Chapter 65
Due to the intense light, Elena covered her face with her hands.
Nonetheless, she didn’t take her eyes off it.
The light emitted from the tombstone slowly gathered.
And it gradually grew and took shape.
By the time the light faded, it was in full form.
“Wow…”
Elena couldn’t help but admire the creature that appeared in front of her.
Impressively tall – about three meters tall – this creature appeared to be a combination of wood and stone.
The face and body were made of stone, while the arms and legs were made of wood.
And his head was covered with branches.
[Master.]
The voice she heard earlier was coming from this newly encountered creature.
[It is an honor to meet you.]
The sight of a giant creature bending over and kneeling to her gave her a novelty feeling.
Elena’s mouth was still open as she kept staring at it in amazement.
[I am the King of the Spirits; my name is Gor.]
“Gor, nice to meet you. I am Elena Respell.”
Unlike when dealing with other spirits, respectful words naturally flowed out from her.
Perhaps because of the title – King of the Spirits – that Elena was nervous.
Seeing Elena like that, Gor smiled.
[I am a being who has been enshrined since the first spirit. The previous spirits passed away, and I returned to nature and watched humans until the next great spirits were born.]
“Ah…”
Was that why King Fortnen said:
Although he may not be able to see the Spirit King, Gor, he has felt his presence.
[After such a long time, I felt that a new Spirit Master has awakened to power. I waited for you one day to come and call me.]
It was hard to say.
[After returning to nature for a long time, the owner had to wake me up. And finally, realizing that the master’s energy was drawing near, I delivered my voice to the master.]
The voice Elena heard in her room was the sound of Gor calling her.
To wake him up.
[From now on, I will serve the master with all my heart.]
Gor held out his hand.
“Ah, thank you, Gor.”
Elena responded quickly and placed her hand on Gor’s massive one.
The wooden hand was tough, but the surrounding green leaves blooming on it seemed pretty cute.
As she touched his hand, joy rose on Gor’s face.
[You are a woman of immense power.]
“What? Me?”
Gor nodded.
[Among the past spirit lords, you possess immense power similar to the first spirit owner. It is still in slumber; but if you’re with me, you can awaken that power.]
“Wow… I see.”
Elena smiled.
Gor stared at her for a moment, then knelt on one knee and bowed.
[My lord.]
Unlike before, his voice now became solemn.
[I can feel the power of the lowly monsters getting closer.]
“… Right. Soon, monsters from the Black Continent will attack this place.”
[That’s right. I want to help the humans who have worshiped me while I resided with nature. Please, impart your power to me, my lord.]
At Gor’s serious words, Elena’s eyes lit up.
“Even if Gor doesn’t ask, I’m going to help them too. So join us.”
[Thank you, Master.]
A smile bloomed on Gor’s face again.
That was then.
[Master!]
[Master.]
[Chirp!]
[We’re here!]
Adorable spirits suddenly appeared.
Lani, Toto, Vivi, and Coco.
The four spirits greeted Elena.
“You guys are here. I’m glad you came. I made a new friend.”
[Yes! We felt it too!]
[You’re right. I felt the power of the Spirit King.]
[Chirp! That’s why I’m here!]
[I was curious about the Spirit King!]
The four spirits immediately faced Gor.
Their eyes were twinkling.
[Nice to meet you, children. I’m Gor.]
Gor looked at the spirits with tender eyes, like a grandfather gazing at his grandchildren.
[Gor!]
The little spirits rushed straight to Gor.
The children clung to him as if they had met an old family.
Lani jumped to Gor’s legs and landed on his shoulders, and Toto walked slowly to Gor’s hands.
Meanwhile, Vivi sat on Gor’s head as if it were a nest, and Coco clung to Gor’s belly.
[Hehehe, cute guys.]
That night, Elena had a great time with Gor and the spirits.
*****
It had been two days since the troops led by Lexion Halos arrived in the Fortnen Plain.
He ordered the soldiers to set up barracks and check their weapons in preparation for the battle to follow.
After that, he entrusted the command to Kerr and headed to the King of Fortnen with the guards.
The distance between the barracks and their destination was not far, so they could get there quickly.
“I’m Duke Halos from the Soleth Empire.”
At the words of the guards, King Fortnen rushed out.
“Welcome. It is an honor to meet you.”
King Fortnen then went straight to the castle with Lexion.
“Uh? Lexion…?”
And just then, Jeremy and Elena, who were passing through the hallway, ran into them.
Elena’s eyes widened slightly, joy filling her face.
It was the same with Lexion.
He went straight to her.
“Elena. How are you?”
“I’m good. Lexion just arrived today, right?”
“Yes.”
While the two exchanged pleasantries, King Fortnen approached.
“You two look friendly with each other. How about having a cup of tea together?”
The three seemed to ponder for a moment at King Fortnen’s proposal and soon agreed.
They headed towards a drawing room, which was left available when they revamped the rest as the wizards’ quarters.
The tea made from the Seorae flower – a specialty product of the Fortnen Kingdom – had an excellent scent.
The four of them drank tea and talked.
When Lexion came to the Fortnen Kingdom, he came there to express his gratitude for the supplies.
Eventually, as their discussion progresses, it naturally deviated to the imminent battle with the monsters.
“Hmm. The distance between the Fortnen Plains and the castle is closer than you think.”
It was only about 30 minutes away by horseback.
Hearing this, Jeremy thought for a moment and said,
“It’s almost as good as fighting in the same place. Why not join forces for optimal results?”
“It doesn’t sound bad.”
King Fortnen nodded as if in agreement.
“I am fine with it. Minimizing casualties is a top priority.”
When Lexion agreed, things went smoothly.
Lexion’s men were elite soldiers who lived with him.
There was an inevitable gap between them and the military power of the soldiers of the Fortnen Kingdom.
So, they decided to exchange half of Lexion’s soldiers and half of Magic Tower’s wizards.
Also, they opted to send several soldiers to the Plains of Fortnen Kingdom.
After the decision was made, a more detailed military reorganization began.
In Lexion’s camp, it was determined that a unit centered on Kerr, who had an acquaintance with the Magic Tower, would be sent. On the Magic Tower’s side, Elena, who was familiar with Lexion, decided to join the other wizards.
“Elena, please.”
“Don’t worry, sir.”
When Elena readily accepted it, Lexion’s expression brightened remarkably.
He had to curb the corners of his lips from rising.
“Oh yeah. I think it would be better to put a barrier on the Fortnen Plain’s side as well. Take the barrier wizard.”
“Yes. I will. However, it will not be as durable as the one in the castle because we have insufficient time to do so, but I will try my best.”
“Thank you, Elena.”
The short tea time was over.
Lexion went straight back to the Plains, while King Fortnen, Jeremy, and Elena were busy with their tasks.
Elena formed an army of wizards whom she was familiar with and had little hatred for humans.
After that, Kerr’s troops arrived.
Elena greeted Kerr and immediately moved out with the wizards.
They took the extra portal they brought from the tower and headed to the Plains.
Thanks to King Fortnen’s consideration, the wizards were able to travel in a carriage.
When they reached the plains with ease, Lexion and his soldiers promptly met with them.
Lexion politely greeted the wizards gathered around Elena.
“You worked hard to get here. I am Lexion Halos. I ask that you take good care of us.”
“Please take good care of us too!”
“Let’s do our best!”
At Lexion’s remark, the wizards cheered enthusiastically.
Most of the wizards in the tower had pretty much admired the current Duke of Halos.
And it was thanks to the hefty donations provided by the previous Duke of Halos.
In any case, the wizards gladly accepted that they would fight alongside Lexion Halos.
Then, Lexion introduced the wizards to the soldiers, and the first encounter ended.
After that brief encounter, the wizards followed Lexion to the barracks.
Although the barracks were limited, he gave away several large barracks to be used as their lodgings.
The interior of the barracks was not as good as in the royal castle, but it was still comfortable and pleasing.
Still, Lexion thought of the wizards and cordially expressed that if it was uncomfortable, they could stay in the royal castle.
Luckily, the wizards just laughed it off, saying that this was better than the lodgings in the tower.
The wizards, after unpacking their belongings in their quarters, set up a barrier around the Plains, just as they did in the castle.
A day had passed since they had put a fairly thick barrier on the side facing the Black Continent.
In the meantime, every wizard went to rest.
Elena also fell asleep from exhaustion and only woke up in the evening.
But as soon as she opened her eyes, she saw a familiar and beautiful face.
“… Lexion?”
