Chapter 3, Barrier and Elven Settlements

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

The dense forest canopy stretched endlessly overhead as Kousuke and his companions marked their second day of travel since departing the village. Though he diligently followed Esena’s guidance, their destination remained a mystery to him. While Kouhi and Mitsuki seemed to maintain their bearings, Kousuke had long since lost track of their starting point.

 

“Big Brother, are you okay?” Esena asked, keeping close to his side with concern evident in her expression.

 

“Ah, I’m fine physically,” Kousuke assured her. “I’m just worried because I don’t know what awaits us at our destination.”

 

“…I’m sorry.” Esena’s shoulders slumped, her gaze dropping to the forest floor.

 

The truth was, even she could not pinpoint the exact nature of what drew them forward. She had suggested that clarity might come with proximity, but her continued uncertainty left her frustrated.

 

Seeing her dejected expression, Kousuke quickly waved his hands. “No, no! Esena, you did nothing wrong. I’m the one at fault for getting anxious over something like this.”

 

Even as he spoke the words, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat pathetic. Here he was, a living god, yet he found himself anxious about a simple forest journey. It seemed some of his human uncertainties still clung to him, though he chose to ignore the whispers about how strange it was for a living god to travel by foot.

 

As Kousuke attempted to lift Esena’s spirits, Mitsuki, who walked slightly ahead, intervened. “Esena, stop blaming yourself. It seems like it’s not just your lack of strength that’s the cause.”

 

“Did you notice something?” Kousuke asked, tilting his head at Mitsuki’s contemplative tone.

 

“Yes. Although, maybe it will be obvious… but it seems we’ve been inside a barrier for a while now.”

 

“A barrier!?” Kousuke exclaimed, startled by this revelation. Despite his growing confidence in crafting magical tools, such subtle Magic that modifies their environment had completely escaped his notice.

 

Kouhi, scanning their surroundings, elaborated: “Though we call it a barrier, it’s quite different from the conventional ones created through magic tools or circles like Kousuke-sama’s. This one integrates the natural elements—trees, rocks, flowing rivers—into its structure.”

 

“Of course, magical objects might be included as well,” Mitsuki added. She explained how this barrier differed from standard magical barriers, combining natural camouflage with magical elements to disorient travelers and obscure their destination. The natural arrangements worked in harmony with magical components to create something far more sophisticated than either element alone.

 

“In the case of this kind of barrier, the natural elements become stronger over time, so it’s only natural that it’s difficult even for Esena to notice what’s here.”

 

“Compared to the trees around here, Esena is still a newborn. No matter how much knowledge she has acquired from the old World Tree, this one is still a mystery to her.” Kouhi added as Mitsuki comforted Esena with a gentle pat on the head.

 

“Even though we’re saying this in a sure way, we only know that there is a barrier, but we don’t know what else is added as a whole,” Mitsuki admitted.

 

“What?! You two can’t see the whole picture either?” Kousuke’s surprise was evident. He had assumed they fully understood what they discussed.

 

Kouhi offered an apologetic look. “That’s all we could notice at the moment. If we put things even more broadly, this whole forest itself might be the entire Barrier.”

 

“You’re right. I can only think of one thing that could do something like this in such a vast area.” Mitsuki’s knowing grin suggested she had already reached the same conclusion as Kousuke, who turned to stroke Esena’s head as her spirits began to lift.

 

“Well, let’s not jump to conclusions. We’ll find the answer if we go further,” Kousuke declared. Kouhi and Mitsuki nodded in agreement before pressing onward.

 

♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦

 

Three hours after discovering the barrier’s presence, they encountered their first sign of civilization. Rather than a sudden ambush, several Elves approached them with formal courtesy. Nana remained silent, having sensed their non-hostile presence from the start. The group had likely been aware of the elves but chose not to acknowledge them until now.

 

The Elves bowed respectfully as they approached. “Are you perhaps Kousuke-sama and his group?”

 

Kousuke, having anticipated this encounter, nodded openly. “Yes. You’re not wrong.”

 

His confirmation visibly relieved some of the Elves’ tension, though they maintained a degree of vigilance—understandable, given the presence of Elf hunters in the forest.

 

Kousuke, recognizing their caution, deliberately maintained a casual demeanor.

 

One Elf stepped forward. “I think you are probably going to the same destination, so would you like to come with us? Someone in our village is calling for you.”

 

“Yes. I don’t mind,” Kousuke agreed.

 

The Elves turned back the way they had come—the same direction Kousuke’s group had been traveling. Their village, it seemed, lay ahead.

 

By this point, Esena had already vanished, as was her custom when encountering strangers. Her selective appearances seemed limited to the Tower’s Administrator Members and a small portion of the Tower’s Elf village residents.

 

The group proceeded with elven escorts both ahead and behind—a careful arrangement that mirrored Kouhi’s position at the front of Kousuke’s group and Mitsuki’s at the rear. This mutual positioning spoke to the underlying wariness on both sides.

 

After an hour’s journey, they reached what appeared to be a village. Its layout reminded Kousuke of the Elf village in the Tower, sharing the characteristic integration with the surrounding forest. They passed through the entrance without incident, suggesting their arrival had been anticipated.

 

Their guides led them to the largest building they’d seen in the settlement. “Someone is waiting for you here,” one of the escorts announced, activating a bell-like device.

 

After a brief exchange with someone inside, they were granted immediate entry. The escort Elves took their leave, though not without a moment’s hesitation that was quickly dismissed by their greeter.

 

At last, Kousuke and his companions stood ready to meet the person who had summoned them to this hidden village.

 

---

---