Chapter 9: One Family

Now that I've told them they're allowed to stay on this island, that means I should be the one to protect them. Who knows, there might still be some monsters lurking around.

I looked at the Beastmen—they were happy… because they finally had a place to call home.

Slowly, I extended my vines, circling them all and attaching one vine to each of them. They looked confused, unsure of what I was doing.

Then, I used Healing Magic.

My vines started glowing green, and a soft light spread across the entire area, healing them. Then, I cast Disease Cure.

This time, the vines glowed white, illuminating everything around us. After I was done, I withdrew the vines. The Beastmen were momentarily confused, but then they started noticing— their injuries were gone, their bodies felt lighter, and they no longer felt unwell.

Their faces lit up with joy, and soon, smiles spread among them. Their happiness only grew.

After that, I used Fruit Creation Magic, creating a ton of healthy, delicious-looking fruits and placing them on the ground.

They all looked stunned, hesitant. Then, one man cautiously asked,

"I-Is this for us?"

I nodded.

A wave of cheers erupted. Everyone rushed forward to pick the fruits, some parents even feeding their children before eating themselves. That's the love of parents…

The old man looked at me in awe and said,

"W-Woah… So this is the power of the Great Heaven God."

Ugh, there it is again. That God thing… I muttered.

I used my vines to write:

You don't need to call me a God. As you can see, I'm just a flower.

The old man read my words and asked,

"Then… what should we call you?"

I wrote again,

My name is Sumi Hana.

The old man's eyes widened, and he turned back toward the others, shouting loudly,

"Listen, everyone! Our Goddess's name is Sumi Hana! From now on, we shall call her Lady Sumi!"

Eh?! What?! I was stunned.

The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting,

"Lady Sumi! Lady Sumi! Lady Sumi!"

"I guess they really want me to become their god…" I muttered.

[Indeed. They completely believe in you. Even though you just met, your Healing Magic and Fruit Creation were enough to convince them,] Aries spoke.

I sighed.

Then Aries spoke again.

[There is one problem.]

"Huh? Problem? What is it?"

[You've cured almost everyone… except for one.]

"Huh?! What?!"

[The girl in the far-left corner,] Aries said.

I turned to look.

A small girl stood there, holding onto the hand of an older female Beastman—most likely her mother.

"But… she looks fine?" I said.

[Her mental and physical state are stable, but not her health. It looks like your Healing Magic is only holding her disease back,] Aries explained.

I looked at her again.

She had black hair and beautiful blue eyes. But something was… different.

"Why do her ears look like a human's?" I asked.

[Positive. She is human,] Aries replied.

EHHHHHHH?!

"But… aren't the others Beastmen?" I asked, shocked.

[She's not completely human,] Aries replied.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

[She is half-human, half-beast,] Aries said.

"Half-human and half—wait… don't tell me!"

[Yes.]

I walked toward the girl and her mother, then used my vines to write:

'What's your name, little girl?'

The girl looked at the words, then softly replied,

"I'm Shein."

"Shein, huh…"

I turned to her mother and wrote:

'Are you her mother?'

She read it, then nodded hesitantly.

"Y-Yes, Lady Sumi." she replied

Then, I wrote another question.

'She is half-human, right?'

The mother clutched her daughter tightly and slowly nodded, a sad look on her face.

The other Beastmen fell silent, looking equally sorrowful.

I looked at them, then wrote:

Where is her father?

The mother's face darkened, her body trembling as she bowed her head.

But then, the little girl spoke up.

"Papa is gone…"

I listened, to her

"Gone, huh…" I muttered.

The old man behind me spoke up,

"Her father's name was Gleavour. He and Fauna—her mother—fell in love despite being from different races. They ignored what the world said, got married, and had a child together… but one day, Gleavour went off to battle and never returned."

I listened, and finally understood what Shein had meant.

The old man continued,

"But we never treated them as outsiders. Even though they married a human and their child is half-human, we still treat them equally. We are all family. So, Lady Sumi… please let them stay together."

He bowed deeply.

The other Beastmen followed, bowing to me as well.

They have such a close bond with each other… they really are one family, I thought.

[Indeed. They even cast aside their pride for them,] Aries agreed.

I used my vines to write:

It's not like I was going to kick them out. I was just curious. You guys don't have to worry. They're part of the family too.

The Beastmen's faces lit up with joy.

The mother stepped forward, holding her daughter close, and said,

"Thank you very much, Lady Sumi. We will never forget your kindness."

I sighed, then turned around and wrote:

Everyone, finish eating and follow me. We can't stay here forever. Let's find a better place to live.

They read my words and quickly finished their fruits, preparing to leave.

I silently watched them.

It's good to have someone you deeply care about. And it doesn't matter who they are…

Love is the most powerful thing—both in good and bad.