The vines followed my lead without any problems. I had to put some dirt back to the places where they should put down their roots but that was only a minor hindrance. After planting the seeds they began to grow like crazy and by the end of the night I had a nice canopy over the stairs leading down to the river.

At the same time I created some kind of tube running besides and a bit under the stairs which should transport any waste with running water down to the river. I gathered the removed stone in my inventory for later use.

The elves had ended their feast some hours ago and rested for now. I think they will have a strong headache after the party and was happy that I will never again have such problems again. On the other side not being able to have a good time with a beer in my hand and talking to some friends is somewhat depressing.

To distract me from my thoughts I started first building inside the wall. It will be the first rest room and after counting the numbers of my citizen it was clear that I had to create a big one for them if I didn't want the classical waiting line here. I used the stone in my inventory for the walls and then let the vines create the roof. The whole work took less time that I thought because cutting the stone with my mana was quite easy although it used a hefty bit of it.

I examined my work from all angles and added small windows high in the walls to lighten the place inside. The elven craftsmen would have to add the doors for some privacy inside. After that I only had to connect the toilets with the pool which I still had to build.

Some elves were lying on the ground where I wanted to create the pool, so I had to wake some of them and ask them to move to another place. I planned to line the pool's walls with small stones and some clay to keep the water inside.

After the tired men and women left the place I began to dig a 2,5 meters deep hole 10 meters away from Gillian to give her enough place for growing.

“Can you still reach the pool from your place, Gillian?”

“No problem, Marcus. The new building looks nice and I think the elves will like it very much if they hadn't to go down to the river for relieving themselves. You should make the pool big enough for bathing, so make a part of it more shallow.”

“Yeah, I know. I wanted lo line the pool walls with small stones because that would make it easier to clean it and also not so slippery as if I would use just clay.”

Gillian nodded and watched me digging.

“What's your next move then? The people could use some homes. I will still need some time before I'm big enough to house them all, even with all the mana they give you and therefore me.”

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

She grinned when she said the last sentence.

“I will create more building all around the walls. For now they will house the elves but later I want them to be places for the craftsmen to work. After some time I will have to expand the walls and then I will tear them down to build a big crafting hall, but that is in the distant future.”

“Sounds nice but do me a favor please. Build the forge outside the wall, yes?”

“Yes my dear. I think I will create a second wall made from stone as the next bigger project. As I can build it now 140 meters away from my crystal there should be more than enough space to build in for future development.”

Gillian nodded and then looked a bit inquiring at me.

“Where do you want to take all the stone from? You would have to hollow out half of the hill for any decent wall. You should also not forget that such a big wall would need many defenders,much more than you have now at your disposal.”

“I know, but in a month the humans will come our way and I want to persuade some of them to stay here and make this city their home. They will need space and I don't think that they would like to live in the trees like the elves. I also want to hollow out the hill to create a kind of safe harbor for boats after I dug a channel to the river deep enough for smaller ships to cross.”

Surprise hit Gillian when she heard my plans for the hill.

“That sounds interesting, but leave some space for my roots to grow, will ya?”

“Sure, I also wanted to use your roots to stabilize the cave. I will carve out some cellars bellow the buildings of the inner wall for storing our food supply and any materials our citizen might need in case of a siege.”

“So you think, that the goblins and lizards will make an appearance again?”

“Sooner or later they will discover my city and then they will try to take it, so I have to be prepared as good as possible and make them regret to ever mess with me.”

She sat down before my crystal and smirked at me.

“You sound quite bloodthirsty to me, almost like a dungeon.”

“Everyone who threatens me and my city can go to hell and suffer for all eternity! I will protect my citizen with everything I have, even if I have to destroy whole nations for it.”

Gillian nodded and hugged my crystal lovingly.

“Thank you for protecting me and the elves. I haven't thanked you till now for helping them and me. It would have taken me decades to grow big enough to become sentient and the elves would have a much harder time without your help. So thank you, Marcus!”

I was happy for her words but they made me blush inwardly. Sure, some of the elves had thanked me before but the honest and pure Gillian made my resolve stronger than ever. I recognized now better that this was no game anymore and all of my decisions would have real life consequences.

Chara had woken up minutes ago and was examining my work with the pool and sent me her thoughts.

“Good morning master. What are you building here?”

“It will be a pool for getting water and bathing and the other building I created this night is a rest room. Gillian mentioned that you lot had to go quite the distance for doing your daily business and so I wanted to make it easier for you all.”

Chara blushed and looked to the ground ashamed.

“That is nice of you. I think everyone will be very pleased about it. I saw the stairs and the canopy as well earlier. To make it out of vines has a nice touch to it, it looks lovely. You are quite ingenious.”

And she hit my sore point without faltering. Thanks a lot, hopefully Gillian didn't hear it.