kscans

Chapter 128 - The Primeval Forest

"My Lord, I hope you are well."

Prince Marcello visited the royal palace forest every day.

He came so often it was like a daily routine, and now he had a free pass to the Lord's nest. He would casually venture into the depths of the forest, a place so vast it could be called a jungle. He had spent over a decade planting hundreds of trees of all kinds every year, and with the help of the border Lord’s children, he had even routed a spring through it, creating this forest with his own loving care. Dreaming that a new Lord might one day live there, Prince Marcello had personally taken command and expanded the forest until it was as large as the royal capital itself. The fact that half of Flowers' land was wasteland was also a boon, and the people welcomed the abundant greenery. It was a struggle at first, but with cooperation from Frontier and Kilfan, he persevered, and eventually the tree planting was successful, leading to the forest that stood today.

.....It has been a long time.

Prince Marcello looked up at the forest, his heart filled with deep emotion. Hearing that living creatures enrich a forest, he had released rabbits and deer, culling them when their numbers grew too large, and diligently developed the wasteland day by day.

What Little One could accomplish in an instant with her golden magic, Prince Marcello had achieved through human effort. It was because of those efforts that Little One had chosen the forest of Flowers as Dark's new home.

Little One had been watching. She had seen Prince Marcello’s tireless efforts.

Three months had passed since Dark’s arrival, and the Flowers royal capital was bustling with life.

"This is magic.....? Hieee."

"You can light a fire so easily. That’s a big help."

"Whoa, this much water?"

It had been nearly three years since the Little One Squad began their pilgrimage through the borderlands. After circling around the Sucaraba Kingdom to the northwest of Flowers and connecting with the Lord's Forest in the Claudia Kingdom to the east, the entire region of Flowers was now within the Golden Ring. And with the arrival of a new Lord of the Forest, people who underwent the Baptism anew became able to use magic. The Lord’s magic acted as a catalyst for the people of the Flowers royal capital, reviving magic.

Since there was an absolute shortage of mages, they couldn't perform the medium-based Baptism like in Frontier, but seeing that those who had studied abroad could use quite a bit of magic, the nobility of Flowers were now flooding with requests to study in Frontier next year.

The circulation of magic depends on the Lord's magic. There is a world of difference between having a Lord's Forest and not having one.

Flowers, where magic culture had suddenly blossomed, was creating new magic departments with great curiosity, aided by the national character.

"This is all thanks to you, Lord of the Forest-sama."

Seeing Prince Marcello's shy smile, Dark snorted, fun, and scratched her claws on the ground.

《That’s only natural. That’s what Lords are for.》

Reading the written words, Prince Marcello couldn't help but beam. The Lords existed for the sake of humans. They were a miracle bestowed by the gods. And we..... His heart tightened as he remembered the past, how many countries had forgotten the blessings of the forests, distanced themselves from them, and even destroyed them. Unaware that this had been a painful decision by the gods, Prince Marcello spoke his honest feelings.

"We should not have taken it for granted. .....It is too late for regrets after something is lost. I learned that painfully ten years ago. That is why..... I will strive not to lose it this time. I am grateful for the miracle that you are here."

Bowing his head to the words written on the ground, Prince Marcello knelt before the Lord of the Forest, causing his guards to stir.

"Your Highness! You are the Crown Prince, and yet....."

Shaking off the guards who flusteredly tried to make him stand, Prince Marcello looked at them with a sharp gaze.

"What of it? Can you not see that there is something more important than myself or my station?"

A fertile land. A being who guarantees it.

There was no respect he would not pay to the Lord of the Forest, who freely gives what should be earned through tireless effort and passion.

Slowly turning on his heel, Prince Marcello brought his lips to Dark’s claw.

"My heartfelt gratitude."

Seeing the overjoyed prince, Dark’s heart wavered. This human was truly happy. For her existence. And he was afraid. Of losing Dark. Dark had also sensed the anxiety of the prince who came every day. Horses could not enter the forest. In the past six months, many magical beasts had been born there. The beasts stayed deep within, so the area around the forest was safe. Thus, only adventurers came deep inside. And yet, Prince Marcello came on foot with his guards. He would confirm she was in her nest deep within the forest, and a look of blatant relief would cross his face.

.....What a strange human.

Thinking this, Dark found herself waiting for him to come every day.

How foolish. He’ll stop coming soon enough. I just want to live in peace.

Telling herself this bravado, Dark watched Prince Marcello.

《It must be a trial to come here every day. I will give you one of my children. If anything comes up, speak to it. The message will reach me.》

Writing this on the ground, Dark gave one of her swallows to Prince Marcello. It was a toddler-sized swallow with beautiful scarlet accents. Holding the proffered creature in his hands, Prince Marcello’s eyes widened, and he was rendered speechless. Then, in a trembling voice, he asked Dark.

"Is this..... really alright?"

In his mind, he pictured Little One, dancing with the children of all the Lords.

《.....With that one, you can fly here in an instant. It will save you the trouble of walking.》

What a tsundere!

If Little One had been there, she would have surely shouted that.

Thankful for Dark’s overly indirect kindness, the next day, Prince Marcello had the young swallow fly him over at once. It was a charming sight as Prince Marcello’s guards had a chaotic time chasing after the swallow, which was far faster than a honeybee, letting out shrieks.

"I’ve arrived!"

Prince Marcello landed before Dark, looking utterly pleased. The giant swallow narrowed her eyes at him, looking not at all displeased.

And so, the new forest began peacefully.

May this peace last for ages to come.