122 – Searching for Yggdrasil.
Yggdrasil Church.
Even in this world where various folk beliefs and religions existed, there was a huge tree stretching high into the distance.
It was a small church that believed in the world tree Yggdrasil.
Religion exerts strong power even during war and after the war is over.
The church’s power gradually increased through various types of support during the war, refugee protection, material support, and relief activities afterwards.
In some ways, you could say I was lucky.
The religious leader…Now sitting in the position of Pope, he is said to have very strong divine power.
Because of that, he was able to participate in the summons of the empire’s warriors, and through that involvement, he was able to intervene in the war by exercising influence.
Of course, he intervened with pure intentions, but his actions led to the expansion of the church.
The church’s membership has grown to the point where it is no exaggeration to say that believers are now spread not only across the empire but across the entire continent.
Naturally, Yggdrasil Church became a large religious organization called the World Tree Church.
And after the war ended and the warriors returned, a ‘saint’ appeared.
Saint Velia.
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She lost her parents due to war, was rescued and protected by the church at the time, and grew up under the church’s protection.
She naturally became a believer in the church, and her faith in Yggdrasil, the world tree, was stronger than anyone else’s.
As her innate divine power was also very high, she began to stand out even more after the denomination became a church.
She acquired numerous sacred magics, used them to help those who were devastated after the war, and earned the title of saint.
… Among those who know the situation, it is thought that her talent surpasses that of Eri, a hero who is referred to as a ‘saint’.
Of course, among ordinary citizens who do not know the circumstances, warriors are considered sacrosanct and inviolable, so such words are not said.
“Chaney?”
“Huh?”
“Is there something on my face?”
Seeing Velia looking at her strangely, Chaney shook her head.
Wait, she was thinking about old times.
“No, it’s nothing. Could you please leave out the ‘nim’?”
“Oh my, how can I call someone who is a warrior and has ascended to the position of a magic tower lord without giving them an honorific title?”
“Ha, don’t make fun of me. Even if you’re a magic tower lord, you know that it’s mostly just a name, right?”
Just a few days ago.
Cheney went to the White Magic Tower under construction in the north with Leos and Velia.
There, she held a simple inauguration ceremony as the Magic Tower Lord, and she was able to ascend to the position of the Magic Tower Lord.
Even so, there is no way there would be a wizard belonging to the just-created magic tower.
Participating in the inauguration ceremony were Leos and Velia, who accompanied him, and a nobleman with the title of Baron named Alban, who was pioneering the North.
Other than that, they were all workers or wizards who participated in the construction of the Magic Tower.
Well, one day, I will run a magic tower and recruit and train wizards, but now is not the time.
Therefore, it is currently only performing the magic purification function of the magic tower and the role of a watchtower.
“You’ll get better soon, don’t worry.”
Currently, the three people were treating the injured.
To be precise, I saved a merchant who was being attacked by a beast.
Some of the merchant’s guards were seriously injured in the surprise attack.
Thanks to Velia’s holy magic, the wound was seen to stop bleeding quickly.
Velia applies medicine and bandages to the bleeding wound.
It would be better if the wound itself could heal, but holy magic was not that omnipotent.
However, rather than using only medicine for natural healing, the healing period can be significantly shortened by pouring in divine power, which is a good thing.
“……”
Cheney was watching Velia’s magic.
Definitely, some would say that he was a better talent than that b*tch.
If we only look at the output, it would be a landslide victory for Eri, but when it comes to the use of her sacred power, Velia is overwhelming.
“By the way, is it okay if you keep following us?”
“Yes! Of course, right?!”
Velia answered with a slightly excited look on her face.
“I’m going to visit Yggdrasil!! There’s no reason why I shouldn’t join you on that journey!!”
“Ah, you were in that group too.”
Chaney felt like he said it for no reason.
One of her research tasks was to find none other than the world tree, Yggdrasil.
It was clear that the existence called Yggdrasil was close to a divine being.
Then, wouldn’t it be possible to borrow that power?
I found out during the research, that the world tree Yggdrasil seen in the distance is a fake.
No matter how hard you try to get to that tree, it is a kind of illusion that you can never get close to.
That is the identity of Yggdrasil seen in the distance.
Then, where is the real Yggdrasil?
By repeating verification and research over a long period of time, we were able to infer to some extent.
And now, I’m on my way to check it out.
“Has the treatment of the injured person been completed?”
“Ah, Leos.”
Just then, Leos came back and Cheyney stopped thinking.
“I think the healing will be quick because the magic potion that Chainy made is so effective.”
“I see. The carriage repairs have been completed here as well.”
A merchant who repeatedly bows his head and says thank you.
After receiving the merchant’s thank you and flatly rejecting the merchant’s offer to give her a reward, she set out on her way again.
“Are you two always like this?”
“Huh? This is what it is?”
“It means helping someone who is in trouble on the street.”
At Velia’s words, Leos shook his head.
“I am a mercenary. I act according to the pay. I just do everything according to the will of my employer, Cheney.”
“I see. As expected, Mr. Chaney. You have the great attitude of a warrior!!”
“…It’s all part of image management.”
Well, it’s not a lie.
In fact, there are heads of state who show their hatred towards warriors due to the fraudsters.
…Well, that’s why I took over the position of Magic Tower lord.
We have already reached the southern part of the continent.
Since we started from the White Magic Tower, it is almost like crossing the continent to the south.
“Hmm…”
Seeing Cheyney looking around her, Velia opened her mouth.
“Chaney, do you really think Yggdrasil is in a place like this?”
“If what I researched is true.”
Maybe because it was in the forest, there were definitely a lot of trees.
Other than that, I guess it’s because I don’t see any monsters at all.
No matter how far this forest is from the north where monsters live, it was a bit strange that there wasn’t a single monster in it.
“Umm…”
Leos felt something uneasy.
“Both of you, prepare for camping nearby and rest. I’ll go scouting.”
“Huh? Leos alone?”
“…I feel comfortable alone in the forest. Don’t worry.”
In fact, since Leos was a wolf-beast mixed race, it was easy for him to traverse the forest.
Knowing that, Chaney nodded his head.
“I’ll make something delicious, so come quickly.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Chaney was looking at Leos’ back as he advanced into the forest.
At that time, Cheyney felt her eyes on her and turned her head, and there were Velia’s eyes staring at her.
“What…What is it?”
“Hmm…Are you two like that?”
“Uh…Huh?! No!! What are you talking about?!”
“…I thought it looked like that…?”
As Cheyney began preparing her camp with a bright red face, Velia tilted her head but also walked over to help prepare the camp.
‘…I felt a presence.’
Meanwhile, Leos followed the signs he felt and headed into the forest.
I also felt the presence of not just one or two, but five…No, six.
Rubber
When a sound was heard from the surrounding bushes, Leos quickly turned his head and ran towards it.
…There was nothing.
Was it the wind? That was when Leos thought so.
…I could hear the sound of the wind.
Land!!
Leos quickly raised his right arm in sync with the flying momentum.
A heavy impact was delivered to the gauntlet on his right arm, and the sound of something being thrown away was heard.
“…Stone?”
Leos was momentarily dazed that the force of the attack he felt was like a slingshot.
At that time, he felt the presence he had felt earlier again.
…Perhaps he was embarrassed that his attack was blocked.
“Ha!”
Leos launched himself straight away.
He stretched out his arms towards the small, child-like figure and grabbed it by the scruff of its neck.
A stone sling that is about the size of a child and has some power.
Then maybe it’s a goblin? With that thought in mind, I tightened my grip on his hand.
“aaah!! I was wrong!! Please spare my life!!”
“…What?”
Leos let out a dumbfounded voice as he saw the young blonde elf girl writhing in his grasp.
“I thought I was going to die!”
The elf girl fussed, caressing all the reddened flesh from the strength of her own grip.
She was probably a girl in her early teens, with flowing blonde hair tied back and an active appearance with sparkling blue eyes.
“You were secretly watching us earlier, right? What is your purpose?”
“Woah… I was watching an intruder come into the forest where we live! They chased me, so I attacked first!!”
“…For that reason?”
“Going first is basic!!”
“I guess you weren’t alone?”
“Those guys ran away as soon as I was caught! It’s like they were buried!!”
…Somehow, it seemed like there were more colleagues.
“Are elves living in this forest?”
“…Before that, who are you? I don’t think he’s a poacher.”
Leos sat in front of the young elf girl.
He was trying to get her to be at eye level, but she was wearing a helmet so he couldn’t tell where her eyes were, so he wondered what she could do.
“I am Leos, a mercenary. I came to this forest because I was looking for something.”
“I’m Lilu!! Lilu Arma!! The best warrior of the Arma clan!!”
…..
…Didn’t you beg for your life earlier?
Trying to hide those thoughts, Leos faced the girl.