Chapter 132 – Parent of the Elves (Part 9)

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Translated by Pratt

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Bella said to Elbridge after finishing a deep conversation with the Goddess of Thorns.

“I am a Sentinel, and protecting the sacred tree is my duty. Now that even Orion is trying to leave the side of the sacred tree following Jean, someone is needed to protect the sacred tree in preparation for any unforeseen situation.”

Staying by the side of the sacred tree meant not participating in the showdown with the demons.

Of course, Bella’s argument itself was a sound one. However, because Elbridge knew the inner details, it was hard for him to accept Bella’s words at face value.

‘She probably just doesn’t want to go outside the forest to hunt demons and lose her authority of longevity.’

But there was no way he could drag Bella along when she refused.

“…I understand.”

In the end, Elbridge moved to the outskirts of the forest with only Orion.

As they walked for a while, Orion spoke up.

“I had a feeling it would turn out like this.”

Elbridge glanced at Orion. However, Orion continued speaking while looking straight ahead.

“Until now, Lady Bella has firmly carried out her will even before the Goddess of Thorns. Today would be no different.”

It seemed the balance between the Goddess of Thorns and Bella was tilted toward Bella’s side.

Elbridge shook his head.

“It’s an unfamiliar situation. A believer rejecting an oracle.”

Freed from the seal, Elbridge faced a new world.

A world where faith had become an object of transaction. A world where conversion was not a flaw.

But there were also things that had not changed. Even in this world, people did not go against oracles. Just like Marcus, who reluctantly followed the oracle even while finding it burdensome.

Orion replied.

“Lady Bella does not think she is rejecting the oracle.”

“Then what is it?”

“She just thinks she has a different opinion from her daughter. Lady Bella regards the Goddess of Thorns as her daughter before a subject of faith.”

That was not wrong either.

The Goddess of the Rusty Shield and Orion were on the Goddess of Thorns’ side.

However, there would also be many people who thought the Goddess of Thorns went too far. This was not a situation with a correct answer. It was just that various opinions existed.

Elbridge’s steps gradually slowed down and then stopped. He had to cut off his index finger before getting any closer to the Master of the Index Finger.

As if understanding Elbridge’s intention, Orion held out both hands.

When Elbridge pulled out a small dagger, Orion turned his head away as if he did not want to watch the sight.

The pain of cutting off a finger was no joke. Elbridge spoke to divert Orion’s attention elsewhere.

“By the way, Orion. Why do Sentinels protect the sacred tree?”

In the past, those with wide knowledge knew of the sacred tree’s existence. But no one knew the reason for the sacred tree’s existence. They simply accepted it upon hearing the explanation that it was a holy tree representing the Goddess of Thorns. Elbridge was no different.

However, from what he observed in the depths of the Forest of Thorns, the Sentinels’ attitude was slightly different from Elbridge’s thoughts. The Sentinels were closer to guardians of the sacred tree rather than guardians of the Forest of Thorns.

“You are asking about something that ordinary elves do not even know.”

“If it is a burdensome story, you don’t have to tell me.”

“However, since Sir Elbridge is actually not an elf, I can tell you.”

“In that case… I want to know.”

Orion answered, still looking far away.

“Doesn’t the sacred tree resemble Lord Jean and Lady Bella?”

“Yes. I noticed that the silver hair of those two and the white leaves of the sacred tree resemble each other.”

“It also resembles the Goddess of Thorns. It is said that when the Chief God accepted the Goddess of Thorns into heaven, He bestowed the seed of the sacred tree upon Lord Jean and Lady Bella. At that time, the Chief God reportedly said: as long as the sacred tree exists, the Goddess of Thorns will also be able to remain in heaven.”

Conversely, it meant that if the sacred tree disappeared, the Goddess of Thorns would have to descend to the earth.

Now, he felt like he understood the reason why Jean and Bella always stayed beside the sacred tree, and the reason why the Sentinels protected the sacred tree.

If the sacred tree disappeared, the Goddess of Thorns would descend to the earth, so the authority of longevity would also disappear.

Jean and Bella were in a situation where they had to protect the sacred tree no matter what.

However, Elbridge harbored one question.

“Why do you not tell the elves the reason for the sacred tree’s existence?”

From what Elbridge observed, the elves of the Forest of Thorns were surprisingly ignorant.

Regarding the sacred tree, regarding the Sentinels, and regarding the Goddess of Thorns.

Orion answered.

“If we reveal the reason for the sacred tree’s existence, we must explain the relationship between the two Sentinels and the goddess. And if we explain that relationship, we have to make it known that the Goddess of Thorns ascended to heaven without any significant achievements.”

“Isn’t that a good thing for Lord Jean and Lady Bella?”

If the fact that Jean and Bella led the Goddess of Thorns—who had no significant achievements—to heaven became known, the elves would support Jean and Bella nine times out of ten.

Gods are not free from public opinion. If the situation became like that, it would be difficult for the Goddess of Thorns to pressure Jean and Bella.

In Elbridge’s mind, Jean and Bella did not even need to argue with the Goddess of Thorns.

Didn’t they hold a simple way to solve the tedious problem in their hands?

However, Orion shook his head.

“No. Lord Jean and Lady Bella do not wish for such a situation.”

“Why is that?”

“The elves believe that the Goddess of Thorns ascended to heaven after establishing great achievements. And Lord Jean and Lady Bella want the elves to continue thinking that way in the future, and for the elves to respect the Goddess of Thorns.”

Elbridge’s expression became puzzled.

Only then did Orion look at Elbridge and add an explanation.

“Lady Bella said so. Parents naturally wish for the people of the world to love their child.”

Even while arguing, they do not stab each other’s painful parts.

Even while in conflict, they face each other and fathom each other’s hearts.

Elbridge found it difficult to understand such a relationship.

“It’s difficult.”

“I think so too.”

If he were to start a family and have a child in the future, would he be able to understand Jean and Bella’s hearts?

Thinking so, Elbridge wrapped a linen cloth around Orion’s hand.

*

Elbridge arrived at the outskirts of the forest together with Orion.

The plant-type demon, which they had thought finished its growth, had grown even bulkier in the meantime. At this point, it could be called a small forest.

Marcus, with both hands whose fingers were all broken hanging listlessly, asked.

“Do plant-type demons originally grow this big?”

“This is actually on the small side for a plant-type demon. What was truly amazing was its growth rate. A plant-type demon that grows this quickly is rare.”

Now it was time to discuss how to deal with this plant-type demon and the Master of the Index Finger.

Rombel offered his opinion.

“How about we set fire to it first? In the past, whenever we dealt with a plant-type demon, we always set fire to it first. If it burns well, that’s it; if it doesn’t, we look for another way.”

The reserve Sentinels were horrified by those words.

“Are you saying you’re going to set a fire right next to the Forest of Thorns? Absolutely not. No way. What if you burn down the entire forest? It has already been so dry because it barely rained lately…”

Rombel put on a sullen expression as he looked at the elves.

“Hey, aren’t you guys speaking too easily just because you’re not the ones who are going to fight?”

Now that almost everyone’s fingers on both hands were broken, there were not many people who could play their parts fully.

Elbridge, Rombel, Orion, and Jean were about all.

And even those four were not fully intact.

Not to mention lacking index fingers, Jean had no intention of leaving the Forest of Thorns.

Elbridge thought.

‘This means Rombel, Orion, and I have to enter that plant-type demon’s territory.’

Three people had to deal with two demons.

In normal times, he would have thought it was madness.

However, as Elbridge saw it, it was not without possibilities. Since everyone here had cut off their index fingers, the Master of the Index Finger was not very threatening, and the plant-type demon was just fast-growing but not a particularly threatening entity either.

Their abilities did not interlock either, so it would be hard for them to enjoy any significant synergy.

‘With this, there is a chance of winning. In fact, it’s pretty decent.’

Elbridge finished his judgment and spoke.

“Rombel. Let’s give it a try first. I think we can manage somehow.”

“…”

Dwarves have strong pride.

Since Elbridge had brought up that it was manageable, Rombel could not back down saying he couldn’t do it.

*

“If a problem arises, yell loudly. I will support you by immediately shooting arrows.”

Receiving Jean’s promise, the three entered the territory of the plant-type demon.

Elbridge felt a strange sensation. Rombel was three hundred years old, and Orion’s age was more than several times that of Rombel.

For the first time in a very long while, Elbridge became the youngest.

Rombel spoke as he swung his axe at the front.

“Watch your step. And keep checking above and behind you as well.”

Inside the fortress built by the plant-type demon, everything was hostile.

Sharp tree roots would rise from underfoot, and vines would stealthily creep close to strangle their necks. It was extremely common for seemingly ordinary plants to be toxic.

“The regeneration speed is fast and the density is high, making it a bit inconvenient to move. Securing a line of sight is difficult too.”

Orion answered as he sliced the roots trying to wrap around his ankles with his sword.

“Still, isn’t it quite easy at this level?”

“Well, of course. It’s not scattering toxic pollen, nor is a huge tree running wild like a giant. It’s just somewhat troublesome.”

It was not a simple bluff.

Even though not much time had passed since they entered, the party was in a situation where they had breached nearly half of the plant-type demon’s territory.

Smooth. However, because the situation was too smooth, Elbridge fell into thought.

‘Something is strange.’

In Elbridge’s experience, when things went too well like this, it meant something was going wrong.

And, just in time, a thought occurred to him after contemplation.

“Rombel. We are headed toward the plant-type demon’s main body right now, right?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s change the order. Let’s eliminate the Master of the Index Finger first.”

“Why?”

“The Master of the Index Finger pulls in other demons.”

“Ah, right. I get it.”

With just a simple explanation, Rombel understood the meaning of Elbridge’s words.

The index finger is the second finger.

Since a second implies the existence of a first, the Master of the Index Finger used to pull in other demons one by one and use them as shields.

If the demon used as a shield is eliminated, will the Master of the Index Finger be left alone?

In normal times, that might have been the case. But now, a passage spitting out demons is open.

If they eliminated the shield—that is, the plant-type demon—there was a high chance the Master of the Index Finger would immediately drag in another demon as if he had been waiting, maintaining the number of demons at two.

Rather than preparing for an unknown demon that might pop out, it was wiser to leave the easy plant-type demon alive and eliminate the Master of the Index Finger.

“But we don’t know where the Master of the Index Finger is hiding in this forest, do we? It’s better to check the plant-type demon’s main body first.”

“Let’s do that. The passage spitting out demons should be around there as well.”

The three quietly moved through the plant-type demon’s domain.

And from some point on, the plant-type demon stopped targeting Elbridge’s party.

Rombel smiled as if satisfied.

“Since we blocked all of its attacks, it seems it’s tired of attacking now.”

Elbridge did not nitpick Rombel’s opinion. However, there was no way to help the inexplicable anxiety he felt.

‘Something is strange…’

A moment later, a very small clearing appeared. It might be more appropriate to express it as a slightly less dense part of the forest rather than a clearing.

At any rate, the main body of the plant-type demon that had appeared from the passage—a strangely shaped tree—was standing in the center of the clearing. The passage that spit out the demon was also visible.

And, unexpectedly, the Master of the Index Finger was there as well.

The Master of the Index Finger, a demon in uncharacteristically neat attire, stared at the party with red eyes.

Rombel laughed in satisfaction and pointed his axe at the Master of the Index Finger.

“Right. Let’s make things easy for each other. Stick out your neck. I will slice it cleanly just like two hundred years ago.”

However, the action shown by the Master of the Index Finger went beyond Rombel’s expectations.

The Master of the Index Finger extended his right arm toward the base of the plant-type demon. That right arm naturally dug into the inside of the plant-type demon and pulled out a small bead. It was the core of the plant-type demon.

And without any hesitation, he crushed the core of the plant-type demon.

Rombel marvelled.

“Quick-witted fellow. Tears are about to fall from gratitude. I’ll finish you off painlessly, so come over here.”

However, Elbridge and Orion’s expressions stiffened rigidly.

The reason Elbridge’s party had decided to eliminate the Master of the Index Finger first was because they were worried that he would drag in a new demon.

And now that the Master of the Index Finger had eliminated the plant-type demon himself…

‘The Master of the Index Finger is trying to drag in a new demon himself.’

Elbridge and Orion raised their swords and kicked off the ground.

However, the Master of the Index Finger approached the passage created by ‘the Mud’ slightly faster than that. Rombel had a bewildered expression, failing to grasp the situation.

“Rombel, you idiot! Block him!”

It was too late. And this time as well, the action shown by the Master of the Index Finger went beyond the party’s predictions.

When the Master of the Index Finger gestured toward the passage, the dark-red swirling flow came to a halt.

A sight seen for the first time. But its meaning could be understood instinctively.

The Master of the Index Finger had personally blocked the passage through which a demon was supposed to emerge.

Elbridge’s expression became confused.

‘Why on earth? Is there any reason for the Master of the Index Finger to hinder the appearance of a new demon?’

Right then, a thought flashed through Elbridge’s head.

‘He didn’t block the appearance of a new demon.’

What the Master of the Index Finger wanted to prevent was a situation where a useless demon, like the plant-type demon, emerged from the other side of the passage.

Then where would the new demon appear from?

Coincidentally, there was one demon among those seen near the Forest of Thorns that was not present in this place.

Rumble.

Elbridge felt a heavy vibration under his feet.

Elbridge muttered.

“Starwave is coming.”