My house or rather the palace is still under constructions the minotaur elder said that they were going to hire a goblin as an engineer, of course, I was surprised at first as the fox memories doesn't really have useful information about races and are outdated and the goblins from my memories in my past life is different.

The goblins' appearance is not what I expected to be, instead of ugly green with childlike stature they actually looked exactly like humans with pointed ears light green skin with a height of 150 cm. In novels, they are usually dumb that likes to abduct and rape women but here, they are actually popular as Engineer and Magic Craftsman they are sought after by merchants dealing with magic items. They are shut-ins that always holed up in their workshop.

"My King it is an honor to be in your presence and will do anything to serve you with the best of my capabilities". the goblin said respectfully looking at me like a God. Well, I'm literally a walking God so his respectful attitude is reasonable. He was quite eager to work for me, it was the first time the King of the forest request something from his subject since ancient times.

After the war where numerous Gods have fallen all the inhabitants hailed the demon fox as the new King of the Endless Forest.

Although all the major races didn't know the full details, the only thing they know is that a Catastrophe happened Killing All Gods since then no one had ascended to Godhood.

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox is always in the center of the forest where monsters are rare to be seen. The only time you can see him is when he was meditating in conflicts but even then you can count in one hand the times he goes out in his lair. The fox is extremely territorial so all other strong monsters are chased away. (AN: The original fox is extremely heartbroken and just wanted to be alone after the war). Killing animals wantonly is extremely forbidden by the fox so only the herb collectors are only frequent here, the quality of the herb here is extremely high but taking too many is also forbidden.

Races living outside always thought that the Center of the forest is full of high-level monsters and is extremely dangerous although they were right about that the latter. Their map of the endless forest is extremely limited and their only source of information are S rank adventurers.

********

Currently, we are in the center of the forest kilometers away from my house which was still under construction. We are on the edge of the lake relaxing while I was sitting cross-legged on the ground, on my lap is Fafnir while Rimuru is on top of my head.

I really am enjoying my life right now, with beauty on my lap, a pet on my top the, untainted nature, fresh air and a clear sky clearer than the clearest sky in my past life. I take a deep breath enjoying the fresh air while brushing the silky hair of the clingy dragon purring in satisfaction.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Except these days I'm having a nightmare every night, forest burning, corpses of monsters and animals. I know it is only the memory of the fox but I can still feel the hatred and regret as I watched them die one after another after that it all got blurry then I would wake up in sweating coldly.

Anyway, right now we were watching Ceria practicing swordsmanship, unlike her fellow tribesman who mainly uses hammers, maces, battle-axes, and halberd. With a serious look, she swings her sword with vigor creating afterimages or not there were indeed afterimages but she swings it randomly then the sword slipped off her hand stabbing a nearby tree.

*silence*

Well, that was awkward....

With teary eyes, she looked at me while hanging her head low.

"W-well, it's okay you are still young, you still have a lot of time you just have train more diligently, don't let it discourage you". I said softly encouraging her after that she continued to practice.

I asked Fafnir the thing that bothered me these days regarding the blue panel with information and it seems that it is called Status panel.

" It is said that it was the blessing from the World tree, only being with self-awareness and wisdom can have the status panel, there is also a legend that in ancient times the ancestors of all races ate the leaf of the World tree gaining intelligence, wisdom and the human form. Separating from other monsters that act based on their instinct".

Then she continued. "It is even said that humans, dwarf, and elves are apes that ate the leaf of the world tree. But the major races still discriminate against beast-man like the minotaurs and the dragon tribe for example after all even if we have humanoid form they still considered us as monsters, beasts with no intellect and self-awareness. The only place for beast-man is in the Free City and the forests".

I'm sorry Ceria and all the other beast-man in the world for lumping you together with monsters. The memory of the fox didn't help either as the fox only recognized them as friends with no knowledge regarding the different races.

" Then do Ceria also have human form?"

Fafnir look at me weirdly then said. " Beastman can only transform after her coming of age ceremony, so for most beast-man for 15 years they can't have their demihuman that's what they called it".

"Is that the reason why beast-man are discriminated by major races?"

"Um and because beast-man also retains their animal features".

"I see"

I turned towards Ceria then asked her " Ceria when will be your coming of age ceremony".

"I'm Fourteen now so it will be next year, and u-um will you be attending Alfius sama?".

(AN: I will be using sama, kun, san, and dono cause it feels lacking. And it will also help in showing the attitude of the side characters towards the MC and don't worry I will not use any other Japanese words other than those maybe?)

" Yes, of course, you are like a daughter to me already".

"Thank you! Alfius-sama it means a lot to me". she exclaimed while smiling brightly.

"Muu " While Fafnir pouted displeased from being left out.

" Of course you're also my precious to me Fafnir". Brushing her hair I said to stop her from sulking."Haaaah what a spoiled dragon". but I also love seeing her cute pouting expression.

"I'm not a spoiled dragon you meanie!". she said while pouting.

" Yes yes, you are".

"I'm not!"

"Hahahahahahaha".

"DON'T LAUGH".

While enjoying her annoyed expression. We continued bickering until Ceria finished her training.

It was already dusk so we decided to return.