Dawn Traveler

Chapter 32

Empire Division (part 2)

“La la la la.”

Alrium walked through the Elven Forest in the early morning. Wind blew in harmony with her voice and played through the grass. The fairies were dancing.

Elves usually, according to their tendency, knew how to play with two to three spirits.

High elf Alrium knew how to summon wind spirits, water spirits, tree spirits, earth spirits, light spirits, and fire spirits.

When various kinds of spirits showed up it was not that one would get strong but there were obviously many advantageous things to obtain.

It was the same as how someone utilizes various attributes with magic.

“If Jess can play with the spirits too it would be nice though, hehehe.”

The memory of him not so long ago came up.

Jess asked her the secret of being able to summon various spirits.

“Secret? I am just being friends with them though?”

“Then tell me how to get friendly with them easily.”

“Try to stick out your finger onto the spirits kindly.”

“All of them?”

“Yes. You just have to be friendly.”

If there was a spiritist around, he could use their help in summoning the spirit and to get friendlier with them which was good.

Jess stuck out his finger onto a water spirit.

The spirit reacted directly.

[Aaaaaaa!]

“Huh?”

[A bad human harassed me!]

“…”

The spirit splashed water onto Jess’s face and ran away.

Looking backwards, the past Grona who played around with the summoned spirits like they were toys was indeed wrong.

Alrium smiled beamingly.

“It seems that you don’t have any sociability with water spirits. I will call a wind spirit for you then.”

“Yes. I think a wind spirit will work.”

After a wind spirit who looked like a traveler kid wearing a fluttering cape was summoned, Jess pointed out his finger again.

[Get lost, you human!]

As the wind spirit said that, he brought a gust of wind that slapped Jess’s cheek and ran away.

“These rascals!”

He was angry but because there were many useful things spirits could do he tried to hold it in.

Magic should be adjusted everyday by oneself but that work could be entrusted in the form of a favor to the spirits.

Let’s hold it. Let’s hold and try it again. If I give up in the beginning when I’m angry I will regret it for the rest of my life.

This time a tree spirit was summoned.

But the spirit that resembled straight branches struck Jess’s finger with a whip.

Right after, the earth spirit that was summoned dug a hole and went in while looking away.

The fire spirit showed a different attitude.

[Keuuuu…]

“Huh? Does it feel my intimacy?”

[Grrrrr…]

“Alright. Fine. If you accept me as your friend then from now on you are my subordinate, let’s get along as colleagues.”

[Rawwr]

*Roaaarrrrr*

As Jess’s finger approached, the fire spirit gushed out flame streaks in all directions.

“Dangerous!”

Alrium screamed.

Jess who had no trust left in the spirits rolled on the ground and avoided the flame.

Even after Jess stayed away the fire spirit kept throwing out flames.

“Aah.. it seems like I don’t have any sociability with spirits.”

Jess disappointedly spoke.

There were no more recommendations for another spirit to be summoned.

“Hehehe.”

Alrium smiled happily as she remembered that time.

Jess’s rotten face was fresh and funny to that elf.

The parents of the other elves were not really welcoming when their children get along with humans well.

Emotionally, it was dangerous for elves who were affected by humans.

It was because the probability of them running out to the outer world because they got bored having to live inside the forest for the rest of their lives and then suffering from all kinds of hardships was high.

[Humans… are just a kind of animal.]

[A race that destroys forests and admires skills and spells. They are god’s children who have lost their nobility.]

Elves did not value the race called humans highly.

But Lisianthus had a different view then from most elves.

[Because humans don’t know what they are doing it’s fun to watch them. Elves and humans have their own immaturity, after a long time has passed both won’t know what kind of race they will become.]

The common high elf’s lifespan was about a thousand years.

To those who were especially concerned about longevity and if they ate good food like Jess, their lifespan could be increased until two to three hundred years.

In that long time, Lisianthus had been taking care of the plants and little animals as well as doing some kinds of punishment.

To experience life and meeting humans or other races was something important.

[Even if sometimes we get hurt, time is a medicine that heals any wound. Even if sometimes we fall we can get up again. Grass that has not been stepped on will end up weak.]

Lisianthus planned on sending Alrium by herself to go to the human’s world and do some sightseeing. Before that he thought that it was good for Alrium to have a human friend.

[Jess. I wonder what will that human kid be like in 20 or 30 years.]

Because Alrium got lessons from Lisianthus as well she became friendly with humans.

When she met Jess he was 6 years old. Now they had spent time together within the Elven Forest for 6 years.

While Alrium gathered herbs that Jess had been looking for, she smiled shyly.

“Next time… after Jess grows up should I live with him for one hundred years?”

-:¦:–:¦:–:¦:–:¦:–:¦:–:¦:-

The war to inherit the imperial throne of Gras Empire!

The continent fell into chaos and the war that lasted for a long time was soon heading towards its end.

The crown prince and the third imperial prince’s fierce battle impoverished a fertile granary region, and destroyed an advanced city and a seemingly impregnable fortress.

The fourth imperial prince replenished the lack of his power by dragging in foreign troops but the negotiations broke down and he lost his life.

The fourth imperial prince’s power collapsed at the same time as his death.

The fifth imperial prince Rogenak at the beginning of the civil war gave off an insignificant evaluation.

“If the competition takes place he is the one who will die first.”

“To him, dying is the same act as suicide.”

The high ranking nobles disregarded Rogenak.

Because of his cruel personality too many nobles had turned their backs away.

Rogenak had many parts in him that were lacking his sense of humanity but he was quick-witted and knew how to play with people.

Even though he was wicked, he would gladly respect those who had talent.

“There must be people who can be helpful to me somewhere in this world. Find those people. Because if I become king, I can give them anything.”

People who stood by Rogenak’s side hated the Empire’s nobles and he dragged along the Phraison tribe and the black magicians.

There was a gap between justice and justification but in a turbulent age power was power.

When the battle for the imperial throne took place, Rogenak plundered cities and while they were burning he established his great power out of fear.

He seized fear in the occupied territory that belong to the imperial army and left them with no choice but to actively cooperate.

Knights and indoctrinated magicians were drawn into the battle by having their families taken hostage.

As the three candidates who would inherit the imperial throne started the war, the Empire’s national power collapsed.

It was because a big scaled battle happened in the entire Empire almost everyday.

“If I let it go now… I can never escape from the Imperial’s shadow for the rest of my life.”

Meanwhile the Principality of Berkas declared its independence!

Gras Empire’s concern was to fall entirely on the civil war and could not send troops to punish the principality.

Folllowing that the 17 principalities that belonged to the Empire broke away at the same time.

“If we are ruled by the Gras Empire, we the Loine Kingdom will have to pay tax annually and offer women and slaves. Starting today Loine Kingdom is free.”

“Gras Empire has lost the justification to punish us. The agreement that was signed 170 years ago starting today has become invalid.”

“Throw out the Gras Empire’s officials!”

More than 20 colony areas declared their independence as well.

Gras Empire lost the colonies outside the border as well and got weaker at an alarming rate.

The civil war affected the military power in the continent and destroyed a considerable number of magic machines, the brave knights lost their lives as well.

There was a lack of food and production goods within the Empire and as the supplies from the colonies they had depended on got halted, the trading area collapsed and the people were starving one after another.

The treatment from the other kingdoms became different as well.

“We can no longer leave the supremacy of the Marca Continent to the Gras Empire.”

“It’s time we release the resentment that has been piled up since 300 years ago.”

The invasion of neighboring countries!

It was something that could have never been imagined by the well-established Gras Empire a decade ago.

It was because if the Empire’s powerful knights and magic machines went into action, devastating a decent sized kingdom was such a piece of cake.

The Empire’s military power had weakened to such a state, and the authority to command the blocking of foreign invasion had not yet been established.

The crown prince, third imperial prince, and the fifth imperial prince shifted blame onto who would take the duty to move the troops and through the civil war they tried to possess the position of advantage.

“The Empire is over. Those who are still left there, their family would not still remain intact.”

In the year Jess became 13 years old, many of Gras Empire’s nobles could not stand it anymore and took refuge in another kingdom.

Whoever succeeded the Gras Empire’s imperial throne, would stay in the difficult situation and solve the problems that piled up till now.

“Older brother is someone who has no virtue besides being born first… but apparently the conflict between me and him messed up the Empire!”

The third imperial prince along with the power that followed him established a new kingdom in the western part of the Empire named Heron.

“Hahahaha. In the end it became like this. Those fools.”

The fifth imperial prince dominated the south and east part and established a kingdom called Cedon.

“The time has come. Let’s get rid of the foolish and dirty imperial family’s bloodline!”

Duke Anselm became independent in the southern part that could not be possessed by Rogenak.

In the northeast too, the nobles who were sick of the civil war announced the independence of the Nermeis kingdom!

And that was how the Marca Continent that had been ruled by the Gras Empire was divided.

“Ah… so this shameful event apparently happened under the Empire’s honorable name.”

The crown prince protected the Empire’s central area until the end and kept the traditionality of the Gras Empire, but with that power it would still fall behind the Empire’s glory days.

The split up kingdoms used their strength of internal affairs to restore their national power, but their relationships were not good and there were endless trivial troubles at the border.

The other kingdoms, that did not need to notice the Gras Empire which only had its name left, without hesitation invaded the neighboring countries that usually had bad relations.

-:¦:–:¦:–:¦:–:¦:–:¦:–:¦:-

Rendall’s family that stayed in the Elven Forest avoided the war.

“I did not think that the aftermath of the civil war would grow this big, however it’s a good thing that we come to the Elven Forest.”

“Yes. But if the public peace gets worse, there is a chance of the contrary to happen.”

As the war arose the number of knights had decreased a lot.

Those who could not stand in line properly in the Gras Empire or were defeated in battle and the high rank nobles that collapsed were piling up.

As the existing ruling class collapsed, their hidden properties and family’s graves became in an unfortified state.

Because the gathered deceased magicians were not only one or two it was certain that their dungeons and laboratories were remaining like that somewhere.

It was a flattering opportunity for skilled tomb raiders.

Rendall gathered Herz, Nedhand, and Grona and started a meeting.

“It is a chance that won’t come again in the next few hundred years.”

“Hm. I think that as well. It is not an overstatement to say that there are treasures spread in every kingdom.”

“We think like that too, but how long can Jess get along with and live together with only the elves? The elves are peaceful but they are lacking in sociability. Of course, I did not say that because I want to drink a cool beer.”

At the end of the meeting they planned to leave the forest and go to the outer world.

It was the best opportunity to do tomb raiding, even though they were still anxious as the war had just ended the peace might last for the time being.

Of course, before coming to that decision Rendall had thought about it thoroughly.

If it was only about safety then staying in the Elven Forest was better.

According to the data investigated through Ellim there were hundreds of thousands of refugees roaming around the Empire, and they became a generation that did not value people’s lives.

There was news that people dying and going missing had often happened.

But the impact of the Gras Empire’s division happening was not something that would be finished in a day.

They had lived for 7 years in the Elven Forest, but it was because they couldn’t live here for a long time without any promise that they could not stay away from the outer world.

“Then let’s go back to Terre first.”

“I don’t know if the home we lived in is still remaining in good condition.”

“If it’s broken we can just build it again.”

“I, Nedhand, will show you my skills. Let’s build a basement bigger than the last house.”
Rendall’s family, Nedhand, and Herz packed their belongings.

As they had lived in the Elven Forest for a long time the belongings they had to pack were not just a few.

The war ended and now people were getting busy moving their belongings to Terre.

[Jess’s sword training should be continued even after we go to the city.]

Rendall was still having so many concerns about Jess’s training.

[Is Aunty Mischa who baked the bread for me getting along well? Lasboa’s daughter grew up well right? I should make lots of perfume from the elves’ flowers and go.]

Laeli had various belongings like a woman would have.

[I wonder what kind of realm do the magicians in Terre’s mercenary gathering are interested in. Other magicians will be shocked when they find out that I’m now a 6th circle, right? I should hurry and go to the city. Study materials and reference books, etc. there are so many things to buy.]

There was no other things but spell related stuff in Herz’s mind.

As he advanced to the 6th circle his passion in research got bigger.

[I should let go of my inmost thoughts after I meet the dwarves in Goth mountain. I should drink some beer.]

Nedhand got happy with the thought of drinking beer with people of the same race.

Grona didn’t have any interest in moving away.

Since she got freed from the experimental slavery, her whole family was Rendall, Laeli, and Jess.

Because of that she intended to follow wherever Rendall’s family went.

“Hmm. I should send my farewells to Alrium.”

Jess knew he would go back to human’s world as he wandered around the Elven Forest and met the faces of the village elves.

“Human. Goodbye.”

[So he’s leaving.]

“I wish for there to be clear clouds and a cool breeze along the road you walk on.”

[I won’t see him again.]

“These are fruits from the Pao tree, eat lots of them on your travels.”

[Because I have no appetite I will just give them away.]

“Irk. Those bad rascals.”

The elves that were indifferent and extremely cold-hearted!

Elves lived for a long time but they didn’t go out to the outer world and spent most of their lives together in the forests and mountains.

Because of that they had difficulties in sharing their feelings with humans.

“There are still many things that I should teach you in archery. Apparently you are leaving now.”

Lisianthus felt that it was a shame that he couldn’t teach Jess anymore.

[Because he’s still young it’s a shame that I can’t properly train him. He can be a real deal later. Those who trained with me before would rather beg to be killed by me.]

“Since you have completed the basic course, you should constantly train from now on.

Even now you are still inexperienced, you will get better as time goes on.”

“Yes!”

Jess answered vigorously.

It was hard to get closer as the pain and other feelings got mixed up in the farewell. Even so he was glad to be able to read other people’s feelings.

[Was it Terre city. If I go to the human’s world later I should go meet this kid.]

It was a relief that Lisianthus was honestly feeling sad in his parting.

Jess wished to meet him again.

[Ah really. I should teach skills that I haven’t given to this kid. Now his mastering ability might not be good but it must be developed a lot when I meet him again.]

Jess waited for that day as well.

The sword and bow that was given to him by Lisianthus represented all of his concern.

To the him that had trained for hundreds years it would be a happiness to see how much Jess would develop.

I should say something… but what should I say?

As Jess hesitated he met Alrium.

“You will leave the Forest now?”

“Yes. I should follow my parents.”

“But the human’s world is dangerous….”

“Anywhere is dangerous.”

Even though Jess was a 13 year old kid he could catch the mood. His talking partner was a beautiful elf who was more than 140 years old.

In the position of a male, her beauty could easily be beyond her age and race.

“You should be careful.”