The Paladin Owns the Relic

168 – Ancient Forest (28)

The tree spirits moved. Broken tree bark pushed the ground.

The knight of the forest heard their screams. A moan to endure. The pain of not wanting to let it out.

Just because you don’t die doesn’t mean you don’t feel pain.

Just because they are resurrected does not mean that all of them are eternal.

The people of the ancient forest were groaning.

But there was nothing the knight could do.

“…….”

Under silence, the forest knight entered the center of the ancient forest.

The wind blew. The garden of the ancient forest with the fragrance of flowers always maintained the same appearance.

Flowers in full bloom. There is only one big tree on the ground colored with various colors.

A piece of the Holy World Tree that has maintained its wide roots and pillars for thousands of years.

A woman who had always been clinging to a stone ruler called the World Tree since she was born was sitting under it.

Queen of the Forest.

The highest spirit of the dryads.

…The Queen of the Forest.

“……”

She opened her eyes. She quietly raised her head.

I put the name in my mouth.

“…Duran?”

That name does not belong to you. But even so, the knight of the forest nodded.

Combed with Duran, you should stand by her with Duran.

He did not despair at the fact that he was borrowing someone else’s name. He was not sad, nor was he despairing.

Just an article.

Befitting a man who serves his lord, he silently stood by his side.

“Your Majesty.”

The forest knight, Duran, fell to her knees.

“Come here.”

There are flowers at the end of her long hair. Some were withered, and some gave off a foul odour.

It is an unreasonable price. She was dying as a reward for trying to expand the territory of the forest.

Duran slowly moved in front of her. She lowered her large body and knelt in front of her.

“Are you hurt?”

“I am not hurt.”

“Do you have any pain anywhere?”

“No.”

A thin sigh escapes her mouth.

“I’m glad.”

Raises her hand. There was no blood in her pale hands. The forest knight was silent.

Her hand brushed her hair and took off her helmet, but it stayed still.

“…Wasn’t it difficult?”

“It was not difficult.”

“Wasn’t it painful?”

“It wasn’t painful.”

“My children…What about the children I have to take care of?”

Note the moans.

Note the screams.

The knight quietly swallowed the burning words.

“They are strong. Everyone is ready to give their lives for Your Majesty.”

“…Is…Is it…?”

“It is a necessary sacrifice.”

The queen laughed bitterly.

“What is a necessary sacrifice? Are there deaths for a reason?”

“They don’t die anyway.”

“…Duran. You know. That they die too.”

“I will not die right away.”

“A long lifespan is cut off with each death. People who thought they would live forever become people who don’t know when they will die by experiencing death.”

“It’s something I was determined to do.”

“Duran.”

The forest queen closed her eyes.

“… I… Must have made the wrong choice, right? It’s not right as a leader… I know.”

“We exist for you.”

“…You always say the same thing.”

The queen withdrew her hand.

“As expected…it’s different from him.”

“……”

“Well, I can’t expect anything from you. You are just a counterfeit anyway.”

That’s something I don’t want to hear.

But the knight chose silence.

Articles should be like that.

If he doesn’t even listen to her complaints, she won’t be able to confide her feelings to anyone.

“From now on. Duran.”

The queen stood up. Her hair swayed in the wind.

“Time to meet my true ‘guy’.”

The knight of the forest stood up slowly following her.

What is destiny? What is mission

The question is put in. She just followed

It is natural for a knight to follow his lord.

. . .

Before I left, I met Christopher, the branch manager of the Yellow Mage Tower.

There was no particular reason why we met. I was just curious about the progress of the spirit research.

I wonder if the big city Garnet has the power to protect itself even without me.

“Brother. What a great help! The sample was very good. The state of preservation is excellent, and it is full of necessary information.”

“How is the progress of the research situation?”

“Even in Garnet, all the so-called wizards are clinging to it. Thanks to you, I figured out a few things.”

The laboratory was a mess. Wood splinters were scattered everywhere, and several tree spirit corpses were on fire that could not be quenched.

“Your magic resistance is very high. Perhaps because it is a spirit, it has considerable resistance to shock. Moreover, it seems that the spirit that escaped the body immediately returns to the Ancient Forest.”

“Can’t you hold on?”

“No. The spirits who returned to the Ancient Forest will make new bodies even if it takes a little time. I’m sure there will be a price to pay… But I don’t think it’s going to make much of an impact.”

“…Then there is no way.”

Even in the game, the ancient forest was a place where you shouldn’t touch it. If possible, it would be more convenient to leave it as a neutral area rather than hostile forces.

Since such an ancient forest was even expanding its territory, it was funny to find a way out overnight.

As expected, Garnet doesn’t have the power to protect itself. Should I just be swept away?

Christopher stopped. He glanced back at me

“Brother. Are you okay?”

“Yes? Ah yes.”

“You seem to be in a lot of trouble. I heard the news that you were leaving. Didn’t you say you were going to the fairy forest today?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

Christopher grabbed me by the shoulder.

“Brother. I don’t know much about my brother.”

“…..”

“But as an elder, I can give you some advice. When you think too much, your body slows down. Sometimes it’s not bad to think after you move.”

“Suddenly?”

“We will take care of Garnet. It is our city, and it is the place we must protect. It’s a place where you can live well alone, without the help of a saint who passed by in the first place.”

Christopher grinned.

“I don’t know what to worry about, but there’s no need to include Garnet in that complex place. It is the Empire’s job to protect its citizens, and the church just needs to do what it has to do.”

“……”

“Go. Brother. Go to the forest of fairies and, if possible, rescue the elves as well. Of course, this is my personal request.”

“…Isn’t it too revealing?”

“The purer the desire, the clearer the intention. I like elves I have no intention of hiding it. Why is there a need to hide that you like something? The more confidently you express what you want, the better.”

Christopher fahahahaha laughed.

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“The magic flame that can kill vines is steadily seeing results through trial and error. You go do your thing Zahard.”

“…Why do you show such a crush on someone you haven’t seen for a while? Just because you healed an elf?”

“I like innocence. The reason I like elves is because of their innocence and innocence. Studying what they have, you get lost in them. And that’s like liking good people.”

Christopher patted me on the back.

“I tend to take pride in having eyes that people see. Brother. You never look like a bad person in my eyes.”

“…Because I am selfish?”

“With words, anyone can express themselves as selfish. However, a selfish person does not even say such a thing out of his mouth. Follow the flame in your chest. Everyone has something to dream about. Brother. And whether you grab it or not grab it…”

I was pushed out of the lab.

“It’s up to my younger brother.”

I looked back. At the end of a muffled sound, the door to the lab was completely closed.

I had no choice but to move my feet. I knew Christopher was trying to say something, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.

It just scatters into the air as if it made a sound like catching a floating cloud.

“…….”

Everyone gathered. After confirming that Alpina, who was breathing heavily, was in the carriage, I moved.

Ancient Forest.

Together with the dying Arpina, she went on her way to complete the mission of the delegation, which was her original purpose.

. . .

“He left.”

“Chit.”

Adriel, the black tower lord, and Bunny, the thief queen of Calvid, exchanged glances.

“What do you plan to do? Will you see the end?”

“The end is a horn. Can’t you see the situation is turning? Inspirational?”

“The gate is damaged beyond repair. And since she’s been raided, there’s no guarantee she won’t come again.”

“This is not the time to be fighting among ourselves. Damn it, this place is…A mess. It’s also very messy.”

“Are you going to follow me?”

“Dogs. You can’t deliberately kill yourself.”

Bernie sighed. I glanced up at the sky.

“…Inspiration. What do you think about it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Can this city called Garnet survive?”

“If aid came from the empire, the story would be different.”

“Do you think that is possible?”

“No. It would be impossible Even if support comes from the Empire, then everyone here will die and become nourishment.”

Adriel stood up.

“I can’t help it. I have to live to live… I need to put down the title of nine colors and give the lord some help. I’ll have to think about the next day later. Chloe.”

“Yes.”

“I’m sure you left out the necessary data?”

“Of course. Master. All important information is managed by me.”

“I was going to use it only when I go back to the Magic Tower, but I have to reveal it here. It’s a waste. Such a waste. I could attribute everything to the Black Mage Tower’s achievements.”

Adriel shook his head.

“What are you going to do with that? A criminal man?”

“Seeing the fight, there are so many goofballs. I can steal only when I return to my body…”

Bunny clicked his tongue. He stretched his arm all the way.

“The mercenaries are planning to roll it on a large scale. If you sell Calvid’s name, you’ll get a lot of money.”

“Can you be checked by the lord of the castle?”

“It’s okay because we made a deal in advance. The fire fell on his feet, and he wanted to grab at least a straw. Calvid is almost like a rope.”

After exchanging glances, Adriel and Bernie parted ways and walked in different directions.

“Don’t die. Inspiration. I’ll kill you myself after everything is over.”

“Look forward to it. The thief queen of Calvid.”

But the purpose was the same.

To survive.

Two giants moved to protect the big city Garnet.