Author: Yume Neiji

It is said that not only the Reinfeld’s but all those powerful families in the western territory with private armies played a role of protecting the farmers instead of collecting taxes from them for a long time now.

Hartner, the former family head, Snyder’s father, appears to be Lezenia royal family’s subordinate on the surface only, he does not voluntarily greet Her Highness even after the fortress is completed. He only supplies the minimum amount of military provisions. And as a result, he has avoided a conversation with Astina-denka.

“Until now, the Reinfeld family holds the autonomy from the east of the Portolo town to the rural areas around here and to the woodlands extending to the west. But the gray land began to spread. Since the monsters began to appear, my father never sent out any soldiers. He thought that when he was finally exhausted from fighting against the monsters, he might be requisitioned by the Knights all at once. But on the contrary……”

That was also the reason why Snyder couldn’t look directly at Astina-denka.

Being aware of the upheaval in the forest, he couldn’t handle it –but he ordered the farmers to stay there. Perhaps Snyder has also understood the inconsistency.

“It’s not your fault that the monsters went out. The forest that was supposed to be under the management of the royal family was left alone, we…”

“Even if that was the case, we are the ones responsible for protecting the farmers but we didn’t do anything. Even when only few knights went to that forest, we were just watching them from a far, waiting for the storm to pass. And we were even only watching as Zirconia attacked… With that, I’m not qualified as a feudal lord.”

Snyder also knows when we first visited the abandoned garden. And even when the Isle Rose fortress is under heavy attack.

Her Highness wanted some troops to be located inside the front line, but she was told that the capital has ignored the request. If the Reinfeld family went under the command of the Knights, even without waiting for reinforcements (that are not dispatched at all), it is possible to reduce the group’s anxiety about the future.

Above all, in the long run, having an unfriendly relation with those powerful families who have their own army in the territory is dangerous, so if the worry for that is eliminated, it would be a great help.Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“I understand your thoughts. I want you guys to be alert of Zirconia all the time. If the enemy aims to pass through the territory instead of attacking the fortress, we alone may be late to respond to it you see.”

“I understand, Your Highness. But we’re already determined to fight Zirconia and defend our territory. If possible, in attacking…”

“If you lose your life in the front line, the Reinfeld family will lose a leader. Leave the Knights to fight the enemy, just work closely with us in defending the territory. Even by sharing information about the enemy attacks, I think it’s already a big contribution.”

“Thank you very much for your kind consideration. I will do my best from now on so that I can contribute even a little.”

It does not mean that the Knights of Isle Rose will incorporate the soldiers under the leadership of Snyder. They will still continue to move independently but they will cooperate with the Knights in the event that Zirconia attacks.

In addition to Isle Rose’s soldiers, which were around 2930, 500 more soldiers can now move as a squadron. We were attacked from two directions last time, but if Snyder’s forces helped the weak side, we would be able to proceed in a more advantageous manner.

Apart from that, as a doctor, I have another concern I would like to address. It’s about Snyder’s father lying in bed –but it’s rude to ask about it as we just met.

However, I can’t be hesitant and not dare to ask. This doesn’t mean that I want to sell favor, I just think that it may be possible to give an effective treatment just by listening about it.

“Excuse me, Presha-san, can I ask you to tell Her Highness?”

“About the father of those siblings being sick, right? I know Grass-sensei is worried, but… I think it’s not that easy for them to tell you about the situation you know.”

“…Even if you just try asking, please do so. I think Grass-nii would be troubled if he didn’t do anything about it you see.”

“N-No… If you say it like that, it seems that you’re threatening…”

“Okay, I understand. Well then, I’ll talk to Her Highness. Sorry if it won’t work.”

Presha-san leaves the carriage and speaks to Astina-denka. Then the girl, who had been kneeling behind Snyder, stood up and talked to Her Highness about something. Perhaps Snyder’s approval has been obtained, the girl comes towards us along with Presha-san. Leslie and I got off the carriage to greet them.

Equipped with a slender sword in a silver sheath, it shows that she is not only a child of a powerful family who followed her brother, but she also has swordsmanship skill.

“Everyone, it’s my pleasure meeting you for the first time. I’m Kufika of the Reinfeld family.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Grass Weed. I’m sorry to say this as we just met but… I’d like to hear from you about your father’s condition.”

The girl who introduced herself as Kufika has a gloomy expression on her face –she stout-heartedly greeted us but it seems that her father’s condition is not so good.

“…My father had a fever for a week now… Before we knew it, his leg turned swollen… We called a doctor from a clinic in Portolo and he received a treatment. The pain was alleviated but, it is still…”

“He had a swollen leg, his fever has not gone down… that’s dire. Before your father had those symptoms, did he go somewhere?”

“….y-you mean it’s my father’s fault!? My father is already in great suffering in his sickbed, things like whipping, Doctor-sama is….”

“Calm down, this is necessary to cure his illness. I know you’re worried about your father, but you know what, even if you show aggression towards Grass-sensei, that will not help.”

Presha-san stops and gives an advice to Kufika who is about to rebuke me. Kufika’s tears flowed down and she starts crying –with that much reaction, the condition in which her father suddenly deteriorated, might be alarming in her eyes.

Such thing is only a matter of time –but, do I really have time to stop by at the Reinfeld’s before returning to the fortress?

“…I’m sorry, I became upset. I know that treatment from here on is too late… but still, if you put yourself in our shoe, even if our father has done such….”

“No, it’s still possible to make it but we need to take appropriate measures and administer the serum.”

“Uh… H-how will you do it? You’re saying that just by listening to me…”

“Kufika-san, it’s possible that he was bitten by a poisonous insect. There are other creatures that have a poison you see. If it was a poisonous snake, he wouldn’t last for a week, right? Can you tell me where your father has gone to before he got ill?”

There is a risk in treating a person who does not care for the Knights –I know that but, is it a wise decision to let a patient die even if there’s a means to save him?

“…Once Hartner recovers, he might rebel against the Knights again, but I don’t think there will be such a thing.”

“No, I’m not such a versatile person… Unfortunately, he may not be completely cured because time has passed. There is a possibility that after effects will remain … But I also want to respect the will of the family. Together with Snyder-san, whether to treat him or not, I want to know your opinion.”

Looking at her tears, Kufika-san’s sentiment is unquestionable.

Snyder comes over to us. He puts his hand on the shoulder of his crying sister and looks at me –he had this impression that he’ll be a bright successor. Although he seems to be cold, his eyes with warmth deep within looks like those of Sven somehow.

“…Please, if there is a way to save my father, I ask of you to teach me. It won’t make sense if my father still says he doesn’t want to follow the Knights. But for us, Parents are parents after all. If possible, I want him to live.”

“I understand. This matter is up against time. But, there are also those who are injured in the fortress so I have to return to the fortress right away, I can only give you instructions here.”This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“…To prepare treatment even without looking at it… such thing is kinda like a God…”

It’s possible. Even if I am not a God, I can leave it to a local doctor as long as I heard of the symptoms –of course it’s a different matter if surgery is necessary, but if it’s about poison, it can be treated with medication depending on the type.

The sacred tree is the one who controls plants –as I formed a contract with her now, if I know where Hartner-shi was poisoned, the plants can tell me what poisonous creatures are present there.Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“Please speak. Where did your father went before?”

“…Before my father fell ill, he went to…”

I asked the sacred tree on what type of place Kufika-san had told me, and the answer came back immediately. It was a wetland in the southeast direction from here.

The deadly creatures that live in the wetlands were venomous snakes that can kill a livestock in a matter of hours –and there is also a “tick” that gives off symptoms like fever, it can kill those infected for about two weeks.

Knowing the type of poison, I also know whether I can make an antidote or not. I can understand the detoxification effect of any plant, and if necessary, compound it to create a new detoxification ingredient –before the contract with Sacred Tree, there was only information, but now it is different.

All plants became my power. The antidote needed for Hartner-san can be extracted from plants that can be harvested along the way from the fortress to this farmland –if the drug can be made, all that is required is to teach them how to heat it up and cool it down.

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We ride on the carriage at the wheat field’s farm road. When we reached the farmhouse on our way back, the members of the family, who were just devastated a while ago, now have joy plastered on their faces as they look at the restored fields and the children were even running around with their dog.

The middle-aged man who is probably the head of the family, whom we spoke to earlier, is also holding hands with a woman who seems to be his wife. When he noticed that we came, the man alone came to greet us.

“Princess and your party… I really can’t thank you enough. To stop that gray land, what kind of miracle did…”

“That forest is the place that our royal family used to manage as a garden. Getting right down to it, we abandoned the management of the garden so this happened… However, today, I was able to change the situation where we could not do anything until this point.”

The reason why my name was not mentioned was because I asked Her Highness to do so beforehand.Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

The fact that I am a plant spirit user can certainly become a basis which would make it easier for us to get the farmers’ trust and ask their help for something in the future. However, it would be dangerous if the fact that I have a contract with the sacred tree and having a great influence on it is widely known.

For now, our enemy is not yet aware of my existence. However, if this was known to Zirconia’s side.… Though this farmer is unlikely to betray us, but still, we don’t know from where this information would be transmitted.

We cannot force the territories to keep things as confidential like what a military personnel does. To completely do my duty as a military doctor, such as having the food problem in the fortress solved and the tentative plan to solve the shortage of medicine, I need to stay low. Then as planned with Her Highness, I would appreciate it if my name would not be spread.

I think we must increase the number of people we can trust both inside and outside the Knights’ order. I have no power now so I should always move discreetly and carefully.

“We couldn’t do anything, even though we knew that something abnormal was spreading from that forest. It was thanks to the knights that we didn’t have to leave the land we are used to live in. And I never think that the wheat that had withered once would even recover…. The people who were first to leave the village should also be informed as soon possible, they grow accustomed doing this work you see. They will surely hurry to come back.”

The farmer, who just had a brooding expression, talked with a cheerful smile. The farmland had returned to its original state, and their acquaintances in the same village would be able to come back.Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

―However, his expression suddenly stiffens. Presha-san holds her weapon and turns her sharp gaze at the group of horses approaching from the east.

“…That seems to be the flag of the Reinfeld family, it is said that this area is under their jurisdiction.”

“Y-Yes…. they might have come to this place because of the large amount of monsters that came out. We were told not to leave the farmland, given that, w-what should we say……?”

“I understand. We don’t have a good relationship with them but… Nevertheless, I’ll explain that you guys have no fault in this. Please stay inside your house.”

“Sorry, Princess…w-well then…”

The man looks frightened and quickly enters the house with his family. Her Highness also instructed us to get into the carriage―and Presha-san escorted us.

“It’s probably not the father, so I don’t think it’ll turn into an explosive situation. The father said that the Knight Order seized the territory so he bears deep resentment to us you see…”

“Father… does that mean that the son of the Reinfeld’s family head is here?”

“Yeah. He has a son, who will be the next family head and a younger sister after him I think… I just heard it from a hearsay so I don’t know the accurate details.”

As Presha-san had said, it was a young man with golden hair who led a group of about ten horses. A woman with the same hair color as him and who is yet to be called a woman of age, is following him diagonally from behind. They are probably the children of the Reinfeld’s family head.

Before they approached Her Highness, they got off their horses perhaps to say their thanks. However, even though the cavalry does not have a weapon, they are lined up in a horizontal row, giving an uncanny feeling of intimidation.

“I’m Snyder, son of Hartner Reinfeld. Please forgive me for the horses behind me as we talk. General Astina.”Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“I don’t mind. I know that your father is wary of us Knights.”

The man who introduced himself as Snyder couldn’t look directly at Her Highness. It’s not really intimidating but, you can’t just really look at her directly –I think this is what I can call as a “Divine atmosphere”, which Her Highness got when she became the shrine maiden.

“Given your position, you shouldn’t be blamed for the fact that you’ve brought soldiers. There will be bandits around the area where people are lessened. Rather than that, please speak why you are here.”

“…Originally, we are the ones who claimed the autonomy for the rural areas around here. We ask for a review of that matter.”

“Tsk…..”

Presha-san puts power into her hand holding the spear. According to the Reinfeld’s claim, even if the farmland returns back to normal and even if the people return, it does not help in solving the food situation.

―But it was different. The “review” Snyder wanted was not to return the Reinfeld’s autonomy in the rural areas.

Snyder kneels on the ground. The woman who appears to be his sister also imitated him and deeply lowered her head ―That is… it was an act that proves that they, the Reinfeld family pledged their alliance to Her Highness.

“In his sickbed, my father entrusted me with the fate of the Reinfeld family. In order to fight Zirconia which threatens our territory from across the river, I Snyder von Reinfeld, together with my 500 soldiers, we pledge our allegiance to you.”

The soldiers on horseback similarly lined up behind Snyder, raising their swords overhead, they offered their prayers –that means that Reinfeld’s private army had joined the troops under Her Highness.

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I knew the name Mandrake –And it looks like all of the sacred trees’ familiars already have a contract with me so I don’t need to sign a contract again. But even though that’s not needed, this plant doesn’t respond to my call at all. I wonder if it’s still asleep.

“Grass-nii, this leaf… as I look at it, I really want to pull it…”

“…Wait, seems like it produces some kind of illusion. You better chew on this grass… I’m sorry but, Your Highness should to do the same.”

“Yes….uh…bi-…”

Astina-denka stopped herself from saying it is “bitter”. Her cheeks look a little reddish –she even feels shy to say it is bitter, is it her pride as a royal?

“…Somehow my head feel refreshed. Thank you, Grass-nii… it’s bitter though.”

There are several plants that can be used to regain focus, but I used rosemary’s leaf. Although it is refined and used as perfume oil, it’s very bitter if you chew the leaves as is. However, its intense taste is due to its ingredients that resist illusion and the more bitter it is, the more effective it will be.

“I just get near it, to have performed such illusions… This leaf, perhaps it’s a dangerous spirit…?”

“The sacred tree has called it from the spirit world so I think that there’s some meaning to it but… it’s a plant I’ve never seen before.”

This plant does not maliciously use illusions. Perhaps from the beginning, the plant itself has a powerful hallucinogenic component which reflected its ability as a spirit.

…Don’t tell me… the poison of this plant will round up all of the Zirconian soldiers?

Such idea comes to my mind, but in that case, other plants can also be used as long as they are poisonous… it’s a rather weak reason for calling this plant from the spirit world then.

There should be something special with this Mandrake. I’d like to see what it looks like –But for some reason, I feel that I should not pull the leaves and try to pull it out.　

I can understand the danger of this mandrake because I understand the emotions of plants. If you don’t get a reply even if you speak to it, you have to wait. Or, as Leslie says, I have to forcefully pull it out. Read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com

“It’s no use, Summoner-sama, that child should never be pulled out as it is!”

Fortunately, Presha and Arlaune were unscathed, probably because the transformed plant had quieted down. They run down the stairs in the garden.

“Wait!, It’s dangerous to run… this tomboy…”

“Presha-san, I’m glad you are safe… We managed to make it in time.”

Presha was trying to catch Arlaune, but when I called out, she straightened her back and her face turned red.

“J-Just so you know… though I’m like this, I’m showing I’m strict. Looking after a child doesn’t mean that you have to plaster a smile on your face you see.”

“No, that is… well, to some extent, it may be so. It’s nice of you Presha-san to take care of her.”

“T-That’s why I said so… A-Anyway, Arlaune arrived safely.”

After saying that, she looks around the transformed sacred tree and its surroundings.

“Amazing…it completely changed. Does this mean that Grass-sensei has revived the sacred tree…?”

“It will still take time for it to fully regain power, but I don’t think we’ll have to worry anymore. By the way, Arlaune… When you said not to pull it out, do you know something about this plant?”

“Yes, it’s like my relatives. Majin Mandrake is close to where Youka Arlaune lives.” TLYN: Majin(魔蔘) – Evil; Youka(妖花) – enchantingly beautiful flower

Majin―I wonder if it’s an evil ginseng. The shape of its leaves certainly looks like that of an Asian ginseng.

“Mandrake produces “jarring” sound when it is being pulled out. Hearing this, those around the mandrake will lose their life energy as it will be sucked out. You can’t prevent it even by blocking your ears, it is dangerous unless you protect yourself with the power of the spirits.”

Arlaune frantically explains. Thanks to that, we fully understood that it was dangerous.

If you lose your life energy, it means you’ll “wither” and you’ll end up in asphyxia. It’s life-threatening if left as it is –I’m very interested to see a dying plant as it’s pulled out from the ground but I don’t have a plan on doing something that carelessly.

“The power of spirits… we cannot use plants as earplugs as it’s not that airtight.”

“…I think it’s possible to prevent it with my magic. It’s a great responsibility but…. a little bit more and my remaining magic power will…”

“If it’s magical power, please use mine as well. For you to be able to use my magical power, I will deliberately let it flow out… No, I got the feeling of giving it.”

“Eh… d-does that mean that Her Highness herself can be like a gem that stores that magical power?”

Gem―is it those magical crystals? Certainly, its appearance is polished and beautiful, but it is rude to compare it with Her Highness.

However, Her Highness is smiling gently. With Presha-san’s analogy, Her Highness laughed –the impression that I had (that she doesn’t show her emotions) changed at this very moment.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“Presha, I have become the “sacred tree’s shrine maiden”, meaning, I have been given the role of listening and worshiping the voice of the sacred tree, and Grass was also chosen by the sacred tree and contracts with the sacred tree as a magician…”

“Y-Your Highness, any more than that is… I ask you not to speak of it at this place but at the place where Raquel-ane is also there! I-I really can’t take if it’s just me…”

“…It was the first time that my subordinate stopped me from speaking. Presha, I’m glad you gave me your honest opinion.”

Her Highness’ right now looks as if she’ll be forgiving no matter what we say –the atmosphere around her is so gentle.

“Sword Princess” and “Saint” –She has these two aspects, but I think that the latter is closer to her essence even if I know that it’s inexcusable to say that in the midst of a battle.

“…Grass-nii, are you sure? Or do you want me to pull it out instead?”

“No, I can’t just leave it to Leslie. In that case, cast some spell on me, after interrupting the sound, let everyone go as far away as possible.”

“I don’t think that the sacred tree will kill Grass. I’m not afraid.”

“Uh… b-but this child is very dangerous…”

Even though I say it’s dangerous, I have to pull it out at this time.

“Air, respond to me and become a barrier that blocks vibration.”

With Leslie’s chant, a film of air wraps around each of us. Intercepting the sound means not hearing anything.Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

In silence, everyone watch me, I then grasp the stem part firmly and keep my feet on the ground so that the leaves of the mandrake would not be torn off.

◆◇◆

“…nii. Grass-nii…. get a hold of yourself.”

“Are you okay, Grass?”

“Hn?… t-that… I…”

I lost my consciousness when I tried to pull out the mandrake. When I regained consciousness, I was lying on my back with something soft catching my head.

“…It’s good that you woke up. It looks like your complexion isn’t bad either.”

“Uh… Sensei, don’t worry too much about what happened…”

“Grass-nii… that Mandrake child is like Arlaune’s relative as expected.”

Various information came in immediately after I wake up so I get confused for a moment. I feel like I have forgotten the most important thing to deal with now –that…

“…Grass? Do you need to chew that stimulant grass?”

―What kind of posture is Astina-denka talking to me? She graciously sits on the ground and positioned her knee as my pillow.

“I’m sorry Your Highness…!”

I wake up without any hesitation. And in front of me who is trying to stand up, alongside with Arlaune –there is an unfamiliar girl holding hands with her.

“Majin Mandrake. I have come as a familiar of the sacred tree, Yuserish. Grass-sama, as you have summoned me I’ll obey your orders.”

Mandrake, who spoke smoothly, had leaves on her head, but other than that, she looked like a girl about the same age as Arlaune, but at the very end, I got tongue-tied but my tension loosened.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“…Is this girl the new power of Grass…?”

“I don’t think it’s going to happen… Mandrake, what did you do when I pulled you off the ground?”

“…Summoner-sama who endured my voice deserves respect.”

In other words, pulling out the mandrake and enduring that sound was the process of waking her up –I don’t know what Yuserish is thinking about, but she could have foreseen that I could endure it right?

Mandrake’s voice made me unconscious even if we prevented it with the power of the air spirits –this isn’t bad, but depending on how I use it…　

Although it only looks like a girl, Arlaune has a powerful power. Mandrake will also be a big force for me –I am going through some tentative plans about where to use her power.

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Since I was able to communicate with Mandrake, she could be sent back to the spirit world, but I wanted them to say hello to the plants in the garden as their new friend, so I decided to take them with me.

“No matter how you look at it, you’re just like two small children, if there’s no flower and leaves on your heads, we wouldn’t notice if you didn’t say you’re a spirit.”

Presha is walking hand in hand with Arlaune. Mandrake was, of course, held by Her Highness –“It is natural that the general has more power”, she says, but I am still nervous.

“…And about “Leslie”. Should I still keep it as secret?”

“I want to reveal it eventually. Leslie has a certain circumstance you see, and if possible, I would like her to stay in the fortress as a different person.”

This time, I realized that it is difficult to keep acting. Even though I was mindful about the sacred tree, I called her “Leslie” in front of Presha-san who came later –and she also forgot to change her voice.

“…I’m sorry for deceiving you.”

“Oh, I don’t mind that much. You’re worried about Grass-sensei, right? He’ll be sent to the battlefield, so I also know that feeling. When I decided to be a knight, my best friend also tried to stop me.”

Presha-san looks at somewhere far away as she recalls those days. In the midst of the Knights, she’s an attack captain and a magic warrior –but she’s still of the same age as us. Sometimes I feel lonely and sometimes I also look sad.

“But you have the courage huh. To be with Grass-sensei in the same room… Ah… pe-perhaps… you guys didn’t do anything you can’t say in front of these children, right?”

“……? What are the things you can’t say in front of us?”

“Laune is a kid, so you won’t understand.”

“Rei is also a child, your leaves are splendid, but you don’t have good roots yet you know.”

“I’m mature enough. If I get serious, I won’t look like this.”

Although Arlaune is childish in nature, Mandrake is more mature than she looks. I wonder if it seems that way because of their simple talk.

And –Is it right to think that Arlaune is “Laune” and Mandrake is “Rei”?

“Laune and Rei. I can’t abbreviate my name, so call me Grass.”

「「Yes, Summoner-sama」」

They replied back within the expected range. Everyone laughs and the atmosphere becomes gentler –I mean we are in a hurry but with these two little ones, I can see that everyone’s heart is at ease.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

Presha-san in particular, seems to like children a lot, it’s evident on what she does. She holds Arlaune’s small hand firmly and walks according to her stride.

“Well, you are free to call me in the way you want… So, both of you, how are the plants in the garden? I still don’t hear much voice yet…”

“They are thankful for Summoner-sama and the others. They said thank you for helping Yuserish.”

“…And the flowers over there tell me that they won’t attack us anymore. I’ve beaten them up, but their seeds remain so they can bloom again. If possible, they want to be replanted in the fence.”

That’s right –the plants that were originally planted in consideration of the landscape are growing all over the place. I can’t really do anything right now, but I can work with the plant spirits and tell them what I imagined to restore the garden so it would be the easiest to grow and the scenery would be better.

“Oh plant spirits, I convey the image in my mind. Remember what your appearance should be.”

―During the chant, I already felt that there was something different.

Until now, Her Highness was only letting us use the magic that unknowingly overflowed. But now that’s not the case–I can see that Her Highness is willing to give me her magic.

“…Amazing… If a “Shrine Maiden” and “Magician” are together, they can do such things…”

I can see that Leslie is filled with admiration. The chaotically overgrown grass, the flowers that had flowed out of the way withered, returned to the soil, and sprouted again from another place.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“This is also… Grass-sensei’s…?”

“Summoner-sama is originally very fond of trees and flowers. But there is a limit to what one magical power can do… Right now, it’s different. Using the power of the princess, and as much as you can see, the flowers respond to him.”

“No… I also didn’t think I could do this much. Plants….the power of life is really…”

I thought it was such a beautiful thing, I didn’t tell anyone about this in such a long time. The plants are also alive, all life is equivalent, and it is wonderful without distinction.

“…even the land that has once withered, they are now regaining the breath of life. Grass… I ask of you. If it’s the current you, I’m sure…”

“Yes. For this time, I will have the plants to do their best but….. Depending on the season, I will examine the ground on this garden to return it to what it should be.”

To restore the landscape of this garden to its previous state –No, to make it more beautiful than it used to be.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

And then, not only in the garden. When we exit the stone pillar of the decayed gate, there is a wasteland that was originally a farmland but it already returned to its original soil color.

I put my hands on the ground –and, as everyone was watching, just like before, I called out to the crops that were supposed to spread as far as one could see.

“…Grass, the sacred tree and the plants in the garden is once again sharing their life energy. All of this is for you to…”

Looking back, Astina-denka puts Rei on the ground and puts her hands together to pray.

―At that moment, according to her words, with the gratitude of the plants in the garden, tremendous power flows in.

“Oh, grains that spread in this plain. Sprout once again from this fertile land and become a golden ocean…!”

The people who do agriculture around here were struck with despair but now, the gray land has disappeared. Originally, withered crops cannot be restored to their original state and they have to be restored over time –but only for now, I will revive the fruitful season that was supposed to come at this time.

―The life energy spreads across the ground –Green sprouts emerged and spread like waves, and the landscape changes as if it was hastened by time.

“…Grass… sensei is really…”

This does not mean that they can harvest immediately. But the crops that the farmers lost as it completely withered —even if it withered, it is now alive once again.

Voices can be heard from a distance –voices of joy. Farmers who were trying to escape run back with no regards to their appearance. They approach the sea of ​​wheat and confirms the time for harvest.

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The dead sand were blown up and the miasma that swirled around the sacred tree cleared up –the barks of the sacred tree that has turned black were peeled off and it regenerated from below. The fresh barks now have a wool-like color.

The miasma that covered the entire abandoned garden disappears all at once due to the clean air emitted by the sacred tree –the blue sky becomes visible and the dazzling sunlight pours in between the white clouds that float above.

The gray land that continued to spread had stopped and it returned to its original color –in the blink of an eye, the soil of the entire garden returned to life, and the plants that had turned into monsters stopped moving.

Not all of the parts of the sacred tree have been restored. However, it regenerated much faster than I had imagined. Green buds can be seen on the branches without any leaves. Many young buds have already opened and new leaves were born.

“…Grass-nii… You formed a contract…?”

“Yes… that’s right. I was chosen by a “Plant Spirit” so I was able to make a contract with Yuserish. I never expected this to happen either.”

Her Highness’ gently separates her hand holding mine. Turning around, Her Highness fixed her dishevelled hair and after that, she also fixes my hair.

“Y-Your Highness…. I’m greatly honoured but, doing this is…”

“It’s okay. You have done so much that I can’t put it into words… At this moment, this is the only way to express my appreciation for your hard work.”

The magnificence that she always carried on her makes her look great. However, the woman in front of me is shorter than me and she is a delicate woman after all.

If she doesn’t wear armor –No. Because she has such dazzling appearance and since she was wearing a metal armor made for battle, everyone would call her as “Saint”.

“…Lendl…No, Leslie. I was impressed by your courage. For you, Grass is more important than anything right?”

“…It’s just that I’m always running around following Grass-nii. Just watching what he does gives me courage.”

Those words without pretension directly penetrated my heart. Leslie, who just referred to me as “he”, suddenly looked mature than ever. I knew that she would never remain childish. Leslie decided to follow me on her own –And at important times, she is here beside me like this.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“I am the same. Thanks to Grass, I was able to stop feeling that sense of loss that I had always felt. It’s been a long time since I felt this refreshed… No.  Since I was born, this may not have happened.”

“Your Highness’ magical power has stopped flowing out. As you are connected to the sacred tree as the “shrine maiden”, it is used for her rebirth. But…, I never thought that her rebirth would be this fast.”

“…I understand. Sacred Tree Yuserish regains divinity through “faith”. However it is not necessary that faith should be directed to Yuserish “firsthand”.”

Being a shrine maiden of the sacred tree, Her Highness is rapidly gaining knowledge of the sacred tree –Since she said that, I can think of it as a fact.

“…Grass-nii has healed many people. Everyone’s feelings towards him are the same as “faith”, which is the power of the sacred tree… Is that something like that?”

“Yes. The loyalty of the soldiers and the people to me is similar to “faith”…. But, their gratitude directed to Grass who tend and treated those injured is more precious. As much as Grass had healed everyone, the Sacred Tree is now healed as well.”

As a military doctor, I worked diligently to treat the patients in front of me –if everyone were grateful for that, nothing else would be more rewarding then.

Furthermore, if healing can lead to gaining faith for the sacred tree, by acting as a doctor, everything goes in a good track. But that alone is not a fundamental solution. In order to end the battle, we must break General Alejandro’s fighting spirit.

“…Astina-denka. If you will sneak into the enemy’s base, I…”

“Take me too. We’re not trained in combat… but if the enemy has a magician, we have to stop them.”

Leslie’s identity –Her Highness, who knows that she is an illegitimate child of Duke Lenklus, could not be able to easily give out her permission.

I can’t and shouldn’t take Leslie to the enemy’s territory. However, I couldn’t say it was no good either, remembering her firm determination and the fact that she reached out to the sacred with me…Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“My magic will definitely work when we sneak into the enemy’s territory. I will never be a hindrance.”

“…I would like to ask Grass to make the decision. Since the three of us arrived before the sacred tree, there is no doubt that her power is of great help.”

Even if she wore glasses, I can see that Leslie is about to cry.

―Still, she didn’t cry, I think she became stronger. However, until the mission is completed safely, I cannot pamper this younger sister of mine.

“The magic of the air can be used to cut off signs of our presence… That being the case, Leslie’s power is essential.”

“……With that said……”

“Don’t overdo it. Follow Her Highness instructions and those who accompany you… If you can do that, let’s go together.”

“Y-Yes… thank you, Grass-nii…”

Though I have a contract with the sacred tree, it would still be difficult to fight against a court magician trained in combat. I need new power. Right now, I don’t have an effective way to attack with magic –although I can stop them and seal their bows, there is no way to attack a magician.

I can just use magic for defence, and attacking is left to the magic warriors like Her Highness and Raquel-san. I thought about that approach too but, when they wield their weapons, it was almost inevitable for Noin to die.

I want to hear the truth…whether she had betrayed our country or not. If there is something invoking Noin to do so… If I could just “incapacitate them without killing”…

The moment I thought about it,

The sacred tree emits a faint light, and the light gathers on the ground. A plant that did not exist until now grows out of the heaped up soil, extended a stem and produced four large leaves.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“This is… is this a familiar of the sacred tree…?”

It’s not one of the plants that turned into monsters –I haven’t seen it even on those picture books. Did the sacred tree summon a plant from the spirit world?

When I touch the leaf, one name comes to my mind.

“…Mandrake… is this plant for me?”

The sacred tree does not respond. As if to tell me to find the answer myself.

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