--While Luke, Noir, and Garnett of the White Wolf Forest were battling the earthen forms that kept springing up and trying to locate Bran, Sakura was engaged in a one-on-one battle with the Tree Golem.

　The slashes that struck the giant body, which was several times larger than his own, had already exceeded twenty, and more than half of them were from the flaming blades.

　The battle situation was clearly one-sided.
　The sluggish Tree Golem was not able to cope with Sakura's movements, which combined [Shrinking Earth] and high physical abilities, as if the sluggish Tree Golem was unable to cope with it.

　Even though it was near the forest, it was an open area with no trees growing nearby to hinder their movements.

　There was no reason for someone who was significantly inferior in mobility to be able to hit an attacker.

　However, Sakura's side was also clearly lacking in decisive action.

''(They say that live trees are less flammable, but this is clearly a magical protection that has been put in place. Or should I say a fire protection blessing using the watery air that the trees are flooded with... ......)

　The flames granted to the cherry-colored sword won't work against the tree golem--

　Sakura did not rush to accept this fact, and repeated her quick battle actions while making a calm analysis.

It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you're going to be able to get your hands on a new one. I'm sure you'll find that this is a function that only a golem made of living material can provide.

　The tree golem's limbs and body are so thick and strong that it can only inflict shallow wounds with a blade.

　In addition, the magical effect of utilizing the rich moisture content of the tree's body gives it a defensive power that overturns the preconceived notion that trees are vulnerable to fire.

''(If that's also a type of golem, it should have the common weakness that Luke-dono mentioned)''

　He raises his gaze as he avoids a slow attack.

''(You're covering your entire face with bark like a mask. Aiming at the magic letters of your weaknesses is also a pain in the ass.)

　The tree golem is definitely a difficult enemy.

　If the fight continues, our magic or strength will be exhausted first, and even a blunt golem's attack will easily hit it.

''It has to be so. It's not worth asking Garnett to hand over the role to me.''

　Sakura smiled at the corners of her mouth and scattered a few spells that she took from her pocket.

　The spells spun around Sakura and then stopped moving, causing a cylindrical defensive wall to unfold around it.

'I'm sorry, Lord Luke. I will use this opportunity for personal purposes. I can't help but try it out.

　Apologizing to the man who wasn't here for his own choices, Sakura sheathed her cherry-colored sword inside the barrier and drew another sword from her waist.

　A scarlet blade that was not unlike a sword.
　A ceremonial sword crafted entirely of pure scarlet gold.

　Sakura put her hand on the blade and laid it down at chest level, increasing her magic power as she regulated her breathing.

　The tree golem's fist is slammed into the defensive wall.

　The defensive wall, which was deployed by the simple means of a spell, was obliterated without a trace after a single blunt but powerful blow was blocked.

　However, for Sakura, these few seconds were exactly what she needed.

''--Goshizashi, Hinokagahime--!

　The moment the chase fist was swung down, a tremendous amount of light and heat erupted around Sakura.

　The overwhelming amount of heat deprived the tree-golem's arms of water vapor, and in the blink of an eye, it burned down to his shoulders.

　A glow illuminated the forest as if the dawn had come only here.

　You're not going to be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

　The boiling magic power is not in the realm of human beings, but simply by existing, it dries up the ground, scorches plants and trees, and returns them to ashes.

　If you want to use a metaphor, it's the flame itself packed into the human form.
　A drop that fell from the sun.

　The shaman of Cakuen - this is the embodiment of the two names.

　If the other party was a creature with emotions, it would have sensed the abnormality and tried to flee for its life.

　However, the tree-golem had no such decision-making ability and recklessly swung its remaining arm at Sakura.

'----'

　The scarlet sword slashed up diagonally from the lower stance with the cutting edge pointed at his feet.

　The slash of fire unleashed by the reverse kesa taiji muscle pierced through the tree golem's huge body, tearing it in two and burning it to the ground without a trace.

　A single tatana that never moved a single step. Just like that, the victory was decided.

　It was even easier than burning the dead leaves, and even more trivial to settle than blowing away their ashes.

...... guh!

　Immediately after the tree golem disappeared, leaving behind a slight cinder block, Sakura let out a cry of anguish and dropped to one knee on the spot.

''As I thought, you're still at the limit of your Ichidai, ...... It was a good decision to try it against an easy opponent. ......

　The flames he was wearing are gone, the hair on his head is back to black, and the darkness of night returns to the landscape around him.

'But ...... done ...... done ...... done ...... haha ......!　Hahahaha ......!　Father!　Cherry blossoms have done it!　Send down the gods!　The manifestation of the divine power of Hinokagahime!

　Sakura laughed with glee and released a single spell into the sky.

　A small magic circle unfurled in the air, sprinkling water like a light rain to subdue the remaining fire and pick out the danger of the fire spreading into the forest.

　Then Sakura lay back down, lying on her back, looking up at the night sky with a satisfied look on her face as she basked in the rain of magic.










'Looks like things went well on Sakura's end.

　When I saw a corner of the forest turn bright as midday and a tremendous slash of fire was released, I was convinced that Sakura had defeated the tree-golem.

　The proof of this is that the sound of the tree-golem's rampage had echoed so much earlier, but the roar of the tree-golem was completely deafening.

　In the unlikely event that Sakura was defeated, we should be able to hear the footsteps of the tree-golem approaching us.

''(You used that tremendous light ...... 'God Descent')'

　He wanted to try out his hard-earned skills in a real battle as soon as possible.

　I understand how you feel, and I'm not in a position to complain, and I have no reason to do so.

　For now, I just hope that Sakura is safe.

'...... noir. Do you know what it is?

　Noir took the receiving device he had retrieved from the Mad Golem and poured his magic power into it, continuing to analyze it.

　He never meant to rush it, but he wanted to at least check out the progress along the way.

　The group of earthen forms are being kicked to one side by Garnett, but if the analysis is going to take an extremely long time, I have to think about retreating and preparing myself for it.

　Garnett prevents the magic power from running out by supplying it from the magic stone.
　In other words, the time limit is until you run out of magic stones on hand.

The first thing you need to do is to get your hands on a copy of ......, but you don't think that's what you're talking about. ......?　No, but I can only think of ...... as such. ......

　After a few seconds of pause from my question, Noir replied with a mixture of impatience and confusion in his voice.

　It wasn't his usual habit of speaking, but rather a tone of voice that exuded deep-seated agitation.

　It was as if the possibility he didn't want to assume had been clearly made known to him that it was true.

'Luke ...... the body of that thing, just the earthy part ...... [disassembled], can you please ......

　Noir's shoulders shook as he pointed to the wreckage of the Mad Golem, which had been divided into three parts.

"If my prediction is correct, ...... then I can be ...... sure of Bran's whereabouts, I should be .......