「Now then. We were discussing the lifespan of the Superior Yggdrasil. Come to think of it, since the total number of spirits is decreasing, that possibility is quite likely.」
He was answering quite seriously, but I really did not want to see the sight of an Elf with cloth stuffed in his nostrils to stop a nosebleed….
Also, apparently, a caved-in face can be cured with a pill.
He claimed it was because his wife’s love was effective, but I do not think such a reason could possibly heal a wound.
「Um, but if it is at the end of its lifespan, will it not wither away?」
Yes. I was distracted by the nosebleed, but I felt no sense of urgency from Ielo at all. In fact, the atmosphere felt rather peaceful, so Cyan-san’s question was only natural.
Atros-sama, on the other hand, seemed quite worried….
I mean, isn’t that tree the very reason the Elf village exists here?
There are people dedicated specifically to protecting that Spirit Tree, so wouldn’t it be a disaster if it withered?
「Well, even if it is a Spirit Tree, it is still a tree. Naturally, it can wither and die when its time comes. We have conducted our own investigations and knew that the lifespan of the Spirit Tree, which should originally be several thousand years, was shrinking. However, I am surprised to hear it is even shorter than our findings suggested.」
「Investigation? Father? I am a Guardian, yet why have I never heard that an investigation was conducted or been told the results?」
「Eh? I-It is not as if I wanted to see my daughter flustered and panicked when the time finally came, or that I wanted to show off my vast knowledge so you would think your father is amazing! It truly was nothing like that, you know? Really!」
…This man.
If his daughter were anyone but Cyan-san, she probably would have said “I hate you, Father” a long time ago.
No, even for Cyan-san, it must be getting close to that point.
「Sigh… Father, honestly. You are hopeless.」
Ah, she is letting it go with just that.
I feel a bit awkward saying anything since I was forgiven in a similar fashion, but I am starting to worry for Cyan-san….
It is not truly my place to speak, but I do not think everything should be forgiven just because there was no malice intended….
「Haaaaa… My daughter is so cute. What do you think, Master-sama? Is my daughter not the best?」
「She is cute, but I am worried about her…. I hope she doesn’t get deceived by some wicked man….」
「Hahaha! There is no need for concern. I shall personally incinerate any wicked man who approaches!」
Whoa, terrifying!
Letty occasionally tells me she’s going to burn me, but Ielo’s “burn” sounds like the real deal. His eyes…they were the eyes of a man who wasn’t joking.
「You do not need to do that; the spirits would warn me, so I will not be deceived. So? Why is it alright if the Spirit Tree withers?」
「Ah, that is simple. Even if a Spirit Tree withers, it does not truly disappear.」
「What are you saying, Father? Are you trying to trick me again?」
After Ielo’s repeated teasing, Cyan-san finally directed a suspicious gaze toward him, a doubt that even I shared. That’s it, Cyan-san. Hold that thought. It is definitely better to learn how to doubt.
「No, no, no! This time, I am telling the truth!」
「When a tree withers, it is the end, is it not? A dead tree might remain, but that is no reason to say it is “alright”.」
「No, that is not what I mean. While a Spirit Tree is a tree and thus has a lifespan, it is a special existence. Before a Spirit Tree reaches its end, it leaves behind several “manifestations”, essentially its own new seedlings. In this way, the Spirit Tree has continued to exist in this world for generations. That tree over there is not the first of its kind.」
「A manifestation? I see… So, the Spirit Tree is reborn?」
「Precisely. It will start small, but as it grows, it will reach the same size as the current one. It will remain a sanctuary for the spirits, just as it has always been.」
Wait, a manifestation…?
「Therefore, there is no problem. By the way, Master-sama, why were you with Atros…」
「Um… according to Atros-sama, she said that as things stand, the tree will not be able to produce those manifestations…」
「Wait… what?」
Yes. I am certain she said that.
Things were frantic toward the end, but I believe she said that if I didn’t at least make it possible to create a manifestation, the balance of the world would crumble.
「It is so weakened that it cannot even produce a manifestation!? That is disastrous…! Atros truly said this?」
「Yes, she seemed quite frantic and told me to do something about it…」
「I see… Even if she is like that now, she was once called a child prodigy… I am curious as to how you were able to speak with her, Master-sama, but this requires an immediate investigation. I am sorry, but things are going to be very busy today. We shall talk again another day!」
「Ah…」
「My apologies! I am heading out!」
I intended to mention that Atros-sama said something I possess might resolve the issue, but since I did not know exactly what was required, the words died in my throat. Regardless, we cannot determine a solution without first understanding the tree’s current state. It is likely best to wait for the results of their investigation.
「Master-sama, I am sorry. I must go as well.」
「I understand. According to Atros-sama, there is at least some way to fix this. Could you let me know the results once you are finished?」
「Is that true? Thank goodness… Yes, I will. I am off then!」
With that, I stepped outside with Cyan-san. The morning sun was bright, making me squint as I moved into the open, but we were immediately swallowed by a massive shadow. I looked up to see… a giant bird?
「! A Xeno-Hakuidori! Not at a time like this…!」
「A Xeno-Hakuidori…?」
Not a fire-eater, but a white-eater…?
It was a colossal bird, large enough for dozens of people to ride upon its back. Judging by Cyan-san’s sudden agitation, they did not exactly share a friendly relationship.
TN: Pun for Cassowary is called a Hikuidori (火食い鳥), which literally translates to “Fire-Eating Bird”. The name in your text, Hakuidori (白食い鳥), swaps “fire” for “white”, essentially calling it a “White-Eating Bird”.
「They are pests that feed on the leaves of the Superior Yggdrasil…. They are the greatest enemies of us Guardians. It seems I have found something to do instead of following my father. I am going!」
Cyan-san sprinted off toward the Spirit Tree. I thought about following her, but I feared I would only be a hindrance…. Still, I realized I could at least use my 「Invisible Jail」 to block an unexpected attack. Just as I prepared to run after her,
「Lord.」
「Shiro? What is it?」
「You were gone, so I was looking for you. More importantly, there is a large bird.」
「Yes, they call it a Xeno-Hakuidori. Cyan-san went to deal with it, and I was about to follow her.」
「…hmm. Understood. Shiro is going too.」
「That helps. Let us go together then.」
The sense of security I feel with Shiro by my side is on a different level. I am always relying on her….
「Hmm. This is a chance to show lord how much Shiro has grown.」
「Wait, Shiro? Look at the size of that thing. Shouldn’t we leave it to the professional Guardians?」
「No problem.」
Shiro exhaled sharply through her nose, looking remarkably motivated.
I hope we aren’t going to be a nuisance?
As Shiro matched her pace to mine, we ran toward the Spirit Tree, only to find a crowd already gathered a short distance away.
「Haa… hiee… haaaaa…」
Sprinting at full speed is brutal…!
It was made even worse by Shiro pushing me from behind every time I slowed down, whispering that 「it might be over soon」. I thought I had built up a decent amount of stamina, but maintaining a full sprint is still too much….
「Itsuki-san? Thank goodness. We were looking for you. Though, are you alright?」
「I-I am not alright… I can’t do this… Haaa… Ah, Hayato and the others are here too…」
「Yes. We were all searching for you, but when we saw that massive bird, we thought you might be involved…」
「You do have a bit of a reputation as a troublemaker, after all.」
Now wait just a minute. Don’t go believing rumors like that, Letty.
I have almost never been the one to start the trouble.
One of these days, I shall sit you all down and explain the exact sequence of events for every incident until you are satisfied.
The reason everyone was gathered a bit away from the Spirit Tree was apparently because standing too close made it impossible to see what was happening up top.
It seemed the Guardians, including Cyan-san, were already engaged in battle with the Hakuidori… but they appeared to be struggling.
To be honest, that bird is truly gargantuan.
While not quite on the level of the Earth Dragon Reagaia or Cassandra, it was easily as large as Rokaz and Rokuz. It was pecking at the leaves near the summit of the Spirit Tree, casually batting away the Guardians’ attacks with its wings as if they were mere annoyances. It wasn’t so much that the Guardians were being pushed back, but rather that the Xeno-Hakuidori didn’t even acknowledge them as it ate; its thick plumage seemed to absorb every blow.
「Hmm. Hayato, are you not going?」
「Well, if I went, I feel like I might accidentally slice through the branches of the Spirit Tree along with the bird…」
「Hmm. Then Shiro will do it.」
「Could you wait a moment!?」
「Hmm?」
It was Ielo who stopped Shiro, rushing over with a look of panic on his face.
A few other Elves followed behind him, likely the members of the investigation team.
「Listen, alright? The Spirit Tree is currently in a weakened state. If it suffers any more damage, it will be a disaster.」
「It is fine. Shiro is different from Hayato. I am going to show lord my best.」
「I could defeat it without damaging the tree if I really tried, you know…」
The two of them were oddly competitive.
Shiro is more of a high-stealth assassin type, whereas Hayato is a high-output swordsman.
If the goal is to eliminate a target while minimizing collateral damage, the advantage would likely go to Shiro.
Still, Hayato is the man called a Hero.
He certainly possesses enough skill to defeat a foe without harming his surroundings.
No doubt he was simply being extra cautious given the irreplaceable nature of the Spirit Tree.
「No, no, no! I believe you are both confident that you can kill it without scratching the tree. However, a Xeno-Hakuidori will absolutely not move until it has finished its meal. In other words, if you kill it right there, that massive body will come crashing down directly onto the Spirit Tree! The weight alone would snap several branches…!」
「Hmm. It is fine. If I destroy the magic stone, it will not fall.」
「Eh? You can destroy the magic stone of a bird that size while it is mid-air?」
「Hmm. If lord provides a foothold, it is easy.」
A foothold? Ah, using 「Invisible Jail」, then.
Very well. If it is only that, I can certainly manage.
「U-Um… then may I ask you to do it? It is true that we cannot let it continue eating the leaves like that… but please, be careful, alright?」
「Hmm. Makacelorin.」
Wait, isn’t that the name of the vegetable we harvested yesterday? The one where I couldn’t tell if it tasted more like maca or celery?
I recall it supposedly contained nutrients for improving male vitality, and Wendy was happily gathering it… but I was so exhausted at the time that my memory of it is a bit hazy.
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