Foreigner's Mistake

Book 6: Chapter 83: Shock ~ 23

At that moment, a feeling of fear, more intense than he had ever felt before, ran through the old man.

Bauers, the Elder of the village of Ruijs, is also the most skilled practitioner of the spiritual arts. Of course, his skill is of the highest level. In other words, he is of a rank that can sense magical vibrations. Normally, due to the effect of the Lost Forest art, which thoroughly weakens outside arts, it is rare for him to feel the magical vibrations emanating from the outside world, but these vibrations were of an unprecedented level, and even Bauers was horrified by it.

Even some of the practitioners who specialize in spiritual arts reacted in unison. Next, the earth trembled and the leaves rustled.

W-What happened!?

Bauers tried his best to keep his voice calm and looked back at his surroundings.

Elder! Look at that!

Looking in the direction the relatively young elf pointed, Bauers was speechless. The Lost Forest art hides the World Tree from the outside world, but it is possible to see the outside from the World Tree. The elves accept this as a result of the mysterious tree called the World Tree, but the truth is not clear. However, even though they can see outside, they usually only see the endless sea of trees, but this time was different. A tremendously high mushroom cloud was rising beyond the sea of trees.

...... What the hell, is that?

Explosion? If so, this is outrageous!

The old-timers who saw the event voiced their shock. The smoke cloud, which looked as if it were several times the size of the World Tree, whose height is not clearly known, was growing in size. He has heard that the Dragon Heart Mountain, where many dwarves and elves live, erupted a long time ago.

Is this the disaster that the Academy of the Wise was talking about, but this is....

As he looked at the smoke cloud that was covering the sky, Bauers felt an intense sense of fear. If the event is within the visible range like this, there is a high possibility that its impact will reach them. The Lost Forest art may dampen the effect somewhat, but he raised his voice loudly as he thought of what would happen if the effects he was imagining were to reach this village.

Gather all the wind experts of intermediate level and above on the east side as soon as possible! Quickly!

The seriousness in Bauers' voice was quickly responded to by the elven. Each of them hurriedly called out to their compatriots living in the village.

If only Satoru-dono were here,Bauers gritted his teeth. He is the man who can beat Ingolshenes. Just when he thought that Satoru would have protected them against such a disaster, he realized another possibility.

It was hard to believe that the disaster that was happening right in front of him was a natural phenomenon. There are no fire-breathing mountains in the vicinity of this Dark Green Forestand while there may be a phenomenon known as Starfall, which is said to occur once every several hundred years, what happened shortly after Satoru's departure was not a natural phenomenon at all, but a phenomenon that could have occurred at any time of the year. He wondered if this was what Satoru had done.

Bauers took the initiative and set it up in the center of the eastern edge of the village. He could only use up to intermediate level, but the old elf had a soul of his own. Even if they lack instantaneous power, they keep their staying power. Bauers shouted out to the practitioners who had gathered one after another from the village.

The wind with heat is likely to rush in! Use the Storm Wall to deflect the onrushing hot air to the upper side!

No sooner had Bauers sent out these instructions than a sudden cloudburst broke, and the leaves on the east side of the village began to rustle violently. Bauers shouted as loudly as he could as he felt the violent sound approaching.

All hands, use the Storm Wall!

A wall of wind was formed, released simultaneously from dozens of practitioners. In the next instant, the trees in front of them shook violently and the winds surged with tremendous force. The village was hit by a hot wind filled with an enormous amount of heat, which can only be described as tremendous.

Ugh ......!

Bauers realized that his prediction was partly right and partly wrong. He knew that he had been correct in his judgment as to the countermeasures against the hot winds coming from the east. The only thing was that the hot winds were far beyond his imagination. The pressure was so great that he almost let himself be blown away, but he held on just in time. Some of the practitioners seemed to have been knocked unconscious by the unimaginable pressure, expending most of their magic power before they could even think about it. If this Storm Wall collapsed, they would be the first to be caught in it, and they probably won't survive.

We only have to hold out for ten seconds. Put all your magical power into it!

Bauers shouted with determination. He continued to apply the Storm Wall, which was the most powerful he could exert. It would not last long; he said he would only last for ten seconds, but there was a chance that it would exceed that. The mushroom cloud was a long distance away, and it was unimaginable that such a hot wind would still be surging past the Lost Forest, which dampened the power of various arts and disasters. Some trees were also blown down and knocked over.

And... Leaves rustled above the heads of the elves who were trying their best to endure.

The World Tree is ......!

Someone shouted. The shining World Tree trembled and increased its luminous intensity, and a loud zap sounded to negate the oncoming hot wind.

Ohhh ......

That is an unbelievable phenomenon. Perhaps the World Tree, sensing the danger that it too would be knocked down if things continued as they were, released the power it had kept dormant for self-preservation. It may have offered a helping hand to the elves who had endured the loss of much of the magical power that resided in their bodies. Although they do not know the truth, there is only one clear thing.

I-It seems we were saved. ......

Breathing heavily on his shoulders, Bauers looked around. It seemed that many of the practitioners had spent their magical power almost to the limit. Perhaps they were just a hair's breadth away. If the World Tree had not helped, the hot winds would probably have swept into the village, causing considerable damage.

The damage to the village was not total. Some trees were knocked down and some people were injured by flying branches. He looks at the mushroom cloud that is still expanding its power. The distance between the two areas, and the effect of the Lost Forest, which dampens the power of many things, is the only reason for this much damage. He wonders what is going on outside the Lost Forest.

Is Satoru safe?

Bauers uttered this unintentionally. Satoru himself refused, but no matter what he said, Satoru is the hero who saved this village. Even with the blessing of the Lost Forest, he still has this much destructive power. If this were a disaster, and he was involved in it, he would not get away unscathed, no matter how invincible he boasted of his invincibility.

On the other hand, I am lost. If, as I first thought, it was Satoru who caused this disaster. How should I deal with it?

The elves of the village are coming one after another to take care of their compatriots who saved the village.

Are you all right, brother?

Bauers nodded to an elderly female elf who was the first to call out to him.

That direction where the explosion occurred is in the direction of the village where I was. We must hurry and investigate.

Bauers was taken aback. When he was decided to expel Liz, Bauers had secretly asked his sister, who was out of the village, to take care of Reine and Liz. However, it took some time to find the mother and daughter, and as a result, she was informed that Reine's legs had deteriorated. He felts sorry for Reine a lot.

The old woman whom Reine and Liz had met by chance and whom they thought had helped them was the one. Of course, the mother and daughter are unaware of this fact. A fact that only the Bauers' blood relatives and some of the elders have been told about. Bauers intentionally placed Delgitta, his younger sister, outside the village to get information about human society. It was this Delgitta that Raymond first met in the village where Reine and Liz were living.

Satoru made Bauers promise to take care of Reine and Liz. If, as Delgitta said, the explosion had involved the village where Reine had been, it would be necessary to investigate immediately. However,

It is dangerous. We can't send anyone from the village to investigate under these circumstances.

As the person in charge of the village, it is only natural for him to make that decision. We don't even know what happened to the damaged Lost Forest

Please let me investigate there.

Bauers' brow clouded as he recognized the woman who told him so clearly. There she was, Bauers' daughter, Helmera.

But Helmera

I am aware of the danger. Many of the trees in the forest have been blown down. There is a high possibility that the Lost Forest will be distorted by this. However, I am still worried about Reine. Besides, I can't fulfill my promise to Satoru-dono ......

Bauers groaned and ponders. At this stage, if Reine was involved, it would not be a matter of the village's responsibility. Satoru would probably understand. However, if they neglected to mention that Reine was returning to the village, it could become a problem later on.

In any case, an investigation would be necessary. Helmera is not good at the wind arts, but she has advanced skills in the water and rijutsu arts. She is the perfect person to be sent to investigate.

Besides, the investigation is also necessary to return those who have fled to this place.

Mugh......

The village is still functioning at this stage. However, with the sudden increase in the number of people, it is rather on edge as an operation. Bauers nodded at her daughter's advice.

It can't be helped. I'm counting on you.

The daughter also nodded and immediately ran off to the village.

Such magnitude, I can't think of anything but Starfall.

How do you explain the magical tremors?

It is not a very likely situation, but could it be that there was an unexcavated labyrinth? It could have been a direct hit there, releasing the magic power.

No.

All eyes were focused on the short denial of the High Mentor, who had remained silent until now. The High Mentor had never looked at the damage report.

I will make this known to everyone as a highly accurate story. I don't know if this damage was caused by the Starfall art, but it was probably caused by someone else.

What did you say!?

The youngest Mentor among the participating Mentors was agitated by the gravely worded words of the High Mentor. The Mentors exchanged glances with each other at the unbelievable story.

It would be difficult to do this much damage even with unlimited magic in the Ancient Magical Kingdom, even with magic that is now lost. The Mentor and his colleagues calmly made this judgment. It is extremely difficult to control such a large amount of magical power, and moreover, there is no way to use such a large amount of magical power in this life. The largest magic stone being studied at the Academy of the Wise boasts a figure of 1,500, but even if you used it with all your might, you would not be able to cause this much damage.

Another Mentor, who is older than the High Mentor, laughs sarcastically, The High Mentor must be senile. No human being could cause this kind of damage. Even if all the members of the Academy of the Wise concentrated on a single ritual, it would not be enough to cause this much damage.

Listen here, do not try to use Farsightedness on the center of the explosion. Notify the countries through the Magic Guild.

Probing gazes focused on the High Mentor. The youngest Mentor raised his hand and directed a question to the revered High Mentor.

Does the High Mentor know who caused all this?

It's a matter of possibility.

The most senior Mentor turned his eyes. He had not been informed of the existence of such a monster. The next moment he was about to speak up, a knock sounded from outside.

Pardon my intrusion.

The older Mentor shot a curt look at the young woman who bowed and entered the room. I know who this woman is. Of course, she is not of the caliber to enter a place like this.

You, a leader of a patrol unit, with what authority do you have to enter this place where only the Mentor class is allowed to participate?

That's fine. I called her. Give me your reports.

Holding out his hand to restrain the older Mentor, the High Mentor turned his gentle gaze on Sheryl. Sheryl bowed silently once more to the full throne and then assumed an upright, immobile posture.

The target's location is approximate.

I knew it.

With eye contact, Sheryl nodded. With a grunt Ummm, the High Mentor closed his eyes and leaned himself against the back of his chair. It occurred to several of them that the young woman on patrol had been appointed head of a dying department at the urging of the High Mentor, but none of them could remember the official name of that department.

The face of the beautiful woman, who had been standing upright and immobile with a sharp expression on her face, became a little distorted there.

And. The Message Tablet has been destroyed.

The High Mentor's eyes widened as she continued her report.

Say what. Then, Sir Dantes is?

I use Detection on his ring, but there was no response. ...... Perhaps Sir Dantes made contact with the target and was blown away.

Mmmm ......

This young beautiful woman and the High Mentor are having a conversation that only the two of them understand. The Mentor looked at one of the Mentors who was about to raise his voice to ask for an explanation in impatience, and after restraining him with a glance, the High Mentor opened his mouth gravely.

I just want to let everyone know about this. The person who is believed to have caused this explosion is a young man who calls himself Satoru. He called himself a Foreigner and is not known where he came from.

Say what?

He is a man outside of the Soul Search process, just after birth.

In this world, it is a rule to conduct Soul Search on newborns. Those who are under the protection of the state are the basic targets, and elves, dwarves, aquatic tribes, and children of slaves who are not under the protection of the state are originally exempted from this practice.

However, as a result of long-established custom, it is common practice for those living in this world to take those with large soul born from time to time as a result of mutation, etc., and place them under the protection of the state or educate them. Even from the slave class, there occasionally appear people with large soul. The reason why they are placed under the supervision of the state is because such a large soul is so precious. The Patrol Task Force for Persons of Interest, of which Sheryl is now the leader, is also originally a department to monitor such people.

Sheryl, the target heart stone is....

Here.

Sheryl placed the stone in the center of the round table, and the High Mentor personally put his magical power into the stone. The image that emerged from the stone was that of a large young man and woman. After showing the image to everyone, the High Mentor looked around the room.

It is this man. The leader of the Maylander team here has found him. He is a being whose soul is so large that it cannot be confirmed by the Covert Soul Search and who could be the Demon King.

Oh, my God.

They have never heard of a soul that cannot be confirmed by Soul Search. Even those with a soul that is too huge, such as the Five Dragons, can be identified by the Soul Search art. The Covert Soul Search is an art that can be invoked without the use of words in the chanting, and although it only gives a rough number compared to the number given by the measuring sphere, it is still impossible not to know the number.

After calming down the rustling of the Mentor once again, the High Mentor turned his stern gaze on everyone.

We judged him to be a considerable risk factor. I have to say that he probably caused the magical tremor the other day, the one in the Labyrinth of no Return, and the breakthrough in the labyrinthall of them were caused by his hand. His soul probably numbers more than 10.000.

A rustle, the Mentors murmured. There was certainly a suspicion that the magical tremors that occurred in the city the other day were too large to have been caused by the High Mentor. Here, once again, was a declaration that the High Mentor had not done it.

At first glance, Satoru, who is reflected in the heart stone, appears to be nothing more than a large, stout, crude warrior. Unbelievable, to be sure, but even more outrageous if true.The High Mentor turned his stern gaze into a soft one as the Mentors began to murmur once again.

There's no need to worry. It would be too dangerous for the academy to fight him directly, so we have prepared a plan.

Pheeew, a collective sigh of relief escaped from everywhere. The most senior Mentor's gaze was as tight as ever, but the High Mentor was unconcerned and spoke to everyone as if to say something to them all.

Direct contact with him, however, is too dangerous. My Farsightedness and Distant Hearing were destroyed before. Therefore, you should not probe the explosion site directly.

Understood

The youngest Mentor, who respected the High Mentor, bowed his head, and all followed suit. Regardless of what was in their hearts, they could not let the Mentor class cross a dangerous bridge.

Then, a knock sounded again. The person who peeked out was the chief secretary of the High Mentor, who had recently lost weight from exhaustion.

High Mentor, you have been summoned by the Senate. I heard they're holding an urgent Imperial Council meeting.

The High Mentor exhaled as if troubled. Surely, this issue cannot be settled by the Academy of the Wise alone. The nation needs to come up with a plan to deal with this problem as well. The High Mentor also holds the title of First Count and is a member of the Ares Senate, and he is respected as a consultant.

But this is, on the contrary, an opportunity. Because appealing to the public about the danger of Satoru and gaining the support of the Ares Senate and the royal family will have an effect that cannot be ignored. Right now, Sheryl's team is the only one pursuing Satoru, but now that things have come to this point, they need additional personnel and budget.

Good grief. Everyone continues to gather information on the damage. Sheryl, you're in charge of tracking.

Ha!

With a heavy heart, the High Mentor stood up from the round table. Sheryl also bowed to the Mentor and left the conference room.

The remaining Mentors sighed and continued to work hard to fulfill the duties assigned to them.