Its been four years since then. When I came to this world, I thought time flows slowly. But I was wrong.. In front of me was 5 childrens, 4 year old childrens at that. They are my play mates since last year, why? They heard what I was saying.. I mean, clearly, I can communicate to them normally.. As if I too was a Human. I thought, none understand me and that was lonely, but this 5 childrens without me knowing is so precious that I myself teaches them sword fighting. By the way, this was our 'little secret', that they undestand me, that I teached them secretly.
In my 4 years of life here, I learned to control my arm(branch), Im their Guardian alright? I dont want them to be harmed while guarding me, whats the point of I am their Guardian?. Like that, I busied my life to control my branches, even branch growings as I myself cannot control them, like I can created wooden sword and more now, and can even sharpen it. I also disposed those beast that give threat to this village secretly, and absorb them using my root. Oh yes, Im kinda O.P for a Tree. I thought I was a normal tree. Not only that, because my branch and root was sturdy when at first I thought it didnt. I secretly overlapped my root to my people's houses, As their Guardian of course. as theirs was made of dry branches and leaves, I cant take. They are kindhearted and caring. All of them. I learned they are the descendants of First Hero, tribe of Herra. Thats not the reason. It was but because of their good morals, because of this, childrens adapted adults good morals, learned it and passed it from generations to generations, not that I can see their inner feelings. but really, I love these people.
Though I dont have a reason for them not to know my secret. I dont want them to be too dependent on me. Because I know as a former human, people who has too dependent isn't good for their health. Sloth was one of the seven deadly sins afterall.
"Hmmm?" I have a feeling, this anxiety. It was like at that time when Im not fully control of my roots and branches. An A-Grade Beast attacks Herra Tribe and run havoc. I was just lucky as it was dropped to the ground I panickly digged, as I was slowly absorb it in the end. But in this time. this anxiety was doubled.
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DUGUUN—
DUGUUN—
I—hihihihing—
A footsteps of Horses was heard and the same time that it was stopped, They stopped at the very entrance of Herra Village. Because Herra's people themselves used their body stop their cart. This convoy was luxurious, so luxurious that its cart outer design was made of golden metal. According to the memory forced to mine, that cart was from royalty. A Human royalty.
"Ho~ what are you plotting, Humans" I said so myself. 5 Childrens whose sparring with sword heard what I just said as they curiously looked where their tribe gathered.
"Dont go... let them come here" I said to them.
"You knew they'll come here?" one of them asks.
"hmmm~ they're looking for you all, worry not, I'll protect you" I said but after saw them shivering, I pick them all using my branch and hugged them.
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..
.
As I thought. They did came. 5 minutes later, they really came. I now really sure what they wanted. I overheared them from the entrance.
As they come nearer, One of them was white bearded old man, clothes of light with a sigil of their royalty? or that was their position? He also has staff made of wood, that wood was far inferioir than my wood though, I say, that was one hell of a high quality wood. Of course before they came I stored away these children's wooden sword made by me and conceal my presence, that very wooden sword existence was an eye catching afterall. Now that I concealed my presence, what they saw was normal tree where this childrens were playing.
Another was female girl at her 15's, with curly violet hair with an aura of a noble, stepped forward. but theres stilll some small dark aura lingering inside her heart. I dont know myself but I clearly saw it. The Old man caught a glimps of me but look at the children again and spoke.
"As I though, Heroes already emerged. Im sorry for interrupting your quiet place O' descendant of First Hero, but our world was in peril as I may speak. We need a Hero that one day may bring peace to our world" He said as he touch his fist with his palm equipped with wooden staff.
"What do you mean, O' Honorable Sage. I quite dont get it!" Cheiftain of Herra spoke off as it also copy these Old man pose.
"Im sorry Mister. One of these child are destined to be a Hero, atleast, let us take him peacefully. Fret not, He'll be treated only below to my Father, our King" said by the pink girl. She already Introduced herself while they're outside the village. She was 'Princess Pirika'.
"You mean, One of these child become war machine without their consent!? And we dont have any choice but to accept it? Is that what you mean?" Again, it was the Chieftain. In Herra tribe, once you've become a chieftain, tribe member will called you Chief without any regards. Even his own wife have to call him Chief until that cheiftain retire. Because, people of Herra have good morals, they let their Chief do the job and only watch this unfolding event to happen with their very eyes, spectating.
"That goes without saying, afterall that was destined to happen. If we cannot find a Hero from our world, we summoned one but this time, not only we failed but that person we summoned maybe become a Demon himself in the future. If we didnt get this child, we dont know what will happen in the future" explained by the Sage as it was looking to one particular child.
"He was still 4 years Old for God's sake! we can teach him to become a proper warrior and Hero here! then when the time is ripe, we will send him to the Capital, I reassure that!" complained by the Chief. As he also look to one of the children. Herra people supported their chief as they stomp their feet twice to the ground
STOMP—! STOMP—!
Thats my people! I cried out. these Children heard my scream as they *fufufufu* in return. The Sage eye twitched. Narrowing his eyes as if he was scanning for something.
Again with his irritating pose, as he said "We'll return again next time when he was 10 years old. Im—"
"—15 years old, when he turned 15, I shoo him away and put him to your care. Thank you for your effort for coming here personally O' great Sage" as the Chief cut him in the middle and said the word as he also copy the pose. Age of 15 in this world was considered adult. For Herra tribe, that age was the Independent level which one can do what they want. At the same time, Herra tribe and children did the same pose. Meaning, this talking was already reached its conclusion, though for them it was an anti-climatic conclusion.