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The day before the planned war began was upon us.

In the Great Forest, before the World Tree, Edelin had aged dramatically in just two days since Shione and I last met her.

While her beautiful appearance remained the same, her once sparse white hair now covered more than half of her head. Additionally, dark circles had formed under her eyes, which had been absent before.

“I did say I would call forth the spirit realm to the Great Forest,”

It seemed she had truly been troubled by this matter. Surely, pouring so much of her power into it had aged her so drastically.

Yet…

“The energy of the spirits around the World Tree has definitely thickened compared to last time.”

Contrary to the sinister energy swirling just outside the thin barrier, a holy aura permeated around the Spirit Mage, suggesting that significant progress had been made.

Amidst this, she spoke without a hint of vigor.

“First, we should discuss the power that the Young Lady reclaimed from Shianella. Young Lady, everything from the type of trials to the power she has obtained surely resonates with my dear friend’s intentions, but this is the most crucial part.”

At Edelin’s words, Shione began to fidget with her hands.

“Let’s start by discussing the power that Hero Shione has obtained. So, Hero, what powers did you inherit from your friend?”

With this, Shione took a deep breath.

“It’s simple. Could I receive a blade infused with mana?”

“Of course.”

With that, Edelin rummaged through her military attire.

She pulled out a small sword from her upper garment’s inside pocket and handed it to Shione.

Shione received the sword from her.

Srrrng…

As the broad blade reflected Shione’s azure eyes,

WUUUNG─!

A resonating sound began to emanate from the sword that Shione held.

Glowing blue light started to gather at the tip. But soon enough, the glow began to lose its color.

Yet, this did not signify a dispersal of concentrated mana. On the contrary, the energy gripping the sword was growing increasingly robust.

“This is…”

Edelin reflected on a memory sparked by the sword’s silvery glow.

“It’s the power of Shianella. With this power, Shianella could sever even demons she normally couldn’t touch. The most necessary strength has returned.”

The ability Shione had acquired was the power buried in her dwindling ancestral blood.

It was undoubtedly a joyful thing that over time, the lost power returned to her.

There had been hunters in Korea with the same abilities as her. The greatest strength of those hunters was a technique similar to what Shione demonstrated.

They could slice through a demon’s head as if they were slicing through air with their weapon.

Now that power had entered Shione’s hands, it promised to make a significant contribution in this war.

However, unlike this power, a new problem arose.

“There’s one issue.”

“An issue, you say?”

“Yes, my ancestors said that this trial─”

Shione’s gaze briefly caught Ray’s before returning to Edelin.

Edelin did not miss the fleeting moment.

“Since it did not proceed as planned, you will need to undergo trials once more to fully obtain this power.”

“Hmm.”

“Thus, before the trial concludes, my ancestors said that after the war ends, you must meet with the World Tree, Eriantina.”

“Eriantina.”

“…They said you must meet with Eriantina.”

“…It seems Shianella indeed said that.”

At her words, Edelin finally smiled broadly.

“A friend from the past, you see. Not only was that friend quite close with the World Tree, but they even directly participated in the trials to help. Surely that’s why the name of the World Tree was mentioned.”

“……”

“Once all of this is done, I will help the Young Lady meet the World Tree.”

“…Thank you!”

World Tree, Eriantina.

Desperately, I wondered how to prevent this war. The name of the one who toyed with my status window drew my attention.

I considered that when Shione eventually met this enormous tree’s spirit, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to subtly ask for her help.

Before long, Edelin seemed to have finished her business with Shione and began speaking to me.

“Next… as I expected, Ray has successfully recovered that spear.”

“Yes, I was lucky.”

“That’s not something that can only be regained by luck. The current situation will see the spear that the Hero retrieved play a significant role. May I take a moment to examine the spear?”

“Of course.”

Edelin took the spear and began examining it closely.

“This spear was what my comrade wielded on the battlefield. It possesses an exceptional ability to contain the rampaging mana. Moreover, at that time, blessed by the Saint and the King, it was infused with the power of the god of fate, giving it even greater strength against demons.”

“However, this spear was heavily damaged in that fierce battle. Its once sharp tip has dulled, and the sturdy shaft has become precarious. The dwarves gathered to reinforce it, and this is the result. Such a powerful weapon should definitely be used again in case of future wars.”

“Yet, even with its exterior restored and blade sharpened, this spear─”

Edelin narrowed her eyes as she looked at the spear.

“A certain being with a peculiar soul—my comrade, who has already passed and returned to the earth—was the only one able to draw out the original power of the sacred spear. Hence, those unworthy cannot retrieve it from the ground.”

“……”

“And it was you, Hero, who successfully brought back this spear.”

The reason was still unknown.

A spear that only reacts to someone from Earth.

There must be a reason behind it, yet I still struggled to comprehend the answer.

“Please infuse the spear with mana and awaken its mighty power.”

Edelin handed the spear back to me.

“…Right now?”

“Yes, please feel free.”

Following her advice, I began to quietly infuse the spear with mana.

To my surprise, the spear didn’t simply absorb my mana but started pushing it away. Perhaps because it was a weapon crafted by a master, did it choose its owner? Or was it that the spear had not yet forgotten its former master?

As I struggled with the spear, it suddenly seemed to have completed its own examination. In an instant, it accepted my mana.

I could feel my vitality draining away while a tremendous power began to accumulate within the spear. It seemed Shione and Edelin noticed it too. Both couldn’t take their eyes off the spearhead where that immense power was converging.

“…Do you happen to know how to wield the spear?”

“As for the spear… aside from throwing ones, I don’t have much expertise, but I can mimic and follow the techniques of any spear master to a decent degree.”

Years ago, I had borrowed someone’s spear to show off the flashy spins my comrade executed all the time, so I still remembered enough of their advice and muscle memory to manage some adequate spins and thrusts.

The moment I answered, Edelin twisted her lips into a slight smirk.

“Then I’ll let you handle it well, so please follow my lead.”

“Eh? What do you mean─”

Edelin walked toward me.

As I stared at her in confusion, her demeanor shifted abruptly.

In an instant, she exuded a strong pressuring presence as if she was set to crush a target and swiftly swung the small sword Shione had been holding.

“Oh no…!”

What in the world is happening?!

Whoosh!

I quickly spun the spear gracefully to block Edelin’s attack.

Upon contact, the mana clinging to the spear instinctively shifted toward the spear shaft, confirming that the impact was firmly contained within her grip.

“Alright. Please just slowly perform the blocking action once more.”

“May I ask why you’re suddenly doing this?”

“For the activation condition.”

“……?”

“The spear will only be ready to unleash its technique after you’ve blocked several attacks. Ah, it’s done now! Please adopt a throwing stance and channel all your mana into the spearhead.”

“Understood.”

I complied with Edelin’s instruction, settling into a throwing stance while channeling my mana into the spearhead.

At that moment, a powerful intangible force began to press down on my shoulder with an unimagined weight.

“Though there are still parts we need to discuss and reinforce…”

Edelin looked at the spearhead in my hand and slightly smiled.

“We’re finally done with the major preparations.”

*

The refreshing morning sunlight enveloping the Great Forest was always filled with vibrant greens. The creatures settling within the woods commenced their new mornings in their own distinctive ways, while those who had prowled during the night sought their slumber.

It was a time that always hummed with serenity while undoubtedly breathing life into the forest. Yet, the current Great Forest bore no resemblance to its former self.

The sky had turned pitch black, and the once verdant leaves had decayed under evil magic, losing their vitality, making it impossible to enjoy the splendid nature of the Great Forest.

As the monsters advanced, the city that existed in the heart of the forest, now a fortress, prepared for the war that awaited today.

“All troops! Focus!”

The soldiers gathered to solve the issue at hand turned their attention to the woman’s shout.

“I will now reaffirm your roles and positions before the war begins!”

It was thirty minutes before the start of the war.

 

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