「Early the next morning.」
Faint morning light pierced the thin forest mist. Root-Whisper Forest seemed to have just awakened from its slumber, sleepy dewdrops clinging to its leaves like tears.
A brown-backed titmouse flitted past a low-hanging branch, splashing crystalline dewdrops onto a mushroom roof with a soft PLINK.
Inside Bloom's Farmhouse, Arthur sat by the window, meticulously polishing every inch of his Bone Riding Spear—his old companion that had saved his life on several occasions.
On his cold shoulder plate, the little Slime opened its drowsy eyes.
"Arthur, good morning."
"Good morning, Your Majesty." Arthur saluted devoutly.
"You were gone for so long. Did something unexpected happen in the territory?"
"It was nothing much. I just subjugated a wild boar, enslaved a few goblins, cleared a forest path, and built a decent fortress in the Underground City..."
