Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 16: The lion that rules over nature.
The obstructing plants in their path were all growing downward. Only the natural path remained, leading further into the depths.
Seeing this, Ren and Ragna simultaneously sprinted.
“You’re in quite good spirits, Ren!”
“It’s just a coincidence!”
“Huh…I see…”
The natural path was constructed of thick branches, leaves, vines, and other unreliable materials. Running on it dulled their sense of footing, and Ren noticed that it swayed gently, similar to a suspension bridge.
However, the two of them continued to move forward, paying no mind to it. The path they followed was in constant motion. This wasn’t only because they were running on it with force but also because the magic creature that had created the path, seeking the magic released when the Wind Crystals burst, was moving the vine and branches.
Flying creatures in the sky were startled by the changes and made various cries. Ren ran ahead of Ragna, using his Mithril Magic Sword to cut down intrusive plants that weren’t part of the path.
“There are quite a lot of them!”
The branches and leaves were all grown in an environment untouched by human hands. They posed a different kind of challenge compared to the natural magic used by their guardian.
Ren increased his tension as he ran.
“Ren! We’re almost inside Windea!”
“I know! Just one more push!”
The natural path disappeared along the way, and walls of natural magic created by the guardian appeared everywhere. Branches and vines move to eliminate the external enemies, Ren and Ragna, who have appeared,
“Sorry, but you guys are over there!”
Ragna threw another Wind Crystal he had in his hand behind them this time. The same chain as before was summoned, and the second Wind Crystal was shattered, causing movement among the plants that had grown in their path.
Many of the plants, including the ones where the Wind Crystal had burst before, extended toward Ren and Ragna rear and moved. Some of the plants that appeared to be created by natural magic suddenly changed direction as well.
Even the complexly interwoven branches and layers of vines.
Everything created by the guardian was far more robust than anything produced by natural plants. They all moved together, intersecting in front of Ren and Ragna.
“It’s quite the force!”
“Ragna-san, are you okay?”
“It’s not a problem! But… huff, it reminds me of when I was crossing a certain sea.”
It was an experience Ragna had during his travels. There was a swarm of fish-like magic creatures attacking the deck of the ship as they crossed the sea. They all leaped out of the water like bullets, trying to prey on the humans standing on the deck. It was a unique experience, as the headwind had turned into projectiles.
The current situation resembled that time.
If Ren or Ragna had collided with any of the branches, vines, or moving plants, their skin would have been deeply wounded. However, with nimble movements, they skillfully avoided all the rapidly moving plants, much like dodging bullets before it touched their skin or clothes.
To avoid a troublesome battle, they had devised this strategy. The world, with its rocky surface and enchanting plants sandwiched in between, would soon come to an end.
Soon!
They would soon be through this path.
But…
“――――”
It was a rumbling sound mixed with a tremor that occurred just as Ren smiled. Despite the magic released when the second Wind Crystal shattered, it should have affected not only the native plants but also the guardian who had created this space.
Ren instinctively stopped his steps, and Ragna, a bit behind, did the same. By now, all the plants that moved like bullets had been attracted to the magic power released by the Wind Crystals.
The remaining threat was the guardian.
“Oh.”
Ragna sighed.
Just a few hundred miles more, and they should have reached their destination. However, the path ahead of them, as well as the path they had run through, was blocked by a tangle of plants affected by the natural magic used by the guardian.
“It seems like our plan has been exposed.”
“It looks that way, but… it’s strange. They could use us as prey, but I thought the Wind Crystals would be much more tempting to them.”
“I think the same, but the situation is what it is.”
“…Right. I understand.”
Ren knew that the guardian would unleash its fury to eliminate intruders. However, the guardian’s reaction was unexpected.
“…I don’t know why, but we can’t afford to escape from reality.”
“That’s right.”
For example, in a huge spherical world.
The unreliable foothold for tiny humans.
Emerging from below where they stood and creating a sturdy branch platform near Ren and Ragna while leaping over nearby rocky terrain was a beautiful creature with pale blue fur.
While it might look like a deer, it was clear from its stature and the beauty of its coat that it was something different. It had bifurcated antlers on its head, which seemed to be about three mails long, and a slim, tall body.
With a forceful strike of its front leg against a rock, a greenish magic energy spread out like ripples on water.
“――――”
A creature that spoke in incomprehensible words, the Ancient Blue Deer of the Land.
For hundreds of years, it had claimed a part of Windea as its territory, serving as the guardian of the region.
It was not a savage or evil creature; it was known to be a protective spirit-like entity. It also played a role in safeguarding Windea’s ecosystem, although it rarely revealed itself to humans.
However, it showed no mercy to those who disturbed its territory. It had employed powerful natural magic to subdue numerous intruders. The raising of its front leg earlier was likely an intimidation tactic or a signal to leave quickly.
However…
“I’m sorry, but we have business further ahead.”
With things having come to this, a battle seemed inevitable. The bag-wielding travelers took the initiative.
Facing the creature, Ragna extended his hand and summoned chains in the air to bind its two antlers.
“Gu――――!”
However, the chains were instantly severed by some force and dissipated. Ragna chuckled at the creature’s swift reaction.
“It seems like we’re dealing with a creature that can’t be dealt with lightly.”
“I’ll manage somehow.”
“Yeah. But, taking down that creature would impact Windea’s ecosystem. I’d prefer to just repel it.”
“Or we could leave its territory, but we don’t have that choice.”
The Ancient Blue Deer kicked a thick branch and leaped. When it landed on the unstable path beneath Ren and Ragna, the path swayed even more violently than before.
The Ancient Blue Deer immediately turned its horns toward Ren and Ragna. Perhaps because the magic energy around its antlers was too dense, the scenery around them became blurry.
Without saying anything, Ren stood in front of Ragna.
“While maintaining distance, let’s move forward.”
“Can you do it?”
“I’ll figure it out. Once we find what we’re looking for, we can get out of here quickly.”
“I don’t mind. So, in other words, Ren will handle everything until the end?”
“That’s right! I’m here for that!”
With Ren stepping forward vigorously, the Ancient Blue Deer also advanced. Its two massive antlers could easily overpower a young boy like Ren, but Ren, the Sword Saint, was unafraid and didn’t avert his gaze from the creature.
Ignoring the swaying footing, they closed in within seconds.
Ren used the Great Tree’s Magic Sword to deflect the Ancient Blue Deer’s antlers.
“Gu――――!?”
Seeing the surprised creature in front of him, Ren shouted,
“Ragna-san, now’s the time!”
“Ah!”
The pressure from the sword even reached the creature’s mind, causing the Ancient Blue Deer to stagger. An opening appeared when it lost its balance.
As the plants that had blocked the path were parted due to the Ancient Blue Deer’s unsteady movements, Ragna seized the opportunity to dash through the gap.
With a sharp glare still directed at Ragna.
“You’re facing me!”
Ren’s pressure left no room for further argument, and consciousness returned to the creature.
From above, below, from the left, and from the right.
Ren witnessed the power of natural magic approaching from nearly every conceivable direction. He took a deep breath.
In return, he used the enemy’s magic. He abandoned the path he had been on, grabbed the vines, branches, and occasionally used them as footholds to lure the Ancient Blue Deer closer.
The Ancient Blue Deer responded to his invitation and began to move, adjusting its antlers.
This time, unlike before, the power swirling around its antlers had become sharper, replacing the strong wind from earlier.
Perhaps due to magic energy or some other factor, Ren saw a blurry scene around the creature’s antlers. The concentration of magic power that had been initially stirred had been further intensified.
A wind flow around its antlers that seemed to pull nearby objects in.
…This might be bad!
With a wry smile, Ren dismissed the Great Tree’s magic sword and summoned the Mithril magic sword. It would likely result in serious injury if he touched that wind.
Suddenly, a green flash occurred. After the ancient land’s blue deer, who was surging with the power of the wind, passed by, the remaining light was directed towards Ren.
Enduring the strong wind that seemed to blow him away, Ren said.
“I’m sorry… I’ll be back soon!”
Before being engulfed by the green flash, he swung his Mithril magic sword sideways.
A special attack against magic, the Star Slayer.
The surrounding wind and the green flash all turned into mere magic energy, leaving only the form of the ancient land’s blue deer approaching at a speed faster than the wind. Many of the plants created by natural magic disappeared as well, and Ren lost places to grab with his hands and platforms made of branches.
However, it didn’t bother him. The battle had never been unfavorable.
“Shu――――! 』
The ancient land’s blue deer, with its horns sticking out and panting heavily, sent a more hostile gaze than before.
Even with a charge faster than the wind, Ren held down its horns with his Mithril magic sword in a posture resembling a tsuba-awase (a clash of sword guards).
With the power of the Mighty Sword enveloping both his hands.
“! ? 』
Ren met the eyes of the surprised ancient land’s blue deer.
With their eyes still locked, Ren exerted his strength to push the ancient land’s blue deer to the side, avoiding its charge.
The ancient land’s blue deer fell downwards following the force of gravity, but it immediately used natural magic to create a platform and looked up at Ren.
This time, the eyes of the guardian were shining like green jewels.
“Ren! Come over here!”
Ren returned to the original platform and caught up with Ragna, who was advancing ahead.
Ignoring the blue deer’s cries on his back, they continued forward without turning back.
As they headed towards their destination, Ren had the feeling that the Water Sword was trying to communicate with him.
While this was happening, the forces of nature repeatedly approached their backs. Ren used the Star Slayer to dispel them as they continued down this path…