At the same time, Tomoe and Mio set out to carry out the task Makoto had given them: searching for ambrosia flowers in Tinarac Forest. According to Makoto, ambrosia flowers were quite useful, and he wanted to cultivate them in the New World to increase the variety of herbal plants.
"Mio, what do you think about Waka's orders this time?" Tomoe asked casually as they walked through the forest.
"Waka-sama's orders? I think increasing the variety of herbal plants isn't a bad thing," Mio replied, a little confused by Tomoe's question.
"I'm not talking about the order to look for flowers, but the order to increase the population of the New World and recruit people with talent," Tomoe said.
"Is there something wrong with Waka-sama's orders?" Mio asked, looking at Tomoe.
"There's nothing wrong with Waka-sama's orders. It's just that as his followers, we should at least try to understand the wishes of the master we serve," Tomoe replied.
"I don't have time to think about things like that. Right now, I'm researching new seasonings to use in cooking for Waka-sama," Mio answered.
"At least try to think about what Waka intends to do next," Tomoe said.
"Isn't thinking about the food Waka-sama likes just as important? Besides, for things like that, Tomoe-san alone is more than enough," Mio replied casually.
Tomoe was left speechless after hearing Mio's words.
After walking for some time, Tomoe and Mio sensed that someone was watching them from afar.
"What should we do, Tomoe-san?" Mio asked.
"Let's leave it for now. I want to see what they'll do," Tomoe replied.
In the distance stood two women with dark skin and white hair, watching Tomoe and Mio as they moved through the forest.
"Eris, what do you think about them?" asked the long-haired woman named Aqua.
"I feel that something bad will happen if we attack them, Aqua," replied the short-haired woman named Eris.
"So what should we do?" Aqua asked.
"I don't know," Eris answered confidently.
While investigating the ambrosia flowers, Tomoe and Mio eventually found a fairly large garden filled with ambrosia blooms.
"Finally, we found it," Mio said.
"But it seems this place belongs to someone. You can tell from how well this flower garden is maintained," Tomoe said as she looked around.
"Then how about we ask them?" Mio suggested.
"You two hiding up in the trees, isn't it about time you showed yourselves?" Tomoe said, looking toward a nearby tree.
Aqua and Eris, who were hiding in the tree, exchanged glances.
"What should we do, Eris? They found us," Aqua said anxiously.
"There's no other choice," Eris replied, then jumped down from the tree.
"Eris!?" Aqua exclaimed as she watched her jump down.
"What do you humans want in our forest?" Aqua asked.
"Oh, Forest Ogres. So you're the ones who take care of this flower garden," Tomoe said, thinking about how to resolve the situation.
"We are the guardians of this forest. Anyone who violates it will be punished," Eris said.
"Do you want to fight us?" Tomoe asked, releasing her aura.
Feeling Tomoe's aura, Aqua and Eris immediately raised their hands.
"We surrender," they said in unison.
"That's good," Tomoe said as she returned her aura to normal.
"Can you take us to your village?" Tomoe asked.
"We can guide you to our village," Aqua replied.
With Aqua and Eris's help, they arrived at the Forest Ogre village.
"Isn't this barrier the one I created long ago for a Forest Ogre?" Tomoe thought to herself as she saw the protective barrier around the village.
"Wait here for a moment. I'll report what happened to the village chief," Aqua said after escorting them inside.
Tomoe and Mio looked around the village under Eris's guidance. Before long, Aqua returned.
"Excuse me, the village elders are willing to meet with you," Aqua said, showing them the way.
When they arrived in front of a large building, Tomoe and Mio were invited inside.
As they entered, Tomoe saw a familiar face.
"Nilgistri, I'm glad to see you're still alive and well," Tomoe said to the village chief.
"Who are you? Have we met before?" Nilgistri asked in confusion.
"It seems you've grown senile. Who was it that came to me and begged me to create a barrier for their village?" Tomoe said, releasing a small amount of her aura.
Upon hearing her words and sensing her aura, Nilgistri immediately knelt down.
"Please forgive my rudeness, Shin-sama," Nilgistri said.
"Why are you all just standing there? Kneel at once before Shin-sama!" Nilgistri shouted at the elders, who were frozen in place.
After seeing the elders kneel, Nilgistri asked, "Shin-sama, what brings you here?"
"Stop calling me Shin. My name is Tomoe now," Tomoe said.
"Yes, Tomoe-sama," Nilgistri replied.
"I came here to obtain ambrosia flowers on my master's orders," Tomoe said.
"Your master!?" Nilgistri exclaimed in shock.
"I will take some ambrosia flowers to plant elsewhere," Tomoe said.
"Please take as many as you like, Tomoe-sama," Nilgistri replied.
"In that case, I'll bring them when I leave," Tomoe said.
"Tomoe-sama, won't you stay for a while? I'll prepare a banquet in your honor," Nilgistri offered.
Tomoe didn't answer immediately and instead looked at Mio.
"Isn't that fine, Tomoe-san? Waka-sama will surely be pleased to hear about it," Mio said casually.
"Very well. Tonight, we'll attend together with Waka," Tomoe said to Nilgistri.
"Then we'll be leaving for now," Tomoe said, and used the Mist Gate to depart.
When Tomoe and Mio emerged from the Mist Gate, they saw Makoto relaxing in a chair, calmly drinking tea.
"How did it go?" Makoto asked casually.
"Everything went smoothly, Waka. We found where the ambrosia flowers grow, and we also met the Forest Ogres, the race that protects Tinarac Forest," Tomoe replied.
"Did any conflict occur when you met them?" Makoto asked, sipping his tea.
"No. When I released a bit of my aura, they immediately surrendered," Tomoe said proudly.
"Waka-sama, the Forest Ogres are also holding a banquet for us tonight. Tomoe and I agreed to it. Is that okay?" Mio asked.
"That's fine. For small matters, you can decide on the spot," Makoto replied.
"By the way, we haven't celebrated the creation of the New World yet," Makoto said thoughtfully.
"How about we hold a celebration tomorrow that will be held every year? I'll also announce the name of this New World," he said, looking at Tomoe and Mio.
"That's a wonderful idea, Waka. We can also announce a new calendar for the New World," Tomoe said happily.
"Then what name would suit the new calendar?" Makoto asked.
"Of course, the Year of Makoto-sama," Mio said confidently.
Hearing that, Makoto flicked Mio on the forehead.
"Don't joke around, Mio," Makoto said.
"I'm not joking," Mio muttered while holding her forehead.
"How about using the name of the world I decide on?" Makoto said.
"What name will you give the New World?" Tomoe asked curiously.
"You'll find out when the time comes," Makoto replied mysteriously.
Tomoe was left speechless.
"Waka, that joke isn't funny," Tomoe said with a pout.
"Hahaha," Makoto laughed when he saw her expression.
"Enough joking for now," Makoto said after laughing.
"Tomoe, return to the New World and discuss tomorrow night's celebration with Ema."
"Mio, you too—go back and prepare delicious food and drinks. Let's make tomorrow night's celebration as lively as possible."
"Alright, Waka," Tomoe replied cheerfully.
"Yes, Waka-sama," Mio replied happily.
"Don't forget to come back before nightfall so we can attend the Forest Ogre banquet," Makoto reminded them.
"If I'd known, I wouldn't have agreed to attend that banquet," Tomoe muttered.
"Don't go back on a promise you've already made, Tomoe," Makoto said as he pinched her cheek.
"I know, Waka. I'm just complaining a little," Tomoe said, holding her cheek.
After Tomoe and Mio returned to the New World, Makoto relaxed again in his chair and chatted with Erin about the celebration planned for the next night. Time passed quickly while he was relaxing, and the sky soon turned to dusk. Then Tomoe and Mio returned together.
"Waka-sama, it's time for us to go," Mio said.
"Alright, let's go," Makoto replied.
Tomoe opened the Mist Gate, and they reappeared at the place where the village chief and elders were gathered.
Makoto saw an empty room. As he was about to ask Tomoe about it, the door behind them opened.
"Welcome, Tomoe-sama," Aqua said as she entered, having sensed their arrival.
"We haven't introduced ourselves yet. As you know, my name is Tomoe. The woman beside me is Mio, and this man is my master, Makoto-sama," Tomoe said.
"My name is Aqua, and the short-haired girl who was with me earlier is Eris," Aqua said politely.
"Are the preparations finished? If so, show us the way," Tomoe said.
"The preparations are complete. Please follow me," Aqua replied.
As they walked toward the banquet hall, they encountered a man with a wild aura.
"So you are Tomoe-sama's master. My name is Mondo, the mentor of Aqua and Eris," he said, extending his hand.
"My name is Makoto. Nice to meet you," Makoto said as he shook Mondo's hand.
When Makoto tried to let go, Mondo tightened his grip and began stroking Makoto's hand with both of his.
"After so long… this is wonderful," Mondo said with a blissful expression.
Seeing her mentor's behavior, Aqua tried to stop him, but Mio was faster. Without hesitation, Mio punched Mondo on the head, sending him flying into the trees and disappearing from Makoto's sight.
"What an utterly insolent man, touching Waka-sama's hand with such a disgusting expression," Mio said in displeasure.
"Can you guide us to the banquet hall?" Tomoe asked Aqua.
Aqua, still in shock, snapped back to her senses.
"Please forgive us. Our mentor has a personality that's a bit… different," Eris said.
"It's fine. I don't mind," Makoto replied.
Guided by Aqua, they finally arrived at the village hall where the banquet was being held. Nilgistri spotted them from afar and came forward.
"My name is Nilgistri. Are you Tomoe-sama's master?" he asked, looking at Makoto.
"My name is Makoto. Nice to meet you," Makoto said casually.
With Nilgistri's guidance, Makoto, Tomoe, and Mio sat on the honorary platform, and the banquet began. Makoto watched the dances and listened to the music performed by the Forest Ogres.
"It's quite a lively banquet, isn't it, Tomoe?" Makoto said.
"Indeed, Waka. Tomorrow, I'll make a celebration even grander than this," Tomoe said enthusiastically.
"How about the food, Mio?" Makoto asked.
"The food is quite good. They don't use many strong seasonings, but it's still fairly tasty," Mio commented seriously.
While enjoying the atmosphere, Makoto noticed Mondo arguing with someone.
"Tomoe, Mio, if something happens, I want you to handle it—but don't kill him. I want to speak with him," Makoto said via telepathy.
"Understood, Waka," Tomoe replied.
"Yes, Waka-sama," Mio answered.
Makoto then saw Mondo grab the person in front of him by the throat. Suddenly, a skeletal figure emerged from Mondo's body and began draining the victim's magical energy until he was completely dry.
Tomoe and Mio exchanged glances and walked toward the skeleton.
"What have you done?" Tomoe asked.
"He can't move because I absorbed his strength. As for this one, he was connected to troublesome people. He was a nuisance, so I killed him," the skeleton said.
"Then what is your objective?" Tomoe asked.
"My objective is him," the skeleton said, pointing at Makoto.
"I have a question I want to ask him."
"If you wish to question Waka, then prove that you are worthy," Tomoe said energetically, striking a samurai-like pose.