We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
It’s time to prepare for the move.
“And… that’s the situation, Grandpa!”
The day after I learned the basics of curse techniques from Creacio, I recounted my experience during the sparring session with Listea in the Moss Garden. Old Man Sleigsta then let out a chuckle.
“Is that so, is that so? You’ve finally approached the mysteries of the Spirit Tree, haven’t you?”
“This is a mystery of the Spirit Tree?”
Old Man Sleigsta, still chuckling unnervingly, seemed genuinely amused.
“Speaking of which, you said something similar when we first met, Grandpa. You said I’d eventually understand the Spirit Tree.”
“Hmm, you remembered that?”
“Of course, I did!”
The Spirit Tree has always been by my side, a reliable partner in any situation. Yet, it remains shrouded in mystery. Why does it grow by absorbing Dragon Veins? Why are special spirits always near it? And why is it so carefully guarded by the Ancient Dragon Species?
While I don’t usually think about it, I believe this is one of the world’s mysteries.
Furthermore, I feel that by unraveling the mysteries of the Spirit Tree, I will become even more involved with the world.
Did Old Man Sleigsta have a premonition from the beginning? That I would eventually grasp the mysteries of the Spirit Tree?
“I was certain of it.”
“You’re lying. You only thought of it as a way to pass the time, didn’t you?”
“What are you saying? I wouldn’t have taught you the Dragon Sword Dance on a whim.”
“That’s right!”
Old Man Sleigsta laughed heartily, more cheerful than usual. He had been reprimanded by Mistral earlier for playing too many pranks, but perhaps his good mood was due to me taking another step closer to understanding the Spirit Tree’s mysteries.
“Indeed. You are certainly growing.”
“Perhaps you were worried about me, as I’ve been troubled by various things lately?”
Are we, who are searching for a way to fight without losing, truly moving forward? All of us, myself included, are struggling to see tangible results despite our continuous training and practice. Old Man Sleigsta had always been watching over us.
“Worry not. I believe you can overcome your challenges on your own. Your wives will surely catch up once you move forward.”
“Yes!”
It seems he’s telling me, as the head of the household, to take the lead. Through the lesson from Creacio and the sparring with Listea, I have definitely made progress.
“So, about that. What was that strange sense of unease I felt at the end?”
In the Moss Garden, Mistral and the others listened to our conversation while taking care of Old Man Sleigsta’s morning routine. However, no one offered an opinion that accurately pinpointed the anxiety I experienced.
I looked up at Old Man Sleigsta’s enormous face. He, in turn, gazed down at me with his golden eyes.
“Hmm.”
Then, as if understanding something, Old Man Sleigsta let out a soft rumble.
“You stepped into a world governed by the logic of spirits in the eastern forest. You must have felt that if you delved too deep, you wouldn’t be able to return to reality.”
“Yes. But it wasn’t such a clear anxiety this time, was it?”
“No, that is not what I mean. You touched upon the logic of spirits last time and learned its terrifying nature. That must have become a hindrance.”
“Hmm, hmm?”
Although I have visited the spirit world twice, I have not learned all of its logic. The questions of why I felt I couldn’t return, and why spirits are usually invisible, remain a mystery to me. Perhaps it’s because I know there are still worlds I don’t understand that I felt anxious?
“Is it alright for me to step further into that realm?”
“That is something you must discover for yourself. I doubt anyone else can provide the answer you seek.”
“And why is that?”
“Because the world exists with you.”
Old Man Sleigsta’s jovial demeanor vanished, and he looked at me with eyes that seemed to gauge my true potential.
“The world exists with me… In other words, the future and the outcome change depending on what I want, what I think, and what kind of world I wish for?”
“If you believe so, then it is so. And if you wish to attain the world you desire, then you must strive diligently.”
“Yes!”
The indescribable anxiety I felt might stem from the fact that I myself cannot yet envision the future of the world I aspire to. Old Man Sleigsta’s advice invigorates me.
The power I feel anxious about now. If I train harder from now on, it will surely lead to a future where I can advance with confidence.
“Alright, let’s do this!”
The fact that I was no match for Baltnowar is no longer a source of worry. I am still immature, but it’s not impossible for me to catch up to Baltnowar. I think I’ve grasped a clue about the true nature of the technique Baltnowar used, and I’ve obtained the impetus to move forward. All that’s left is to face my goals head-on without cutting corners!
“Ku ku ku. It’s good that you’ve regained your spirits. Now, I have a task for you. Lead the spirits of the Dragon Forest to their new home. I am convinced the time is ripe.”
“Yes!”
Because I have taken another step closer to the world’s logic, Old Man Sleigsta has judged it safe to send the spirits away. He might also have been worried that if he doesn’t proceed with the move soon, the spirits might go berserk again.
“Are the Mimicho people ready?”
“Well then, after I finish taking care of Grandpa, why don’t we head to the Mimicho village?”
Mistral suggested, after tending to Old Man Sleigsta’s jet-black beard. We all nodded.
If we go through the Moss Garden, or rather, if we use Old Man Sleigsta’s transferring art, my family, who were separated between the Forbidden Territory and the Armēdo Kingdom until yesterday, can be gathered instantly.
“Um, I studied a lot yesterday?”
“Then, we can play a lot today!”
“Elnea, don’t spoil Priscilla too much.”
“Priscilla-chan’s fondness for being spoiled is your fault, Elnea.”
Not only Mistral, but Priscilla-chan also accompanied us to the Mimicho village. Of course, Yunyun, Rinrin, Laira, Yufilia, and Nina were also with us.
However, Ruiseine was nowhere to be found.
Ruiseine is training at the Great Shrine in the capital city. It seems she aims to become an advanced Battle Priestess and is diligently working towards it. While she could practice her sorcery and training with us, she apparently cannot attain an advanced rank without receiving a comprehensive evaluation, including daily duties and participation in rituals. All we can do is support Ruiseine as she works hard. However, I believe she is a capable person and will return to me after being promoted.
I walked through the Dragon Forest, holding Priscilla-chan’s hand. The path was difficult, as magic beasts approached and spirits caused disturbances as usual, but if we kept walking, we would eventually reach the Mimicho village. It’s just like training, isn’t it?
However, a barrier surrounds the Mimicho village, so magic beasts cannot approach. After parting ways with the magic beasts, we finally arrived at the flower garden spread out before the Mimicho village just before evening.
“This is strange. We left the Moss Garden this morning…”
“It’s Elnea-kun’s fault.”
“It’s Priscilla-chan’s fault.”
“It’s because you two kept playing with the magic beasts.”
“N-no way! We were so busy playing that the day ended?”
“Elnea-sama is avoiding reality.”
“Laira. What you see isn’t the only reality, you know?”
“Apparently, Elnea has lost his mind.”
“It’s because you so easily step into the logic of spirits.”
My wives grew exasperated, but only Yunyun and Rinrin seemed genuinely worried. Ah, this is the difference that accumulated days make. Mistral and the others understand everything about me. Yunyun and Rinrin still have much to learn.
“If we take Elnea Older Brother’s daze seriously, it’ll be dark soon, nyan.”
“Um, the sun is really going to set, you know?”
“Ah, what, how can this be!”
The sun began to hide itself behind the deep forest. The sky was starting to be dyed in the colors of dusk.
“Oh dear. I guess I’ll have to apologize to Sefina. It seems we won’t be able to return today.”
“And to Ruiseine too, Elnea. Ruiseine is left behind in the capital.”
“If you’re going to say that, Mist should mention Cerise and the others too.”
“Mist, if you’re going to say that, you should mention the Hero and the others too.”
“That’s right…”
I’m busy. As thanks for the lessons from Creacio, I have to cooperate with the Hero’s party. It seems they are going to start training in earnest to enter Dragon Peak. Listea and the others will camp in the shallower areas of Dragon Peak to test their abilities. And, if possible, they plan to journey to the easternmost village of Dragon Peak. I promised to accompany them as a consultant for the Hero’s party.
“The spirits’ move and the selection of the Mimicho to accompany them, and then adventuring with Listea and the others. It’s busy!”
“Don’t forget to keep an eye on Baltnowar and the others.”
“Of course.”
As we walked through the flower garden, we talked about what we needed to do, what we wanted to do, and so on. Soon, we arrived at the entrance to the village. In fact, once we reached the flower garden, the village was just a stone’s throw away.
“Welcome. Come on in.”
“Hello, Carly-san. We’re here today regarding the spirits’ move.”
“I see. Then, let’s go to the Grand Elder’s place.”
Following Carly, we headed towards the building where Grandma Yuuri lived. As usual, the buildings in the Mimicho village lack walls. The style of using cloth to create partitions instead of earth or wooden walls is unique. Yuun told me that even in the eastern Great Forest, this custom is unheard of, and it’s a very ancient tradition.
When the wind blows through the village, the partition cloths sway, revealing the interiors. However, the people living in this village don’t mind their lives being seen. All the villagers are companions and family, so they don’t care about such trivial matters. Grandma Yuuri’s house is also a unique building where cloth serves as partitions.
“Grand Elder, Mistral-dono and the others have arrived.”
At Carly’s call, a woman currently attending to Grandma Yuuri appeared. She then guided us inside.
“Oh my, welcome. The spirits were just waiting for Elnea-kun and the others.”
“It’s been quite some time since the talk of moving came up last year.”
My senses seem to have become even keener since sparring with Listea. I can feel the presence of spirits gathering around us.
“I wonder if the preparations for the Forbidden Territory are complete?”
“Yes. The spirits over there are friendly. Thanks to Yunyun, Rinrin, and Priscilla-chan. And our preparations are also complete.”
We have already informed the spirits living in the natural environment of the Forbidden Territory. Spirits, you know. Unlike people who are always fighting, they are very peaceful. They happily welcomed our desire to relocate spirits from elsewhere. Therefore, the preparations for the Forbidden Territory were completed without any trouble. Well, I think the three Mimicho who are well-liked by the spirits and Ares-chan, the Spirit Tree Spirit, played a significant role.
“So, about the selection of the Mimicho who will accompany us.”
We are heading to the Forbidden Territory. Although the Mimicho people and we are very close, those invited to the Forbidden Territory must be people we trust even more. When I brought up the topic, Grandma Yuuri smiled.
“Perhaps I shall go to the Forbidden Territory.”
“Whaaat, Grandma!?”
Not only I, but everyone gathered there gasped in surprise. Click the heart to easily express your support. (Login required) Support Log in if you have an account Learn more about the reading experience on Kakuyomu
