Volume 3 Chapter 3

Volume 3 Chapter 3: Discovery upon arrival

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

After finishing lunch, we left the plains and were walking through well-maintained woodlands. By the way, our current formation is—

『Until now I was in the vanguard, so this time I would like to take rearguard, Axel, how about coming with me?』

『No no, occupying the front position all the time is a bit weird, so I will go to the back. Together with Master, I shall protect everyone’s backs!』

『I see. Having you two in the rearguard sounds very reassuring.』

『『Ah……』』

『The City of God Tree is not that far from here and I also wanted Cecile and George to guide me around the city, so it’s much appreciated.』

『『Uwaaa……!』』

As such, with that after-meal exchange, our formation was reversed.

Me and the two siblings in front, Saki and Berzelia behind.

「You useless oppai copydragon……!」

「Pig-headed hero of magic……!」

Looks like the two at the back are getting along, as usual, well, I guess we should be safe with this formation as well.

While thinking so we advanced for a while.

「Axel-san, the town, and the God Tree should be visible once we get through this tree tunnel.」

With those words, Cecile pointed ahead.

「Already? I thought that this area is well managed and easy to get through, so we were getting close to the city.」

「Right. The knights that have headquarters at the City of God Tree took upon themselves civil engineering and soil improvement of this area.」

The path that we were walking on at the moment was properly trodden down, with only a little unevenness. I thought that it was a nice road that doesn’t wear one out too much, but this explains it.

「So it’s due to the efforts of the Order of the God Tree. If I’m not mistaken, it’s an old order that was created about the same time as the guilds?」

I received a brief exposition from Cecile a while ago, but—

「They are doing quite extensive work.」

「Yes. It’s a group of good-natured knights, serious about their duties. They also have branches outside of the country, they have a lot of prestige for having the blessing of the god that bestowed the God Tree. They are also strong and their name has quite an influence. While the magic science guild with their research facility and headquarters at the top of the God Tree are famous for their visual impact, the order is famous for their history and their influence outside of the country.」

「I see, so that’s how it is. Or rather, headquarters of the magic science guild is on top of the tree?」

I can’t even imagine that sight.

This same thought visits me every time we reach a new city, but there is a lot of things unknown to me.

With those thoughts, I continued my chat with Cecile when—

「Ah, look, the trunk appeared.」

With those words, Cecile slightly increased her speed.

I also followed after her, reaching the end of the tunnel. And—

「That is… The God Tree Aleden and the City of God Tree……?」

There was a tree, so enormous that I had to look upwards to see it fully.

A few buildings were placed next to it, but they couldn’t even begin to compare to it’s colossal size.

「How is it, astonishing, right?!」

「It’s the symbol of our city!」

Said Cecile and George, appealing how amazing it was.

「……Yeah, truly so. This is amazing.」

In the past, I might’ve seen it from the sky, but it never occurred to me how oppressively big it looks from the ground.

「Wow, it’s my first time seeing such a thick tree!」

From behind came the seemingly surprised voice of Berzelia. Probably because for her as well, it was the first time to see it from the ground.

……Cecile said that the City of God Tree was built in a circular shape with the tree known as the God Tree in its center.

The tree was so big that the surrounding city appeared miniature.

Indeed, that surely could serve as a city’s symbol.

While thinking that, I suddenly voiced a thought that floated up in my mind.

「Yeah. But, it’s not as green as you described it.」

「Eh……?」

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

Cecile was the first one to react to Axel’s words.

「Not as green you say… But for many years the God Tree is retaining the color of fresh verdure…… 」

「Is that so? But there is no green up above.」

Being told so by Axel, I shifted my eyes from the trunk to which my gaze was pinned until now to the upper part of the tree crown.

Normally you would see verdantly green new leaves, but now nothing but reddish-brown remained.

「It’s true… Are leaves… Changing to autumn colors?」

「Nee-san, could it be because of the continuous rains from before?」

「I wonder. I have never seen it be influenced much by climate.」

Or rather, it’s my first time seeing it in such colors.

From its size to its reason for being here in the first place, the God Tree was nothing like a normal tree.

Therefore, it wouldn’t be strange if it’s leaves change colors only once in dozens of years.

「Cecile. Is it something rare?」

「Y-yes. It’s very rare, Axel-san. As I already said before, the God Tree remained vibrantly green for long years…… At least in what I heard or read, there is no data about the God Tree’s leaves changing in color. 」

I recall once hearing that centuries passed since that tree was bestowed to us. And for all of those centuries, it remained brightly green. But the tree that I’m seeing now hardly has any green color left.

「I see. Then let’s go inside and ask the townsfolk.」

「Right… Our home, the dojo, located in the district neighboring the God Tree, so it might be a good idea to ask there.」

「Speaking of which, the current request was to escort you there. …Then, let’s go.」

Thus, Cecile, along with her brother and Axel’s party, advanced towards her hometown that was now showing signs of a very curious change.