Volume 2 Chapter 7 the Problem Is Not Just One
After thoroughly checking for any physical or magical traps, I collected the orb from the cult's altar and brought the two of them to meet up with Minori's group.
As soon as I removed the orb from its pedestal, the entire area's magical power vanished, indicating that there was some sort of power in that pedestal.
I didn't collect the pedestal because it was quite heavy.
I hope taking out the orb neutralized it.
"...That's what I mean, both of you."
"Got it, that was a cult altar, huh?"
"Suzu's group found 2 altars too. They've already collected the orbs."
Minori and Suzu's gaze naturally turned to Lene after hearing my explanation.
The peculiar elf turned away from them, biting her lip.
It's a relief that my sisters are sensitive enough not to pry into the matter.
"The weirdly designed pedestal is a magic-originated item, so it should be fine to leave it. But just in case, I had Sis Minori destroy the ones we found here."
"Indeed, if leaving the orb and pedestal makes them inoperable, then we can breathe easy."
Suzu's explanation reassured me that my judgment wasn't wrong.
That orb and pedestal are a set, and they need to be connected to other locations for the spell to activate.
If two of them are no longer usable, it means the barrier can't be reestablished.
"So, the issue is why these mechanisms were set up in the first place. What was the purpose of the person who did this?"
"Yeah, and what about the Sedum fruit? I'm curious about its connection too."
Oh right, that's it.
Good catch, Minori. It's possible that the barrier was promoting the growth of that fruit.
"So, should we check out the village's fields for a bit?"
"Hmm, we've been chased away, after all... I might be able to go, but I think it'd be tough for Mr. Ryuuji and the others, right?"
"Yeah, that's true."
I'm left scratching my head at Bell's point.
We've been looked at with suspicion from the start.
If we try to barge in again, they might just attack us with a hoe or something.
As Minori, Bell, and I were pondering this, I felt a tug at my sleeve.
It was Suzu.
"Big Bro Ryuuji, I think we need to head towards the village."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
Suzu usually doesn't say much, so her cryptic words caught my attention.
I wondered if there were phenomena only a skilled magician could perceive.
"I've removed the barrier, but I can sense a strange Magic Power coming from the village that I usually don't feel. I think there's something there."
It seems the issue wasn't just with the barrier after all.
* * *
After that, using Lene's spirit magic, we were moving through the village, keeping our presence hidden.
If we don't get caught, we won't be chased away.
Our first destination was the fields.
I wondered if breaking the barrier had changed anything.
"...It doesn't look like there are any changes to the Sedum fruits."
"Well, it wouldn't change immediately. That's to be expected."
I felt a bit bad for Bell, but magic isn't that all-powerful, and the same likely goes for dark arts.
The effects from the magic stones blessed by the gods, called "gifts," are a different story, though.
"So, Suzu, where exactly is that leaking Magic Power coming from?"
"Hmm. I'll show you. It's over that way."
We followed Suzu at our own pace.
Even though she's hiding with spirit magic, we have to be careful not to make a sound when we pass by villagers.
Our footsteps could give us away.
We eventually reached a large house.
".....The village head's house, huh..."
The village head's house, that suspicious figure's leader.
Things are starting to connect.
"So, what do we do? The inhabitants seem to be gone. Should we just politely ask the village head if we can investigate?"
"There's no way that'll work."
I got glared at by Minori.
Just kidding, just kidding.
Even so, it feels a little awkward to just barge in without asking the master first.
"Hey, Lene!?"
While we were discussing this, Lene just walked straight into the grounds without a care in the world.
I was so surprised that I blurted out.
I quickly covered my mouth.
Lene, on the other hand, looked at me with a serious expression from inside the grounds.
Since she's the only one who can use spirit magic to hide, it would be very troublesome if she went in alone.
"...Probably, I think... "
Lene shifted her gaze to a particular building, looking like it was emanating magic power, and spoke.
The expression on her face as she stared at whatever was inside seemed to have a hint of determination.
"That source of magic power, I think it's a shrine for the Evil God Abnella. ...And based on my experience, I have a good idea of what it's for."
"...You know the purpose?"
Lene nodded firmly in response to my question.
"Most likely, they're gathering life force within the barrier... to offer it to the Evil God Abnella."
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