Chapter 361: A Ripple of Sadness (1/2)
”Rest for now,” Arthur smiled and poured in what was left of his mana into Rega's body. It closed its ruby eyes and fell to peaceful sleep.
His mana has bottomed out as well, and he was getting drowsy. Arthur looked around the cabin and walked toward one of the rooms. Opening it, he found a bed and a nightstand. Light came through the window that made the place peaceful.
Arthur passed out the moment he was on the bed and went into a deep slumber. At that moment and time, it felt as if the world didn't need his existence anymore, and he was given a short rest. He slept without a care for the first time since he arrived to Alka.
***
The people gathered below the giant tree. They left their camp and walked to The Divine Tree, the source of change in landscape. It has been a day since the walls were built, but the Seika didn't show himself.
When they asked, they were told that the Seika was resting after yesterday's events. Then, words leaked out that he was resting on the giant tree, so the people waited.
The residents saw a miracle. No. They witnessed an act of gods. It was the first time that walls were built in a single day by a single individual. The one who brought this change was none other than the Seika of Living Beings, known as the Gardener.
They stood beneath the tree in the sun, waiting. Then, as if sensing their existence, the Seika appeared on top of a branch after a while. His empty sleeve fluttered in the wind as the man stood there silently.
”I believe that an explanation is necessary.” The Seika looked at the people below. ”The walls that rose yesterday are extensions of The Divine Tree. I've built them. They are meant to keep you safe, not imprisoned. If anyone wishes to leave the area, simply apply at the Civil Affairs office for leaving.”
The Seika reassured their worries, and some people sighed in relief. The scene of walls rising around you brought fear to many people. However, now that they realized it was just to protect them, they all felt awe.
The man in front of them looked young, no older than twenty, but the things he did were nothing short of miraculous. After he did his brief speech, he seemed confused as to why they were still here.
”Return to your work, and expect great things from this city.”
The Seika walked back after saying that, and the people were left there standing. It wasn't clear who started chanting 'Seika,' but everyone soon followed until the forest had nothing but their voice.
***
[Estate level: 0.]
”Why didn't you increase?” Arthur said grumbly at his Estate's level. He thought that building the walls will make him level up, but he did not. Now, he needed to understand why. His eyes glanced downward at his Estate's size.
It was still a zero.
”I guess I need to clear out the monsters that are still in the city.” Arthur sighed and massaged his temples. ”This will take a while.”
He knew that building the walls so far away would make things more complicated, but it gave them the room to expand. Unfortunately, his Estate level would have to wait before he could raise it.
”Excuse the intrusion!” Gala jumped in through the window and landed in front of his desk. Arthur blinked his eyes at her behavior, treating this as an everyday occurrence. ”We are running out of time, dear Seika.”
Gala said with a grin, and Arthur noticed wrinkles under his eyes and a few grey hair strands. His face completely crumbled as he stood up from his seat.
”Why? The tear I gave you should last you a year.”
”Seika, Seika, Seika. You are not as calculating as you thought yourself to be.” Gala walked over while waving her index finger. ”You forgot that when I use my spirit, I use my life force as an exchange.”
”That's impossible. Otherwise, you would have died long ago.” Arthur said with a frown. ”You can't have lived for thousands of years if that was the case.”
”Witches have a powerful life force, even stronger than druids.” Gala tapped the crystal embedded in her forehead. ”Humans use life force, and we use Spiritual Energy. The reason we can contract multiple spirits easily is that we are a higher level of spiritual beings.”