Chapter 139 Monster Subjugation, And...
――With the strengthened The Drinking Water of the Spirits, likely empowered by the new water spirit, I generated an enhanced prototype product. Holding that, I revisited Flaria's forest.
"First, we should follow the roots and get very close to the monster."
'There are multiple... let's start with this one.'
Everyone agreed with Vake's words, and with Likerland's guidance, we moved through the forest.
The procedure was to use Likerland's power to deploy the prototype product underground and above ground. If we could defeat it, that would be the best, but there was a high possibility of failing to capture it. Considering that possibility, we prepared to attack with our maximum battle power.
With Julius and the other Hero party members, including Marcedes-san, who was our assistant, and Wentle-sama, who had brought Elvira, who couldn't be left behind at the inn, we had a formidable team. If we had excellent magicians, we could attack from the outside even if the prototype product couldn't break the barrier.
"Mel, El, can I count on you if things go wrong?"
"Yeah!"
"Alright, leave it to me."
Arnold, who was still hesitant about involving his sister, finally gave in to Elvira's strong hopes. With Elvira, full of enthusiasm, and reliable Marcedes-san, I handed the prototype product to Likerland, who had transformed into a male.
"Please... take care of this."
'Yeah.'
Likerland took the container from me and crouched down, touching the ground with one hand. In an instant, a large magic circle appeared at his feet. The light emitted from the magic circle spread throughout the forest, and Likerland poured the prototype product onto the ground.
Whoosh! A gust of wind blew out from the magic circle. I was pulled back by Lukas to the safest position.
From a distance, I gazed at Likerland's figure. ――A crack appeared in the scenery behind his shoulder.
It was a crack in the barrier
"I see it!"
Lukas shouted. In an instant, Arnold, Marcedes-san, and Elvira used magic to distort and attack the gap in the barrier.
With Lukerland's power and Arnold's strong magic, the gap in the space continued to expand. As the gap grew, we could catch a glimpse of what was inside the barrier.
Inside the barrier were several mid-sized, man-eating flower-like monsters. Each of them seemed to be affected by the prototype product, and the flowers were wilting as if they were about to wither away.
Then, there were 2 humanoid monsters, likely the ones that had set up the barrier. Thanks to the prototype product's power, which was transmitted through the magic array, the monsters were injured and the barrier had cracks.
The humanoid monsters were desperately resisting Arnold's magic with a look of desperation. However, we had a 3-to-2 advantage, and our side had magic elites. The speed at which the gap was expanding was getting faster and faster, and then ―― with a sound like shattering glass ―― the barrier collapsed.
"Now's our chance!"
"El, fall back!"
With Vake's signal, Lukas and Julius's vanguard unit charged in all at once. Arnold sent his sister to fall back, then switched to providing magic support from the rear.
In no time at all, the battle was decided. The plant-type monsters were almost dead due to the prototype product's influence, and the humanoid monsters that had set up the barrier were strong, but they couldn't withstand Lukas's team's coordination.
"Woof, woof!"
"You seem to be having fun..."
As for me, I was just watching from the rear, protected by Marcedes-san and Marta, but the water spirit in my arm was barking excitedly. Seeing its wagging tail, it looked like it was having a blast.
"It's happy because we defeated the monsters that were polluting its land, right?"
Elvira, who had fallen back after breaking the barrier, called out to me. Her words made me think, "Yeah, that's true."
As I soothe the water spirit in my arms, which is rejoicing wildly, I recall Elvira's magic from earlier. Although it's from a layman's perspective, it seemed like she possessed magic powers comparable to Arnold's and Marcedes-san's.
"That magic of Elvira-chan earlier was amazing!"
"It's because I trained with Wentle!"
Elvira proudly puffs out her chest, looking delighted. She must have been determined to help her brothers and honed her magic skills. I can understand Arnold's concerns, but perhaps her talent will become a powerful asset for the Heroes in the future――
After that, we found several monster "nests." rooted in the forest and hunted them down. Although it was repetitive work, we got used to it, and it didn't take long to destroy one nest. We started the monster hunt in the morning, and by evening, we had made significant progress.
"Are there any other monster roots?"
'Ah, I don't know. But it's better to ask Fontapuune's child, who's a spirit of this land, rather than me.'
Likerland-sama looks at the water spirit in my arms. The water spirit seems tired, letting out a yawn.
"...I guess we can't communicate through words."
Lukas gives a wry smile and pats the water spirit's head. The spirit responds with a gentle purr sound, like a cat. Although it looks like a puppy, what kind of creature is it, anyway? ――Ah, it's a spirit, of course.
"Are there any more monsters attacking your forest?"
"Woof!"
When I ask, I receive a satisfied-sounding cry in response. Can I take this cry as a "yes"?
"...Since it looks happy, I feel relieved too."
I nod in agreement with Diona's words, tinged with a wry smile. At least for now, there are no monsters rooted in the ground, spreading toxins. Even if there are monsters hiding within the barrier, it's not like they'll cause trouble immediately.
Arnold folds his arms, his face still somewhat uneasy.
"Even if there are still monsters left, we've figured out a countermeasure. Let's consider this a milestone achieved."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and the commotion surrounding the water spirit, Fontapuune, came to a close. They all patted each other on the back, saying "Good job, good job!" ―― and naturally, the conversation shifted to what's next.
The first to speak up was Vake, the eldest.
"What's the plan from here on out?"
"I've heard that the next spirit, Platonovena, lives nearby..."
"Are we taking the girl with us or not?"
Vake cut to the heart of the matter, something everyone was thinking about. All eyes turned to me, and to the water spirit in my arms.
With my combat abilities, I'd only be a hindrance. It would be better to leave me in the village of Rustu's people, where I've been protected so far ―― but the problem was the spirit stone, the proof of the spirit's permission, which was essential to obtain the holy sword.
According to Avour, the new water spirit had given its permission to me.
"Fontapuune's spirit stone was broken, and a new water Spirit-sama was born. And the permission of that spirit was granted to Laura."
Diona explained the situation in a slow, deliberate tone.
Her slender, beautiful fingers touched the stone embedded in the water spirit's forehead. In an instant, the water spirit let out a short, displeased cry and buried its face in my chest. It seemed it didn't like being touched on the spirit stone.
"As long as this stone embedded in its forehead is a spirit stone, we have no choice but to take this child to the holy land. And... since the human who received permission is Laura, we can't not take her to the holy land, can we?"
Wentle-sama's energetic voice responded to Diona's question with a resounding 'Of course!'
'The spirit stone only responds to the human who received permission If anyone could use the spirit stone, the concept of "permission" would be meaningless! I absolutely refuse to let thieves use it!'
The green, glowing orb bobbed up and down in anger. Wentle-sama's explanation of the spirit stone had everyone nodding in agreement, while also looking puzzled.
To safely obtain the holy sword, both I and the newly born water spirit had to reach the holy land without incident.
Arnold approached me, and then gazed intently at the water spirit in my arms.
"I think the demon king, who's been attacking and sealing spirits, knows how to obtain the holy sword. There's a high chance he's aware of the newly born water spirit's existence. If that's the case... he might target this young spirit, who can't even defend itself yet."
That was a very plausible story. The demon king, who failed to defeat Fontapuune, might target the newly born water spirit this time. If this child falls into the demon king's hands, obtaining the holy sword will become even more distant.
"So, it's decided then ―― we'll take the water spirit with us, yeah~."
Whoa, Marta snatched the water spirit from my arms and hugged it ―― and in that instant, the puppy-like spirit started flailing about. "Woof!" Marta panicked, and the spirit escaped from her arms, rubbing its head against my foot.
"It's really taken a liking to you, hasn't it? If we leave it alone, it might sneak back to Laura's place. That'd be dangerous, wouldn't it? It might get caught by a monster on its way back to Laura's place~."
Marta gazed at the water spirit frolicking at my feet, saying this. Vake chimed in without hesitation.
"That's a possibility, but taking the young lady with us is also risky, of course."
My friends all fell silent.
Should we take the risk of separating the water spirit from me, who's grown attached to it, or take the risk of bringing me, who's useless in battle, along?
I couldn't say anything. Either way, my existence would become a hindrance to the Hero's party. I couldn't help but feel resentful, wondering why I was the one who got the water spirit's permission.
"What do we do, Lukas?"
Vake's question to Lukas broke the silence.
Lukas was looking down. Everyone was staring at him. I, too, was gazing intently at my childhood friend, who was looking down ―― and when he lifted his face, our eyes met.
His straight, blue eyes pierced through me. He kept gazing at me, slowly opening his mouth.
"Now that Laura has obtained the permission of the water spirit, she might be targeted by the demon king as a key to obtaining the holy sword."
――So, it's unclear how much the demon king knows about the method to obtain the holy sword, but if he has detailed information, I might be targeted as well. If I were to lose my life, it would become difficult to obtain the holy sword.
Lukas slowly approaches me. He stretches out his hand and says.
"Laura, let's go together. I'll protect you."
The hand he's offering has many scars. His blue eyes, which are looking at me, are strong and full of life.
――I'd just be a burden. That's for sure. But...
I slowly take his hand. And then,
"...yeah."
I nod slightly. Lukas smiles, looking happy, and his eyes sparkle.
For a few seconds, I gaze into his blue eyes――Whoa, I snap back to reality at the soft cry of water spirit. When I look down, I see the water spirit looking up at me from my feet, our eyes meeting. Its eyes seem to be pleading, "Please pick me up."
I chuckle and pick up the warm, puppy-like body of the water spirit. Then, it licks my cheek with a sloppy sound.
"Well, that's probably for the best. Now... who else will go with us?"
Vake looks around us. Then, Arnold takes a step forward.
"Elvira and Marcedes can be protected in the village of Rustu's people, just like before."
Arnold calls out to Diona. She nods without hesitation.
"Yes, of course."
"Eh! But I've gotten stronger!"
Elvira raises her voice in dissatisfaction beside him. She still wants to join the journey, it seems.
Marcedes-san places a hand on Elvira's shoulder to calm her down.
"Elvira, let's behave and listen for now."
Elvira immediately closes her mouth at Marcedes-san's words. She doesn't want to cause trouble for her brother and his friends, either.
Elvira walks up to her brother's side, tugs on the hem of his clothes, and looks up at him with a hesitant expression.
"Am I a burden?"
Arnold immediately shook his head. Then, he knelt down and matched gazes with Elvira, speaking in a slower tone than usual.
"No, that's not it. Your magic power's strength has already been proven in this incident. I'm counting on you... But next, we're heading to Snow Country. It's tough to bring you along, considering your small body."
Arnold's concern was understandable. In reality, Platonovena's climate was quite harsh for little Elvira.
It wasn't that he was refusing to let her join the journey due to her lack of strength, but rather, he was worried about her safety, and Elvira's dissatisfied expression slightly softened. However, she still didn't seem convinced, and her cheeks were slightly puffed up.
Arnold gently patted Elvira's head after a few seconds.
"Will you lend me your power again?"
"...Yeah!"
This time, Elvira floated a smile on her face and gave a big nod.
Satisfied, Elvira left her brother's side and ran towards Marcedes-san's place. After watching the brother-sister exchange filled with love, Vake turned his gaze towards a young man standing a little distance away ―― Julius.
He had joined the strategy session after entering Fontapuune-sama's barrier, and it seemed he would officially become a party member.
"And... Julius, what about you? Are you coming with us?"
"Yeah! I'm coming along!"
"Really? Are you sure you're coming with us~?"
Julius nodded big, as if it was only natural, and Marta reacted first. She didn't seem too happy about it.
Julius glared at Marta with a scowl.
"What's wrong, Marta? Is it bad if I come along?"
"It's not that... But inviting a stranger on a journey without knowing them is just..."
Marta leaned in close to Vake, asking "Is that okay?" Then, Vake gently tapped her head. His hand was very gentle, and it was more like he patted her head than tapped it.
"You were probably like that too, but since we've already gotten to this point, it's better to have him as an ally, don't you think?"
"What do you mean by 'better'?"
"I mean, I'll keep an eye on him so he doesn't go blabbing to someone else."
"Ahh, I see what you mean~."
Marta seemed to accept Vake's words, and from then on, she didn't express any more dissatisfaction with Julius joining the group.
But Julius, who had been suddenly accepted, let out a deep sigh, as if he was annoyed by their reaction. His exaggerated sigh looked a bit like an act.
"What's with you guys, don't you trust me?"
"It's not that we don't trust you, it's just that this journey is dangerous, that's all!"
Marta and Julius started arguing again. The 2 of them, who had been so enjoyable to watch in "Last Brave." with their lively and rhythmic conversations, now seemed like they didn't get along at all.
Lukas, standing next to them, let out a small sigh, and then intervened between the two.
"Anyway... Nice to meet you again, Julius."
Lukas held out his right hand to Julius. Julius took it with a smile.
"Ah, nice to meet you too, Lukas."
――The party members had finally been decided.
Hero Lukas, Diona from Rustu, magician and alchemist Arnold, Knight Order leader Vake, treasure hunter Marta, newly joined bodyguard Julius, and... me. I never thought things would turn out like this.
It still didn't feel real that I was joining the Hero's journey. But the warmth in my arms and the water spirit peeking out from my chest seemed to be telling me that this wasn't a dream.
"We'll set off the day after tomorrow. Make sure to pack your things by tomorrow."
The party members nodded at Vake's words and dispersed.
――Now that it's been decided that I'll be going with them, I need to make sure I don't become a burden.
With that in mind, I hurried back to Flaria city with Lukas.
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