Volume 2 Chapter 6 Once Again, That Shadow Appeared Before Us
After returning to a spot a little ways from the village, we decided to split into 2 groups to investigate the area around the village.
The plan was to detect Magic Power and find its source.
Lene, Belle, and I are exploring the eastern and southern sides of the village.
Minori and Suzu are covering the west and north sides.
We're asking Lene and Suzu to handle the Magic Power detection.
"I'm really sorry... The villagers are a bit off because of the famine..."
"A famine, huh..."
Belle sighed deeply, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease.
The painful welcome we received from the villagers earlier didn't seem to reflect a state of suffering from famine at all.
In fact, the way they were calling us to leave showed they were lively enough.
"Have the village crops, aside from that fruit, been stunted since spring?"
"...At least by summer, they were in that state. I'm not sure about spring..."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
I thought a villager would have a clear understanding, but Belle seemed somewhat hesitant.
It seemed like she had some circumstances of her own.
"...Actually, I'm a drifter who's been taken care of since this summer. I was rescued after getting injured in the forest east of the village."
"I see..."
Well, she's the only cat person (lynx) among humans.
I could guess she was a drifter.
However, from the way the village head and the villagers acted, it looked like Belle was being mistreated.
When I asked her about it, she gave a wry smile.
"I'm just no good at anything. I have some experience with hunting back in my hometown, but when it comes to detailed tasks... Well, because of my injury, I can't hunt or farm, and I'm too clumsy to do any kind of home-based work. It's no wonder I'm looked down upon with all these shortcomings."
"...I see."
So, she can't farm because of her injury, and she's too clumsy for home-based work.
But──
"Hey, Belle──"
"...I found it."
Just as I was about to say something, Lene suddenly raised her voice, seemingly having pinpointed the source of the magic power.
She was pointing at a specific spot with the tip of her staff.
There stood a massive tree with a trunk diameter about as tall as I am.
You don't come across trees this big very often.
"What is this..."
As I got closer to the giant tree, I realized something.
Something was magically disguised.
"Is there something wrong with this tree?"
Belle, being unfamiliar with magic, didn't seem to notice.
But Lene and I, as budding magicians, could tell.
"Mr. Ryuuji, can you dispel this?"
"Suzu could probably do it in an instant, but it's beyond my magic. Still, I'll figure something out, so just hang tight."
I rummaged through my magic bag and pulled out a magic stone.
This should work well enough.
"Mr. Ryuuji, what kind of magic stone is that?"
"It's the 'Magic Stone of Dispelling.' It works on this kind of seal too."
"Wow..."
I had shown Lene this once when Princess requested it, but it's hard to tell what kind of magic stone it is just by looking at it.
I've attached a tag with the magic power, but that's something only I can understand.
"As expected of an enchanter..."
"Oh, what's this? You're interested in Enchant Magic, huh? Wanna give it a try?"
"Haha, I'm too clumsy for that. No way I could manage it."
I tried inviting Belle, who seemed to pique, but she turned me down without much enthusiasm.
It seems like she's undermining her own abilities and is scared to take on any challenges.
The determination she showed at the merchant guild in Sartzstadt will surely become her strength.
"Mr. Ryuuji, what's wrong?"
"...Never mind. Let's activate it. Lene, be on guard just in case."
"Understood."
Lene peered curiously at me while I was deep in thought.
I asked her to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, and after confirming that she was ready with her staff, I infused the〈Magic Stone of Dispelling〉with Magic Power.
"Oh, oh?"
Belle exclaimed in surprise at the sight before her.
The power of the〈Magic Stone of Dispelling〉revealed the hidden hollow of a giant tree, gradually uncovering its form.
"What is this...?"
After ensuring there was no danger, Lene spoke up in confusion.
Inside the hollow was a small, simple table.
On top of it was a golden orb placed on an intricately designed pedestal.
"...Clearly, it's a magic altar. It's too eerie."
The orb alone was unsettling just to look at, and it seemed to be radiating Magic Power towards the village.
No, it's not just radiating.
There are other places where orbs are placed, and it seems they are surrounding the village, exerting some kind of influence on it.
"I don't know who did this or why, but could this thing be the cause of the famine...?"
"Whoa, really!?"
For safety's sake, Belle was staying back and I made her hold back.
She was about to excitedly check the orb, but I stopped her because it was dangerous.
The enchantment was lifted, but we still don't know what kind of trap there might be.
"No, it's just speculation, but this is too suspicious, right? What do you think, Lene?"
I sighed at Belle's obliviousness and turned to Lene for agreement.
"........."
"...Lene?"
Despite my call, Lene was staring blankly, her face frozen.
"...Mr. Ryuuji, this...this is an altar of the Evil God."
"Huh!?"
At Lene's unexpected words, I blurted out a startled cry.
An altar of the Evil God!?
"Evil God? You mean Evil God Abnella!? Why is something like that in this village!"
"...I don't know, but... but Belle, the carvings on this pedestal are from a cult. I recognize them."
Lene spoke with a strained voice to the shocked Belle, and without realizing it, I focused my gaze on the pedestal.
I can't judge for sure if this is from a cult, but it does give off a sinister vibe.
But... assuming this altar is from a cult──
"Hey, Lene. Why do you know that?"
The question slipped out of my mouth naturally.
The fact that Lene knows this altar worships the Evil God means she must have had dealings with a Dark Mage in the past.
"........."
But Lene remained silent, her head bowed.
Her expression was as if she was afraid to recall a painful memory.
What happened in her past?
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