Kays Translations

Chapter 448: Behind You

The knights carefully advanced towards the centre of the clearing. Someone among them appeared to possess the “Magic Detection” skill.

I scanned the surroundings with the “Exploration” skill, but found no sign of monsters—or even of ordinary living creatures. It was unsettling, as though we had entered a place where people were never meant to tread.

Perhaps medicinal plants grew so densely here not only because of the stagnant mana, but also because animals and insects that fed on herbs refused to approach.

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 proceed to the centre of the mana stagnation. There appears to be no immediate danger, but do not lower your guard.”

“Yes.”

We answered rather subduedly and followed Margrave Draken and Marquis Mulan. Before long, we reached the centre of the mana stagnation. An unpleasant sensation rose from beneath my feet. It was not a chill; it felt more like the presence of a ghost.

“This place gives me the creeps.”

“Yes… Ah, behind Ijidol!”

“Eek!”

Ijidol spun around, but there was nothing behind him.

“…Julius.”

“It was just a joke, a joke.”

“Julius, there are places where jokes are acceptable and places where they’re not.”

“Sorry.”

Ijidol gave me the expression of a Tibetan fox. He looked genuinely angry, although I had only meant to lighten the mood.

While I was fooling around, Margrave Draken and the others prepared to plant the World Tree seed.

“Master, do you think it will grow?”

“Who knows? I do not really understand what sort of plant the World Tree is. I know that it provides valuable materials, but I have never seen one in person.”

“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 Appraisal. The result was unmistakable: it truly was a World Tree seed. How had Margrave Draken obtained it in the first place? I was intensely curious. Could he actually have seen a World Tree?

The knights planted the World Tree seed and covered it with soil. All that remained was to water it and apply 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 have finished planting the World Tree seed!”

“Good. Then go ahead and water it thoroughly.”

At Margrave Draken’s instruction, a mage created water with magic and poured it over the seed. With the preparations complete, Margrave Draken and Marquis Mulan turned towards 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.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a soft pop, a glossy pair of leaves emerged from the earth.

“Oh! Look, it sprouted… it sproooouted!!”

Margrave Draken’s voice turned into a shout midway.

I understood his reaction. In the middle of his sentence, the sapling began growing with a deep vwoom. It shot upwards while its trunk thickened at the same astonishing pace. Oh no. I should have diluted the plant nutrient.

“…Good thing we stepped back.”

“Yes, Ijidol.”

“As expected of Master! You created a magic potion capable of growing 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 stared up at the now-towering World Tree, a commotion arose around us.

“J-Julius-sama, look at that!”

“What is it, Lionel?”

Lionel pointed frantically. An absurdly muscular, bipedal turtle was striding confidently towards us. A green mask covered the turtle’s face. Judging by the colour, this was probably the Forest Spirit.

“What is that…?”

“A p-pervert… mmph!”

“Let us keep Ijidol quiet for the moment.”

I covered Ijidol’s mouth before he could say anything offensive. Shouting “It is a pervert!” would be disrespectful to a spirit. No matter how strange the Forest Spirit looked, angering a spirit was out of the question.

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 believe that is probably a spirit.”

“A spirit? Surely not…”

“Why do you believe that figure is a spirit?”

Marquis Mulan looked bewildered, which was understandable. No one would immediately accept that the approaching figure was a spirit.

Since the Forest Spirit had appeared before Margrave Draken and Marquis Mulan, I had no choice but to explain my previous encounters with spirits.

“The mask is a different colour, but I have met other spirits before…”

“What?”

“No way.”

“I have even received blessings from three spirits.”

“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.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter