Editing Rune Soldier Louie:Volume1 Chapter4 (section)

===Part 1 – The Sacred Tree===

“This is unbelievable.”

The beautiful blonde priestess said as she shook her head, she shook it quite violently.

“I can’t believe it.”

Little Merrill said.

“This really is unbelievable.”

The burly warrior woman said, as she squinted at the man.

(I don’t want to believe this is true.)

The man was none other than a magician of the Kingdom of Ohfun, Louie. He heard the three women talking, but he knew he couldn’t answer them back.

Mostly because he knew he wouldn’t be forgiven.

Because of Louie, all four of them were now prisoners of the Tartious forest. Known commonly as the “Forest of Strife”, a forest full of goblins and all kinds of other creatures, but mostly notably Elves.

Despite the forest being a dangerous place, they didn’t run into any kind of monsters despite moving deep into the forest.

Their goal was to find a five hundred year old oak tree, and bring the tree branches back to the Magician’s Guild, then Louie would be able to create another wand.

Otherwise, Louie cannot use magic. Besides, you need a wand and a long cape to be a magician, it will also let others know who you are.  A magician doesn’t generally carry a sword either, but Louie does.

The search so far has progressed smoothly. Unfortunately, the only place where they can find an old tree is somewhere in the Elf territory, everyone except Louie couldn’t believe that they’d have to do there……


<div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div>


Louie cut off an oak branch, a moment later he heard a strange sound.

He knew it was Elf tongue, but didn’t know what it meant.

Learning the Elf language is one of the compulsory language courses in the Magician’s Guild, although learning such a thing isn’t that important.

The most important language is the language of the ancients, especially the high and low languages. If you can’t understand the meaning of these two languages, you are not qualified to become a magician.

Louie grew up learning the ancient language under his adoptive father, Carwes.

But Louie had been unable to speak the Elf language.

Though if he knew the Elf language, maybe Genie would praise him for his efforts.

“I’m sorry, I’m don’t know the Elf language.”

Louie said, as started climbing down the tree.

Genie looked around, but she couldn’t tell where the voice came from.

“It’s probably just a stray elf. Unless they have a hiding place nearby.”

At that moment, the priestess of the Goddess of Mylee stepped forward, she had an uneasy look on her face.

“Could it be a dark elf?”

“Maybe……”

The female warrior said, as she pulled a large sword from her back.

She had much experience fighting dark elves and goblins, in addition to her fighting skills, they would stand a good chance at winning in combat.

“A dark elf? This place really is dangerous.”

The little thief girl Merrill murmured, as she pulled out her dagger.

Louie just happened to be in a unique position, he was right above her and he could clearly see her breasts. However, even from his point of view, Merrill’s chest was nothing special.

“Are you jumping from there?”
Genie asked Louie, as she raised her head.

“You must be joking!”

Louie angrily replied.

In order to obtain more branches, Louie climbed over the tree a couple of times. If he jumped from such a high place, he’d certainly injure himself, or even lose his life.

“Why don’t you use an incantation?”
Genie said, mocking him.

(If I use magic, then demons are sure to come. But I don’t have a wand.)

Louie thought. Even if he could use magic, the group would surely become food for the monsters.

So far they hadn’t encountered any monsters, maybe it was good luck on their part, but they are in a dangerous forest, luck can only get them so far.

(This is no time to mess around.)

Louie said inside himself.

Whether it was magic or a projectile, Louie was an excellent target right now. If an enemy attacked, he’d be done for.

“Do you think they’ll attack the guy in the tree first? Though it’s not like they know our position……”

Little Merrill said, Louie could hear her clearly.

“The hero should shoulder any responsibilities……”

Merrill finished speaking, Melissa couldn’t stand her comment.

“You think he’s a hero?”

Melissa said in protest.

Louie couldn’t stand it either, he didn’t want to be the first one to be targeted by the enemies magic and arrows.

However, nothing happened.

“If we get attacked, you better move!”

Louie couldn’t bear it any longer, he loudly shouted.

“……I know!”

Louie cried. Then he left the tree, he floated gently to the ground, he was like a feather.

(That actually wasn’t too hard, the height was only a little more than mine.)

Louie thought. His heart now calmer than it had once been.

Genie showed Louie her obvious disdain.

Melissa wondered, if he was able to jump from that height, does that make him a hero?

“Well, why don’t you ask a dark elf?”

A figure dropped to the ground, and slowly walked towards Louie.

[[Image:RSL Volume 01 bw 05.jpg|thumb]]

“Never mind, it’s just a regular elf.”

Merrill put her hand on her chest, and sighed.

She had long, thin leaf-like ears, her silver hair went down to her waist, she had a tall yet plump figure, she was also wearing dark green clothes. Also, tied to her waist was a dagger, on her shoulders was a bow and a quiver. Currently, she was examining Louie.

Louie looked back at her, she was a pretty young woman. He had heard that elves live long lives when compared to humans, he couldn’t imagine how old this elf in front of him was.

However, he had only heard rumours about their beauty, now he knew it was true.

She was like a fine paining or a magnificent statue, through the gap in the trees leaves and sunlight smiled upon her, this gave the young elf girl a more fantastic impression.

Louie had long become accustomed to women, but to see a beautiful elf, he couldn’t help but stare.

The elf stopped about ten steps in front of Louie.

“She is wary of us.”

Melissa said to herself.

“Obviously, she’s just met us.”

Louie said, in response to her words. Melissa looked at him coldly.

(I’ve got to make a good impression.)

Louie thought. If he wanted to prove he was a hero to someone, it was be this elf, and not the woman who follows him because of a revelation from her God. Louie sometimes thinks that her revelation was nothing more than a simple dream, though he would never say this to her, mainly because he feared the repercussions.

However, thanks to Melissa, Louie was able to become an adventurer. He intends to learn as much as he can from the three women in his party, this will enable him to become a great adventurer.

Especially when it comes to comparing himself to the warrior woman, he didn’t want to lose to her again. One day, he hopes that he could be called a magical warrior.

“……This is nerve-racking.”

The elf girl was standing ten paces away from Louie, he didn’t know what to say to her, he hesitated for a long time. Finally, he said something.

“You said this is nerve-racking.”

Merrill went behind Louie and pushed him.

“If there is something wrong, I am willing to help.”

Little Merrill is a thief, she was accustomed to negotiating with all kinds of people. She knew it would be hard for Louie to talk to her, but she wanted him to at least make an effort.

“Talk to her.”

Merrill said coldly.

“She must have appeared because we were cutting branches off that tree, hopefully we haven’t troubled her.”

“……Is that so?”

That is most likely one of the reasons. Because this is a forest where elves live, they serve as the de-facto guardians.

“Have we troubled you, since we cut the branches?”

Louie asked the elf girl.

“We don’t mean to destroy this tree. You see, it’s still in good condition. Anyway, what has been cut off will only grow back.”

Louie said, not knowing if that was true or not.

The ancient tree they took the branches from was over five hundred years old, the tree trunk was also very strong. Even if they took ten branches, it would not have that much impact on the tree.

“Although it will not wither……”

The elf girl said thoughtfully.

“Oh, so you can speak? We entered this ancient forest to gather branches for a special reason, we have got what we came for. We will leave the forest immediately.”

“……I know.”

The elf girl sighed, now she started to speak rather slowly.

“This tree……no, all of these trees are called ''Trees of the Dead''. Our tribe has a custom, if someone dies, their body is buried in the ground, and a tree is planted on top.”

“In other words, these are graves?”

The words of the elf girl caused Louie great shock, after listing to her explanation, he realized that their actions were no different from grave robbers.

“Yes, this place is very important to my tribe, it’s a scared place.”

Then, the elf girl looked at some branches lying on the ground. From the looks of it, a tree had been cut down recently.

“Cut down……”

The elf said in a remorseful tone.

“Ah——we had nothing to do with that!”

Merrill said, trying to convince the elf.

Genie and Melissa looked at each other, and sighed.

“We really didn’t know, we’re sorry.”

Right now, this was the only thing Louie could say.

“No, I should have said something before you cut the branches……”

Then, the elf repeated the words “cut down” again.

“We apologise for our actions.”

In this vast forest they looked for a long time, but they didn’t expect to stumble upon a scared place that belonged to the elves. They would have to find ancient trees someplace else.

“You can have these back. These are the branches that we cut.”

Louie picked up the branches, and walked towards the elf girl.

Then, Louie apologized to the elf girl again. After they said their goodbyes, Louie and the three girls turned to leave.

“Wait a minute!”
The elf girl shouted.

“What is it?”

“This is our forest, normal humans or hunters aren’t allowed in these parts. If you walk around in the forest, it will only cause me further problems.”

“''Your forest'', but we……”

Then, the elf’s tone of voice changed.

“You cannot casually cut down trees and kill animals. If you want to bring back some branches from the ancient trees……”

The elf girl lowered her head, it looked like she suddenly thought of something, then she lifted her head, she had a bright smile on her face. It was almost as bright as a flower in full bloom.

“If you don’t mind, come and meet my tribe. If you return to my village, you can have as many branches as you want.”

“That’s great……”

A smile appeared on Louie’s face.

At the same time, someone mercilessly kicked Louie in the back of his foot. Out of the three women, Merrill was the only one who would attack using her feet. Also, she was a thief, nothing she does is considered “clean”.

“What was that for?”

Louie said, staring at the little thief girl.

“Don’t you think it’s strange?”

Merrill bent over and whispered into Louie’s ear.

“What do you mean by strange?”

Louie spoke as quietly as he could.

“I’m referring to that elf’s suggestions, are you stupid or something?”

“That’s a terrible thing to say.”

Louie couldn’t stand the thought of the elf having ill intent.

“Don’t worry about it.”

As a result, Merrill denied Louie a smile.

“Elves are a noble race, they wouldn’t do anything mischievous.”

“Are you sure about that, this is their territory?”

Merrill couldn’t believe that Louie ignored her warning.

“She’s not an evil dark elf, she probably wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

Louie said with confidence.

Although this was the first time Louie had met a real elf, he had read numerous books about them, he was convinced that he was right.

“In addition to dark elves, I’ve heard rumours about other elves.”

“A rumour is just a rumour. I believe that this elf is a woman of her word.”

Louie said decisively.

Merrill was very confused, she slumped her shoulders.

“If you say so.”

Merrill said with disdain.

“I cannot allow you to casually walk around the forest either, I’ll lead you out afterwards.”

The elf girl was listening to all of Louie’s and Merrill’s conversation, she could see through their anxiety.

(I believe in this elf, she is trustworthy.)

Louie was determined——

“It’s dangerous to walk around the forest unguided, we would also be causing problems to the elf. We’ll do as she says.”

Then, Genie said something.

“……If you say so, brave hero.”

While Melissa was reluctant to follow Louie, this was the first time she had not complained about him.

Perhaps out of Loue’s confidence, Melissa wanted to reassure everyone.

“In any case, it’s not like we’re going to die.”

Naturally, Genie was upset, Merrill too. However, they didn’t show they’re dissatisfaction.

“Alright, it’s decided.”

Louie said, while smiling. He then told the elf girl that they were “willing to go with her”.

Though, that’s not to say that Louie didn’t find her a little suspicious.

Then, they all introduced themselves to the elf.

“My name is Celecia.”

The elf girl introduced herself, and thus they began a relaxing stroll in the forest, heading towards the Elf village.

After a while, they finally reached the elf village.

Immediately, four armed elf soldiers descended upon them, they disarmed the group and put Louie and the three women in a small hut, they were effectively under house arrest.

They were charged with the crime of hurting a ''Tree of the Dead''.

However, Louie didn’t know how serious this charge really was.