Category: Hagure Seirei Ino Shinsatsu Kiroku

At present, it turns out that most areas of the Western Territories are under the influence of the sacred tree.Translated by Yume Neiji

The seeds of plants are carried by the wind and creatures so they spread endlessly. The sacred tree, who has regained its power, obtains information through the familiars that has roots in various places, and if necessary, tells me about the remote areas.

Based from Hartner-san’s symptom, I can judge that it was an infection caused by the poison of “Benimadara tick”. The component necessary for detoxification is a plant peculiar to the Western territories, and it can be extracted from “lensen thistle”, which is often overlooked because it grows mixed with roadside weeds.

(TLYN: Can’t find the term benimadara tick (ベニマダラダニ) and lensen thistle (レンセンアザミ)　though. I found something about red ticks but not so sure if that’s it so I just retained the Japanese name haha)

―However, even if I could make the antidote, Kufika seemed uneasy to entrust the treatment to a doctor who could not make an effective treatment for Hartner-san.

Should I go after all…? There are also those who are injured in the yesterday’s fight so I also need to check the condition of their wound. Considering the travel time, I can only give out instructions…

“Summoner-sama, Summoner-sama”

“Hn…? Laune, what is it? We’re talking about an important matter, right now is…”

“This is also important, I want to help summoner-sama.”

“…we are fine with it, we can wait for you, you see. Please listen to what she wants to say.”

Kufika had a depressed look but she smiled at Laune who is currently holding the hem of my clothes, maybe she didn’t think she could show such expression in front of a young child.

Laune asked me to return to the carriage. Mandrake Rei is also there, the two of them seem to have something they want to say to me.

“I’m sorry if I worried you guys, did I have such troubled expression?”

“Summoner-sama is worried because there are many patients who need assistance. In that case, I would like to act in Summoner-sama’s stead!”

“…We’re really familiar with poison. I’m even making poison in my body you see.”

“Are you saying… instead of me, you are going to the Reinfeld mansion? But Laune, Rei, given that you’re so small, you guys won’t look like a doctor you know.”

Laune and Rei look at each other. And for some reason, they laughed happily.

“…Wait. Arlaune and Rei have contracts with me so….. Is it possible for me to give the instructions for treatment to you guys? If you touch the affected area, you can inform me if the poison is not what I had expected. Then I can once again instruct you guys, is that right?”This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“That’s right. We are connected to Summoner-sama no matter how far we go. We are connected even when we return to the spirit world you see. So no matter where we go in this physical world, our connection won’t be severed.”

“As for our child-form, it was because we are in our minimum reification. Spirits have no age. We can even become much older than Summoner-sama.”

Up until now, with my magical capacity, it was impossible to materialize Laune and Rei and keep them in that form.

But now it’s different –I can borrow magic from the local plants, or through the familiars of the sacred tree in various places, I can give the two of them the magical power they need. The magical power of Her Highness is not inexhaustible, but if left alone, it will accumulate too much in the body, so it must be used appropriately.

Even now, I continue to receive the magical power provided by Her Highness. I get more than what I consume, but thanks to that, even a little bit faster, my magical capacity itself is also increasing –with this, it will give me more control on the degree of Laune and Rei’s materialization.

“…If this succeeds, I’ll be able to check on all the people in this territory if I cooperate with the clinic in town.”

“That’s right, we can ask the doctor’s in the town to plant some bulbs. If there are fellow flowers there, I can always materialize there. Once you release my reification, I can return to the spirit world, Summoner-sama can also summon me anywhere.”

I can’t move to a great distance instantly, but a spirit can. It means that when Laune finishes her role, she can always return back.

“I see… but it will be hard for Rei to go with Laune. I think it will be possible to separate some roots but, pulling them out from the ground would be a big deal.”

“…I-It can’t be helped then. I’ll be house-sitting this time. But I want to grow up and be useful to the Summoner-sama someday.”

Rei looks at Laune enviously. If anything, Rei’s power would be a more appropriate in a tense situation –her power is better than Laune’s ability to momentarily suppress enemies and restrain movement. It can wipe out enemies in some cases, that’s how much power a Mandrake possess.Translated by Yume Neiji

“Then… Compared to before, I want you to use more of your magical powers. Until now, I have kept it low so that the Summoner-sama’s magical power will not be lost you see.”

“To transform you huh… I understand. Laune, you can use as much magic as you like. Try to make it to your ideal figure.”

“Yes…Uhm then, I want you to chant it.”

“All right. 『Oh lustrous flower that blooms in the enchanted garden. With me as a source of power, bloom bigger and beautifully…! 』”

According to my chant, the magical power that flows into Laune increases –I felt a little sense of loss at first but the consumed magical power is immediately supplemented. Even with this amount of magic, it will not be a burden to Her Highness. The amount of magic that was constantly flowing from her was not that much.

Then, Laune, who absorbed the magical power like water, grew inside the carriage while I was watching –from the appearance of about 10 years old, she turns into a 15 year old. And she grew a little more then, the transformation stopped.

“Whoa… my limbs are longer. Since I am a spirit, my clothes have grown together!”

The young Arlaune was lovely, but when she grew up, her beauty stood out as if she had blossomed. Rei looking at the side was also amazed.

“Amazing! You got bigger…. Laune has become an older sister…”

“Because the big flowers stand out, I make them look like hair ornaments. Summoner-sama, you can count on me.”

“Y-Yeah… That’s right. It’s more than what I imagined, honestly, I don’t know what to say but…”

◆◇◆

I’ll send Laune in my stead so I gave her the antidote. We waited until we could no longer see the Reinfeld’s party –Kufika, who had Laune on her horse, finally bowed to us and goes after her brother.Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“Arlaune is a spirit, so you can summon her to your side right? Up until now, I’ve never tried to learn about spirits so this is surprising for me.”

“If you don’t mind, I can teach you about it on another time. I think it’s better for Your Highness to know more about spirits.”

“Yes, you’re right. Now that I am connected with the sacred tree, I understand how spirits are deeply involved and deeply related to people. I need to deepen my understanding about them because I also want to borrow their power.”

Then by the time we returned to the fortress, Laune also arrived at the Reinfeld’s. With the permission to see Hartner-san’s condition directly, she administered the medical treatment.

―He had a fungal infection caused by the benimadara tick so his resistance has weakened. Even if she’s in a remote location, Laune obeyed my instructions well and the signs of poisoning that had eaten Hartner-san began to show signs of subsiding, and I was also relieved as I looked around the patients in the fortress’ sanitary building.

However, it was only until the evening that the fortress was able to regain its peace.

A messenger from the capital’s headquarters came with a decree indicating the return of the prisoner of war detained in the Isle Rose Fortress.

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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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Sorry guys, here’s the missed chapter last Friday. Enjoy reading!

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I could no longer hold back. To maintain my magic, I borrowed magical power from Her Highness who supports me from behind, Leslie is in front of me maintaining her magic control on the air — Even if I cling on her waist in a hug-like manner, we can only advance little by little.Translated by Yume Neiji

I can’t hear the sacred tree’s voice. Even though she knows that we have come, the sacred tree that ended up withering as she has lost faith cannot stop those who run wild by herself.

“Both of you, never let go of this hand! If you get separated inside this miasma…!”

“Kuuu…ugh…Grass-sensei… I no longer have the air that the sacred tree gave us…ugh…”

“A little more…. my hands will reach….uh!”

I reach out to touch the sacred tree’s trunk —but at that moment, a burning pain runs in my palm. Under the bark that has dried and cracked, I can see a blood-like red color. The bark, which was gray, turned into black, rejecting everything that is trying to touch it.

―I have to end this soon. Taking root in this place is the mistake itself.

―I met the King and saw the human world through the Royal Shrine Maiden.

―What I did for the people, there’s no meaning to it now, it’s all in vain.

―I need to show interest in humans. I need to help, that way, I can remain as what I am.

A voice echoed in my head. Every time I heard one, I could see a scene that I had never seen before. The sacred tree’s life is about to end. What I’m seeing may be the memories of her past that the dying sacred tree sees.

If she didn’t lend power to human beings, the sacred tree would not have been called “God” and would have remained as a tree spirit.

However, once you get faith and become a God, if you lose your connection with humans, starting from the roots, you’ll be affected adversely as you’ll end up sucking the world’s negativity.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“…I should have come here earlier… before you suffered this much and changed.”

Her Highness speaks to the sacred tree. Her Highness’ hand stretched from behind me and overlapped on my hand reaching out for the sacred tree. And then Leslie’s hand too. Without being afraid of pain, we try to touch the sacred tree again.

“Kuu… Ah… It doesn’t hurt… If I’m with Grass-nii…..uh!”

“I won’t let you be alone anymore…until the day I die, I’ll always be beside you… so please, respond to our voice…!”

Both Leslie and Astina-denka must be feeling the same pain as me. However, they endure and keep calling out for the sacred tree to respond to our voice.

“Can you hear me…? We are here now, we believe in you. You’ll regain your original form once again…”

―Words….of contract…..those powerful words….Grass weed….

Light spread out starting under Her Highness’ forearm. The light was emitted by the spirit mark that I drew on her body. The sacred tree is seeking a contract. I thought it was because Yuserish chose Her Highness as the contractor.

“Grass-nii…!”

Leslie shouts. I don’t even understand what is happening. It is not only Her Highness’ spirit mark that is shining. The mark that was drawn on my body and should have disappeared after my contract was over is emerging again.

“I’ll try to chant the contract… I also watched Grass–nii at that time… I know what kind of chant I should say…”

Both Her Highness’ and my spirit mark are responding. What will happen if the contract is concluded in this current state? –I cannot imagine it at all. But if what I saw when I first signed up my contract was the answer to what was happening…

“To the one who controls all things! The one who’s imprinted with the spirit mark seeks a contract with the spirit of the sacred tree…!”

The continuation of Leslie’s chant naturally overflowed from inside me. Yuserish is urging the contract. It started –she regained her power as a sacred tree.

“―Show your true form, heed our pledge… Oh, Sacred Tree Yuserish!”

The chant was completed. Our spirit marks shine and our connection took form.

“Yuserish… So that’s your name… I finally know…”

The magical power of Her Highness, which has been overflowing until this time is now connected to the sacred tree through the spirit seal, it then gives vitality to the tree that has withered and turned black.

However, it is not only Her Highness and the sacred tree that were connected in this contract.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“…Grass-nii… You’re not a “flop” after all. All this time, everyone and I were wrong…”

Instead of answering Leslie’s words, I squeezed her small hand.

Astina-denka formed a connection with the sacred tree as the “Shrine Maiden”.

―And,

As a “magician”, I signed a contract with the “Sacred tree Yuserish” ―No.

I had been called all this time, to form a contract with the origin of “plant spirits”, the “Sacred Tree that governs all plants”.

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The carriage finally runs through the wasteland and reaches the entrance to the abandoned garden. However, like a gatekeeper, a huge stem emerges from the ground and forms a flower that splits in half that opens its mouth full of fangs.

“Betrayal made them rage… I couldn’t come here until the abandoned sacred tree reaches such state. What foolish things am I doing…”

“Your Highness, the sacred tree guided us here. Therefore, you’ll still make it!”

“…Grass, you… why are you so strong? Why don’t you see that kind of scene? Everything that happened here is due to what the royal family did. And I also play a part in that…”

“I will never make that mistake a second time. Certainly, they may be angry… but, they are sad at the same time. The sacred tree’s familiars did not give up on their Lord who was trying to die alone. The sacred tree too was trying to end things with nobleness. If they opt to destroy everything without distinction, there is no choice but to defeat them and move forward. But that doesn’t mean that something will end.”

Her Highness regrets for the sacred tree and the acts of the royal family who destroyed this garden. Even if it is not what she did, she feels that she should be judged for it. I know how noble and pure her heart is. But she has fought to protect the country, and she does not have to bear the sins of the Royals in the past.Translated by Yume Neiji

“…Both plants and flowers will reborn with the same appearance once again if its roots remains. It is something that animals cannot imitate. That’s why I admire plants. When I formed my contract with the spirit, I had a glimpse of the appearance of the sacred tree’s spirit. I want to restore that scene as a real thing. If Your Highness and the people pray to her, it is not a dream that will never come true….!”

“――Leave this place to me! Everyone should quickly go and help that tree! Grass-sensei, I’ll leave Her Highness in your care!”

“Presha… you can’t! You alone…”

Her Highness jumps out and we followed. Presha-san had already got off the horse, carried a spear, and broke through the film of clean air that Leslie had established.

“Don’t stand… in the way of Her Highness…. and Grass-sensei!!”

It’s a spear longer than Presha-san’s height. But… it can’t cut the flower’s stem which are thicker than before or so I thought.

“Haaaaaa..!”

With a yell containing her spirit, I saw a magical power coating the spear, I’m not sure if Presha-san is unconsciously doing it.

At the moment Presha’s spear swings down, the two flower monster standing side by side were torn into a single horizontal line –it was such a destructive power like that of a siege weapon. Me and the other two gasp.

“―Presha, it’s not done yet! The roots still remain…..Uh!”

“Kuu… Aaaahhh…!”

A flower root protruding from Presha-san’s feet entangles her legs and hangs them in the air. Astina-denka holds her sword but the roots of the flower shift to use Presha as a shield so she was not able to swing her sword.

“Kuu… ugh… let go!… uh… in such a place…!”

Roots from the ground appeared one after another and entangled Presha-san’s arm –we can only look as she is deprived of her freedom.

With Dite-san… No, she too can’t really aim if Presha is used as shield. There should be another way…

“―Summoner-sama! Flowers against flower! I want you to leave them to me!”

“Arlaune… All right! 『Oh Enchantingly beautiful flower, return to your appearance in Pandera garden… Vibrantly Bloom! 』”

Once Arlaune’s body formed from magical power materialized, it is then reconstructed from the bulb –using Her Highness’ and my magical power, she transforms into a gigantic flower.

『I am the same as you guys, a transformed form of flower… stop fighting and lend me your ears! 』

“Hmm…This is… is this Arlaune’s voice…?  This flower is that girl for sure…”

I was surprised as I heard it for the first time –As she bloomed into a giant flower, Arlaune’s voice is no longer that of a child.

This enchantingly beautiful flower still possesses power unknown to me. As they are similarly a flower, she can interfere with them even if they changed into a monster ―the root that bound Presha-san loosened, then Arlaune’s leaves extend and catches her as she falls.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

『Please leave this to me! I will protect the carriage with Presha-san! 』

“Okay… Presha-san, Arlaune, I’ll definitely be back right away! Please hold on till then!”

Presha-san who’s always firm and collected slightly shows a timid smile. But in the next moment,　

“If it’s a request from you Grass-sensei, I will hold even a thousand or tens of thousands of people. Even if the opponents are monster-like flowers, it matters not…!”

“Presha, rather than spouting pranks, make sure to borrow Arlaune’s power! If you slow down the enemy’s movements, you should be able to avoid getting caught… If it’s you, you can do it!”

“Yes… as Your Highness wishes…!”

In response to Her Highness, Presha-san’s movements changed. With Arlaune’s assistance, she repels the flowers that appeared from the ground and attack one after another. Thanks to her attracting them, she opens up a path for us to move forward.

“We’ll run through from here at once!”

[[Yes!]]

I instructed Leslie to run while maintaining magic but Her Highness even replies to me ―However, this is not the time to reword it so that it will not be rude.

We run on the opened up path filled with weathered stone tiles. One after another, plants that I have never seen before appeared and attacked us but the clean air surrounding us slowed them down for a moment and we were able to avoid it by a hair’s breadth.

―Then we saw the sacred tree at the end of the long descending staircase.

Though we’re barely avoiding the miasma that is released, we never falter and proceed further.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

The first time my hands finally touched the sacred tree’s trunk, I used up the magical power in the magic crystal. But now, with Her Highness by our side, even in such miasma storm, my magical power was not exhausted.

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Presha-san served as the coachman of the carriage and she takes me and Leslie to the southern plains of the fortress. Her Highness, along with her two Knight Guards, led us.

The gray land had not yet reached the place of the farm owner I met before. But perhaps the family deemed that the situation this time is dangerous so the whole family is preparing to leave their residence.

“You guys are… N-No way, aren’t you the General of Isle Rose Fortress…!?”

“I’m sorry for being late. We will prevent the erosion of the withered land. Please evacuate for now.”

“B-But… Previously, those guys there headed to that forest and the expansion of the withered land had stopped. But this time, the number of monsters is much larger. To totally stop it is…”

“Nevertheless, we must stop it. Protecting the people is a Knight’s duty.”

Perhaps the farm owner felt Her Highness’ determination so he didn’t stop us any further. As his distress shows through, together with his family, they put the luggage they needed during their refuge in their wagon. To escape from the expanding gray land, they run away in the direction we came from.

“Your Highness…I worked with Grass-sensei and Dite-san to defeat those monsters once. Leave the matters here to me…”

“If that number of monsters rushes in, even you will not be able to handle it. Don’t worry about me, let’s open up the way together.”

“Y-Yes…. I’m sorry, I said something thoughtlessly…!”

Variant of nettles that germinates from underground rhizomes appear on the surface of the earth―they appeared from the immeasurable gray land as if they reject everything that goes to the abandoned garden. They stretch to a height that seems to strike the sky and they move like a snake.

Even if the two of them are brave warriors matched for a thousand men, it is impossible to proceed while avoiding innumerable thorny leaves and killing monsters which cannot be stopped unless you attack their roots –last time it is only one, but they’re too many this time.

Interfering with plants…No, it’s impossible in this situation. They’re not in a state where we can talk.

“Summoner-sama… I can hear a very sad voice from that forest.”

“Uh… G-Grass-nii… Where did this child come from…?”

Perhaps Arlaune is comfortable to it so she herself reverted back to the bulb, I then entrusted it to Leslie but for some reason, her head suddenly stick out of the frontal collar of Leslie’s jacket.

“I’m in pain and lonely, it says. We, flowers, will wither if we are only given water… It wanted me to call Master as much as possible and ask for help…”

“…I-Is that so? We must not be stopped here… If Yuserish is calling us, I should be able to hear that voice too.”

The sinister appearance of the rampaging grass monsters was also due to their unrelenting remorse because the sacred tree was forgotten by the people. I got out of the carriage and shouted at the top of my voice towards the forest that I could not see as it is blocked by the monsters.Please read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com

“Sacred tree Yuserish, can you hear me? I’ll bring Princess Astina to you! We’ll be there soon, we’ll definitely reach you…. S-So please wait!”

However, my call was in vain. Several new monsters appeared and the gray wasteland was covered with monsters.

Is there really no other choice but to eliminate these monsters and proceed? If we are stopped here, the gray land will spread and swallow that farm.

“Summoner-sama… Uh, the wind from that forest… it’s not a “dark energy”. Clean air is flowing out!”

Arlaune calls the miasma as “dark energy”. That’s right! This phenomenon right now is happening because the sacred tree is ill. Plants can clean the soil and air and return to their natural state over time.

―The sacred tree still has a little power to create clean air. From the reaction of the monsters, it’s clear why it was delivered to us.

The monsters are avoiding the clean air… Even though they’re rampaging like that, they can still remember that they are the sacred trees’ familiars.

Yuserish is giving us a clue somehow. Me and Leslie, the both of us noticed it at the same time.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“Air…. That’s it, the “air”!”

“…Grass-sensei, I was thinking about that too. With my magic, the clean air from the sacred tree can be settled around ourselves.”

“U-Uhmm, I’m not sure of it as I’m not that smart, but… does that mean that you can use magic to avoid those monsters?”

Leslie nodded. Then Astina-denka, who was watching us entrusted her favourite horse that had been following her for a long time to her Knight Guards and ordered them to stay at a safe distance.

“Rather than riding a horse, I also think that this will be much easier. Lendl, please go ahead.”This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“Certainly… 『Oh, clean air that comes from the sacred tree. Envelop us and become a shield against those that become wicked….! 』”

When the flowing chant was completed, the air produced by the sacred tree was amplified and its mass increased, enclosing the carriage in a large spherical shape.

“Are you okay? Maintaining this state consumes a lot of magical power…”

“No… The consumption is less than usual. It’s due to Your Highness’ power…”

Normally, you cannot use the magical powers of others. Magical power can be converted into “pure magic power” if it’s stored in the magic crystal though. Then it turns into the form in which anyone can use.

However, Astina-denka’s magical power overturns the norm. When I summoned Arlaune or even when Leslie uses her magic – we can borrow Her Highness magical power without being aware of it.Translated at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com

“…I didn’t feel that my power is flowing out unlike when Grass called this child though. I suppose I have the power to support magicians then.”

“Yes, probably… but, it’s really rare. You can’t directly use the magical powers of others because it’s a constraint for all magicians.”

“Is….that so? Then, why is my magical power so special…? If it’s mother, she might know something…”

It was a sudden discovery for Her Highness so she was confused. However, thanks to Her Highness, Leslie was able to concentrate on controlling the magic of the air without worrying about running out of magic.

“Grass-sensei, the monsters are avoiding us! With this, we can reach the sacred tree!”

“Yes, we’ll leave it to you Presha-san!”

“We are fine! Don’t worry about us and go at full speed! Arlaune, firmly hold on to me.”

“Y-Yes!… Uh, t-there will be a great shake…”

“Uh…..Lendl-san, hold on tight….”

“You too, Grass. Don’t let go of my hand, until I say so.”

“Y-Your Highness….uh…”

The wheels of the horse-drawn carriage running through the wasteland relentlessly bounce up and down. Inside, Her Highness is holding my hand and she’s firmly supporting her body with the other hand. Arlaune is also desperately clinging to Her Highness –I’m impressed with the tenacity of her small body.

While making sure that Leslie, who is concentrating on using her magic, is not thrown out of the seat, I also endure earnestly.

However, even a little faster, I hope that we could reach the sacred tree as soon as possible –I have that in mind.

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Even as the name of the magician came out, Astina-denka didn’t inquire about the change in our expression. Our turmoil must have been transmitted –but if one was to look at us right away, we can be taken as suspicious. The fact that Her Highness is not a person like that was transmitted from her behaviour so far.

No, at first she was thinking not to trust us easily. But once she knew that I’m not from the Second Queen’s faction, we were no longer doubted.

“What kind of magic does the magician named Noin use?”

“…Until that far… I just heard them from rumours… There’s a young woman who suddenly arrives and becomes General Alejandro’s aide… But… from my direct captain, he said that we should not say anything if we don’t want to lose our position…”

When I heard those words from the prisoner, my doubts grow stronger.

The name of the magician came out –it belongs to the student who was competing for leadership in our generation. I can’t conclude it yet but, if she is the one me and Leslie know, if she introduced her real name as “Noin”, it means that she’s lending her hand to General Alejandro.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

A court magician is in other words, a battle magician, and is basically a military member. I’ve heard that if such person lends their power to the enemy’s army, it’s a clear act of rebellion –the traitor will be punished with a capital punishment.

Sven was worried that the country was in war and initially regretted not being able to contract with Elemental Spirits. However, he thought that there could be something that the “stone” spirit could do, so he gathered rumours about the movement of the military in the town and even told me.

Sven must have been in the same class as Noin. If he knows that she has changed-side, he would be too shocked…

“A young woman magician… because of her…”

“Presha… Please hold back for now. Everyone in the Knights understands your feelings.”

Astina-denka was also clenching her fist. If Noin’s magic tricked us into allowing the enemy forces to invade, it’s only natural to feel resentment.

But I’m bothered by one thing. The student named Noin, who once spoke at the Academy assembly, didn’t seem to be the kind of person who will betray the kingdom. She even wanted to become a court magician with a noble determination and wanted to contribute to the protection of the kingdom.

……Why does she need to give out her real name? Even if she changed side to the enemy country, she must have used a pseudonym. If you don’t want your identity to be found out, you will use a pseudonym. Even though it is a covert troop, it is known to ordinary soldiers. What I mean is… I don’t think that Noin Flores would do such a careless thing.

She is girl who was praised as “The Jewel of Water” because of her well-proportioned appearance and her exceptional ability as a magician. I once lined up with her on a classroom exam –At that time, I was laughed at because I made an unnecessary effort because I couldn’t take practical classes.

Of course, just because the test of magic theory was tied to the same point does not mean that there is no chance to make a difference. It’s been two years since she became a court magician, and she’s supposed to have a lot of hands-on experience compared to me and Leslie.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

I’m going to collect information but when I heard the name of Noin, the number of questions suddenly increased. Since when has she been in the Zirconia army?

“…Last question, General Alejandro is not going to pull out his units until this fortress falls, right?”

“…The general… will attack Lezenia under the imperial order of the King… The period should be less than half a year… By then, all of the Western Teritorries of Lezenia should be in his hands…”

“Summoner-sama, this person can no longer take it.”

“I understand. Stop the hypnosis for now, let the prisoner rest.”

We then let the female knights in the prison take care of the rest and we left the dungeon and go up to the ground.Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

General Alejandro will be eager to attack this fortress until it falls. Furthermore, we have to make our move because the enemy has a magician.

“…It seems that the name “Noin” is familiar to you, right?”

Her Highness asked before riding the horse as we are headed to the sacred tree. She realized it after all but she did not talk about it immediately. She said she would fight to protect this kingdom, for the Western territories to remain as the kingdom’s territory.

―But this kingdom... If His Majesty’s will did not reach this place and we are in a situation where it’s already distorted…

A graduate of Silvana Magic Academy, which develops important forces for the kingdom, was sent to the enemy Kingdom because of someone’s scheme. If that is confirmed, even if we repel Zirconia and succeed in taking down the enemy’s base, we are at risk of being attacked from behind.

“If you don’t want to say it, it’s fine. It’s better not to know it…”

“…If she’s the one I know, Noin is a student of the Magic Academy. She uses water spirits… Probably with the help of water spirits that fill the canal area, I think she can create such large illusion…”

Her Highness listens to my words and looks at somewhere distant. Her profile is tinged with sorrow, seeing that, I thought that I shouldn’t have said those words just now.

However, even if I dodged that question, nothing will improve. Astina-denka needs to face someone from the Royal family –perhaps it already come to the point where the conspiracy of the Second Queen can no longer be ignored.

“…Even if she’s a magician from our Kingdom, we must defeat her. To do that, what we can do is…”

When Her Highness about to speak, a scout returns and cross the lowered drawbridge –she then squeezed all her voice,

“D-Delivering a message…. Uh, a lot of unidentified monsters have appeared in the south! The residents have been evacuated, but the gray ground that had been temporarily stopped is beginning to spread again…!”

Even if she perish, the sacred tree, who had been holding out with her little power, was finally unable to stop her familiars from running wild. We must head to the sacred tree as soon as possible. If the plant monsters start to attack, it will be hard to reach her –even if that’s the case, I don’t have time to hesitate.

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