Chapter 62 The Healing Spring
――In the depths of the forest lies a spring of bubbling water known as "The Drinking Water of the Spirits."
Legend has it that it can cure any illness, making it a "universal healing item."
Lukas, with unsteady steps, made his way to the spring. Without hesitation, he scooped up some water in his palm and drank it.
"Hey, hey, maybe don't drink it so suddenly...!"
"The pain is fading away..."
Muttering to himself, Lukas pressed his ribs where he must have taken a hard hit when he fell from a cliff. The wounds that a healing potion couldn't fully heal seemed to fade away just by drinking the spring water, if Lukas's words were to be believed.
――There was still no concrete evidence, but perhaps, The Drinking Water of the Spirits could even cure the Self-destruction disease, making it an all-powerful healing potion.
A glimmer of hope suddenly shone through. Determined to take the spring water back, I rummaged through my bag.
(Even if I put it in something to bring it back home, the container is broken... That's right, a water bottle!)
Following Olivelle-san's advice to stay hydrated, I always carried a water bottle during explorations.
Upon checking my bag again, despite some dents from the impact, the water bottle didn't seem to be leaking. I quickly emptied the water inside, and filled the water bottle with the spring water.
At this time, the back of my hand, where the cut was still remaining, touched the surface of the water. For a moment, the affected area became hot, and then the wound healed in an instant. The sensation was similar to drinking a healing potion, and my heart raced with excitement.
Peering into the water bottle, I realized the amount of spirit spring water I had collected was insufficient.
"Such a small amount... What should I do? I can't guarantee I'll find my way back here..."
With just this water bottle, it wouldn't be enough for Elvira's prescription or for synthesis. If I could somehow meet up with Charles-kun, he could mark the location for me.
Lost in thought, Lukas interrupted with a cheerful voice.
"No, I think it's fine."
"Lukas?"
Turning to the voice of my childhood friend, Lukas playfully held a small glowing particle in his hand, which seemed to be floating around. Initially thinking it was an illusion, I noticed several of these particles around us. They even floated around my hand.
Curious about the nature of these particles, I cautiously reached out to touch one. It seemed to respond to my touch, then floated away, flickering near the surface of the spring water as if breathing.
――Could these be...
"...Spirits?"
Lukas nodded in agreement. Memories of past lives flooded my mind, and I tilted my head in confusion.
In the game "Last Brave," spirits were revered by creature in deep forests, caves, or temples in cities. They came in various forms, some humanoid, others resembling cute mascots.
However, the floating particles of light before us were not referred to as spirits in "Last Brave." Speculating that these might be lower-ranking spirits compared to the advanced spirits in the game, I wondered if spirits had a hierarchy.
By the way, spirits were often considered guardian deities of regions, granting heroes a portion of their power.
"It seems so. They're inviting me to come back anytime. They even offer to guide me if I call for them."
Perplexed by my childhood friend's words, I tilted my head in the opposite direction.
The spirits in "Last Brave" were known for their eloquence. Therefore, it wouldn't be surprising if these particles of light could communicate. However...
"I can't hear anything..."
"Really? I can hear the spirits talking... They say Laura is cute."
"Is that so...?"
It seems like Lukas can hear the words of spirits. There seems to be a connection between his left eye crest starting to glow as he gets closer to the spring water. Perhaps the crest reacted not to The Drinking Water of the Spirits, but to the spirits themselves.
"What's up with this eye?"
The spirits still seemed to be enjoying their conversation with Lukas.
In any case, it seems like the spirits have taken quite a liking to my childhood friend. If they are inviting us to come again and promising further guidance, could we leave this place once and still be able to come back?
Lukas, who had been playing with particles of light and smiling, suddenly showed a serious expression.
"Laura, Olivelle-san and the others are looking for us over there. Let's go."
Upon Lukas' words, I quickly stood up.
They must have been very worried about us. We need to meet up with them soon and let them know we are safe.
Guided by numerous particles of light leading my childhood friend, we started walking. Just as we returned to the narrow path through the forest from the open space, we heard voices searching for us. Olivelle-san, Chelsea, Lina-senpai, Charles-kun... They were probably all calling out our names one after another. It was surprising how we had not noticed them before, considering we were only a few steps away. Perhaps the area near the spring water was blocked by a barrier or something.
Setting aside the possibilities that came to mind, Lukas and I ran towards the direction of the voices. That way, we could reunite immediately.
Olivelle-san and the others, who suddenly appeared from beyond the trees, widened their eyes for a moment.
"Laura-chan, Lukas-kun! I'm so glad...!"
"Laura!"
Everyone's relieved expressions softened, and they ran towards us, some even with tears in their eyes. Their cheeks were covered in mud and sweat, showing how desperately they had been searching for us.
After firmly catching Chelsea, who embraced me with considerable force, I spoke.
"We really caused you a lot of worry, I'm sorry. So, um... about the injuries..."
Turning around, I continued speaking.
"We found something like spring water just a little further down this path."
Olivelle-san and the others exchanged glances at my words, showing expressions of not fully understanding the sudden situation.
Lina-senpai was the first to dash forward, followed by Chelsea and Charles-kun, running in the direction I indicated. Following them, we returned to the location of the spring water.
"Wow!"
Chelsea exclaimed in admiration. Lina-senpai immediately knelt down on the ground, scooping up the spring water with her hands and tasting it. Behind her, Charles-kun tentatively touched the surface of the water.
Beside me, Olivelle-san stood, watching the scene. When I glanced at him, he chuckled and said,
"There's no way we would have found it normally. This place is usually hidden by the power of the spirits. A strong barrier is in place. Perhaps the spirits whimsically opened the door to lost travelers with injuries. Just walking around, you would never have found it. Truly a stroke of luck."
I silently agreed with Olivelle-san's words.
I have no talent related to magic, so I am completely weak when it comes to barriers and the like. If Olivelle-san said so, it must be true. I don't know the criteria for inviting people into the barrier, but Tobia-san must have been invited by the spirits as well. The thread shining all the way to the exit - guiding him from the spring water to the exit - must have appeared as a series of particles of light.
Looking at Lukas playing with multiple particles of light, Olivelle-san didn't narrow his eyes but furrowed his brow slightly. Not understanding the intention behind his expression, I tilted my head.
"It seems like the spirits have taken a liking to Lukas-kun. Could it be because of his left eye crest?"
"Do you happen to know about that crest?"
"In an old document, I remember seeing a similar crest. It was definitely... the crest of a family that serves a god. It was uncertain information, unsure if it even truly existed."
――A family that serves a god.
The moment I heard that phrase, an image of a silver-haired girl came to mind. The heroine of 'Last Brave' was said to be from that renowned family.
Olivelle-san looked over at me. As if reading my thoughts, his red eyes gazed down at me.
"Does Laura-chan know about that crest?"
"I don't know anything. But Lukas... he has the power to protect people. When he gained that power, that crest came to mind."
Olivelle-san's knowledge is probably correct. Since the main game didn't delve much into the Hero's crest — there wasn't much deep meaning to the crest, it was merely a symbolic representation that he was chosen at first glance — I'll have to investigate to understand more. Nevertheless, that crest must be something that connects Lukas and the heroine.
Still, judging from Olivelle-san's expression, it seems he doesn't hold favorable feelings towards Lukas' crest. Not necessarily negative feelings, but more like something bothering him, something he questions.
It's understandable that Olivelle-san, in his position, would be wary of anything deviating from the norm. However, finding a way to naturally convey that his wariness is unnecessary proved to be momentarily difficult — I couldn't come up with a good expression. Even so, as Lukas' childhood friend who bears the crest, I spoke up.
"But, no matter what that crest represents, Lukas is still Lukas, my dear childhood friend. Nothing changes."
That was my true sentiment. Even if, hypothetically, 'I' hadn't regained my memories and had similar doubts, Laura Ampère would have answered like this.
For Laura Ampère, Lukas Kamil is a cherished childhood friend. Their relationship isn't shaken by a single unfamiliar crest.
Olivelle-san widened his eyes briefly at my words.
"Yes... that's right. Lukas-kun's kindness must be the manifestation of his power, surely."
He said, softening his expression.
Lukas' kindness manifested as power. That expression was gentle and heartwarming. I nodded vigorously.
"Laura! Come here for a moment!"
Suddenly, Lina-senpai called me over with a serious expression. She had one hand immersed in spring water.
It's probably a story related to 'The Drinking Water of the Spirits,' 100%. There are so many things I want to confirm and try out.
As I started to walk towards Lina-senpai, two faces came to mind. One was Elvira, a patient of the Self-destruction disease. And the other was her brother, Arnold.
I quietly whispered in my mind,
――I might be able to bring back good news.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)