Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Soundless War (1)
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Enamel Continent, Elven Kingdom's capital, Drasha.
Here, there was someone who had become one with great nature itself.
'Ah—nice breeze, nice sunlight, nice shade. This is what healing is all about.'
Lying spread-eagled under the shade of a massive tree, staring blankly into space.
At a glance, he looked like nothing more than a lazy bum, but even that was part of his training—breathing in unison with nature, becoming one with it.
'Too lazy to move. You really need these moments sometimes. Leisure time isn't just for show.'
...There was a bit of self-indulgence mixed in, but since this process further enhanced his affinity with nature, calling it training wasn't wrong at all.
And so, the elf Harris—fully embodying water and nature as one in perfect stillness—rolled around on the ground, clutching a long, tree-made object tightly to his chest.
"Haaah... Feels so good..."
Just holding it close brought a warm, cozy sensation that made his body go limp and relaxed.
He already had a tendency to immerse himself excessively in nature, but with this item, it reached an uncontrollable level.
'It's made from a branch bestowed by the World Tree itself.'
The branch he'd asked Rapori to process via rapport had finally returned to him as a sleek, elegant bow.
With the bowstring loosened, it resembled a mere curved branch, but simply possessing it amplified the owner's various abilities.
And of course, affinity with nature was included among them.
'So peaceful. Maybe because it's far from the Ion Continent where the Abyss has opened—the Enamel Continent feels just like usual.'
Plus, thanks to the World Tree's influence, the madness's effects weren't that severe here either.
Not entirely absent, but manageable with regular forces.
It was truly a blessed land.
'Hm?'
At that moment, his senses—idly drifting for a while—picked up someone approaching.
His perception, heightened to the extreme from oneness with nature, immediately identified the intruder. Harris slyly opened his eyes and glanced over.
Sure enough, the person heading straight toward him—clearly with business for him—was someone he knew very well.
"Yaaawn—Decibel."
Woooong—
At Harris's call, the mid-level sound spirit 'Decibel,' who had spread a soundproof barrier for a comfortable rest, dispelled it.
With that, sound gradually layered onto the silent world...
♪
And lively music faintly echoed from afar.
The upbeat tunes recently sweeping through Drasha like a trend.
Harris could feel the ripple effects of the new culture he'd actively introduced.
He sat up slowly, listening to the music.
After lounging to his heart's content, his craving for sloth was satisfied, leaving him utterly refreshed.
As he stretched languidly, the visitor finally arrived with brisk steps and spoke.
"...I-It's been a while? You seem to always be here. Guess you like this spot?"
The elf woman with blue hair and blue eyes—Shaphiron Silbesti—offered a hesitant greeting that contrasted her confident demeanor.
'A while? Didn't we run into each other just this morning?'
Since their festival performance, he'd maintained a surprisingly smooth relationship with her.
They exchanged greetings whenever they met, something like that.
Her attitude toward him had shifted to one of treating a rival, likely due to some change in her mindset.
'Not just that—she even secretly followed me around for a while, observing.'
She was so enthusiastic, eyes sparkling like a model student as she jotted notes.
She thought she hadn't been caught, but escaping his extremely heightened nature senses was impossible.
'She'd quieted down lately, though. Must have some new business.'
Judging by how she peeked at him without continuing after her opener...
She seemed here to deliver bad news.
"Hello, Miss Shaphiron. This spot just puts my mind at ease. Makes communing with nature easier too."
"Y-Yeah. Communion... is important..."
Shaphiron awkwardly smiled in agreement, now fidgeting with her interlocked fingers.
"So, do you need something?"
"Ah!"
As he prompted her, she paused briefly before cautiously broaching the main topic.
"W-We got selected for the continental summit delegation, right? So... I want to prepare a bit..."
The continental summit was set at the Main God's Church's holy site on the Ion Continent, the Roselia Grand Temple.
Given the gravity of the matter, nations from the Enamel Continent were participating, and both Harris and Shaphiron were included in the delegation's entourage.
"Prepare?"
"Uh... I mean, it's a different continent, so everything's bound to be different, right? And we're representing the Elven Kingdom—if we make even a tiny mistake, it could blow up into an international incident! So..."
Harris, originally from the Ion Continent, had recently received a bow from the World Tree's branch, evolving all his spirits to mid-level.
Shaphiron could summon mid-level spirits too, and though Drasha Academy's top prospect, she was a greenhouse flower with zero outside experience.
Both were more than qualified as attendants, selected to gain experience.
"You're from the Ion Continent... so I was hoping for a little help? Of course! I'm not asking for free! I've prepared proper compensation!"
Her embarrassed expression avoided his eyes as she rambled.
Even if improved lately, her past behavior made asking for help now quite humiliating.
Still, he understood her feelings.
Leaving the Elven Kingdom—her lifelong home—for the outside world for the first time.
To an entirely different continent, no less...
'She's nervous and wants to appear perfect.'
Especially since the delegation leader was her father, Rapori Granwood.
'Said that last mission was his final external duty. But here we are again.'
With the current situation, easy retirement was impossible.
New High Elf Cecily was still in training, others busy with duties.
Crucially, Rapori had the most Ion Continent experience—unavoidable.
The issue at hand was too dire.
Of course, his circumstances weren't the point now.
"We're companions, so I'd gladly help with that! ...So, what's the compensation?"
Helping was helping; claiming what he could was another matter.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Mm—excellent! This is superb!"
The spacious workshop brimmed with top-tier equipment.
Manual setups without automation, but outfitted with the priciest gear, it had an entirely different vibe.
The dwarf Howard, recently sent to this world, inspected meticulously, nodding in satisfaction.
Hubert had prepared the workshop, but personally settling in brought a different feel...
After tweaking for days, it was finally perfect.
'Racial traits or 「Craftsman's Spirit」? Who knows.'
Either way, no more adjustments needed—relief.
"Glad you're satisfied, Howard."
"Yeah, prime workspace! Worth partnering up!"
Hubert and Howard shook hands warmly.
A performative gesture, very aware of onlookers.
Not just Hubert's usual three guards, but merchant company staff too.
'Better pin Howard as company-affiliated for convenience.'
Can't have Hubert fetching materials every time.
Delegating minor tasks to subordinates was efficient.
'Planning to visit Zaonik later too. Can't hide the dwarf forever. Better protect openly via the company.'
Hubert's company was established in Tarak; partner Halley's status had skyrocketed.
Plus Main God's Church ties—few would dare touch them.
'Perfect. Now, embody Earth's knowledge.'
Synergy of race and 「Craftsman's Spirit」 had loaded all theory into Howard's mind; practice would refine it.
"Get Howard whatever he needs. Don't worry about cost. Treat him like me or Halley."
"Yes, sir!"
The workshop managers and guards bowed.
Handpicked elites, capable of handling most things.
"I'll head out then. Best wishes, Howard."
"Leave it to me. Time to work!"
After farewells, Hubert left for Tarak's streets.
Workshop settled, more free time—but merchants had no days off.
Handling avatars' supplies and chores atop growing the company demanded constant hustle.
'Still, allying with Brocoslak Clan eased things.'
No better at defense or intel than vampires.
They more than earned their keep accelerating growth.
As Hubert strode busily with guards...
His instincts prickled with unease.
'What?'
He halted, scanning around.
Merchants with piled goods, armed mercenaries, bustling crowds...
Business as usual.
Nothing odd visible.
But something felt off.
Unseen, yet palpable—indefinable.
"Master...?"
Guards eyed him curiously as he frowned stock-still.
Accelerating thoughts amplified the creeping malaise...
Then instinct pierced the veil.
'Four?'
Perfectly blended among his three guards was an intruder.
Pale skin, red eyes, red hair—striking features.
Unchallenged, standing beside him, staring intently.
Even skilled guards hadn't noticed, focused worriedly on him alone.
"Sharp senses."
Instinct revealed the intruder's nature.
'Vampire?'
Likely Heinz 2nd's influence.
Detection too.
...Too late now.
"Ah...? Cough...!"
Blood gushed from Hubert's nose and mouth like a waterfall.
Despite sensing the change, pinpointing the cause came late.
An imperceptible attack had utterly destroyed his internals, heart included.
"Master!"
"What the—?!"
As he collapsed limply, guards caught him in panic.
In his blurring vision, the mysterious vampire had vanished tracelessly.
'...Why would a vampire target me...?'
Accelerated mind made seconds feel eternal, but it was instants.
His robust vitality bought mere moments; even Heinrich's holy power couldn't save him.
No chance to react... as life's thread snapped.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have received damage leading to instant death from a single strike. 「Instant Death Immunity」 activates, reducing damage to a critical wound. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 「Instant Death Immunity」 is sealed for the next 24 hours. Hubert miraculously survived.