Sage of the Forest

Pure water and unpolluted air... This is a calm forest, isn't it?

Fou, Foou♪

Do you feel that way, too, Fou? Even with the buzzing tree leaves and the chirping sound of birds,

for some reason, I think of only serenity. Is it because there're no humans here?

？！

Yes, Senpai.

Forests are nice. Well, that's because animals and plants are singing the praises of life here.

Despite the bustle of people and other things, forests can stand up as forests solely by themselves.

It's not the domain of people, in the first place. Though almost the entire earth is dominated by humans now.

Animals, plants, fairies, gods. Compared to those in the forest, humans are just "extras."

So, an uninvited guest. Is that who we are

Umm? No, it's not that stiff...

...But how awful. The forest around here feels off. I came here to take a look and the air is just too rough.

I didn't pick up anything here... Is there really a distortion here, Cú Chulainn?

The Second Singularity, the 1st Century you guys fixed This is northeastern Ireland in that time period.

Sure, from the measurement there seems to be a delay in this era's correction. But is it a distortion?

Looking at the numbers, it just seems to be a quiet forest...

I don't know about your situation but you shouldn't take forests lightly.

Forests have been around since before mankind. They may even have been around from the Age of the Gods even before that.

Manipulating humans is exactly what it does best. Just look at that.

GUUUUUUU...

A beast man monster!?

What? I-I didn't pick up anything here! Oh, but it looks like there's a slight trace of magical energy reaction...

I'd bet it's part of this forest. Anyway, I don't think it's here to welcome us.

GUUUUUUU!!

It's coming, Senpai!

？！

Understood, Master!

Cleaned up for the most part? You could say it was done as planned but rough, you know?

...Cú Chulainn. Do you have any idea about the distortion that's left in the 1st Century?

Yeah, I do. I'm Cú Chulainn, an Ulster hero, you know.

I'm not used to this calendar style called century, but, this is "my era."

？！

Yes, Senpai. This is the era in which he was alive

The specific period of Celt and Ulster legends are presumed to be from 100 B.C. to 100 A.D.

Precisely. That said, the me that was alive already "died" decades ago by now.

For some reason, I feel attached to this era. I don't know why, I can just feel something.

Maybe that's also because I manifested as a Caster, oddly, I am more keen at picking up magical energy.

I see. That's why you were able to sense the distortion happening here in your hometown.

My hometown, you say. Still, I think it's because I'm a Caster.

It's the forest.

??

I'm a Celtic, a man of Ulster. If I'm a mage then that can only mean I became "that."

A "Druid".

The runes I use are originated from Norse legends, but Celtic mages are normally Druids.

？！

Yes, Senpai. The Celtic priests are referred to as Druids.

They are people who have a deep relationship with the forest and monument, and can perform mystics same as the magecrafts we know.

Of course, they existed in my times, too. However, I am not actually a Druid.

Like I said before, the type of magecraft I use is runes.

I combine the rune characters here and there and to perform the mystics.

However, there's an exception. When I manifested in this form

I obtained it as a "Noble Phantasm." It was given to me since I was a Celtic mage.

...Wicker Man, the Cage of All-Consuming Flame.

Right. A Flame Noble Phantasm given to me after becoming a Celtic mage who could manipulate blazing heat.

Originally, it's a Noble Phantasm for Druids, since it was a magical tool used in sacrificial offerings.

That's what summoned me here, telling me to stop the distortion.

Hmm? You mean the distortion of this forest was

...The forest won't die...

...All forests, without men...

...So, so they shall not be incinerated...

...The forest shall be preserved...

...Even if mankind ends up perishing...

!?

Bingo! That's the one distorting this forest and preventing the correction of this era.

That thing is a "Druid." But also more than that.

Fearing the incineration of worlds, a cluster of madness. A collection of dead souls who couldn't ascend to the Throne of Heroes.

You actually thought you could kill me using a beast man?

Hey, you guys!! I'm talking to you!!

...The forest won't die...

...All forests will continue to be without mankind...!

Silence, ghost! Be a man or fairy, you're a part of the forest if you live here!

This lecture! You guys are the ones who supposed to say it, right!!

A magical energy reaction approaching, Senpai! An enemy is coming!

？！

Yes, Master!

Take this as my kindness to you. And be incinerated by the flames of Wicker Man!!

Victory confirmed. The battle is over, Senpai.

Fou!

...Gosh. My job is over at this point then.

Time to go home now. Thanks for coming with me.

？！

I'll pass. Sure, I'd like to meet up with some people but, well

You know, I'm a mage now. Who knows what could happen if I went back like this?

Right, because Druids hold a very special position in the Celtic cultural world, you know?

If the hero, Cú Chulainn, who was supposed to be dead, comes back as a Druid,

then there'll be a huge uproar. I bet a bunch of countries will rise and fall!

That's right. So, well, this is it.

I got to breathe in some nostalgic air. Nice. Let's go back now?

？！

Yes, Senpai!