Chapter 29

Did I Make it do a Poison Test?
"Chris, your youngest brother, Reinhardt, has some very interesting ideas." Said Young master Rainhall.

"I think I now understand why Fenrir formed a familiar contract with him... No, why you and your brothers formed familiar contracts."

"Your family is very close. And because you cherish this harsh and terrifying Great Forest, it's clear that the bonds of the Westland clan are strong.” Said Young master Rainhall, Young master Maxwell, and Young master Jarrett.
It seemed they had been talking with Brother Chris by the campfire while I was asleep.

Every day, I build up my stamina by practicing sword swings and running, but after walking all day through the rough terrain of the Great Forest, I ended up sleeping soundly, even in a tent that wasn’t exactly comfortable.

"Young master Reinhardt, please wake up." said Georges, shaking me.

"No, I’m still sleepy..."

"Please don't be drowsy, we’re in the middle of the Great Forest.” He said, which made me open my eyes.

"...... Georges, thank you. You saved me."

"This happens all the time. Now, quickly get ready.” He said with a shrug and started preparing.

When I stepped out of the tent, my brothers were already awake and waiting.

"Hardt, good morning. You managed to wake up." Brother Chris said, handing me some bread and soup.

"Hardt, look at the World Tree." Brother Gerald said. When I looked, I saw that, although most of the leaves were still drooping, a portion of them had become vibrant and green.

"It's not fully recovered, but yesterday's healing potion had an effect. Well done." Brother Gerald said, ruffling my hair.

"Brother Gerald, I’m eating breakfast." I protested as my soup nearly spilled from my cup.

"Oh, my bad. Eat properly. I'm heading out for patrol now.” He said, leaving.

As I finished drinking my soup, Brother Chris and Captain Kyle started discussing whether to give the World Tree more healing potion today.

I remember hearing in my previous life that using too much plant tonic isn’t good.
I don’t have any experience growing plants, so I’m not sure about the details...

"Brother Chris, I feel like giving too much potion, just like with humans, might not be good. I’d like to try something different. Has the Alraune returned?"

"No, I haven't seen it today. But maybe if we call it, they’ll come."

So I called out toward the World Tree, "Alraune, are you there?"

"Did you call~?" Came a leisurely voice, and she suddenly appeared right before our eyes.

Oh, it was here. I thought it had gone off somewhere and not come back.

When I asked about the World Tree’s condition, it said yesterday’s healing potion (which was essentially a plant tonic) had helped, but since it had been very weak, full recovery would take time.
It seemed like trying other methods might be a good idea.

Since water is necessary for plants, what if we infused Captain Kyle’s magic into the water? If it didn’t work, we could always try something else.

"Is there a bucket... Can we use the pot that had the soup in it?" One of the nearby soldiers ran off and came back with the pot.

"Can someone fill this with water?" I asked, and another soldier filled it up generously.

I then asked Captain Kyle to infuse his mana into the water.

Though he probably wanted to ask why, he didn’t say anything and simply infused his mana. This time, however, the water didn’t change color.

I thought it might have failed, but when I gave it to Alraune, she said, "This is delicious," and asked for more, so I gave it some.

Next, I gave it plain water in another cup, but after just one sip, it said, "The other one was better," and stopped drinking.

"Hardt... This looks like you're making Alraune do a poison test." Brother Chris said.

"We can't tell if it has an effect on the World Tree ourselves. But if Alraune, who stays with the World Tree, likes it, then we know it has a beneficial effect." I explained.

"... That’s true," Brother Chris agreed.

We decided to pour Captain Kyle’s magic-infused water at the base of the World Tree.

However, since the World Tree was enormous, one pot of water wasn’t enough to cover the roots. We had to make and pour multiple batches.

We had done all we could.

After discussing, we decided to return in two weeks to check on its condition.

I asked Atre to relay a request to Ripka and Bianca’s family, who lived farther away, to guide us back here in two weeks so we could check on the World Tree.

They agreed to cooperate but stated that only the people present today would be allowed to return.

Since Brother Chris and his academy friends would be back in school, they wouldn’t be able to come, but we assured them that the rest of us would return, and they accepted.

"If we’re leaving the Great Forest today, we should depart soon." Captain Kyle said.

Before leaving, I went to say goodbye to Alraune, telling it we would be back in two weeks.

"For you and the captain, take these.” It said, handing us two small bottles filled with shimmering powder.

"This is powder made from the molted wings of spirit folk. It can be used as medicine."

Apparently, spirit folk shed their wings every few years.

"This is precious... Are you sure we can have it?"

"I had resigned myself to perishing with the World Tree, but in just one day, it has recovered this much. And you will be coming back, right? So please take them."

"Thank you. I’ll accept it." I said, handing one of the bottles to Captain Kyle.

"This is too valuable for me." He hesitated, unwilling to take it.

"You're the only one who can heal the World Tree, so it's a fair reward.” I insisted, pressing it into his hands before we parted ways with Alraune.

What do you think about this chapter?