-Entor Kingdom’s Knight Commander’s POV-

Perhaps it’s because of the excitement of seeing the phoenix, the sense of danger among the knights was somewhat diminished.

If we continue our investigation like this, there’s a chance that it would only lead to injuries.

We know an open space and we just have to rest there.

Given enough time, the knights will calm down.

「Stop. We’re going to rest here today.」

We traveled a lot but I didn’t feel tired because of excitement.

Like everyone else, I need to calm down too.

「Vice commander and adjutant, come we me as I look around!」

「「Yes」」

Given their replies, they’re in good condition, aren’t they?

The vice commander is someone who runs out of control immediately while the adjutant is a little airhead.

I wonder why I chose these two.

「A lot has changed in the past month.」

「…ah, right, you participated with the investigation a month ago.」

「…commander, how can you forget the actions of your own men?」

「Of course not….」

My vice commander’s gaze kind of hurts.

If you look around, you can see many rivers among the trees.

If you look in the river, you’ll notice something transparent.

They are basically invisible but they are called spirits.

「There’s something there, isn’t it?」

I heard that if your magical power is high enough, you’ll be able to see them more clearly.

It’s impossible for the current me to see them.

I would like to see them even once.

-0-

As the wind blows, I notice something approaching.

My vice commander and I equipped our swords and looked around.

Something is approaching us.

And there’s a lot of them that I can’t even count.

The influence of the evil eye has faded but it is still difficult to read magic power here.

This makes it impossible to determine whether those approaching are demon beasts, monsters, or the kings of the forest’s family.

I heard that the family of the kings of the forest doesn’t move in large groups.

That means they are either a horde of monsters or demon beasts.

My adjutant is already pulling his bow.

They are getting closer.

-0-

As the rattling sound gets louder, my heart beats faster.

Something jumped out from behind a tree and my adjutant released his arrow at the same time.

My adjutant’s face turned pale after.

-0-

What jumped from behind the tree was a beastkin child.

I tried to block the arrow with magic but it won’t make it in time!

I’m already prepared for the worst but the beastkin child got enveloped in white light and the arrow deflected from him.

「Great」

I heard my adjutant’s voice.

My vice commander also sighed.

However, I couldn’t take my eyes off what’s happening in front of me.

….beastkin children appeared one after another and they came from the depths of the forest.

-0-

—Scene Change—

-0-

「I’m tired.」

There were 198 children.

All of the children are either five or six years old and all of them are slaves.

If it hadn’t been for the former slave that was with us, the children won’t come with us.

It was ironing that ordering the slaves means nothing this time.

-0-

Several hours have passed since then.

The morning sun is starting to show up.

We were up all night…hah.

「Excuse me.」

The person who came to me was the former slave named Kaju.

He calmed down the children since they only listened to him.

「Thank you. I’m glad you came with us, Kaju.」

Kaju smiled happily.

The children were identified as former slaves of Emperors given the slave crest on their backs.

Former because the mages confirmed that all slave crests were no longer in effect just like Kaju.

-0-

However, there was a big difference between these children and Kaju’s group.

That is, they are being protected.

That power showed up when my adjutant shot them.

Who is protecting them?

It was a white light and the mages were quite motivated to find out.

I hope the children are not scared.

「….Ha?」

What did you just say?

Monsters brought them food?

Ehto?….according to the children, the monsters were carrying food.

….is that possible?

「E-excuse me!」

One of the mages rushes into my tent with much excitement.

「The one that’s protecting the children! Ah, it has the same magical power as the magical power flowing in the forest!」

What?

Are you okay?

「….calm down. Say it slowly.」

「E-e-ehto….fuh… The magic that protects the children and the magic flowing in the forest are similar, no, they should be the same!」

Which is it?

「Are they the same? Or are they similar?」

「They are indistinguishable!…No, I’d say they are the same but…」

…it’s impossible to come up with a calm judgment if he’s this excited.

Magical power flowing in the forest?

According to the ancient text, it was written that the magical power flowing through the forest is the power of the world tree.

…Hnn?

Eh….in other words, the magical power of the world tree is protecting the children?

No, it could just be a resemblance.

What kind of magical power is similar to the magical power of the world tree…the kings of the forest?

…….

「Let’s get back to the country!」

This is something out of my league!