The third group.
Since Minotaurs and Centaurs had already arrived, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of "-taur" would be next.
While lost in such foolish thoughts, I stood in front of my house to greet the party Michael-san had introduced to us.
...
The group Michael-san had brought consisted of a bevy of beautiful women and a collection of tree stumps.
"Um..."
The women stood between 150 and 170 centimeters tall—standard human height.
That alone was a relief.
They appeared to be in their late teens to late twenties. With their refined features, anyone with eyes would declare them beauties, and their figures were quite impressive as well.
To be honest, they looked a bit like women who worked in the nightlife industry. However, their attire didn't match that vibe at all; they were dressed like ordinary village women. It didn't really suit them.
And there were... forty of them?
There were also about ten tree stumps... but why were they here? I was certain I had cleared this entire area and tilled it into soil with the Universal Farming Tool.
As the question crossed my mind, one of the stumps spoke.
"I am the representative, Igu. We thank you for accepting us."
The stump talked.
As it turned out, those in the form of tree stumps were also immigrants. The beautiful women and the stumps belonged to the same race, known as the Nyunyu-daphne. Based on my knowledge, they seemed to be beings close to wood spirits, similar to dryads.
I initially thought the difference in appearance might be a matter of gender, but I was wrong. The stumps were female as well.
...
In other words, they were an all-female race.
"Do you all... mingle with humans?"
In response to my question, the group only offered pleasant smiles. No one actually gave me an answer. It was a rather important point, though.
"Village Head, there is no need to be in such a hurry. We are already considering a proper proof of our loyalty."
"Proof of loyalty? No, no! That’s not it! I don’t require anything like that! Please don’t get the wrong idea!"
Shaking off the misunderstanding, I observed them more closely. They didn't seem to be in any immediate distress. Compared to the Minotaurs and Centaurs, they appeared remarkably normal.
"For now, I'll arrange a meal. Is ordinary food alright?"
"We appreciate your kindness. However, we have heard of the difficulties surrounding this migration. We have no wish to cause you trouble by consuming your food supplies."
"It’s helpful of you to say so, but do you have your own provisions?"
"No, we have none. Therefore, we simply ask for a spot with good sunlight and water. That will serve as our meal."
"I see, but..."
A spot with good sunlight. Well, in this village, as long as you weren't right next to the Great Tree, a building, or the forest, the sunlight was plenty. As for water, we had the river.
If that was the case... as for the location...
Before I could decide, they made a suggestion.
"Around the perimeter of those fields over there. We promise not to cause any trouble for the crops."
Since their representative, Igu, requested it, I decided to let them rest there.
To be honest, watching these beauties—and the stumps—standing at regular intervals around the fields was a surreal sight. But they seemed satisfied, so I suppose it was fine.
Since I was a bit concerned about how comfortable the stumps looked, I gave them a quick warning just in case.
"If you start growing roots, I’m going to have to cut them, okay?"
Several of the stumps flinched, but I decided to let it slide.
The Nyunyu-daphne had come from the east, crossing the mountains near Howlin Village and trekking through the forest to reach us. Apparently, they possessed the ability to assimilate with plants, which allowed them to avoid conflict with monsters and magical beasts.
However, they couldn't avoid the territorial marking of those creatures. To put it bluntly, they were occasionally urinated on or scratched by claws. Since their sense of pain was dull, it didn't actually hurt, but any of them scratched by claws couldn't maintain human form until the wound healed. That was why they were currently stumps.
I see. So, their true form was actually the stump.
I made sure to have someone casually suggest they take a bath. They didn't smell, but it was for my own peace of mind. I wondered if a stump would dislike hot water. If so, a cold wash would be fine—I just wanted them to get clean.
A few hours later.
Once they had finished their "meal" and their washing, I sat down to speak with Igu, the Nyunyu-daphne representative.
The reason for their migration was that their previous home had become desolate. Apparently, a nearby village had engaged in excessive deforestation, which triggered a massive flood. While they were looking for a new place to settle, they heard Michael-san's invitation and decided to make the move.
However, it wasn't Michael-san’s sales pitch that won them over. It was the fruit he happened to have with him at the time.
"Is the place you are recommending where these fruits—these apples and pears—were grown?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Everyone, prepare to move. At once."
I had heard from Michael-san before that he was quite flustered by their reaction, as he had only intended to make a preliminary inquiry. He had tried to negotiate to keep them from rushing, but they didn't stop, beginning their migration immediately until they reached this spot.
Incidentally, Michael-san was currently in Shashato City preparing supplies for the Nyunyu-daphne's arrival. I really needed to ask him for clothes, weapons, tools, and food for the Minotaurs and Centaurs as well.
"Still, if you came here for the fruit, it was poor form of me to let you decline a meal."
Igu was currently being carried by one of the women in human form. Because she was a stump, she couldn't move very fast on her own. I understood the logic, but the sight of a beautiful girl lugging around a tree stump was just odd.
"Do not let it trouble you. The fruit was not our primary objective."
"It wasn't?"
"Umu. The reason we sought this land was the soil."
"The soil?"
"I believed that any land capable of producing such magnificent fruit must surely possess extraordinary soil. That is why we are here. Please, allow us to remain."
"I have no intention of turning you away now... but I see. The soil."
It was likely the soil I had tilled with the Universal Farming Tool.
"I see. In that case, I don't think you'll be disappointed."
"Umu. I have seen the fields, and I am truly envious. I hope the place where we are to live will be just like that."
"Hahaha. So you want a place like a field."
...
Eh? Wait a minute.
"I was planning to prepare fields in the village where you'll be staying, but... um, don't you live in houses?"
"We do use houses on occasion. However, we prefer the outdoors."
"But you will live in houses, right?"
"We prefer the outdoors."
Don't panic. It's too early to panic.
But yeah, I was starting to feel a little tired.
I decided to appoint a caretaker for the Nyunyu-daphne.
"Igu, let me introduce someone."
"I'm Mam. I've been appointed as your caretaker. If you have any problems or need anything, please let me know. I look forward to working with you."
I had chosen one of the beastmen girls to look after them. She had volunteered for the role herself. She still looked like she was in middle school, but Sena, the representative of the Beastman Race, assured me she could handle it, so I accepted.
"The pleasure is ours. We look forward to your guidance."
One of Igu's roots lifted up and shook hands with Mam.
"Mam, sorry to put this on you, but could you get some details from Igu and the others? Find out what kind of environment they want to live in, what kind of work they can do, their strengths and weaknesses, and..."
"Their racial taboos and customs, right?"
"Yeah."
"Understood. I'll also take the opportunity to teach them the basics of our village."
"I'm counting on you."
She was certainly dependable.
I left the Nyunyu-daphne in Mam's hands and returned to the house. There was so much more we needed to discuss.
...The list of problems just keeps growing.