Chapter 101 – Code of Conduct (1)
“Th-this can’t be happening…”
I thought all hope was lost. I believed that due to my wrong choices, everyone would lose their lives. This was a reality that both the mayor, who ordered his soldiers to fight, and everyone present at the scene sensed.
The incoming legion of monsters was as ferocious and powerful as it was ominous.
The soldiers of the Beastman Federation, who had enjoyed peace for quite some time, were unprepared for a sudden large-scale battle like this.
“What in the world is happening!?”
“I-I’m not sure. But that tornado just struck the enemies! This is an opportunity, Mayor!”
Even after a thousand years, this land was famous for its tornadoes.
Thus, most of them knew what a tornado was and how strong its power could be.
It was the wrath of nature that could force people underground. Now, that wrath had suddenly gathered and poured down upon the invading monster legion.
“Unbelievable.”
They stopped fighting and stared blankly at the judgment.
Angered nature was not something that monsters could withstand. The goblins, who had been charging ferociously, were lifted from the ground and sent flying into the sky, and the orcs, rushing forward in a frenzy, stumbled and fell or dropped their weapons.
It wasn’t just that. The enormous tornado began to spew lightning and sharp stone hail in all directions.
“Uaaagh!”
The powerful stone projectiles were enough to break through walls, and the monsters being hit by dozens or hundreds of them were effectively shredded alive.
Mayor Armu, whose legs had gone weak, had collapsed, unable to open his eyes against the fierce winds pouring in.
By the time the tornado finally calmed down, many of the monsters had already collapsed on the ground, dead.
“Mayor! It seems the nature spirits have been looking after us.”
One of the aides muttered in a daze.
They, too, had a concept of spirits. Although different from the spirits Irilia knew, they shared the essence of a strong will residing in natural objects.
No matter how you looked at it, the appearance of the tornado that suddenly swept away only the enemies was a miracle that could not be explained without the power of spirits.
And, indeed, that hypothesis was correct. The only additional factor was that someone had directly summoned the tornado with the spirits.
“Who are they? They don’t seem to be from our tribe.”
“Mayor! They are the Fox Tribe. They came to help us!”
Before long, reinforcements from the Fox Tribe, who had rushed in to strike the remaining monsters from behind, ambushed the scene.
The few remaining monsters outside the city, as well as those who had managed to survive inside the city during the tornado, began to fall, one by one, to the hands of the reinforcements.
“We need to fight too. We’ve won!”
Having experienced both despair and miracles in a short time, they gathered their strength and fought again.
The monsters, who rushed in without thinking, found themselves caught in the middle, unable to escape and were dealt with accordingly.
*
“Although there were some damages, I’m really relieved it didn’t go further than this.”
“If we had been just a little late, we could have been completely annihilated.”
While I was walking along, exhausted, Arisa arrived to pick me up in a cart after hearing the news through the wind spirit. By the time we reached the scene, the battle was already over, and clean-up was underway.
Fortunately, we managed to save quite a few people. It was thanks to my summoning of the tornado just before the defense line inside the city was about to break.
“Everyone witnessed the tornado that descended upon the battlefield. They say there wasn’t a single person who felt unshaken by it, and when I mentioned that it was the work of spirits instructed by the High Elf, everyone was astonished.”
“It’s my first time using it in battle. I still need more practice.”
Seeing Arisa’s excited reaction, it seemed my move had worked well. Given its power, I could imagine the sheer intimidation it must have caused.
Since I had effectively summoned a natural disaster, it would be no surprise.
Of course, the spirits dancing with joy at their praise looked very different from the spirits they envisioned.
“I think I’ve also realized the extent of spirit magic that can manipulate nature’s forces.”
“Do you wish to learn spirit magic too? I’m not sure if it’s possible, but even if you do manage to connect with a spirit, you probably won’t be able to do it like I do.”
Although the appearance of the spirits accompanying me seemed crude, they were like seasoned practitioners who had trained extensively in communication and empathy.
They were vastly different from when we first met. Moreover, my own level of empathy was still increasing, making it possible for me to bond more quickly with the spirits I encounter in the future.
“Anyway, once this news spreads everywhere, it will serve as a proper warning. The will of the End can suddenly open gates and turn the area into chaos. Thus, we must strictly adhere to the code of conduct we’ve established, join the Grand Coalition, and find ways to cope together.”
“Those foolish enough to not know even when they see it firsthand will only realize what is right after experiencing it directly.”
Even though it troubles me to think like this after so many have died and been injured, the damage has already been done, and we’ve managed to minimize it as much as possible.
Thus, I hoped this would serve as a warning to others to prevent such incidents from happening again.
If they simply sit idly by like now, they could suddenly be ambushed and killed.
Fortunately, my concerns did not come to pass.
While I was resting and replenishing my strength, news began to spread about the events that had occurred in the territory of the Myo tribe.
“The Beastman Federation is taking this incident very seriously. After all, it happened within their own domain.”
“It’s the first time they’ve acted so violently.”
Removing Renia and weakening the Beastman Federation might have been an important plan of the will of the End. If I had interfered and prevented it, their extreme anger might explain the sudden rampage.
“Turns out they were more pathetic than I expected.”
Snickering at the thought, I extended my hand and started pouring my mana into the polluted land before me.
Though the land had been so devastated that the spirits were horrified, once I used my power to purify the toxins, spirits would return to the remaining spots, facilitating environmental recovery.
“Truly impressive, High Elf.”
Mayor Armu, who was watching me, muttered in awe. Perhaps he was greatly impressed by the tornado I summoned last time, as he had followed me here even though he didn’t have to.
“I think we all understand the crisis that the previously peaceful world is in now, and how hard the High Elf is working to prevent that crisis.”
“In that case, please do your part. Help those who still don’t comprehend the reality, awaken them as someone who has directly experienced this, and prepare to address any further occurrences.”
“It is our duty, indeed. Of course. The federal government will now instruct all tribes to uphold the code of conduct, and the Beastman Federation will unite as one in preparation for this unprecedented crisis.”
He nodded, his eyes sparkling with a certain weight.
Although his large, shimmering eyes were a bit overwhelming, he was precisely the kind of talent I desired. The more such people increase, the less work I have to do, and the likelihood of the world becoming unified rises.
At this point, it seemed I had done everything I needed to do within the Beastman Federation.
“I wasn’t really one to enjoy traveling, but it seems I’m starting to take a liking to wandering around.”
What I said while returning to the cart was not just empty words. After all, the things I had done were visibly yielding results in real time.
The timing of creating a sense of crisis was, of course, beneficial, but the preparations made beforehand were the fruits of our labor.
“High Elf, the Elf Tribe has sent a message for you.”
The contact from the Elves arrived when I returned to the land of the Fox Tribe.
“What kind of message?”
“It seems to be good news. The World Tree we resurrected might become a reliable ally to purify the corruption.”
The urgent message sent to me by the Elves was both pressing and good news. It reported that the World Tree, having been revived with great effort, had started to grow rapidly and exert its power in my absence.
“I should visit the Elves first.”
I briefly revised my plans. The World Tree had been planted more out of hope than certainty, but if it truly became a reliable strategic asset, there was no reason not to check on it.
