Like that, the moment Shia rushed out of the forest,

「Tsu!?」

A vision of death. What came into view was a compressed space. Shaking atmosphere. And then, the maximum impact that thoroughly blew away the outer edge of the forest and the ground.

(Yue-san’s space blastingQuaking Sky!?)

Shia knew very well of the threat from shock waves that are brought about by space itself. If it was Shia then it was possible to weather it using “half-teleportation”.

But, what about Eric and others?

There was no time to hesitate. Even if there was nothing that could be done, they would die if she didn’t do it. It would be a violation of her promise to guide them toward the door that opened to the future.

That’s why,

「SHAORAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!」

She stepped firmly on the ground, blazed out her faint bluish white magic power, and entered Level X instantly.

Vire Drucken was swung with speed far surpassing the speed of sound, pulverizing the sound barrier to smithereens.

Just the after wave from that blew away Eric and others who rushed out from the forest right after Shia at this time. Shia was literally hammering a result into being.

The distorted and compressed space returned to normal, which produced a severe quake at the same time. Vire Drucken was pounded into the center of that, however, it didn’t swing through till the end but crashing into space itself, dealing a severe vibration to it.

――Shia-style Space Magic Pseudo Gura Gu○ Fruit TN: (One Piece reference?)

She struck a bursting space with a bursting space of her own. At the center of that clash, the ground was hoisted up and the air burst out.

Even while Eric and others were struck back into the forest, they barely managed to lie down on the ground and clung on the plants, then they used divine spirit arms or spirit art to create barriers to endure the shock waves.

They felt as though they were thrust with the fact that humans couldn’t do anything at all. In a situation like this was a nightmare. Humans were only permitted to grovel on the ground like this, that was how they felt.

However, they were thinking like that was the proof that they were still in good health, what brought that on was,

「Shia-sama! Are you safe!?」

When the rampaging wind and shock wave settled down, Dahlia was the first one to raise her voice. Ahead of the ground that looked like it had been ploughed, she saw Shia standing imposingly.

「Cough」

Seeing Shia coughing, she was convinced that she was alive. Relief ran through her whole body. But, the red stain making a splat on the ground caused not only Dahlia, but everyone to be horrified.

「Kuuh, she really got me……」

Shia vomited blood. It seemed the technique that she invented on the spot was unable to completely neutralize the attack. Her body received much of the impact and became damaged.

「Shia-sama!」

「Shia!」

「Honorific」

「……Shia-dono!」

Eric and Dahlia spontaneously yelled. Shia’s correction instantly interrupted. She unexpectedly seemed to be alright.

『Are you safe, Shia?』

It seemed Choare was awakened by the impact. She was wriggling around on Shia’s head.

「Yes, I’m fine. Just this much will heal by itself even if I leave it alone. More importantly, is everyone okay?」

「We are……all present. Thank you, Shia, dono. You saved us.」

Pulverizing a shock wave that overturned heaven and earth right from the front, and not just that, even though she vomited blood she would heal even if it was left alone, what manliness. Eric and others let out a dry laugh while Dahlia looked ecstatic.

Shia was vigilant against any additional attack while looking around.

(Uwaa, this isn’t caused by the attack just now isn’t it……)

The scenery she saw was truly horrible.

Most likely, surely, this place that was surrounded by forest was originally a verdant plain, a tranquil place where pure small streams of a slender river could be heard running. There was no doubt that it was a place that truly like heaven.

Such place, now its ground was ploughed, countless rocks lied here and there or stabbing on the ground. At the center of those rocks were several craters. The green plain was carbonized and blackened, with black smoke rising up from several spots. The river was destroyed messily, with the ground turned into muddy state like in a wetland. The surrounding forest also had some place where fire was still burning.

It was exactly a place of tragedy that was just visited by a cataclysm.

Of course, that cataclysm was meteor, and the culprit was Shia’s hubby. It could be said that it couldn’t be helped, at that point of time it was like an inevitability but, when Shia saw this disastrous scene, she couldn’t help from leaking out a strange voice 「Uboa」 .

『……No matter what kind of conclusion that mother decided, that man won’t bring destruction. That’s right isn’t it?』

Oros confirmed once more. ‘You can really, definitely, 100% hold back that demonic man right?’, he asked like that with a bit of desperation in his voice.

「If I’m beaten up viciously, or I die, or those kinds of thing happen, I won’t be able to guarantee it but……surely it’ll be fine!」

『…….I’m worried.』

Oros held his head like Choare before this. He thought, ‘Really, just what terrible existence the children of man called her’.

「Anyway, let’s go! After all I cannot cover for everyone from that kind of impact every time!」

Eric and others recovered from their speechless state hearing Shia’s order and they followed behind the running Shia.

Like before, they couldn’t see anything at the center of the plain. What was reflected on their eyes were only the river at the other side, the mountains, and the cloudy sky.

But, Shia certainly sensed it.

Her rabbit ears were twitching, listening to the sound of wind. The movement of the wind at the center zone was obviously strange. She could hear the sound of the wind being partitioned by an invisible wall and flowing to other direction.

『Shia, what’ll you do?』

Udar represented the others and asked. He asked how would they entered to the place that was isolated spatially.

「I’ll smash it.」

『……Of course it is.』

Udar jiggled as though to say ‘Of course you’ll say that~’.

Shia stood at the boundary line that her rabbit ears informed her the position of, and brandished Vire Drucken high above her. What she would do was the same like before, a strike technique that directly struck at the space.

「Good afternoon! We come visiting!!」

*Knock knock knock*

The war hammer was giving a knocking that was extremely troublesome for the residence behind the door. The first attack cracked space itself, but a panicked repair was done immediately. But, the second attack immediately came. The crack spread even further. The third attack caused the destructive sound like glass breaking to resound.

The sigh that came into view ahead of them caused Eric and others to hold their breath.

「That’s……the star tree Lutria-sama……」

「What splendor……」

「Beautiful……」

It was a gargantuan tree. A giant tree that must be reaching 400 meter above ground. The trunk was extremely thick, and the root couldn’t be seen. It was as though the root was deep inside the earth, as though what could be seen from the ground was from the middle of its trunk.

The leaves and branches were extending largely, giving the impression of a broad-mindedness that would envelope everything.

It was imperturbable, solemn, like a tree of star towering high at the center of the world that anyone couldn’t help but watching it in fascination.

Although, it was also clear that it was exhausted. The leaves looked like they had lost their vibrancy, and even the number itself looked few. It was in a state that couldn’t be said as “thriving” at all.

The trunk and branches were also dry, giving impression that it was somewhat like a dead tree.

Because of that, after feeling moved, the emotion that surfaced next inside Eric and others was sorrow.

Eric and others were at a lost of word.

But, their stupor was erased by a flustered voice that they had never heard until now.

「……Eh? Ho, ho……w? Eh? No way, an accidental resemblance with another person, I mean other giant tree?」

Yes, it was Shia who was shaken.

The unexpected look of Shia who was unperturbed no matter what time it was caused wondering gaze to gather.

But, Shia looked like she had no presence of mind to care about that.

Perhaps that couldn’t be helped.

After all, the tree was just too similar. With the tree of her birthplace that she was familiar with. The giant tree that had continued to stay withered without rotting since far away in the past, so big that it contained a great dungeon inside it, which showed its solemn figure due to regeneration magic――the grand tree Uralt.

Was it a coincidence?

No, obviously it was a coincidence. If not then what would it be?

Eric and others were also bewildered seeing the bewildered Shia……

There,

『I’m unable to stop you……so, my fate has come to an end――』

A voice that echoed in the world resounded.

『My beloved children. Is that, the choice that you have made?』

It was a cool and clear voice that seemed transparent. However, it was a sad voice that emitted bitterness and despair somewhere in it.

“My beloved children”――anyone understood that those words weren’t directed to Eric and others.

The will of star tree Lutria was directed to the three divine spirits clinging on Shia.

Udar lightly floated while making his thought echoed.

『Mother, I abandoned my mission even while knowing of your anguish, I won’t ask you to forgive me for that. Still, mother, can you please listen to these children’s words just one more time?』

The star tree didn’t answer. Oros stepped forward at that interval of silence.

『I’m……I’m, unable to discover hope from the children of man. I’m here in this state because of my insufficient strength. If you believe that I’m unworthy as a divine spirit, then I will accept any kind of punishment that you decide. However mother, I only wish to ask you one thing. Are you really, not going to listen to the words of the children of man anymore?』

Actually, in this moment, wasn’t it the star tree Lutria who wished to listen to the words of the children of man one more time? That was the only source of hesitation that was remaining inside Oros’s heart.

But as expected, the star tree Lutria didn’t answer.

『I, I’m……』

Soare tried to say something, however, she was unable to find any words and held her tongue. In her heart, she didn’t believe in something like the children of man reforming themselves. If she spoke honestly, she was simply in this situation because of her insufficient strength like Oros.

However, if she was asked whether she really didn’t feel anything at all, then she also wouldn’t be able to say anything. For the current Soare, she couldn’t find any reason to deny the wish of Eric and others who wished to express their atonement even if they wouldn’t be forgiven.

The hesitation that was shown for the first time by Soare who previously had no such doubt also wasn’t responded by the star tree Lutria.

In exchange,

『It can’t be helped』

She only made her voice that was colored with very deep sadness to resound,

『–!? Mother!』

『――tsu』

『Aa……』

「Wawah, Udar-san!? Oros-san, Soare-san!」

The three divine spirits scattered around particle while shining and vanishing. The surprised Shia anxiously thought if the star tree judged that the three might be betraying her and terminated them, but looking closer, she could see three faint lights inside the trunk of the star tree.

It seemed the star tree was taking in Udar and others into inside her.

She wondered just what was her intention……

That intention immediately became clear to see.

『I will resist, for the sake of the world. O woman of another world, know that my determination will never break.』

The star tree emitted light. Like the figure of brilliantly shining great tree in legend.

From the middle of that gigantic trunk, a human form appeared as though in substitution of Udar and others who were sucked in.

The converging light was gradually obtaining clearer form.

「……The star tree, Lutria’s……avatar」

Someone whispered.

It was beautiful. It even made everyone held their breath. It was extremely sublime.

Pure white garment, and snow white long hair. The skin was also white like snow, with faint light enveloping it. A great number of white spherical lights were revolving around her, like a star that was being served by many satellites.

Within the star tree Lutria that was displaying pure white from her everything, there was just one point, it was only her eyes that were slightly shining silver. Inside those eyes were sadness, and despair, and then resolve.

They distinguished it at least.

That just words would be impossible to do anything at this late.

If that was possible, then something like a divine punishment wouldn’t be handed down in the first place. A lot of children of man wouldn’t be killed. The decision that was handed down to the children of man who wouldn’t stop no matter how many times she exhausted all her words, wasn’t something which was that simple.

That decision was truly, the very last method that the star tree Lutria passed with a feeling as though her own heart was torn apart.

Surely, for Lutria it was like tearing apart her own body in proportion of how many the children of man were killed. Because she loved them, no, surely she was still loving them even now.

However, the world was already cornered to a despairing degree.

That was why, the mother wouldn’t stop. There was no way, she could stop.

The children of man, the children that she loved, she would――destroy them.

In order to save all other living things. For the sake of the future.

「That kind of future, it’s just too sad.」

Future was something that should be weaved for the sake of happiness.

At the very least, Shia lived believing that.

That was why,

「Star tree Lutria, prepare yourself! This Shia Hauria will beat that kind of future to death!」

‘I’ll make you lend a rabbit ear with means of brutality desuu!!’ Such fighting spirit was boiling up.

The signal of the start of battle was the shower of white light that Lutria fired.

Shia stepped on midair while charging into that maelstrom.

「I’ll fulfill my promise! Please show me-, how you oppose the fate!」

The words that Shia yelled were transmitted.

Shia’s words, and her figure that was sending back the destructive white light was so heroic it stirred the soul. It gave a kick on the butt to Eric and others.

「Tsu, Louis! The offering and the ceremony of prayer!」

「By your will! Move toward the root of the star tree!」

Balted force started running. Eric turned a sharp gaze toward Arogan and Gruelle and their men who were about to break into a run too.

Even without words, what he wanted to say was conveyed. Arogan smiled bitterly.

「I get it. After losing Tyrant and seeing the hero has no intention to take down the god, we have no other way except changing our plan. We won’t harbor unneeded ambition at this time.」

Those were really calculating words. But, it was far better compared to them using transparent words like 「We are repenting」 at this place.

Gruelle also shrugged and nodded. Fitting for an opportunism, he seemed intent to protect the previous promise of fully following the lead of Balted Kingdom.

Eric nodded to that and immediately followed behind Louis and others.

The knights of Balted Kingdom were each carrying a baggage on their back. They took out several large orbs that were two sizes bigger than a fist.

Originally, even a big spirit stone would only be as big as the tip of a thumb. From that it could be seen how absurdly big they were, they were worthy to be called as “treasured orb”. Naturally, they were filled with enormous spirit element that was collected from the populace.

Eric kneeled in front of the star tree. He put his hands together in front of his chest in a praying posture and began to pray with closed eyes wholeheartedly. At the same time, Louis used the art of restoration toward the spirit element stored inside the precious orbs.

Light particles rose from the piled up orbs, returning back to the star tree.

「Mother of all, star tree Lutria-sama! I beg you, please listen to our repentance-」

Eric’s words resounded.

There was something responding.

「Tsu, your majesty!」

Louis’s voice was tinged with anxiety. When he looked back over his shoulder, there was a spirit beast dragon forming from the ground right at that time. It opened its jaw and spirit element was visibly converging there.

「Prompt execution――”Wind’s Palisade”」

The one who moved the fastest was the demon king Arogan. The wind barrier that was focused on deployment speed blocked the dragon’s breath……but, as expected from a spirit beast existing in the turf of the star tree, it was in a different level.

Arogan’s barrier was easily scattered.

「The element is earth, compressed state, hardening formula triplication! ――”Rampart”!!」

Just before the barrier was blown away, a thick stone wall rose up like a rampart from the ground.

Surprisingly, the caster was Dahlia. It seemed she anticipated that Louis would be focused on the ceremony of offering and so she guarded the rear.

Dahlia’s barrier was firm, it was blocking the dragon’s breath even while it was getting shaved.

But, they couldn’t feel relieved from that.

「Tch, as expected we won’t even be allowed to make a single repentance huh……」

Arogan muttered with a bitter expression. Ahead of his gaze, the ground here and there was squirming. Those spots were taking shape, not just dragon, but also lion or bull. In addition, powerful spirit beasts were coming out in succession from the surrounding forest.

Eric’s expression twisted sorrowfully while he took the great sword Tarnada into his hand and stood up.

Since it had come to this, he was intending the other to continue the ceremony while they held back the assault of the spirit beasts. On the sky above, clashing sound and flashes were still flying around grandly. It was the proof of Shia fighting against the star tree, but conversely she had no leeway to face the spirit beast on the ground too.

「In the first place, the promise is to open the path until the star tree……we can only do this now.」

Eric who said those words was stopped by Gruelle’s hand.

「No, you continue your prayer. We will take them on.」

「……What?」

Gruelle smiled wryly at the suspicious Eric while transforming into dragon.

「……All this time, it was only you who was purely calling out for repentance and reformation. Rather than the prayer of a hundred of us, the prayer of you alone will be more resounding in the heart. In that case, we will at least do everything in our power for your sake.」

「……I’ll believe in those words. Take care.」

Eric nodded after a slight hesitation. He turned his back on the approaching spirit beasts and kneeled once more. And then, he began to offer his prayer wholeheartedly.

Gruelly’s wry smile deepened at that straightforward attitude. Arogan seemed to understand what was the meaning of that smile, he made the same expression while starting to face the spirit beasts.

「Facing against the spirits beasts that are mighty without equal without breaking their spirit stone while they can revive endlessly, now then, how far we will be able to resist……」

While he muttered such thing.

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AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.

Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.

I couldn’t make time because of my busy schedule due to moving home, so I was unable to write it to the finish.

With regard to how the story doesn’t really advance, it will be a great help if everyone can look at it magnanimously (sweat)

※Comic Gardo update information

– Nichijou chapter 29 Suzu really hit the bull’s eye from Shirakome’s view lol

It’s in the middle of free distribution at Overlap-sama’s homepage, so please go take a look no matter what.

※New book information

The four book below will be simultaneously released at 25 December

Improvement, revision, and extra story will be included in the main story’s volume 9 just like usual.

The main story comic version as well as Zero comic version also have side story at the end of the volume like usual. They will be from Yue’s view and Miledy’s view, story about recollection of their travel.

I’ll be happy if you can enjoy them.

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※The information about the side story for each bookstore has come so I’ll report it.

– Chain store-sama

[Sky Hotspring Panic]

=>What a surprise, Fernir was equipped with a hot spring. Naturally a commotion occured when it was used. ‘Shizuku, you, saw it huh!’ It’s that kind of story.

– Animate-sama

[Fea Bergen’s Passionate Night]

=>That night, the jealousy of the female camp of Hauria exploded……

‘I am Yue. A woman who is prepared even for war if it’s for the sake of my friend’s lovely memory! Come at me, Hauria and everyone else!’It’s that kind of story.

[Arifureta Folk Tale ~Momotaro~] (※Joint special perk)

=>I hope everyone can enjoy the cast. A hint just for one person: 「Momotaro-san! I want thou to call me dog!」 Something like that.

– Tora no Ana-sama

[Fea Bergen’s Passionate Night]

[Arifureta Magic Academy ~The Club Invitation of the Academy’s Explosive Four~] (※Joint special perk)

=> Myuu who enrolled went to choose club activity. Papa’s recommendation is the cooking club that is led by Yuuka who isn’t a problem child and also family oriented……of course, there is no way the explosive girls will leave this alone. It’s that kind of story.

– Gamers-sama

[Fea Bergen’s Passionate Night]

[The Insane Transmutation Master-san Inside the Forest] (※Joint special perk)

=>The equipment of Kouki and others that were demonically remodeled before departing to the cave of ice and snow. It’s a story related to that creation.

[The Greatest Piece] (※Joint special perk)

=>It seems this is a special perk for those who purchased two of Zero series. The content is also the content of Zero.

It’s a reminiscence before meeting Nize while looking at the photo from Oscar’s artifact. Most are photo of Miledy committing terrorism but…the last piece that Oscar didn’t show is……it’s that kind of story.

– Melon Books-sama

[The Anniversary of Nightmare]

=>Everyone talked of the memory of anniversary related to Christmas. The trauma that is mentioned like it’s only natural……it’s that kind of story.

[Fea Bergen’s Passionate Night] (※Joint special perk)

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That’s all.

Is there any story that you are interested?

I’ll be happy if you can enjoy them.

Best regards!