Chapter 63: The sacred tree seems to talk

“Fireball!”

Lord Frederia shoots a fireball at the very start of the duel. Of course, I immediately avoided it.

“You can’t escape! Fire Arrow!”

This time, fire arrows are fired at me continuously. Looks like his strategy is to keep me away from him. As I continued to avoid it, the number of fire arrows that are fired at me also increased steadily.

“What’s wrong human!? Didn’t you want to beat me!? Looks like I’ll win in no time! Kuhahaha!”

“It’s not that fun if I end it right away so I’m taking the trouble to prolong this you see. Or, do you really want to lose that badly?”

“This freaking brat! How about this!”

The number of fire arrows has increased further. The arrows shot at once are more than 20 and it is difficult to keep avoiding them like this. I decided to use the wooden sword to defend against the arrow. I ignored the arrows that won’t hit me and using the sword, I only cut the ones that will surely hit me. When the fire arrows were cut by the wooden sword, it made a whooshing sound and it then disappeared. Well, I was worried about the durability of the wooden sword but I am relieved that it did not break as I cut those fire arrow.

“Tsk, for this damn brat to cut magic with a wooden sword. I hate you more and more.”

Lord Frederia stops attacking and uses another spell. With a sharp sound, a blade of wind was emitted from the tip of his staff. It’s an intermediate magic, the air cutter.

“Uh! Not good!”

Air cutter cannot be cut with the wooden sword. I could barely see the wind blade and all I could do is bend my body and avoid it at the last minute. Lord Frederia clicked his tongue when I avoided it and he increased the number of wind blades furthermore. It seems like he really want to chop me up.

“Damn! Stop avoiding it! You should just die quietly!”

“I can’t do that you know. There’s no reason for me to die here either.”

Once I avoided it, the wind blade that passed me cuts down the trees far behind me. It’s so ironic that the beautiful garden is being destroyed by its owner.

“You should stop using the air cutter. How much do you think it will cost to fix the garden?”

Lady Frederia voiced out expressionlessly. Then, Lord Frederia abruptly stiffened, saying, “Ye-Yeah… I’ll stop using it.”

I’ve been thinking about it since I came here, but for this Frederia family, the women seem to hold the upper hand. Still, as she didn’t admonish her husband’s remark, the Lady may also have some thoughts of her own.

“Well, that’s enough for the warm up. Let me show you my real ability as a mage.”

When Lord Frederia raises his staff, magical power is released from his body. Normally, it should be sucked into the staff immediately, but the released magical power accumulated first and then it came back as it is sucked into the staff. Then, the magical power released from the staff changed into a huge serpent-like shape. The surrounding sand and stones are drawn into that magical power eventually forming the body of the serpent. In just a few seconds, a rock serpent was created.

“This is……”

“Are you surprised? This is the power of a master-class mage. Magical power is the power to embody an image. Manipulating magical power outside the frame of magic is the reason for one to be called as a mage.”

Frame of magic huh. That’s probably the magic that Erna usually uses. I am also quite interested in it. The magic of this world is very beginner-friendly and easy to use. To put it more simply, it’s like the magic in a game. Just select it and the magic will be activated.

But, isn’t it too strange?

Lord Frederia continued talking.

“The magic we use is activated according to the laws of the world. It is said that our ancestors interfered and simplified it for other races. In other words, the original magic was more complicated. But we, master-class mages are not bound by it. We can build as much magic depending on the amount of magic and attributes we possess.”

“Hoh-, that’s pretty interesting.”

Hmmm, I assumed that magic was a simple technique to remember but it seemed to be much more profound than I thought. However, I am much more interested in the development of that magical power.

Lord Frederia once tried to cast this existing magic. However, as far as I can see from his movement earlier, I believe that he cancelled it. And by adding yet another image from there, he created a magic different from before it was activated. That’s my conjecture.

“It is not recommended to those who are not a mage to use this technique. It’s a trick that only those who are good at magical operations and those who excel at manipulating magical power can do. Take me as an example, fire, wind, earth, I possess these three attributes, and unless you have a long experience, you won’t be able to do something like this.”

“Well, I’m not really trying to replicate that. I’m not a mage you know.”

“Hmph, it’s a shame that you don’t seem to understand my greatness. Alright, let’s finish this quickly.”

Lord Frederia swings his staff and the rock serpent wriggles and approaches me. It is a fairly large serpent with a total length of about 15m and a body height of nearly 2m. Its speed is not so fast, probably because of its weight. When the big serpent is in front of me, it bared its sharp fangs and swiftly aimed to bite me. I threw the wooden sword on the ground and caught its mouth with both of my hands. Then with all my strength, I throw it all at once.

“Deryaaa!”

With a terrific thud, the serpent struck on the ground and the rocks that made up its body fell apart. Lord Frederia, who was watching the situation, froze with his mouth left wide open. Looking closely, the Lady also seemed to be surprised as her eyes were wide open.

I then picked up the wooden sword on the ground and shake my head.

“It’s surprising that you thought that you could beat me with only that degree of power. I’m still stronger than a high dragoneut, you know?”

“If that’s the case, I won’t be holding back anymore! Flame burst!”

The explosion hits me directly. A bright red flame obscures me and soon, black smoke rises. I then heard Lord Frederia’s laughter.

“Kuhahahahaha! That too much force killed him just now! Farewell, nobody that follows Erna around!”

Addressing me as “nobody” is just…

I am not even enthusiastic about it, besides, Erna was the one who told me that she wants to be friends with me in the first place. Her father misunderstood that part. It’s about time to cool his head.

As I jumped out of the black smoke, I instantly moved in front of Lord Frederia.

“Uh-What!?”

He makes an indescribable voice, but I mercilessly brandished the wooden sword. I aimed at his right collarbone. With a snapping sound, Lord Frederia drops his staff on the ground and shouts in pain.

“Gyaaaaaaa!!?”

“I broke your collarbone. You won’t be able to move your right arm.”

This time, I swung the sword up to break the left collarbone.

“That’s enough!”

It was Lady Frederia who stopped me. As she approaches Lord Frederia, she casts healing magic and begins treatment.

“It’s a perfect win for Shinichi.”

Erna rushed to me happily. Apparently, when Lord Frederia let go of the staff, the victor was decided. Well, it will be difficult to turn it around when I am at such close distance. I think it’s the right decision.

“Damn! For a high elf like me, to the likes of this human…!”

After finishing the treatment, Lord Frederia stands up and trembles with anger. Lady Frederia who saw him like that started talking expressionlessly.

“I was also curious in the man that my daughter brought home. Since you are someone with ability to such extent, I have no objection. You should get over it, why don’t you approve of Shinichi-san?”

“I don’t like him! I won’t give Erna to him! I’m firmly opposed of giving my cute daughter to someone who I don’t know the origin!”

“You’re really a stubborn one…”

Hn??? Something is wrong with their conversation…

Why is he saying that he doesn’t want to hand over Erna? I then glanced at Erna.

Erna, the main topic, was blushing and kept silent. In order to not to put this out of control, I’ll have to join their conversation.

“Uhm, it seems like you’re misunderstanding something. I came to Sanargia as a messenger of the Kingdom of Rogas. This is the letter I received from King Rogas.”

I took the letter out of the bangle and give it to the Lady. Actually, I have four letters for this trip. Of course, it’s for each king.

“It’s certainly the signature of King Rogas. So that means that Shinichi-san didn’t came to take Erna then.”

“Why would I do that? I’m an adventurer and I just came to Sanargia for work. I’m not thinking of taking Erna as a wife you know.”

When I said that, Erna puffs her cheeks and hits me with her staff. No matter how I look at that expression, she seemed to be angry.

“I don’t know Shinichi anymore!”

“Why are you angry? Stop hitting me! It hurts!”

I don’t understand how girls this age thinks. Did I say something bad?

“So it’s like that huh. Then you should have said it sooner. Wasn’t it pointless for me to lose to a Human then?”

“Oh, I don’t think it’s pointless. At least it’s clear that he is a human with the ability to beat you, and we now also know that he is a credible person.”

“Uh… it cannot be helped then. I’ll give this letter to the Queen. You guys should follow me.”

Lord Frederia walks somewhere at a brisk pace. We then decided to follow after him. We left the mansion and then we eventually reached the center of the city. There was a dizzying giant tree towering toward the heavens.

“From here on is a sacred place. Rudeness is unacceptable.”

As he said that, the atmosphere near the giant tree become serene, creating a sacred atmosphere. Then, I saw a woman at the base of the tree. Wearing a white dress, her long blonde hair flutters in the wind beautifully.

As Lord Frederia approached the woman, he knelt on one knee and bowed his head.

“Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from the Kingdom of Rogas.”

“Is that so? Give it to me then.”

When the woman addressed as the Queen receives the letter, she opens the content and looks through it. After that, she turned her eyes to me.

“Are you the messenger from the kingdom? What is your name?”

“I’m Shinichi Tanaka. I’m an adventurer in Mana, one of the city in the kingdom.”

The Queen then asks Lord Frederia a question while observing me.

“Right Minister, can we trust this person?”

“I could humbly say that I can trust him. He is a little brusque, but I think he is a person who keeps his promise.”

“…Then I’ll take your word for it.”

“Thank you very much.”

The queen nods lightly. What surprised me more than that was Lord Frederia’s evaluation of me. Even though he was mad at me, I was impressed that he looks at people properly.

We really can’t say that all ministers are rotten.

“If you’re a person we could place our trust to, I will not be afraid to help. If you want reinforcements, I’ll send them to the kingdom right away.”

“However,” the Queen added and looked back at the tree, “Please tell us the correct choice Oh, sacred tree.”

The queen calls out to the giant tree. I tilt my head seeing that situation. It was as if she was talking to a person.

『…This is a race I’ve never seen before. He looks like a human but his core is completely different. 』

A quivering voice resounded. Two eyes open on the trunk of the giant tree, and the its gaze land on me.

I immediately used my analysis skill.

【Analysis Result: World Tree Trent: The longest living sacred beast in existence, it is said to be the outcome of a Trent turned into a sacred beast. The Sanargia Great Forest Kingdom is a nation formed around the World Tree Trent, and their final decision is left to the World Tree Trent: Rarity SL】

【Status】 Name:*** Age:*** Race: World Tree Trent Magic Attribute: *** Magic: *** Skills: *** Evolution:***

This is a trent…?

I couldn’t believe the results of the analysis before my own eyes. Many of the status’ detail are also hidden. It means that I can’t see it with my current level of my skill. Lastly, it’s rarity. The best I saw was SS. In other words, it means super rare.

But what does rarity SL mean?

I can think of SL as Super Legend. When I look at sacred tree, I feel like that’s the correct answer. The sacred beast in front of me is a legendary creature.

『I think it’s good to send reinforcements. As far as I can see, I think he can be trusted. So, I wonder if it would be a plus for this kingdom to lend a helping hand. 』

“We will respect the will of the Sacred Tree. Then, under the authority of the Queen, we will send troops to their kingdom.”

『Yes, do that. 』

The Queen turned to face me and stretched out her right hand. I timidly held her hand.

“Shinichi Tanaka, we Sanargia, will send troops for a friendly relationship with you. Understand that it is not for the royal family of the kingdom.”

“It’s okay with me, as long as you send reinforcements. I have something to ask though. Why doesn’t Sanargia try to help the kingdom of its ally? I’m not pleased with that you see.”

“That’s a good point. Of course, it’s true that Sanargia looks down on the Kingdom of Rogas, but the main reason is the royal family of Rogas. They took it for granted that we can help them. They even insulted us, who had helped them many times. That’s the reason why Sanargia decided not to help the kingdom again.”

I would like to talk with the Lord of Mana and Duke Medil about this different story. I haven’t heard that the royal family offended Sanargia. But if this is the real case, it is self-made that the kingdom is in crisis. The king, whom I’ve never seen his face, felt insulted and took offence I guess.

“Alright, I’ll ask for reinforcements using the friendship between me and Sanargia. I swear that it’s not for the royal family.”

“In that case I can comfortably send out the army.”

I exchanged firm handshake with the Queen. However, this is their response because we are allies. I’m quite nervous to think about how the other three kingdoms would respond.

This trip will be tough.

『Right, I’ll give this to Tanaka-kun.』

The sacred tree moved its huge arm, which I think is a part of its trunk, and began to touch the area around its head. After a while, the huge arm drops a branch.

“This is?”

『I think it will be useful for something.』

“Well then, I’ll be happy to take it.”

Although it is a branch, its size is ridiculous. Just by its width, a two-story single-family home is likely to fit in it. I then stored it in the bangle.

『As expected, you have a sacred treasure with you.』

“Sacred treasure?”

I feel doubts when I heard the muttering of the sacred tree. When I was about to ask what the sacred treasure was, Lord Frederia called me.

“It’s about time to go. You don’t have any business here anymore right?”

“Uh, yeah…”

I felt a painful reluctance but I decided to leave the sanctuary for the time being.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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