Let’s Manage the Tower

Book 5: Volume 2 Chapter 6, Yuta’s Barrier

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

“I’d like to get to the point now; is that okay?”

Kousuke offered this to Yuta, knowing the conversation would continue veering off-topic. Yuta nodded and began.

“I heard that part of Kousuke’s power involves Magic Circles. Is that correct?”

“Well, if you are asking if it is related to my Divine Power, I guess it is indeed my area of expertise?”

Kousuke tilted his head in response to Yuta’s sudden question. Beside him, Collete and Shrein were holding their hands to their foreheads. If he could do so much with just Magic Circles, what else could it be but part of his own Divine Power? They wondered, though they did not say it aloud.

Yuta smiled at the two of them, nodded, and continued.

“I have a favor to ask of you, Lord Kousuke.”

“A favor?”

Kousuke tilted his head, wondering if there was anything the World Tree might ask of him. Nothing particular came to mind. The conversation’s flow suggested a Magic Circle was involved, but he could not imagine how it would be of any help to Yuta, who had existed in this world for countless years.

However, Yuta nodded in response to his question.

“Yes. This forest is currently protected by a barrier I created.”

“That’s right.”

He had come here through a portal this time, but during his last visit to this forest, he’d come from outside via the highway. Having seen the barrier with his own eyes then, Kousuke knew it well. He did not understand why Yuta brought it up now, though.

“However, the protection is weaker now.”

“Eh!?”

It wasn’t Kousuke but Shiomala who exclaimed in surprise at Yuta’s words. Collete also looked surprised.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“What!?”

Kousuke nodded in agreement, and Collete cried out in surprise. Shiomala seemed speechless. Yuta looked impressed by Kousuke’s response.

“As expected. You’ve noticed.”

“I’m actually more surprised that you two hadn’t noticed…”

Kousuke’s words made Yuta look troubled.

“It’s not just these two. No one in the village has noticed it either.”

“Huh!? Seriously? But it is still up, huh? I guess nothing much has happened so far.”

Kousuke looked surprised. Yuta shook her head.

“It’s true that the number of invaders entering the forest is increasing, but for now, it’s within the villagers’ ability to handle. But, I think it’s only a matter of time…”

“I guess so.”

Kousuke nodded vigorously, and Yuta looked relieved.

“Thank goodness you understood so quickly. Blind faith can get you in trouble, right?”

As Yuta said this, she looked at the two Elves. Kousuke seemed convinced.

“Is that so?”

After saying this, Kousuke let out a deep sigh. Having already been a living god for over ten years, Kousuke did not reject people believing in him. However, he was well aware that blind faith could be problematic.

The Elves’ belief in easy childbirth was a prime example. Kousuke believed that faith arose naturally among people, so he had no intention of denying it. However, that did not mean he wasn’t at a loss when people asked him how to ensure easy births. He didn’t know the answer, so he couldn’t provide one.

Blind faith meant such situations could occur.

In Yuta’s case, the situation was even more complex. Sewri Forest village had long been protected by a barrier created by Yuta with her power. However, even though it was created by the World Tree, it was not perfect. It could be broken by attacks with greater power than what Yuta possessed, and it was not without weaknesses.

However, the Elves believed that Yuta, the World Tree who had long been worshipped as a godlike being, had no such vulnerabilities in her barrier. This was what Yuta meant by ‘blind faith.’

This was clear from Collete and Shiomala’s reactions.

“I see.”

After hearing Kousuke’s explanation, Shrein nodded in understanding. Collete and Shiomala still hadn’t recovered. That’s how great the shock they’d suffered was.

Looking at the two, Shrein realized the conversation wouldn’t progress if things continued as they were, so she continued asking questions.

“So, why are you leaving the barrier weakened, even though you know about it, Lady Yuta?”

“Because it can’t be fixed right away.”

“What?”

Shrein tilted her head at Yuta’s immediate answer. Kousuke followed up with an explanation.

“The barrier around this forest was created by Yuta, but it largely depends on the placement of natural objects. And during the previous incident, several routes into the forest’s depths were discovered.”

“Ah, I see.”

Shrein, who was knowledgeable about Magic Circles and barriers, though not as knowledgeable as Kousuke, nodded in understanding. Vampires, known as guardians of contracts, were usually skilled in these areas as well, though some Vampires weren’t.

Shrein’s ability to understand the situation from fragmentary information from Kousuke and Yuta was impressive.

“Once a path has been broken through, it can’t function as a barrier again unless the trees’ positions are rearranged. But rearranging trees takes decades, right?”

“That’s amazing. You’re right.”

Yuta wholeheartedly praised Shrein’s theory, but the person being praised shook her head.

“You’d think someone with a certain level of knowledge would figure this out, right? …But it doesn’t seem like that’s the case.”

Shrein had said this once, but then she sighed as she looked at Collete and Shiomala, who were recovering from their daze.

“Ideally, the Elves would notice and help with the weaknesses, but in this state, it seems impossible.”

“Or something.”

“That’s right.”

Shrein and Yuta nodded vigorously at Kousuke’s half-amused words.

“So, you want to ask for Kousuke’s help?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Shrein turned to look at Yuta, who nodded again.

“In the future, even if I can maintain it on my own like before, I’ll still need assistance for a while. I was wondering if the living god could handle that part.”

“I’d be happy to.”

Kousuke also benefited from this, and he nodded immediately. After all, it meant being able to truly examine a barrier created over a long period of time. Such an opportunity would be rare.

Kousuke needed this, both for his own interest and to protect the villages connected by the portal.

“That’s all well and good, but what about explaining this to the Elves? Surely we can’t just change it without any explanation?”

After confirming that Kousuke and Yuta had reached an agreement, Shrein looked at Collete and Shiomala.

Hearing Shrein’s words, Kousuke and Yuta also looked in that direction with bitter expressions. The three of them observed the two Elves, who looked extremely embarrassed.