We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
It was when the morning sun was rising.
A sea of trees that never loses its lush green, even in winter, spreads endlessly. The deep green that extends to hills, mountains, hollows, and valleys might look like a rolling ocean from the eyes of birds flying in the sky.
The birds would likely soar high into the sky, trying to see beyond this deep and wide sea of trees.
Higher and higher. When they reach the limit of the sky, will the birds truly be able to see the end of the Great Forest?
Of course, if they continue flying west, they will eventually reach the edge of the Great Forest. If they flap south, they will reach the mountain range, and a different world will unfold. If they turn their wings north, they will be able to see the sea.
But, what about this? When they look back from the ends of the three directions, will the birds be able to see the opposite side of the Great Forest?
The vast sea of trees, nurtured by thousands of years, stretches out majestically like an ocean.
Even the localized storms of time, and the ends of the sea of trees that gradually change their outlines, do not affect the depths of the Great Forest.
At the eastern edge of that Great Forest, a new sunrise was about to dawn for the people who lived in the forest.
“I am happy to hear that you agree with our plea. Welcome, Giant Tribe.”
“I never expected our wish to be granted. I am grateful for this invitation, Mimicho Race.”
Dawn Hill. At the hill where the Mimicho people welcome the morning sun with spirits, the Mimicho and the Giant Tribe meet.
The Mimicho are mostly elderly. Elders and influential figures from two of the five tribes remaining in the Great Forest were gathered.
One group was from the Village of the Wind Chimes, with Elder Yagris and five influential figures present.
The other group came from the babbling brook of autumn leaves. Here too, four representatives had arrived at Dawn Hill.
“However, the people of the Dawn Sea of Trees, who are the masterminds of this event, are delayed. My apologies.”
“No, no. We have been waiting for the opportunity for this meeting for a hundred years. We do not find waiting a day or two at this juncture to be painful.”
Dawn Hill is located within an area of the Great Forest called the “Dawn Sea of Trees.” Normally, the residents of the Dawn Sea of Trees should have been the first to arrive at this place.
Yagris offered a smile to smooth over the situation. His smile was directed far above.
“Nonsense, a wonderful future awaits us. Thinking about what’s to come makes my heart soar.”
Smiling at Yagris, the giant showed a hearty smile behind his thick beard. His skin was bronzed by the sun. His height was easily five times that of the Mimicho, and his physique was powerful.
Five representatives from the Giant Tribe were participating.
“We are sincerely grateful that you have temporarily lifted the forest’s barrier for this meeting.”
“We Mimicho wish to coexist with the Giant Tribe as well. We want to end the endless cycle of bloodshed.”
“We are not a monolithic entity, the Giant Tribe. There are those among us who do not approve of King Gouo’s policy of expanding territory even by burning down the forest.”
“May this discussion be a good one for both our races.”
“This day will be the catalyst for our relationship to greatly advance.”
“However, to think that Lord Yogurdor, who has been so instrumental in our discussions, suddenly fell ill…”
“It cannot be helped. My uncle is eighty years old. We Giants do not have the lifespan of the Mimicho, who live for a thousand years. One hundred years of life. Uncle is quite old.”
“We wish him a speedy recovery. It is thanks to his efforts that we are where we are today.”
“If you say so, then Elder Jigzaru of the Dawn Sea of Trees, as well. My uncle Yogurdor and your Jigzaru will undoubtedly be remembered by the Giants and the Mimicho for a long time to come.”
“Hahaha,” a hearty giant laugh resounded on the hill, awaiting the morning sun.
“Hey, to be caught in a prank by the spirits at a time like this!”
“This is bad. If this continues, we will be late for the discussion for the peace that has finally been achieved.”
“Elder Girzal, should we perhaps force our way through the spirits a little…?”
“Yes, as Gorrigal says…”
“Tsk!? Hah, what is this? We’ve already left the forest!”
“Th-this is…”
“Wh-what is it?!”
Ten Mimicho were speeding through the Dawn Sea of Trees before dawn. However, without reaching their destination, they were cast out of the Great Forest.
And what they saw was a scene far from the peace talks that were supposed to take place.
“Wh-why is the Giant Tribe army gathered here?”
“No, wait. That attire… it’s King Gouo’s forces!”
“It’s not Lord Yogurdor’s clan, but we must hurry to Dawn Hill. And convey this situation!”
Having been led astray by the whims of the spirits, the Mimicho who had been cast out of the Great Forest hurriedly retraced their steps.
Spirits sometimes act freely and whimsically, even troubling the Mimicho. But why would they play pranks at this particular time? Everyone couldn’t help but wonder, but it was also something that couldn’t be helped.
If one wishes to restrict the actions of spirits, one must exert control and make them obey. Otherwise, even the Mimicho will be tossed about by the spirits.
But this is a matter of urgency.
At Dawn Hill, the culmination of a hundred years of discussions is about to be reached.
If they can ally with the Giant Tribe, even if it’s just a part of their forces, they might see a different future in the escalating inter-species conflict.
For that purpose, they had asked the wise ones to temporarily lift the bewilderment technique that protected the Dawn Sea of Trees, albeit locally.
If they can finalize the discussions, they might be able to stop King Gouo’s army from gathering outside the Great Forest.
Elder Jilzal of the Dawn Sea of Trees and ten Mimicho, including Gorrigal, a prominent figure in the village, made way through the forest with the spirits’ guidance.
However, Gorrigal and his companions were led astray again.
“Hey, why are the spirits being such a nuisance today!”
“This is bad. It’s almost time for the promised sunrise.”
The Mimicho raced through space, but there was no sign of them reaching their destination, Dawn Hill.
Everyone was getting impatient, and even the usually calm Mimicho were beginning to feel irritated by the spirits’ pranks. It was then that it appeared suddenly before them.
“Wh-what…!”
“Wh-what is this!?”
“This is… Lord Yogurdor…”
They used Spatial Jump, but due to the spirits’ pranks, they were transported to a different scenery each time.
Gorrigal and his companions thought the spirits were hindering them.
But it was wrong.
The spirits were guiding them correctly.
For some reason, the Giant Tribe’s army was gathered outside the forest.
And the corpse of the Giant Yogurdor, abandoned deep in the forest.
“Why is Lord Yogurdor dead in a place like this!?”
“Look at the wound. This cut…”
“From behind with a curved sword used by the Giants.”
“There’s no sign of a struggle. So, he was caught by surprise?”
“Then, what happened to the other Giants who ambushed Lord Yogurdor?”
“Co-could it be…?!
The body, hidden and discarded deep in the forest, was none other than Yogurdor himself, who was supposed to be engaged in discussions.
Gorrigal and his companions looked at each other, their faces pale.
“We can’t just stand here. We must hurry to Dawn Hill!”
The spirits were urging them to be cautious.
The Giant Tribe was making ominous moves.
Something irreversible was about to happen.
But Gorrigal and his companions failed to notice.
Their vision narrowed by the impending success of talks that had been years in the making, they forgot to listen to the voices of the spirits.
As Gorrigal and his companions hurried to move, new figures appeared.
“Wow, to think we’d be found.”
“Tch, Spatial Jump, huh? It’s hard to keep up when you suddenly appear.”
“But isn’t it the Mimicho who are always one step behind?”
“Y-you are…!”
From the blind spot of the forest, Giant soldiers emerged. The Giants, whose massive bodies rivaled the surrounding trees, wore arrogant smiles.
Gorrigal and his companions still failed to notice. Distracted by Yogurdor’s corpse, they couldn’t sense the presence of the Giants lurking around them.
“If you’ve seen this, we can’t let you leave alive.”
“Well, no matter which path you take, your future is already decided!”
Saying that, the Giant swung down his wide curved sword. Elder Jilzal, standing dumbfounded, was cut in half vertically and died without understanding what had happened.
“Eek!”
Witnessing their elder being killed before their eyes, the Mimicho finally grasped the situation. But it was already too late when they realized it. Surrounded by Giant soldiers, five more were swiftly cut down.
“N-no. Everyone, escape! Those who survive, convey this to those gathered at Dawn Hill. Send the spirits! And the wise ones too!”
Gasping for breath, Gorrigal, dodging a horizontal slash aimed at him with Spatial Jump, desperately relayed instructions. However, not a single Mimicho could heed Gorrigal’s words.
Within moments, nine of them were killed by the Giants.
“This is no good. If this continues, a great tragedy will unfold.” Gorrigal, in a frenzy, wielded Spatial Jump.
But the Giants would not let Gorrigal escape so easily. They advanced with long strides in pursuit.
The Mimicho navigated the forest freely using Spatial Jump.
The Giants, with their robust bodies, mowed down trees and charged relentlessly.
“Wh-why? Why are the forest and the spirits not ensnaring the Giants in the Bewildering Technique?!”
The Giants were closing in from behind.
Normally, the Giants, who are a threat to the forest, would be sent somewhere in the forest by the Bewildering Technique. Yet, the Giants were pursuing Gorrigal without getting lost.
For this meeting, they had implored the wise ones to temporarily lift the barrier of the Dawn Sea of Trees. However, it was temporary, and the barrier should have already been reactivated. And yet…
The tide of pursuit turned in favor of the Giants.
“Die!”
Caught up, the curved sword was swung down.
Gorrigal, using the spirits and attempting to erect a barrier, was too late.
The blade of the curved sword, approaching his eyes, seemed to move remarkably slowly.
He was going to die. But if he died here, he wouldn’t be able to convey the Giants’ plot to others. Gorrigal clenched his teeth at the approaching death, but could do nothing but watch.
However, the deadly blade swung down by the Giant did not reach Gorrigal.
“What in the world is this?”
“…Master Yun!”
The Giants’ movements were stopped by Yun, who pulled a sage’s cloak over his head. Without hesitation, Yun commanded the Wind Spirit and tore apart the frozen Giants. The five pursuing Giants were all reduced to chunks of flesh, creating a bloody mountain of flesh deep in the forest.
“Master Yun, this is serious!”
“I thought the spirits were unusually agitated…”
Looking alternately at Gorrigal’s desperate state and the remains of the Giants, Yun’s expression tightened beneath his hood.
“The Bewildering Technique is not functioning. That’s why the Giants…”
“That’s impossible. You only lifted the barrier for a very brief moment at our request.”
“However, these Giants were lurking deep in the forest and tracking me… A-and, Lord Yogurdor, the Giant who was supposed to have discussions, was found dead deep in the forest. Also, there’s the King Gouo’s army outside the forest…!”
“Could it be…? You were tricked by King Gouo, weren’t you!?”
Even before Yun pointed it out, the situation indicated the worst possible outcome.
“The fact that the forest’s barrier is not functioning is concerning. I will go and check the Dawn Jewel. You head to Dawn Hill.”
With that, Yun activated Spatial Jump without waiting for Gorrigal’s reply. His destination was the Dawn Jewel, installed to maintain the Great Barrier of the forest. The innermost part of the Dawn Sea of Trees.
This morning. Before the sun had even peeked over the eastern horizon. Yun, as requested by the Mimicho of the Dawn Sea of Trees, had slightly relaxed the Great Barrier. For the past hundred years, the Mimicho of the Dawn Sea of Trees had been in discussions with a certain clan of Giants outside the forest, building towards peace. As the results of these discussions were finally coming to fruition, Elder Jilzal had made the request. To invite the Giant representative into the forest and make promises for the future. Of course, there were some Mimicho tribes within the Great Forest who opposed lifting the Great Barrier and inviting the Giants, even if only partially. However, it passed by a majority vote of the tribal chiefs. Yun, one of the sages, was also originally opposed. The events of the past flashed through Yun’s mind. A past of hatred that would never fade. But even wise ones had to agree to what the five tribal elders decided. So, before the sun had even risen, he had used the Dawn Jewel to slacken the barrier. At that time, there had been no abnormality…
A sense of unease lingered. Yun hurried through the forest. And arrived at the Awakening Great Flower, the deepest part of the Dawn Sea of Trees.
“No… impossible…”
Yun was speechless. The Awakening Great Flower is a gigantic flower. Its yellow petals are bigger than a person’s, and hidden behind the stamens and pistils is a jewel that shines with the color of the morning sun. Or so it should have been.
But when Yun reached the Awakening Great Flower, the sight that met her eyes was a miserable one. The petals were torn, the pistils and stamens were broken, and the jewel that should have shone with the color of the morning sun was shattered into pieces and had turned black.
“Lin, Ran, Yui, where are you?” Yun cried out. Someone, please explain this situation. Who in the world could have done such a terrible thing?
In response to Yun’s cry, a fragment of the miserably scattered petals wavered.
“Ah… Yun…”
“Yui!”
Weakly manifesting was the Light Spirit, Yui, who was supposed to be guarding the Awakening Great Flower and the Great Barrier. But Yun gasped at its appearance. The Light Spirit, Yui, had lost its right half. A human would have undoubtedly died by now. To be alive and able to speak while missing half its body was possible only because it was a spirit. Yun, trying to remain composed, rushed to Yui, who had manifested. She gently wrapped her arms around it, supporting its fading left half.
“Yun… There’s no time. Please, eat me.”
“Wh-what are you saying!?” Yun responded with a stern expression to Yui, who suddenly spoke of a taboo, an act that was even repulsive to touch a spirit.
“I… I will disappear like this. But, to protect the forest… to protect the Mimicho and the spirits from the Giants… please…”
“What exactly happened?”
“I have always burdened you with difficult tasks. But please, consider this my last selfish wish.”
“To go against taboo… Are you telling me to move forward now?”
“I’m sorry. But there’s no one else but you now. If it’s not you, it cannot be stopped…”
“Was it… the one who did this to the Awakening Great Flower, the Jewel, and Yui?”
There was no need to hear the answer. A race that could navigate the forest without getting lost, a forest that should have been under the Bewildering Technique. A being that could crush the Jewel, erase the Great Barrier, and wound the guardian spirit so easily. It was clear that there was a traitor among the Mimicho. Yun shed tears without realizing it. But the transparent drops trickling down her cheeks soon turned crimson and murky.
“Please, protect the forest. Take care of the Mimicho and the spirits…”
“Yui, I swear. I will stop it. And I will protect them.”
“I’m sorry…”
“There’s no need to apologize. I abandoned my own life long ago. If it’s your last wish to support me, there’s no reason to refuse. Let me live for someone else for once.”
Shedding tears like blood, Yun smiled gently at Yui. Yui, with its half-missing face, returned Yun’s smile. The taboo for the Mimicho. Yun, on this day, absorbed Yui and gained the power of a spirit.
“No, impossible…”
Gorrigal, unaware of the events unfolding in the depths of the Dawn Sea of Trees, desperately reached Dawn Hill. However, the hill illuminated by the sunrise was not filled with beautiful radiance but was stained with fresh blood. Corpses of Mimicho lay scattered side by side, their bodies deeply carved with large wounds, their breaths extinguished with expressions of despair, agony, and shock. And smoke, like a signal fire, rose high into the sky above Dawn Hill.
“The signal is seen! Set fire to the forest! The accursed Bewildering Technique is down now!”
“Ooooh!!”
At King Gouo’s great command, the thousand assembled soldiers let out a war cry. And with the launch of fire arrows, the forest was instantly transformed into a sea of flames.
The long-awaited opportunity for advance. King Gouo, the giant with reddish-brown skin, looked at the burning Great Forest with a satisfied smile hidden behind his thick beard. Behind the King Gouo, the darkness wavered.
“Who goes there!”
The warriors protecting King Gouo quickly took defensive stances. King Gouo stopped them and welcomed the visitor from the depths of the forest. From the wavering darkness emerged a small figure, deeply cloaked. From the Giants’ perspective, they looked slender enough to be easily dealt with. Although their face was hidden by the deep hood, black hair was faintly visible.
“…Be careful. I have only confirmed a part of the forest called the Dawn Sea of Trees. The Jewel of the barrier in other regions has also been lost, but the Mimicho should be frantically trying to maintain the barrier by now.”
“Guhahaha. To think that a sage like you would betray your own kin.”
“Betray? They betrayed first. I resent them. Those who abandoned my family, my clan. They should die. They should be destroyed. To bury it all, I would sell my soul even to a demon.”
“Guhahaha. A stout heart that does not match your small physique. You seem to hold a deep grudge against your own kin.”
“It is precisely because of this deep resentment. I will achieve my revenge, even if it means breaking taboos. My joining you is for that very purpose.”
“We will respond to your desire for revenge. First, we will crush this Dawn Sea of Trees. All troops, charge!!”
“Ooh!!”
Satisfied, perhaps, with King Gouo’s command and the highly motivated Giant army, the cloaked figure once again wavered in the darkness and disappeared.
“King Gouo, can we trust that person? I don’t find him particularly agreeable.”
“Bowen, individuals with such simple yet profound motives can be used. They advance straightforwardly towards their desires. Well, when they are no longer needed, we will simply discard them.”
“Will he betray us?”
“Because he is someone who would betray his own kin? Hahaha. Rather, he has set foot on the path of revenge by betraying his kin. At least, he won’t betray us until his revenge is fulfilled.”
The army advanced, avoiding the burning forest. King Gouo turned to his trusted warrior and showed an exceedingly satisfied smile.
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