The meeting proceeded favorably, and we decided on the details of the trade items and their distribution volume.
Furthermore, I also confirmed that a part of the materials we had been putting in circulation that couldn't be consumed by the population of the «Empty Wilderness» posed no significant impact on the Eldar Forest Kingdom.
Aside from those, we also decided on a policy to promote breeding through matchmaking among the mythical beasts as well as a relocation plan for the mythical beasts that were absent in each of our places. We also received the books and crafts of the Eldar Forest Kingdom as a token of gratitude for the «World Tree Seeds».
"These are picture books, technical books, magic books, and academic books of my country. Well, I can't pass you our latest research so these are all books with outdated knowledge. Feel free to take them with you."
"Are you sure!?"
My voice involuntarily raised at her words and I quickly picked up a book to read.
Although the magic books of the elves were different from the magic books that humans used since they mostly focused on how to use spirit magic, if one managed to successfully establish communication with the spirits according to this book then it would open the door for humans to use spirit magic as well.
There were also technical books on crafting accessories made from processed spirit stones and various mana potion recipes using materials found in the Elven Great Forest. All of them were invaluable treasures that couldn't be obtained in ordinary countries, and here they were placed in front of me like a mountain.
"Are you really sure!?"
"Of course, these are the only things I can think of that you would like, so all that matters is you like them."
"Thank you!"
"Majou-sama looks like she's really happy."
I was so excited that I immediately forgot about the situation and began to skim through the books right there. The book was slightly too heavy and big for my size so I read it while putting it on my lap.
Then, noticing that Erneah-san and the other two were looking at my excited appearance with a smile, I closed the book I was reading feeling slightly embarrassed, and softly cleared my throat.
"*ahem*...... I'll read it carefully later."
"Fufufu, It seems like they were just the right gift for you. We have a few more things to do so we'll take our leave. You should take a rest."
'If necessary, you could also bring your servants and visit the town,' Erneah-san left after leaving these words behind.
She was quite an easygoing individual, but I guessed the position of the High Elf Queen was not just for show.
Anyway, the meeting with the Eldar Forest Kingdom was over with this, and we returned to the room we used yesterday where I continued to read my book.
"Majou-sama~, is this book so fun?"
"Yeah, it's fun and interesting. I'm glad that I'm able to read about the things I didn't know about."
Sitting on the sofa, I was currently reading a book about magic tool manufacturing and enchantment on mana stones.
The stuff written in this book was much more advanced than the typical books in circulation, but, given my mana capacity, I should be able to do experiments and learn a lot.
As I was reading it, the word 'spirit stone' suddenly popped up in it, reminding me of it. So, I turned to look at Teto who was staring at me with a joyful look.
"It almost slipped from my mind, here, Teto. I was planning to give it to you."
"What are you giving, Majou-sama?"
I took out the small spirit stone from the magic bag and showed it to Teto.
"It's a special mana stone that I received from the spirits as an apology. Do you want it, Teto?"
"Teto wants!"
After saying that, Teto lightly tossed the earth attribute spirit stone in the air, opened her mouth wide, and swallowed it.
*Gulp*
But the moment Teto swallowed it down, her eyes widened in astonishment, and her body arced backward as if she received an intense shock.
"——!? Teto!"
Although it was a special type of mana stone, I thought of them as just simple mana stones with exceptional density, so I didn't expect such an intense reaction from Teto. Flustered, I quickly reached out my hands towards her.
Teto curled her body, hugging her legs to her chest, a part of her legs had reverted to being mud from where the mud gushed out which covered the space around her body, and soon, a huge mud-ball-like object emerged in the center of the room.
"......What is this?"
Inside the beautifully polished mud ball, I could feel something akin to Teto's mana pulse.
I couldn't tell what exactly had occurred but it was clear something strange had happened to her.
Destroying the mud ball and saving Teto might cause even more complications so I refrained from doing it and felt myself at my wit's end. The ones I can rely on this time were either Baretta, Dragon Grandpa or the High Elf Queen Erneah-san.
"Anyone! Teto! Teto is......"
I hurriedly requested the nearby elf servant to contact Erneah-san and the others, but they were in the middle of their work so they shouldn't be able to come here immediately either.
As I waited for others to arrive, feeling helpless, I erected a solid barrier around the room to firmly protect Teto as it was the only thing in my mind, and sat inside, hugging my legs to my chest.
Then two hours later, Erneah-san and the others returned after finishing their work.
"Chise. I heard something strange happened to Teto...... This is......"
"Erneah-san, I had given the spirit stone to Teto thinking it was just a rare mana stone, but she turned into this state after eating it!"
Feeling lost at Teto's absence and that it would have been better if only I hadn't given the spirit stone to her, I was almost on the verge of tearing up.
Hearing the situation, Erneah-san answered with a serious expression.
"I believe she is going through reconstruction of her body."
"Body reconstruction?"
According to her, Teto's mana stone, the golem core, has been strengthened so far by taking other mana stones, but due to eating a spirit stone that held different properties, her body was being remodeled to be optimized for it.
I hadn't personally seen the evolution of the golem demonic race, but I have heard that demonic races often showed substantial changes in appearance or abilities when triggered by something.
Just like how Baretta, a mechanoid, had evolved into the Mechanoid Origin as the one managing all the maids back at the residence, or how the initially created mechanoids had also undergone evolution which enhanced their abilities and became High End.
"This is kind of like a pupa stage. We can only watch over her."
"So Teto's not in danger, right?"
"From what I have heard from Leriel, she was a golem who had taken in a spirit who lost her ego. I guess that spirit stone must have been quite compatible with her. I don't think it will be harmful."
"That's a relief......"
My knees gave in and I sat on the spot in relief, however, Erneah-san's expression didn't look very bright.
"She must have ingested a great amount of mana stones until now, I assume. So It's hard to tell how long it will take for her body to evolve."
It might take a day, a week, a month, a year, or even a century.
But——
"Time doesn't matter. I will wait for Teto to wake up. Fortunately, I am known as the Immortal Witch."
When I answered with a smile, Erneah-san's expression finally broke into a smile.
"In that case, feel free to use this room. We can't have anything unfortunate happen to Teto who is so important to you, after all."
"Thank you...... For now, I will install the «Transfer Gate» in this room."
"Likewise, I am also happy to have an interesting friend nearby."
I was surprised and distressed at the changes Teto went through that began without any warning. Nevertheless, I decided to wait for the day she would emerge from the cocoon of mud.
