240. Children Grow Fast

It spoke? This sprout just spoke, didn’t it?

I didn’t mishear it, right?

『I am hungry. Food, please, Papa.』

I definitely heard it. It wasn’t a mishearing or a hallucination.

“This voice… it’s you, isn’t it?”

『If by “you” you mean me, then that is correct, Papa.』

“…Why Papa?”

『You planted me, a seed, in the soil, gave me water, and thus gave me life. I believe there is no problem in addressing you as father?』

Perhaps because of the slightly lisping, preschooler-like voice, it really feels like a kid trying to act grown-up by using difficult words. I suppose it can’t be helped since it’s newborn?

“Um, I have a lot of things I want to ask, but for now, even if you ask for food… sorry, but humans are out of the question. I do have some fertilizer for vegetables and fruit trees, though.”

I took out the fertilizer I got from the home center from my Item Box. Immediately, a happy aura emanated from Peony (Temp). Apparently, this is fine. Thank goodness. Treants attack humans for nutrients, so I was worried what I’d do if it demanded that.

“I have liquid and solid types, which do you want?”

『I am still small, so please give me the liquid one.』

“Here you go.”

I poured the liquid fertilizer a little away from Peony (Temp). Was I supposed to tilt it a bit? Peony (Temp) swayed comfortably.

『Ahhh… this is good. This is very good. Thank you, Papa.』

“…You’re welcome.”

…From the outside, I must look like a crazy person talking to a plant. Then, I felt a presence behind me.

“…Ah.”

Turning around, I saw Ichinose-san looking at me with an indescribable expression.

“Um… I won’t tell anyone. E-everyone goes through a phase like that, right? I understand.”

“Please don’t ‘understand.’ Or rather, you’re saying that knowing exactly what’s going on, aren’t you!?”

Sometimes I can’t tell if Ichinose-san is joking or being serious, so I wish she’d stop. It’s bad for my heart. Ichinose-san giggled and walked over.

“It’s already sprouted?”

“Yeah, and it has a clear will. It just begged me for fertilizer because it was hungry.”

“…Like Shiro-chan, being able to communicate clearly from birth means it must have incredible potential, right? …Just to be sure, it doesn’t have ‘Gluttony,’ does it?”

“…It doesn’t.”

I activated Low-tier Divine Eye to check Peony (Temp)’s stats. It only had skills similar to other Treants. Besides “Gluttony,” all the offensive and malicious skills like the ones that produced those Harvest Devourers were gone. To be safe, I’ll have Igarashi-san “Appraise” it later.

(At this rate, it probably doesn’t remember its memories from when it was the original Peony…)

That might be a happy outcome for this kid. Then Peony (Temp) stared at Ichinose-san—well, it doesn’t have eyes, but I got that feeling.

『Good morning, Mama.』

“Fue!?”

It called Ichinose-san “Mama.” What is this kid saying?

“M-Mama!? W-Why?”

『Is it not general practice to call the man and woman who gave birth to you Papa and Mama?』

“Ha-hawa… K-Kudo-san, this is a disaster! I’ve become a mother at this age!”

“There’s no way that’s what happened.”

Ichinose-san turned bright red and panicked. But then her expression turned serious as if she’d made a resolution, and she leaned closer to Peony (Temp).

“B-By the way, who is Papa?”

『The man standing next to Mama.』

“I-I see… Hmmm, heh, hooo?”

What are you confirming? And why do you look slightly pleased?

“I-In other words, this child is… m-me and Kudo-san’s… ch-ch-child—”

“Calm down, it’s not. Don’t take it literally.”

Good grief. Why is Ichinose-san so flustered? I wish she’d stop, because I’m going to start getting the wrong idea.

“Anyway, calm down. If someone sees us like this—”

Suddenly, a presence behind us. Turning around, there stood Nishino-kun, Rikka-chan, Libera-san, and Igarashi-san.

“…Kudo-san, congratulations.”

“I-I’m glad for you, Nat-tsun. The order is backwards, but now you’re finally tied to Big Brother.”

“Hoho, heh. …Pffft, pwahaha!”

“………………..”

Nishino-kun looked slightly put off. Rikka-chan was smiling while her cheek twitched. Libera-san looked like she was about to burst out laughing at any second. So irritating… And Igarashi-san was staring silently with eyes like an Egyptian mural.

“Kyuun?”

“…(Nod nod)?”

“Kyuu?”

“Nn?”

Momo and the other animals didn’t seem to understand. Sora is sleeping outside, so he’s not here. The only one staying out of it was Arrogance, who remained silent in the corner. What a chaotic situation.

“You guys know the deal already!”

It was exhausting to explain. Man, the morning started off terrible…

After explaining and clearing up the misunderstanding, I had Igarashi-san use “Appraisal.” The results were the same as what I found with Low-tier Divine Eye.

Miniature Elder Treant LV1

HP: 3/3

MP: 1/1

Strength: 1

Endurance: 1

Agility: 1

Dexterity: 1

Magic Power: 1

Magic Resistance: 1

SP: 36,000

Unique Skills

■■■■

■■■■

■■■■

Skills

Growth LV10, Communication LV10, Telepathy LV10, Cognitive Interference LV1, Forgetfulness LV1, Presence Absorption LV1, Terrain Assimilation LV1, Otherworld Anchor LV10

Peony (Temp)’s stats looked like this. Skills like Cognitive Interference and Forgetfulness are common to all Treants and Flowered ones, so they must be racial traits. Its stats are all low, but the SP is abnormally high. Is this perhaps a carry-over from its time as Peony? More concerning is the “■■■■” in the unique skill slots. It’s the same display Momo and the others had.

“This display in the unique skill column…?”

“It shows up when a skill is possessed but unusable, or when the skill isn’t fully installed yet,” Libera-san answered.

Apparently, “■■■■” appears when a skill is incomplete for some reason.

“Cases like this are rare. But for Peony or someone like you with ‘Early Maturity,’ it’s not impossible.”

“What do you mean?”

“The growth is too fast, and the body hasn’t adapted to skills that are too powerful. The biggest merit of ‘Early Maturity’ is massive EXP and bonus points. It lets you reach skills you normally shouldn’t be able to get at a low level, but some are just too strong to handle as you are.”

“…”

“Others only activate under specific conditions. ‘Heroic Hymn’ is a good example.”

“Ah, right. Momo’s unique skills were the type that only manifest when I activate ‘Heroic Hymn’… wait? But I think Momo’s unique skills were displayed even before I acquired ‘Heroic Hymn’?”

“That’s the downside of Early Maturity. Normally, you probably acquired ‘Heroic Hymn’ right after evolving into a ‘Newhuman.’ But because your body couldn’t keep up with the skill’s power, the system put the skill acquisition on hold, and in conjunction, Momo and the others’ unique skills were displayed as ‘■■■■’. Natsu probably had a unique skill display around the same time as you, right?”

“Ah, yes. When Sora joined us, the unique skill display appeared for me too.”

Ichinose-san nodded repeatedly, recalling the time. So Sora joining wasn’t actually related. And when Sora joined my party, he received the effect of “Heroic Hymn” and acquired “Blue-Scaled Dragon King,” but since I hadn’t fully mastered the skill yet, it was displayed as “■■■■.” So that’s what it was.

“Then in this child’s case…?”

“It’s still newborn, and its body likely can’t keep up with the strength of the skills it has. We don’t know what skills they are, though…”

“Is there a possibility of ‘Gluttony’?”

“No, not that. If the held-over skill were ‘Gluttony,’ it would show its influence even in a pending state. Their consciousness would be clouded, and they wouldn’t be able to maintain their sense of self.”

“Gluttony” really is a terrifying skill… But I’m relieved to know it’s not that. It would be too cruel to make Peony suffer through that twice.

“So this child has three unique skills besides ‘Gluttony’? That’s incredible…”

“Right? It was a Divine Tree, after all. Well, it’s like this now, but it’ll grow quickly—”

Libera-san reached out toward Peony (Temp)’s sprout—and was slapped away with a peshin.

“…”

Libera-san reached out again. Peony (Temp) used its tiny body skillfully to slap her away again.

Reach.

Peshin.

Reach.

Peshin.

Reach.

Peshin.

『Do not come closer. I dislike you.』

“What is with this kid! Why is it rejecting me so much!?”

『Papa, Mama, I don’t know why, but I dislike this person very much. Please do not let them near me.』

Oh my, it seems this child dislikes Libera-san. Then Rikka-chan clapped her hands.

“Isn’t this just that? Since it’s Nat-tsun and Big Brother’s kid, it won’t get attached to anyone else.”

“R-Ri-chan!”

As Rikka-chan teased, she moved her finger toward Peony (Temp). …She touched it normally.

“…Huh?”

Rikka-chan looked awkward. Next, Nishino-kun moved his finger closer.

『…♪』

He touched it normally. Finally, Igarashi-san tried touching it.

『…♪』

She touched it normally. Libera-san tried touching it once more.

『…』

Peshin.

Rejected.

“WHYYYYYYY!”

Libera-san looked like she was about to cry.

“Ah, maybe because Libera-san is an otherworlder, it’s instinctively rejecting her even if it doesn’t remember what happened?”

“…That might be it.”

Libera-san sniffled. …So undead can cry and have runny noses too.

“W-well! I don’t care if I’m hated! Anyway, once this child grows, it’ll learn powerful skills. With those, the fight against the Vanguard will go in our favor—ouch.”

Looking closer, Peony (Temp) had skillfully flicked a small pebble from the pot at Libera-san.

『You are noisy. I am still a child, so do not shout nearby.』

“You…!”

Libera-san was trembling with rage. Calm down, she’s just a kid.

“…Kazuto, remember today’s training session…”

The training that day was harsher than usual. I wish she’d stop taking it out on me just because Peony (Temp) didn’t like her…

The next day, Peony (Temp) had grown to about thirty centimeters tall. It was an amazing growth rate, considering it was just a sprout like a morning glory yesterday.

“At this size, this pot is already too small… I’ll plant it in the ground. Any preference where?”

『Somewhere with good sunlight would be best.』

“Understood.”

So, I replanted Peony (Temp) in a spot with a good view near the apartment. If I leave one of Aka’s petrified clones next to it, we can handle any issues immediately. Perhaps the pot really was cramped; Peony (Temp) swayed its body happily. It got even more cheerful when I gave it water and fertilizer.

『Papa, thank you. I am happy you are so kind to me. I will surely repay this debt.』

“You don’t have to be so formal. You’re newborn, so just focus on growing big first.”

『Yes. I will grow big and be useful to Papa.』

“…So serious…”

Perhaps the original Peony before being dominated by “Gluttony” had a personality like this. She was called a Divine Tree that blessed the forest, after all. Then Peony (Temp) started vibrating. …Like a Dancing Flower.

『Papa, Papa.』

“What is it?”

『A voice echoed in my head just now saying I acquired a skill.』

“Oh, seriously?”

It really grows fast. Learning a skill already. Or is it more accurate to say it became able to use a skill it already had? Besides unique skills, it probably has quite a few skills from its time as Peony or the Divine Tree… Anyway, fast growth is a good thing.

“Congratulations. What skill did you get?”

『Yes, a skill called “Anthropomorphism.”』

“…What?”

Then Peony (Temp)’s body was enveloped in a faint light. The light faded after a few seconds, and standing there was—

『Yay, I can move on my own now♪』

A small bonsai with tiny arms and legs was there. The arms were made of branches and leaves, and the legs were roots. Like that tree boss monster from K*rby. It was a bit cute how it waddled around, but is this “Anthropomorphism”…?

『Papa, Papa! I want a shoulder ride!』

“Yes, yes.”

『Yay!♪』

Well, the kid is happy, so I guess it’s fine… Is it?

Can we really be okay in the fight against the Vanguard with this…?

End of 240