Chapter 148: The Long-Awaited…
Five days have passed since I had lunch with Ash and the Butler, and turned down the guys’ drinking party.
“…”
I dodge a Demon Beast resembling an owl, its body adorned with column-like ice formations, weaving between the white trees that stretch their icy branches.
With a swift motion, I slash through a creature that looks like a seahorse with butterfly wings, then brace myself for the two owls that swoop in from above, taking a moment to catch my breath.
Both of them are about forty centimeters tall, relatively small, but their white coloration serves as perfect camouflage. If I let my guard down and wander carelessly, I’ll end up in a world of hurt.
The seahorse is slower, but its bubble magic is a nuisance, so I prioritize taking it down first. Its butterfly wings have a metallic sheen, almost like ice or crystal, giving it a rather peculiar appearance.
This place is really starting to feel like a fantasy world, huh? The existence of such creatures means that their real-life counterparts must be around here somewhere.
The trees here are incredibly fragile, making a soft rustling sound before crumbling to pieces. I can’t tell if the small, round, fluffy Spirit that clings to each tree is a resident or a manifestation of the forest itself.
When a tree collapses, it exposes its vulnerable form, and before long, the Demon Beasts come rushing in to feast.
Fighting without destroying the surrounding trees, which resemble a mix of ice and candy, is a challenging task. I almost want to just take down everything in my path, but I hesitate, knowing it wouldn’t be right to destroy my home.
If that house given to me by the Gods were to be destroyed, I wouldn’t just cry—I’d be devastated. But moving cautiously is proving to be more of a hassle than anything; it’s just plain cold.
Initially, I had intended to name and take along the Spirit of the first tree I unknowingly destroyed, but I couldn’t find a name for it. Yet, it continues to float around me, refusing to leave. I’ve heard that some Spirits follow you whimsically to gauge your worth before forming a contract—could this be one of those cases?
I’m torn about whether I should bring it back home with me. If I had a contract, it would be somewhat safe, but some Spirits vanish quickly in unfamiliar environments. Like taking an Ice Spirit to a volcano—unless it’s strong enough, of course.
So here I am, unable to return home, unable to indulge in any warmth, relying on the Fire Spirit I’ve named Dan-chan, who’s nestled inside my coat. I’ve been working hard to adjust my magic power, and today, I’ve managed to perform some delicate manipulations.
The blue spring of the White Forest.
There’s a Unicorn! A Unicorn! I’ve discovered a fantasy creature I recognize! Known for its strong wariness, it only allows pure-hearted Maidens to approach. Someone, please, bring a Maiden here!
I observe from a distance. I believe the horn of a Unicorn is a valuable ingredient for potions, but since there’s no one around who needs help and I’m not in need of money, I take the time to enjoy the sight of the Unicorn.
Once I’m satisfied, I decide to move on. I traverse through a misty area, where the ground is also pale, making it feel like I could easily get lost.
I have a map, but since it covers a wide area, making precise directional adjustments is tricky. I’ve brought the compass I bought from Naruadeid, but it’s rendered useless the moment I stepped into this fragile forest.
If there were something to guide me, I could walk towards it, but there’s nothing in sight. I’ve been marking the ground with the tip of my sword, but when I look back, the lines have vanished after just a meter…
Just as I’m pondering what to do, the fluffy Spirit seems to be leading the way? I’m not sure if it’s taking me where I want to go, but with no other options, I decide to follow.
Following the fluffball, I emerge into a normal forest. No, it’s more than normal; it’s a vibrant, lush forest bursting with life, reminiscent of early summer. The leaves of the trees are a beautiful, glossy green, and the branches stretch gracefully.
In the spring-like atmosphere, the fluffball looks like a dandelion drifting along.
Beyond the towering trees lies a small lake, with a solitary, leafless dead tree standing in the center, about half the height of the surrounding trees.
The fluffball floats over the lake and enters the tree, and suddenly, the tree sprouts young branches, blooming with golden-tinged white flowers, from which water begins to bubble forth. The droplets create ripples across the still lake, sparkling in the light.
“To the one who has earned the right, what is your ideal?”
Something has appeared!
From the trunk of the tree emerges a woman clad in milky-white garments, her hair cascading down like the roots of the tree, her eyes and mouth closed, yet her voice resonates beautifully. She’s a Spirit that wouldn’t be out of place being called a Goddess.
Is this the tree of the Konkon Staff EX…?
“About four centimeters in diameter, just over three meters long!”
“…”
“It comes standard with durability, right?”
“…”
After stating my request, she fell silent, so I patiently waited.
“You have traversed the land of illusions unscathed, arriving here without slaying the white Spirits. I shall grant you a branch, not for your words, but for the actions you have shown.”
Huh? This is a bit troubling.
The tree that once resembled a dead trunk now glows with a brilliant white. One of its branches silently breaks off and drifts toward me, transforming in the process.
It’s shorter than I hoped, about the size of a wooden sword, with budding leaves and a hard sprout on one end.
“Whoa!”
As I grasp it, it stretches!
Then it shrinks!
“My master! Thank you for earlier! Now, please give me a name!”
As it shrank to my eye level, the leaves unfurled, and a small Spirit popped out.
So that fluffball was a Spirit after all?—I already have a name in mind.
“Konkon Staff EX!”
“Yup! From today on, I’m Konkon Staff EX! Nice to meet you!”
The mischievous little Spirit grins widely.
“You who have become a King and gained the right to find a King. Together with the Spirit, do not let the branch wither.”
Just as the excitement builds, the main Spirit announces something and vanishes, the surrounding scenery fading into the white mist.