Chapter 64

LukSION heard León's voice calling for help.

However, he quickly returned his gaze to Claire and continued exchanging information.

The location was inside the main body of LukSION... inside the spaceship.

Claire was smiling.

"Really? You're not going to help him? If you don't clear up the misunderstanding, it could be a big problem."

"Anyway, the misunderstanding will be cleared up soon. I think it's better for the Master to experience a bit of life's trials. Living beings need a certain amount of stimulation, after all."

For León, who tends to avoid seeking stimulation in life, LukSION judged that experiencing this level of trial was necessary.

"Still, why did it fail? Are you guys really trying? I'm starting to suspect that you're just playing around?"

Claire was exasperated with LukSION and the others, who were bumbling around despite the world being in crisis.

"Shouldn't you just burn down the Sacred Tree?"

"The Master has forbidden it. Besides, if the Sacred Tree were to disappear, the Republic would quickly become a country that can't function. Not only the Republic, but the surrounding countries would also be affected."

"Why not plant a sapling and have a happy ending?"

"A sapling can't provide the same level of energy as the Sacred Tree."

"…Doesn't that mean the Republic is doomed anyway?"

"The Master just doesn't want the responsibility. He seems to think it's better to leave the Sacred Tree as it is."

Many countries would be troubled if the Republic of Alzer stopped selling magic stones.

The Kingdom of Holfaert is the same.

León didn't burn down the Sacred Tree out of mere kindness.

He lacked the confidence to leave the Republic of Alzer to face the tragic reality that would follow if he burned down the Sacred Tree.

Because he has the power of LukSION, and the ability to help, he is troubled.

He doesn't burn it down because it's troublesome.

Most importantly, the people of Alzer are supported by the infinite energy provided by the Sacred Tree.

Without it, the people would suffer.

The six noble families would also be unable to maintain their current ruling system.

Furthermore, the six noble families have incurred too much resentment from the surrounding countries due to their past attitudes.

The continent of Alzer would be stained with blood.

The kingdom, if prepared, would likely attack with great enthusiasm.

Because of the many problems, León doesn't want to burn down the Sacred Tree.

"Is the Master the guardian of the sapling?"

"The key point is that he is not the guardian of the Sacred Tree. It falls under a different jurisdiction from the six noble families, so they cannot interfere with each other. However, he cannot act as a higher authority. I'm here for that."

Claire asks the next question.

"So? Have you figured out the true nature of the Sacred Tree? I have a rough idea, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts."

LukSION was interested in Claire's prediction.

"Let's hear your thoughts first."

"We don't have a rejection reaction. And it doesn't seem like the plant was born naturally. If someone created it, it must have been the old humans. I think there was a research facility in the Republic of Alzer, similar to the one I managed."

LukSION nodded.

"I have the same prediction. I think the old humans, who were hiding, created the Sacred Tree. Or perhaps it changed at some point."

It might have been created unintentionally.

LukSION's thought was:

"For it—meaning the Sacred Tree—new humans exist to protect it. The energy and jewels it provides are the rewards for taking care of it. The blessings are also part of this. The Sacred Tree doesn't have human-like thoughts or contracts."

It's unreasonable to expect a plant to understand human thoughts.

LukSION thought that the role of the priestesses was to bridge this gap.

Claire agreed.

"Did it create strong protectors to protect itself and priestesses to communicate? What does the Sacred Tree think without a higher authority?"

"It has already grown large. The six noble families are protecting it even without the protectors and priestesses. They probably didn't feel the need to do anything about it—until we came."

This time, León and LukSION are attacking the Sacred Tree to the brink.

The Sacred Tree might show some reaction.

However...

"I noticed this while investigating Pierre. The six noble families have realized that the power of the Sacred Tree has changed due to the absence of the priestesses. Pierre's actions are proof. Without the priestesses, the Sacred Tree might be seen as out of control."

Pierre's actions were abnormal even in Alzer.

He challenged Julius and others to an unreasonable match and took the Einhorn from someone who wasn't its owner.

The fact that the Sacred Tree accepted this is too unreasonable.

It could lead to anything.

Not only foreigners, but the six noble families are also troubled. They can only suspect each other.

"...The reason the six noble families wanted the sapling of the Sacred Tree is that they wanted to be prepared, like the Master."

"They knew that if they had the sapling, the Sacred Tree wouldn't interfere."

LukSION's conclusion was:

"Marie said that the seven noble families were reduced to six, but that's not the case. The priestess family was defeated, and the power of the Sacred Tree changed. For the six noble families, the fear of internal enemies was greater than external ones. They were wary of each other. That's why they wanted the sapling of the Sacred Tree to prepare for internal threats."

Claire sounded troubled.

"Marie and the others are treating this like a game, which is frustrating. I wish they would think more about the reasons."

The incident caused by Pierre this time actually revealed a lot about the internal situation of the Republic of Alzer.

LukSION had something that bothered him.

"...I haven't figured out why the priestess family was defeated. Based on my speculation, the change in the Sacred Tree started before the priestess family was destroyed."

Claire agreed.

"That makes more sense. But then, what happened to the priestess family?"

No conclusion was reached.

However, LukSION thought that it would become clear soon while watching the video of León and the others.

"Why aren't you coming, LukSION!"

"León, explain quickly! What are the woman behind you and the baby bed in the room for? You're not... having a child, are you?"

"N-no! That's for Noelle—her dog's care! You see, it hurts when she bends, so we needed this kind of equipment!"

"Mr. León, I'm—very angry! Very, very angry!"

"It's not like that. This is not like that! Let's calm down first! There are witnesses. I'm innocent! Noelle is a dog—"

In the video, Noelle, who was hiding behind León,

"Ah, I—I was taken care of by Mr. León. He helped me!"

"Big sister! Not now! Please forgive me!"

"No, I have to say it. What are you two doing here all of a sudden? Mr. León is really kind and reliable. He's not someone who should be blamed!"

Ange and Rebia's gazes became even more severe.

"...You two seem very close. It seems like the care was real."

"Noelle's story was a lie. I've been worried all this time..."

León was shouting.

"LukSION! Are you doing this on purpose? Are you intentionally not coming? If you don't hurry, it will be too late—"

Claire was confused as she watched León, who was in trouble.

"...You should help him quickly."

"It's still okay, right? Even if he explains the situation, those two won't calm down. It's more effective to let them vent their anger and then persuade them when they're tired. Still, this situation is worse than starting over. It's very much like the Master."

...Would the two forgive León even if he told them the truth? The fact that he lived with a woman is undeniable.

If they're going to be angry, it's better to let them be, thought LukSION.

Anyway, León, who was supposed to just observe the situation in the Republic of Alzer, ended up at the center of the chaos without realizing it.

He is now in the middle of a trial.

"I'm looking forward to what happens next."

Claire was exasperated by LukSION's comment.

I will temporarily stop the daily updates as of today.

The resumption date is undecided, but I hope to resume as soon as possible.

I plan to write a reflection on Chapter 4 in the activity report, so I would appreciate it if you could check it out.

Chapter 4 has come to a successful end.

The book version, which has been further expanded and revised compared to the web version, is now available in the first volume. I would be grateful if you could consider purchasing it.