Chapter 220: Learning
“Can I check something first?”
“What is it?”
Karn shot a curious glance at Retze, who had spoken up.
“Are you a Spirit or a human? Unlike these three, I’m just an ordinary human, so I can’t really sense things like that.”
The man, who seemed to deduce things based on various experiences and reasoning, was saying something.
“Neither and both, I suppose. I can’t even answer what I truly am myself.”
With that, he brought both hands in front of him. Is he like a doctor before surgery?
“My right hand is the ‘King’s Branch’ before it went mad.”
With a crackling sound, slender silver branches sprouted from the palms and backs of Karn’s hands, branching out and extending up to his elbows.
“My left hand is the mad ‘King’s Branch.'”
Just like the right hand, but this time, black branches enveloped his arm.
The mix of white and black gave off a feeling of ultimate power… or rather, if they mixed, it would just be gray.
“I can only say I’m a former human possessed by the Spirit of the ‘King’s Branch,’ kept alive by it.”
As Karn lowered his hands, the branches seemed to retract as if being sucked back into his palms.
“The ‘King’s Branch’ can possess a human…? I’ve never heard of that. I understood that Spirits with a physical form can temporarily control a person, but they can’t possess them.”
The Butler spoke with a puzzled expression.
“Well, it exists, so there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Karn shrugged.
“The color is different, but what you just showed is Misturtou—mistletoe, right? It’s a parasitic plant, so that might be why.”
Retze chimed in. That metallic-looking white and black color was easy to recognize with just a glance.
“According to legend, my ancestors found evergreens on the branches of winter-bare trees during their quest for the ‘King’s Branch,’ wishing for unwithering green. Is that mistletoe?”
“Yeah. If it has small, evergreen leaves on the branches of winter trees, then it’s mistletoe. Around here, it’s considered a tree that brings good fortune.”
My Ex-Staff is far from the ‘Spirit Tree’ that gave me branches. Is the appearance of the ‘King’s Branch’ somewhat customizable, perhaps?
“I see, so it’s called mistletoe…”
Karn seemed to reflect deeply on this.
“So? Where is this ‘King’s Branch’ from?”
“From the banks of the Es River, in the green kingdom of Tildnai.”
Karn answered Dinoss’s question this time.
“A kingdom buried in sand and lost to time, is it? I’ve never heard of its discovery, but there have been adventurers seeking legendary lands in the land of Dragons.”
The Butler remarked.
“You went all the way to such a place?”
Yes, I did. I nodded at Retze.
By the way, why is Retze covering my mouth? Well, it’s not like I can’t shake it off; he’s just lightly placing his hand there, but it means I shouldn’t speak, right?
“If you explain, Note might become unresponsive, so let’s keep quiet for a bit longer.”
When I pleaded with my eyes, I got a response. Terrible.
“Unlike the ‘King’s Branch,’ which merely exists to avoid Demon Beasts and gather Spirits, I can’t avoid Demon Beasts or attract Spirits without consuming power. It seems the contractor, Jean, doesn’t intend to make me do anything either, so feel free to treat me like an ordinary person.”
If he wanted me to do something, would I transform or change shape…?
“You certainly don’t seem like an ordinary person.”
“I don’t know what happened, but you casually contracted with this one…”
The Butler and Dinoss said.
I had my struggles too!
What Karn wanted was to learn how to behave in the city. Money, how to use institutions like the Adventurer’s Guild, and other social matters. There’s over a thousand years of difference, after all!
I debated taking him to Naruadeid Island, but since he said he wanted to explore as an Adventurer, I decided on this route.
The area around the island is protected by the ‘King’s Branch’ in Marina and the ‘Spirit’s Branch’ of Naruadeid, and thanks to the Dragon, Demon Beasts hardly appear.
Not that the Dragon is hunting them for humans; it’s just using them as food.
During the season when the Es River floods, the Spirit’s Power of the Es River strengthens, so they hardly show up around there. I can’t wait to see a Dragon.
Karn plans to live in Kanum for a while, and once he gets used to it, he’ll explore various places. He seems strong enough, having been a king, and as long as he has knowledge, he should have no problem traveling the world.
So, I’ll also learn about the formation of major countries, places travelers shouldn’t go, and the countries where Heroes reside.
Karn, whom I thought was my ally, easily memorizes country names and is surprisingly perceptive about issues between nations! It’s practically my study session…!
“I can’t take it anymore; I need a break.”
I had been roughly taught by Ash and the Butler before, and every time we had lunch together, they taught me a little, but there are just too many countries. Plus, they’ve been destroyed and revived too often!
When there’s a war, various supplies become scarce, and it seems travelers are regularly attacked by the country’s soldiers. Also, it seems that due to the overuse of Spirits, crops can’t be harvested, leading to a vicious cycle of stealing from neighboring countries to stave off hunger.
I’m definitely not going to Nakahara!
“This sake is delicious.”
Karn continued to drink throughout the learning session. What a heavy drinker.
“Yeah, especially that one. Most of what Jean makes is pretty tasty.”
Dinoss raised an eyebrow at Karn’s comment.
“I’m surprised that Jean is living normally in the city.”
“I think it’s dangerous to consider this room normal.”
The Butler replied to Karn.
“Isn’t it good to be comfortable?”
I said, clearing the desk and casually arranging the dishes.
Grilled chicken, grilled shishito peppers, sake-steamed clams, stir-fried pork ears with celery. And just for a taste, some sake.
“I forgot to explain, but you should think of this room as a different dimension.”
Dinoss, what do you mean by a different dimension? This is just an ordinary room with no tricks!
“I’ll guide you to a typical room later.”
“If you get used to this, you might not want to leave Kanum.”
The Butler poured tea for me while Retze reached for the grilled chicken.
The sake was well-received.