Chapter 172
Chapter 172
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: Guardians of the World Tree (7)
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Around a round table sat decrepit old elves. In what was essentially the highest council of elven society, the same scene played out as before.
In other words, a majority of the First-Order Guardians were competing to condemn "Blue Fang" Borduel.
"Are you in your right mind, Borduel? What on earth were you thinking, pulling a stunt like that?"
"Kill the basilisk in Pillar Valley? That's impossible!"
"And that guy didn't just look like the one the World Tree Keeper was searching for—he really seemed to be him. If word gets out later, how do you plan to handle the fallout...?"
Still, there was one clear difference from last time. Those with a keen eye for the situation had already sided with "Blue Fang." Borduel curled the corner of his mouth and offered an explanation for those who hadn't caught on yet.
"Isn't it actually for the best?"
"...What?"
"If he were a fake, we'd have to go through the hassle of dressing him up as the real one. This saves us that trouble—and the risk of him being exposed as a fake. Nothing's changed. We just find a place untouched by Melissa's influence to detain the barbarian. Then we use him as a hostage to reclaim our faith and the World Tree's dream."
"... ."
The room buzzed. One Guardian openly showed his disbelief.
"What are you even saying? We could have done that, but you went off on your own and blew the chance, didn't you? Why did you tell him to hunt the basilisk?"
"As you know, if Melissa awakens from the 'World Tree's Dream' and meets that barbarian, it's all over. We needed something to buy time beforehand."
"No one's asking because they don't know that. Why a basilisk of all things? What if he turns to stone instead of just stalling...?"
"Such towering worries. Do you really think the comrade of someone who even felled a dragon would fall to a mere basilisk?"
"... ."
"And if he does turn to stone... it might actually be more convenient. We could detain him without resistance. As for reversing the petrification, the great World Tree Keeper will figure it out herself... ."
The Guardians, finally grasping the full scheme, froze for a moment.
It was a simple yet cunning plot. He had never wanted the barbarian to actually bring back the basilisk. He wanted him turned into a convenient stone pillar for detention and management. Even if he avoided petrification, the chances of severe injury were high...
But some doubted whether the plan would succeed. "White Turtle" Tevio was one of them.
"Lord Borduel. In this old body's eyes, that one was no ordinary fool... but what if he really slays the forest tyrant and returns? You wouldn't break an oath sworn on our Mother World Tree's name, would you...?"
"That's good in its own way too. We'd rid ourselves of a long-standing headache without breaking a sweat. And don't worry—there are plenty of ways to block an audience without breaking the 'oath'... ."
"No, what I'm saying is... instead of provoking his temper with tricks like this, why not just persuade him properly to stop the World Tree Keeper's tyranny...?"
"Lord Tevio, did you just suggest negotiating with those short-eared scum?"
"... ."
"After suffering at their hands for so long... have you still not come to your senses?"
"Blue Fang's" eyes gleamed coldly. "White Turtle" clamped his wrinkled lips shut and lowered his gaze.
"In any case, the barbarian won't return for at least three days. We have much to do in the meantime. Most urgent is finding a place to detain him, devising a strategy to pressure Melissa, and searching for the culprit who broke the World Tree's branch once the investigation team returns..."
The mood had fully swung toward Borduel. They were all suppressing it out of necessity, but no one lacked grievances against the human World Tree Keeper. They couldn't let slip this rare—perhaps the only—chance to strike at her sole weakness.
In the end, aside from a minority moderates led by Tevio, most had become radicals aligned with Borduel. They outlined future plans and assigned tasks. With the barbarian sent outside the city to buy time, the radicals' scheme seemed to proceed smoothly.
Until one Guardian, who had briefly stepped out, came rushing back with this news.
"Mother World Tree preserve us! This is no time to sit around! He's already back!"
"...Hm?"
"...Who is?"
"Who else? The barbarian who went to Pillar Valley! They say he really killed the basilisk—it's not just rumors! Plenty of people saw him dragging the severed head through the market!"
"...!!"
All the Guardians gaped in unison.
The forest tyrant, which even hordes of Guardians had failed to subdue and was essentially abandoned? Slain single-handedly? In just half a day? It was an absurd tale not even fit for a joke. Despite their long ears that heard everything clearly, they couldn't believe it and stupidly asked for confirmation over and over.
But "Blue Fang" Borduel didn't waste time with foolish questions. He calmly composed himself and reached a judgment.
"...If that's true, we'll just have to buy more time somehow."
*
The elven city of Hesiliad doesn't simply surrender to darkness even at night.
When the sun sets beyond the World Tree's roots, glowworms drifting hazily and bioluminescent plants awaken from their daytime slumber. Streets once shrouded in shadow become a starry river on earth, crafting a nightscape even more brilliant and beautiful than the day.
Today, the city added one special light.
Wide-eyed stares blinking in astonishment.
Every elf's gaze fixed on the massive reptilian monster's head—and the giant dragging it along. Whispers like groans escaped the onlookers' lips, naming the beast.
"M-Mother World Tree... Th-that's a basilisk..."
"B-Basilisk... The tyrant of Pillar Valley..."
"Close your eyes, everyone! Meeting that monster's gaze turns you to stone!"
"Kyaaaaah!!"
Second-Order Guardian "Black Panther" Parneo felt the same urge to scream freely. But duty called, so he suppressed his emotions and focused on maintaining order.
"Everyone, stay calm! The basilisk is already dead! Both eyes are destroyed, so no need to worry about turning to stone!"
"Yes! That's right, fellow elves! No matter how you look at it, you won't turn to stone! But it's pretty gross, so please keep the faint-hearted and children from seeing it!"
"... ."
Duncan jumped in unbidden to reassure the elves. Thanks to them, the street's chaos gradually subsided. Amid the calmed crowd, awed exclamations began to rise.
"Heavens, even Mother World Tree would faint in shock... How did he take down that monstrosity? Did 'Black Panther' do it?"
"No way! Even Parneo's talents couldn't fell a beast the First-Order Guardians gave up on."
"It must be that human dragging it..."
"Isn't that the guy the patrols called 'Great Druid'? Something about shape-shifting with golden ironwood..."
"What? He looks like a total short-ear—how'd he shape-shift...?"
"... ."
The man at the center of it all, Kadim, paid no heed to the commotion. He had one sole focus: show this snake head, awaken Melissa, and meet her.
So when Parneo returned from reporting inside the World Tree and delivered this message, he scowled darkly.
"Gr-Great Druid, sir... They—the First-Order Guardians—said it's too late today, so rest well and come back tomorrow morning..."
"...They never promised to wait after I finished the job."
"W-Well, as compensation, they gave a generous bounty! With such clear proof, even they can't break their word..."
Parneo offered a pouch. It brimmed with blood-filled fruits, "sanguis." Kadim barely resisted the urge to crush them all.
Something felt off. The reason was understandable, but their absence—relaying messages without showing their faces—grated on him. From experience, types like this flipped their words on a dime if you let it slide...
But Kadim decided to endure once more.
He had bound them with an ironclad "oath" before.
If they tried another cheap trick, he'd just introduce them to his "dedicated interpreter."
"...I'll return at first light."
Parneo finally relaxed. Gauging the warrior's mood, he cautiously offered to show them the city's sights if he wasn't too tired.
Thus, Kadim's group left the basilisk head behind and headed to Parneo's favorite restaurant, the first stop.
Along the way, Parneo praised Kadim's feat effusively. It wasn't mere flattery. For the first time, his clear eyes shone with the pure awe of a boy his age.
"It was truly incredible, Great Druid! Destroying both those basilisk eyes so easily and severing its head in one stroke! Even Mother World Tree, overlooking all the forest, must have been awestruck!"
"... ."
It was warranted. Anyone witnessing a warrior overpower even a basilisk would react the same. Whether he was truly a "Great Druid" was now doubtful... but he was undoubtedly the strongest Kadim had ever seen—First-Order Guardians included!
'If I had that kind of power... I could've freed Lilia from confinement without issue...'
Meanwhile, Duncan intently examined the pouch of "sanguis."
Instinctual revulsion toward the ingredient clashed with its value as "money" he adored, breeding conflicted feelings. Was it really usable as currency? Wasn't it too inhumane? Locked in fierce internal debate... he settled on the most "merchant-like" judgment.
Ask its worth per fruit, and if pricey, respect the cultural difference.
"Excuse me, Guardian sir. How much is one of these worth? Like, how many loaves of bread could one buy...?"
"Ah, three—three sanguis—buys one 'rambas bread.'"
"Huh? Even though it's made from extracted blood, that's all it's worth?"
"Haha, no. 'Rambas bread' isn't ordinary bread. One loaf keeps you full all day—no cravings for other food. Our restaurant sells it; I'll treat you there."
Duncan's eyes widened.
So it had magic or a blessing? Hundreds as bounty, and three buys an elven magic bread? Stock up and sell outside... His mental abacus whirred.
But the peddler's modest dream quickly sank.
"Here, this is 'rambas bread'! If it's not enough, I'll fetch more—share this for now!"
"... ."
"... ."
Kadim swallowed a wry internal chuckle. Duncan stared at the bread in dismay.
"Gu-Guardian sir...? Isn't this just... a big ol' X-shaped bun?"
"Pardon? Oh, yes! Exactly! Didn't I say? One keeps you full all day, no other food cravings."
"Th-then where's the magic bread...?"
"Pardon? Why put magic on bread?"
The elf boy hefted a loaf thicker than Kadim's forearm, smiling innocently as if puzzled.
*
The next morning, at the entrance to the World Tree's interior.
A ramp carved from branches was blocked by crossed spears. Before it clustered elves of all ages, desperately pleading with the sentries.
"Soldier, please! Just let me in once!"
"Where's the justice in this? Blocking the path suddenly—where do we get sanguis now?!"
"I-I must offer blood to the World Tree by today! It's been over a month; it'll be bad if I don't..."
But the sentries firmly pushed back the citizens.
"Quiet, all of you! The 'Week of Repose' is guaranteed by sacred natural law! You wouldn't defy it and profane Mother World Tree, would you?"
"... ."
Watching from behind, Kadim thought his uneasy premonition from last night had hit the mark.
He couldn't pinpoint the Guardians' scheme. Parneo seemed baffled too. The truth emerged only after pushing through the crowd to ask the sentries directly.
"S-Sorry, but... for the next week, no one but Guardians may enter the World Tree."
"Yes, by natural law, outsiders are forbidden during the 'Week of Repose'... ."
"... ."
Unlike with citizens, the sentries fawned nervously before the barbarian, like guilty men. As he shot a dark look, they flinched, glancing pleadingly at the nearby Guardian.
"P-Parneo, sir? Could you explain to our guest?"
"Yes, as a Guardian, you know... We're not doing this arbitrarily; the 'Week of Repose' strictly bans outsiders by rule..."
Parneo replied coldly.
"...True enough. But the 'Week of Repose' usually comes once a year, right? The last one was recent; the next should be next year..."
"... ."
"...Tell me. Why was this week suddenly declared another 'Week of Repose'? Who ordered you to bar the Great Druid, and why?"
The panther's fangs-sharp question struck. Citizens clamored in agreement. With nowhere to turn, the sentries stammered excuses. The furrow in Kadim's brow deepened.
It was obvious. Those damned long-ears had cobbled together an excuse overnight. Did they think avoiding his face let them break promises? A pathetically shallow ploy.
Feeling some responsibility, Parneo tried intimidating the sentries with his rank. But Kadim chose a swifter, simpler solution.
"Step aside, you lot."
"...Pardon?"
"N-No, during the 'Week of Repose,' only Guardians..."
"Don't want to end up like that? Move. Now."
The sentries' gazes slowly followed the barbarian's finger.
To the basilisk head, pooling sticky blood.
"Gasp...!"
"Eep...!"
Pale-faced, they scrambled aside. Kadim's group swiftly climbed the branch one by one. The sentries spent ages fending off pursuing citizens, spears flailing.
Gripping his ashen hatchet haft tight, Kadim entered the World Tree's interior, resolved.
They'd broken their oath. Time to meet the long-ears and have a "talk."