The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

We were led to a spacious and open room.

According to Mererosu, it was the VIP room, the only room in the Elven village without an inn for entertaining guests. Apparently, normal visitors usually camp on the ground, so having a roof over your head could be considered VIP treatment.

All of this is thanks to Elenora.

The room, about 12 tatami mats in size, had no door, just a hanging cloth, and the windows were wide open. It was a very well-ventilated room, which is true for the entire Elven village, so I can't complain, but I wonder if there's any privacy~.

"Ruruk-kun and the others, please relax for a while. I'm going to talk with my sister," Mererosu said as she descended the ladder.

Elenora was already sitting on a soft-looking sofa that resembled a succulent plant, and Saaya was enjoying the view from the high vantage point. Punisuke was munching on fruits placed on the table, and everyone was relaxing before being told to do so.

My companions have some nerve.

"Hey Ruruk, is that the sacred tree behind us?" Saaya asked.

"Probably. It's huge, and there seems to be some kind of shrine at the top."

At the top of the tallest white tree in this forest, a small but majestic shrine was built.

That's probably where the High Elf is.

"A High Elf, huh... It's a male, right?"

"Seems so. Do you want to meet him? He's probably handsome."

"Not particularly. I'm just relieved."

"...About what?"

"Even I probably couldn't win against a High Elf."

What are you talking about?

"More importantly, Elenora, why did you teleport all the way to the Elven village? Did you step on a trap?"

"Ah, I'm curious about that too," I added.

"Mm. Was called."

"By whom?"

"Sacred tree."

Elenora pointed at the huge white tree behind us.

As we listened to her story, it seems that the moment Elenora entered the magical tree's domain, she heard the voice of the sacred tree.

Apparently, it asked her, "O good one who rules over magic. I wish to bestow my blessing upon you, so please lend me your power." She was teleported before she could refuse. That's practically kidnapping.

After being teleported, Elenora, half in doubt, blew away the monsters she saw. It seems there were even some A-rank monsters mixed in, but they were no match for Elenora.

After annihilating the monsters, the sacred tree's voice echoed in her mind again. Elenora (self-proclaimed) was a wise girl who didn't believe the words of kidnappers, but it seems she properly received the blessing.

"Mm. Got skill."

"Let me see... Wow, it's true."

I quickly appraised and checked Elenora's skill.

------------------------

["Guidance of the Sacred Tree"

> A no-grade automatic common skill.

>> Prevents interference from magical trees in the Lunera Great Forest, and always knows the direction of the sacred tree. Increases the effect of water, earth, holy, and light attribute magic in the Lunera Great Forest domain. Proof of being a forest vassal.]

------------------------

"So now Elenora is a forest vassal too."

"Mm. Don't like."

She doesn't seem to like the sound of "vassal."

Anyway, this means we can now freely roam the Lunera Great Forest without an Elven guide. I wasn't affected to begin with, and we've already set an [Anchor], so we can teleport here in the future.

It might not seem very meaningful, but the side effect of increased magic power in certain types within the Lunera Great Forest isn't bad.

Come to think of it, there are even area-limited skills, huh.

"Well, since there seem to be some benefits, I guess we can forgive the sacred tree even if it's a kidnapper."

"Mm. Forgive."

"By the way, what were you planning to do if you didn't forgive it?"

"Hmm, well... What were you planning to do, Elenora?"

"Burn."

Oh, the sacred tree narrowly escaped death by giving a skill.

It seems we also narrowly escaped our savior becoming an enemy of the Elves.

"Mm. Also, learned Elf magic."

"Oh? What kind?"

"'Clean'"

Elenora cast the magic towards Saaya.

The dirt on Saaya's clothes and the leaves stuck in her hair fell off. In an instant, Saaya became sparkling clean.

C-Could this be a cleaning magic?!

"Mm. Water, holy combination."

"Wow! Thank you, Elenora! I'm so happy!"

Saaya hugged Elenora in joy. We probably wouldn't be able to take a bath for a while.

Elenora tried hard to push Saaya away while giving me a sidelong glance.

"I was busy too. Not fat."

"Sorry, sorry," I said with a wry smile.

It was a pleasant miscalculation that Elenora had learned such a useful magic. It will come in handy during our journey.

"But if the Elves have such magic, I wish they'd make it more widespread."

"Sorry. That magic is a closely guarded secret," Mererosu said with a laugh as she entered the room.

Welcome back.

"To begin with, it's a composite magic of holy attributes, so it's difficult to learn, and it's a traditional Elven magic, so we don't spread it. My sister said they taught it to Elenora because of the immense debt of gratitude for protecting the village."

"I see. Elenora, you mustn't teach it to anyone."

"Mm."

"Eh~ I want to learn it too."

"No way."

"Come on, please!"

"Ask again after you've unlocked the Elven village defense mission achievement."

I don't spoil my companions just because they're close to me.

It's Elven magic to begin with. If we shared it arbitrarily, we'd lose their trust. Who was that idiot who said they should make it more widespread?

"Stingy~"

"Say what you want. It's a sign of the Elves' trust, you know? How could I betray that?"

"Well, that's true... You really do like Elves, don't you, Ruruk~"

The trust of the Elves is more important than life.

Thanks to that, it even suppresses a man's urge to peek at the baths. Come to think of it, isn't trust the ultimate reason control device?

What a great discovery. I've got the next Nobel Peace Prize in the bag.

"By the way, Ruruk-kun, although we can't go sightseeing, I got permission for us to go to the farm area. What do you want to do?"

"Of course, let's go."

"Alright. Then, follow me."

After all, it's the purpose of coming to this village.

If there's a medicinal flower called the star-hiding flower, it can remove one from being a target of astrology. According to Mererosu, almost all person-finding spells are astrology, so this should allow us to avoid detection.

We followed Mererosu down the long, long ladder.

We encountered them in the plaza just before the farm area.

"Mererosu, stop."

Blocking our path was an unfamiliar young Elf with short hair. His eyes resembled those of the Juman Forest Chief... perhaps his son?

Beside him was Silkuru, and behind them were the petite Karmarike and other Elves from the Protection Division.

What's this? It doesn't feel like a welcoming party.

"Why is everyone looking so tense? Sis, I thought you suddenly left, but what are you doing in a place like this?"

"Sorry~ Mererosu-chan. But please forgive us~"

"I'll say this only once. Mererosu, join us in the 'Militant Faction'."

The short-haired Elf at the front stated briefly.

I see, a meeting of the Militant Faction.

But wait, wasn't Silkuru supposed to be suppressing the Militant Faction?

Mererosu let out a deep sigh.

"Distania. Do you seriously think you can challenge Bargia with force? What you're trying to do is essentially war, you know?"

"It won't become a war. We're just going to take back the children who were stolen."

"Those children were sold through a contract, right? Then, taking them back by force would be an act of plunder. Even if that's not your intention, depending on the situation, it could trigger a war."

"So you're saying we should abandon them?"

"Of course not. I'm saying we should choose our methods carefully."

"But there's no method without risk. If we act now while it's still recent that the young children left, we can probably still track their whereabouts easily. Taking time is out of the question."

All the members of the Militant Faction nodded at Distania's words. They seemed to understand Mererosu's point, but it was clearly not something they could accept.

"As a result, the Elven village might be destroyed."

"Shut up. You, who abandoned the village, have no right to speak about it."

"Now, now, Distania-kun. Mererosu-chan, calm down too, okay? Distania-kun is just bad with words, so he gets confrontational, but everyone needs you, Mererosu-chan~"

"You need me? You need fighting power to go to war with Bargia, right? I understand that much about this recruitment. But if I'm going to help, it would be with the Foreign Affairs Division people who are desperately running around Bargia right now, not the Militant Faction."

"...I see. As expected."

Silkuru put her hand to her cheek, looking disappointed.

Even from just the conversation, it's clear to us outsiders that the Militant Faction has progressed quite far in their plans to invade Bargia. They'll probably leave the village soon to search for the abducted children.

Before that, they want to recruit Mererosu as a valuable fighting force, I suppose.

Well, all the Protection Division members behind the two leaders look disgruntled. They were thoroughly beaten by Mererosu just earlier.

However, there's no way Mererosu would accept such a request.

It's understandable if you think about it normally, but the difference in military strength between the countries is immense. If a war were to break out, they'd probably be annihilated along with the sacred tree. Even dragon species can cross the magical trees.

"Let me give you some advice too. If you carelessly make a move on Bargia and cause trouble for the village, I'll beat you down and stop you before that happens."

"Shut up! Stop acting like you're still the squad leader! Mererosu, you idiot! Stupid! Flat-chest!"

Karmarike at the back was yapping loudly. Isn't Karmarike flat-chested too?

Silkuru, the furthest from being flat-chested in this group, glanced at us - no, at Elenora - and said:

"I thought Mererosu-chan would say that. But I've been thinking about why the Savior was called here by the Sacred Tree. I believe this must be the Sacred Tree's will~ For the Savior to become a forest vassal at this timing, there's no other explanation~"

"...Elenora-chan was called to defeat the monsters, right? Not to wage war."

"Then why did she become a vassal? The fact that she was made a vassal after defeating the monsters, doesn't that mean something~?"

"That's... the Sacred Tree must have its reasons."

"Enough with this pointless debate. Mererosu, if you won't join us, then stay quiet. Of course, if you say you'll interfere, you'll have to face the consequences."

Distania shot a sharp glare at Mererosu.

Mererosu glared back without flinching.

"Oh my. It's come to this after all~"

"Sis, you're smart, you should understand. The foolishness of invading Bargia with military force."

"Ufufu."

Silkuru smiled fearlessly and stepped forward.

At the same time, Distania drew his sword from his waist. No, two swords.

D-Dual swords!? That's so cool!

"Sister and Distania, huh. Even I'll have to get serious."

"Oh my. I alone will be your opponent, Mererosu-chan~"

"Sis, you've never beaten me, you know?"

"That's true. But--"

Silkuru smiled and kicked the ground so hard it left a footprint, in a natural motion.

In the blink of an eye, she closed in on Mererosu.

"I've never been serious before."

"Ugh!"

Silkuru sent Mererosu flying with tremendous strength as Mererosu hastily guarded with both hands.

Mererosu, thrown backwards, regained her balance in mid-air and landed sideways - or rather, tree-ways - on a tree behind her. She drew her bow and fired an arrow. The arrow pierced the air towards Silkuru, but Silkuru effortlessly deflected it with the gauntlets she had somehow equipped on both arms.

"Mererosu-chan. I'll teach you your first defeat, you who have been undefeated in the village~"

"I absolutely refuse to lose to you, Sis!"

The two clashed.

...Well.

Somehow, a sisterly quarrel has naturally begun.

Since we're outsiders, can we just pass through? We have business in the farm area ahead.

"Savior. We thank you for saving our village. But we'd like you to continue to help our village for a while longer."

Led by Distania, the Protection Division surrounded us. It seems they won't let us pass quietly.

Well, I guess that's to be expected.

Elenora answered immediately.

"Mm. Refuse."

"I see. Then we'll make you obey by force if necessary!"

As Distania raised his hand, the Elves of the Protection Division dispersed.

They disappeared into the forest.

Only Distania remained in front of us.

He lowered his dual swords, exuding the aura of a strong warrior. An Elf with dual swords, no matter how many times I see it, it's so cool...

"You certainly have tremendous magical ability. But you're probably not good at combat against people. In that case, we have no reason to lose in forest combat!"

Distania disappeared.

No, he just moved extremely quickly, using a unique walking method to exploit a gap in consciousness. It's a bit different from Mererosu, but Distania also seems to have a seasoned combat sense.

But saying Elenora is bad at combat against people is due to the fixed notion about pure magic users. In reality, Elenora's performance against people is higher than you'd imagine from her appearance. She even coined the term 'close-range magic combat' when she was having mock battles with adventurers at the Stoania guild.

Well, anyway.

Suddenly attacking when recruitment is refused, aren't they as barbaric as bandits?

Even I got angry at this.

They've been annoying for a while now.

"Mm. Take down all?"

"No, I'll do it."

Elenora could end this in seconds, but I'll take care of this. I started walking slowly.

Because this is the Elven village.

It's closed off and information rarely leaks. Moreover, they're a race that can use mystic arts innately, so even if I use mystic arts, it won't cause a stir just for that. Then, isn't this perfect for practical training? There are things I want to try too.

"So listen up, you Elves, it's laughable to think you can fight the Savior! First, defeat me, the weakest of the Four Heavenly Kings!"

I'm going for a Four Heavenly Kings move since we're here!

"Foolish. Human child."

Distania's voice came from right behind me.

He had taken my back, the perfect timing and position for a surprise attack. Brandishing his dual swords, Distania was certain of the weakest Heavenly King's death.

Well, I could see him though.

I raised my hand behind me without looking.

The swords stopped, hitting my palm.

Distania gasped.

"What!?"

Needless to say, the numerology skill [Domain Arbitration] had activated.

It's an absolute defensive skill that separates the domains of self and other.

Distania couldn't understand what had happened, but his confusion lasted only a moment. He quickly jumped and fled into the trees while shouting.

"Do it!"

Immediately after, numerous arrows came flying.

All the Protection Division members except Distania attacked from a distance. And not simultaneously, but nastily staggering their timing to make it hard to dodge. They're quite well-trained, aren't they?

So, here's the practical training.

I chant a new spell formula.

"[Reflection]"

Apparently, I have a talent for the replacement method.

I just rewrote the direction of the motion vectors of the arrows I saw to the opposite values.

The arrows, defying the laws of physics, fly in the opposite direction. However, since their center of gravity remains the same, they start spinning midway.

The spinning, rampaging arrows return to their shooters. The Elves dodge in panic.

Not done yet!

"[Reflection] [Reflection] [Reflection] Hop! [Reflection] [Reflection] Hop! [Reflection] [Reflection] [Reflection] [Reflection] [Reflection] Hop! [Reflection] [Reflection]"

[Reflection] for all arrows I can see. I dodge arrows coming from blind spots by sound.

"W-What's happening-- Uwaaah!"

"This guy is using some strange mystic arts!"

"Reinforce the arrows with spirit essence! That should work!"

Oh, they've already figured out a countermeasure.

Information reinforcement of matter, the basis and countermeasure of the replacement method. As expected of a clan of mystic arts users.

However.

"[Reflection]"

If it's just hasty information reinforcement, I can overpower it with sheer skill level if I get serious.

"[Reflection]"

"This guy's bad news! He's not just a kid-- Guah!"

"[Reflection]"

"Please go through-- Guheh!"

"[Reflection]"

"Damn it-- Pubarah!"

[Reflection] is fun.

Alright, might as well say it. With the most evil face I can muster.

"Sorry, but from here on it's one-way!"

"Kyaaah!"

"Ugyaaah!"

"M-Monster!"

A scene of Elves in pandemonium.

However, there are some warriors who keep shooting arrows and moving, not falling prey to [Reflection] even if they can't hit me. Distania, Karmarike, and four other Elves, I'd say.

"[Wind Cutter]!"

"[Ice Lance]!"

"[Water Bullet]!"

Some switch to magic attacks.

Oops, I can't return those with [Reflection]. I can't rewrite magic power.

I'd probably be unharmed even if hit directly, but I'll intercept them anyway.

"[Rending Bullet]"

I take a finger gun stance and shoot down all the magic attacks coming from all directions.

Since the dual swords looked cool, I'm going for a dual gun stance!

They desperately unleash ranged attacks, mixing in arrows occasionally with magic, but for me who's switched to [Rending Bullet], a double-digit number of attacks isn't a threat. [Reflection] is fun, but a shooting game with a familiar technique is even more fun.

"T-This guy... Everyone, stop!"

Distania gave the order with a twitching cheek.

The attacks stopped abruptly.

What, is it over already? The practical interception training was just getting interesting.

"...Human child. Your name?"

"Ruruk."

"I see. I'll remember it."

Distania turned his back, looking frustrated.

Hey, hey, don't just say "I'll remember it" trying to look cool! First, apologize for suddenly attacking us. What's with that reaction like you've fought a rival you still can't beat despite your efforts?

As I was about to step forward to complain,

*Thunk*

I heard a light sound from around the top of my head. What was that?

An arrow falls at my feet.

The notification area shows the text "Domain Arbitration has been activated".

"...Eh?" The Elves exclaimed in unison.

I looked around and... found her.

At a considerable distance - on top of a high tree near the central hall, Karmarike was standing with a dumbfounded look, having just fired her bow.

...That brat, she aimed for a sneak attack the moment the fight ended?

And aiming for the top of my head, no less. Hitting an arrow in an arc trajectory from that distance to stay out of my field of vision is actually amazing skill, but if my defense skill hadn't activated, I could have died in the worst case.

"It definitely hit just now, right...?"

"Yeah. It hit. But there was a 'thunk' sound..."

"He deflects attacks, blocks with his body, what the hell is going on?"

The Elves started muttering among themselves.

They've realized I'm not activating any spell formulas, so they're suspicious about what kind of skill it is. I'll think about how to punish Karmarike later, first I need to figure out how to explain this away...

As I was pondering what to say, feeling the Elves' gazes waiting for me to speak, it happened.

"Kyaaaaa!"

Karmarike screamed.

Looking up, I saw Karmarike being grabbed by a large bird and taken into the sky.

That's not a monster... probably a large bird of prey. It doesn't look ominous, just carrying Karmarike away as if it found some food.

"No! Someone! Someone help me!"

The bird ascended higher and higher into the sky with the struggling petite bob-cut girl.

Maybe because Karmarike is light, she's already been taken to a height where arrows and magic can't reach.

We watched in stunned silence as Karmarike was carried off by the bird.