22-Episode 22: Forest Center and Elder Tree

'Why!　We!　The sky!　Jump!　I'm there!

When I was flying through the skies of the Forest of Demonic Beasts, for some reason Liliera-san shouted.

''No, because after we finish our test cut, we don't need to walk through the forest anymore. Wouldn't it be faster to check the center of the forest from above and go straight to it?

After all, the trees in this monster forest are all monsters.

Therefore, it's faster to fly through the air and jump over them than to fight your way forward every single time.

''That's the reasoning!　I know, but!　Isn't that kind of unfair?

I don't think so, though.

If it was on foot or in a carriage, everyone would choose the carriage.

This is why we were flying towards the center of the magical beast forest.

According to Ivan-san, reaching the center of the Forest of Demonic Beasts is the long-cherished desire of adventurers exploring the forbidden area.

What happened at the center of the ever-expanding forest of magical beasts, where everything began?

The adventurers wanted to know the truth, Ivan said.

He also said that there must be great treasures there.

The treasure and the truth. Yes, it's a true adventurer's story, isn't it?

I mean, how long will it take us to fly?

Ms. Liliella exclaims in disgust.

Sure, I've been flying around a lot.

''Then it's time to take a break. Flame Inferno!''

I burn down the forest to make room for a break, and then I go down to the ground.

'Hah, I love the ground!'

An exhausted Liliera-san lies down on the ground with her cheek on the ground.

''I'll put up a ward, just in case...''

I put up a warding spell around Liliera-san to ensure her safety.

''Then it's a little early, but let's have lunch.

I took a sheet from the magic bag and laid it on the ground, and placed the lunch box I bought at the Adventurer's Guild tavern on it.

''Um, something obviously strange in terms of volume came out of that bag...''

It's a magic bag. It's not weird.

"...Oh, yeah, okay...

For some reason, Liliera is rubbing her brow carefully.

Is she tired?

Let's go eat.

I pour the magically warmed tea into a wooden cup and offer it to him.

'Thank you.'

After thanking her for that, Liliera-san takes the cup.

''Haha, it's nice to have a hot drink while on an adventure.

'What?　Hot water is easy to make by magic, isn't it?

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. The only time you can have a hot drink is when you build a fire in the camp.　

I see, it's all about preserving your magical power.

The amount of magic power that can be used to warm up water is only the tip of a fingernail, but it's a professional's idea to preserve that magic power as well.

In that case, I'd better save my magic power from now on too.

No, you don't have to save yourself.

Huh?　Isn't that strange?

So how much longer do I have to fly to get to my destination?

'What do you mean?' asks Liliera, munching on her sandwich.

'Well, it's only an hour or two away. The center of the forest is so high that the trees are easily recognizable at a glance, so you'll know right away.''

Yes, the center of the forest of demonic beasts that I saw from above was clearly taller than the trees around the perimeter.

If that thing is also a plant-type monster, it must be a pretty big one.

''The center of the Forest of Demonic Beasts, what in the world do you think is in there?''

I wonder what's in store. It's really exciting.

You're not going to be able to do that.

Well, I guess we better get going.

After the break, we resume our air travel.

'Ugh, this is niggardly. My feet are so uncomfortable, I can't help it.

Apparently, Liliera-san is not good at flying magic.

Even so, the fact that she doesn't like to plop.......

''Then how about doing this?''

I spin around in a circle in the air and change my posture to hold Liliera-san.

''Crap!''

I think that's a little better.

Saying that, I took Liliera-san in my arms.

''........''

But for some reason, Liliera is silent. Didn't she like it?

Also, your face is red?

No?

I mean, it's not that I don't like it, but it's a thing, isn't it?　I'm a little embarrassed about this princess hug thing.

'You don't mind!　So let's do this then!

What?　Just a minute.

Then we're off again.

Hey, I've got a problem with this.

Yeah, I can see Liliera's face up close and personal, which isn't bad.

◆

Oh, I can see it.

I tell Liliera that I can see the center of the city.

'Yes, I can tell by that thing. It's a big tree.

Yes, we could see a large tree sticking out of the forest land like a festival turret.

Based on the distance from the ground and visual measurements, the largest tree was about 40 meters high.

It looks like a mountain made of trees as it gradually grows from the edge to the center.

'We'll be down close.'

Okay.

I burn down the forest a bit before the center and land there.

'I'm going to burn the forest like a weed whacker...'

It's actually a weed whacker's spell.

No!　Because the magic of weeding doesn't turn a whole demon to ashes!　I mean, I'm not going to magically weed you out in the first place!

In my village, they usually weed with magic, don't they?

Because that's just plain weird!

I see, it seems that Liliella's village doesn't use magic to weed.

I'm sure my father said that they didn't use magic to weed out the grass in the past.

........Could it be that by not using magic for weeding, they were training their bodies to be stronger?

Ever since he was a child, he developed his strength and endurance by weeding!

''........I see, each village has its own deep ideas.

I can assure you, you are absolutely mistaken.

Huh?　Did I do something wrong?　I mean, did I say it out loud?

'Let's just move on. The heart of the forest is right under our noses.

Liliera-san hurried us to step into the center of the Forest of Demonic Beasts.

Then the huge trees around us started to move with a creaking sound.

''It moved!

''It's the upper species of killer plant, the Elder Plant. I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing. Be careful.

Are you sure you can't use that as a warning?　Not only is it impervious to attack, but it's better to run away in this giant body!

Liliella-san says it with a blue face, but that's not true at all.

''It's okay. With Liliera-san's new spear, I can easily defeat a demon of this magnitude.

Easy, 'cause they're harder than steel!

He'll be fine. Oh, here he comes right at you.

A branch of the Elder Plant is coming at Liliera-san.

However, even though it's a branch, it's as thick as the trunk of a killer plant, so if an ordinary human hits it, he or she will die.

''Kyah!

Liliera-san hurriedly avoided the Elder Plant's attack.

''Ko, this!''

And when I swing my new spear towards the Elder Plant's branch, the Elder Plant's branch is neatly cut off without a sound of cutting it off.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.　This huge body!

The one who was surprised by this was Liliera herself, who cut it open.

''Ah, I'll cast a defensive spell on it just in case. High protection!

A yellow glow envelops Liliera's body.

''What is this!　Magic!''

''Right now, even if a dragon steps on you, you won't be crushed!

Even if I don't go under, I'll never get stepped on!

Liliera-san cleaves its trunk while evading the Elder Plant's attacks.

''Yeah, it looks like you're using the Dragon Emperor style empty spear technique I taught you well.

''Keep it up, Liliera-san!

Uh-huh!

It's still a little awkward, but as I continue to use it, I'll get used to the basics.

Then I think the next step would be to teach them aerial combat with a spear.

It's fun to teach them when they are doing well.

"Well, I guess it's time for me to go into battle.

I've prepared a new weapon here too, and if I'm dealing with the Elder Plant, it's just right for a test run.

And that's when I thought it was a good time to try it out.

The forest suddenly began to shake with a gurgling sound.

"Wha-what!　An earthquake!

No, no, it wasn't an earthquake.

The proof is that the Elderplants are trembling.

It's as if they've offended some terrible opponent.

'Mr. Liliera!

I hurriedly hugged Liliera-san and used my flight magic to evacuate her into the air.

Immediately after that, the Elderplants flew into the air.

''Eh?''

Liliera-san opened her mouth with a pout when she saw the scene.

In the air right now, the huge big tree demons were flying through the air like leaves on a tree.

Of course, the Elderplants didn't grow wings and fly through the air.

The Elderplants were blown away in the aftermath of their Lord's movement.

''What's going on?''

Liliera-san, who doesn't understand the situation, is confused.

''It looks like the Forest Lord has appeared.

Saying that, I pointed to the center of the forest.

There was a literal giant tree there, much bigger than the Elder Plant and the others.

I'm guessing that the thickness of the trunk is somewhere around 20 meters by eye measurement.

The Elder Plant's trunk is roughly 6 meters thick, so it's almost three times as thick.

''........Ancient Plant, it looks like the Elder Plant and the others were wiped off when that guy's roots were lifted.

'Ancient plant?　...Isn't that what you're talking about?　You're talking about a legendary S-ranked demon?　The legendary demon that is said to be the Living Forest?

Huh?　Is that so?

Why would you ask me that?

No, I've never heard of an "S" rating before.

Heh, that guy is an S-ranked demon.

''That's... not... not!　So, you're saying that the owner of the forest of hexenbiest is an S-ranked demon?　And the reason this forest expanded?

I think so, yes.

The Ancient Plant is a demon known as the king of the forest, and it is a demon that gives birth to many dependent demons from the fruit of its tree.

When I was a hero in my past life, I fought against the Ancient Plant, so I understand.

But I've never heard of the Ancient Plant giving birth to such a large forest.

Or rather, it's the first time I've seen an Ancient Plant grow this big.

'This is not good!　An S-ranked demon is not something we can handle!　I have to report to the guild!

But they're not going to let us off the hook, are they?

What?

As I gain altitude to evade, the branch of the Ancient Plant swings sideways at the spot we were just at.

Boom!　I should have been able to avoid it, but a strong wind blew in the air.

The Ancient Plant is able to move its roots like a leg, so if you continue to run away, it will follow you to Hexi's town.

But don't plant demons have slow feet?

No, they're slow, but they have long roots, so they can run about 10 times as fast as a horse.

Juju, juju, huh?

You're walking the wrong way.

D-d-d-d-don't you dare intercept anything?

Well, let's just intercept that thing and get it over with, shall we?

''Gee, I know it's easy to say intercept, but a huge body like that... well, you're going to burn it with that fire magic!

Liliera-san patted her chest, saying that's fine.

''No, it's a waste of material, so I'll take it down normally.

How did you do that?

With the sword.

I see, you can't do that with a sword!

No, no, it's not a problem.

I'll let you down a bit.

After lowering Liliella-san to the ground, I protect her with my warding magic.

''I've set up a ward, so please don't ever leave this place.

Wait, you're really going?　I don't think so!

Liliera, you're a worrier.

'Don't worry. It won't take long.

I draw my sword and start running straight for the Ancient Plant.

'Physical air boost!　High protection!　High strength!　High Weapon Boost!　High Slash Boost!

He activates body strengthening magic and casts defensive and offensive spells, and overlays weapons with enhanced power and sharpness magic as well.

With a gooooooooooong sound, the root of the Ancient Plant is swung down.

It's just like the night sky falling down.

''Run!''

I can hear Lilliera-san's screams, but it's not necessary to avoid this kind of attack.

''Hah!''

I slice through the roots of the approaching Ancient Plant in a single inverted letter.

Yes, it's indeed a sword made from a mutant blade. I'm not going to be able to get it right.

The workmanship is, well, it's a good material, so it's medium.

And in order to prevent the root that was flown in the air by the sword wind from going towards Liliella-san, I leapt and kicked it away in the direction of the Ancient Plant, and boom!　The roots collide with the Ancient Plant with a loud noise, "What?

''What?''

Liliella makes a goofy sound.

Oh, you're surprised at how soft the Ancient Plant is, which you didn't expect.

Hmm?　Soft?

Shit!

Then I realize I made a terrible mistake.

What's the matter with you?

"I smashed the material and damaged it!

What do I care?

Ugh, what's done is done.

Let's do the rest carefully.

The Ancient Plant is changing its behavior.

It seems that it has recognized us as the enemy.

'But it's too late, you're our prey!

'Don't involve me there!　You!　You're mine.

Oh no, we're a team, then the prey we aim for is the team's prey.

''Slash Ray!''

A small sphere of light appears in front of the outstretched palm, and an ultra-fine flash of light is emitted from it!

He then cut off branch and root after branch of the attacking Ancient Plant.

'This is the easiest way to cut the big ones.

There!　Agreed!　Don't ask for it!　I've never seen magic like this before!

''Ah, Liliela-san is a swordsman, so you didn't have much opportunity to see magic. But if you continue your adventures in the future, you'll see plenty of magic of this level.

'It!　I'll show you who it is!　Absolutely!　I think it's the same person!

Haha, no matter how many wizards there are, there aren't that many of them.

''Well, let's put a stop to it then.

With its branches and roots trimmed off, the Ancient Plant no longer had any offensive power and its appearance was as good as a giant log.

Just when I thought that, the trunk of the Ancient Plant began to move with a rumbling sound.

''What?!''

''Maybe it's running out of ways to attack, so it's trying to rip the bark off and send it flying.

It's quite a rare attack.

This attack is so rare that I've forgotten about it because it only happens when I'm under duress.

I usually took them down before that.

But it's easier to peel off the bark later.

If I hit you before that, you're dead!

'It's fine as long as it doesn't hit you. Oh, please don't leave the ward, Liliera-san. Even a single fragment of the trunk can cause enough damage to hit the Elder Plant because it's launched at an accelerated rate.

I'm never going to answer it!

Okay, we don't have to worry about the back.

Let's go.

At the same time I run out, the Ancient Plant also ejects its bark.　

I avoid all of its attacks and only knock off the bark that goes to Liliella's ward, just in case.

And when I came to the base of the Ancient Plant, I flashed my sword made of mutant material into a horizontal cleave.

''Say!''

The slash of divine speed creates a sword wind, creating a vacuum in the space in front of me, which creates a long blade.

And the vacuum blade thrust forward following my sword flash.

The bark of the Ancient Plant, which is harder than steel or iron, is also slashed helplessly before the vacuum blade.

And with a roar, the Ancient Plant's trunk fell to the ground.

''Huh, that was the most crunchy enemy I've had in a long time.

'...Lie, I killed an S-ranked demon.

Well, with a guy like this, it's a bit like chopping wood.

'Ordinary firewood won't attack you!