Gladesbale Grove [druid, litrpg, town building, slice of life, cozy]

The garden of lightbulb plants sprawled far and wide. With no organization to how they were planted, they crawled over the landscape, the bulbs still hanging high in the air early in the morning. Before those plants went into place, the watering system needed to be there. Otherwise the plants would just wilt, especially after they had just been moved. For now, Rud was happy to extend his root-based watering system to the tea plants, creating a system that would water them automatically.

"One chore automated," Rud said, heading to the Observatory before having breakfast.

The situation with the dungeon was going as well as anyone could have expected. Ban promised not to go to sleep while they waited for mortals to arrive. While the dungeon had already formed, no monsters were coming forth. There was an amount of time that needed to pass before that would happen, although Rud was unaware of the specifics. The best he could do was put on his customer service smile and make sure the operation ran well.

Rud clicked the radio on after accepting Bent's Aspect to scan the forest. Farseeing was the most useful skill he had for keeping the grove safe, and he had every intention to exploit it daily. He saw the dungeon in the distance, just outside of his magical sight. Nulsa settled in on the banister outside, watching in silence as the druid made his report. Two reports might be needed during times like these. It took him a while to notice the letter that had fallen to the ground.

"Oh," Rud said, scooping the note up. "From Feather?"

"That's right," Nulsa said, hooting softly.

"All good in Gladesbale?" Maria's voice came crackling in over the radio.

"Yeah, give me a sec. Got a letter from the mortals in my nearby town…"

"Understood, captain."

Feather had written a letter detailing the planned operation against the dungeon. He was sending the standard teams to take care of it. Thanks to the location of the dungeon, they would arrive quickly. The mortals in Barlgore had sailing ships that could cross the lake swiftly, often driven by the frigid wind borne of the frozen island. After that, they would take paved roads to arrive at the site of the dungeon.

"That's a relief," Rud said, thumbing the button on his radio. "My mortals are moving in to take care of my dungeon problem."

"Always good to hear."

As Rud made his notes, he chatted with Maria. Nulsa fluttered off once the letter was done, off to deliver it to Feather. It almost seemed as though the grove should be paying the adventurers for their services. But they apparently came out the other end richer and more powerful, so whatever. Both parties were happy and that was all that mattered. When the morning work was done, the druid noticed a nearby Sacred Beast searching for his attention.

"What is it, Major?" Rud asked, descending the steps of the Observatory. The massive bear was waiting for him, the linen bag slung over his back.

"I have determined that you're an expert on nuts. What are these?" he asked, nodding back toward the bag. "I realized I was calling all nuts that required smashing 'smash fruit.'"

Rud scampered over, withdrawing a nut from the bag. He never thought he was a nut expert before coming here. But now ‌this was the case. "Walnut," he said, placing it on the ground for Major to smash. The druid picked through the pieces of shell after it was thoroughly smashed, holding a bit of the nut up for the bear to see. "I had a lot of these around Christmas."

"I've eaten many of them," Major said, slurping up the small piece Rud had offered. "But the shells are hard to deal with. Perhaps with your tiny hands you can help."

"Picking through shells sounds fun," Rud said, shaking his head. "Maybe we can make a nutcracker or something. We can also roast these, but they're great raw. Sometimes they're kinda… Gritty? Chalky? Hard to describe."

"They are delicious. And there is a large grove of them that is easy to get to."

"Great work, buddy," Rud said, patting the bear on the head. "More nuts, more better!"

With the excitement of discovering walnuts over, Rud was ready to get to work. The lighting project meant much more than just creating an illuminated path for adventurers to travel. Rud wanted the watering system to stretch throughout the grove, all fed by that singular spring. It was a good thing that spring provided infinite water, and he hoped it never dried up. For now, he wouldn't question it.

Rud carried a conversation with squirrels as he walked down his endless trail. He could now attach one root system to another, programming it to deliver water without breaking his stride. While he had to walk slower than normal, he could still cover a vast amount of ground with little effort. Along the way, he practiced his magical senses ability. Not by controlling the wind above, but by sending those stunted senses into the trees themselves. He could feel something of their plant-based magical energy radiating outward, but it was faint.

Compared to the wind energy that held in the sky high above him, the plant energy was much more subtle. It was the difference between detecting a gust from a hurricane, and a cool breeze during summertime. He plucked flecks of that energy, drawing it in and tasting the flavor. After a few hours of this, he got a feel for what a normal tree should feel like. A massive pine had a flavor of mana that seemed strange. The druid paused, tilting his head as he gazed at it.

"Something is wrong with that tree," Rud said, tapping his chin. He drew in more of the magical energy, feeling the twinge of something familiar. With his sense for magic developing, he felt Ban's attention turn to him. She bore a hole in him, assessing what he was doing. He struck a pose, thrusting his staff skyward. "Disease!"

"Great job," Ban said, her laughter filling his mind. "You're getting better at this."

"And I haven't forgotten about your project, my sweet little tree," Rud said. "I'll cull more of the diseased trees in a few hours."

"This project will take you days at this rate," Ban said. "My project will take you months."

Rud scratched his chin, pulling a walnut from his bag. He failed to crack it open, replacing it in his bag before standing with his arms crossed.

"Why doesn't Nature's Cleanse work on these trees?" Rud asked, pulling the spell up for inspection.

[Nature's Cleanse]

Rank 0 Druid Spell

Healing Magic

Mana Cost:

20

Description:

Infuse a being with nature's cleansing powers.

Effect:

Affected target will be put into a deep slumber. Depending on the strength of the affliction, the target will remain sleeping for longer.

Curse, disease, infection, and magical effects will be purged.

"Astute observation, if only later than I expected you to make it."

"I noticed before. I just figured it was quicker to cut them down and regrow them."

"There are two sides to the problem. You've already observed the first. The second is that these are naturally growing trees."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"You're saying my trees are better?" Rud said, uncrossing his arms and thrusting his chest forward. "Is little old Rud better than mother nature?"

"In a way. Only because you're creating the trees with design. Nature doesn't follow anything like that. It doesn't have an agenda."

So there was more than one reason to cut down all the trees and regrow them. Rud had no intentions of doing that, but it made sense. The trees he forcefully grew were strong, often growing past what the natural limit should have been. And they grew up without the hassle of battling the elements for a century, resulting in a perfect tree. Using his druidic powers, he could imbue every single tree in the grove with his power.

"Okay. Remind me in an hour, and we'll get to work on your project."

"Sounds good."

Rud pushed himself harder after his conversation with the Sacred Tree. He let his mana dip lower each time, feeling exhaustion tugging him further down. A quick stop for tee around midday, and he felt refreshed. He tackled even more of this root project, adding other skill-gaining actions to the mix. He cut down and regrew trees as he sensed them, often having to fall on his butt for a rest in-between. The skills attached to his class grew, seeming to surge forward as he pushed himself harder. As he was wrapping up, a message he had desperately wanted appeared.

[Skill Gain!]

Your Growth Magic skill has increased to level 8!

Rud pumped his fist in the air, feeling his understanding of Growth Magic increase slightly. He checked his skill levels attached to his Druid class before moving on to Ban's project.

Skills:

[Animal Communication] R0 L8

[Growth Magic] R0 L8

[Detection Magic] R0 L1

[Construction Magic] R0 L9

[Healing Magic] R0 L3

[Crafting Magic] R0 L6

[Shapeshifting Magic] R0 L6

[Plant Care] R0 L8

The class was in the home stretch for Rank 1. Animal Communication, Growth Magic, Construction Magic, and Plant Care were going to be the skills that shot him forward. While he had no plans to leave the other skills behind—besides Detection Magic, which he didn't care for—he wanted to focus on those skills for now. The druid returned to the center of the grove, finding Taz leaning against the longhouse. He waved, a smile on his face.

"Where are we going, Ban?" Rud asked, pressing his hand into the bark of the Sacred Tree.

"I have a few spots I'd like to bring into my network," Ban said, sending the information to the druid's mind telepathically.

Without waiting for further instructions, Rud passed through the nearest thicket to arrive in the dense crowd of trees. It was much like the others she had selected, giving a range of trees in different stages of life. The druid could sense the disease between the trees, like a flu spreading through an elementary school. The more he sensed the diseased energy in the trees, the more he felt he understood the way it worked.

"This thing is spreading," Rud said, placing his hand on the tree. He looked back as though expecting to meet Ban's eyes, but of course he didn't. "Am I wrong?"

"I don't know. The disease is older than the forest."

Rud was now concerned about the trees he was cutting down and replacing. Was all this work for nothing? Could the disease spread to his newly grown trees? But he wouldn't find answers here. He made a mental note of this location and went to the first one he had aided. Ban looked on in curiosity, watching as he approached the first of his regrown trees. The energy inside was strong. Far stronger than the trees that had naturally formed. He felt something from within that tree that sang of a hearty life.

"My trees are resistant to disease, aren't they?" Rud asked, running his hand over the bark. "Is that an unexpected bonus?"

"Perhaps. We won't know until the disease tries to spread."

Ban just didn't want him to get his hopes up. Because the next logical step was for that disease to work its way through every non-magical tree in the grove. Which meant Rud needed to replace them all. That was a daunting task he wasn't sure he could accomplish in a single lifetime. Selecting small clusters of trees to regrow was one thing, but to consider replacing the entire grove was a gargantuan effort.

The druid took a steady breath, bolstering himself against the challenge. He wasn't normally a person who felt this way. Rising to a challenge was one thing, but this seemed like something much larger. A long-term project that required him to bust his butt over the months and years to come. But who was he? The Custodian of Gladesbale Grove. Not some paper-pusher in an office somewhere. The impact of what he was doing here had far-reaching consequences, and he had accepted that mantle with pride. Now he would carry it with pride, ensuring Gladesbale became the grove that united groves.

"You're buzzing with conviction," Ban said, giggling to herself. "I'm getting excited just feeling that energy."

"Yeah. Time to get excited," Rud said, thrusting his staff into the air. "We're gonna grow some trees!"

After completing his short, rousing speech, Rud made his way to the area Ban had originally indicated. Using the Prune spell, he cut away the diseased trees, allowing them to fall to the ground. There they would gather more life for the forest, giving a home to insects and fungi. Using his Plant Growth spell, he watched as new trees soared skyward. Like a farmer tending their fields, he cut through the diseased trees and regrew healthy ones. When that was done, he demanded another cluster from Ban. And again. Until night had fallen and she begged for him to stop.

"I'd rather not take a nap," she said. "So you can calm down for the night."

"Sorry," Rud said, rolling his shoulders. "I'm just all amped up."

Ban's warm sense of approval washed over him. He absorbed that sensation, rushing off to the Observatory and taking the Aspect of Bent. Ascending the stairs at night was always lovely. The wild was chilly and the insects sang their songs. Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled and an owl hooted. The forest really came alive at night, and the druid could kick himself for missing out on it.

"I know it's late, but this is Rud." Thumbing the radio and listening to the play of static, Rud waited for Maria to respond.

While he waited, he used his Farseeing skill to peer far into the distance. He could almost make out the shape of people near the dungeon, and had to wonder if they had already arrived. He almost couldn't imagine the mortals covering that much distance in such a short time. But depending on what attributes a person took, they could move quicker than a mundane mortal. The figures moved, trotting down the paved road far enough for him to figure out what was going on.

"They have mounts," Rud said, shaking his head. "Of course they do."

Feather had sent his message back, detailing how he planned to send an elite squad of adventurers over. That elite squad had come on horseback… Or some beast close enough to a horse to count. Even through the Farseeing skill and the power of the Observatory, he could feel the power emanating from those people. They were high-rankers, coming to clear the dungeon and save the grove.

"You've been staying up later than normal recently. What gives?" Maria asked.

"Well, there's a real reason. But I'll just say I'm always so excited to talk to you!"

"God, you're just dripping with sarcasm… What's the real reason?"

"I'm drinking more tea, so I feel wired all day."

"Ah. To be back in college again. All-nighters with enough caffeine in my system to kill a grizzly. The dwarves have an interesting mushroom drink that is pretty energizing."

"Sounds disgusting," Rud said. "We need a tropical grove to grow everyone some coffee. We got coffee in this world, right? Bah, I bet I could make it once my Growth Magic skill gets high enough. I'm thinking of starting a premium brand of genetically engineered vegetables. I'll make some pinto beans the size of your head, serve them with some hot dogs… Franknbeans. What do you think?"

"I think you need to regulate your tea intake," Maria said, her voice coming back with raucous laughter.

"Come on. I have great ideas!"

Maria didn't seem to think so, but that didn't stop Rud from pitching more products. He talked with her later than he should have, finding himself growing tired as the night wore on. She signed off before he was ready to, forcing him to head to the longhouse for some food. Of course Taz had added some more awesome stuff to the pot. Big chunks of meat floated near the top, mixing with something that looked suspiciously like potatoes. They were potatoes, Rud discovered as he slurped some soup.

The silence within the longhouse was comforting, only punctuated by the occasional pop of the fire before him. When the door swung open, he almost jumped out of his skin. But a small elven woman appeared, brushing her blonde hair out of her face and offering a smile.

"Are you a spirit?" she asked.

"Yep!" Rud said, waving. All the mortals called anyone in a grove 'spirit,' so he had just accepted that as a fact. He wasn't a spirit, but he liked the title.

"I know it's late, but…"

"A bath it is!" Rud shouted, jumping onto the bench and stomping over. "Come on. Nothing better than a hot bath to soothe your sore bones. How is the road?"

The elven woman followed behind him, seeming more sheepish after his outburst. "Very comfortable," she said. "Who built the structures along the way?"

Rud swelled with pride, leading her to the boiler room, filling the boilers, and lighting the fire. "Oh, that was me. Did you like them?"

The elf's face brightened up. Rud would have been happier if there was a lightbulb plant here to illuminate her visage. "I loved them! And I already got some tea from your store. Everything has been lovely so far."

"Well, just find a spirit if you need anything… We're always happy to help. Well, at least I am…"

Rud saw the elven woman off after filling her bath. By the time he got back to his mushroom house he was exhausted. And there was even more stuff to do tomorrow. Like pushing for Rank 1 and watering the entire grove.