Chapter 91 of the Weapon Replicator of the Academy

Chapter 26: The Sacred Forest (3)

Selena blinked with her mouth open.

"Then, this isn't a forest?"

"It is a forest. Animals and plants live here, there are dense trees, and even a lake."

"But you just said it was a dream."

"Well, it's like bringing a dream into reality."

Magic is about summoning phenomena. In that sense, this forest is also a kind of magic.

That's why non-mages often misunderstand magic as 'illusion.'

When you cancel the magic, the flames that were burning fiercely disappear, and the ice that froze instantly vanishes.

But the burns and frostbite remain. The same goes for this forest.

The flora and fauna in this forest have already formed an ecosystem.

Of course, it's all a cycle created by mana, but most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference from reality.

A dream so close to reality that most people can't distinguish it. And the proof that it has been called 'The Sacred Forest' for decades and talked about by people.

It has existed for far too long to be called an 'illusion.'

"Can a normal person do something like that?"

"No, they can't. Merlin is a Grand Mage."

"Still, even if it's a dream, to create such a detailed world. There must be limits to a person's mana, and to maintain this for decades..."

Selena's question was valid. Frankly, I didn't think such a feat could last for decades either. As Selena said, there are limits to a human's total mana.

There was a part of it I could guess, but I kept my mouth shut for now.

"Anyway, let's hurry. You've wasted time by dragging your feet."

"...You really have to say it like that."

Ignoring her mumbled voice, I urged Kassian forward again.

After a while, I suddenly thought of something.

"By the way, aren't assassins familiar with torture? They receive training, right?"

"Yes, I am. I'm familiar with the pain and suffering. The terror that penetrates all five senses. We are trained not to reveal information even if we cry, beg, or scream."

"But it's about enduring the pain, right?"

"At first, they lie and say it's about enduring pain. But it's not. They make you endure pain that you can't bear. The torture never ends, no matter how much you cry or beg. But if you reveal information, the torture becomes even more severe. Then, the pain that surpasses your limits is etched into your mind. So, no matter how much you suffer, even if you beg and plead, you won't reveal the information. You remember the fear from that time."

...It's a scary story.

I had nothing more to say and just looked ahead quietly.

After a moment of silence,

"Wait."

Selena said.

"But how do you know? Why have we been following this path all along?"

"I know the way."

This forest is actually a 'trial' that Aster will eventually reach.

Most players know how to navigate this forest.

But that's only because Aster's level was high enough to be recognized by Merlin, so Merlin provided an appropriate level of difficulty.

However, as always, I am Frondier.

Merlin wouldn't give the lake to a nobody like me.

'But.'

I can see it. The 'illusion' of this dream.

I can see it with the 'Analysis' skill, but my intuition reacted even before that.

Perhaps because I have a skill called 'Weaving' that is very close to an illusion, this dream world felt strangely familiar.

"Kassian. From now on, follow my instructions."

After saying that, I gently gripped the reins. Kassian slightly slowed down, as if understanding. Sometimes, he's so smart it's scary.

'...Phew.'

I took in the scenery. The straight path ahead was the same as when I played as Aster.

When I was a player, Merlin would give hints as I walked this path, but now I have to find my way on my own.

The 'Analysis' skill doesn't discriminate. It can analyze this world itself, as long as it can be identified.

Until now, the analysis has given me additional information like item descriptions.

Merlin's 'dream' is clearly similar to Frondier's 'Weaving.' If I'm Frondier, I can uncover the essence of this dream.

After a while,

"──Got it."

The analyzed dream world came into view. Just like a weapon woven from thin threads, this dream was also made of countless threads.

I led Kassian into the revealed illusionary world.

"…This way."

I pulled the reins to the left. There was no path, just dense trees. But Kassian pushed through without hesitation, following my words.

Suddenly, the dense trees split apart. The path transformed as if it had always been there, like a hidden space behind a stage curtain being revealed.

"Ugh, I'm dizzy."

Selena said. Indeed, this scene was not just strange but dizzying. It felt like watching a bug in a game.

I continued to lead Kassian forward. Every time I changed direction, the trees split and the path was revealed. We were definitely getting closer to the lake.

"By the way, Young Master."

"Stop calling me that, call me Frondier."

"But you said you like being called Young Master."

"Just think of all the information Manjok has on me as tabloids."

"Tabloids?"

"Rubbish."

Selena didn't respond to my words. Instead, I felt the touch of her hair on my back. She must have nodded.

"Then, Mr. Frondier."

"Why?"

"If this is Merlin's dream, can't he change the location of the lake? If so, wouldn't it be difficult to reach it even if we find the right path..."

It was a reasonable thought.

She had thought this far after realizing it was a dream. Selena's adaptability was faster than I expected.

But her guess was wrong.

"Moving the lake's location is impossible."

"Why?"

"Because the lake is real."

"...Ah."

Everything around us is part of Merlin's dream.

But the lake is real.

In other words, Merlin designed this dream specifically for the lake.

Rumble─

At that moment, the trees began to change strangely.

The ordinary scenery distorted, and the trees grew to an enormous size, extending their branches. The thick trunks twisted, and the gaps between them seemed to smile like human mouths.

"Eh, um, Mr. Frondier...?"

Selena's voice was filled with unease.

"Merlin is confident."

"About what?"

"That we know the path exactly. That it's impossible to make us wander."

So, he's going to try to force us through again. This time, he'll hide his body and do it relatively safely.

The trees had already swollen to become shadows. In the suddenly dark forest, the giant trees looked down with bent backs.

"…Since this is a dream, wouldn't it be okay to get hit?"

"What do you think? What would happen if you got hit?"

"It would hurt a lot, I guess."

I nodded.

"As long as you can't get out of that mindset, it will hurt a lot."

Damn, Selena muttered and reached into her coat to pull out a needle.

It was good that her pretense was gone, but it felt like her manners disappeared too.

* * *

Merlin stood in front of the lake.

He could sense everything in the forest. Even the slight breath of a small bird.

Frondier was already close. He had tried to block him with the trees, but it was only a matter of time before he arrived.

[...What should I do?]

His inner monologue had a slight echo. It wasn't just a pure, solitary mutter.

[What are you so worried about?]

The water in the center of the lake surged.

A woman appeared where the water had risen, and her emergence was very similar to how Merlin had risen from the ground.

[I couldn't protect the lake.]

Merlin said.

[It's fine.]

The woman of the lake replied.

[Whoever reaches this place will gain nothing.]

The woman of the lake smiled.

[Arrogance only invites death.]

At that moment,

Clatter, clatter, the familiar sound of hooves approached Merlin and the woman of the lake.

Rustle!

Pushing through the underbrush, it was indeed Frondier.

His clothes were torn and dirty from what seemed to be a rather intense battle on the way, but he didn't appear to have any serious injuries.

"Heck, heek... …"

In contrast, the woman riding behind him looked like she was about to die.

"Hey, why are you so limp? We've arrived."

Frondier scolded the woman behind him.

"That's cowardly. You hardly took any damage, while I had to fight and bleed."

"It's an illusion. If you know it exactly, you won't take damage."

"I thought about that too? I kept repeating and believing that it's an illusion, a fake, but why did I still get hit?"

"It's not about believing, it's about knowing."

Merlin listened to their conversation in silence, then frowned.

An illusion? No damage?

So, is Frondier unharmed because he has seen through the 'dream'?

...That's impossible.

"Ah."

Only then did Frondier notice Merlin. He also glanced at the woman of the lake.

"Nice to see you again, Sir Merlin. And."

Frondier smiled deeply at the woman.

"I've been looking for you for a long time. 'The Witch of the Lake'."