Volume 2, Chapter 8: The Oracle of Konchue
After the battle in the underground waterway, General Ryushin, who had hurried over, restored order in the capital city of Feitzei.
General Ryushin, who strictly adhered to the one-day rule of not entering the underground waterway based on trust, then unleashed troops into the waterway. However, there was no one there except for scattered weapons and equipment left behind by the rebels who had caused a minor uprising.
Thanks to that, I, who was initially called the Savior Jiyushiju and met with disappointment, am now apparently referred to as the Mage Nanwu.
I heard it became that way because I had completely wiped out the enemies.
Well, it was just that the Sea Serpents had swallowed them all.
As a result, the atmosphere in the royal palace towards us changed.
After suppressing the rebel forces and confirming our safety, a few days later than planned, we headed towards the Sacred Tree of Konchue.
The Sacred Tree of Konchue was located in the center of the royal palace.
To be precise, it was right behind the audience chamber.
"It's huge."
I gazed up at the enormous Sacred Tree of Konchue, which was no less magnificent than the Yamato tree, together with the Empress.
Just like the Yamato tree, it was situated in a beautiful spring, with a cave in the middle where an altar was placed.
Unlike the Yamato tree, the cave was not as deep, and the altar could be seen from the outside.
What differed from the Yamato tree was the presence of an incense burner in front of the altar.
And in front of the incense burner, a beautiful woman dressed in the attire of a female Taoist priestess was waiting.
I think she's about the same age as Yamato's shrine maiden, Reina-san.
"Nice to meet you, I am the oracle, Lianhua."
"Oracle?"
"In our country, we refer to those who serve the Sacred Tree and seek the divine will as oracles."
Lianhua-san smiled and replied.
"Come on, say your greetings."
Princess Miyabi nudged me with her elbow, urging me on.
"Um, well, I'm Yuuki."
I couldn't bring myself to say that I was the chosen one or a magician.
Lianhua-san chuckled softly.
Perhaps she had sensed my inner thoughts.
"Well then, we're counting on you soon."
The empress looked at Lianhua-san.
Lianhua-san nodded and held a bundle of several long incense sticks, placing them in the incense burner and lighting them. She then bowed her head in front of it.
In response, the empress also bowed her head, and we followed suit, bowing our heads in reverence.
Lianhua-san quietly chanted some words.
It was fast-paced, and I couldn't quite understand, but it had an overall Taoist flavor.
A massive light emerged in the middle of the Holy Tree of Konchue, swirling around like a vortex.
Then, it gradually shrank and transformed into a small ball of light, about five centimeters in diameter, which was absorbed into my body.
At the moment of absorption, I saw numerous light nuclei within my body, countless in number.
And then, it quietly disappeared, leaving nothing behind.
"Huh? Aren't there supposed to be any weapons or something?"
I waited for a while, but nothing happened.
"Did it fail?"
Adjutant Kunihito muttered something unpleasant beside me.
However, the atmosphere around Lianhua-san in front of us was different.
She seemed incredibly anxious.
"O Holy Tree! What on earth is happening here?"
"I-It's impossible! It's unimaginable that someone could possess the Holy Tree's core to this extent!"
"Calm down, Lianhua."
The Empress called out to Lianhua-san.
"Your Majesty, this is inconceivable. It means he is not human..."
Lianhua-san trembled.
For some reason, everyone around me nodded as if in agreement.
"Well, he certainly isn't human."
Miyabi-sama looked exasperated.
"Well, because he's a loner."
Gero-barf Kunihito sneered sarcastically.
I've decided, I'll make sure he can live with the Sea Serpent on the way back.
"Urgent news! The legendary Leviathan is approaching from the sea!"
A guard rushed in, gasping for breath.
Leviathan is said to be the strongest creature, a legendary reptilian monster covered in scales that breathes fire while underwater.
"Leviathan?"
The Empress responded in surprise.
"Your Majesty! A massive swarm of Salamanders is also coming towards us from the mountains!"
Salamanders are giant lizards that breathe fire, serving as fire spirits.
General Ryshin, the West Defense General, also arrived in full armor.
General Gwoqui, the Chief Guard General, who still had bandages on after being stabbed, painfully made his way supported by guards.
"A horde of Hellhounds emerged from the graves where the slain guards were buried, and they are coming towards us."
Hellhounds are fairy beings that preside over death in the graves, appearing as large dogs with burning red eyes and black bodies.
"Is it safe? General Gwoqui may not be able to move yet."
The Empress looked worried.
"No, it is a matter of great importance to our homeland. There is no time for me to rest. Especially since I failed during the rebellion. Please let me fight for Your Majesty and our homeland."
While groaning in pain, General Gwoqui replied with a smile.
What a man.
"Ugh, this pattern again."
Beside me, Gero-barf Kunihito muttered.
I don't want to call him Lieutenant anymore.
"What on earth is happening? Why are such rare and powerful monsters appearing all at once?"
General Ryshin tilted his head.
"When we tried to capture Duke Gakushun, a Manticore appeared, and many guards were killed. It might have something to do with the rebellion."
General Gwoqui answered with annoyance.