I was in a forest. It was the creepiest forest I had seen until now. There were densely packed trees none of which had any leaves on them, Grandpa and Granny were behind me, we were currently at the edge of a forest.
"This is the biggest obstacle in our journey" Gramps said this to me and I also know why that was the case.
It was because the whole forest was full of Treants. These were tree monsters which would catch their prey while waiting as a normal tree. In Fact, many people wouldn't even hope to cross this forest because it was literally a den of monsters, once you get in that's it.
"Are they valuable?" I asked the question that was on my mind: if the Treants were valuable, we could get some area bosses and I could sell them for some good cash. I know a normal human would think of other things like surviving the battle but What could I do? I just saw them as valuable lumber and in this medieval age, lumber was one of the most valuable materials for constructions and many things related to living.
Not to mention, this was the outskirts of the Edge of the world… I had already overcome the worst… These monsters looked more like punching bags than the real ones I had faced until now...
"Certainly, the Elder Treant lumber is judged as heavenly wood which can be crafted into any lavishing furniture to staff and wands also shields at times, some rare Treants also have their own unique properties. they sell pretty well…. Only if you can kill it from near the root while not damaging the body too much." Granny answered as such.
"Hmm, now that's one hard bargain…. Granny, how much more can you fit in your storage?"
"Don't worry, there's plenty of space left, if you can kill them the right way, we can take them with us."
"Alright, then I will clear the path chomping down the trees. Gramps cut down any loose branches that try to bind us and Granny, take the Treants I cut down in your storage also, point at any unique ones that you see, if the storage space is filled out, then discard the less valuable Treants and collect the unique and elder variety Treants only." I gave out instructions like a veteran adventurer would but then I saw that Gramps and Granny were looking at me as if to say whether I was joking or not. This commanding attitude just came to me, so I uttered the things on my own. This looked like a bonus stage after all, I wanted to make the most of it.
Well that was understandable, even in my old world Treants were really hard to beat but I had been able to find a good way to beat them, they were not like normal trees, even the smallest of Treants were at least 1 meter thick but here Treants were easily 2 meters thick, still with Amanori at my hand, I could easily chop them, maybe even in a single slash. It was more about technique.
"Alright then let's start!" As I took Amanori in one hand, Miasma dark and thick started covering me like smoke and it seemed as if it was oozing around me, I start to zoom passed the Treants as some of them tried to bind me immediately, still, they were slow, my reaction and reflexes had been honed to the extreme in these few months by regularly being in battle after battle. And constantly moving at high speeds. We traveled at speeds which made the scenery seem blurry after all. I can just imagine how my abilities grew this quickly. I felt so in the zone now that I think this might be the strongest I had ever been until now.
As I passed the Treants, I cut the ones that stood in our way.
A single straight slash to their base. I held Amanori tightly and loosened my shoulders. With each single strike, a shiveringly cold slashing sound appeared and one by one Treants started to fall. With precise movements and a mythical sword, the Treants started to seem like sticks waiting to be snapped.
The ones Granny pointed at were slashed at their base and the Treants went straight into Granny's storage. Gramps was cutting the branches that were coming from our sides. We continued this for how long I didn't know, but I knew that no one normal could keep a cool head in a battle like this. The Treants were relentless. Every Treant in this forest was disguised as a tree. From 5 meters away, it would seem like any other forest but that wasn't the case and Gramps even told me that this forest continued for at least hundreds of kilometers.
.....
We went straight as we cutted down the Treants one after the other, but in time, it felt like we were getting used to it. Nearly a year's worth of working together had made our teamwork impeccable. In due time, we were even chatting while in battle, sometimes, I could even feel some Treants trying to avoid us but I cut them down anyway. As we moved toward the center of the forest, it seemed as if the Treants were getting bigger and fewer in number. Granny told me these were like the area bosses and every one of the Treants were more powerful than the ones we just crossed over.
All this time fighting with Amanori had made me change a little. The miasma was now scattered around me. Amanori was singing a happy tune to herself. She was enjoying this monster slaughter fest like how a puppy would feel going to walk in the morning, for a long walk at that.
The big Treants also fell with one strike of Amanori, the miasma was covering some places of the Treants like a target line, so I hit those places with accuracy.
My hunch was right, the miasma is showing their weak spot. But I wonder why…
{Answer: These Treants are susceptible to mana, as such, they hold Miasma inside them. And since the Host has control over Miasma, in this case, it has been able to exploit the enemies weak point.}
After hearing from the System, I realized that Miasma might be a power that tends to obey a much stronger existence… Since I am stronger here, it is helping me get even stronger.
For the time being, I followed suit. We went onward, and that's how we crossed the forest of nightmares in mere 3 days. In these 3 days, we battled relentlessly. Gramps said this was a world record. People would take at least 4 to 6 months to cross this forest but we could cross it this fast because by the time we had crossed half the forest, Amanori was releasing miasma like crazy. Gramps told me this was the curse blade's characteristic. The more and longer you fight, the more it releases miasma and this effect makes its enemies weak hearted, it even works for monsters, and through the middle point, scarcely any Treants attacked us. We only chopped down the unique and elder Treant for the lumber. This was the terror that the cursed blade of destruction gave to this world; it could even bend nature, so animals and monsters were just flies compared to its existence.
We had arrived near the civilization in less than a year and Amanori was the one to thank for it.
As we passed the waste lands, I could feel another type of energy. I didn't know what it was but with every step, our environment started to change from ruthless monsters to animals and harmless monsters. Also, we saw more greenery, and the air seemed to be totally different. It was light, unlike the thick air that dominated the waste lands. It was heartwarming and very pleasant to breathe. I could feel my body absorbing some kind of energy but I didn't know what it was.
Hopefully I'll find out soon!
"Rekka, we are nearing the border of Treastein. Are you excited to see more people and towns!?" Gramps asked with an excited expression. I was also excited, all these years of Wilderness, I knew we were close to our destination. so I answered just as excitedly.
"Yeah I am Gramps, how long till we're there?"
"Only a second don't worry." Granny answered me with a wink. I didn't understand. It was only greenery wherever I looked. I was sure no town or villages were near here. How can a second be enough?
Then Granny took my hand, Gramps took another one and a bright light blinded me for a second.
I felt myself cross space at high speeds. I knew I could do it in my 2nd life. Now though Granny was doing it, we were teleported straight in front of a mansion. I could hear people talking with my heightened senses. This was it! We were finally there. Gramps and Granny gave me a real surprise, but I was more than just happy about it.
As I took in the air from my nostrils, I didn't feel unpleasant at all, my body felt light just from standing on the soft ground. The scent of greenery filled the air, the sky was blue without a cloud to be seen. The birds chirped in from places around me.
But most of all, the mana…. My body felt ticklish, the new energy that I got to experience brought my body a relaxation I have never felt before.
...…
There was a big mansion in front of me. We were at the gates of the mansion, Granny just teleported us here and within a few minutes, the gate was opened and a Person dressed as a butler welcomed us.
"Welcome Master and Mistress, We have been waiting for you Eagerly" Said the butler while bowing and Addressing my Gramps
Nobody called him, how did he even know we were here?
"It has been a long while Ossan, Gather everyone at the hall first." Gramps gave the butler an order and we started to go inside The mansion.
The front garden was really big and beautifully covered in many types of lovely flowers and at the center of it was a fountain. From the gate, the paved road went straight to the mansion gates. From the front, the mansion looked very elegant and beautiful, some places were coloured like red streaks ran through. The whole white coloured walls looked very elegant and the artwork was medieval, from the front it looked as if it could hold no less than 100 rooms. The fountain had some small birds bathing in it too, I heard their chirping sounds… ah.. What a peaceful sight.. As if my heart was already getting warmed, a feeling of sudden comfort fell over me.
As we walked, I was between Gramps and Granny. They were all smiles like they were waiting for this day for too long.
We passed the mansion gates and went inside. After getting in, I saw at least 50 maids on each side of the gate in sorted lines bowing their heads and saying.
"Welcome Home Master and Mistress!" They expressed their greetings very excitedly. I got the feeling they were waiting even more than we were.
Then the butler gave the same order to the maids. "Gather everyone in the hall, Master and Mistress has an announcement for us all. Gather everyone immediately."
As the butler's order finished, he showed us the meeting hall, it just looked like a king's audience hall. I was starting to think, 'wasn't this too much?' I thought they were not royalties. Also each of those maids could be a main character in a movie. Were they hand selected or something?!
I looked at Granny for answers but Granny just smiled at me and we followed to the two highest seats in the room, they were Obviously for My grandparents but they just stood there Looking at the entrance of the room where everyone would come too, I got interested at the thrones, they looked really extravagant. I was really tempted to sit there but my adult thought restrained me as if saying this wasn't my place to sit.
After heaving a sigh, I turned around to find the room was filled with at least a 100 people. More than half of them were wearing maid costumes and the others were wearing other work clothes; only one butler and 2 maids were standing in front of them. They had a different air around them too. I guess they were in charge.
"How has everyone been?" Granny asked in a polite tone and all the workers looked up from bowing and happily said "We missed you Mistress!" The maids and other workers were genuinely showing their elated expressions. Granny sure was loved…. She looked like the mother of all the girls here. Since the girls looked to be in their teens, most of them showed a youthful sight that sent chills down my spine… I never thought I would see a sight such as this one… looking at all these girls from up here was more scary than you might think.
Then Everyone's eyes were trained on me. After staying alone for so long, suddenly having this many people stare at me got me nervous. I unconsciously tried to hide behind Granny, Since I was still young and Granny was at least over 5 foot and wearing her robes, I could hide behind her. But I had also grown a lot since meeting them too. Now her robs barely hid me.
Watching me do that, Gramps let out a small laugh and Granny also tried to hold her laugh.
I can't believe it. I fought monsters for all these years and I am still getting nervous. This must be uncool. what they would think of me.
As I was thinking that this would ruin my reputation in front of my Grandparents but actually, It worked in a different way, everyone had a pleased reaction watching me. it was because I was still a kid, of course everyone would find it cute. I also had a decent face. I had to say, my face was close to prince material.. and my black hair with violet streaks running between them with black eyes, I was close to male modeling material easily. So yeah, all in all I was cute and this had a big reaction on everyone in the room. Alright, enough boasting about my looks. Back at the edge of the world I couldn't get enough of looking at me… now it was time to look at others.
Gramps finally said what he wanted everyone to listen, everyone was also getting restless, only the butler and the 2 maids beside him looked composed enough.
"Everyone, We have a new family member, from here on out, he will be Our grandson Rekka Wolford."
Saying so and pointing at me, I was in the limelight again, somehow Granny had brought me in front of her and I was bewildered for just a moment.
"Come on, introduce yourself." Granny had whispered in my ear. I nodded to her and looked at the crowd of people in front of me. They looked like they were ready to celebrate, so I made up my mind and gave my introduction. Gotta make it count!
"Nice to meet everyone. I am Rekka…..Wolford. I hope everyone will take care of me. Thank you!" The thanks came out in a high pitched voice. I also added the wolford in my last name. Granny had whispered to me to say that from now.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Young master!!" As they all greeted me, I was hit with their aura of excitement and a smile automatically came to my face. The crowd got even more elated seeing that. I thought they would be doubtful at finding a sudden master but this was totally different as they were waiting for this to happen for years on no end.
Later I found out that Gramps and Granny were actually dying to find someone as their grandchild for whatever reason. Maybe it was because of their human instincts. Even though they did not grow old, they still were human and at different ages humans get different urges.
"All right everyone, it must have been a long journey too, get the young Master washed and rested." The butler said this to the maids and 5 maids came forward from the line behind him. Gramps and Granny nodded at me to go, so I went with the maids. As we entered the bathroom I found something that I had never thought was gonna happen in my life!
Since in their view, I was still a kid, they also started to undress and come with me for the bath, of course to wash my body properly, nothing else. I got a little flustered and tried to say that I could handle it but then.
"Young master, do you not find us suitable?" They were each maybe in their teens and were very good looking too. After so long. I…. if I had to bath with teen girls, I don't really know what my reaction will be and they were giving me puppy dog eyes, because I was trying to reject them, I was getting even more flustered when
[Come on go ahead you even killed the sage treant of the Nightmare forest, what's there to hold back.]
It was Amanori, she was encouraging me, so I folded and went into the baths. As I entered, I saw a big water pool, steam was rising from it and nearby was the shower area. It was actually quite nice, like a hot spring. I took a look back and saw the maids were here. For good or bad, the maids had probably changed into a cloth which looked like it could support them doing work with water, so they were not nude
Hahhh! I heaved a sigh. I was a little disappointed, because I thought I would see them wrapped in towels! but I shrugged it off! because although they weren't nude, their new costume could pass for a school swimsuit with a skirt, it was quite stimulating. I think I was becoming more of a pervert! Damn… I wonder if I was this obsessed with girls all this time… something doesn't sit well here...