Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 448: Behind You
The knights carefully made their way toward the center of the plaza. It seemed that someone in that group had the “Magic Detection” skill.
I tried scanning the surroundings using the “Search” skill, but there were no signs of monsters—or even of any living creatures. That was a bit scary. It felt like we had entered a place we weren’t supposed to come to.
Perhaps the reason why plant materials grew so thickly around here wasn’t just because of the stagnant magical energy, but also because creatures and insects that feed on herbs wouldn’t come near.
It looked like they had confirmed that there was no problem. One of the knights came over and informed us that the area had been secured.
“Let us also head to the center of the magical stagnation. There seems to be no problem, but still, don’t let your guard down.”
“Yes.”
We gave a somewhat muted reply and followed behind Margrave Draken and Marquis Mulan. Before long, we arrived at the center of the stagnation. Huh, there’s this unsettling feeling rising from my feet. It’s not a chill—it feels more like there’s a ghost or something.
“This place gives me the creeps.”
“Yeah… Ah, behind Isidore!”
“Eek!”
Isidore turned around. But there was nothing there.
“…Julius.”
“It was just a joke, a joke.”
“Julius, there are places where jokes are acceptable and places where they’re not.”
“Sorry.”
Isidore gave me a look like a Tibetan fox. He seemed quite angry. I only meant to lighten the mood a little.
While I was joking around, Margrave Draken and the others were preparing to plant the seed of the World Tree.
“Master, do you think it will grow?”
“Who knows? I don’t really know much about what kind of plant the World Tree is. I know it provides valuable materials, but I’ve never actually seen one myself.”
“Julius is right. It shows up in fairy tales a lot, but what it actually looks like, I have no idea. Has anyone ever really seen one?”
Axel crossed his arms and tilted his head. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know. As we watched, a seed was taken out of an old wooden box. It was about the size of a child’s fist.
I took the opportunity to use the “Appraisal” skill. The result was unmistakable—it was indeed a seed of the World Tree. How in the world did Margrave Draken obtain this back then? I was extremely curious. Could it be he’s actually seen the real World Tree?
The knights planted the World Tree’s seed. Once the soil was placed over it, the work was done. All that was left was to water it and use the plant nutrient.
Now that I think about it, is it really okay to use that stuff? Well, it’s too late now.
“Margrave Draken, we’ve finished planting the World Tree seed!”
“Good. Then go ahead and water it thoroughly.”
At Margrave Draken’s instruction, a mage used magic to create water and poured it over the seed. With that, the preparations were complete. Margrave Draken and Marquis Mulan both turned their gazes to me.
“Now then, Julius-sama, please use that plant nutrient.”
“Understood. There’s a possibility—however slight—that something could happen. I’d prefer it if you stood back a little, if possible…”
Margrave Draken and Marquis Mulan nodded seriously and stepped back. I wonder what they’re thinking? Probably something like, “You’ve got to be kidding.” Leon and the others also stepped back with faces that said, “Is it really that serious?” But it’s not outside the realm of possibility.
“Julius-sama, please be careful.”
“I’ll be fine, Lionel. I’m ready to run at a moment’s notice.”
I opened the lid of the plant nutrient and poured the liquid onto the spot where the World Tree seed had just been planted. Then I immediately ran away.
Hmm? No reaction?—was what I thought, but then, in the next moment, shiny twin leaves sprouted up with a pop.
“Oh! Look, it sprouted… it sproooouted!!”
Margrave Draken’s voice turned into a shout midway.
I understood how he felt. Right in the middle of speaking, the tree began to grow rapidly with a ZMMMM, gaining height. The tree kept growing, and its trunk thickened in tandem. Oh no. I should’ve diluted the nutrient.
“…Good thing we stepped back.”
“Yeah, Isidore.”
“As expected of Master, to be able to create a magical potion that can grow a World Tree!”
“I’ve gone and created another legend.”
“Axel?”
“Julius-sama…”
Nero was holding his head. Was he wondering how in the world to report this? At this point, I think we have no choice but to tell it like it is.
As I looked up at the now sky-high World Tree, things started to get noisy around us.
“J-Julius-sama, look at that!”
“What is it, Lionel?”
Lionel, looking panicked, pointed in a direction. There, a bipedal, ultra-muscular macho turtle was walking toward us with a confident air. It wore a green mask on its face. Judging by the color, I guess it’s a forest spirit?
“What is that…?”
“A p-pervert… mmph!”
“Let’s keep Isidore quiet for now.”
I covered Isidore’s mouth before he could say anything rude. If he shouted, “It’s a pervert!” here, it would be disrespectful to the spirit. No matter how weird it looked, we couldn’t afford to anger a spirit.
Apparently, it wasn’t just the kids who were unsettled—the adults were too.
“Julius-sama, is that an acquaintance of yours?”
Margrave Draken asked, his face tense. His lips were curved into a smile, but it looked like he was having a hard time maintaining the expression.
“Ah, um, I think it’s probably a spirit.”
“A spirit? Surely not…”
“Why do you think it’s a spirit?”
Marquis Mulan looked confused. That was understandable. If someone told you that thing was a spirit, you wouldn’t just accept it immediately.
Since the spirit had shown itself in front of Margrave Draken and Marquis Mulan, I had no choice but to explain my relationship with it.
“The mask color is different, but I’ve met other spirits before…”
“What?”
“No way.”
“I’ve even received blessings from them. Three, in fact.”
“Three!?”
Margrave Draken and Marquis Mulan’s eyes nearly popped out. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that… But judging from the situation, I’d probably have had to explain eventually anyway.