Treants are a group of tree monsters possessing the physical anatomy of a tree in miniscule size, at the same time they possess behavior similar to ants.
It is said that Treants are harmless, so long as you don't harm any of them. And if you show that you have no ill intent, the tree monsters themselves will offer you their fruit.
While there is truth in that saying, there's actually one more reason why Treants willingly give their fruit to those wanting to eat them.
Yes, Treants don't pluck their fruit just because they are harmless, nor because people don't show ill intent towards them.
Treants allow people and other living creatures in the forest to eat their fruit because it helps them reproduce fast, and without any difficulties.
Treants are born and multiply from the tiny seeds that come from the fruits they bear on their heads. Usually, they let their fruits ripen until it eventually falls on its own.
In time, the fruits that fell will start decomposing, and the seeds will be left on the soil. After that, the seeds will start growing roots, then the stem, until it fully grows into an adult Treant and start reproducing like the others.
There are times where only one seed out of many others will be able to grow into an adult Treant. But other times, life spring forth from more than one seed. Most often this causes complications with their growth.
Since Treant fruits fall on the ground and decomposes on its own, the seeds are left close to each other. As they grow up, the seeds require space to let their body take shape. However, with the latter trying to take over the space that the former needed, Treants fail to complete their growth process. And when it fails, Treants will die before they can even grow their own fruit.
In order to avoid such scenario and become a full-grown Treant, the seeds that are close in proximity begin to grow until their bodies touches one another. When that happens, an event similar to what is known as inosculation occurs.
Inosculation or self-grafting is a natural phenomenon in which trunks, branches, or roots of two plants fuse and grow together. This phenomenon allows incomplete Treants to survive by merging with other incomplete Treants, forming a completely built body shared by more than one Treant.
An example of this natural phenomenon is that one Treant that immediately took Lyrica's attention as soon as the voice directs her eyes to it.
Lyrica can see its uniqueness compared to other Treants. The tree monster has a much wider trunk, a more leafy crown and branches, as well as its abundance of apple fruits. And to top it all, its pair of eyes in the middle are surrounded by other four eyes. That's right, the abnormal Treant has six eyes, indicating that three Treants have merged together and became one.
Lyrica takes another tiny apple and eats it.
"Merged Treants must have been the norm back in the day." She thought. "But after numerous encounters with humans and other living beings, they learned how to have their saplings grow without complications."
"You sure have the knack for guessing things correctly." The voice praised Lyrica. "They are giving you the food you need, and you are giving their saplings a chance to live long lives. It's a win-win situation for both you and the Treants."
"A blessing..." Lyrica followed with a soft voice.
Right then, Lyrica finally understood what the voice meant. With the seeds in her hand, Lyrica stands on both feet.
"Treat the others the way you want to be treated, or so the golden rule says." Lyrica uttered. "You guys are so kind for giving me your fruits, thank you."
The Treants responded by moving their bodies, creating a creaking noise that sounded as if they're trying to express their gratitude in unison. But Lyrica could only assume what they're trying to convey using their bodies.
"In any case, it's only fair that I do the same thing by putting the seeds to where they can grow and become a kind Treant like everyone."
After making a promise with the tree monsters, Lyrica bids farewell to the treants.
***
Ten minutes have passed since Lyrica bid farewell with the kind tree monsters, the girl lets the seeds fall through the gap between her fingers. Following her promise, Lyrica made sure that there's a distance between each Treant seeds, allowing them to grow splendidly.
"I've started around thirty or forty-something, and now I'm finally down to two seeds, yet those things still haven't decided to attack. They sure are patient."
"Huh?"
Lyrica's sudden comment caught the voice out of the blue. But in that moment, she made a quick stop as her face turned around. Her cold gaze met the yellow eyes stalking her from above, sending them into hiding.
"So you already know about them, huh? Those Goblins." Said the voice.
"Well, we're not even that deep into the forest, yet I've already seen a lot of creatures like that Flytrap that can fit an adult boar in its mouth, and that giant Toad that can catch an agile White Rabbit with its disgusting long tongue."
Lyrica replied to the voice as she presses forward.
"I wouldn't be surprised if my scream attracted more than just Goblins."
With the last seed finally been released between her fingers, Lyrica checks out her Acquired EXP.
> Acquired EXP: 8,397
> Required EXP: 10,750
"Just a little more..." Lyrica murmured.
"So, what are you going to do with the Goblins?"
"Let's see..." Lyrica pondered for a while. "It doesn't look like they're going to attack me anytime soon. So I'll let them be for now."
"Ha? Let them be? Are you serious?"
"Yeah."
The voice was so bewildered that she doesn't even know what to say to Lyrica. They're talking about Goblins, not Slimes with some kind of awareness about their surroundings, nor kind-hearted Treants sporting tranquility and organization.
For the voice, Lyrica's making it seem like Goblins are nothing more than just starting monsters in video games that don't take much effort to beat.
"That aside, I'm starting to crave fish meat. I guess Treant fruits didn't exactly hit the spot after all." Lyrica said nonchalantly. "Let's head to that river you spoke of."
With that, Lyrica follows the path leading towards a certain river.
"Aren't you being a little too carefree about this?"