Wiseman – Chapter 49

Translator: Jun

49  Elder

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A black knight stood still before Albel. It wasn’t destroyed despite having taken an overwhelming blow. Instead, it was regenerating itself thanks to the magic power inside itself.
Mira raised her hand towards the Dark Knight, casting a magic circle below it that resembled its summoning circle. This new circle swallowed the Dark Knight starting from the feet, coiling around its form.

【Summoning Magic ; Transmutation : Dark Lord】

The transformation happened quickly. The summoning circle called forth an armor spirit. This armor spirit was called Dark Lord, whose purpose was to annihilate the enemy. Even after being contracted to Mira, it kept searching for a massacre to create, which soon became its raison d’etre. As a result, its very existence was shaping the figure that it now possessed to be more appropriate to cause a massacre.
The Dark Knight finished its transformation; its existence, its presence was on a whole new level than before. Its black armor was further dyed in darkness, even while it was enveloped by the pale light of Mira’s magic. Its helmet, armor, gauntlets, shin guards, all of it; all of those were covered in innumerable blades. This appearance was for one thing: to entomb its enemy in honed steel. Even if the greatswords held in both hands were lost, this Dark Knight would use those jutting blades from all over its armor to destroy the enemy, doing what its form screams what it would do. The drawback from this was thinner protective armor. Still this visage, seeped in madness, would strike fear and terror into whosoever it faced.

Albel became speechless at the Dark Knight’s complete change. Earlier, he comprehended Dark Knight’s power by taking in the info from his earlier clash with it and begged Mira to unleash its full power.

Dark Knight’s full strength. That was all he could wish for.

For this exact reason, he trembled. Dark Knight’s form made his hairs stand on end and yet he thanked god for this day. The battle he’s in now will be by no means an easy one. This battle will serve as his new goal. This whole situation was a divine revelation to him.

Albel broke into a run to stop his foe from gouging out his ecstasy. A signal to begin was unnecessary; in this situation, the weak moved first and the strong were obliged to receive it. While he let out a war cry, Albel delivered his best attack, as bold and frank as he possibly could. His sword was brought down to the Dark Knights’ right shoulder diagonally with great force. The Dark Knight responded by only shifting his body slightly.

The clash of honed steel occurred, releasing a high-pitched metallic sound. However, it wasn’t a greatsword wielded by the knight in black that received the blow. Instead, it was intercepted by the blades on the body of the Dark Knight.

That sinister armor seemingly made of swords made a move, its arms poised each greatsword in hand to rend him. Albel, regaining his balance from the first exchange, held his blade to intercept, following the movement of his opponent. As steel clashed, he felt a strong impact rock his whole body, his wrists feeling like they would break from the force. Albel mustered his fighting spirit, calming his numbing hands with willpower.

The Dark Knight however wasn’t finished, delivering another blow as soon as the prior exchange finished. Albel frantically brought his sword to defend, his face wrapped in anguish. His struggle was all to prolong the fight, even if by just a bit.

The Dark Knight was dismissed by Mira. As soon as his foe vanished, Albel fell down and laid spread-eagle in the center of the training field. His expression was bright, looking at the sky with a face of content, although his shoulders were heaving up and down as he caught his breath.

 

“Haa…. That…was…intense…. Haa… The…best…fight…I’ve…had…in…a…long…time…. Hey….” He looked at Mira as his breathing finally stabilized. “That reminds me…. I haven’t gotten your name yet….” [Albel]

“My esteemed self is known as Mira.” [Mira]

“Mira-sama…huh. S-say…. How’d I do?” [Albel]

 

Mira, who called forth Albel’s new goal, had already become someone who was to be held in high regard in his eyes. Mira was slightly bothered by the way he called her, but she didn’t mind it as she crouched, offering an apple au lait to Albel.

“My esteemed self will say no falsehood; you were able to face off against my trump card. Although it was just for a very short while, my esteemed self can vouch that your person is better than the first Dark Knight.” [Mira]

“Is that so…? By the way, do you think that I still have room for growth? [Albel]

 

Albel bared to Mira the thing that concerned him the most. In those past five years, he never suffered a defeat. This concerned him as he couldn’t tell anymore how strong he really was.

 

“Mmm…my esteemed self does not know the way of the sword, so it would be a fallacy if my esteemed self gives you an answer. However, I will instead tell you from my own experience that it all depends on your effort. My esteemed self had once been acquainted with someone similar to you. That esteemed person…how vexed I was when he brought my trump card to oblivion not just once, but a multitude of times.” [Mira]

 

“Cutting down that thing many times…? Can I become someone like your acquaintance?” [Albel]

 

“That is why my esteemed self imparts to you the fact that it depends on your own effort.” [Mira]

 

“Is that so…? -No, that must be so. If it’s about effort, that’s what I’m best at. Mira-sama, I will definitely show you that I’ll exceed that limit someday.” [Albel]

 

As he looked at Mira, Albel’s eyes were burning with resolve.

 

“When that time comes Mira-sama, could you please be my opponent?” [Albel]

 

“Mmm, my esteemed self will allow it. However please train diligently. Next time, mayhaps this esteemed one would request you to give me a more..decent performance?” [Mira]

 

“Ha ha ha! Mira-sama, you’re going to scare the life out of me!” [Albel]

 

Mira told Albel he could contact her anytime via the guild. He exchanged a promise for a rematch with her, and also to find her to assess his growth. He smiled at her, however he got up in a hurry, sheathing his sword, and gazed off in the distance restlessly as if he was trying to hide something.

 

“Is somethi-.” [Mira]

 

“No, there is nothing wrong! I’m truly grateful for today. I’m-, I’m going home because I want to swing my…sword! Yes! Sword! I want to swing my sword for a bit! Also, I’m thankful for this!” [Albel]

 

Albel abruptly stood up, finished the offered apple au lait in one go, his cheeks flush. He was like this because he just noticed one thing: Mira’s panties. Mira herself didn’t realize they were visible from Albel’s point of view. It shouldn’t be nothing, but since he pursued only the way of the sword, Albel was too pure in…other matters.

 

Mira returned to the inn. The dining area had less people since she left. She went straight to the counter, ordering herbal tea and a honey tart.

 

“My lady came later than I expected. Did something happen, my lady? [Innkeeper]

The innkeeper, while pouring the herbal tea into the cup, turned his gaze toward Mira.

 

“My esteemed self felt that person to be only interested in my magic…however that person only had battle in his mind through and through. At the moment this esteemed one called forth my summon, a Dark Knight, he had begged me for a bout with it.”

 

Mira shrugged her shoulders lightly as she sported a smile on her face. Albel had reminded her of an acquaintance of hers with the same frank personality. It was also because she really liked his sword.

 

“Ahh. So that’s what happened. Oh, that’s right; I remembered something. Albel’s love towards magic was because his confidence in his sword was broken because he faced a Magus once. His attacks didn’t work at all against that one, and I believe that was the reason he became obsessed with magic.” [innkeeper]

 

He told his spiel as the innkeeper served Mira her herbal tea and honey tart.

Mira became interested with the Magus who wasn’t touched by Albel’s sword at all. Since he was undefeated in the past five years, she could tell that Albel had his power and skill from since then, and yet this Magus was able to score an easy victory against him. She surmised this Magus wasn’t an ordinary Magus.

 

“Mmm, this talk has turned out to be quite interesting.” [Mira]

 

As she muttered so, Mira urged the innkeeper to keep telling her the story while cutting the tart. After he pondered for a bit, he continued the story while putting an order of things that he already heard.

 

“About that Magus…. It happened about five years ago. It was hot stuff around here at the time. Heard that there was a gatherer out there who happened upon a human-shaped devil on a certain mountain. He was prepared for death…but along came a woman wearing some foreign clothing with deep slits on her robes. That woman, the people say, came from the top of the mountain and defeated that thing in a flash. If you believe the rumors, that lass had an odd accent and was apparently using Senjutsu Magic. Whatever the case, that devil was burned to death.” [innkeeper]

 

“Certainly, that can’t be any ordinary Senjutsu Magus” [Mira]

 

“I agree to that. Well, after Albel heard the rumor, he packed up his bags and rushed out. That rash lad at the time was all about challenging any person who was rumored to be strong even before that time. Well, he hasn’t told us about what happened EXACTLY, but after a month after he came back, he started to admire magic and the Magus.” [innkeeper]

 

With his story at an end, the innkeeper turned to wash the dishes. However his story was being pondered upon by Mira, who was occasionally sipping her tea or tasting her honey tart. From what she could gather, Albel had lost that fight long ago. Not just that, that Senjutsu Magic Magus had garnered a complete, if not flawless, victory against Albel. Using Albel as a benchmark, she could tell that the Magus in question was very powerful.

 

Mira continued to chat with the innkeeper as he did his thing and she did her thing. As they talked, Mira learned that the Hunter Village was founded by a group of hunters who made a living in the Forest of the Fayth. Also, it seemed the strong monsters don’t venture near the edge of the forest, which meant adventurers with decent skill can safely earn a living here. She also learned that there was a stronghold deep in the forest, and if one was confident in their skill they could stay there and work from there. The innkeeper went on to boast about his son, the strongest warrior, barring Albel, who was playing an active role in that stronghold.

Mira finished her meal, quite impressed with the daily life of hunters here. After saying her thanks, she went to her room and retired for the night.

 

Mira woke up the next morning in the nick of time to catch breakfast. She finished her meal and her preparations (a large amount of confectionaries), and flew away (on Pegasus) from the Hunter Village.

She looked down at the Forest of the Fayth from the vast expanse of the sky. In the distance directly in front of her was a mist-covered area, and a giant tree from that area that seems to be reaching into the clouds, muddling her depth-perception.

That huge tree in the distance was her goal: the Sacred Tree.

Before this scenery, she fixed her clothes while on top of Pegasus. Due to the rush she did earlier, her clothes weren’t put on properly and her chest was…out of proportion. She struggled for a while, remembering her indescribable annoyance of being taught by Mariana. After she got the desired shape, she looked at this Fantasy world scenery again, but in agony.

 

(When have I become so desperate…?) [Mira]

 

It was a fleeting moment, but Mira had been tormented by a feeling of emptiness. While she confirmed the result, a satisfied feeling spread through her chest. She was soon filled with a somewhat unknown feeling of satisfaction.

 

(…It’s perfect, nonetheless.) [Mira]

 

She flew for more than two hours to get closer to the Sacred Tree, which seemed to bewitch the mind, giving the impression that one was not getting closer there at all. Mira adjusted her seat on Pegasus to rest her sore thighs. She couldn’t decide on whether she would be sitting crossed-legged, in seiza, curled up holding her knees, or even lying on her face. She essentially settled down with snuggling Pegasus’ mane.

 

At around noon-time, she had closed in closer to the Sacred Tree. In the distance, she could faintly see the walls of the Grimmdart Empire, which happened to also share the name with the largest continent in the world. Soon, she arrived at the Sacred Tree after flying for less than five hours and had Pegasus start to descend. The canopy of the forest was dense, blotting out the sun. However, the surrounding wasn’t covered in darkness; faint glittering particles were pouring down instead of sunlight. Those particles were fragments of the overflowing mana from the Sacred Tree and the trees and other plants around where using that in lieu of sunlight. This transformed the area into a powerful sacred ground.

 

Pegasus descended to the root of the Sacred Tree, exuding a sublime presence. As they landed, Mira jumped down from its back and raised her eyes to look at the root of the Sacred Tree before her. The light particles behaved like snowflakes in the night sky. As they fell, they were absorbed by the ground, which was illuminated by myriads of glowing nameless flowers. Mira looked at the flowers, behaving like a visiting tourist. Pegasus broke the silent serene scene by approaching Mira, with a look of worry. She reassured her that she will be alright and dismissed her summon. She then faced the root once more, which looked like a giant wall.

 

“Oh esteemed Elder, accept this lowly one’s good tidings. This humble person meekly requests to enquire something of your esteemed personage. Mayhaps your esteemed self would grace this humble one with your esteemed presence?” [Mira]

 

A whispering breeze blew and caressed Mira’s cheek before shaking the forest behind her. After the breeze passed by into every corner of the sacred ground, the world seemed to be still with not the sound of even a rustling leaf.

Mira recalled what this situation was. It was an omen. Ryokuinshiou no Mikoto, the master of the Forest of the Fayth and the deity that was dwelling in the Sacred Tree, had descended before Mira. The constantly drizzling lights have vanished and darkness had enveloped the surrounds.

In this silence, a sound suddenly made its presence, reverberating around. This sound was like something was crawling on the ground. Mira soon felt a presence draw near, seeming from behind her. This presence projected the girl’s shadow on the root before her. Mira gave a glance over her shoulder, and noticed a ball of light that was large enough for Mira to comfortably wrap her arms around, floating behind it. The light seemed to turn around, and then descended onto the ground, creating a plop sound as if it fell on water.

The formless light vanished in the ground. The ground then sprouted a bud, which rapidly grew into a tree the same size as Mira. This tree twisted and turned, taking the appearance of a human.

This transformation happened in the span of ten seconds. At the end of it, an old man wearing a robe of leaves appeared before Mira, human, but not human as well.

 

“What business do you have with this one?” [Old man]

 

A subdued and muffled voice came from the old man. His eyes were shining, giving him an eerie impression. Even Mira, who had seen him once before in the past, had unintentionally drawn back by this.

 

“My humblest apologies for my impudence. My humble self wishes to enquire if there had be someone else who had implored your presence to seek the elder’s root in the past. For how long my humble self does not know, but if your esteemed self has knowledge on it, mayhaps my humble self could ask for your esteemed guidance on it?” [Mira]

 

Mira had asked, which made the elder go into deep thought, his gaze fixed on her. Seeing his vacant eyes upon her, Mira felt a bit uncomfortable. In this moment, a bright light abruptly illuminated the surroundings.

 

“Mmm…? What is…?” [Mira]

 

Mira directed her gaze at the place where not one but three balls of light, similar to what she saw earlier, appeared and sunk into the ground. As with the first one, the process repeated itself, creating three figures.

Now, in front of Mira was a woman, donned in a robe made of cherry blossoms, a robust man with an armor of tree bark, and a little girl with only vines wrapped around her body. The first of them to speak was the woman in a soft tone.

 

“I remember that one. It was the first offering I had obtained, so they left a strong impression. I remember giving that one my root since they wished for it.” [Woman]

 

“Oh yeah! That person brought us some delicious fertilizer as compensation right? Wonder when that person would come back-.” [Little Girl]

 

The girl covered in vines was floating in midair, manipulating her vines around her to do so. Her voice was a bit high, with a bit of childishness in it.

 

“It would be best to calm down first. You are troubling our dear guest.” [Man]

 

The man interrupted the girl with his deep voice. The girl, cut off mid-sentence, floated herself down, pouting at him.

Unfortunately, unlike the other figures, vines weren’t the best to be used as clothing, and as a result, various things that shouldn’t be seen were in full view of Mira. Mira, though used to seeing herself with those things, averted her eyes full of guilt.

 

After calming herself down, she sorted out what she heard. There was a person that had indeed seeked the elder root. A root was given. When this happened however was unknown. Still, it’s safe to assume that since it wasn’t too long ago, that person most likely was Soul Howl.

 

“From what this humble one has gathered from what your esteemed selves have imparted upon me, there is no questioning the fact that another person had been graced with your esteemed presence here. Is this humble one right to assume such?” [Mira]

 

“This one says you are correct.” [Old Man]

 

As if acting in concert with the old man’s voice, a rumbling sound drew near from the ground, and a root several times larger than Mira made its appearance, jutting out from beneath in front of her.

 

“Mmm…. This humble one assumes this is the root, yes?” [Mira]

 

There was a trace of a cut on that root. However it was beginning to vanish, the root was healing that old root.

 

“This humble self was looking for a person that this humble one assumed would come here. That one who came before might not be who this humble one seeks, but mayhaps this humble self might enquire to elucidate that one who had indeed come here?” [Mira]

 

Mira had, in her mind at least, confirmed that her objective was complete for now, and had asked if there was any other information, like the person’s appearance who came here before.

 

“Fumu…. That is…. Ah…. Yes…there that one was man with black hair. This one remembers that that one had a white mask that had covered the area around that one’s eyes.” [Old Man]

It took some deep thought from the old man of the four, but he did manage to tell Mira what he saw of the man. Other than that, nothing came to his mind. The other three had said roughly the same thing.

 

“My humblest thanks. As this humble one has gathered, who came before your esteemed selves is indeed the one who this humble one seeks.” [Mira]

 

Black-haired and wore an eye mask. Since Mira knew that Soul Howl had black hair, that point matched, unless he changed his hair color. And then about the mask, Mira has something in her mind about it too. Even though the way he carry himself was a bit dubious, he was a person who devotes himself completely to something. The possibility that his mask linked to his antics was high.

 

“This humble one would like not to tarry you for long, however this humble one would like to humbly inquire something for one last time from your esteemed selves. Mayhaps the one who came before had said something? This humble one is not looking for anything in particular, but mayhaps your esteemed selves have reminisced anything that had come from that one’s mouth?” [Mira]

 

“What that one had said? Hmm…this one had indeed wondered what that one would use this one’s root for. This one had inquired of that one, however….” [Old Man]

 

“Oh! I remember! He said he’d carve it into a cup for sake. After that, he said something about a black…black thingy…. What was it again? Ah whatever! He said he needed something. That’s all I remember from him!” [Little girl]

 

As a substitute for the unreliable old man that seemed to be unmoved as if he was a suspect, the little girl had replied to Mira, filling up some of the vague things that the old man had said.

 

“A black thing…is it? Mmm, as this humble self had expected, one can’t get all the information easily. Oh esteemed one Ryokuinshiou no Mikoto, this one gives humblest thanks for your precious time and for what your esteemed self had imparted to this humble self. Perhaps this gesture is unnecessary for our exchange, but this humble one would wish to bear these humble gifts to your esteemed self.” [Mira]

 

While she talked, Mira took out the baked sweets she bought earlier from her Item Box. Since she had summoned a deity, proper compensation has to be paid. Also, since the deity was one of nature, they had a preference of offerings made by human hands. This is why Mira bought those confectionaries earlier in a larger than usual amount.

 

“Oh~! Human sweets~!” [Little girl]

 

The little girl quickly snatched the sweets away and jumped up and down in delight. She threw it into her mouth and sported a wide silly grin on her face as she chewed the sweet treat. With this, Mira’s mind was at ease since she didn’t make a wrong choice based on the little girl’s actions. She started to give out the remaining sweets, focusing on it as to keep her mind wandering to the…display the little girl has been showing.

She had another reason for doing this other than distracting herself: there had been stories of deities stealing offerings of other deities so she had wanted to avoid that.

Although they weren’t as enthralled as the little girl, the other three seemed to like the sweets from the way they had received them.

 

“We have not had received offerings for quite a long time. Though honestly, it would have been enough if you had…oh shall we say…taken a dump over there. With the mana inside of you, it would’ve made quite the exceptional fertilizer. Oho~.” [Old man]

 

The old man, who was the one who often spoked the most out of the four of them, suddenly talked about something dirty so loosely. Apparently if someone with the same quality of magic power as Mira had…relieved themselves, it would become instantly a first class piece of sh…fertilizer.

His origins was that of a plant, and had become a deity that had lived for an absurdly long time. Unfortunately, that type was the type prone to have…no sensibilities. The other two were unfortunately the same, and the woman and the man had wholeheartedly agreed to him. Fortunately the little girl had taken quite a fancy to the sweets that she didn’t chime in.

Mira was relieved from the bottom of her heart that the sweets were sufficient. If they were not, she might have been forced into a crapshoot in front of them…literally.

…Deities are really frightening…. Mira thought to herself, unfortunately misunderstanding deities as a whole.