53 Episode 52: Those Who Wait Ahead
Although I was going to change the day if I was busy, the Knights of Sprout immediately responded to my visit. Now he's facing the Knights Commander in the reception room.
The Cavaliers loosened their cheeks delightfully when we talked about our situation. It didn't start now that Father was worried.
"But what His Majesty says and especially what you say. Plus now we should avoid doing things that show a lot of magic power. I don't like flying magic equipment, but it stands out, so I think it would be a good idea to behave carefully as a royalty."
"... I know that."
"I know I'm in a hurry. It must be a long wait for Princess Anisphere. But please also take your Majesty's feelings."
"I know. Isn't that why you're here to talk to me?"
I say with just a little lip pointy. Honestly, it's easy to ignore what you're saying and fly away. I also understand why I shouldn't do that, so I won't.
Then the chief of the knights began to laugh as he shook his shoulders.
"... His Majesty is also a bad person. If it's about the escort, we just had a good story, didn't we?
"? Just the right story?
"The other day, Stampede sent additional personnel from the Kingsguard Knights to conduct a regular survey of the Black Forest. I've been waiting on His Majesty's instructions to get ready, but I'm leaving soon. Would you like to accompany us, if I may?
... Oh, I see. Is that what this is about? That's what you were gonna do from the start!
If you'd told me that from the beginning, I'd follow you honestly, Father...
"... both the Knights Commander and Father are bad people"
"Well? What do you mean? I will accompany you on that assignment."
"Huh? The Knights leader himself?
"Yep.... because I think I should vacate the mansion a little bit."
Says the Knights leader with a bitter smile. Uh, maybe it's about Navre. I wonder if it feels better to keep your distance.
For once, I'm asking Gakun to see how it goes... but I'm anxious. I'm endlessly anxious. I hope nothing happens.
"When is the departure?
"We plan to be there in two days. If Princess Anisphere is ready by then."
"It's me and Uffi who are going to accompany you, and then I'm going to take Raini as a samurai"
"Okay. See you in two days."
In the end, I kind of feel like I've been put on well.... Your father isn't being honest either.
And two days after the promise. I was escorting the Kingsguard Knights to the Black Forest to investigate the Black Forest. If you can fly with Airdra, you can hope for a day trip, but a carriage takes a lot of time.
Ask Ilia to be away, me and Yufi, Raini go on the road to the Black Forest as they rock by the carriage.
"... bored"
"Please be patient"
The carriage journey is boring. The speed at which the scenery changes is slow, and nothing can kill time.
As far as I'm concerned, he wants to go quickly and enter the Black Forest.
"But I can't believe you live in a black forest..."
"That did surprise me. There are many demons out there, and if you're out of the woods, what can you still live in the woods?
When it comes to the subject of spiritual contractors, Raini also leans his neck strangely. The Black Forest is still a neighborhood that I don't think I can live in when I live in it.
Maybe that's why I live there to avoid people, but how the hell do I live? There is no question exhausted.
"Raini, is the blood okay?
"Because Ilia gave me quite a bit before I left.... Speaking of greed, it would be ideal if you had it even before you went into the woods..."
"Now, nobody's watching, so suck it. Here."
"Dear Anis, don't be so easy to say..."
"Even Uffi isn't used to traveling, so I'm better at it."
"... you can't deny it when they say that."
Uffi has no choice, sighs as he says. There's no way I'm going to starve Raini, and I'm going to expose my wrist and give it to Raini.
Raini lowers his head with a forehead and then crawls his lips into my wrist, poking his fangs out. The tingling and pain spreads. As it is, Raini licks the blood out of her obsession. She's kind of cute like a dog that's going to squirt.
"Speaking of which, I've been wondering, does the taste of blood vary from person to person?
"Of course not. Rather than taste, maybe it's a difference in magic."
"The difference in magic?
"Yes. Master Anis... sounds like water. Don't you think it tastes good? It's easy to drink because there's a lot of it."
It doesn't taste, hey. I know you have a lot of magic, but does Raini feel like water to you?
"Should I have no flavor?
"Mm-hmm... I don't really want to talk about that for a second. It makes me feel weird that people taste different... and only Ilia, Anis, and Uphilia have ever received blood."
"What does Ilia taste like?
"Taste is far from expression, or the strength of habit when it comes to how it differs"
"The strength of habit?
"Yes, Master Anis is the best place to put it in terms of ease of familiarity with your body. Ilia has a habit compared to Anis, but that's not it."
"So what about Yufi?
"You're full of awesome habits. You get drunk... that's not a bad idea."
"Drunk, is it?
Yuffi tilts her neck in wonder. Is it not so much the taste of blood as the difference in the sense of magic you take in? Then it's kind of interesting that I'm not as habitual as water and, conversely, that Uffi is full of habits.
I'd also like some time to find out about vampires when things settle down. I wonder if that's the role of the researchers who traveled with Al.... but it only leaves a little lump in my chest.
"... and you can finally meet with the Spirit Contractor."
"Right."
That way you might find out about the mysterious Spirit Contract.
Me or Yufi? It will be a big cut to determine which one will be king and its course.
I can't believe I don't think of anything like that. I accidentally look at Yufi's face.
Then Yufi turns her gaze to me, too, and her gaze just fits.
That was kind of crazy, and we laughed at each other from either side.
I'm sure he'll be fine. Whatever happens, we will.
The long felt carriage journey also comes to an end, and the Knights, who reached the town closest to the Black Forest, join the knights who were staying and seem busy replenishing supplies and meeting.
I'll get dressed and ready to go into the woods, too. Yuffi goes under the Knights captain, making sure he's dressed up for the same outfit and ready.
The knight captain who noticed us squeezes his expression and turns back to us.
"We'll start an investigation based here. Are you sure Miss Raini would like to keep it here?
"Because the Knights Commander is the only one who knows what's going on with Raini. We're going back as soon as we can, but thank you Raini."
Raini refrained beside the Knights Commander and had a slightly disturbing look on his face, but grinned to reassure him immediately.
She said it would be okay for a while because she drank blood even before she left, but if it became a black forest on a boulder, it was possible that Uffi and I would find ourselves in an unexpected situation. In that regard, I am grateful that the Knights Commander protects me.
"Please be careful"
"And the Knight Commander."
"I'm coming."
"Dear Anis, Dear Uphilia! I look forward to your return!
Waving back at Raini, me and Uffi head to the Black Forest under the gaze of the Knights Commander.
"Previously on Stampede."
"Because that was still in front of us. It's not the same again."
"You have the Spirit Stone you kept from His Majesty, don't you?
"I'm fine. I've got it in my nose so I don't drop it."
A spiritual stone that I say is necessary to meet with a spiritual contractor I have deposited from my father. There are measures to be taken that cannot be dropped on boulders.
I saw the entrance to the woods while I was talking to Uffi. Deep greens produce darkness that even blocks the light of day as we go to the back.
"Let's go, Uffi"
"Yes, Master Anis"
Step into the woods and the deep forest air will spread all over your lungs. I can hear life breathing. It is the voice of the beast, and the whispering of the trees.
I guess I could have said it would be comfortable if it were still near the entrance where the light of day would plug in, but I can't say that either if it gets darker as I go into the back.
"... that's creepy"
"Right. Same as always."
"Has Lady Anis ever been here?
"Go find the Spirit Stone. If you go to the back, you'll find quality spiritual stones."
Proceed to the back of the woods as you continue your conversation with Uffi. As the darkness deepens, the passage of time becomes known only by physical sensation.
Go ahead and take a break from Uffi and Vertigo to avoid consuming health. As we moved on to the Oz, we began to feel signs of demons as well. There have also been several times when I have been lurking and doing things.
"... but I guess it's because it's after stampede. I still don't feel much."
"That's more than anything..."
"Don't be alarmed, though."
Proceed with the steps to make sure carefully and slowly. Still no response to the Spirit Stone.
Just go to the back, go to the back. If you feel hungry, finish an unsavory meal with portable food and put Yufi to bed first where he saw the colour of fatigue because he was unfamiliar with the woods and his turn to watch.
"Excuse me, let me say good night first."
"Yeah. Slow down, but rest."
It would be a harsh environment for the Duke's Lady at the root, but was it still fatigue? Uffi falls asleep quickly.
I can hear the woodland stirring. While concentrating on the signs of approaching, I will continue to wait until Uffi wakes up.
How long the hell has it been? Uffi opened his eyes, especially since the demon never came by.
"... good morning"
"Morning. Are you rested?
"Yes, Mr. Anis is next."
"Yeah, let me get some sleep."
Hand the water to Uffi, who still seems to be sleeping just a little bit, to drink it. Drink water to the point of dampening your throat before Uffi shows me the impromptu bunk.
It's not like I don't feel tired to say how familiar I am. If you lay still and close your eyes, your drowsiness will soon strike you.
(... I hope we find him soon)
My consciousness falls to the edge of my dreams as I stroke the spiritual stone, which still has no response.
... For a while, wandering along the edge of my sleep, I woke up with an odd voice.
It opens its eyes when it hears a voice as if it is laughing and whispering, as if it has not uttered a word.
Then I hear voices apart from whispers. That's Yufi's voice. Quiet, singing a song to mumble something.
"... Ufi?
I thought, "Why the song?" I looked at it and I opened my eyes.
Yufi is singing. That's good. However, Uffi's eyes were out of focus and vain as if he were a sleepwalker.
It's unusual to be singing a song at that rate, and a muttering song is an unfamiliar song. I accidentally shake Yufi's shoulder.
"Ufi!?"
When I grab my shoulder and shake it, I focus my eyes properly like Uffi was hacked.
"Huh...? Oh, yeah? Um, Master Anis...?
"What's wrong!? Conscious!?"
"... sorry, it's a little blurry"
Hold your face with one hand and Uffi will shake your neck to the left and right. Until just now, Uffi's condition was unusual. I get worried unexpectedly and measure my pulse, and I keep my forehead together to see if I have a fever.
Still, there were no particular anomalies, and the consciousness seemed clear.... I wonder what that was.
"Me, I'm blurry and I have memories along the way... sorry"
"No, I didn't feel just tired... okay?
"Yes. I don't feel any particular anomaly.... What was it?
"... even demons that cause mental interference lurk? If we can move, shall we leave here immediately? Can you move?"
"Yes, I'm fine"
Then I started traveling to rush Uffi, but oddly enough, if Uffi's consciousness went to the back, it grew to the point of going.
At first I also wondered if I was tired or if there were demons that use strange magic. But there's no sign of that. I feel constant signs of demons, but no sign of them coming this way.
... That's a funny story too. How can you not encounter demons in the depths like this? It's been a long time since I've been in the back so far, and even more so, I find it strange to say that it's after the stampede.
"... Yufi, where did you hear that song?
"... song, is it?
"Is that unconscious, too? It's the first song I mumbled when I was blurry..."
"No, I have no idea..."
"... you have no idea?
I mentioned strange things up to Uffi, so even if I try to imitate the melodies I have learned to hear, Uffi just shakes his neck left and right as confused.
"... what is it?
"Speaking of anomalies... Dear Anis, this is a swarm of spirits, isn't it?
"Right. The black forest is rich in spiritual stones, which paradoxically means there are plenty of spirits."
"... the voice of the Spirit is loud here. At first I thought it was my fault, but my voice grew louder and louder."
"... the voice of the Spirit?
"It's the first time I've heard it so clearly. It's not a word that makes sense, but it's got a laughing voice in my ear..."
Is that the voice I heard too? So, was that the voice of the Spirit? I don't really know the signs of the Spirit or the voice... but can Uffi feel it?
"Do you know which way I go makes the Spirit's voice louder or something?
"... Yes, I think you'll see"
"Let's go a little further into the back. So if it's going to have a negative impact on Uffi, let's turn back."
"Turn back... you haven't met with the Spirit Contractor yet, have you?
"I'm more afraid that Uffi will be unwell. Then I figured I'd go back in alone..."
Though Yuffi frowned at her dissatisfaction, she probably feels that her condition is not normal. I have nothing to complain about.
And it was when I tried to get back on my mind and move on to the Oz.
"Oh, you've got some funny kids here if you think it's a little noisy."
My chest is glowing. If you think of it, that's because the spiritual stones you kept from your father were emitting light.
The voice that has echoed at the same time belongs to the girl. The girl, who showed herself out of the darkness of the woods, is smiling lightly.
She has strange eyes with mixed colors and shaking eyes with long platinum hair that seems to cling to her heels. The skin is white by the time it is pathological and doesn't feel humane overall.
"... what about you?
"Oh, you're here to see me, aren't you? You're Orphans' daughter, aren't you?" A rare child. "
"Then you are the Spirit Contractor's..."
"Will you not call me by such a long title? LUMI... Yes, LUMI is good."
The girl named Rhumi as a pain in the ass shrugs her shoulders. I do not feel that careless attitude is the temperament to try to get in touch with people in preference.
"...... I'll catch your eye first. My name is Ufilia Magenta. She is the daughter of the Duke of Magenta family. This is His Majesty Orphans, daughter, Princess Anisphere Wynn Palettia."
Uffi takes a step forward, as he regained his mind, and goes forward and names him. Lhumi then blinks his eyes several times.
"Ah. You're that Grants' daughter. Hmm?"
"... you know my father?
"To the extent that we know each other's faces. Yes... I don't have that girl's daughter. I can't argue with blood. Hey. It would have been hard to come here, too. This place is special. It's full of spirits."
Llumi laughs strangely when she dulls.... but young. It can only be seen as much or as little as we do. However, my skin gets poppy. I feel that it's not what it looks like.
I don't know if this is more about human beings than human beings...... is it my fault that I feel close to demons?
"... Though I tell you to go home if you're going to argue?
"... I'm sorry. Are all spiritual contractors as inexperienced as you? It bothers me if I think so. I apologize if I offended you."
"Hmm?... So? He wanted to see me in a letter from Orphans, but what the hell can I do for you?
"I want to hear about spiritual covenants"
Then the signs of Rhumi, who was careless, turn into even more careless, then rejecting. He has an obvious frown and a look on his face that just says it's unpleasant.
"... did you come all this way to ask me that? I was wondering if you could come home."
"Become!? Please wait!
"There's nothing to talk about."
"- Is that because the Spirit covenant makes you lose everything?
I ask as I step forward to control the panicking Uffi and turn my gaze to the Rhumi to be challenged.
To my inquiry Lhumi made a decent face that was distorted uncomfortably, and distorted his expression and laughed out.
"Oh! Oh! Who the hell wrote that down? In this country? That's what's left of it? Oh, forbidden book, could it have been forbidden? There was still something like that left! Look at that, Sang, you came looking for me? Would you be foolish?
"We didn't know anything about the spiritual covenant because we just told them what the book was about. I don't know anything, so I'm here to make sure."
"Make sure. What are you going to do?
"Nothing."
"... nothing?
Llumi stares at me in surprise. Its colour captures strange eyes as they try to see me.
"Certainly I came to listen to you because I wanted to know the Spirit covenant. But if spiritual covenants are harmful to people... I don't want anything"
"…………… Are you the son of a" rare man "? Don't you want it?"
"... what is that rare person?
Speaking of which, when you call me, Lyumi calls me a rare child, but I wonder what the hell that shows. If asked on top of each other, Rhumi answers with a stare at me without distracting himself from his gaze.
"Answer me if you want me to. You really don't want a spiritual contract? Because... you can't use magic, can you? Yet a royal child? Then you don't want it? Because magic is the symbol of authority in this country."
"You know I can't use magic because I'm a spiritual contractor?
"If you want me to answer that, answer my question."
"... I wish I could use magic. But even if you can't use it, you can be king, and you can create something to replace it. That's why I'm here to find out. Whether spiritual covenants are what I need."
"... be king in this country of habits that can't use magic? Produce a substitute? Are you serious?
"This is one of those things."
I will pull out the celestial and show it to the Rhumi. With magic, the fullness of light is formed.
Llumi, who sees it, turns her eyes round and reveals her surprise. And stare at me again.
"... it's, what?
"A tool that only magic can substitute for magic. This is my" magic, "the magic of using the Spirit Stone without going through the Spirit to mediate. It's a magic technique. This is only a sword, but with this magic, I also made magic props that fly in the sky."
"Let the sky... fly? People don't have wings?
"Fly. That's magic."
Tighten your chest and tell them. So Spirit Contract is good if you can use it. You can drop me off if you're in danger. I stare straight at Rhumi to convey such thoughts.
He was a rhumi who kept his mouth shut with a strange face for a while, but he softened his expression all the time.
"... as good as it gets. You're even more unusual in" rare people. "Interesting."
"I answered, too. What's that rare guy?
"A rare man is one who does not have a spirit in his" soul "and does not need it. That's why the Spirit doesn't speak to you. I don't give you magic."
"... have no spirit in your soul...?
Unexpectedly my throat rings. I can't use magic because I'm a rare person with no spirit in my soul?
My heart starts pounding when I blurt. Does she know the truth that she's never been able to unravel? I don't mind if I think so.
"I mean, does that mean that people who can use magic have spirits in their souls?
"That's right. And magical skill varies dramatically in the width you can use and the upper limit of your power depending on how close you get to the Spirit. This is the identity of the miracle left by the first king of the Kingdom of Palletia. It is not the Spirit who helps royalty and nobility to use magic. Only those who can resonate with spirits all around them can follow them."
Rhumi holds his index finger and waves it through the universe. That way the light will be created to follow, and that will be one form.
That's the light that pictured a small person, and the contour of his face is annoying, but he looks like he's laughing. That will disappear with dew if the Rhumi waves his finger again.
"... what's that now, Spirit?
"That's right. Small grain spirits have no will. But if I resonate with myself, gather it and bind it, I can make you conscious. If you subdivide your soul, you can do it like your own, right?
"That's not like magic...?
"That's the limit of human beings."
Llumi smiles thinly. As if to mock, she mouthed "sole".
"This is the privilege of the" Spirit Contractor ". And the authority of the Great Spirit. The Spirit Contractor and the Great Spirit are not separate. 'Cause those two are the same thing."