Cried the Gnome Chief.
"Thanks for giving us your aid even now…" Titania sighed. "I know that as Players, you must have greater goals than this… But I am grateful."
"Not that many to be honest." Titan said. "Ultimately I would like to go explore the outside world too and go to high level areas, but this forest is filled with surprises, and we always find higher level monsters out of special events. Also I've kind of grown attached to this place, it's like my second home."
"Same, I feel is my second home as well!" Achlys said. "I was never fond of these video games or whatever, but this is like I'm being the main character inside a movie or something, everything feels way too real. I am way too invested in all of you guys to leave you behind."
"What's a video game?" Wondered the Gnome Chief.
"Sometimes they say words we don't understand, but that's how Players are, they come from the Realm of the Gods after all, so there are concepts for them that we can't really get." Titania told the Gnome Chief.
"I see, so that's it." The Gnome Chief didn't try to ask more than that.
"I-I've just joined but I have already grown attached to this town, Planta here is a good friend of mine, the least I can do is to help her." Lily said.
"Lily you've already become the hero of our town, we are in forever debt with your bravery and courage." The gnome chief said.
"Don't worry, I don't really need any payment. By the way, how are my friends doing?" Wondered Lily.
"They were afflicted by the Miasma, and some were lethally wounded…" The Gnome Chief said.
"Eh?!" Lily reacted as expected.
"…However, Planta and company healed them amazingly using magic and elixirs and potions they created. They have even shared the recipe and we'll begin making some ourselves tomorrow morning." The Gnome Chief. "I think I know who your friends are, I'll tell you their names and where they live later so you can go visit them."
"Thank you!" Lily seemed to have already made herself some new pals here.
"A-And as Planta's friend… I mean, everyone's friend, I'll help in everything I can too. If you've got any question regarding the potion recipe just ask me." Acorn said.
"Me too, I shall aid everyone here in their endeavors as a Magic Knight." Said Nieve. "I've been entrusted with such a task by my Queen."
"Big sis you act like that but you still love Lady Planta and everyone else! Especially the food they make." Said Florie with a playful smile.
"F-Florie! Don't say that it's embarrassing…" Nieve sighed.
We have quite a big assortment of allies with us.
Like that, after we finished eating our meals in here, we quickly decided to move out and log out. I left my Four Familiars here protecting the village while all four of us logged out.