# Chapter 7
Because Kaian had spent so long lying in bed, he had never known what Eldarin's house looked like from the outside.
The inside was entirely made of wood, so he had simply imagined that it must be a modest, warm, old-fashioned home.
He had never imagined something like this.
Eldarin's house had been built by hollowing out an enormous ancient tree.
It was quite literally a house made from the tree itself.
"Whoa..."
Kaian leaned his head farther and farther back.
"Eldarin really loves trees!"
The image of Eldarin inside Kaian's head took one step closer toward the elf side.
She was still much closer to the mountain-goat side, though.
Eldarin spoke in a voice that was unusually lively.
"Impressive, isn't it? Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Of the five elemental manas, wood represents vitality and upward growth."
She looked proudly at the giant tree.
"Growth. In other words, life force itself."
"This house is the center of Eldargrove."
"Impressive?"
Kaian's eyes sparkled brightly.
"That's not just impressive! It's overwhelming!"
The ancient tree was so enormous that even its massive roots rose above the ground.
Between those exposed roots bloomed thick clusters of colorful flowers.
A wooden railing had been built in front of the entrance, with a table nearby.
There was even a cooking pit for barbecues.
How far away would I have to walk before I could see the top of this tree?
Kaian slowly stepped backward, trying to judge its height.
He soon gave up and asked Eldarin.
"How many floors does this house have?"
"For a long time, only Amber and I lived here, so I only created seven floors."
Eldarin added casually,
"If we need more space, I can expand it whenever I want, so don't worry."
Then she pointed downward.
"Oh, and there is a wine cellar underground. Do not enter it carelessly."
"Then... then...! Yeah! Seven floors is definitely enough!"
Seeing Kaian genuinely excited for the first time since arriving, Eldarin smiled too.
So he really is still a child.
She decided to give him a little time to look around.
Kaian kept turning his head everywhere, unable to hide his excitement.
"Whoa... This is seriously amazing!"
The coolest part, in Kaian's opinion, was the wooden platforms built in a spiral around the enormous trunk.
If he climbed them, he could slowly explore the ancient tree itself.
There might even be lots of amazing insects!
Kaian's heart pounded.
If I climb all the way to the top, I'll probably be able to see really far.
Wait... does Eldarin use those platforms too?
It was difficult to imagine.
Most adults Kaian had known had been solemn, strict nobles who always cared about manners.
Eldarin is a little different, though...
Anyway, I absolutely have to use those stairs someday!
While enjoying those thoughts, Kaian suddenly remembered something.
His face turned pale.
"Huh? Wait."
He slowly looked toward Eldarin.
"Amber being the spirit of the house means... she's the spirit of this tree?"
"That's right."
Eldarin answered calmly.
Kaian was the only one whose voice began trembling.
"Then... I set fire to this enormous and sacred spirit..."
"You did."
"Ghk!"
"You also broke the windows."
"Ugh!"
"And destroyed a teacup she treasured."
"..."
Kaian's face turned completely white.
Why had Amber not spit on him?
If I were her, I would've done it.
Twice.
Spirits were incredibly generous beings.
Kaian decided from that day onward that he would respect Amber.
***
Eldarin urged the stunned Kaian forward.
"You can explore the house slowly later. Field work becomes difficult once the sun gets too hot."
Kaian's workplace was divided into three major areas.
First, the enormous fields surrounding Amber's tree house.
Second, a glass greenhouse used to grow medicinal herbs.
Third, a separate building for cultivating mushrooms.
Eldarin called the entire area the Golden Plains.
Kaian nodded.
Well, after seeing those golden fields, it'd be hard to come up with a different name.
He was relieved that he did not have to harvest the rice immediately.
But that did not mean the fields were small.
The land in September was incredibly rich.
Sweet potatoes, old pumpkins, radishes, green soybeans, and sorghum were spread across large areas.
Eldarin looked pleased.
"When the seasons change, the fields will naturally change the crops they grow."
Kaian's face darkened.
If the crops changed every season...
That meant he would be working all four seasons without a break.
And that was not all.
Inside the glass greenhouse were herbs, medicinal plants, and crops like green onions that could be grown all year.
"There's too much!"
Kaian nearly screamed.
"You said only two people lived here!"
Why did two people need this much food?
Eldarin answered as though he were asking something obvious.
"I have an old friend in Sylvaris who distributes the crops."
"That friend also sends meat, seafood, and other daily necessities we need."
Now that he thought about it, Kaian had not seen any livestock buildings.
He found himself nodding.
I see. Farming is an important source of income.
Then he had nothing to complain about.
Even a mountain-goat elf living inside a subspace needed money.
And Kaian himself was a freeloader who earned nothing.
He should be grateful he could at least pay with labor.
"Don't you ever go to Sylvaris yourself?"
"I've already seen enough of the world."
Eldarin looked into the distance.
"There is nowhere as beautiful as this."
Kaian could hear bitterness and sadness hidden inside her voice.
But for now, his own problem was more urgent.
What am I supposed to do with land this huge?
Seeing him stare over the fields in despair, Eldarin spoke solemnly.
"Before the Magical Civilization, farming depended heavily on nature. Sometimes the harvest was good. Sometimes it was terrible."
Then she raised one hand.
"But things are different now."
She swept her right arm over the field.
Turquoise mana transformed into countless tiny particles and settled over the soil.
Fwoooosh.
"If the land is not fertile enough, you simply add nutrients with magic."
Then she moved her left arm.
A small cloud appeared and began raining over the field.
Shhhhh.
"If there is no rain, you make the amount you need fall."
Eldarin turned toward Kaian.
"The Golden Plains are remarkable. They produce the right crops in the right amount for each season."
"So all we really have to do is harvest them."
