Chapter 582: The Impact on Nakahara
In the Water Basin, Haulon and Karn are meeting with the people of Esha. The small children stand frozen, bewildered by the adults’ behavior, while several of the grown-ups kneel and weep.
Is it in poor taste to eavesdrop any further?
I gently poke the water’s surface, causing the image projected by the Spirit to vanish. Rishu, who had been chewing on a rope, looks up with a reaction that seems to ask, “Is it over already?”
“We’re going to harvest mangoes in the orchard,” I say with a smile to Rishu before stepping out onto the terrace.
What will the people of Esha do from here?
They’ve had their share of skirmishes with neighboring small nations, but there was a relatively short period of peace. When times are comfortable, people can afford to be tolerant, but once that comfort fades, outsiders are treated harshly. The people of Esha have already stopped traveling through Nakahara, retreating into the mountains to hide.
I think most will follow Karn, but there might be some who can’t give up their wandering ways. Still, traveling through Nakahara right now is tough, even for those who are prepared.
Since the large-scale use of magic began and the great nation of Shulm has come out in full force, it feels like there’s no stopping the conflict. It might be years before things settle down.
After all, the Ball of Light protecting the current Hero in Shulm is a Spirit born from battle. He’s the type who charges forward without questioning his own sense of justice. He commands sword techniques and offensive magic, and while he’s of the Light Attribute, he struggles with healing—restoration is not his forte.
It might be convenient for Shulm to gain dominance, but if that Ball of Light is gaining power and increasing its retainers, the fighting won’t cease. Especially since Nakahara has become a breeding ground for such conflicts, it’s likely a comfortable place for those kinds of Spirits.
With those Spirits nearby, whether visible or not, humans will be affected. Instead of stopping to consider the possibility that they might be wrong when in doubt, they’ll believe and charge ahead.
Nakahara is the land most influenced by the Wind Spirit that once protected the Hero. Perhaps because Rishu took a bite out of the Wind Spirit, we narrowly avoided sudden destruction like in other eras, but I think it’s still very unstable.
Personally, I find it a bit unsettling that Shulm, with its Hero, is gaining ground, but I also think they should unify quickly. After all, many of the nations in Nakahara seem like nothing more than strongholds for bandits.
My sister has a fantastic exterior, and I think the current situation might be better for the residents. There’s a significant chance they’ll be exploited without realizing it, but the truth is that many are already being exploited by their respective lords. I believe that as my sister tries to maintain appearances, the lives of the residents will improve.
Either way, I have no intention of intervening in the war. If my close friends get caught up in it, that’s a different story, but I can’t shoulder the lives of so many others.
For now, my actions seem to be benefiting Shulm in the human world, but since I’m receiving help from the Spirits and sharing my magic power, I’m actually hindering the Ball of Light from increasing its retainers in the Spirit world.
It’s quite a twisted situation.
If food, starting with potatoes, spreads a bit more and fills people’s stomachs, I think other Spirits besides those related to conflict will start to appear.
I want the residents to decide whether to fight or not without being heavily influenced by the Spirits.
That aside, Esha.
It would be easiest and quickest to take Haulon and Karn with me and teleport everyone to Karn’s Country, but— that feels too bland.
I have to move Haulon to a location where he can teleport, and the number of people I can teleport at once is limited, so it’ll be a hassle. But I think that hassle will leave a lasting impression.
Unless it’s an urgent situation, I don’t need to rush.
However, I want to celebrate our reunion, so I’ll prepare a feast for the founding celebration. I’ll make sure there’s plenty of food and drink. If we’re short on decorative flowers, I’ll have to let Soleil know he can cut all the flowers from my tower.
I greet Kadal and harvest the improved mangoes. While I’m at it, I’ll gather all the ripe fruits.
Thanks to Kadal, the trees are thriving. In fact, they’ve grown into massive trees, lush and full. The mangoes were supposed to be easy to harvest by extending the branches sideways, but before I could even prune them, they shot up to about four meters overnight!
Mangoes have long stems connecting them to the branches, but due to the Spirit’s care, they’ve grown even longer, hanging at a height that makes them easy to harvest, so it’s not a problem, but it is a bit of a hassle.
The entire mountain is lush with trees, sunlight pours into the shady spots that seem damp, flowers are blooming, the flowing water is pure, and the vegetables are fresh and plump. Rudil can be found lurking in the shadows if you’re not careful.
Oh, and Van is helping me with sword practice. I was thinking of doing some blacksmithing or glassmaking, but it’s too hot to use fire. I’ll work hard when winter comes…!
Why am I undergoing such serious sword training? Well, I might have to fight the Hero someday…!