V7C6
Volume 7, Chapter Six: Education
"Listen well. Do you know why your guardian deity is Fudo Myo-o?"
The elderly tree spirit is lecturing me.
"Is it to destroy everything by fire?"
I replied.
"No! That flame is the fire of compassion and wisdom! It's a flame to burn away your own wicked heart!"
The elderly tree spirit looked exasperated.
"So, you're saying my wicked heart has already been burned away, and I have a pure heart?"
I nodded and answered.
"Why are you always so positive about things?"
The elderly tree spirit sighed.
"Hahaha, I guess I was praised."
I laughed, feeling embarrassed.
"I didn't praise you!"
"Listen, in your world's Buddhism, there's something called the Three Poisons. The most fundamental three afflictions: greed, anger, and ignorance. Craving, hating, complaining. You must overcome these."
"It's impossible."
"Quick response."
"Quick response."
"In your world, there's more firepower, but our world has its own strengths. It's the ability to control the mind."
"Huh? If you wave money in front of their faces in the other world, you can manipulate them however you want."
"No, that's just luring them with greed."
"The result is the same."
Others are watching as the elderly tree spirit and I argue.
"We're not getting anywhere with this parallel discussion."
Colonel Kunito yawned.
"Talking about the path of righteousness and talking about desires, they'll never intersect."
Aporito sighed too.
"Excuse me, may I interject? How about we try it out for now? Ultimately, why not give it a shot?"
Mitsuki suggested.
"However, first you must settle your own mind. Only then can you truly influence others."
The elderly tree spirit's expression turned stern.
"But probably, it won't work even if we talk. I tried various things to make you become a combat-evolution type, but in the end, you became an escape-specialized type."
Mitsuki looked somewhat bitter.
"Is it going against the flow of people?"
The elderly tree spirit looked perplexed.
"Rather, it's going in a unique direction."
Princess Miyabi tilted her head.
"It's too free-spirited, and everyone can't keep up."
Colonel Kunito laughed.
Somehow, the sharp-tongued attitude is back.
"It's troubling. While conquering one aspect, you might head in the wrong direction irreversibly."
The elderly tree spirit sighed.
"It's okay. I believe Lord Yuuki will overcome it."
Murasaki smiled.
"Overcoming is one thing, but I'm afraid of what kind of overcoming it will be."
Colonel Kunito interjected.
"Alright, I'll start by putting something into motion, so your skills can activate more easily."
The elderly tree spirit raised his hand.
"Huh? You can put something into motion?"
I asked in surprise.
"Well, it's to make it easier for your wishes to come true."
A bead about the size of a golden marble emitted a golden light from the elderly tree spirit's hand and was absorbed into my chest.
At that moment, the door to our first-class cabin was knocked on.
The captain of the ship hurriedly entered.
"I'm sorry. The flying monster, Sky Manta, dropped a letter and left. It's addressed to the Savior."
The captain handed over the letter's tube.
"Come on, hurry up and take it, Colonel Kunito. You're being summoned."
I threw the tube to Colonel Kunito.
"I'm not Captain Schierke anymore, so I don't know."
Colonel Kunito threw the tube back.
"You're a colonel now, so do it."
I pressed the tube against Colonel Kunito.
"Don't mess around."
Colonel Kunito threw the tube at me again.
I threw it back.
Mitsuki caught it from the side.
"Don't do unproductive things!"
Mitsuki said, exasperated.
"Isn't this young lady more fitting to be the <Child of the End>?"
The elderly tree spirit drooped his shoulders.