Ch 239
“So, you came looking for us, Gadena?”
Master Melthas, representing the Grey Tower, received an unexpected guest.
Gadena, an Elf and Ancient Book Researcher residing in Bondales.
Gadena’s specialty was ancient books and the knowledge surrounding them, but being an Elf, she also had some expertise in Nature Magic and Spirits.
From Gadena’s viewpoint, the Naturalization Phenomenon currently occurring throughout Bondales looked quite different.
“That’s right. I don’t know if you’re aware, but the simultaneous Naturalization Phenomenon occurring in Bondales cannot be explained simply by saying that the growth of plants has increased. The sudden increase in the distribution and habitat of spirits proves this.”
“Heh heh, I thought it wouldn’t be just ordinary plants, but to attract spirits to this city, filled with the touch of humans? It’s quite interesting. So, Gadena, as you said, our Grey Tower is not as deeply versed in spirits and Nature Magic as your Green Mages. So, why are you looking for the cause of this Naturalization Phenomenon from us?”
“…Wasn’t it something that man did?”
That man.
Melthas immediately understood what Gadena meant.
“You’re talking about Lisir. Let me make it clear, Lisir is currently absent from the Grey Tower, and even from Bondales.”
“So?”
“Hm?”
“That is, it doesn’t mean that he is not related to this event, does it?”
“…But, how can he, who is not even in the city, exert this level of influence?”
“I don’t know.”
“Hm?”
“There must be some way. If it’s that man.”
“…”
“I know. How irrational my claim is.”
Gadena, confused.
The braided-hair non-mage looked at the Elf pitifully.
“Yes, it’s fortunate that you know. However!”
“?”
But soon, he made a pleased smile.
“Being confused by the voice of reason while not losing direction! That is the first step to understanding Lisir.”
“?”
“Congratulations, Gadena. You passed the test.”
“What are you talking about, Melthas?”
“You have proven that you are worthy of knowing the truth! You have opened your eyes! Follow me, to the Grey Tower!”
“?”
Has he gone senile?
Gadena was at a loss for words at the change in the wise non-mage.
✦✦✦
“So, is that man currently receiving instruction in Nature Magic from Forest Night at her residence…?”
“That’s right! What do you think!”
“…What do I think, what do you mean?”
“No! Don’t ask my opinion! Just tell me what your heart and mind are pointing to!”
“Is his learning of Nature Magic affecting Bondales?”
“Heh! Gadena! Excellent! Very excellent! Should I call you that!? Your thoughts have already reached that far! You’re not normal either! You’re far from normal! That’s right!”
Gadena began to fear the non-mage before her.
In her long life, she had never seen anyone use the phrase “far from normal” in such a positive sense.
“By the way, Gadena, do you believe my words literally? The unbelievable story that Lisir, that man, encountered Forest Night, the worst of the distant past?”
“Is this the first time that man has been involved in an incident? I’m used to it now.”
“Hoo, excellent!!! A very excellent approach!”
“This. Why are you doing this so disgustingly?”
The non-mage was now breathless with excitement.
Gadena widened the distance, thinking that he might stick to her and ask her to become his assistant.
It was the moment when the innate distance that Elves instinctively felt towards humans was overlaid with a stronger contempt.
“Well, let’s leave the jokes aside. Gadena, I have a question. Why do you think the plants growing all over Bondales are related to Lisir’s Nature Magic?”
“…To conclude, even if this Naturalization Phenomenon is caused by that man, it is unlikely that the cause is his Nature Magic.”
“Heh. You’re quite bold in your assertion. How can you say that so confidently?”
“The fact that he has only recently started learning Nature Magic proves that he was unrelated to Nature Magic until now. Melthas, Nature Magic is different from ordinary magic. To wield its power, it is necessary to go through a rather complicated process.”
“What do you mean by a complicated process?”
“To put it simply, it is necessary to visit Illathein, the city of Elves. There, you must receive the recognition of the Green Mages and contact the great Elf Ancestors.”
“…”
Melthas’ expression showed both understanding and bewilderment at the same time.
Nature Magic, which has become the privilege of only the Green Mages in this day and age.
He didn’t think it was easy for a human to learn it, but he never imagined it would be so complicated.
“Is it the same even if Forest Night helps?”
“If I’m not mistaken, Forest Night also learned Nature Magic through the same process and path.”
“…Forest Night, you say?”
Master Melthas was shocked this time.
Even Forest Night, said to have reached the pinnacle of Nature Magic, based its foundation on the Green Mages?
“Then, what was Forest Night thinking when she decided to teach Lisir Nature Magic?”
“…”
This time, Gadena was confused.
Because someone like Forest Night wouldn’t just offer to teach Nature Magic without reason.
There must be a reason-
“…When did that man go under Forest Night?”
“About half a month ago.”
“Then it was foolish of me to worry. In half a month, he wouldn’t have even laid the foundation for Nature Magic yet. For a human, just reaching Illathein and going through the entry procedure would take several months.”
“Hmm…Then, what caused the Naturalization Phenomenon in this city…”
“First, let me give you my opinion. I thought it was because the spirits were drawn to his constitution and settled in Bondales.”
“Hmm…No! That’s not it!”
“I think it’s a fairly reasonable approach.”
“That’s the problem!”
“?”
“We need to approach matters related to Lisir from a more radical perspective!”
“Have you really gone senile, Melthas?”
Just as the Elf was about to show genuine concern for the non-mage.
“Master Melthas. Duke Pallag has arrived. Along with the two young ladies who are acquaintances of Mr. Lisir.”
✦✦✦
“Oh, are you perhaps the Elf who is said to be residing in this city━ Gadena, the ancient book expert?”
“I am honored to meet Archmage Frozen Breath.”
“It’s fortunate! I was looking for you! To be precise, I was planning to ask Master Melthas to look for you!”
“Me?”
“That’s right! If it’s alright, would you come with us now!? I have something I want to show you!”
Former Blue Tower Master.
The presence of Frozen Breath Pallag’s reputation remained strong even within Elf society.
Gadena was not the type of person who would readily associate with a stranger-
But if it was Frozen Breath, the story was different.
However.
Gadena was hesitating somewhat.
“Oh, Duke Pallag!!! Is it related to Lisir!?”
“That’s right! It’s quite a Lisir-like situation, so don’t be surprised!”
Because she felt a familiar yet uncomfortable atmosphere from the great Archmage.
‘That man. What did he do to these mages…’
Gadena began to seriously worry whether she should get deeply involved with them.
✦✦✦
It happened shortly after the journey of the two non-mages and the Elf began.
“…”
From some point, Gadena had an arrogant smile unique to Elves on her face.
“You should be prepared. Even an Elf like you will never have seen such a tree!”
Pallag’s statement had thoroughly offended the Elf’s pride.
‘Even if it’s Frozen Breath, it’s unavoidable for a human. Their ignorance of the Elves’ ecology.’
Nature-
In other words, the Elves’ understanding of plants was unparalleled.
Even a random Elf walking the streets of Illathein would have deeper insight than a respected botanist among humans.
But.
A plant that even she, a graduate of the Green Tower, had never seen before.
Gadena felt pity, but she didn’t bother correcting the human’s mistake.
The moment she directly encountered and commented on the tree that humans could not possibly fathom, they would realize how narrow-minded they were.
“This is it.”
The moment they arrived at their destination.
Gadena immediately confirmed that she was right.
The sapling that Pallag had declared to be unseen by even Elves was, without fail, within the scope of Gadena’s knowledge.
“…”
However.
Separately from that, Gadena fell into extreme confusion.
“Th-this, why is this here…”
“Ooh!!! You seem to know about this tree!? Should I call you an Elf━ How about sharing your wisdom? Tell me about this tree!”
“…I can’t.”
“Hm?”
“I can’t tell you anything about this tree.”
“What━ Why?”
“…Because I don’t know anything about this tree.”
It’s a lie.
Everyone knew as soon as they heard it.
Because the rational Elf was visibly agitated.
However, her expression was so serious that no one dared to question the lie.
“Uh…”
At that moment.
Gadena’s eyes widened.
Everyone watching the sapling did the same.
The sapling suddenly emitted a stronger energy.
Soon.
Beside the sapling, the Teal Girl appeared.
“Th-this is…!”
Gadena knelt before the Teal Girl.
Her desperate expression and gestures expressed ‘wonder’ and ‘what the heck?’.
The humans’ curiosity grew stronger at the Elf’s reaction.
What kind of tree and spirit caused the Elf to react like that?
“Spirit…”
Pallag spoke to the spirit without hesitation.
Gadena was horrified, but Pallag and the others didn’t mind.
They had experienced many things with Lisir.
They were prepared to accept whatever the spirit was and whatever it did-
without being surprised at all.
“Do you know anything about Lisir?”
Lisir.
The moment the name was mentioned, the Teal Girl beamed and jumped in place.
-Lisir!
“As expected. It seems to be Lisir’s new spirit.”
Pien chuckled and said, and Gadena beside her was startled.
“Th-that man’s spirit! That’s impossible!”
“Huh? What is it? Why are you so surprised━”
“No, no, it’s not! Just pretend you didn’t hear that!”
“Now, now, calm down, Gadena. Since the person in question is here, we can just confirm it directly, can’t we?”
Melthas approached the spirit and asked.
“Spirit. Do you know anything about the human named Lisir?”
Nod!
Nod!
The Teal Girl nodded vigorously, seemingly very happy.
The girl pointed to herself with her small hand and kept saying.
-Lisir! Lisir!
Pien and her party looked like they already understood everything.
-My mother!
“?”
Until the Teal Girl mentioned that name.
“What the…?”
Elf.
Human.
Jinjo.
Nymphomaniac.
Sword.
Everyone in the place fell into confusion without discrimination.
✦✦✦
“Y-y-y-yes, L-Lisir. W-well, since you said you don’t know either, l-l-let’s go back and rest… O-o-oh, i-if, by any chance, is there anything inconvenient about staying in Illathein!? I-if there is anything inconvenient, tell me without hesitation! I w-will definitely!!! Our Council of Elders will do our best to solve it!!!”
Well.
What happened to the World Tree?
Nunchi…
That was the Elders’ reaction to Lisir’s answer.
The Elders looked at the flat dirt ground and Lisir alternately, then began to rush towards him anxiously.
“N-no━ there’s nothing inconvenient!”
“Lisir!!! Now that I think about it, aren’t you of age to think about marriage!?”
“This person!!! There’s nothing they won’t say to a young friend!!!”
“I am an adult, but━”
“Oh, is that so!? Then, what about our granddaughter!?”
“What do you mean, what do you mean…?”
“Lisir!!! Then, how about me!?”
“Ratsil, please stay still for now━”
“By the way, Lisir, where are you staying now?”
“Ah, I’m borrowing a room used by the Green Tower students.”
“Borrowing a room used by students!!! Someone of your caliber!? That won’t do! That’s a big problem!!! I’ll find a suitable residence for you in Illathein right away!”
“How about staying at the Verdant Council for the time being!?”
High Elf, Elder of the Elves as the Guardian of the World Tree.
Lisir’s mind was muddled by the countless requests for handshakes from them.
“Everyone, calm down a bit. Isn’t Lisir having a hard time?”
“Ah, thank you, Sir Caroer!”
Fortunately, thanks to Caroer’s mediation, he was able to get out of the situation safely-
“…”
Lisir knew.
That the Elf Elders would not give up so easily!
‘Am I going to be put on a leash like this? As the World Tree protector?’
Lisir began to worry about his situation, having inadvertently become the World Tree’s mother.
However.
As time went on, Lisir realized that it was a needless worry.
After that, contact with the World Tree protectors continued, and the Elders’ cautious attitude remained consistent each time.
They treated Lisir politely and cautiously-
and Lisir did not feel any impure intentions from them.
Nevertheless, Lisir’s anxiety was not completely gone.
‘Being Elf Elders, they might be cunning people I can’t predict…!’
He asked Ratsil for advice, just in case.
“Huh? What do you mean? Showing respect to Lisir, who has been chosen by the World Tree, is only natural as an Elf, isn’t it?”
“Ah…”
Lisir once again realized the unique way of thinking of the Elves.
World Tree!
It was not a throne that Elves wanted to seize and usurp at all costs.
Lisir, who had seen so many cases of family members fighting each other in political struggles within their families, felt quite excited by the Elves’ genuine attitude.
Along with a little curiosity.
‘…Then, what would the Elves do if I suddenly return to Bondales with the World Tree Spirit?’
Lisir asked Ratsil again, just in case.
“Well? That kind of thing is rare… No, it’s not just rare! There has never been such a thing in Elf history!? So, if I may cautiously give my opinion━ hmm… hmm…!!! Hmm!!! Perhaps, perhaps! Wouldn’t that happen!? Some Elves would follow Lisir! Because the World Tree is where the Elves should be! Ah! Then what about me!? Lisir, what do you think I should do!? Should I go with you? How about, when I go outside the Great Forest, will you guide me, Lisir!?”
“Uuuugh.”
Lisir’s worries intensified with Ratsil’s answer.
‘D-Dingding━ please, take root in Illathein…!’
Lisir tried to talk to the World Tree Spirit in his Inner World about this matter-
but surprisingly, she was absent.
-That weed woman!!! She said she was going to ‘home’ for a while and asked me to tell Master!
“…Home? What home? What kind of home?”
In the end.
All Lisir could do was pray for everything to go well and focus on his daily life.
A few more days passed after half a month.
Lisir was diligently practicing Nature Magic under Lunadien’s teaching.
“Master Lunadien. I have a question━ about how fast my progress in Nature Magic is.”
“Well. What do you think?”
“I’m not sure… My comparison is mainly with Master Lunadien…”
Forest Night.
Because those are the only people I know.
Lisir hastily cut off his words.
“Master Lunadien and?”
“Ah, nothing. Master Lunadien is the only one I know, so I don’t think I can make an objective assessment.”
“Is that so? Then, let’s leave that for later enjoyment.”
Unexpectedly.
Lunadien diligently and kindly guided Lisir.
How long had this mentoring relationship, shallow or deep, continued?
One day.
Lisir suddenly had a question.
‘The Green Tower Master defeated Forest Night…’
He couldn’t imagine Lunadien, who was teaching him magic, defeating her Grand Master.
Lisir went to find the Elf again to solve his curiosity.
This time, it was Caroer, not Ratsil.
“I would like to ease your curiosity, but it would be better to hear it directly from the person in question. Lunadien, or that woman.”
“…”
By the way, what is the relationship between Sir Caroer and Grandmaster?
Lisir ended up carrying one more curiosity after going to solve his curiosity.
“Oh, by the way, I almost forgot to tell you this. The conclusion of the matter related to the World Tree Spirit will be reached soon.”
“…!”
Finally!
Lisir rejoiced inwardly.
He was spending his days diligently receiving Nature Magic instruction from the Green Tower Master-
but his original purpose of visiting Illathein was simply to obtain the ‘Seed of Nature Magic’.
‘I’m sorry to Master Lunadien, but if I learn Nature Magic, I will…’
In that sense, the news Caroer gave him was quite encouraging.
If he was right, he would be able to leave Illathein soon.
‘By the way, how are everyone doing.’
Lisir thought of his Grand Master, Master, and acquaintances in Bondales in turn.
And after that-
It was the same as usual.
After spending his break time reminiscing about his acquaintances, Lisir was about to head to the designated place to check his Nature Magic again.
But, was it because he had been reminiscing about his acquaintances?
‘Come to think of it, I think I’ve been neglecting my Dark Magic Swordsmanship practice lately.’
A vacant lot in the Green Tower that Lunadien had designated as Lisir’s private space.
Lisir arrived there and picked up his sword after a long time.
‘This━ it’s fortunate that I realized this now.’
That was Lisir’s feeling immediately after picking up the sword.
He could immediately feel the price of neglecting the Surge and Dark Magic Swordsmanship that he had practiced every day for over half a month.
-Master’s great vision, Dark Magic Swordsmanship, is a high-level and delicate skill that cannot be compared to the childish games of pointy-eared ones!!!
‘Hey, childish games? What I’m learning now is that childish game.’
Lisir refuted Dangaleon’s remark, but at the same time, he couldn’t help but agree.
Nature Magic was certainly a difficult and mysterious power, but in terms of the difficulty required to apply the power itself, it was no match for Dark Magic Swordsmanship.
It was natural in a way.
Dark Magic Swordsmanship was a power that defied reason, causing an overload if handled carelessly.
“Hmm…”
After a while.
Lisir organized his thoughts.
“No matter how important it is to inherit Master’s vision, I can’t neglect Dark Magic Swordsmanship.”
It was a technique that he was attached to, a technique that was his own.
Lisir took time to check and maintain his Dark Magic Swordsmanship after a long time.
How long had he been engrossed in Dark Magic Swordsmanship?
“Hoo~…”
Lisir, who had finished his Dark Magic Swordsmanship training, was happily bleeding from every hole in his face.
“…Huh?”
Lisir suddenly looked around.
-@#!$@$!$!@…
A strange whisper came from somewhere.
Lisir initially thought that he had seduced a spirit again without knowing it-
“…No.”
He realized soon.
That the whispers he was hearing were different from the voices of spirits.
The hairs on his skin stood on end involuntarily.
All his senses sharpened.
Thus, he felt a terrible malice clinging to his skin.
Whispers and malice.
Lisir was already pursuing the source of it all.
“…!”
Suddenly.
Lisir looked around in surprise.
Suddenly, the world around him turned upside down, and darkness swallowed Lisir.
‘A barrier…?’
Lisir’s gaze naturally turned to one place.
There, something stood proudly in the deep darkness.
It was a sword stuck in the ground upside down.
The dark blade, clearly visible even in the darkness, exuded a strange ominousness.
✦✦✦
『Title: Oh Illathein What is this?』
Content: A dark version of the Holy Sword suddenly started talking to me?
Is this it?
Night of the Sword?
-: Yes, that’s right
Dark Sword
✦✦✦
-Swordsman…
The sword spoke to Lisir.
-Beast blinded by power… You desire my power…
“…Your power?”
-Swordsman… Obey me… Then I will grant you power… The power you desire…
Dark Magic Swordsmanship.
The sword mentioned its name.
“…!”
The sudden encounter with the sword.
His vision, heard from such a sword.
Lisir was shocked.
After a moment of contemplation-
“…First, can you show me what this Dark Magic Swordsmanship is?”
Lisir said with an enlightened expression.
He thought.
“Maybe, we might be thinking differently.”
The Dark Magic Swordsmanship the sword speaks of.
The Dark Magic Swordsmanship he speaks of.
Perhaps there was a serious communication error between the two.
-…
The dark sword quietly emitted energy.
As if understanding the meaning of those words.
✦✦✦
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