252 250. Waiting for return.txt (2/2)

Instead of Sis-sama's bewitching gesture, Dia-sama's manly gesture returns, and he clicks his tongue as his eyes widen.

...... d*mn it, Sith guy, you decided to do that on your own. You've messed up your schedule. Tomorrow we were supposed to go to a new restaurant in town, just the two of us.

I chide her, slightly soothed by her lovely anger.

'Excuse me. I expect it will be a few days or so before the enemy attacks ....... It's possible that they may come tomorrow. ......

Yeah, I know, I know. Okay, Christ, let's go get ready. Here, give me your hand.

Saying this, Master Dia reaches out his hand to Aikawa Yotaki, the substitute for the 'Lord of the Dominating Kings' who sits on the throne and the substitute for Christ the Searcher - Aikawa Yotaki.

'............, ...... n'

Yotaki-sama reacts slightly to that, takes the proffered hand and stands up. Then, with an unreliable gait, as if sleepwalking, he follows Dear-sama.

I remind myself on the back of the two girls, dismayed at the talent of the 'one who steals the logic of water' who can move so far even if they are 99% (almost) asleep.

'I've asked for her, Lady Dear. You never know what will happen if you go outside the castle. Please, please protect her.

”Oh, 'The Lord who rules' - Christ is my mate. I won't let you get into any danger. I won't let him go again. Never. ......

It's a clear reply, probably thanks to the fact that he cited something to protect.

Then, as if to keep his words, he firmly grasps Yotaki-sama's hand and walks out of the throne room.

Thus, I am left alone in the throne room.

Without taking the slightest break, he immediately moves to prepare himself as well.

In order to win the First Ancestor Vortex Wave, careful preparation is necessary.

I'm going to be on my guard and use everything I can prepare myself right now.

I walked out of the door of the throne room and walked through the corridor of Vyasia Castle.

The first thing I head to is the workshop on the side of the castle. There is a huge smithing facility there that covers the production of hardware for the entire castle.

The workshop is built like a tower on the outside, but it is a single story. It has a high ceiling and numerous side windows. The interior temperature can be well regulated according to the work process.

We walked to the facility and quickly entered it.

At the same time, you are called out.

''-- Ah, sir!　We're doing great today. Please take a look!

In the workshop, the people I had trained were showing off their talents to the fullest. When one of them - a brown-haired ”Jewelcrus” spotted me coming to check on him, he came running up to me happily.

I talk to the ”Jewelcrus” while looking for my objective.

''You've made a lot ...... again, a lot .......''

There was a lot of hardware on the surrounding workbenches.

This 'Jewelcrus' is an outstanding piece of work in the workshop, and you can tell at a glance that it is highly skilled.

I'm confident that none of them are shoddy!　Thanks to the 'Divine Iron Forge' that my teacher taught me, all of the hardware will last a long time!

'Yes, I'm sure you do. You were a very quick learner. You must have been a gifted craftsman.

Unlike myself, the 'Jewish Stone Humans' (Jewelculus) are very versatile.

Watching them master in a few days what I had spent years learning was a bit complicated for me as a teacher, but it was worth it, and now the armor of the Viaissia Country is one of the best quality on the continent.

''Thank you, teacher!　Recently, thanks to the fact that I've started to get some recognition for my work, I've received orders for the 'Magical Stone Line' from various places, and I'm at a loss as to what to do. It's a joyful scream.

As I recall, we reviewed the flood control and 'magic stone line' (line) in each town a few months ago.

It seems that the effects of that have come to this point. If it's left to them, the framework of this Viisian country will be safe.

''I see. ....... Let's see, can I have a look at something other than the 'magic stone line' (line) and hardware?　I needed a weapon.

A weapon?　Um, there's a special order for teachers, I believe, over there: ......!

The brown-haired 'Demon Stone Man' (Jewelculus) ran around the 'Workshop' to scrape up equipment for himself. And on the workbench, a rude wooden cuirass was first placed.

''A cuirass?　Is this the armor that was built by carving out a divine tree from the garden ......?

It was a special armament that was built using the skills of the 'Divine Iron Forge' but did not use iron at all. It was completely an armament for the 'one who steals the logic of the tree'.

'It's the one that Sensei asked me to make a long time ago. Did you think that maybe it had been forgotten?　Well, it's not like I'm going to forget about it! It's the teacher's fault for not coming to get it.

Hahaha ......

I guess this was the only one I forgot about.

Lately, I've been forgetting things: ....... It's okay if work is involved, but when it's just me, it's not so good.

'Thank you. The enemy this time is quite a ”swordsmanship” user. Now I can rest easy.

Honestly, there's no way I can feel safe against that primordial vortex wave, but I'll be strong for the sake of the 'Magic Stone Human' (Jewelculus) who prepared my weapon for me.

Gladly, she hands herself the cuirass, her eyes sparkling.

Even without words, I can see what she wants in my hand, and I have no choice but to put on my hand armor and move to the open space of the workshop and do some light preparatory work.

'...... Ah. Now, if you'll excuse me for a moment.

Then he practices the basic kata that General Volus taught him.

As I was once taught, one by one, foolishly, as if to make sure - I swing my arms down vigorously, turn my hips and cut the sky with my feet, and launch my hands forward from my waist.

'Soooooo fast!　I don't see any movement at all!　I knew you were a strong teacher!

The 'Demon Stone Man (Jewelculus)' clapped his hands and praised me for it.

It's certainly better than I expected. It seems that although your memory is faint, your body probably remembers it. It seems that there is no problem with the skills ”body arts” and ”self-defense”.

However, I still think--.

Haha, no, not really.

No, I don't!

--You're too weak.

Are you strong?

Absolutely not. I'm weak at this level - I'm weak.

I'm sure that even if I could win all the victories against everyone in this castle with my 'body technique', if I competed among the 'stealers of reason', I would surely lose all of them.

It's doubtful that it would work against the current weakened Primordial Vortex Wave: .......

Even if your 'body technique' figures surpassed his, it's so likely that you would be overtaken in the course of the fight.

''I've also prepared a ring or bracelet that matches your magic, properly made of wood. Oh, but you should try the magic one in the garden. It might catch fire here.

Yes, thank you for everything. Now I'll go to the garden.

Yes, have a good day.

While I was confirming my martial arts type, it seems that the 'Magic Stone Man (Jewelculus)' has finished collecting all the equipment for the 'The One Who Steals the Reason of the Wood' in the workshop. After receiving them, I walk out of the workshop.

While walking through the corridor, I put on my equipment.

After putting a plain wooden ring on my finger, I put a special leather glove on top. He passes the bracelet between the leather glove and the glove's glove and the glove's palm armor to eliminate the gap between them.

After attaching the gloves to his arms, he drapes the breastplate under his clothes.

On the way, I pass many of my men working in the castle.

There are people from all walks of life in this Vieissia castle. Not only are they of different ages and races, but they are also full of ”Jewelcrus” and slaves. If it were any other castle, it would be an unthinkable situation.

I was greeted by people on the street.

''--Good morning. Great Leader Ayd-dono.

Some of them had worked at the castle before they took over the North themselves.

And unlike my memories of sometime ago, every voice that is called out is full of good intentions.

''--Hmm. Mr. Ayd, it's another beautiful day. I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get the most out of your time. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. I've completed a revised plan for one day, and I need your opinion--

As the ”Prime Minister,” I responded to those voices and continued to walk down the corridor.

Because of this ”Prime Minister” thing, my consciousness has become a little clearer.

With sure footsteps, I reach the castle courtyard.

It's an open garden that's more than ten times the size of the throne room.

It may be the largest garden in the world.

There are no ceilings in this garden, and many plants are actively growing under the vaulted sky. There are not only colorful flower beds, but also a variety of trees. The trunks and leaves of the trees take the place of walls and ceilings, turning the garden into a little maze.

The maze is three dimensional. There is a bridge made of boards between the trees and a staircase leading to the tops of the trees.

In the center of the three-dimensional maze, there is an open space paved with grass. It was a garden, but at the same time, it was also a 'training ground'.

I walked up to that particular 'training ground' and stopped to look at the people around me there.

There were many people in the courtyard.

Vassals, researchers, and guests from abroad --

Those who take care of the trees and flower beds.

Those who train on the lawn.

Even though it's a 'training ground', some are bringing in tables and chatting.

And then there's the one who is holding a magical experiment device in his hand in the corner of the flowerbed--

'Oh, sir!　We've just finished examining the hundred and eleventh plant!　Look at this!

One of the 'Demon Stone Humans' (Jewelculus) who was near the flowerbed noticed his arrival and called out. By his voice, the others also noticed him. Their mouths buzzed out, ”It's the teacher” and ”The teacher is coming”.

Slightly frustrated, I return the greeting with a fake smile.

'Good morning, everyone.'

Immediately, the 'Magic Stone Human (Jewelculus)' who called out to me earlier comes running up to me with a happy expression on his face. Then he tells me the results of his work.

''Another step closer to your ideal tree!　If we can produce seeds this cold-resistant, surely we can help those in need in the far north!　Best of all, the berries are way bigger!　Now you're full!

The Jewelculus pointed to a fruit-bearing tree planted in the corner of the garden.

Inside the garden's flowerbeds, there is an area that can be called a field, where improved crops are growing. In other words, this is a 'testing ground' as well.

Most of those seeds have been improved by the power of their own 'tree stealers'.

''It's a stone. I left you in charge of it, and I was still sure of it. ...... But while the tree is important for that belly full of food, are the other plants okay too?

Of course it's growing nicely over there too!

The ”Jewelcrus” leads you to a flowerbed in the opposite corner.

There, vivid flowers - red, blue, purple and yellow - spread out.

It's an area of poisonous flowers and plants that you don't see in everyday life. In the past, they were used as an addition to the cure, but there's no need to take care of the ”Jewelcrus” anymore. It's time to turn all of this into 'combat use'.

I also checked the performance of other plants that react to magic and plants that are harmful to humans, and thanked the Jewelcruise for taking care of them.

Thank you for your help until today. I just feel bad for you for taking care of them, but it's time to 'use' all of this ......

Hearing that, the smile of the 'Magic Stone Human (Jewelcrus)' froze. But without mercy, I relentlessly tell him the reality of my situation.

''I'm sure some of you have already heard the story, but ....... The other party has arrived who must use this 'castle' and release the entire 'garden' as well. So, we are now closed here.

...... Yes. I was contacted by this garden earlier. Keh, but is it true that you're with someone who needs to close the garden?　An enemy that doesn't have to use all of the 'castles' is honestly a good idea to me: ......

It's true. Without a doubt, he's probably the best enemy in my life. With everything I have, I'm finally going to be able to compete or not. It's ...... and I'm asking for an evacuation.

With a sharp tone of voice, he emphasizes that there is no need for a 'magic stone man' (Jewelculus) to be in the way there.

'...... I understand,'

She saw that and nodded, nodding her head.

But she quickly looked up and listened to the story after the battle.

''So, once that battle is over, everyone can come back to the 'castle' again, right?　As usual, right?

...... Right. When it's all over, we'll--

Honestly, if it was against that Primordial Vortex Wave, there was a high probability that the castle and garden would collapse.

Nevertheless, I nodded back and protected the dream of this 'Magic Stone Human' (Jewelculus).

''-- Let's live together again. There's still a lot of work left for us to do, you know.

'Yes!　Okay, I'll get ready!　I'm waiting for the doctor to come back!

That 'Magic Stone Human (Jewelculus)' chuckles and invites the others in the 'garden' to begin to take shelter.

Seeing that back, I feel relieved.

I thought that some of them would be forced to stay in the castle, but they are smarter than planned.

Perhaps they all believe that they will be able to defeat the enemy.

They don't know the real strongmen like the Ancestor Vortex Wave, so they are under the illusion that they are strong.

Thanks to this, he smoothly kept out of the yard and out of the way.

Now I don't have to be bothered or taken care of.

I can concentrate and concoct my magic.

After making sure no one is gone, I place my hand on one of the trees in the garden. The tree is one of the thickest and largest in the garden, and I can tell at a glance that it is an old tree that has been around for a long time, with a large amount of green moss adhering to it but still maintaining its majesty.

This is my trump card, the World Tree (Yggdrasil).

Unlike the first one I used a thousand years ago, this second one doesn't have a single flaw.

It's small because it's not yet activated, but once it's released with all of its power, it will be even bigger than the first one. This time, it could swallow not just a single castle, but a whole country.

As long as they succeed, I'm confident that they can defeat any ”logic thief”.

I'm going to be able to get my hands on this trump card, the World Tree, and it will be directly connected to the Viaissia Castle.

It's called Wood Growth.

The foundation strengthening magic of the wood attribute is activated - boom, the garden pulsates.

A crackling, dry wood popping sound is heard, and the 'World Tree' begins to move like a living thing.

To be precise, it appears to be moving as it grows at a tremendous rate.

In an instant, the trunk swells to many times its size, the branches part infinitely, and the roots begin to be exposed because they can't fit on the ground.

As the ”World Tree” changes, the plants and flowers in the vicinity are also affected. They grow at the same high speed, growing many times their original size.

All the plants in the garden will grow and take root, encroaching not only on the garden but also on the stones that make up the castle.

Roots ran through the walls and took root like a spider's web in the corridors and rooms of the castle - in everything that was there.

This is the power of ”The One Who Stole the Reason of the Tree”.

If this continues, the Castle will be swallowed up by the Garden.

The place where you are standing now is the heart of the tree, and it will become a living ”castle”.

The thick trunks are the bones, and the roots are the blood vessels.

The lush moss and leaves would become skin, allowing a giant (tree fork) to 're-birth' someday.

Of course, even this would not be enough to deal with the Primordial Vortex Wave.

A massive giant body is just one of the cards in their hand.

The 'Castle' activation experiment must be ended as soon as possible and the next preparations must be made.

I'm going to speak the name of the magic and hasten its completion.

”--Wood Umil Kingdom.

Honestly, I'm not sure how to check the 'body arts', just from the performance I just gave. I need to recreate various other plants to make them compatible with magic.

I want to prepare new seeds for the duel, and I also want to consult with 'her' who had asked the trees to write the magic formula.

There's still a lot to do.

While constructing a plan in my head, I also check the enemy.

''-- Magic 《Trees Contact》''

He passes magic power from the White Cherry Blossom (Pieris Aisia) in the garden to the ground and extends his magical senses to another White Cherry Blossom (Pieris Aisia) in the distance.

He searches for the movements of his dueling partner in the distance, the founder Uzura Wave.

I've already learned his magic power. As long as the 'White Cherry Blossom (Pieris Aisia)', which has prompted countries to plant trees in the past year, as long as we are not in a very remote area, we can capture it.

I meditate and feel two powerful magical powers in the south of the continent.

The magic power of the dimensional attribute and the magic power of the wind attribute - without a doubt, the founder and the demon king.

However, the magic power is moving strangely fast.

You can see that it is leaving the 'Second Labyrinth City Daryl' on a carriage or something and heading straight north. It may be using all the money and power it has and heading towards this direction as fast as possible.

Beside those two magical powers, I can also feel the unattributed magical power of Snow-sama, who seems to be the commander-in-chief of the south. Also, this - is it the magic power of the star attribute?

''Noir......?　No, rouge?

Apparently, one of them is accompanying and guiding the Primordial Vortex Wave.

I don't know why, and I ponder this for a bit.

However, he quickly decides that it doesn't matter.

A year ago, the two of them have been working together for a long time, but lately, they haven't seen each other much. I guess we have grown up in an unknown place and acquired new values. That's all there is to it.

Rather, it's a story of good fortune.

With the presence of these famous girls in the ”Northern League”, there will be fewer irregularities along the way and the arrival of the enemy will be easier to calculate.

Even if they appeared as enemies along with the Ancestor Vortex Wave, it had nothing to do with me.

The 'teacher' and 'student' and other stupid 'games' are over.

''Ancestor Uzuma Wave: ......!

It's more about the enemy that we need to think about.

There is no time to think about anything else.

What I should be thinking about right now is defeating the Ancestor Vortex Wave. You must report to the Lord that you have become strong again after this year. I have to prove that I am worthy to stand beside you as the Prime Minister.

Ah, yes.

You can't think about anything else, because your 'unrealized desire' - being a 'vizier' worthy to stand next to the 'ruling king (lord)' - is not allowed to think about anything else.

I am the 'vizier' ...... of Vyasia, the 'vizier' .......

In the center of the Viaisia Castle - in the center of its courtyard, I mutter to myself.

The body is transformed into a tree man (driad), rooted from the feet, connected to the castle by branches from the arms, and connected to the plants of Viaisia, both body and soul, thinking as the heart and brain of the 'castle'.

'I will win ....... This time, I will challenge you and win ....... And I will prove that I was not wrong to be the 'Prime Minister' ....... Otherwise, I will no longer be--

Although he knew that his voice did not reach the Ancestor Uzuma Wave, he continued to spin his voice.

While repeating the word ”Prime Minister,” he waits for the return of the two in the country of Viaissia, where Ancestor Uzumi and the ruling Lord had abandoned it.

This is the last job that I can do as the Prime Minister, who has clung to Viaissia until today.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

''Uzura Wave ......, the founder Uzura Wave ....... ''Reigning King (Lord)'' ......, quick, quick--......''

Please, keep muttering to yourself, before it's too late--