Chapter 109 : Chapter 109
Chapter 109
At Tesser’s gesture, one of the Blue Scale Descendants stepped forward.
He carried a cloth draped over both hands, and atop it lay a brooch set with something that shimmered in a pale sky-blue hue, like a gemstone.
“It is a scale of Seneterini.”
At Tesser’s words, Porzelin and Heinen widened their eyes.
In other words, it was a dragon’s scale.
The brooch, hardened with the scale embedded within, bore intricate patterns carved around its edges.
Tesser lifted it and extended it toward Aquila.
“Keep this. It is proof of our friendship—and a sign that the eastern forest will not hinder your path, but welcome it.”
“……Strictly speaking, we were not the ones who defeated the final enemy.”
The corrupted soul that had unleashed that dreadful scream.
The one who had driven the Blue Scale Descendants into fear and agony had not been them, but Ark Batchel.
They had indeed defeated Fenrir—but Aquila did not think they deserved a forest’s token for that.
Tesser shook his head.
“If not for you—if you had not identified the demonic beast as Fenrir, nor told us how to defeat it—this would have been impossible.”
Drawing Aquila’s hand forward, Tesser placed the brooch firmly in his palm.
“You carried us to Senetalia. You fought beside us. As representative of the Blue Scale Descendants, I wish to offer my gratitude.”
This time, warmth and gentleness filled his reptilian yellow eyes.
Aquila lowered his gaze to the brooch containing Seneterini’s scale.
Ding!
【First to achieve the Achievement ‘Friend of the Blue Scale Descendants’!】
【As an Achievement Reward, you have obtained ‘Blessing of the Spirits’!】
【Spirit Affinity has increased!】
His dark eyes scanned the window that had abruptly appeared.
‘When the Demonic Dragon emerged from the Egoril Mountain Range, its breath swept through this region. Senetalia had been caught in it as well.’
It was not the first time he had encountered survivors and remnants from Sliana Forest.
But never before had he received a token of friendship so sincerely.
This location had not been crucial to the main scenario—and the Demonic Dragon’s breath had been unimaginably destructive. With its first exhalation alone, Senetalia had vanished from the surface of the earth.
Aquila slowly closed his eyes and reopened them.
The lights around them appeared clearer than before.
Spirits.
He could not claim to see them fully—but forms that would once have gone unnoticed now appeared more distinct.
Spirits filled the center of Senetalia.
When one light popped upward, the others followed, bouncing playfully before circling Aquila’s group.
The wave of light.
There was no mistaking them—they were the spirits who had fought alongside them against Fenrir.
Tesser offered a rare smile.
“And on behalf of the spirits as well—I extend thanks.”
Closing his fingers around the brooch, Aquila nodded to Tesser.
“I am simply relieved that nothing worse occurred.”
As they waited for the conversation to conclude, Zelik, who had been watching the spirits’ dance, stepped forward.
“There is one more gift. The other two have already received theirs. Now only you remain.”
Unwrapping the cloth around the item, Zelik presented it to Aquila.
A thick branch adorned with fresh purple blossoms.
“It is a branch of the Guardian Tree. What you currently possess is not a poor item, but I observed that it struggles to contain large amounts of Mana. This will serve you far better.”
Caught utterly off guard, Aquila blinked several times.
Just before leaving the house earlier, he had been thinking that he needed something more capable of holding Mana than the Spirit Tree Branch.
To receive such a gift now—
‘……Aside from a branch of the World Tree, this is among the finest of the Spirit Tree series. Given my current unstable state, something that stabilizes Mana is better than something that merely increases attack power.’
Aquila wore a dazed expression.
Yet he accepted the Guardian Tree Branch more readily than the brooch.
“……I was in need of such an item. Thank you. I will put it to good use.”
“It is not our doing. The spirit granted permission.”
Zelik smiled brightly.
“Clothes, sword decorations, and now the Guardian Tree Branch. We hope our gifts please you.”
Heinen stood in garments crafted by the Blue Scale Descendants. Porzelin had somehow attached beads and woven flowers to her scabbard.
While the two expressed their gratitude once more, Aquila cast a sidelong glance at Porzelin’s scabbard.
‘……A charm. That will save her life at least once.’
For swordsmen who constantly walked toward mortal peril, it was a valuable item.
After all, such charms were born from the wish that the bearer return safely.
“Will you depart tomorrow?”
“With the demonic beast defeated, the path is open. We must hurry to repair the bracelet.”
Though the subjugation of the demonic beast had been an unexpected quest, their goal remained to reach human settlements and obtain repair tools.
Even now, the central continent was surely moving busily onward.
Moreover, having received the fruit of the Guardian Tree, they could not linger idly under the excuse of rest.
“Then tonight’s banquet shall celebrate both our friendship and your farewell.”
No sooner had Tesser finished speaking than the Blue Scale Descendants sprang into action.
These were their first foreign friends since settling in this forest, and their excitement showed.
Food, wine, and sweet drinks were quickly laid out.
Amid the lively atmosphere, Aquila’s group and the Blue Scale Descendants gathered in a circle around a central bonfire.
“Let us give thanks to the forest—and eat and drink!”
“Ooooh!”
All raised wooden cups carved by hand.
Yesterday’s sorrow was behind them.
For them, a banquet was a celebration of simply being alive.
Porzelin and Heinen readily lifted their cups, and Aquila accepted one as well.
It was wine infused with sweet honey.
Just as Aquila was about to drink it without hesitation, Porzelin swiftly snatched the cup away.
“Young Master, you have not yet reached adulthood. You must wait your turn.”
She replaced it with a drink made from wild raspberries.
Heinen nodded in agreement.
‘……I almost forgot.’
The Blue Scale Descendants expressed surprise at his youth, then used it as an excuse to tease him amid laughter.
Only Aquila shook his head helplessly.
And so, the night in Senetalia deepened.
***
The following morning.
In case anything should occur in Sliana Forest, Aquila gave them the unique number of the Communication Bracelet and requested that they contact him.
To do so, the Blue Scale Descendants would have to travel to human lands—but in these times, nothing would be surprising.
Tesser promised once more to restore the forest properly.
After bidding farewell to those who remained in Senetalia, they set out along the path that had been shrouded in darkness just two days before.
Crossing the boundary and heading northwest would lead to human settlements.
The entrance to Washerd Forest.
That was where the Black Forest Dungeon lay.
“May we meet again, if fate allows.”
“Farewell!”
“The spirits said they will guide your path. Remain well.”
Tesser, Fiana, and Zelik, who had come to see them off, each offered their parting words.
“Until next time.”
“May the forest remain safe.”
“Thank you for the gifts. We will treasure them.”
Aquila, Heinen, and Porzelin responded in turn.
Soon, they moved forward with the Blue Scale Descendants at their backs.
Their steps felt light.
Perhaps it was the effect of the fruit of the Guardian Tree, which had smoothed their Mana circulation.
【Vitality and Mana have slightly increased!】
【Accumulated toxins have been expelled, and Mana capacity has expanded!】
【Fatigue and wounds have vanished. Your body has returned to peak condition!】
After confirming the notification that appeared upon consuming the fruit, Aquila dismissed the window.
‘Without question, this is the best condition I have felt thus far.’
A fresh, gentle wind brushed through the trees.
Spirits illuminated their path, parting the way as though to say this was the correct direction.
“It was said that reaching the dungeon will take two days at best, perhaps three. Are you well, Young Master?”
“Why would I not be? Had we entered without permission, we might have faced considerable hardship. But now the spirits are guiding us.”
Spirits were capricious and mischievous by nature.
Ill-tempered, and unrivaled in their ability to trouble humans.
Yet they had left a favorable impression.
For the time being, danger within this forest was unlikely.
Before long, they passed the ravaged landscape where Fenrir had rampaged.
The corpse had already been moved by the Blue Scale Descendants, and only a few fragments of the black mass remained.
Broken trunks and scarred earth.
They said nothing, merely walking on.
“…….”
The path illuminated by the spirits was neither dark nor especially treacherous.
Aquila had once lived in the eastern forest; he knew how to find his way, how to avoid threats, and where to discover what he needed.
He walked steadily.
And then—
“……Why does this keep following me?”
Aquila glanced at the spirit trailing closely behind him.
Yesterday afternoon, it had appeared only as a brilliant cluster of light.
Now it was different.
With his increased Spirit Affinity, even this Great Spirit—stronger than ordinary spirits—had taken on a clearer form.
It resembled a small deer.
Ding!
【Note from Joreumi:Friend!】
And, pleasingly, he could now read its messages more easily.
“Friends, are we?”
Ding!
【Note from Joreumi:I'm bored!】
The Great Spirit circled above his head again.
Apparently it was bored.
Aquila exhaled in exasperation.
“Should the spirit of the Guardian Tree behave so freely?”
Each forest possessed a Guardian Tree.
This lively, attention-seeking Great Spirit was none other than the spirit attached to that tree.
It was akin to the tree’s own consciousness. The fruit and the branch had been granted by its permission.
Ding!
【Note from Joreumi: What's the problem?】
The Great Spirit bobbed up and down before his eyes.
As though daring him to object.
“……Fine. Do as you please.”
Ding!
【Note from Joreumi: I'm out~】
The Great Spirit fluttered away and settled atop Heinen’s head.
Aquila stared at it in disbelief.
Heinen, seemingly accustomed now, simply allowed it. Porzelin watched the cluster of light with fascination.
“We should find a place to camp before night falls.”
Gauging the fading light between the trees, Heinen spoke.
The other two nodded.
They soon found a level clearing and began preparations.
“I will gather firewood.”
“Then I shall scout the surroundings for threats.”
“I will collect some fruit, in case we need it.”
The three moved swiftly and efficiently.
The beginning of flawless teamwork.