Chapter 66
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Quasi-War (1)
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[ “Did I win?” ]
I watched the scene on the screen.
The shattered arena and the triumphant declaration of victory.
Even I felt a bit dumbfounded by how effortlessly the match had been decided.
I was thrilled.
It wasn't just about overcoming mental anguish; the fact that she'd achieved physical 'strength' as well filled me with pride.
And I was puzzled, too.
“...This much?”
I'd thought it was strange for a while now.
Roel's growth rate was simply too fast.
Every incident she went through made her exponentially stronger, to an absurd degree.
Of course, Roel was the protagonist.
As someone destined to become the Hero of the future, rapid growth wasn't all that unusual.
However...
It felt off.
It didn't seem like the kind of strength built through steady effort.
That wasn't a bad thing.
It just felt like there was something about Roel that I didn't know.
“Should've asked the author.”
The current Yoo Joo-hye would answer any question sincerely.
The problem was that I felt uneasy leaving my spot right now.
What if something happened while I was gone?
“...The list of things to worry about keeps growing.”
「Something just occurred to me...」
「The chances are low, but it's best to stay cautious just in case.」
That 'thing' Yoo Joo-hye mentioned, and now more concerns piling up.
“Tch.”
Well, it wasn't all headaches.
[Current shared skill list with the target.]
[Cleave, Mimicry, Insight]
Among my skills, Insight had been particularly useful.
I'd successfully shared it with Roel.
Of course, she couldn't see the System itself; it probably activated as an intuitive 'feeling' for her.
“Getting stronger is good news for now, and we'll uncover the Elder's goal soon... Hey, things are going better than expected, aren't they?”
Maybe I was overthinking it.
Things were progressing smoothly, weren't they?
If I meddled out of unnecessary anxiety, I might just ruin everything.
Let's just watch.
[ “...I acknowledge it. I never imagined you'd be this strong.” ]
Other elves retrieved the fallen Detum.
The Elder's expression was grim.
[ “We must uphold the oath. Follow me first.” ]
[ “Say it here. In front of everyone.” ]
[ “Roel Griffith, that's not possible.” ]
The oath's content was 'reveal anything'.
There was no obligation to do so in public, so the Elder's refusal was reasonable.
Besides, I agreed with him.
If the 'truth' he spoke of endangered the Academy, it could spark a riot right there.
[ “Tch, fine.” ]
Roel seemed to realize that too and readily agreed.
[ “But let me bring one more person.” ]
[ “That's not allowed either.” ]
[ “Why is everything not allowed?” ]
[ “If it's that important, you can relay it yourself.” ]
[ “What's the difference from hearing it together?” ]
This time, neither backed down.
[ “How dare a human defy the Elder...!” ]
[ “B-But she beat Detum.” ]
[ “So what? She's still human!” ]
[ “Right, we can't let some human insult the Elder!” ]
The elves' atmosphere turned hostile in an instant.
[ “What are those pointy-eared bastards saying?” ]
[ “Guess they can't stand losing to lowly humans~ How pathetic.” ]
[ “There's a limit to treating people like trash...” ]
The Academy side was much the same.
In the end, Roel was the first to yield.
Regardless of the elves' attitudes, fighting right now would only lead to losses.
[ “Duels here don't change anything.” ]
[ “Built-up emotions are inevitable.” ]
The Elder turned and walked away.
Toward the 'residence' where he'd spoken with Roel earlier.
[ “I'll be back.” ]
[ “Be careful.” ]
Sera saw Roel off as she left.
“You got this.”
I offered my silent cheer, knowing it wouldn't reach her.
“We're back here again. Don't you have a proper place to talk?”
“You're openly mocking me now.”
“I was just asking...”
“Sit here.”
The Elder pointed to the bare ground.
As I wondered where to sit, vines sprouted from the earth, forming a chair.
“You won't tie me up with this, right?”
“How cautious. I won't.”
Only then did Roel sit.
“Detum... She was always a hard worker. Elves typically learn spirit arts or archery, but she said she wanted to 'fill her weaknesses.' She became a warrior in the end.”
A leaf curled in the Elder's hand.
Once it formed a suitable cup, a few drops of dew fell atop it.
“Drink. The dew of the Great Forest is incredibly sweet.”
“...You didn't tamper with it?”
“Haha, alright. I swear I won't harm you in any way from now on. That good enough?”
Bound by the prior oath, the Elder couldn't lie to Roel.
So his promise of no harm was genuine.
Roel accepted the dew but didn't drink, cutting to the chase.
“Enough chit-chat. You promised to tell me something.”
“Ah, right.”
“I'll ask again. What's your real goal?”
The Elder fell silent.
Forced to speak by the oath, this was 'contemplation,' not refusal.
After about four seconds of thought, he spoke.
“The Demon King's army is targeting the World Tree right now.”
The Elder had chosen 'explanation.'
Not a simple conclusion, but a somewhat verbose account.
“It's only natural. The World Tree's branches are a key material for the holy sword. I want to stop them. I need time to weave a stronger barrier.”
“What does that have to do with us...”
Roel realized it then.
The Elder's goal, and the source of the ominous feeling since entering the Great Forest.
“I'm handing you over to the Demon King's army. In exchange, I got a week's reprieve.”
“You're insane.”
“No, this is normal. I can't sacrifice my kin for humans.”
Roel stood up.
There was no reason to continue the conversation.
She needed to inform everyone immediately and leave the Great Forest.
“Do you know this, Roel Griffith?”
She'd been mistaken.
Assuming one oath would reveal everything.
Trusting his promise not to harm her and letting her guard down.
She shouldn't have.
She should have insisted on others being present, by force if needed.
“I was just buying time.”
Mana fluctuations rippled from afar.
Different from magic. This must be spirit arts.
“Thanks to you, I had to advance the plan. Well, this puts my mind at ease.”
The presences of the humans—her comrades—began vanishing one by one.
They weren't dead. The sudden disappearance felt more like teleportation than annihilation.
Roel guessed the cadets had been sent to the Demon King's army.
“You crazy bastard...!!”
She drew her sword.
She had to rescue the cadets as soon as possible.
Even if it meant using force, she wouldn't hesitate.
“...Huh?”
And then.
Vines wrapped around Roel's entire body.
“Oh dear, you were about to attack me.”
This was the Great Forest.
The domain of nature, life, and spirits.
Roel, having committed ongoing violence here, had already offended the spirits.
It wasn't the Elder's doing. This was the spirits' will.
The vines pulled tight.
And not just that.
The wind, trees, and earth moved as well.
Everything was neutralizing Roel.
“N-No!!”
She resisted with a scream.
But she was ultimately dragged underground.
No matter how strong Roel was, she couldn't defy 'nature' itself.
“Roel, you might truly become a Hero. But... I can't bet everything on that uncertainty. Please understand.”
Everything went dark.
Endlessly, relentlessly.
How far was she being pulled?
The earth seemed to harden around her, but eventually even that sensation faded.
As if the soil parted willingly, Roel sank smoothly.
─You look exhausted.
‘...Can't you be quiet for once?’
─No can do. I'm bored.
‘You're so annoying.’
─Want help?
‘Cut the crap. What could you even do in my body?’
─Get you out of here.
‘I said no. I'll handle it myself.’
─But if you don't, all your friends will die to the Demon King's army?
‘...’
It was time to choose.
Abandon her friends, or hand her body to the Demon.
“Ah, you're here?”
Or find another way!
“Close by, right? Yeah, yeah. Then pull me out. I can't die!”
A half-elf's bright voice rang out from beyond the soil.
.
.
.
The sky was clear.
Blue and vast.
In contrast, the expansive ground beneath...
Was utterly barren.
A land where all life had perished was truly pathetic to behold.
“Your doing?”
Sera drew her sword.
Not just Sera.
All who had trained to become Heroes drew their weapons.
Roughly fifty cadets simultaneously unleashed their auras.
Clank.
An armored giant loomed ahead.
Its overwhelming presence pierced the cadets' bodies.
And the sight of at least two hundred demons lined up behind it...
Pure despair.
“Everyone, listen up.”
Then, a professor stepped forward.
It was Cigarette.
“This space is currently sealed by a barrier. Professor Mikhail is working on breaking it, so survive by any means until then.”
The entire Academy had been suddenly transported.
As expected, they'd been tricked from the start.
Cigarette was furious.
To use such a despicable tactic when they should be uniting against a common foe—she wouldn't let it slide.
“A strong human!”
Hoggs advanced with his greatsword raised.
In response, Cigarette drew her sword.
“I'll handle that wench.”
“I'll take him.”
The war began.