This morning, I’d gone to help the Farm Brigade after breakfast, only to be refused entry to the field.
Why?! I’m pretty good at controlling water now... I helped you yesterday! Why—? Did I do something wrong?
I racked my brain for an answer, to no avail. Either way, it seemed as though I was strictly forbidden to set foot inside the field. But apparently, I could observe if I liked. Annoyed, I went to search for something else to do.
A small artificial lake had appeared near the house—a joint venture between the One Eyes, the Farm Brigade, the antlets, and the itsy-bitsy ants—for Fluffy’s use. I wasn’t sure how they’d managed to fill it with water, but as it turned out, Fluffy could conjure as much water as it pleased. Magic, as usual, was handy. And mysterious.
I wandered over to check on the lake, and Fluffy shot out of the water, racing in rapid circles around me.
You’re usually not this flustered. What’s up? Something wrong?
A ball of water floated out of the lake and bobbed over to Fluffy, who promptly dropped it into a small hollow in the ground at my feet.
Um... Sorry, no idea. Do you want me to do something? But the One Eyes can do basically everything I can, and you can communicate with them... Must be something only I can do, but what? Cutting down trees? That seems to be my sole purpose at the moment. But why do you want me to clear some land? Do you want a bigger lake? Hmm...
I shrugged. I couldn’t see any issues with it, so I decided to do as instructed and start clearing the requested trees.
Although... Do you really need all this space?
Removing every tree Fluffy indicated had resulted in another giant clearing.
Well, you seem happy, so I guess it’s fine.
I smiled at the buoyant ball of yarn—and jumped when, just behind it, a stump suddenly bulged out of the earth. Shuri’s face poked out from underneath it as I willed my heart to stop racing. Spider Boss appeared and looped a rope (made by the Three Eyes) around the stump with skillful movements before dragging it toward the ant nest.
You’re all working together well now! So... I guess I’m not really needed, huh?
I glanced away wistfully only for my eyes to land on a small group of baby spiders and Farm Brigade generals marching into the forest. One of the generals was clutching a small black bag...
Hang on, that’s my bag! The magic bag! Since when did you start helping yourself to it?! Hah... Well, shouldn’t be a problem. I think. This is fine, right? Yeah... Should be fine.
I went back inside the house, where I was promptly picked up by the remaining baby spiders and carried down to the basement.
I can walk there by myself, you know... Also, you’re way too strong.
I was carried through the food storehouse and gently lowered to my feet in front of one of the newer chronostasis rooms. Confused, I peered inside. The shelves—which had been empty when I’d left them—were now bursting with fruits and vegetables.
When did this happen? I’ve never even seen some of these varieties before...
In fact, every one of the new storage rooms was now packed with supplies. The final room I checked revealed a small army of clay dolls. A few of the One Eyes were making a new set of shelves, while some Three Eyes were sorting and storing a pile of ingredients.
You guys are cooperating well too... It’s a good thing, I guess. Even if it feels like I won’t be allowed to join in.
A muffled noise pulled me out of my funk. The baby spiders were tapping lightly on the entrance to the chronostasis room and looking at me, probably gesturing for me to increase the number of rooms. It made sense—we’d still need somewhere to store the crops from the field when they grew. I moved to the end of the chamber to start making a new room, but before I could get there, Koa began tugging at my ankle. I faltered a little—she’d never tried to stop me from transforming the cave before. When I looked down, she was pointing at the refrigerated rooms with one massive paw.
Er... What’s up?
She blinked, and pointed again—first at the refrigerated rooms and then at the chronostasis room.
Oh... Maybe she wants me to make more refrigerated rooms too? I suppose they’re pretty full as well... But why’s she pointing at the chronostasis rooms? Oh—come to think of it, there’s no point having refrigerated rooms now that I can freeze time instead! We’ve been going through the meat pretty quickly, but if it keeps piling up, even chilling it won’t keep it fresh forever. Who’s a smart girl?!
After a few minutes of planning, I began a large-scale remodel of the first basement level. I started by transforming a new chamber at the end of the hallway, three times as large as the existing refrigerated rooms combined. Anything that was placed inside would be first chilled, then subjected to Chronostasis, which would hopefully keep any meat fresh indefinitely. Once the room was finished, I needed to make shelves. I hadn’t even started molding the rock before a handful of One Eyes raced into the room and began measuring the walls for wooden shelving. They were fast—a little too fast, if you asked me.
Once the shelves were done, the Three Eyes began transporting all the meat into the new storeroom. I initially tried to help, but apparently I kept putting things in the wrong place, because I was quickly chased out of the room.
I’m not upset, do you hear me?! I’m fine! I’ll just go do something I am allowed to do!
I stormed back to the now-empty refrigerated rooms and canceled the spells I’d placed there, turning them into more chronostasis chambers. Once I was done, I peered back into the refrigerated room. The One Eyes were still making shelves, while the Three Eyes seemed to be discussing the layout. Neatly stored slabs of meat lined every surface—neater than I could have arranged them, however much it pained me to admit it.
Wistfully, I examined one of the newly built shelves. It was expert craftsmanship, built without nails or screws.
Man, the One Eyes are amazing. I could never make something like this—which is kinda weird, since I’m the one who made the dolls in the first place.
I quickly brushed off my suspicions—after all, amazing craftsmanship wasn’t a bad thing. I decided to just look forward to whatever they’d come up with next.
Koa and the others went hunting, and for once, I joined them. With more room to store meat, I wanted to help increase our stockpile. Even inside of the barrier, there were a good number of monsters, some of which fled at the mere sight of Koa. I didn’t blame them.
While there were still plenty of monsters, I did notice that barely any of them were covered in shadows or stained with black patterns.
Which is great—but I’m a little unsure as to why. Has... Has the curse lost power? Hmm... Dunno. Not like I can find out either. Nope, as long as it’s decreasing, I’m happy.
Our search for prey led us right to the edge of the barrier. Actually, it hadn’t taken us long to reach the edge at all, not running at full speed.
Maybe I should widen it again—
“Argh!” I shouted as Koa unleashed a jet of flames into the sky. My head whipped up just in time to see the huge, birdlike monster swoop. It skillfully evaded Koa’s fire and shot right toward me—obviously, I must look like the easiest prey.
“Sever.”
Unfortunately for the bird-thing, I’d prepared for something like this before joining in on a hunt. I’d already tested out the spell, meaning it was ready to go in the event of an attack—like right now. If you wanted to kill something in one go, chopping off its head was a pretty surefire way to do it.
I kinda assumed I’d be using it against something on the ground, though...
A head suddenly plummeting out of the sky was going to be a little too terrifying for me to handle on a regular basis.