Logan woke the next morning feeling revitalized.
There was something profoundly invigorating about staying within a World Tree.
As he slept in its soft interior, he felt nature's energy enveloping him—a sensation unlike any other. The bedding, designed to ensure full contact with the tree, seemed to amplify this rejuvenating effect.
Since the villagers had already noticed his closeness to Silvia, no one questioned them sharing a room. As always, Silvia clung to him in her sleep, curled up like a cat beneath the blanket, her small frame tucked comfortably against his side.
Thanks to the silencing ring, they had enjoyed a private and carefree evening the night before. Letting her sleep in a bit longer, Logan quietly got up and decided to explore. He was eager to see what the tribe had to offer. Confident he'd find fascinating items to bring back for the others as souvenirs while building a strong connection with the tribe was equally important.
The immense World Tree continued to amaze him, radiating a powerful earth mana that Logan felt he could cultivate more effectively here than back in his kingdom.
He envisioned working with the tribe to establish a sustainable system for harvesting crystals. In return, he would collect a small tax, benefiting both the tribe and his kingdom.
Not only would this provide the tribe with a valuable source of income, but it would also supply Logan with top-quality crystals for his needs.
Silently leaving the small hut to avoid waking Silvia, Logan wandered through the village.
The villagers had been exceptionally hospitable to their three guests, even allowing them to stay for free. Logan, however, didn't feel right accepting their generosity without giving something back.
To show his gratitude, he shared his tools and crystals, though he had ulterior motives. By offering earth crystals, Logan aimed to earn their trust and lay the foundation for his future plans.
He also gifted the head chief a terminal crystal. This gesture, he hoped, would help the village understand the benefits of collaborating with him down the line.
Logan knew that some of Marie's movies would seal the deal. Their charm would undoubtedly captivate the villagers, leaving them eager for more.
As he continued exploring, Logan found himself fascinated by their craftsmanship. Watching them make kimonos left an impression on him, and he decided he wanted one of his own.
His measurements were taken, and Logan looked forward to having his kimono ready before he left the village.
Logan had ordered kimonos for the other girls, with Silvia helping him estimate their sizes.
Silvia also had one made for herself—a shimmering silver kimono.
For the others, a gold one was chosen for Lisa, red for Rubina, black for Serana, jade for Marie, blue for Alma, and white for his teacher, Ms. Claire.
Ms. Claire, who had been assisting those training in the labyrinth, also worked closely with the monster riders, goblins, and warks to improve their effectiveness in battle.
After checking on the clothing, which was still being completed, Logan made his way to the food area.
There, he discovered an impressive variety of fruits and vegetables grown on the World Tree itself. The tree supported a thriving ecosystem, using its vast structure as a base for cultivation.
The meat available was mostly poultry and a few mammals, though Logan couldn't picture what they looked like before being butchered into cuts.
An hour into his exploration, Logan returned to eat, meeting Emary along the way.
The boy, unused to early mornings, still looked exhausted from the long flight. His small mouse companion, however, was wide awake, playfully darting around Logan's Jolt.
The two creatures seemed to enjoy each other's company, so Logan let Jolt roam freely to play alongside the mouse.
"Are you two fine now? We'll start the next trip south as soon as we finish," Logan said, his voice steady as he stirred his soup. The meal consisted of chunks of meat paired with an assortment of vegetables, their aroma filling the air.
"While I'd like to say no, I don't mind leaving…" Emary hesitated, feeling the sting in his hind from the long journey. Yet, he was determined not to appear weak in front of his new mentor.
"I'm good to go anytime; just let me know when you're ready. In the meantime, I'll be showing the elder how to use the terminal," Silvia replied.
Logan, turning his gaze toward the horizon, realized he couldn't determine the time without his terminal. "We'll be leaving in about an hour then. It's around twelve in the afternoon, so we should be able to reach the next landmark within six or so hours," he said, studying his map carefully.
Their goal was to reach Laoton by the end of the day. Afterward, their path would lead to Poykut, where they were to meet tribe chief Isabel. Her assistance would be crucial in guiding them to the ents.
While Logan was wrapping up his business with the tribe, back in his kingdom, the heroes were making their final preparations to depart.
Victor had called for reinforcements, understanding that he couldn't face the demon general alone. He also knew that working with Brian and his two followers could cause more harm than good if they didn't cooperate properly.
Although the demons hadn't attacked again, the Republic was hesitant to send more soldiers to their deaths. Among those joining the mission were Ms. Claire, Alma, Lisa, Rubina, and Serana with her minions.
They had purposely avoided informing Logan, knowing it would only make him anxious and potentially drive him to act recklessly in his quest to find the ents.
Lisa took Orus as her companion, while Rubina chose Scorch and Uriel. Having bonded deeply with the large dinosaur, she knew she could rely on his unwavering support. The raptors and Scorch's mate, however, stayed behind to avoid weakening the kingdom's defenses, especially with the demons preparing to launch a full-scale attack.
Ms. Claire looked backed at the growing kingdom, she felt proud to have a student who had achieved so much, beside her fourteen in the class were ready to march forward along with soldiers who wanted to join the cause, the group of over two hundred began preparing to help the Red Iron Republic.