The blooming was sudden.

　It was late at night.

　The magic power that had been stored in the divine tree was released. No, it's more accurate to call it an eruption.

　Anyway, an enormous amount of magic power is running through the forest. The vortex of magic power is stirring up the entire forest. Some people might get a headache.

　I prepare myself and say "transition".

　I arrived near the divine tree as the clarity of my vision passed.

　I can see the elves in a hurry.

　But most of all, it wasn't the moonlight that clearly reflected their appearance - it was the divine tree.

　The golden sap was dripping with its own luminescence while gradually following gravity.

　What was actually a green skin was dyed iridescent, and sap spilled from inside as well.

　Above all, a sweet smell enveloped the whole area.

''It's an amazing life force. The sap is creating its own magic.'

　I speak as I see it.

　I've never seen anything like this before.

　Suddenly, I saw Odd's appearance.

　As soon as he saw us, he received a sharp, hostile glare for a moment, but he immediately smiled and came towards us.

''Oh, well, you're here.''

Yeah. I see they're in bloom.

　I reply.

'I see. But it will take a week or two for the distribution to take place. Until then, please be patient.

Is it going to take that long?

Yes. I'm sorry.

...... No. I get it.

　Questions come to mind.

　But those are not the ones that should be checked with Oddo.

　Oddo makes his way towards the divine tree.

　This time, he saw Rook coming towards him in a panic and out of breath.

'Hahaha ......!　I see you're here!

Yeah, it's an amazing sight.

'When this happens, the distribution of requests will be done in the near future. Generally, the sap release will take about a day or so. ......!

　Luc says as he catches his breath.

'In the near future?'

'Yes. All we have to do now is put them in barrels and divide them up among the different regions.

I guess it's ....... It's the smell and the amount of magic I've seen over time. I wouldn't be surprised if a demon attacked us.

Yes. So it should be done within two or three days. It's going to be a big job!

　Yeah. That should be the norm.

　But.

"I just talked to Oddie. He said it'll take him a week or two to get there.

...... Huh?　Oh, by the way, the last time it bloomed, it took a week. But that time, it must have been trouble on the side of the Wise Council. There was also the outburst of the demons, which caused a lot of damage ....... That's why it has always been normal to take three days or less: ......

That's probably where it is.

　I say, and Rook shows a huff of realization about something.

'You don't think he's going to turn his defense into a charismatic party?'

Of course. Otherwise there would be no point in us arriving in the elven village so soon.

　It seemed to be a given that we were going to take at least a week to get there in terms of tone.

　Then we shouldn't have to come before the day we bloomed. And yet, we've been called in spite of that.

...... It's not. The demons in this forest are just balanced and natural in number and quality. They haven't been cultivated like the human race, so ......!

Yeah. The place is overrun with demons lured by the smell of magic.

　There are even demons that are already on a rampage.

　There are some grunts from the ground, though they're breathing hard.

'Ya, can you do it ......?'

It's so defensive and cumbersome.

That will be fine. Even if we don't protect the entire village, as long as the barrel of sap is intact.

　I know that.

　But.

'...... sounds disgusting. Last time you were here, you had a week to do some serious damage, right?

'Yes. Everyone was desperate to protect their family and friends. Many of the elves I knew were also dead or unaccounted for.

'Then the adventurers must have been badly hurt.

'......?　No. The guild hadn't received any requests at that time.

　Rook tilts his head curiously.

'But numerous high-ranking parties have failed, haven't they?

Yes, but that's a separate request.

...... Right.

　I thought for sure that a similar request had been passed around. That didn't seem to be the case.

However, if I had participated in the request, it would have been equally painful. Numerous elves have been hurt. ......

"Then,

　I'll keep my eye on the one near me.

''-- It should be your turn. Stop the Wise Council's attempt to delay it so that we can distribute the sap now.

　The one behind us was Sille.

　She must have come to check on the blooming too. I told her just in time.

''This matter will affect the elven people as well. Leave it to me, .......'

　Sille nodded in tune with me.

　Then it's going to be my job to suppress the demons for a while.





◇





　A day has passed since the flowering began.

　Already, demons affected by the scent have come to the village and have been fought off.

　We helped with that too.

　The elves have their own rules, and except in exceptional circumstances, demons must be repelled without killing them.

　There was nothing wrong with that.

　Until the second day.





◇





But can we really trust this Elf Princess? That one must have originally bypassed and taken my sister as a hostage. I can't help but feel like I'm going to fail again this time.

　Phil spoke to me while standing on a large tree branch.

　There were Yuy and the elves around him, who were in a battle stance.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. We have no choice but to leave it to them.

I know, but don't get all mushy on me like this ......

　I understand what you mean.

　There is no doubt that this is a hindrance to the request on the part of the wise men. That's why Phil wants to do something about it.

I've heard from Luc, he's taking the initiative in filling the barrels with sap. I heard that things are going smoothly so far, so I don't think it should be a problem.

　If it's the original authority, the Elf Princess is higher than the Wise Council. So it seems that if Sille takes the initiative, there will be no problem.

　If there is a problem...

It's hard to believe that the Wise Presbyterian Church would be silent about this: ......

That's it.

　Sille's biggest obstacle will be the Wise Council, just like us.

　I wish you the best of luck.

Here they come.

　Phil says.

　A large army of wolves, numbering a hundred, rush in from the distance, curling up in a dust cloud.

　All the while, their mouths are dripping with saliva.

　Our job for now is to stop this monster.