174 Green man (1/2)

Black haired wise man Chiyuki

The Great Sea of Trees of Elyos is located at the foot of Mount Elyos, the highest mountain in the world.

The Sea of Trees is vast, nearly a third of the vast Bandor Plain where we live.

We must find the land of the elves in this vast forest.

The four of us are on the outskirts of that treeline.

It has only been a day since the elves took Kouki away from us.

The reason we were able to come to the treeline so quickly was because we had set up a transition to a nearby country in case we ever went to Erios.

Due to the transference magic, we would reach the Tree Sea in less than an hour.

However, it seems that the same is true for the elves.

'Hey Chiyuki?　Did you see that?

Shirone, beside me, asks me.

'Yes, I saw them. It looks like the elves came through here.

I use past-vision magic to confirm that the elves have passed through this place.

It looks like they left the Elders soon after.

I didn't use any magic to block past vision or detection.

I don't know if they're licking their chops, or not that preoccupied, or if they can't use it.

But this would allow us to track it.

''Well, let's go after him. 'Nao-san?　Can we follow the path Kelluneier took?

I ask Nao in front of me.

It's okay. The scent of the deer seems to have not disappeared. We can catch up with them.

Nao laughs as he smiles.

Nao now has animal ears from her head and a tail from her ass.

Nao's sense of smell is keen. He remembered the scent of Kelluneier once he smelled it. I think we can track it now.

'But where in the forest is the land of the elves?　I'd hate to be too far away.

Reno looks at the forest and frowns.

Reno is certainly right. The forest is huge. It's not always possible to get there in a day.

If you're not good at it, you'll have to camp out in the field.

I thought about flying in the sky, but it seems that the sky is warded with some kind of wards, so it seems that the magic of flying cannot be used.

So, we have no choice but to go through the forest.

Let's make up our minds and proceed.

But we have no choice but to go. We can't turn back after we've come this far.

The trees are high as we enter the forest. Sunlight shines through the trees from the green ceiling.

With Nao in the lead, we proceed quickly.

We don't want to spend as much time in the field as possible.

The road ahead is slightly open for Kelluneier's deer carriage to get through.

This way we won't have to worry about getting lost.

''Great. I feel the power of the wind and earth spirits very strongly.''

Reno, who is looking around, makes a startled sound.

There are spirits everywhere in this world.

Those with a certain talent can feel their presence.

Reno's ability as a spirit user is high. The fact that Reno is so surprised must be quite amazing.

By the way, he was surprised to see that there are many dark spirits in Nargol.

There are different types of spirits depending on the region.

And I've heard that the creatures that live in each type of spirit are also different.

I heard that there are many elves living in this forest, but what other things are living?

As I think about this, Nao stops.

Her face is grim. It looks like something unusual has happened.

'What's wrong?　Nao-san?

I can feel his eyes on me. Mr. Chiyuki.

Eyes?　Is someone watching us?

'Maybe so ....... But I don't know where I'm looking at it from.

'So ....... Someone must be watching from afar.

Nao's sensing range is wide.

They must be watching us from outside of that sensing range.

Is he seeing it by some magical means?

If that's the case, maybe I can use my magic to trace it.

No, this is different: ....... I can feel your gaze from close up. It's like you're looking at it from right up close .......

'What?　Really!　Do you have any idea where you are, Nao-san?

That's what I don't understand: ......

””What?”

Me, Shilone, and Reno are exclaiming at Nao's words.

Nao's detection ability is high. If she's nearby, it's hard for anyone with any covert abilities to hide.

I don't understand that Nao. That means we're in a very dangerous situation.

If they want to, they can take us by surprise at any time.

What about you, Sirone? What about you?　Do you feel anything?

Shirone has the second highest sensing ability in this group, after Nao.

Especially in its ability to sense opponents with hostile intent, it rivals Nao.

''Umm, I don't feel anything but ....... But it's an opponent that Nao can't find. Maybe they're hiding their hostility.''

Cyrone looks around anxiously.

At that moment, the forest seems to have rustled.

I look and see that the branches of the trees are moving and the leaves are scattered. It seems that there really is someone out there.

'It's no good. ...... I can't find the guy hiding in there.''

Nao's claws extend from her fingertips.

It was a special ability, due to Nao's animalization.

In close combat, it's easier to fight with claws than with boomerangs.

The claws, which are as long as a stiletto, are sharp and can easily cut through opponents.

Syrone also places his hand on the hilt of his sword so that he can pull out at any time.

''Wait!　Guys!　Calm down!　Don't get into a fighting stance!

Reno speaks up.

Me, Shirone and Nao look at Reno.

Reno is meditating, holding his hand and listening closely.

'I just noticed, it's the trees in the forest that we're looking at. I think the trees were alarmed by our temper tantrums.

I nod my head at Reno's words.

What does it mean that the trees are watching?

But it seems that Reno has figured out who is watching us.

She has a narrower range of perception than Nao, but when it comes to sensing things like spirit and emotion, she's more capable than Nao.

With this ability, I seem to have figured out what they are.

'Hey, why were you watching Reno and the others?　Why do you look so anxious?　Reno and his friends would never hurt you. Come and tell me what you want.

I can feel a wave of magic from Reno's body.