Chapter 151: The Content of the Trial
“Something seems off about Note…”
Since sitting on the floor for too long felt awkward, I moved to a chair, but the Butler was leaning on the desk, his forehead resting on his hand as he stared down at the surface.
“He’s the closest to the royal family here, practically knee-deep in the country’s murky affairs,” Dinoss said, casting a sympathetic glance at the Butler.
“The previous king’s decree led me to search for the King’s Branch in my youth—no, never mind,” the Butler began but fell silent, still looking down.
“My understanding is that the legend of the King’s Branch involves a hero who, concerned for the ravaged nation and weary people, follows the Spirit’s Guidance to the Misty Lake, overcomes trials, and makes a wish for the branch at the Spirit Tree. So, how did you even get to that place, Jean?” Retze asked, holding a coffee cup.
The three of us here had finally gotten used to coffee. Ash would drink café au lait or lattes.
“I asked Kadal how hard the hardest branch in this world is, and he told me.”
“You followed the steps of the Spirit’s Guidance, but your purpose was different, right? Isn’t it strange to clear the trial with that goal?”
“I just went straight and arrived normally, so what can I do?” I said, tossing some potato chips at the Ex-Staff leaning against the desk.
The Ex-Staff, despite being a Spirit, seemed to have a fondness for junk food and snacks.
“…In my youth, I once set out to find the King’s Branch under the command of the previous king,” the Butler suddenly confessed.
“Wait, what?”
The unexpected revelation caught us off guard.
“I was the escort of a young man who had received the Spirit’s Guidance and was burning with ideals.”
“That young man was the king?”
“No. That young man lacked the wealth to embark on a journey or the knowledge to govern a nation; all he had were ideals. He chose a king who aligned with those ideals.”
“The king who received the branch must protect the ideals sworn to the Spirit Tree. If he fails to do so, the branch simply disappears,” Retze explained.
Indeed, those weak to the cold would likely never reach it, and the qualifications for kingship would be swayed by physical strength.
“I see, so that means one must become a king to gain the qualifications to find a king,” I recalled the last words spoken to me by the Concon Stick.
“Hey, you managed to convey that pretty well,” Dinoss remarked.
“No, I was just confused when suddenly a king was mentioned. I was wondering what kind of king it was—like the champion of a hole-poking contest or something.”
“There’s no way that’s true!” Dinoss interjected.
“Well, a king doesn’t need to be extraordinary himself; he just needs to be good at utilizing those around him. So, did you manage to obtain the branch? I haven’t heard anything about that,” Retze prompted the Butler to continue.
“No, the nation was unable to acquire the branch. And it will never be able to again. First, the place of guidance has low temperatures throughout the year, and considering the need for food and firewood, one must have [Storage] capabilities.”
“Ah, so that’s why you resumed the search for En here. With Shulm’s hero summoning, other nations are becoming more active; they might be trying to obtain the King’s Branch in response,” Dinoss said.
If they found out I had [Teleportation] and [Storage], it would be bad.
“After that, we finally reached the White Forest, but then we were obstructed by a poisonous mist, forcing us to fight powerful Demon Beasts within. Several comrades perished, and it was there that the young man likely abandoned his ideals. Before we knew it, we were freezing in an ordinary forest.”
“If you’re not aiming for the Spirit Tree, I could spill the beans,” the Ex-Staff said, crunching on potato chips.
Since the three of us said we had no intention of aiming for it, the Ex-Staff revealed the information.
“Basically, if even one person knows this, the White Forest won’t appear, so keep that in mind. First, the forest tests whether you will protect the weak or those different from you. For every being you abandon, a special Demon Beast will appear in the mist.” He laughed as he explained.
“Next, you will be tested on greed—whether you will take what you need, be it food or medicine, from others. This too will reflect in the environment of the mist.”
“I see, so one must be kind to others.”
“Not really? You can abandon the weak, take from others, and still defeat everything to progress. The Spirits don’t care about human life or death!” Dinoss seemed to be coming to terms with it, but the Ex-Staff quickly denied it.
It certainly feels harsh.
“The trial process reflects the state of the nation. That determines the attributes of the branch gifted, as well as the Spirits that are drawn to it or born nearby.”
“I understand now. We have destroyed the White Tree too much and abandoned the Spirits living there, which has increased the number of Demon Beasts we must defeat. Indeed, as we neglect the management of the nation, the enemies multiply,” the Butler said, looking slightly convinced.
“Well, I think it’s pretty difficult to progress without destroying the White Tree. With a larger group, you’d likely touch it just by avoiding attacks,” the Ex-Staff glanced at me.
“The Unicorn, if it’s exhausted from fighting Demon Beasts, would want medicine, and if it’s starving, it would need food. At that moment, would it take from others or force its allies to endure? It was testing whether it could choose properly and move forward.”
I had just been watching without making any choices.
“Yeah. In that regard, Jean, you didn’t harm the weak, and you completely annihilated the Demon Beasts of the White Forest, all while being fully prepared without needing medicine or meat! Strong and perfectly equipped! And somehow, it was comfortable! As expected of my master!”
“Comfortable, huh…? So? What did you answer when the Spirit Tree asked you about your ideals?” Dinoss asked, but do I really have to say this? After everything we’ve talked about, I regretted that answer.
All eyes turned to me. It felt like I had to say something!
“A diameter of about four centimeters, a length of just over three meters, one that is hard and won’t break.” I glanced at the Ex-Staff, trying not to look at the faces of the three.
“……”
“……”
“……”
The three fell silent.
“What do you intend to do with that Ex-Staff?”
“I was thinking of poking a rabbit hole if the weather’s nice.”
“Please don’t.”
Before I could finish my answer, Dinoss immediately interrupted.
“Eh?! Holes are romantic!”
But the Ex-Staff was eager to go.
“Oh no, it feels like the legendary hero kings inside me are about to start poking something with a stick.” Retze placed a hand on his forehead.