Chapter 52. Soul Tree (1)
The guards protecting the walls of Lorian, as always, gazed toward the distant forest.
It was a lush landscape filled with green, yet recently, there was a strange and unsettling air about it.
"Doesn't the forest feel darker these days? I heard adventurers went missing, something must be going on."
"Well, what could be the problem? Bardel went there, it'll be taken care of quickly. They'll probably find the missing people too."
"Right, I just hope it all passes without incident."
That was the nature of being a guard.
It was a job with a monthly salary, and as long as nothing major happened, the longer their career, the higher their income. Not to mention the retirement pay. There weren't many jobs as stable as this.
So they desired peaceful days more than anyone else.
While they were passing time in conversation, something moved in the forest under the evening sun.
"Huh? Isn't that, a person?"
"A person? Where?"
Several people were seen hurrying out of the forest.
Squinting their eyes to look closely, the equipment they wore and their appearance were unmistakably adventurers.
"Wait, aren't those the adventurers who went out this morning?"
Yes, it was clearly the search party led by the warrior Bardel.
But no matter how they looked, Bardel was nowhere in sight. The adventurers' condition, too, was a complete mess compared to when they had left.
Just as doubt and foreboding came at once, an adventurer who had reached the gate shouted.
"Emergency! Open the gate immediately!"
"They said it's an emergency?"
"They look serious.... I'll go get the captain."
A moment later, with the sound of chains dragging, the city gate began to open.
The adventurers rushed into Lorian, splitting up, some heading for the Adventurer's Guild, others for the city hall.
And then.
Daaang—! Daaang—! Daaang—!
The bell, which had not rung for over twenty years, resounded throughout Lorian.
***
The mayor of Lorian, the guild master, and the guard captain.
Knights and adventurers of Gold-rank and above, the backbone of the city's defense, were gathered in a hastily prepared chamber to hear the report.
The mayor massaged his temples, biting the inside of his cheek.
"Weren't Treants supposed to only inhabit the Forest of Demons? They've never crossed the boundary before, why is this happening now?"
Treants, tree-shaped abnormal species, usually appeared in deep, dark woods untouched by human steps. The Forest of Demons was such a place.
But those creatures hated the light, rarely emerging outside...
At that moment, the adventurer giving the report continued.
"M-most of us didn't see it clearly, but Bardel definitely said it was a Soul Tree..."
"A, a Soul Tree?!"
The guild master was horrified.
Several adventurer's faces hardened as well. The knights and mayor, who didn't know what it was, tilted their heads at the unfamiliar name.
"Soul Tree? What in the world is that?"
"Ah, yes, mayor. The Soul Tree is—"
The Soul Tree, a tree that grows by consuming life.
By its very nature, it was easily discovered by adventurers.
Because of this, while it had not been discovered often, it was usually found relatively early in its growth. In fact, it had been subjugated by adventurers several times in the past.
But that did not mean it was something to be taken lightly. Its strength varied so greatly from one to another that the gap was like heaven and earth.
So much so that the Adventurer's Guild recorded its threat level as nearly equal to a special-class entity.
At the words "special-class entity," the mayor's face turned pale.
"Then, you're saying there's a s-special-class entity in that forest right now?"
"Strictly speaking, it is not a special-class entity... but if the unexplained disappearances that led to the designation of the Forest of Demons, and the Soul Tree that appeared this time are related, then the city could be destroyed."
Not simply reduced to ruins.
The people of the city would all become nourishment for the Soul Tree, and their corpses would hang from its branches, creating more victims. Like a plague.
No one knew how much the Soul Tree had already grown, but if it had been around for a considerable time, this was an emergency.
If they could not stop it here and it devoured other cities, the duchy would suffer irreparable damage.
"Hurry, send word to other cities... no, to the capital itself!"
"I'll have a trusted knight deliver the message. And to prevent further casualties, we must seal the city, gather not only adventurers but mercenaries, anyone who can lend strength. After that, send for reinforcements and observe the situation—"
"W-wait, guild master! Then what about Bardel?!"
To that question from an adventurer, another adventurer replied.
"There's no choice. If we split our forces now, we could all die. You know just how dangerous that forest is. He's a warrior, if he's lucky, he might make it out alive on his own."
"What? So you're just saying we sit on our asses? Bardel risked his life to get us back here safely!"
"Don't you know adventurers are responsible for their own lives? It's the path the warrior chose, so don't take it out on me."
"You son of a—"
"I will go."
One adventurer, who had silently listened until now, stepped forward.
From beneath a black cloak was full-body armor of red and black, her entire head concealed by a crimson-black helm.
Her physique and the golden hair flowing out revealed she was a woman, and the crimson sword at her waist made clear who she was.
Currently the closest to Mithril-rank, a Platinum-rank adventurer.
The Blood Sword, Leira.
Among those gathered here, she was the strongest.
"I will both rescue Bardel and subjugate the Soul Tree."
"L-Leira? Even for you, that seems reckless. If something were to happen..."
"That will not happen, guild master."
"At least wait until daybreak—"
"Guild master."
Her firm tone silenced those around her.
If she herself insisted on going to save a fellow adventurer, who could stop her? It wasn't even possible by reasoning, and even if all present tried to block her, none could actually prevent her.
Not even the guild master or the knights.
The guild master exchanged a glance with the mayor, then reluctantly nodded.
"Still, I cannot let you go alone. We'll gather volunteers. We'll assign you companions capable enough not to hinder you, so do not refuse."
"That... I understand."
There was no time to drag this out further.
Though an unwilling look flickered across Leira's face, the emergency meeting concluded there.
***
Night had fallen, yet no one slept easily.
Guards and adventurers bustled about, more soldiers than usual stood watch beyond the city walls, and the citizens trembled in unease at the abnormal situation.
People gathered in the plaza whispered their suspicions.
"What is this commotion? And what was that bell earlier?"
"I heard, it only rings when the city is in danger."
"What? Then has a war broken out? All of a sudden?"
"I told you! I've always said that treacherous Estiria Kingdom would one day covet the duchy again!"
At the mention of war, the unrest grew louder.
Of course, merchants and others who frequently traveled and knew the rumors did not believe it at all, but for those who lived only in Lorian, it was enough to sow confusion.
At that moment, a knight stepped up onto the platform.
"Now, everyone calm yourselves! And you there! This isn't war, so stop spreading groundless rumors!"
The knight, who had barely managed to quell the uproar in the plaza, cleared his throat and read aloud the proclamation from above.
A dangerous monster had appeared in the forest, adventurers had gone out to subjugate it, and in preparation for danger, a defensive line was being established.
He gave only a simple summary of the current situation.
Details such as the Soul Tree, or the mention of a special-class entity, were deliberately omitted.
In the current situation, they had no room to calm the citizen's panic as well. If even a few people managed to incite them, a riot could break out, and that had to be prevented at all costs.
'Fortunately, it doesn't seem to have reached that point.'
Hearing that adventurers had gone to subjugate it, the crowd seemed relieved.
In truth, it was closer to a rescue party for Bardel than a subjugation force, but there was no need to mention that.
The knight folded the proclamation, posted a paper titled "Application Form" on the board, then announced one last detail.
"But we must still prepare for the worst. So not only adventurers or mercenaries, but anyone who can handle a weapon even a little, please come to us. Payment is written below."
When the knight left, people gathered before the board.
Just for applying, one could earn money, so strong men came forward, even an older mage who ran a shop in the streets.
At that moment, a gray-clad mage appeared.
His mysterious appearance drew the people's attention toward him.
With a staff slung on his back, Verden approached the knight.
"Is it possible to apply for the subjugation party?"
"The subjugation party...? That is usually the domain of adventurers, I don't know if—"
Whoosh!
In Verden's palm, a sphere of flame bloomed.
The knight's eyes widened at the searing heat felt upon his skin.
'A Fireball... that's definitely third-tier... does that mean this man is a mage on par with Gold-rank adventurers?'
Yet, he looked no older than someone barely young enough to be his son.
Dispersing the mana, Verden asked the knight again.
"I can at least protect myself, so, is it not possible?"
"...Please, wait a moment."
The knight went toward the adventurers, who were just about to set out.
He spoke with one wearing a black cloak and a helm, but from the look on their face, the answer didn't seem favorable.
'Well, it doesn't matter anyway.'
Whether permitted or not, Verden intended to head for the forest.
That dangerous monster was undoubtedly the trial the Listener had spoken of. He had only volunteered to accompany them to avoid unnecessary conflict with adventurers in the forest.
Though it seemed the incident had come earlier than the one month the Listener had mentioned, there was nothing else amiss, so he had no choice but to go.
After a moment, an adventurer wearing a Platinum plate around her neck approached.
From her build and hair, she seemed to be a woman...
'Is she the one the Listener spoke of?'
Harboring that doubt in one corner of his mind, Verden faced her.
Then, a cold, sharp voice brushed past his ears.
"You said you wanted to join the subjugation party?"
"That's correct."
"Understood. But guard your own life. If you fall behind, I have no thought or capacity to look after you. And if you become a hindrance, I will forcibly exclude you."
She spoke those words one-sidedly, then turned sharply on her heel and returned to her place.
Left standing alone, Verden flexed his hand lightly as he watched her back.
'A hindrance, huh.'
It would soon become clear whether he was a hindrance or not.
The adventurers cast glances at Verden, who stood at the rear, then all at once passed through the city gates.
With enhancement magic strengthening his body, Verden adjusted his pace, trailing behind, flying in the sky alongside other mage adventurers.
***
They soon arrived at the forest.
Unlike usual, an ominous aura overflowed. Following Leira's lead, they stepped deeper inside, and soon, in the distant darkness, trees were seen writhing.
Even at a glance, there were quite a number of Treants.
"Huh... this looks like more than we'd heard?"
"For now, let's suppress them with magic..."
"I will clear the path."
Leira drew her sword.
So sharp was the blade that the grass it brushed split cleanly. Then came the sharp intent pressing around her, almost murderous. Pulling her sword close, she shifted her weight onto her forward foot.
In the quiet tension, the adventurers swallowed nervously.
Just then, Verden stepped forward, passing by the adventurers.
Leira halted, her movement checked by the obstruction of his path.
"...Did I not say I would exclude any hindrance?"
"No matter how I think of it, this way will be faster."
"What do you mean—"
In that instant, as Verden activated his mana circuits, blue magic power surged from him.
An immense amount of mana, visible to the eye. Expanding his mana detection, he confirmed no living humans were within range, then stretched his hand forward.
Double Casting.
Kwooooom!
Two crimson beams pierced through the forest.
The ground swept in their wake blazed red-hot, treants and trees alike reduced indiscriminately to ash. When the spell ended, all that remained was scorched earth and smoldering cinders.
The path was now open.
Turning to the adventurers still in shock, Verden asked.
"Are you not going?"
Even if they fell behind, he had no intention of caring.