I Alone Regress in a Hero Party That Was Annihilated - Chapter 63

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#63. Heart of the Forest (1)

 

— — —

 

A forest where everything has burned away.

 

Beyond the ash heaps piled up like mountains, caves can be seen gaping wide open.

 

Originally they should have been hidden from view by dense bushes, but since all the plants on the mountain had burned in the fire, they were now clearly exposed like this.

 

“There was no need to receive guidance from the spirits.”

 

Featherback stood before the blackened cave entrance.

 

Strong mana was flowing out from inside the cave.

 

It was similar to the mithril vein discovered at the Beauvoir Mines, but the feeling was slightly different.

 

Unlike natural mithril veins, this was because it was a space artificially created by High Mages.

 

…Thud!

 

Featherback kicked away a half-burned baby spider with his foot.

 

“The dungeon conquest will be easier.”

 

Behind him, Quinbits and the Forest Spirits were making disgusted expressions.

 

Quinbits spoke in a sarcastic tone.

 

“Of course it’ll be easy. You burned down the entire mountain. All the monsters inside the dungeon must have been steamed to death in that furnace. The trap mechanisms probably broke down from the heat too.”

 

A dungeon is a space artificially created by High Mages or high-level monsters.

 

Naturally, it’s filled with all kinds of traps inside.

 

From natural traps using monster nests to spears, swords, and arrows twisted onto iron wires.

 

Since all those traps had been completely destroyed by the mountain fire, conquering the dungeon had become far too easy.

 

Featherback entered the dungeon without hesitation.

 

The earth floor, thoroughly baked by the heat, crumbled away, revealing the hell wasp nests that had been inside.

 

Of course, due to the heat and smoke from the mountain fire penetrating even inside the dungeon, all the wasps had suffocated to death.

 

Larvae that had crawled out of the hives could also be seen, cooked white and dead.

 

Featherback moved forward, avoiding the hives that dotted the floor.

 

Soon.

 

Clank— Clang!

 

Long spear blades did spring out from the walls and floor, but they stopped before even half emerging.

 

The metal locking mechanisms like iron cables connected to the traps had expanded due to the heat, making their specifications incompatible with each other.

 

Since everything had been baked once by the heat and smoke, there wasn’t a single trap that functioned properly.

 

Featherback continued deeper into the dungeon.

 

Crash—bang! Clatter!

 

A mud golem that had been baked so hard it became like pottery and couldn’t move properly shattered into pieces with a single kick from Featherback.

 

Soon, beyond the blackened driftwood, glittering objects came into view.

 

Mountains of gold coins, silver coins, and jewels that he had seen so many times they now felt tedious.

 

And beside it, weapons and ritual items from a very ancient civilization were scattered about.

 

“It looks to be as old as the Mörsolt Family.”

 

Featherback picked up a helmet blackened with smoke.

 

On the upper part of the helmet, a very old-looking crest was engraved.

 

It must be traces of a family or nation that had perished several hundred years ago at the very least.

 

“This should be useful.”

 

Featherback nodded as he looked around at the nearby artifacts.

 

Most were special items enchanted with magic, and even if they had lost their magical power, since they were made from rare metals, melting them down would be useful for making other weapons.

 

Just then, Quinbits asked.

 

“You’re not as surprised as I expected?”

 

“It happens quite often.”

 

“Hmm, really? Those people don’t seem to think so.”

 

At Quinbits’ words, Featherback turned his gaze.

 

There, Hounded and his subordinates were all exclaiming in unison.

 

“Fe, Featherback sir! Please look at this! These are traces of the legendary Invincible Cavalry! This is a double-bladed spear that the knights of that time carried!”

 

“Look at this great sword! It speaks! It’s talking to me! Alright, from now on your name is Big Eater!”

 

“There’s also a shield left by the predecessor knights of the Mörsolt Family! This marking is definitely…!”

 

They were jumping around, unable to contain their excitement.

 

However.

 

“Forget about these trivial trinkets. Open the secret door.”

 

Featherback had already lost interest in the miscellaneous items inside the dungeon.

 

Featherback stood looking at the wall at the very end.

 

Seeing him, Quinbits let out a sigh.

 

“I can’t compete with this. Just how much did you know before coming here…”

 

Eventually, Quinbits placed her hand on the wall at the end of the cave.

 

Kiiiiiiing!

 

Green ripples seemed to undulate, and then the stone wall fell backward.

 

“Huh!?”

 

Hounded and the soldiers’ eyes widened in shock.

 

Inside the dungeon was a garden with a peaceful atmosphere.

 

Centered around an old tree wrapped in light green vines, a large lake could be seen.

 

Step— Step— Step— Step—

 

Featherback headed toward the lake without hesitation.

 

Behind such Featherback, Quinbits follows with a face full of dissatisfaction.

 

Soon.

 

Tssssssssss…

 

The lake water began to split apart to both sides.

 

Featherback stepped onto the small island in the center of the lake and faced the ancient tree standing at its heart.

 

“So this is the true identity of the forest.”

 

The ancient tree’s trunk was split wide open to the left and right.

 

Inside, a cube glowing with blue light could be seen.

 

Quinbits opened her mouth with an attitude as if she had given up on everything.

 

“That’s right. That’s the Heart of the Forest.”

 

“As long as this is alive, the forest can regenerate endlessly, right?”

 

“…You know well.”

 

“What happens if this goes outside?”

 

“The entire forest follows it. You already know and are asking, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Featherback looked at the ‘Heart of the Forest’ that was emitting blue light.

 

As long as this stone exists, a forest will always be formed within a radius of several dozen kilometers.

 

And what kinds of plants grow depends entirely on the ‘Forest Spirits’.

 

‘Finally, the Forest Spirits are friendly with Forest Mages.’

 

Featherback inserted his hand into the deep tree hollow in the center of the trunk.

 

…Grip!

 

He grasps the Heart of the Forest.

 

Thump— Thump— Thump— Thump—

 

Pulsations are transmitted through his hand.

 

Surprise, shock, anxiety, fear, restlessness.

 

Various emotions were creating their own ripples within the vibrations.

 

‘Forests are absolutely necessary for humans.’

 

Not a forest that gives off a murderous feeling like the Nightmare-Devouring Forest, but a forest full of luscious fruit and fresh leaves is needed.

 

Featherback put strength into the hand gripping the heart.

 

‘Follow me. I will put you to good use.’

 

Of course, the Nightmare Eater had no right to refuse.

 

Rrrrrip!

 

Featherback pulled his hand holding the heart out of the tree trunk.

 

The roots, vines, and stems of plants snapped one after another as the blue hexahedron was pulled out.

 

“Kugh!?”

 

Quinbits, who was standing behind, groaned while clutching her left chest, but Featherback paid no attention.

 

Thump— Thump— Thump— Thump—

 

The Heart of the Forest in his hand began to beat vigorously.

 

Whoosh—

 

Featherback threw it to Hounded.

 

“Uwhat!?”

 

Hounded quickly caught it and looked at Featherback as if he didn’t know what to do.

 

However, Featherback’s expression was as calm as always.

 

“That’s enough. Let’s go back.”

 

The subjugation was over.

 

Mörsolt Territory would now gain a forest.

 

Not a jungle filled with monsters and carnivorous plants, but a deep forest filled with fruit and grains.

 

* * *

 

A few days later, Featherback returned to Mörsolt Castle.

 

The guard at the castle gate must have had good eyesight, as he immediately recognized Featherback’s face visible beyond the horizon.

 

“Feath—er—back—Young Lord is returning—!”

 

Chaos had already erupted at the castle gate.

 

A hastily assembled welcoming crowd came out several kilometers ahead to greet Featherback.

 

Meanwhile, Quinbits, who was following behind Featherback, was quite nervous.

 

You could tell just by watching her walk with the same hand and foot moving forward simultaneously.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“I-it’s been too long since I’ve interacted with humans…”

 

“How many years has it been?”

 

“More than 10 years.”

 

Since she was a quarter-elf, her lifespan was longer than humans but not as long as pureblooded elves.

 

So her perception of 10 years was also similar to that of humans.

 

Featherback spoke in a dry tone.

 

“You are an invited guest. You won’t face any hardships.”

 

“…”

 

Nevertheless, Quinbits couldn’t hide her nervous expression.

 

The Northern soldiers beside her laughed heartily.

 

“Don’t worry, Mage!”

 

“Northern men may be a bit rough and stupid, but they’re quite kind!”

 

“If there’s anyone who dares to look down on Lady Quinbits, we’ll smash them to pieces!”

 

Perhaps enchanted by Quinbits’ beauty, they had been appealing their charms throughout the entire journey.

 

In any case, Featherback entered the castle interior amid warm welcome.

 

People of all ages who came out to the street sent cheers toward Featherback.

 

Seeing this, Quinbits widened her eyes in amazement.

 

“To think a human village in the Northern Region could be so vibrant, how surprising. I thought it would be a very gloomy and barren place.”

 

“It used to be like that, but it changed recently.”

 

“Changed? Who? How did they change it?”

 

“I did. I killed all the criminal bastards who committed corruption.”

 

“….”

 

Quinbits shook her head as if she understood.

 

“All rumors have their reasons. Now I understand why you’re called Blood Lily.”

 

She said this while looking at the lilies that were dyeing the edges of the Central Plaza red.

 

* * *

 

Featherback immediately sought out the Family Head’s Room.

 

Soleil had already heard the cheers from outside and knew that Featherback had returned.

 

“I was just about to go out and see, my son.”

 

“You were reviewing documents.”

 

“Things related to the Merchant Group. Everything is going very smoothly.”

 

Soleil laughed heartily and patted Featherback’s shoulder.

 

Perhaps because he had been training with the Secret Sword Manual given to him before, Soleil’s prayer was much stronger than before.

 

Featherback nodded.

 

“I have subjugated the Nightmare-Eating Tree Spirit.”

 

“I heard roughly through the messenger bird that Sir Hounded sent. Yes, you burned down the entire forest? Was there any result?”

 

“This woman is the result.”

 

At Featherback’s words, Soleil turned to look at Quinbits.

 

Quinbits bowed her head with a nervous expression.

 

“I am Quinbits Alvheim. I was managing the Tree Demon…”

 

The words that followed had already been reported through his subordinates.

 

Finding it awkward to say ‘My son burned down your home, didn’t he?’, Soleil hastily changed the subject.

 

“Thank you for coming to visit us like this. I hear you’re an elf?”

 

“Yes? Yes. My grandmother was an elf. She married a human.”

 

Soleil nodded while looking at Quinbits’ green-gold hair and pointed ears.

 

“Think of this as your home and stay comfortably. If you could lend us your strength in future Merchant Group affairs, I would be truly grateful.”

 

“That’s what I came here for.”

 

Quinbits nodded her head in response.

 

Soleil turned to look at Featherback and said.

 

“We need to decide on a space for the Mage to reside. How about the Garden Tower in the Separate Palace?”

 

“Rather than that place, there’s somewhere else I have in mind.”

 

Featherback pointed to the Castle Walls beyond the Window.

 

“I’m thinking of building a separate Wooden House in the Forest over there. An Elf should live in the Forest, after all.”

 

“The Forest over there? Where is there a Forest over there?”

 

Soleil tilted his head in confusion.

 

Because on the Horizon that Featherback pointed to, there was only barren Wasteland and Snowy Field.

 

However.

 

“The Forest will appear soon.”

 

Featherback answered calmly as always.

 

Thump—

 

While holding the ‘Heart of the Forest’ in his hand.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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