9. Expansion of Trade
(Entry made one year after Mira and Zen left)
The first shop was opened in the village of Talvein — “Forest Spark.”
But three months later, we realized that one shop was not enough.
Too many people were coming.
At first—peasants.
Then herbalists from distant settlents.
Then rchants.
Then minor nobles.
Everyone was looking for our redies, our tools, our runes.
So we opened a second shop.
Then a third.
And then… it beca an avalanche.
Our reports read:
“nine days — all goods sold out”
“people arrive at dawn”
“villages argue over whose turn is first”
“rchants request permanent supply contracts”
Gray Shadow said:
— We are growing too fast.
General Reim replied:
— A forest cannot remain small. It either grows—or it dies.
And so we continued.
10. Managers and Branches
We were still children, but the Council of Branches decided:
“Each shop must be managed by one of us.”
So:
Feris beca the manager of “Forest Fla” in Talvein.
Selia took charge of “Green Path” in Arden-Hall.
Lienna led the healing post in Heimar.
Tyrel and Mirnan traveled between branches as couriers and scouts.
White Wolf and the Silent Shadows escorted caravans.
Each of us traveled for two to three weeks at a ti, lived among humans, talked with them, healed, protected, traded, learned record-keeping and negotiation.
We were growing.
And for the first ti, the world began to see elves not only as legends—but as partners.
11. Those Allowed to Enter
Rumors spread quickly:
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“There is a city in the heart of the forest that helps those no one else will.”
At first, we let no one in.
Then—we began to choose.
Rules were established:
we admit only those not pursued for cris,
only those who respect the forest,
only those willing to work.
Thus ca:
human blacksmiths,
human laborers,
healer apprentices,
forr soldiers seeking a peaceful life,
orphans brought to us at the request of their relatives.
We did not beco a human settlent.
But the forest beca a refuge for those who listen and do not cause harm.
12. Illusory Headquarters and Hidden Hos
When the number of branches reached seven, we understood we had to protect them.
Zen left us knowledge of illusion—simple, but reliable.
We put it to use.
Each branch is now hidden:
from thieves,
from pursuers,
from tax collectors,
from those who want to steal runes,
from those who seek power.
Tyrel wrote in his journal:
“They thought the shop vanished.
But it’s an illusion.
Elves do not disappear—they hide.”
Thus the term was born:
“Illusory Houses” — trading posts invisible to those who co with greed.
13. Voices About the Forest Hamlet
People said:
“Elves have reached the cities. They’re building sothing of their own.”
“Their runes are purer than those of archmages.”
“They make amulets that protect from colds, from misfortune, and from bandits.”
“A magical forest that heals.”
“A city hidden in the mist.”
And children whispered in their gas:
“If you get lost—the elves will find you first.”
We were becoming a legend faster than we ourselves could walk.
14. Our First… Factories?
We surprised even ourselves when General Reim wrote that word.
Factories.
But there was no other way to call them.
We began studying everything Zen had once told us:
about enzys,
about sugar,
about drying plants,
about ferntation,
about primary purification,
about energy spirals.
We experinted.
And found a way to extract moon sugar from rare tree resin.
It was sweet.
Light.
And granted incredible energy.
We created:
a resin purification workshop,
herb drying facilities,
a laboratory for runic infusions.
And we did all of it ourselves.
Without kings.
Without taxes.
Without outside authority.
15. The Miners’ Union
When our population grew to two hundred, we began exploring old caves.
There, we t them.
A group of humans—miners expelled from a baron’s lands after a mine collapse.
They were not criminals.
They were looking for work.
We offered them an agreent:
we heal them,
we give them a new mine,
they mine ore for us,
we protect them,
they swear not to harm the forest.
Thus was born the Union of Miners and the Forest.
We opened new mines at the borders:
iron,
copper,
rare crystals,
stone for runes.
Now we could fully provide for ourselves:
food,
tal,
herbs,
runes,
amulets,
dicine,
sugar,
tools.
We stopped depending on the outside world.
16. Why We Grow
In the evening, sitting beneath the branches, I wrote:
We want that soday…
…Mira returns not to an old forest, but to a city that grew alongside her.
…Zen cos not to a quiet village, but to a strength he can rely on.
…we have power—but hidden.
…we have strength—but gentle.
…we can protect those we love.
We are becoming a foundation.
For them.
For those who gave us a chance.
17. The Forest Blossoms
Now, seven months later:
We are nearly four hundred.
There are seven branches within the Forest’s domain.
Two rune workshops.
Three forges.
A Forest Academy, where adults teach children.
The Miners’ Union.
A network of hidden houses.
Our own caravans.
And at night, when I see runes shimring between the trees, as if stars have descended to the earth, I write:
“We did not beco an empire.
But we beca sothing others can rely on.”
“Mira-sama, Zen-senpai…
we did not fail you.
We are waiting for you to co ho.”
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