The Spirit Tree Forest is the last place I visited during the Sacred Tree Festival, and it's been quite a while since then. Though I say that, Elven Spirit Mages and other people often enter the forest, and this place does serve as the venue for the Harvest Festival, so the paths are relatively well-maintained and easy to walk on.
And as soon as I entered the forest, several small lights appeared around me, and the Spirits revealed themselves.
[...!]
[Hello———- Whoa!?]
As these Spirits somewhat feel familiar, I couldn't help thinking that they might be the ones who helped me during the Harvest Festival... After the Spirits looked at me with surprised expressions on their faces, they simultaneously approached and crowded around me.
They then started happily patting my head, my shoulders and other parts of my body, joy visible on their faces. I could see through my Sympathy Magic that they were welcoming my visit with warmth and delight.
[I'm delighted by the welcome. Ahh, I brought cookies just like last time, so everyone eat them if you like.]
I was comforted by the sight of the happy Spirits, but there were so many that I couldn't see the path in front of me. So, for the time being, I told them that I had brought cookies as a souvenir and taking out a large basket, I put it on the ground.
Thereupon, about half of the Spirits shifted their interest from me to the basket, and I was about to see the path in front of me to some extent. At that moment, I called out to a nearby Spirit.
[I'm here to see Jutia-san, but do you know where I can find her?]
[...!? ...!]
[Ah, you're going to guide me to her? Thank you.]
The Spirit I spoke to nodded to my question, and after lightly tapping her chest, she started flying in front of me. As it seemed like she would be guiding me, I lightly waved goodbye to the other Spirits before following the Spirit guiding me deep into the forest.
After about 10 minutes of walking through the forest, we arrived at what looked like a small open space. In the center of it is a very huge tree... A tree as big as the one in the center of Rigforeshia, and the Spirit points in that direction.
[Jutia-san is here?]
"Oya oya, oya oya, you've finally arrived. Welcome, Kaito, I bid you welcome!"
[Whoa... Jutia-san?]
"Oops, my bad, my bad, I must have surprised you. Wait a moment, okay?"
I was surprised to suddenly hear a voice echoing from the big tree, but I think... the big tree in the center of this open space is Jutia-san.
As if to affirm that thought, the large tree in front of me split from its center, seemingly forming into two branches, and from between them emerged Jutia-san.
The tree that had split into two branches began to twist, transforming into Jutia-san's dragon-like wooden horns. I guess it's like how Lillywood-san's tree turns into her staff?
[That should do it.]
[Hello, Jutia-san.]
[Hello, Kaito. Glad you came, glad you came. Once again, I always welcome the visit of a friend.]
Jutia-san, who welcomed me with a bright and gentle smile, still exuded a warm and comforting aura that always seemed to carry kindness.
[Even so, even so, Kaito sure is liked by Spirits. The trees here in the Spirit Tree Forest are also accepting Kaito with open arms. That's great, that's great, loving nature and being loved by nature is fantastic.]
[I certainly am happy for the Spirits' welcome. It reminded me of the time when we harvested Fruits of the Spirit Tree together at the Sacred Tree Festival.]
[That I heard, that I heard, Kaito got the highest record of all time then, right? Unnn, unnn, excellent, excellent.]
After a little while, Jutia-san, after giving me her unreserved praise, slightly tilted her head and spoke.
[So, so? You were looking for me, but what's the matter? If you're in some kind of trouble, I'd be happy to help you out.]
[Ahh, no, it's not that I'm troubled with anything... Jutia-san, do you remember the tea leaves Nebula made?]
[Of course I do. Those tea leaves were truly wonderful. Thinking about various combinations is so, so much fun. I also occasionally exchange opinions with Ein-sama and other tea enthusiasts, which adds to the enjoyment.]
[I'm glad you liked them. Actually, today, Nebula has cultivated new tea leaves———-]
[What did you say!?]
[———-Whoa!?]
Jutia-san was talking happily, but the moment she heard my words, she snapped at my words with tremendous vigor. To be more specific, she was already floating in front of me before I knew it, and in an instant, she came at a distance close enough for a kiss.
She has the nice smell of a forest, but putting that aside, her gaze towards me is incredibly intense...
[N- New tea leaves? A new creation from the revolutionary tea manufacturer? What kind, what kind? I'm curious, I'm curious!]
[Wait, Jutia-san!? Please calm down. I'll properly explain it to you! Please move back...]
[Oops, my bad, my bad. Can't help myself, can't help myself...]
Hmmm. It seems that the impact of the previous tea leaves was even greater than I thought. Jutia-san was so enthusiastic about it that she looked frantic... When I give Ein-san's share to her, I'll choose my words more carefully. Her coming at me with Jutia-san's level of enthusiasm could be too overwhelming.