Seirei no Moribito

Really, I can't do anything alone. You're tiny and weak. I've lived for over twenty years, and still I haven't changed anything, and I'm weak enough to rely on someone.

... but when I have to make a decision too - I can make a decision.

At least we can protect everyone... can we?

I went home to my own house while he supported me, and I quickly fell asleep that day.

Such an unusual routine, a quiet late night as the entire village was wrapped in a book as usual...... it was an event that happened in a peaceful routine.

"Fire! The village's on fire!

I jumped up in love with the words and rushed out into the simple “witch" clothes I had left close by in the unusual light and noise I could see from outside the window before going outside.

The first thing I felt was a unique smell after something burned. That flowed through my nostrils in the wind, and the next thing I saw was... an undisputed, bright red color of fire.

All the houses made of wood burned, and the sight of one collapse after another with a black-black smoke gave me the feeling of the end of the world.

"What, this... how could this happen...?

Even I found that the end of the fire was not enough and that it was not something that happened. 'Cause the burning house isn't wrapped in one place, and if you clear your ears, it's just a little noisy... and you can hear metal bumping into each other. What these mean is... obviously not something that happened naturally, but something artificial.

Though I don't know what the hell the reason for that is...... anyway, I have to put out the fire.

I lifted a wand with a bell to produce water to extinguish the fire.

"... a vessel of distorted water trees, let it rain of war here and now." Aquarain "!

By waving the wand, I drew a magic formation, and I activated "magic."

Clouds swirl extensively over a certain entire house, from which small rains begin to fall. As if to mock the fire gaining momentum, the rain gradually gained strength, and little by little the fire was extinguished.... Though this rain was a powerful sorcery for offense, so it wiped out all the way to the roof with fire.

But there's nothing to replace my life... but I feel a little guilty.

But anyway, first we have to find out what caused it at the head of the village.

With that in mind I stepped out without much vigilance in an attempt to make my way to the village chief's house.

One step, two steps,

"Danger!"

By someone coming from the side I was thrust into a bush of grass off the road.

Suddenly, I don't know why, but it's faster than complaining about it.

"The heavenly cup is overflowing." Ignition "!

A mass of flame fell over someone's head with his chanting in high spirits.

The screams of unfamiliar people leaked, to the sound of heavy metal that echoed at the same time... I froze my spine.

Heavy, but lightly bouncing, unique sound is the sound of a "weapon” falling off. That sound sounded... just behind where I stood right there.

It shows the fact that the enemy tried to shake the blade down against me - if he hadn't thrust me... I would have been slashed.

I remember a little fear in that fact... for a while, I could only stare at his hindsight.

... but why were you after me? How come... the village is being attacked...? Why, the purpose is - the worst possibility, the result that comes from it, is that the speculation... is only one.

"Sorry, are you okay?

He spoke so gently, worried because I didn't say anything.

As always, there's no such thing as nervousness... a grin that reassures people just to see.

"... hey, kiddo... thanks, Leo..."

I best return that to a series of unforeseen and unpleasant thoughts.

But he doesn't show any more care, or slowly states the fact that he couldn't afford it.

"After that, Laura left soon, didn't she? But there was a discussion in the middle of the night without the" village chief ”and the“ witch "... and this might not have happened if I had been there, but apparently the villagers decided not to tell me what to do with the" tribute "either..."

He should be gentle and calm, but his voice was trembling for some reason. It's as if the concern I've had for a long time has hit me.

"... they made the decision not to dedicate the" Contribution "again and set the path against the“ Spirit Tree "... a little thought would have immediately shown that it was a shallow decision... but maybe the“ Guardian ”was after it, and the" Guardian ”attacked me in the middle of the night"

But the emotions in that voice are not fear,

- This whole village was meant to be a tribute.

By anger.

"That's..."

Did you see that he gave me an anxious look at the status quo, which is not very different from what I thought you would think, he turned to me with a gaze that looked distant and alert,

"It's okay.“ The Protector "almost defeated me and the village chief, and the fire arrows they fired are about to disappear. It's all right. There won't be any more misery."

I told him twice that it was okay, but it was kindness from his heart. When I looked up at the face I was leaning over, his face was as serious as nothing more, and at the same time all the usual mild feelings fell out - that was the first time I had ever seen it, a scary face.

But that look was only for a moment.

Seeing him act like nothing happened at the next moment, I thought you were a bottomless person everywhere.

Don't know what I think like that, he has a clear tone,

"The aim of the“ protector ”now was... maybe Laura, the“ witch ”. I think he tried to test the willpower of the whole village by taking you hostage or killing you. Kill me against you again, or spend some time frightened adults... well, if the village chief is a hostage, he'll change the story."

"... that I can't rely on it...?

"On the contrary, it means that the village chief is too reliable. I'm not gonna get caught as a hostage, and if I get caught, I'm gonna run away on my own."

His end was plundered by the

"- Wait, if that's a bluff... no way, the village chief..."

"... Huh? What the hell is wrong with the village chief?"

The continuation of the words did not come out.

All of a sudden, the spirits shining around him danced and

"Long time no see, Red Lotus shiner."

Because a heavily majestic unknown voice and a bright red sphere of light appeared.

What the hell is this time? Feeling a little anxious inside, I gaze at the sphere of light… retrace my memory to the magic I've felt somewhere.

On the other hand, he glanced at the sphere of light for a while,

"Uh... Long time no see, 'Ifried'"

"Huh? 'Ifried'!?"

appeared beside him. That was the

"Ifried, the Great Spirit who commands the flames...!?"

"A witch under the protection of the Spirit..."

It was "Ifried," the great spirit he “summoned” as a trump card, seven years ago, when the village chief and he confronted each other.

Are you expressing your will in a slight daze, 'Ifried' said abruptly only the matter after repeating it gently.

"The Spirit Tree seems to have begun its journey."

"What's the basis for that?

"The woman mayor of this village or“ the forest where the spirits live "... you should look into it"

"... well... I knew that was what happened."

"... what do you mean...?

Leave me alone. I'm not answering my questions.

"'Ifried,' may I use your help?

"I'm going to do that from the start."

The last of the words, the Spirit disappeared from around him in unison.

But I can feel the protection of the Spirit enveloping him.

It was me who left it all the way from start to finish, but somehow it's important to say that what's happening now is a branch of my life.

However,

"Well, I'm gonna go to the North Forest for a little while."

... What did you just say...? “The North Forest," I said...? Later, he said he was coming...!

"Hey, wait a minute! What the hell is going on!?"

All of a sudden a "protector” attacked me, attacking this village and trying to kill me... he's about to go to the “North Forest” for some reason. But you said "Ifried" was the forest where the Spirit lived, right? Never heard of a place name... how does that connect to the North Forest!?

I'm on the verge of panic, but still desperate and I tell him.

"What's wrong with the village chief?!? Why is Leo going to the" North Forest ”? And the" Forest where the Spirit lives ”...!

"Uh, just calm down, Laura. Really, everything... yeah, I'll tell you everything"

He put his hand on his shoulder so he could forgive me,

"Er... I can't fit in,“ the forest where the Spirit lives ”is also known as the“ North Forest ”. Spirit...... it is also called this among the Great Spirits with awe and respect. He says it's an abominable and loving home that determines the relationship between humans and spirits"

"Hometown......? Sure, that forest is where the Spirit Tree creates the Spirit... the Protector... but how does that connect with Leo going...?

"... right. Listen to me calmly, Laura. Maybe...... yeah, for sure, this village is one that was deliberately aroused beyond the form it should be. A convenient boxyard just to serve their purpose..."

He is:

"And rule such a village... that the village chief..."

He told me the amazing “truth”.

Terrible truth, hard to believe in Russia, but only convincing enough to deserve to believe.

"... lying... the village chief...?

When I heard the story, I thought it was impossible.

Because the village chief always thinks about the villagers... working hard to protect us... strong and cool, with everyone's admiration... but there are verses that come to mind.

For example, the selection of "Witches of the Spirit Tree”. How I was deciding on a "contribution" up to seven years ago. Beautiful look that hasn't changed one thing since I was attentive. We always thought and called it with respect at the same time - words of jealousy, envy and love.

- Of this village, too young a female village chief.

How could I not have noticed that fact? Yeah, I must have turned away from the facts because I didn't want to doubt the village chief in the depths of my heart.

He said it wouldn't be surprising if the perfect mayor of the village could do anything without getting old.

If so, we... I...

He looked worried about me fighting the grid of his heart.

"... I don't think it's hard to believe that. Even though it was suspicious to me from the outside, it was only natural to Laura and the others who were inside. So..."

He grins a little sadly, trying to leave this place quietly...... I shook his hand.

smile at him looking at me like I was surprised,

"It's okay. I knew it, all of it. Maybe... I don't know."

So don't worry. I won't let you carry that burden on your own.

- Examine suspicion, tell it to the villagers as truth, and try to save this village while being hated... What a hypocrite's role. Never, I won't let you carry me.

Yes, I made up my mind and forced myself to laugh to convince him. It may not have been a little too much.

"Leo. If what Leo said is true, yeah, even if it's true - it's my role to look it up and tell the villagers“ witches. So I'm coming with you. "

"What are you talking about? What a place the“ North Forest ”is..."

"I know. How dangerous and special that place is... I'm much more of a villager than you."

“The Forest of the North." This is where the temple dedicated to the "Spirit Tree" exists - and where the "Protector” receives more life than the "Spirit Tree." At the same time, the Spirit solidifies its existence as a Spirit and wings.

“Protector" is a collection of spirits, taking in many spirits in a week from the moment they are raw. And the amount of spirits it takes in determines the strength of the "Protector”. There are many ways to take it in, but the most effective, optimal and efficient way to do this is to target humans, kill them, and sip blood.

Magic is the life force that surrounds our human body… the integration of the Spirit into the blood that is its source. So there is an incomparable degree of spirituality in the blood that drifts through the air.

In order to take it in, there are many "protectors” roaming the woods trying to kill humans.

But the "protector" who just received the raw doesn't hold so many spirits - that kind of mistake made a lot of sacrifices.

The “Protector" who has just been raw has the power of the Great Spirit class. Not only that, but you can use advanced spirituality, the highest class of "spirituality”, without chanting. Moreover, it combines nearly invincible regeneration with the most powerful spiritual art.

True, it is the worst of the worst “guardians". There are so many of them in that forest.

Most importantly, “witches” forge ties from generation to generation so that they cannot come down to the village, and after a week they are unable to possess enough spirits to maintain their existence, so little "protectors” are born.

That's why the Spirit Tree gives birth to them in an effort to survive as many as one.

What the hell is he going to do in such a forest?

"In that forest... you say the truth is asleep?

"... I don't know. But there's definitely a clue left. He said" Ifried, "and I've been investigating it independently."

He is:

"Do you really want to come?

"Of course."

"... well. Well, we don't have a choice."

Pull out both the knives that were on your hips.

Sharin ', sounding as comfortable as a bell sound, I say after I lend a hand in getting up.

"Don't leave behind me."

"Yeah. I'll only protect your back."

"That's a reliable word... Thanks, Laura"

Me and him finally laughed at each other and walked towards the “North Forest” to make sure it was true.

- That was a week before the incident.