We live at the foot of Dragon Peak.
A tiny life.
Finally, we arrived at the base of the Spirit Tree.
Like the Moss Garden, the ancient forest was suddenly broken around the Spirit Tree, leaving an open space covered with short undergrowth.
I looked up at the Spirit Tree trunk, which grew vertically far above. The word “grew” no longer applied. It was so magnificent and large that the word “towering” would be more fitting.
How long would it take to walk around the trunk? The extremely thick roots were also protruding from the ground, so it seemed like it would take quite a while.
“So, what are we going to do here?”
I asked Mistral, who was looking up at the Spirit Tree just like me.
Did Mistral also feel the might of the Spirit Tree?
“Well… for now, let’s take a walk around the trunk.”
“Ehhh, around this trunk!?”
I flinched a little at the thought of what I had just imagined. Just thinking about it made me feel like it would take a long time and be tiring, but actually doing it would require both stamina and time.
“Really, really?”
“Really, really.”
Mistral said with a smile.
“Did we come all the way here just to walk around the trunk?”
“No. We came to find something.”
“And what is this something?”
“Well, that might depend on Elnea.”
Hmm, what did she mean by “depending on me”? This was my first time here, and of course, I had never lost anything here.
“Let’s go for now.”
Ignoring my questions, Mistral started walking. I hurried to follow her.
“As we walk, if you notice anything interesting, please tell me. For example, if you find the bark of the trunk over there interesting, or the branches.”
What I found most interesting was the current situation, which made no sense to me. Even so, as I walked with Mistral, I scanned my surroundings for anything that might catch my eye.
…Nothing in particular catches my eye.
Do I have to find something interesting?
“Do you come here often, Mistral?”
Thinking that just walking would be mentally draining, I spoke to Mistral. I thought she might scold me for not focusing on the search and instead engaging in small talk, but Mistral answered without seeming to care about my wandering thoughts.
“This is my second time here as well. I came once with the previous caretaker.”
“Oh, wow. So even you haven’t been here much. This really is an amazing place, isn’t it?”
“Yes. This is the very root of the Spirit Tree, so it’s a particularly sacred place. You can’t come here without the Old Man’s permission.”
We continued our walk, looking around at the surroundings with curiosity.
A sacred place. Indeed, the air felt cleaner here. I could also feel the overwhelming presence of the Spirit Tree nearby, which made me feel solemn. The temple where Ruiseine and the others are also felt sacred, but that felt more artificial. Perhaps the stone temple, being man-made, unregistered in the subconsciousness? But this place felt truly sacred. It made me feel like I absolutely shouldn’t make any mistakes here.
“Does it feel sacred to you too, Mistral?”
“Yes, of course. While the plaza where the Old Man is also feels sacred, this place is even more special. It feels filled with the strong life force of the Spirit Tree, and above all, with a pure Dragon Vein.”
“Wow. So it really is an amazing place.”
I took a deep breath. It felt like the air here was even purer than the transparent air of early morning, when no dust was swirling. Taking a deep breath made me feel truly refreshed.
“When you came here last time, Mistral, what did you come for?”
“The same as you. To find something.”
“Hmm. I’ve never lost anything here. Is this a place where lost things are found?”
“Fufufu. No. For now, trust your intuition and look for something that resonates with you.”
Mistral smiled at my confused expression and continued walking.
“I’ll help, but more importantly, your intuition is key.”
“My intuition is more important than yours, Mistral?”
“Yes.”
It felt strange that my intuition was considered more important than Mistral’s, who was superior to me in every way.
I continued to chat with Mistral as we walked, looking up and down. I looked at the thick roots of the Spirit Tree, stared intently at the trunk’s bark, and peered at the branches far above. Sometimes I even glanced towards the ancient forest as we continued our stroll.
We must have walked quite a distance, but the conversation with Mistral was enjoyable, and being filled with the sacred atmosphere of the Spirit Tree, I didn’t feel particularly tired.
Then, as I walked, mentally murmuring “Is there anything interesting?”, I suddenly felt a soft breeze, or rather, a presence near my ear.
There was only undergrowth besides the Spirit Tree in this open space, so a cool, clear breeze occasionally blew. However, I felt something different from that wind, a peculiar presence, and I stopped.
What was it? I felt like something was calling out to me.
Mistral noticed my change in demeanor and also stopped beside me.
*Poof.*
I felt another presence.
I turned my gaze in the direction I was drawn to.
The trunk of the Spirit Tree, and a thick root extending from it. In the open space beyond, where undergrowth grew, there was a single, small tree. Compared to the Spirit Tree, it had no presence, not even that of a seedling.
There were a few leaves at the tips of its few branches. Two cute vines were intertwined at its base.
“Mistral, look at that.”
I pointed at the small tree. Mistral turned her gaze in the direction I was pointing, and her expression changed to surprise.
“A sapling, in a place like this… I was paying attention while looking around, but I didn’t notice it at all.”
“And,” Mistral said, as she walked towards the sapling. I followed.
“This is indeed a sapling of the Spirit Tree. I’ve never seen one before.”
When Mistral and I arrived beside the sapling, we bent down and examined it closely.
It was a small tree, no taller than my chest when I bent down. Its trunk was probably thinner than my arm. Its branches looked like they could snap in a strong wind. A few leaves clung desperately to the branches, and it was very cute.
“Was it your intuition that this sapling caught your eye?”
“Umm…”
Was it intuition? I wasn’t sure.
“I felt a sort of gentle presence near my ear. So, I looked in the direction that caught my attention, and there it was.”
Mistral nodded with conviction at my vague explanation.
“Yes. That’s good. But I never expected to find something like this.”
Mistral looked alternately at the sapling and me with deep emotion.
“Well, let’s take it with us.”
“Ehh! Take it with us?”
Cut down this cute sapling and take it home? Snap it off? Mistral burst out laughing at my surprise.
“I’ll dig it up carefully by the roots. Besides, this sapling won’t be able to grow any further here, so it would be better for it if we took it with us.”
“It won’t grow here?”
“Yes. Because the Spirit Tree is here. All the nutrients and Dragon Veins are absorbed by the Spirit Tree, leaving none for this little one.”
“Is that so?”
A battle for nutrients. Even as a seedling, the mother tree showed no mercy to anything growing in its territory. I keenly felt the harshness of nature’s laws.
“Well then, let’s dig it up and take it home.”
Mistral nodded at my resolve, and we both started digging the soil around the sapling. The soil was very soft, and it was good that my hands didn’t hurt even when digging with my bare hands.
After digging a little deeper, the tip of the root appeared. Mistral then pulled out the sapling, along with the soil tangled around the roots and the vines.
“Elnea, please return the soil to the hole after I’m done.”
As she said this, Mistral began to take off her outer layer.
“Whoa, whoa!” I panicked. Why was she suddenly taking off her clothes? I didn’t know where to look.
I quickly averted my gaze, pretending to look away, but I stole a glance.
“Elnea.”
Mistral’s cold eyes met mine.
“You’re a boy, aren’t you?”
Mistral gave a wry smile.
“Hahaha.”
I also managed a wry smile. Mistral had taken off her outer layer, but she was wearing another outfit underneath. It was starting to get hot, so I had thought she might only be wearing one layer of clothing. I was a little disappointed, but I was glad I didn’t have to worry about where to look. I decided not to think too deeply about why I was disappointed.
I composed myself and began to fill in the hole I had dug. Mistral wet her outer layer with some water from her canteen and wrapped it around the sapling’s roots.
Once we had both finished our tasks, we began our journey back. Mistral carefully carried the sapling. Honestly, I was relieved. Even as a sapling, it had soil attached to its roots. I thought it would be surprisingly heavy. I had a feeling I might have given up halfway through. I felt a bit guilty that Mistral, a woman, was carrying it, but as a Dragon Race member, Mistral was clearly stronger.
Mistral smiled gently at my apologetic expression.
“For this time, well, leave it to me. Grow up to be a reliable man in the future.”
Mistral’s smile saved my soul. I was determined to become a splendid man whom Mistral could rely on someday. With this resolve, I returned through the ancient forest, empty-handed.
*Sigh.*
“Oh my. I never expected you to bring back a sapling of the Spirit Tree.”
When Mistral and I returned to the Moss Garden and reported, the Old Man Sleigsta’s eyes widened in surprise.
So even the Old Man Sleigsta was surprised.
Mistral placed the sapling in front of Old Man Sleigsta. He narrowed his eyes as if contemplating something profound and brought his face close to examine it.
“Foooooohhhh!”
“Aaaahhh! What are you doing?”
“Old Man!”
Just as he was staring intently, this old man suddenly blew a gale-force breath onto the sapling! The sapling was blown away like a twig by the blast of wind and flew to the edge of the ancient forest.
Mistral and I scrambled to pick it up.
“Hahaha. It seems you two have become quite friendly.”
Old Man Sleigsta laughed merrily, seemingly unconcerned by our frantic reaction.
This is no time to be laughing, in more ways than one!
Mistral and I rushed to protect the sapling.
It was unharmed. The sapling had no scratches. Not a single leaf was missing. The vines at the base were also intact. It was a surprisingly resilient child. I cradled the sapling and returned to the plaza.
“Elnea, once you put the sapling down, you can head home for today.”
Mistral also returned to the plaza, drawing her jet-black Katatekon.
“W-w-w-wait! Don’t jump to conclusions. If we talk it over, we can always reach an understanding.”
Old Man Sleigsta flailed his front paws in a panic, babbling erratically.
You reap what you sow. Even I, at this point, looked at Old Man Sleigsta with a critical eye. Besides, I couldn’t go home without Old Man Sleigsta’s spatial transfer.
“Old Man, for now, please transfer Elnea. Then we can discuss it thoroughly.”
Mistral said, tapping the tip of her spiked Katatekon with one hand.
Th-that’s terrifying.
Old Man Sleigsta’s face twitched, but he harnessed his Dragon Energy to transfer me. After I placed the sapling a short distance away, the spatial transfer activated. I was enveloped in a dazzling golden light.
Before closing my eyes against the brightness, I caught a glimpse of Old Man Sleigsta trying to escape and Mistral closing in.
…I should try not to anger Mistral, at least. In the light, I made my resolve.
