episode_0222

Episode 222

It seems like this tree has gone crazy.

Wasn’t he a divine being in his own way? But your roots are taken over? And then you ask me, a mere princess, for help?

Moreover, it did not tell us specifically what problem was occurring. Specification requests from black companies are also not used casually.

“Ha…”

But I can’t leave it alone.

The reason they asked me for help is probably because the situation is truly serious. I want to storm into Gerard’s mansion right now and shake that arrogant tree branch, but it’s not too late to do that even after I’ve dealt with Eila first.

First of all, I have no intention of being satisfied with just one question. I plan to receive compensation from the Tree of Knowledge commensurate with the risks I take.

I picked up the pen lying on the table to write a reply.

* * *

“I received such a letter.”

“The Tree of Knowledge… You mean the one served by the Gerard family? Why is that to the princess…?”

“Actually, there is some connection. I was invited and had a short conversation.”

“What are you talking about? It is said that anyone who is not from the Gerrard family is never allowed to visit… Is this true?”

“Yes, well, for now.”

Carmel looked very surprised. To Carmel, that tree seemed to be imprinted with something amazing. Although that is actually true.

“The question is what is Aila trying to do with it? It’s called a root, but I don’t think it has a physical substance…”

It’s hard to imagine that that small tree in Gerard’s mansion would really spread its roots throughout the entire kingdom. Maybe it’s some kind of magic.

– Can I be okay for a moment? Sorry for intruding, but…

The voice came from the pendant I was wearing around my neck. Monaz’s voice was heard along with the blue light.

– There is some interaction with the Gerard family. The Tree of Knowledge… So, I know a little bit about Sephiroth.

“If you know anything, please tell me, Monaz.”

– yep. As the princess said, Sephiroth’s roots are not physical entities. It would be best to think of it as a stratum made up of small mana particles. I know that I am watching the flow of the entire kingdom through it.

“What if it is abused?”

– The easiest thing to think about is the spread of mana. If you are in contact with the root, there is a possibility that you can use it as a conduit to perform magic from a long distance and with an enormous range. Of course, a huge amount of mana is required to handle such a scale…

“That won’t be a problem. A spell using a ‘song’ consumes little of the magician’s magic power.”

– Then maybe her goal was to take control of that place from the beginning. Even obtaining the oral grimoire…

No, that’s not it.

If Aila had intended to overthrow Lustier on her own, she would not have appeared in Lustier.

These events, which are enough to embarrass even the Tree of Knowledge, are ultimately intended to get Carmel back. That confidence has not changed.

“Hey, wait a minute!”

Leelia raised her hand. Everyone sitting in their seats turned their eyes to her.

“Please check if my understanding is correct. So, now an evil shaman is trying to take control of the roots of the Tree of Knowledge, and if he succeeds… he could turn the entire kingdom’s people into monsters… right?”

Reelia’s big eyes, which were always happy and cheerful, were overflowing with an unusual sense of crisis.

“…right.”

Leelia’s expression and gesture made her want to run to Katerina’s ruins right away. Leelia said with a solemn face.

“Then we have to stop it as quickly as possible. Unless you are sure how much time you have left, you should not delay.”

I completely agree. Since there was a time limit, there was no time to hesitate.

We began discussing a more concrete launch plan.

A plan to enter the ruins, where a trap is sure to be waiting.

* * *

That night.

Heading to the ruins is tomorrow. On the last night before any sort of resolution, I fell into a deep sleep.

However, the very moment I realized I had fallen asleep, I was in a completely different space.

Everything around is strangely distorted. Amidst unidentifiable dark and murky things forming blurry shadows, a blue flash of light was crossing the place like a river.

A space made of mana. I have been to this place several times.

Perhaps the person who called me was different from before.

“Is that you? Aila.”

Aila appeared in the shimmer with an eerie smile. She looked like an ancient shaman, wearing only a half-transparent piece of cloth.

“I’m not surprised at all. Lustier’s daughter… did you say Sarah?”

“Yes. Sarah Lustier. I’m honored that you remember me.”

“You have to remember that. Because you are the most hated Lustier who ruined my Carmel.”

Aila’s eyes sparkle brightly. Although the voice was sweet, it felt like it was full of life.

“I broke it… Well, it’s not wrong. My mother would be manipulated into shameful places by my hands several times every night, and she would be broken to the point where she would not hesitate to beg.”

Aila, who was wearing a faint smile, asked back with her mouth slightly open, as if she had heard something difficult to understand.

“What?”

“Huh? Didn’t you notice? Carmel is my girl now.”

“Your girl…? Even though they are step-brothers, they are probably mother and daughter…? No, in the first place, between women…?”

It’s awkward to hear such a common sense rebuttal from the mouth of an evil shaman. I answered calmly, as if there was nothing strange at all.

“That’s not important. There are many ways for women to have fun together. Would you like to hear it?”

Aila narrowed her eyes and did not respond. It seemed like he was trying to determine whether my words were simply bravado or provocation, or whether he was testing himself.

“You are a more shallow person than I thought, Sarah Lustier.”

“It’s vulgar? I can tell you in beautiful language how I felt when I held Carmel. At first she resisted, but now she cries in my arms with a very cute voice.”

The way they look at me is becoming more and more angry. Ayla said with a face reminiscent of Carmel.

“That child… is mine.”

“No, it’s mine now?”

“A young girl who doesn’t know anything. You think you’ve won now. However, the old curse will be awakened and the child will eventually return to me. Because that is the fate of the witch who inherited Enekra’s blood!”

“You have spirit for a line from someone who stays in the dark and damp ruins waiting for you to come.”

Aila closed her mouth and glared at me.

Perhaps the reason that brought me to this dream-like space was provocation and threat.

To further increase the chances of me taking Carmel into the ruins.

However, now the situation is completely opposite. Honestly, I never thought teabagging a mother for fucking her daughter would be this much fun.

Well, it wasn’t just a provocation just for fun. From Ayla’s attitude, I was able to further strengthen my conviction that what she wanted was Carmel.

It seems that Carmel is not just wanted as a completion of the curse. Of course, it’s not that unnatural for a mother to want a daughter.

While I was ignoring him, I took a provocation one step further. With a wet smile on my lips, I looked over Aila’s body.

“I felt it the first time I saw it… but you have a pretty good body, Aila. Even if it is a body reconstructed with a magic book.”

My direct gaze falls on every inch of Aila’s nearly naked body. Aila flinched for a moment, but made no move to cover herself.

“Appropriately plump and slim waist… She is indeed Carmel’s mother. It must be quite tasty.”

“If you don’t want to die, shut your mouth.”

“Wasn’t it time to make a life or death decision anyway? Oh, of course I have no intention of killing you, Aela. I plan on taking you in my hands… and pampering you a lot. Of course, considering what you’ve done, you’d better not expect mercy.”

Ayla, who was looking at me with burning eyes, soon regained her composure. He said with a faint smile on his lips.

“You’re showing pointless bravado. What can you do when you don’t even have mana… You’re not expecting that saint to overwhelm me, right?”

Of course I have the means to do so.

Brainwashing by the Book of Enekra. No matter how powerfully Aila has a mutated body, she can easily be subdued by a spell that makes her mind obey.

Moreover, since Aila worships Enekra, the shock will be even greater.

There is no need to reveal it now. It should be revealed at the most important moment, when the disturbance is most fatal.