"Wait a moment, I'll create a portal for us to enter the world of Eryndal," Makoto said. He then formed a portal in front of the minivan.
"Now you can go in, Tomoe," Makoto said.
"Yes, Waka," Tomoe replied, then lifted the minivan and flew it into the portal.
After passing through the portal, the minivan appeared in front of the World Tree. Makoto, upon seeing the World Tree, was only slightly surprised, but Tomoe, Mio, and Shiki were not just surprised—they were completely stunned by the towering tree that reached into the sky.
"Wow! That tree is huge!" Koyuki exclaimed in shock.
"You're right, Koyuki. It's at least over 100 meters tall," Hakuren said as he observed the World Tree.
Hearing the conversation between Koyuki and Hakuren, Tomoe, Mio, and Shiki came back to their senses.
"Waka, how could Erin grow this big!?" Tomoe asked Makoto.
"Didn't I tell you? After I evolved, Erin also grew larger. Even I was a bit surprised seeing it, but it's not too different from what I expected," Makoto replied.
"Waka-sama, is that enormous tree the Erin you mentioned?" Koyuki asked.
"That's right, Koyuki. Amazing, isn't it?" Makoto said.
"Yes, Waka-sama! This is my first time seeing a tree this big!" Koyuki said cheerfully.
"Tomoe, switch to flight mode and land. Shiki, deactivate camouflage mode," Makoto ordered.
"Understood, Waka," Tomoe and Shiki replied. The minivan appeared in midair and slowly descended, landing not far from the World Tree.
"Let's get out," Makoto said.
When Makoto stepped out of the minivan, he saw a beautiful girl, around twelve or thirteen years old, standing in front of him with a smile.
"Onii-chan! Welcome back!" the girl said as she jumped forward and hugged Makoto.
"Erin! You've grown taller and even more beautiful," Makoto said.
"Hehehe, of course! Onii-chan has become even more handsome too," Erin replied cheerfully.
"Erin-chan, you really surprised me. Your main body is enormous now," Tomoe said.
"Erin-chan, you look very beautiful now," Mio added.
"Erin, let me introduce my new followers to you," Makoto said, waving to Koyuki and Hakuren to come closer.
"These are Koyuki and Hakuren," Makoto said.
"Erin-sama, my name is Koyuki. I am a divine white nine-tailed fox," Koyuki said cheerfully.
"Erin-sama, my name is Hakuren. I am also a divine white nine-tailed fox," Hakuren said seriously.
"It's nice to meet you both. As you know, my name is Erin. I am the World Tree," Erin said with a gentle smile.
"Erin, have there been any changes since you grew?" Makoto asked.
"As for my other abilities, there haven't been any changes, Onii-chan. But now I can open portals connecting two worlds more easily and stably. If you want, I can even create a permanent portal," Erin said.
"Oh, and now I can go anywhere in this world, Onii-chan," Erin added cheerfully.
"Really, Erin? Does that mean you can come with us to the city now?" Makoto asked.
"Yes, Onii-chan!" Erin replied happily.
"Oh right, I almost forgot. Erin, when was the last time I contacted you?" Makoto asked.
"The last time you contacted me was six days ago, Onii-chan," Erin replied.
"Hm? What's wrong, Waka? What are you talking about with Erin?" Tomoe asked.
"Before we left, I contacted Erin to confirm how much time had passed while we were in the Space of Chaos," Makoto said.
"Eh? Waka-sama, wasn't our trip just now very short?" Koyuki asked in confusion.
"Didn't I explain this earlier? Space and time in the Space of Chaos are confusing. The first time I went, it only took a few hours to reach Rimuru's world. But this time, returning here took about six days," Makoto explained.
"How can time pass so quickly? There really are so many mysteries in this world," Koyuki said in shock.
"Alright then, let's head to the city. Erin, will you come with us?" Makoto asked.
"Of course, Onii-chan," Erin replied happily.
They then teleported to the city square.
The city's residents were shocked when Makoto suddenly appeared in the plaza.
"Waka-sama has returned!!!" the townspeople shouted.
"Hello, everyone," Makoto greeted them.
"Waka-sama, we're so happy to see you again!" a Highland Orc said.
Before long, news of Makoto's return spread throughout the city. The plaza, which had only a few people at first, quickly filled with residents. Makoto patiently spoke with them one by one.
"Waka-sama, it's good to see you back," Ema said as she rushed over after hearing the news.
"Oh, Ema, how have you been?" Makoto asked.
"I've been doing well, Waka-sama," Ema replied.
Seeing the crowd gathered, Tomoe shouted, "Everyone! Tonight, let's hold a welcome party for Waka!!!"
"Oooh!!!" the townspeople cheered.
The residents went off to prepare the celebration, while Makoto headed to the office with Ema. Tomoe, Mio, Shiki, Erin, Koyuki, and Hakuren all helped with the preparations.
"Did anything happen while I was away, Ema?" Makoto asked.
"At first, nothing happened, Waka-sama. But not long after you left, a greenish light appeared in the distance. As Tomoe-sama instructed, I contacted Komoe-sama. Komoe-sama said nothing was wrong and that the light was caused by something you were doing, Waka-sama. So I reassured the residents and told them to continue their activities as usual. That is my report," Ema said seriously.
"You handled it well, Ema," Makoto said.
"Thank you very much, Waka-sama," Ema replied happily.
"Is there anything else to report?" Makoto asked.
"Yes, Waka-sama. Your residence has been completed and is ready for you to move into," Ema said.
"Then I'll go take a look. Ema, please help with the party preparations for tonight," Makoto said.
"Understood, Waka-sama," Ema replied.
Makoto then walked toward his newly completed residence, greeting townspeople along the way. After a short walk, he saw a magnificent building with a garden adorned with various flowers and trees.
"Hm… Even though I participated in designing this place, seeing it completed feels very different," Makoto said.
After touring the house, Makoto relaxed on the sofa in the living room.
"Nueria, were there any problems while we were away from Rimuru's world?" Makoto asked.
[Answer: Everything went smoothly.]
"That's good to hear," Makoto said.
Before he realized it, Makoto fell asleep.
As evening approached, Makoto woke up to the sound of footsteps approaching him.
"Waka-sama, did I wake you?" Mio asked.
"It's fine, Mio. I was just relaxing and ended up falling asleep," Makoto replied.
"How are the party preparations?" Makoto asked.
"Almost everything is ready, Waka-sama," Mio answered.
"Where is everyone else?" Makoto asked.
"Tomoe-san and Shiki are decorating the plaza and preparing the stage. Erin-chan, Koyuki, and Hakuren are touring the city with Komoe after helping with the preparations," Mio said.
"Then why are you here, Mio?" Makoto asked.
"I came to remind you that the celebration is about to begin, Waka-sama," Mio replied.
"In that case, let's head to the city square," Makoto said.
When they arrived at the plaza, Makoto saw tables and chairs neatly arranged, with food and fruit laid out.
"Looks like the preparations are complete," Makoto said.
"Waka, you're finally here!" Tomoe said cheerfully.
"You seem in a hurry, Tomoe," Makoto said.
"How could I not be? Without you, Waka, the party can't start," Tomoe replied.
"If the party hasn't started yet, that means you haven't been able to drink sake, right?" Makoto said, glancing at her.
"Am I that obvious?" Tomoe replied.
"Anyway, Waka, let's go up on the stage," Tomoe said.
Once all the townspeople had gathered, Makoto walked onto the stage together with Tomoe, Mio, Shiki, Erin, Koyuki, and Hakuren. When Makoto stood on the stage, the lively plaza fell silent. He saw the townspeople looking at him with joyful expressions.
Smiling, Makoto spoke.
"I'm very happy to see all of you living peacefully and happily in this city. At first, I wanted to build a city simply because I wanted a place I could return to," Makoto said, looking at the crowd.
"But thanks to all of you, I don't just have a place to return to anymore. Thanks to all of you, I now have a place I can proudly call home. This world of Eryndal, and the city we built together, are precious treasures to me," Makoto said sincerely.
The townspeople were deeply moved by Makoto's words. One by one, they began expressing their gratitude.
"Waka-sama, thank you for letting us live in such a beautiful place!" a Highland Orc said.
"Waka-sama, thank you for everything!" a dwarf said.
"Waka-sama, thank you for saving us!" an Alke said.
"Waka-sama, thank you for your guidance!" a Mistio Lizard said.
"Waka-sama, thank you for accepting us!" a Forest Ogre said.
"Waka-sama…"
"Waka-sama…"
The voices continued one after another.
Touched by their gratitude, Makoto raised his hand, signaling for silence.
"I'm also happy to see all of you living happily. This celebration isn't just to welcome me back—it's also to introduce several people to you. First is someone I consider like my own little sister. Her name is Erin," Makoto said, gesturing for Erin to stand beside him.
"Hello, everyone. I'm happy to finally meet all of you," Erin said with a gentle smile.
"You may not know this, but Erin is the guardian of the world of Eryndal. Since the birth of this world, Erin has protected it. Only recently has she been able to visit the city," Makoto explained.
"Wow!"
"Erin-sama!"
"Erin-sama!"
The townspeople chanted her name. Erin smiled softly and waved her hand.
"Ooooh!" the crowd cheered.
Makoto raised his hand again to calm them.
"Next are two of my followers whom I met during my journey," Makoto said, gesturing for Erin to step back and for Koyuki and Hakuren to come forward.
"These are Koyuki and Hakuren," Makoto said.
"Hello everyone, my name is Koyuki. Nice to meet you all," Koyuki said.
"My name is Hakuren. I look forward to working with you," Hakuren said.
"Ooooh!" the crowd cheered and applauded loudly. Makoto then asked Koyuki and Hakuren to step back.
"And lastly," Makoto said, looking at the crowd,
"I want to give a gift to someone who has contributed greatly to this city. Without her, I'm certain the construction of this city and many other things would not have gone so smoothly. With that said, please welcome Ema to the stage!"
Hearing her name, Ema was shocked, but she quickly composed herself and walked onto the stage.
Once Ema stood beside him, Makoto said,
"We have all seen how hard Ema has worked for this city—from small matters to major ones. When I wasn't in Eryndal, she ensured that the city's development continued according to plan. I personally acknowledge Ema's abilities and character. Therefore, Ema," Makoto said, looking at her,
"Will you become my follower?"
Ema was stunned by Makoto's words. Without hesitation, she knelt before him.
"I am willing, Waka-sama. I dedicate my body and soul to you," Ema said with all her heart.
The townspeople erupted into cheers.
"Ooooh!!!"
When the cheers subsided, Makoto stood before Ema.
"Ema, I will form a contract with you, and I will also give you a new name," Makoto said.
"I am ready, Waka-sama," Ema replied seriously.
Makoto began the contract ritual with Ema, and at the same time bestowed a new name upon her.
"From this moment on, your name is Selena," Makoto declared.
The contract ritual, which was initially red, transformed into a rainbow of colors and enveloped Ema—now Selena. The rainbow light surrounded her for a while as the townspeople watched anxiously.
Before long, the rainbow light faded. Makoto then saw a beautiful woman with long blonde hair standing before him. Selena opened her golden eyes, looked at Makoto, and knelt before him.
"Waka-sama, thank you for granting me such a beautiful name," Selena said with all her heart.
The townspeople erupted into loud cheers once again.
"Ooooh!!!"