Chapter 4 - City of Roots (根の都 / Ne no Miyako)

Light swallowed the three travelers as Izumi’s portal closed behind them.

When it cleared, they stood beneath a forest so vast it seemed to hold up the sky.

The flowers and grass pulsed with green light. Rivers shimmered like liquid glass.

Trees the size of mountains.

Hajime stared upward, eyes wide.

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LOCATION REGISTERED

Eryndral

Capital of the Eidarus Accord

Primary Seiki Source:

The Eidarus Tree

Environmental Classification:

Living Seiki Network

Analysis incomplete.

The detected root system extends beyond the current observation range.

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“Are we still in Eidarus Accord territory?”

Izumi smiled softly.

“Yep, we are at the capital. The Eidarus Tree feeds this whole kingdom. Its roots run through the entire Eidarus Accord.”

Rei scanned the forest, one hand resting on his sword.

“No wonder The Celestine Order avoids this place. Too much freedom in the air.”

They followed a path carved from glowing roots, the ground humming faintly under each step.

Hajime paused. “I can sense Seiki radiating from the plants.”

Izumi nodded.

“Every root here channels Seiki thanks to the Eidarus Tree.”

Hajime knelt, analyzing the vegetation.

“Incredible...”

Suddenly, figures emerged from the forest shadows, Verdant sentries, armored in wood carved from the Eidarus Tree.

Their commander raised a staff that pulsed as if it were alive.

“Identify yourselves!”

Izumi stepped forward.

“Izumi Rin of the Eidarus Accord. I bring Commander Rei Kurayami of the Celestine Order and the survivor of Eisenwald.”

The commander’s eyes flicked toward Hajime.

“That aura… You’re the one who caused yesterday’s tremor.”

Hajime frowned. “What are you talking about? That was Rei!”

Rei spoke calmly.

“No idea what you're talking about.”

The commander Takahiro Izanami lowered his staff, annoyed.

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INDIVIDUAL REGISTERED

Takahiro Izanami

Affiliation:

Eidarus Accord

Position:

Commander

Seiki Capacity:

Analysis Restricted

Will signature detected.

Identification unavailable.

Threat Assessment:

Severe

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“You possess Adam’s Will. How did trash like you obtain it?”

The words made the air shift. Roots underfoot vibrated softly, reacting to the name.

Hajime looked down, jaw tight.

Rei’s tone stayed flat.

“Takahiro, I suggest you don't—”

Before anyone could react, one of the roots lashed upward, striking between them without warning. Instinctively, Rei’s sword flashed, slicing it in half.

“Commander to Commander, cut it out,” Rei muttered.

Takahiro Izanami looked startled.

“It wasn't me. The tree acted on its own.”

Izumi placed a hand on Hajime’s shoulder.

“It’s all right. It’s just testing you.”

Another root slithered forward. Hajime raised his hand. Energy pulsed through his veins, surrounding his arm.

He swung. The Seiki blast obliterated the root.

The soldiers stared. The Eidarus Accord commander Takahiro Izanami lowered his weapon, bowing slightly.

“Forgive us. The Queen will want to see you three immediately.”

They followed a glowing bridge upward towards the Queen.

Every step echoed softly.

Above, sunlight filtered through the leaves of glass. Animals made of light drifted lazily through the branches.

Hajime glanced around, uneasy.

“I hate heights.”

Izumi grabbed his hand as she looked at him over her shoulder.

“I got you, 'kay?”

Rei’s voice was low.

“Get a room.”

“We can do round two right here, right now if you want,” Hajime muttered.

“Quit acting tough in front of your girlfriend,” Rei replied.

Izumi’s laugh broke the tension.

Rei was the first to notice the shift in the air. It was cold, metallic, out of rhythm with the forest’s pulse.

Somewhere above, a faint clink echoed, like a chain brushing against wood.

Izumi froze, glancing toward the canopy.

“You feel that?”

Rei’s hand drifted toward his sword.

“Someone is watching us,” Rei said with a smile.

Hajime said nothing. The hairs on his neck stood straight.

High in the treetops, a figure wrapped in mist watched them silently.

Chains coiled and uncoiled around her arms, glinting silver in the dim light.

Selaphine’s lips curved faintly.

“So, the Will of Man is alive again.”

The forest creaked as she disappeared into the shadows.

The trio finally arrived in the throne room.

Queen Sylvara sat on her throne, and beside her stood Commander Takahiro Izanami, his calm presence radiating quiet authority.

Izumi bowed.

“Your Grace, we bring the survivor of Eisenwald. The one who carries Adam’s Will.”

Sylvara’s gaze fell on Hajime, gentle but weighty, like the forest itself had eyes.

“Listen closely, Hajime. It all starts with Seiki, the sacred life energy. A Will emerges from this flow, bonding with a host. When two Seiki essences align, they create Seiki Resonance, amplifying their powers. Complete unity with a Will leads to Ketsugo, merging spirit and soul, while partial Ketsugo provides strength but retains their identity. Use this knowledge to protect those you care about and master these concepts.”

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FOUNDATIONAL DATA ACQUIRED

New concepts registered within the Genesis Archive.

Seiki

The sacred life energy flowing through living creation.

Will

A conscious existence born from Seiki and bonded to a mortal host.

Seiki Resonance

Amplification created when separate Seiki flows align in emotion or purpose.

Ketsugo

Fusion between a host and their Will.

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Hajime looked up, uneasy.

The Queen’s lips curved slightly.

“Now that you have awakened, everyone will be after you. You must learn to control it. From what I can tell from yesterday's tremors, you don't have a clue how to control it yet.”

Rei crossed his arms. “Told you it was Hajime. See, Takahiro?”

Takahiro’s eyes narrowed.

“Why did the Celestine Order send you to monitor him?”

Rei shrugged. “To make sure he doesn’t turn into another Seal King... That, and I was bored taking orders.”

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UNKNOWN CLASSIFICATION DETECTED

Seal King

Archive information unavailable.

Further discovery required.

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The tension thickened. Izumi stepped between them.

“Enough! This isn't helping.”

Sylvara raised her hand, and the living roots of the tree immediately settled down.

“Tomorrow, we will begin training inside the Eidarus Tree.”

Hajime exhaled slowly.

“And if I don't?”

“Then you will need to be executed to ensure that power doesn't end up in the wrong hands,” Sylvara replied.

Hajime sighed and reluctantly agreed to the training.

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MAIN OBJECTIVE UPDATED

Control the Will of Man

Enter the Eidarus Tree and begin training.

Objective:

Develop stable control over Adam’s power.

Failure Condition:

Execution

Reward:

500 EXP
Continued survival

Objective Status:

ACTIVE

Current EXP:

0 / 500

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Their living quarters were carved deep into the Tree's roots, which glowed softly.

Rei slept sitting upright against the wall, sword across his knees.

Izumi’s Seiki light pulsed faintly as she meditated beside the door.

Hajime couldn’t sleep.

The air felt heavy. Not dangerous, but aware.

He stepped to the window, looking out at the moonlight spilling through the forest.

Suddenly, he heard chains dragging through the leaves.

His eyes darted toward the canopy.

Something shimmered, then vanished.

A single silver link lay faintly glowing on the bark below before dissolving into mist.

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ANALYSIS INITIATED

Foreign object detected.

Composition:

Unknown

Seiki Signature:

Unregistered

Attempting identification...

Analysis failed.

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Hajime’s voice was barely a whisper.

“Now I definitely know someone is stalking us.”