Brand New Life Online: Rise Of The Goddess Of Harvest

"Yeah you can see me now! Good thing you ate that lemon." The Great Spirit said. "So anyways, this feels weird… That Hollow… I barely remember seeing any Hollows around this entire place, they're usually always in the big cities, even less likely to be here with not much negative energy to absorb either… Feels like they somehow dragged themselves here."

"You mean they followed us?" I wondered.

"Dunno, probably?" She seemed a bit too carefree. "Nonetheless, it would be good if we could investigate the surroundings further. It is also odd evolved species would show up in here, they're usually rare- Ah, well with everything going on, it wouldn't be as weird."

"Excuse me, errr… Great Spirit." Said Mark. "But is it really possible that this could be provoked only by Elayne?"

"I also think there might be something else going on." Said the Great Spirit. "Come to think about it… I remember the God of Creation saying the Death Generals of the Demon King of Death were on the move. What was this guy's name? Phasmos? Phantos?"

"Phantasmos?" I asked. "Ah! You're right… Could he be involved in this increase of Hollows population then?! But… Why is he exactly in here? I thought he would appear elsewhere at least…"

"Strange, right?" The Great Spirit wondered. "Maybe he's purposedly trying to find you!"

"I do wonder, now that Elayne became a World Boss in Arcadia, perhaps the Demon King of Death might be warier of her. Even if he had yet to awaken… If he has these Death Generals to move for him while he prepares his awakening. Maybe he's trying to eliminate her in this world." Mark analyzed everything rather quickly.

"T-That makes sense…." I sighed. "Ugh, this is bad. We need to grow stronger in here as fast as possible! …But we can't simply ignore my family either. At least let's spend the rest of the day with everyone while we think about what to do."

"Yeah, I suppose we shouldn't act suspicious or something." Mark nodded. "Nonetheless, I wonder when this magic power is going to fade away?"

"In an hour or two, but you could eat another lemon!" I said.

"Ugh… They're so sour though." He sighed.

"Well, let's make some Magic Lemonade then!" I said.

"Ah, that sounds much better." Mark sighed. "Anyways, we've got milk too. How about… Oh! How about we make lemon pie?"

"Lemon pie? Ooh! Sounds perfect!" I agreed instantly.

"Though I want to help you out this time." Mark said.

He seemed rather willing to cook and learn more from me as well. I had never seen him with this much intention of learning about cooking. I would really like to taste something he made with his own hands.

"Alright then! Let's go see the chickens to grab some eggs and let's make some lemon pie with lemonade." I nodded. "Apple pie too or make a kuchen with several fruits."

"Carrot cake too!" The Great Spirit said.

"Yeah I will use your body for that, heh." I smiled.

"W-Wait, not me though!" She complained.

Like that, we continued on our "date" as I had intended. We went around every corner of the farm. I showed Mark the hens and taught him how to stealthily steal their eggs. I also showed him the piggies that were friendly as always, and then showed him the horsies. I asked for his help to clean their poop. Horse poop is a really good fertilizer as well!

"Ahhh, how are you doing Freckles? Did you miss me?"

"Nieeegh!"

An old female horse greeted us, she was freckles. I named her like that because she was brown with slightly reddish-brown spots around her face. She was rather old by now, but still had it with her.

"Oh, she's so cute… Is she like your horse?" Wondered Mark.

"Yep! I raised her since she was a little baby when I was a kid myself. We've bonded since then. She always remembers me even when we don't see one another for a while." I said with a smile, as I caressed her big head and feed her an apple.

"Cronch, crunch, crunch…" She was happily eating.

"Freckles can we take a ride?" I asked her.

"Nieegh!" Freckles licked my face.

"I guess that's a yes!" I laughed.

I quickly jumped over her after bringing some equipment to ride a horse.

"Alright, let's do a little round around here!"

"Nieeegh!"

Freckles began galloping freely and happily around, she was really fast after eating that Dexterous Apple though! Her speed increased so much I could feel the wind hitting my body rather strongly.

"H-Hold on girl! Slower!"

"Nieegh!"

Freckles slowed down a bit, and then walked back to Mark.

"Y-You're great at riding horses… Wow, another unexpected talent from you." Mark said with surprise.

"Heheh! Of course! Now come here! Freckle's a nice girl, so she'll let you ride her with me." I said, extending my hand.

"Are you sure? I've never ridden a horse before…" Mark said.

"Don't worry, she's the nicest horsie around!" I assured him.

"T-Then, excuse me, Freckles." Mark said, as I helped him sit behind me.

"Here, grab my stomach really hard so you don't fall, okay?" I asked him.

We were quite closer… His warm hands timidly wrapped around my stomach, as he nodded.

"A-Alright, I am ready…"

He was trembling a bit. He was really scared! Well, that fear will go away quickly after he realizes its not a big deal.

"Don't worry city boy, I'll teach you the ways. Let's go Freckles! Let's take away the fear he has."

"Nieegh!"

Freckles seemed to agree, as she began galloping around.

The beautiful clear blue sky, the grasslands surrounding us, the faraway forests, the rivers, the bright sun atop the skies, and the slightly warm breeze… it was all so relaxing. I felt all my stress fly away.

"Ahhh, it's pretty relaxing, right?" I asked.

"This is… its quite beautiful, yeah." Mark smiled, glancing back into my eyes. "You're really amazing, Elayne…

"A-Ah, well, it's nothing, really~" I giggled. "I am glad you're enjoying yourself."

I might end up treasuring these moments for a long time.