289 - - Confectionery that is not in season

"I didn't know that was possible."

When Uriel was told what had happened in the basement of the court temple, he let out a sigh of sadness.

Dinner was already over and most of the apple jam pie for dessert had disappeared into the stomachs of the girl and the child.

Moe stuffed the last slice down her throat as if swallowing it, and lifted her nose proudly.

"Whew, that was delicious! It tastes especially good after all the hard work I put in today..."

"Yeah, yeah, Moo-chan was great today. I didn't understand what it was, but yes, it was great.

The child smiled broadly at Sola's praise, the meaning of which was somewhat unclear, and then patted him on the shoulder happily.

"I'm certainly surprised, but ......, is it possible for a sacramental tool to break?"

Thor also checked whether it was possible or not, although it was true that it actually popped off.

Yuril thought about it for a while and continued after prefacing his answer with "probably.

"According to the research at the Tower of the Sages, magical power can reside in any object, not just people. However, in the case of non-living things, the size of the vessel is predetermined and it never grows larger. In this case, the magical power that flowed into Mumu from the relics due to the connection she gained may have poured directly into the Thunder Ring of Heavenly Majesty, resulting in an excessive supply and reaching the limit of the vessel."

"A vessel of magical power?"

"But the precious sacramental tools should have a vessel worthy of the name, and the fact that it exceeded it seems to me that it is because of Mumu's excellent qualities."

Mu, who had been frankly praised by Yuril, nodded his head and snorted, unlike Sola.

"It may also have something to do with the fact that Mumu's magical power vessel has expanded after coming into contact with the relic.

It is said that the relics have such effects because they are the embodiment of God's power.

However, this was not necessary information for Thor, who did not want to have anything more to do with the beast.

"Anyway, I'm glad to hear that Mu is safe. You were about to be left alone in the house.

Thor scratches the bottom of his chin and tells the child, who does not understand the gravity of the situation.

If Moe had been possessed by the part of the sin-eating beast, there would have been no choice but to take him to the battle of the labyrinth master who guards the miasma.

In that case, however, defeating the master of the labyrinth would have been meaningless.

"Isn't it possible to seal the maelstrom without the relic?"

Once, at the lowest level of the Jade Ant's Nest, Thor himself witnessed a terrifying miasma abyss.

Although he clearly understood that no human power could reach that existence, he still could not help but ask.

"Yes, not as far as I know."

"So ...... is it?"

Turning to look at Thor, whose voice had become somber, Yuril nodded slowly before continuing.

"This is a good opportunity for you to show off your work, isn't it?

With these words, the beautiful woman who shook the tips of her ears carefully unbuttoned the buttons on the chest of her loungewear one by one.

Then she quietly lifted up the hem of her dress to the stunned Thor and his friends.

Her snow-white skin is exposed, and her ample dice are just about to tumble out...

"What!"

"It's ......."

The two men, seeing the unbelievable change, let out an involuntary yelp.

Yuril's abdomen, from his solar plexus to his belly button, was covered with what looked like a brown scab.

No, it was as if the skin itself had been transformed.

It looked like the bark of a plant.

"When did you get into such a state ......?"

"I was treated as soon as I went up to the rigid class. It was only recently that it became so obvious. I think I'm finally getting used to it.

Thor chokes on his words as Yuril's mannerisms sound as if he is pleased with the change.

In his mind, he had heard that Yuril had received a gift from the Temple of Exploration at the time of his promotion to the Vajrayana level.

He would have to wait to find out what was in it until he was sure it had sprouted.

"Perhaps you were referring to the sprouting ......."

Yes, it sprouted successfully. This is the golden tree, the holy relic of our stra.

"Heh?"

Sola responds to the sudden declaration in a dumb voice.

Perhaps, like Thor, she was thinking of the tree that grows in the greenhouse of Odle's medicine cabinet in the temple of the quest.　

Ulir, who laughs at the funny look on their faces, simply reveals the secret to us.

"It's an apple tree grafted with a branch of the golden tree. It inherits the power of the relic, but not enough to seal the miasma."

"Grafting ......, no way!"

The words of Yuril, who had told him that Audre, the owner of the medicine cell, was an expert in relics belonging to plants, again flashed through Thor's mind.

Yes, the true power of the Golden Bough will be revealed only when it is placed in a human body. You know very well that the relic is such a thing, don't you, Thor?

By absorbing various information about the surrounding humans and the host, the relics are able to demonstrate their power.

As far as Thor knows, the "Lamp of Greed" in the Temple of Liberation feeds on human desires, the "Remembrance Grass" in the Temple of Trade on memories, and the "Sin-Eating Beast" in the Temple of Court feeds on feelings of guilt, as its name suggests.

"What does the Golden Bough ...... sacrifice?"

It's something universal that everyone has. Do you understand?

"Well, the role of the Temple of Inquiry is a school, so, uh, knowledge?"

"Hmmm, it's wonderful that you come to a plausible answer so quickly, Ms. Sola."

After giving a compliment in a teacher-like manner, Yuril reveals his answer without any pretense of pomposity.

"The answer is youth."

As the girl rolls her eyes in surprise, Yuril continues with a detailed explanation.

There are various ways to describe it, but it is said to be similar to life span or life force.

Since there are so many children, school management is the most efficient way to collect them.　

"Of course, they do not absorb as much as we worry about. It just grows a little bit faster.

The golden tree in the greenhouse bears fruit from the young trees that have been sucked out.

The ash-eared woman told us in an indifferent manner that if we ate them, they would have a slight rejuvenating effect on us.

The reason for distributing them only to adventurers is apparently for the purpose of protecting them, so that they can stay active as long as possible.

The reason for selling them is to fund the temple's operations, and thanks to this, school tuition and other expenses are basically free.

"Rejuvenation...oh, is that what Mr. Odle looks like?"

"Yes, it's a privilege to be a caretaker."

Perhaps the same is true of the temple director, Meera Lirila.

Both of them must be quite old, but they clearly maintain the appearance of being in their thirties or so.

Or perhaps Yuril, too, had he continued as an adventurer, would have remained young looking as well.

Come to think of it, Audre hardly looked surprised when Thor the blue crown grass.

If she was used to being rejuvenated, her attitude was understandable.

At the same time, Thor also understands the reason for Yuril's willingness to serve others without compensation.　

Perhaps it is to reward him for absorbing the youth of others, even if only a little.

"I'm sorry I startled you. But actually, Mumu noticed it, didn't she?

To Thor and the others, who were speechless at the magnitude of what had been revealed, Yuril smiled mischievously as he gently stroked the golden curls of the child's hair.

Moo, who had been feeding apple cores to a beetle, looks up as if he hears his name.

The child stared at Yuril for a moment and then asked him a question.

"Is Yulil going away, Grandma?

Yes, I'm not going anywhere. What's wrong?

"Butch, my body got more and more stiff, and Mo rubbed it as hard as he could, but before I knew it, he was gone..."

I noticed that large drops were rising in Moo's purple eyes.

I guessed that Buti was the name of the cat that lived with Moe when he was sleeping and waking up in the back alley.

Moe, who loves to sit on Yuril's lap more than anyone else, would be the first to notice the change in Moe.

Thor remembers now how the child had been helping Ulil and trying to relax his body.

"If you carry a golden tree in your body, you will lose your youth faster than other people. But don't worry. As long as you are here, Thor, there is no need to worry.

"You feel safe with Tor-chan around... Yes, I'm sure!

Moe nodded strongly and jumped into Yuril's arms.

Thor clenched his fists tightly, unable to say anything as he watched them press their cheeks against each other.　

Yuril's abnormality would have been noticed in the near future if he had tried to his body.

However, in the discarded underground prison, he had only regained his strength when he had left the second level of the prison, and since then he had not used any magic on Yuril at all.

This is because there was never a scene where Yuril's magic power was depleted.

However, it was indeed strange that he was so unconcerned even after he had used the "Meikyoku Shutsubetsu" technique, in which he kept pouring in a huge amount of magical power.

He had unknowingly assumed that Yuril's magical power was inexhaustible and had completely missed the change.

And just a few moments ago, Yuril had casually given me the answer.

He told me that a person who touches a relic expands the vessel of magical power.

Thor's mind must have been too much in advance of his challenge to the labyrinth leading to the greatness.

That is no excuse for not noticing the changes in Mu and Yuril.

Taking a deep breath, Thor shook his head sharply from side to side.

A fool who would miss even more at this point has no right to unite us all.

Thor puts his outstretched hand on the back of Yuril's hand and squeezes out words with sincerity.

"Yuril, please don't hide anything from me anymore. Please, rely on us more."

If Thor's of his youth could prevent the harmful effects of the golden tree, it would not be surprising if he had told us sooner.

However, it is too much of a coincidence that he told us at the time when the acquisition of the relic of Mu was ruined.

One does not doubt so much when one is told that there is a convenient alternative.

Ulille, who had been looking intently into Thor's eyes, quietly lifted his cheeks.

Instantly, a smile appears, as if the usual ice has melted away.

"............Thor, you are very dependable after all."

After taking a breath, Yuril told us what he had dared not to tell us with a fresh face.

It seems that the golden tree is not only looking for youth.

As its bark-covered body indicates, the Golden Bough will gradually replace parts of its host's body with its own tissues.

This was the price Yuril had to pay.

However, the assimilation of the body into the tree makes it possible to generate incredible magical power.

And when he unleashes the power of the golden tree to its fullest extent, he ends up becoming one with it completely.

The girl raised her voice at the situation, which might be worse than that of the beast priestess.

"Oh no!　You can't do that, Mr. Yuril!"

"Still, it's the only way to seal the miasma. Besides, Sola, assimilation doesn't mean death."

But if I can't move or talk--"

Yeah, we're the same.

"What?"

"That's why I'm with Sola."

Indeed, the situation is very similar to that of Sora, who has been in for a long time.

But Thor's magic cannot be applied to the relic.

There is no guarantee that things will return to normal.

Thora's eyes well up and she hugs Yuril without saying a word.

She and Moe bury their faces in Yuril's chest and press their lips against each other.

Thor also put his hands on top of hers and held them tightly.

"Oh my goodness, you two are like little children!"

Lifting his free hand, Yuril gently patted Sola and Moe on the head a few times.

He then turned his attention to Thor and smiled reassuringly.

"I'm sorry to worry you, but I'm sure you'll be fine, Thora.

But!"

"Because you have a proven track record, Thor. He saved Ms. Sora for twenty-five years. And there are three more to come. That's why I--"

Yuril quietly lifted his hand, which was still clasped with Thor's.

Sola noticed and put her hand on top of his, wiping away tears.

Moe then put his outstretched hand on top of hers.

Gazing happily at the four overlapping hands, Yuril said in a high voice, "I am the one who is going to save the world.

"I'm sure we'll be waiting with great excitement for the day when we can help you.