I Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble and Want to Enjoy a Laid-Back Harem Life – I Have No Intention of Getting Involved in the Main Story, Just Want to Live Comfortably with My Female Slaves, but Everyone Around Me Keeps Treating Me Like a Hero - Chapter 2.12

“Well, in a way, I feel a bit relieved now.”

After listening to the full explanation, Bohater let out a sigh of relief.

“I mean, the so-called root of the problem seems lighter than I expected. But at least we know the cause, and we can see a clear path to solving it. That’s reassuring.”

“It’s all thanks to my hard work. I do take my job seriously, you know.”

“…Hmm. But can we really fix this? I have my doubts.”

Despite the somewhat relaxed atmosphere between Bohater and me, the World Tree’s spirit interjected with her own concerns.

“This is about me, after all. I realized right away that I was under attack. But even so, I have no idea who’s behind it or what exactly they’re doing. Honestly… no offense, but you’re just a human, Lloyd. Do you really have the power to handle something like this? I find that a little hard to believe.”

With a skeptical tone, the spirit of the World Tree suddenly embraced me from behind and began pressing her fingers against my cheeks.

“Hmph.”

Casually, I took hold of her hands.

“Goodbye.”

Then, without hesitation, I sent a surge of magic into her.

“Ahhn!?”

The moment my magic flowed into her, the spirit of the World Tree let out a startled cry and collapsed onto the ground.

“Y-You stole my magic!?”

Glaring at me, she spoke in a voice laced with resentment.

It seemed she had completely misunderstood the situation.

“So that’s why the elves are in chaos! Because my magic is being drained! And now you’ve taken even more from me? Unforgivable! You’d better offer me barrels of wine as an apology, or I won’t let this slide!”

“You’ve got it backward. I gave you magic, not took it away.”

“Huh…?”

“You probably haven’t realized it yet.”

The act of giving and taking magic—at its core, they were essentially the same.

“Transferring magic, whether absorbing it or bestowing it, isn’t exactly simple, but it’s not impossible either.”

“Haa… haa… haa…”

“Once you figure out what your opponent is doing, the rest isn’t that complicated, right?”

“I… suppose so…?”

“In fact, I’ve already narrowed down the suspects.”

“What…?”

“We’re close. Really close.”

Just as I said those words, my magically enhanced hearing picked up the sound of approaching footsteps.