Invincible Saint ~Salaryman, the Path I Walk to Survive in This Other World~ - Volume 15 - Chapter 370

370 The price of saving the world and the strongest lineage

It has been a while.

　The Pope and the spirit-like being that came out of the World Tree hugged each other for a while, as if loving each other.

　By the way, even after we appeared, the spirits didn't seem to notice at all, and they were still supplying magical power to the World Tree without making a single move.

　That's how much concentration is required to supply magical power to the World Tree.

　However, it seems like there may be some interruptions only at times like this, so a reunion between the two? In order to avoid any interference, I consciously activated a strong sanctuary barrier to cover the World Tree, even the roots extending underground, and that's when I met the eyes of the World Tree's spirit for the first time.

　I didn't feel anything special about the way he looked at me, but I just felt like he was looking right through me.

　Maybe Lord Leinster...I thought about that, but I shook my head and thought that my delusions were taking over, so I just nodded to the spirit of the World Tree.

　Then, the Spirit of the World Tree quietly smiled and spoke a word or two into the Pope's ear, and the Pope reluctantly moved away from the Spirit of the World Tree, and the Spirit of the World Tree lightly floated up to the World Tree. It was at that moment that I was sucked into...

　The World Tree emitted a light so intense that it blinded me, so bright that I covered my vision with my hand.

　Then, when the light gradually subsided, I confirmed that there were no abnormalities, and before I knew it, an unfamiliar staff was floating in front of the Pope.

　The Pope took the staff without warning and began chanting quietly.

"[Many spirits living on this planet, in order to save the world from falling into despair, follow the ancient pact and release the shackles of concubines and release the power to support the holy ones. Sanctuary Revelation]"

　Immediately after the chant ended, the Pope began to shine brightly, and the light began to change shape, and by the time the light subsided, the Pope's appearance had completely changed... However, when he suddenly became an adult... It's not that his appearance has changed.

　Until just a moment ago, she was wearing the robes of the Church of St. Schuur, but when the light subsided, she was now wearing bluish silver dress armor.

　The greaves that can be seen through the slightly long slit skirt and the slightly long gauntlets that reach up to the elbows have a pattern that I have seen somewhere engraved on them.

　After checking his appearance, the Pope turned back to us.

"I made you wait. Now you can take on the battle against the evil god."

　Her eyes were a little red after crying, and she looked a bit embarrassed, but her confidence had increased and she seemed even more mysterious.

　Rumina-san and Lydia seemed to feel the aura emanating from the Pope, and naturally fell to their knees.

"That's the Pope's strongest equipment. It suits him well."

"I'm embarrassed to be told this so frankly. However, I wish I'd never had the opportunity to show myself this way."

　The Pope was cheerfully preening, but his hand holding his cane was shaking.

　I thought it was a no-nonsense thing to do, but I figured it was necessary and I didn't have much time, so I decided to ask about the spirit.

"I also think it would have been better if we had another opportunity. Pope, there is something I would like to ask you. Regarding the spirit of the World Tree earlier..."

“It’s the concubine’s mother.”

"Is that so? But why did the Pope's mother become the spirit of the World Tree?"

　I was once told that high elves originally had the role of guardians of the World Tree, and that elves had the role of supporting the high elves...

"About Mother... I think Luciel has heard from Luna, but Father had no choice but to eliminate the evil god and at the same time cut down the World Tree, which had been eaten away by the miasma due to the evil god's plan."

　Luna... Do you mean the spirit queen Rafiluna? She had thought that she had just annihilated the evil god, so she was a little surprised that Lord Leinstar had cut it off of his own will.

“The scale of that matter is so different that I recognize it as a myth with a tail.”　

"That may be true. However, it is true that the World Tree was cut down in order to completely eliminate the evil god. As a result, it seemed like nothing had happened for a while, but the World Tree turned into a miasma. Because it was no longer able to absorb energy, the earth gradually began to deteriorate, miasma broke out all over the world, and the monsters became stronger, and their numbers swelled.''

　The Pope smiled nostalgically, perhaps because he remembered Lord Leinster, but his voice was trembling as he talked about what happened after he cut down the World Tree.

“So, in order to stop this, the main god Krya assigned the role of the World Tree to the Spirit Queen Rafiluna?”

“I heard that was the only option.”

　The Pope turned around and gave Rafiluna an apologetic look.

　But I just couldn't imagine Lord Leinster being satisfied with that decision and following through.

“Even Lord Leinster didn’t come up with any countermeasures after that? I don’t think that Lord Leinster is just sitting idle.”

　I'm sure Lord Rainstar put up a barrier to seal off the Dark Continent after defeating the evil god.

　However, I could surmise that the reason why the main god, Crya, did not forgive the spirit queen, Rafiluna, was because the fundamental problem of increasing miasma had not been resolved.

"It's just as Luciel thinks. Father thought of all kinds of things to free Luna and did them. Sealing the Dark Continent was one of his actions."

“Even so, it wasn’t enough material to convince the chief god Krya.”

　If it's allowed, it doesn't make sense that the Spirit Queen was in the World Tree's labyrinth.

"...That's just a little different. That doesn't mean that Father was also a human race. The evil god was about to disappear as soon as Father became serious. However, the World Tree, which was eroded by the miasma, turned into an evil god. He cut down the World Tree because he realized that it supplied power and could be revived over and over again.But Father had to pay a price for cutting down the World Tree.''

　...It took me a little while to understand the Pope's words.

　Then, when I remembered that I had earned the title of [Protector of the World] after traversing the Etrian Odyssey, something crossed my mind and I felt a chill.

"What was the price?"

“It was the worst price to pay as you gradually lost your physical strength, magical power, and even your memories.”

　If he fought to protect the world, it would be the worst possible role. But if it was to protect the people I care about and ended up saving the world, I might not regret it.

　But still...

"That's the worst price to pay. But does that mean Lord Rainstar had the power to seal the Dark Continent even with that price?"

"Because my father was the strongest in the world. However, even though his memory was superior among humans, it didn't exceed that of humans."

"No way!? So..."

　It seemed like such a cruel punishment to someone who had saved the world.

　At the same time, the main god Crya said, ``Lord Rainstar fixed the special space, so his lifespan was shortened'', which was probably one of Lord Rainstar's ways to preserve his memories.

　However, when I think about the situation that Lord Leinster was in, I feel unreasonable and helpless.

``Even though Father knew that he would lose his memories, he always laughed and said that it was okay to make new memories.''

　Just as the Pope said, Lord Leinster will behave that way, no matter what his true intentions are. But I don't think the people around me will agree with that.

“Sounds like Lord Leinster.”　

"Hmm. Because you're such a father, I guess the main god, Krya, appointed him as a living god as a god slayer who defeated evil gods, extending his lifespan. And he entrusted the seedlings of the next generation's world tree."

"I see...I see that the main god, Crya, was also doing what he could."

　The main god, Crya, entrusted Lord Rainstar with the seedling of the World Tree, probably because he thought it would be able to stop Lord Rainstar from losing his memory.

　When he thought about this, the Pope's face clouded again.

"It would have been better if Father had been able to grow the World Tree, but it didn't work out that way."

“Is that because Lord Leinster was cutting down the World Tree?”

"That's right. However, I guess Father knew that the World Tree would reject him, so he created this space to study how the World Tree could be grown without dying. They brought in soil and plants to create a similar environment.''

　He probably had the help of recovery magic, plant-growing magic, and spirits, and that's probably why he was able to grow the World Tree.

　However, I felt a little scared to ask the Pope what happened from here.

“So the World Tree seedlings took root successfully?”

"Yes, but Father's compensation was neither eliminated nor lightened."

“…Wasn’t Lord Leinster still unable to help it and looked for another way?”　

　It's a story from the past, but I wanted it to be that way.

"That's certainly true.However, we now know that Father's fading memories are from the old past.Therefore, Mother negotiates with the chief god Krya, and by activating the High Elf's secret technique, the spirit of the World Tree It became.”

“What about Lord Leinster then?”

　I'm not the kind of person who agrees to sacrifice someone else.

“My father was the first to be affected by the sleeping spell that only my mother could use among the high elves, and he was left asleep for a week.”

“Even Lord Rainstar can be affected by magic.”

“I guess my tolerance and sleep tolerance had decreased as a result of compensation.Even if that wasn’t the case, I was staying up all night every day.”

“Um… did you want to protect Lord Leinster’s memory at the cost of your life?”

　I can kind of understand that the people around Lord Leinster were also beyond standard.

　But why did it take so long for Lord Leinster to lose his memories...?

"It would have been different if it was from a new memory. But Mother wanted to avoid Father forgetting the memories of Mother-in-law Lesaria."

"Memories of Lord Leinster's wife..."

"As a result, the price that Father received was never paid in the first place. From then on, Father conducted research to free Luna and restore Mother, and in order to clear his grudge against the main god Krya. It became a daily routine to attack by cutting through dimensions.”

　Ripping apart the dimensions...I don't think he was recognized as a divine enemy.

"It's outside the norm, but he's Lord Leinster, after all. I think it worked out well."

"Hmm. Even so, once we got to this place, my mistress and father were able to see, talk to, and touch my mother, who became the spirit of the World Tree, so that was all that was needed."　　　

　That's all it took...I think that's exactly what happened.　

“By the way, what about the release of the Spirit Queen?”

"Even if Mother became the spirit of the World Tree, the World Tree had to grow for a certain period of time. And once the World Tree took root in the earth, Mother would stay with Mother until the World Tree regained its power. I just realized that I won't be able to see you anymore."

“Maybe the Pope found out that the Spirit Queen was sealed and didn’t come to see the Spirit of the World Tree?”

"That's what I decided to do, but when I really felt lonely..."

　I regretted asking so many unnecessary questions.

"...I see. Pope-sama, thank you for speaking with me about various things."

"Hmm. Now, let's go and exterminate the evil god that is the culprit. Rumina and Lydia should also leave soon."

"Yes"

　Rumina-san and Lydia didn't look pale, but their faces seemed tense with tension.

“Pope, are the Spirit Queens going to stay here and wait?”

"Hmm. I'll ask Luna and the others to stay here to protect the World Tree, but at the same time, the spirits will be able to wield more powerful power if they are near the World Tree."

“What if a monster appears in this space?”

　Then the Pope looked at Lydia and opened his mouth.

“If Lydia fights with the power of the spirits in her body, there will be no problem.”

"eh"

　The Pope laughs when he sees Lydia's surprised state.

"What are you so surprised about? All the spirits supply magical power to the World Tree, but they're so close to each other. All you have to do is get the spirits to lend you the power Lydia wants."

“But if you do that, won’t the balance of the spirits collapse?”

"It's okay because it's not like you're going to use enough power to destroy the world. In the first place, spirit magic embodies your own image. It's also possible to use that power only on monsters. Of course, the power of spirits Since we are borrowing it, its power is guaranteed.”

　As expected, Lord Leinster's beloved daughter. Does she teach the same thing?

"Embodiment of the image..."

"If you still can't deal with it, you can rest assured that Luna and the others will solve it."

"Is that so?"

"Hmm. Besides, I'll wipe out all the monsters remaining in this space, so you can rest assured."

"Thank you. In that case, you can rest assured and I will devote all my efforts to protecting the spirits and the World Tree."

　It seems like Lydia's anxiety has been removed. However, if the spirits were to protect the World Tree, I felt like they were hiding the fact that there would probably be a price to pay.

　So I interjected, thinking I should do what I can.

“Pope-sama, we have installed magic tools in towns and villages around the world to protect the World Tree, but there are still some left over. Can we install them to protect the World Tree?”

"Luciel, there's no need to worry. Even if this Nerdal is defeated by the evil god, that's all."

　The Pope seemed to be in a good mood and smiled, as if he had some secret plan.

　If I believe that, what I can do is...

"Lydia, I'll leave this to you. Just in case, I'll give you this."

“Is it a magic bag?”

"Ah. This includes a magic crystal ball, a highly effective potion, and a replacement weapon just in case. If Nerdar falls, I want you to use it to help the residents of Nerdar."

　Although I haven't been able to do any sightseeing in Nerdal, I'm sure there are residents there.

"I understand. I will do my best to make sure the Pope and Luciel don't have to worry."

"Hmm. Lydia, leave this place to me."

"yes"

“Mr. Pope, wouldn’t it be better for me to stay as well?”

　After Lydia agreed, Rumina-san, who was waiting, opened her mouth with a worried look on her face.

　However, the Pope immediately denies it.

"Rumina will be the concubine's bodyguard. Besides, in the Principality of Brange, she might be able to play an even more active role than Luciel."

"I'm sorry. I will complete my mission."

"Hmm"

　It seems that Rumina-san has completely regained her confidence after the Pope's words. However, there is probably no chance for Rumina to play an active role...

“Luciel, it’s okay to just think about things, but it might be a shame if we don’t go to the Duchy of Brange soon.”

"I'm sorry. However, teleporting from this space..."

"I understand. In the first place, I'm planning on extinguishing all the monsters that appear in this space and Nerdal before I transfer."

"I've got it"

"Now, Lydia, take a good look. [Many spirits, gather under the magic power of the concubine, feed, and become the light that saves the world tree, getting rid of the evil presence and impurity. Holy Meteor."

　I couldn't help but look up at the sky as the Pope chanted, but I couldn't see anything. Did it fail? The moment I thought that, the space shook.

"Well, the magic circle containing the monsters and miasma that was in this space has disappeared. This is how you specify the range. Don't be drawn in by the name of the magic, just use the image."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, professor."

　Lydia hastily thanked him, but it probably won't be of any help. Lord Leinster's genealogy was certainly not standard.

　I felt a little lighter, thinking that this might make the fight against the evil god a little easier.

　In this way, I, the Pope, and Rumina-san set out to reach the Principality of Blanges.

Thank you for reading.

I will update it little by little and complete it, so please wait for a while.