Chapter 137 Water Spirit
――It was on the third night, near Fontapuune-sama's great tree, where I had been sleeping.
I had asked Julius to keep watch, and Marta and I were sleeping in the tent, but I suddenly woke up. In an instant, I felt "dazzling."
Something nearby was emitting a strong light. Even with my eyes closed, I could sense it.
I opened my eyes and sat up. ――The source of the light was the water spirit stone I had received from Lukas.
The spirit stone was shining brightly, sparkling.
"What? The spirit stone is shining..."
As I observed, the light grew stronger.
I felt a bad premonition.
I thought it would be better to report to Marta and Julius, so I reached out to shake Marta, who was sleeping in front of me――
"Hey! We're surrounded by monsters!"
Julius suddenly burst into the tent, and I literally jumped up.
――Surrounded by monsters?
My reaction was delayed for a few seconds. During that time, Marta had already gotten up.
"What's going on? I didn't hear any noise at all!? "
Marta grasped the dagger she had placed beside her. Then, she and Julius rushed out of the tent together.
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should stay, but I was concerned about Fontapuune-sama's great tree, so I took the reserve antidote and exited the tent as well.
――What greeted us was a group of monsters surrounding us from all sides.
"When did these monsters..."
I couldn't help but mutter, surrounded by a massive number of monsters.
There were giant, beast-like monsters with bodies over 2 meters tall, walking on 2 legs. There were small, fast-moving monsters. The variety of monsters was astonishing. As I gazed at them in wonder――my gaze was drawn to one particular monster.
That monster had a human form.
When it noticed my gaze, the human-like monster took a few steps closer. Its movements were just like a human's.
Marta and Julius readied their weapons, on high alert.
'Hello.'
The monster skillfully used human language and smiled softly.
It's likely that this humanoid monster is the leader among them. If it's like "Last Brave," then the closer it resembles a human, the stronger its power becomes. I've never seen a monster that looks this much like a human before.
――Or maybe it's possessing a human.
Suddenly, something fell onto my head. While glaring at the monsters, I picked up what had fallen. ――It was a withered leaf.
I couldn't help but look up. And I gasped.
"What... the giant tree..."
――Fontapuune-sama's giant tree was withering.
The branches were wilting, the leaves were drying up, and they were falling onto our heads. It was already too late.
(I couldn't save it...)
I barely managed to hold back my tears, which were about to fall. Here and now, I couldn't show any weakness in front of the monsters.
What should I do? At any rate, I had to defeat the monsters in front of me. But with only Marta and Julius on our side, and only about ten antidotes I brought, it seemed like a hopeless fight.
Was I going to die here with Fontapuune-sama's giant tree? ――No, I absolutely couldn't let that happen.
(There must be another way... a way for us and Fontapuune-sama to be saved...)
Tightly, without realizing it, I grasped the spirit stone on my chest. Then, as if responding to my heart, the spirit stone began to shine again.
The monsters winced at the dazzling light, while Marta kept her gaze fixed on them, asking me a question.
"Hey, Laura, isn't something shining?"
"Yeah, it is, but I have no idea why..."
Why was the spirit stone shining? Was it trying to tell me something? Or was it warning me that Fontapuune-sama's life was about to expire?
The light grew stronger and stronger. The humanoid monster, either annoyed or frustrated by the light, readied its weapon.
That was the signal for the other monsters to charge at us all at once. The scene was already hopeless.
"Duck down――!"
At Julius's shout, I hugged the spirit stone tightly to my chest and crouched down on the spot. ――In an instant, I was enveloped in a warm light.
I closed my eyes and crouched down for a few seconds, but I couldn't hear the monsters' roars. I didn't feel any pain either. There was only the warm light wrapping around my body.
I was puzzled, and slowly opened my eyes――something warm was gently stroking my cheek.
I was shocked and opened my eyes wide. Then, the true form of the "something" that was stroking my cheek appeared in my field of vision.
(...A puppy?)
Before I knew it, I was holding a puppy in my arms. No, maybe it was a wolf. Its ears were perked up and its big eyes were staring up at me.
The small body that was easy to hold was warm, and its pure white fur was fluffy. At first glance, it looked like a puppy, but there was one clear difference from the "puppy" I knew.
That was the beautiful "stone" embedded in its forehead, covered in fluffy fur. The stone was shining blue――similar to Fontapuune-sama's spirit stone.
I gently touched the stone. Then, the puppy let out a happy cry.
"Barrier..."
Marta's murmured words brought me back to my senses. And when I looked at Marta, she was staring ahead in amazement.
I followed Marta's gaze and looked ahead. Then――I saw that a small barrier had been deployed around us, blocking the monsters' approach.
The monsters were confused by the sudden appearance of the barrier and began attacking it under their leader's instructions. In an instant, the puppy in my arms let out a pained cry.
I anxiously checked on the puppy's condition. Next to the puppy, which was whimpering in distress, I saw the cracked spirit stone.
"The spirit stone, it's cracked..."
The completely cracked and discolored spirit stone. The stone that shone beautifully on the puppy's forehead, similar to the spirit stone.
――Could it be, I thought.
(Could this child have been born from Fontapuune-sama's spirit stone...?)
Is such a thing possible? But thinking that way made me somewhat accept the current situation.
Fontapuune-sama's spiritual stone gave birth to this puppy, and this child is now using Fontapuune-sama's power in some form to create a barrier to protect us.
I gaze at the puppy in my arms. Then, it lets out a cry that sounds like "Kyaa!"
"It's no good, there are too many monsters! The barrier won't hold!"
When I look at the barrier at Julius's words, I see that it's been damaged by the monsters' attacks. The puppy in my arms looks like it's in pain, and I can't help but hug it tightly.
Julius readies his weapon again, and Marta deploys a magic circle at our feet. I don't know what she's planning to do, but I'll do whatever it takes to contribute to our battle power, so I prepare my poison.
The cracks in the barrier are getting bigger and bigger. It's going to break soon.
"The barrier will break and cause a massive explosion, okay?!"
Marta looks at me and Julius's faces. Although she's a bit worried about the massive explosion, she knows that our situation is desperate and that we have no choice but to take our enemies down with us, so she gives a big nod.
It's okay. I'm sure Avour-sama is aware of our situation and will send Arnold and Olivelle-san to help us. Thanks to this puppy I'm holding, we've managed to buy some time, so if we can just hold on a bit longer――
A loud noise echoes, and a deep crack forms in the barrier.
"Here we go Three, two, one――"
I lower my hips in sync with Marta's countdown. Julius dashes out. The magic circle at our feet glows. And then――
"Laura――!"
I hear a familiar voice from behind me.
The barrier shatters with a sound, and the monsters are blown away. Julius chases after them, and Marta's magic causes a massive explosion. And then――the young man with golden hair stands before my eyes.
He is, he's the one and only,
"Lukas!"
The Hero-sama of this world.
What perfect timing for him to arrive. As expected of the main protagonist of this world.
――I was thinking to myself, "What a ridiculous situation," and I let out a sigh of relief, feeling like I was about to collapse. But then, a strong arm supported me.
"Sorry I'm late!"
I just shook my head carelessly. Lukas and the others must have been teleported through the narrow gap in time and space, because their hair and clothes were soaked.
"We made it just in time!"
Vake was shouting while swinging his greatsword and slashing monsters one after another. I couldn't help but smile at his reliability. The tension was broken, and the atmosphere became strange.
Suddenly, a gentle hand was placed on my shoulder. When I turned around, I saw Marcedes-san with a calm smile.
"Laura-chan, you did well."
"T-thank you, Marcedes-san."
I didn't do anything. But Marcedes-san's words of praise made me feel like crying.
Lukas said, "I'll leave Laura to you," to Marcedes-san, and then charged into the group of monsters. With his skilled swordsmanship and Hero's power, he was able to defeat the monsters one by one. He was truly a "Hero."
Marcedes-san took my hand, and we waited near The Drinking Water of the Spirits. Now that we had a bit of leeway, I took another look at the puppy sleeping peacefully in my arms.
Earlier, it must have been crying because the monsters were attacking the barrier. The barrier was eventually broken, but the puppy was recovering its strength by sleeping.
I hugged the puppy again, feeling grateful for its help.
――And then, suddenly, a loud noise came from the water source of The Drinking Water of the Spirits, and a person emerged. They must have also come through the narrow gap in time and space, just like Lukas and the others. But, I wondered, was there someone else besides Lukas and the others who had been divided into 2 groups? I turned around in a panic――and saw the person standing there, my eyes wide open.
"Laura, are you okay?!"
"E, Elvira-chan?!"
The beautiful girl with black hair and black eyes――Elvira. She shook her wet hair with a flick of her hand, and suddenly unleashed magic. In an instant, a massive explosion blew away all the monsters in the area.
I was left breathless at the overwhelming power. I knew it, but she was indeed a "genius".
As I was rejoicing at the reunion with my reliable friends, I couldn't help but feel bewildered at the sudden reunion. I couldn't help but mutter "How...?"
'Here I am'
The green light orb――Wind Spirit Wentle-sama responded in a cheerful voice.
"Wentle-sama"
I had a hunch, but it was probably because of him, who was supposed to be protecting Elvira in the village. Wentle-sama must have sensed our predicament and Elvira decided to come, I thought.
Next to me, Marcedes-san let out a wry smile, as if he had expected this to happen.
* * *
With Lukas's arrival, followed by Elvira's, and eventually Savila Knight Order and Arnold, we managed to defeat the massive horde of monsters. It was a critical situation, but we managed to overcome it and let out a sigh of relief.
――However, it was still too early to relax. Fontapuune-sama's great tree was likely at its limit. We had to hurry and get the Earth Spirit Likerland-sama to purify the poisoned earth.
As the Knight Order was handling the aftermath, I spotted Lukas and rushed over to him in a panic.
"Luka!"
"Laura, are you okay? I'm glad I made it just in time"
He grasped my hand tightly. Since I was holding a puppy with one hand, I couldn't touch him with both hands, but I also grasped Lukas's hand.
It was clear that he had come to help, but I couldn't help but ask him anyway.
'Um, about Likerland-sama...'
As if responding to my question, a brown light orb suddenly appeared from somewhere. And then "it" sparkled.
'I'm fine, thanks for your help!'
――It's not like that. It's not like "Last Brave" who's a people-pleaser.
I shake my head to clear the difference that flashed in my mind. I don't have time to think about that now.
"Well, well, hurry up and get Fontapuune-sama!"
'Fontapuune is... dead.'
――Fontapuune-sama is dead.
I'm left speechless by Likerland-sama's blunt words, standing frozen in shock.
"That, that can't be... We didn't make it in time."
Even though Lukas and the others helped Likerland-sama, even though many people lent their power... Even though――
My strength starts to drain away, and I feel like I'm going to collapse.
We couldn't get the holy sword. What are we going to do? What can I――
Right before my eyes, which have turned pale, Likerland-sama blinks.
'No, it's not like that... I mean――'
'Fontapuune-sama has completely withered away, and a new water spirit has been born. The one clinging to you now is――'
I hear another Spirit-sama's voice from behind me. When I turn around, I see Arnold standing there, with a red glowing orb――the fire spirit Avour-sama――floating beside him.
"Ah, Arnold-san, and Avour-sama..."
"Are you okay?"
I nod slightly in response to Arnold's brief question.
"Yeah, I'm fine, somehow."
After I nod, Arnold looks at Lukas and smiles slightly.
"You're back, just like that"
"Of course, I am."
Lukas also smiles and nods strongly――and suddenly, I feel a warmth at my feet.
I look down and see that the puppy that was sleeping in my arms earlier is now rubbing its head against my leg.
I remember Likerland-sama and Avour-sama's words from earlier.
Fontapuune-sama is dead. And――a new water spirit has been born. I crouch down on the spot.
The puppy lets out a happy yelp, and the blue stone embedded in its forehead sparkles.
(Is this child... the new water spirit?)
I pick it up, and with the puppy still in my arms, I ask Avour-sama.
"Uh, Avour-sama, so this kid is Fontapuune-sama's next, new water Spirit-sama, right?"
Avour-sama and Likerland-sama nodded in agreement.
――And suddenly, a green light orb flew into my field of vision. Wind Spirit Wentle-sama flew around excitedly.
'That's right! Fontapuune's permission has been broken, so to obtain the holy sword, we need to get new permission from that kid!'
Arnold tried to grab Wentle-sama, who was flying around him, with his hand. However, since the spirit's light didn't have a physical form, it was impossible for humans to grab it.
Furrowing his brow, Arnold asked in a low voice.
"...Wentle, why are you here with Elvira?"
'Laura and the others were in danger, so I thought she'd become a hero!'
Arnold let out a deep sigh and turned around. There, Marcedes-san and Elvira, who was hiding behind her, were peeking at them.
Although it was something he knew, Arnold didn't know that Elvira would come here. As her brother, it was unbearable to think that his beloved sister would cross the perilous boundaries of time and space, and even enter a battlefield surrounded by many monsters. Elvira herself, who wished for this, and Wentle-sama, who lent her a hand, must have had their reasons.
This seems to be a complicated situation between Rocco's sibling――I thought, but my thoughts kept drifting towards the new water Spirit. Although I had a hunch, I was still shocked and bewildered when it was declared that this small kid was Fontapuune-sama's next water Spirit.
(The spirit resembling a beast was also in "Last Brave"... but maybe because it was just born, it really looked like an animal)
The Spirit I knew was completely different.
I stared at it intently. The water Spirit let out a big yawn, looking sleepy.
"Your... permission?"
"Woof."
"It doesn't understand language either..."
I slumped my shoulders in despair. For some reason, the water spirit seemed to have taken a liking to me, but I couldn't understand its intentions. Can I really be forgiven in this state where we can't communicate?
The water spirit licked my cheek with a "Pero" sound, and I let out a surprised cry. It then licked me, and I couldn't help but laugh at the ticklish sensation.
It seemed that Avour-sama had been watching our carefree exchange, and he spoke to me in a slightly amazed tone.
'You can be at ease. You have the permission.'
"Eh?"
Surprised by Avour's words, I turned towards the voice. Then I saw Arnold, who was standing near Avour, with his eyes widened slightly.
Slowly but surely, Avour-sama is approaching me. The water spirit is floating around me, its light orbs bobbing up and down, and it's stretching out its front legs like it's playing with a toy. It's really acting like a puppy!
Avour-sama doesn't even notice the water spirit playing with me, and instead approaches the blue stone embedded in my forehead. And then...
'This stone on its forehead is a Spirit Stone.'
"Eh!"
He explained it to me in simple terms.
I gazed intently at the stone embedded in the water spirit's forehead, and the more I looked, the more it resembled the Spirit Stone of Fontapuune-sama that I had given to Lukas.
―― A new water spirit, and a new Spirit Stone.
All my doubts were dispelled, and instead, I felt bewildered. Could it be true that this puppy was the new water spirit, and the stone on its forehead was a Spirit Stone?
"It seems that this one has given you a permission, who tried to protect its mother."
The water spirit let out a joyful cry of "Woof!" in response to Avour-sama's words, as if in agreement.
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