Chapter 11: The Beauty of the Forest of Doubt!
Thanks to Kuro and Shiro, life has become much easier.
By forming a formation, it became possible to fight more efficiently.
Thanks to Kuro, who retrieves nuts from high places, the range of meals has also expanded.
They can take turns to keep watch at night, which allows me to get a good sleep.
Above all, I realized how good it is to have someone to talk to.
I was thinking about changing the base soon, and I had asked Kuro to search for a suitable place from above.
"There is a big tree with an abnormally large amount of magic power in the central part of the forest," Kuro reported.
"Does that mean that demons are gathering there?" I asked.
"No, it's different. It's a place rich in nature where animals gather," Kuro replied.
... There is magic power, but animals are gathering? What does that mean?
"Goblin and orc settlements are in another location, and there are no signs of dragons coming down from the mountains," Kuro continued.
... They casually mentioned that there are not only goblins but also orc settlements in this forest? And dragons too! Let's stay away from the mountains!
"For now, let's go to that big tree. Kuro, please guide us," I said.
"Understood," Kuro replied.
I carried Shiro with my left arm and walked to the big tree with Kuro's guidance. I confirmed the area around me with "Danger Detection," so there were no encounters with demons.
Kuro stopped in mid-air and turned around to face us. It seemed that we had arrived at our destination.
There, light shone through from the sky, and animals were resting individually.
It didn't look like a forest where demons would be around at all.
"I didn't know such a place existed!" I exclaimed.
This place would be a perfect new base.
"Thank you, Kuro!" I said.
Kuro perched on my right shoulder to rest its wings.
It's a good place, but why is there so much magic power? Shiro's ears twitched, and it seemed to be on alert for something.
Kuro also seemed to be on high alert.
There was no reaction to "Danger Detection."
The animals didn't seem to be running away either...
"When was the last time humans came here?" a woman appeared from behind the big tree and asked.
It was clear that Shiro and Kuro were on high alert because of her.
"...Who are you?"
Being on high alert means that there is a high possibility of an enemy.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of causing any harm."
She raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.
Using my [Appraisal Eye], her status is shown as "Dryad of the Tree Spirit."
"You're trying to deceive me and turn me into nourishment for the trees!"
In my past life, I remember that Dryads were beautiful women who disguised themselves as humans and turned them into nourishment for the trees.
"No, I'm not foolish enough to attack someone who commands the favor of the gods."
...How does she know that?
"I receive information about everything that happens in this forest through the trees."
"I see! So, is this a warning because I entered your territory?"
If she's the primary tree in this forest, I shouldn't want to get too close.
"That's not it. But I do have one request."
...Requests from beautiful women never lead to anything good.
"Can I hear the details of the request and then decide?"
"Yes, that's fine. It's something that only you can do."
...Something only I can do?
"For now, can you follow me?"
I calm down my black and white companions, then follow her.
The Dryad named "Lira" claims to be the caretaker of this forest, the forest of the lost.
What does the caretaker of this forest want from me?
"Here it is."
Lira stopped at a slightly wider area.
There was nothing particularly noteworthy except for trees growing around.
Wait, there are people trapped in the trees.
"What's going on?"
"I would like Takuto-sama to take a look at that human."
Saying that, she selected a tree.
Compared to the other trees, the human form is still recognizable. Did they become prey recently?
"Actually, this human has been in this state for 50 years."
"50 years?"
The man who was caught looks like he's in his thirties.
Is this another lie from Lira, trying to deceive us?
I look at Lira, but I don't sense any hostility from her.
"May I explain the details of the request?"
They caught this man fifty years ago and tried to take his life force, but something interfered and they couldn't take it. Moreover, his enormous magic power has been affecting this lost forest itself.
For many years, they had been searching for someone who could touch him without being charmed by the tree spirits Dryads, but apparently I appeared.
"What will be the reward if we succeed?"
"How about the 'Driad's Fruit'?"
I immediately ask [Omniscient and Omnipotent]. The 'Driad's Fruit' used to be traded at a high price as a universal medicine, but it's now considered a "phantom fruit" because it's no longer available in the market. If you eat one, any unexplained disease or lost limbs will be cured. It is said to have an effect on curses as well, albeit rarely.
...It has an effect on curses too!
I asked [Omniscient and Omnipotent] if the 'Driad's Fruit' has an effect on my curse, but the answer was no. Perhaps it's because it's a powerful divine curse. Why is that incompetent goddess so excellent in these areas!
"Alright, how about five 'Driad's Fruits'?"
"I'm sorry, but we can only provide up to two."
They're running low on stock. It's not something that can be easily obtained.
"In exchange, we will bestow the 'Blessing of the Great Tree.' With it, you'll be able to communicate with Dryads, the tree spirits, all over the world."
... Being able to communicate with Dryads all over the world would be a huge benefit.
"Alright. That's good enough."
I agreed.