title: The Sacred Tree: Ancient and Medieval Manifestations
author:  Carole M. Cusack 
description: Carole M. Cusack is Associate Professor in Studies in Religion at the University of Sydney, Australia. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Studies in Religion and English Literature, a Master of Education (Educational Psychology), and a PhD, all from the University of Sydney. Her publications include Conversion Among the Germanic Peoples (Cassell, 1998), The Essence of Buddhism (Lansdowne, 2001), and Invented Religions: Imagination, Fiction and Faith (Ashgate, 2010), as well as a number of edited volumes and academic articles. With Dr Christopher Hartney (University of Sydney) she is editor of the Journal of Religious History, and with Professor Liselotte Frisk (Dalarna University, Sweden) she is editor of the International Journal for the Study of New Religions.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  # Chapter 208: Pasion’s Present Conditions
  
  
  The day before when Hiiro and the others were indulging themselves in the
  feast, when the [Beast King] Leowald returned to the [Beast Kingdom · Pasion]
  from [Valar Wilderness], everyone was speechless at the scene spread before
  their eyes.
  
  
    
  
  
  TN Note: Valar Wilderness【ヴァラール荒野】was previously translated as【Valaaru
  Wilds】by Kiriko-sama (please refer to chapter 167). I’m going to stick to this
  one as it is easier to speak in the English tongue.
  
  
    
  
  
  Before they have gone to the duel, the country was covered with natural
  spectacle of greenery, but now, that green was destroyed, burned till it’s
  carbonized.
  
  
    
  
  
  Not only that, clearly you can discover traces hit by a sharp blade. As if a
  fire extinguishing event was over, soot and black smoke are dancing
  everywhere.
  
  
    
  
  
  But what everyone being surprised the most, was the state of the Tree of
  Origin·Aragorn which was the symbol of Pasion.
  
  
    
  
  
  The great tree possesses a fascinating 