Chapter 53 – Search for Stone Statues….Power

I’m running around the forest this morning.

As for the reason, I found that the dogs in the egg are weakening.

Yesterday, it seemed to be a little more energetic but when I saw it today, it was limp.

I felt a sense of crisis.

Because of that, I started running as fast as I could this morning to gather stones that contain power that should be hidden in the remaining statues.

When I searched for divine power from above, I found that there were only 3 places left that had the same glow as the stone statue I had broken.

We will not know if all of them have the stone with power but we have no choice but to check them one by one.

However, I feel a little daunted the moment I examine them.

Why are the shining places so far away from each other?

I felt a bit discouraged. How am I supposed to gather from all those places in one day?

However, when I saw the dog in the crib, I felt that I needed to hurry.

I had no choice but to do it.

What worries me is whether I have the strength to do it.

And even if there is, will it be enough?

I think the power of the first crushed stone statue was enough to make the dog better.

And there are three of them left.

However….what if they are not enough?

「I guess I have no choice but to try.」

Let’s go to the second one.

A monster core is flying a little ahead of us.

I imagine divine power and stone statues and cast search magic.

I was a little nervous about whether it would work or not but it seems like I’ve succeeded.

We could see the second stone statue a little bit ahead.

But still, a stone statue in the forest.

It’s kind of eerie, isn’t it?

And this stone statue is so beautiful.

Normally, if it were in the forest, it would be exposed to wind and rain and would gradually become dirty.

Aside from that, it should be crawled by vines or other plants.

And yet, there is no such thing in this statue.

It stands in the middle of a forest and stays clean as if it was brand new.

「This is weird, isn’t it? Ah, the pose is different.」

This second statue’s pose is different compared to the first one I crushed.

Is there a meaning to it?

The first stone statue had its hands raised above its head and its face looking upward too.

This stone statue in front of me has its right hand raised above its head and its left hand is on its chest.

And it’s facing forward.

The face is expressionless.

Someone, I find it scary.

「Shatter!」

I can’t get what I want just by looking at it so I have to mercilessly crush it.

I’m not the type who admires stone statues.

Even if I did, I wouldn’t like this stone statue.

The sound of cracking echoes through the forest and the stone statue is shattering fast.

Somehow, I feel refreshed when I see it break.

Perhaps my personality has deteriorated.

…..well, I’m not good in the first place, am I?

Now, I need to find the stone with power as soon as possible.

There are still two left.

「Stone, stone」

I’m looking for the stone with power while avoiding the remnants of the stone statue.

The color of the stone with power was different from that of the statue so I thought I would be able to find it immediately.

Hmmm, ah, the color is different.

Among the wreckage is a bright red stone.

I found it under the wreckage.

I picked it up and checked it out.

The color is so vivid that I feel a sense of dread.

「I think this stone has more power compared to the one I found yesterday.」

The moment I pick it up, I can feel the power coming from it.

It gives off the sensation that it has more power compared to the stone yesterday.

Perhaps it really does.

「Alright! I got the first one! Let’s move on.」

I call out to Light Blue, Ai, and the others who have accompanied me today.

This time, we will be traveling further.

I have to do my best….

But still, I’m really glad that my current body should be able to handle it.

I resumed my search using the monster core that I had stopped.

After going around in circle, it stops moving and suddenly flies off in a certain direction.

It’s relentlessly fast from the start.

I put all my strength into my legs and follow the monster core.

There are many fallen trees in the forest and the foothold at some places is terrible.

All I had to do was run but it required a lot of concentration.

While running, I casted my healing magic a number of times.

Then, fatigue disappears and I can continue to run at full speed.

Repeating this process, I found the second stone statue on the same day.

This time, its left hand is raised above its head and its right arm is at its chest.

The face is still expressionless but looking down.

Perhaps it really has meaning.

「Shatter!」

I honestly feel like there is a meaning to the pose but I don’t really care about it at this point.

Don’t know, don’t care.

Just crush it and be done with it.

「Areh? Its cracking sound is a little different compared to the previous statue…」

When the stone statue began to crack, the sound echoed through the forest and I felt there was something strange about the sound.

The sound was less resonant compared to before.

Was this an omen that something was about to happen?

Worried, I scan the surroundings with caution.

Meanwhile, the stone statue is cracking and cracking more until it falls.

I looked around for a while but there was no sign of anything happening.

Maybe the different environment in the forest made it harder for the sound to resonate.

「Now, stone stone」

Maybe this one has a different color too.

I search for the stone while avoiding the remnants of the stone statue.

It’s not easy to find.

「Could it be that there’s nothing here?」

As I moved most of the remnants of the stone statue away, I felt a faint sense of power.

I continued my search while relying on the feeling.

「There it is….but…..」

I removed the stone from the wreckage.

It is much smaller than the other two stones I have found so far.

Moreover, it feels that there’s only a trace amount of power left.

Well, it can’t be helped.

I was prepared for this.

In any case, this is the second one I got today.

Let’s look forward to the last one.

But the last place is quite far away.

I guess I have to run harder.

「Light Blue is flying so it should be okay. How about Ai and the others?」

Light Blue is flying so there shouldn’t be any problem as far as fatigue is concerned.

However, Ai and the others have been running without break.

I looked at them to see if they were tired but their expressions were the same as usual and I couldn’t even see a hint of fatigue.

Is it my imagination or am I the only one who’s getting tired?

「I somehow feel like a sore loser. Alright, let’s go to the last place.」

Once again, I casted the search magic on the monster core and followed it.

After many heals, it seems to have become a little harder to get rid of fatigue.

The fatigue in my legs can longer get rid off by heal.

Ah, three places in one day was reckless, wasn’t it?

I’m so weak.

「H-hang in there, legs. Heal!」

The fatigue quickly disappears but my legs are somewhat heavy.

I recovered but that’s it.

I think this will be the last time it will work this day.

I can only rely on my own guts now!

The flying Light Blue comes into my view.

I’m envious.

However, it can’t be helped.

I can only sigh.

Since this morning, my new power has been a little out of control.

The fever, which usually settles down, has not calmed down even now.

If that was all, there shouldn’t be any problem but when I feel others’ power closer, my fever rises.

I noticed it in the morning when I met Koa and the others in the living room.

The moment I entered the living room, I felt like my temperature doubled.

I knew it was bad so I immediately went out to the wood deck and put several layers of barrier around myself.

For now, it’s just a small outburst so there shouldn't be any problem………

Because of this, I refrain from anything that involves prolonged physical contact.

Honestly speaking, I’d love to get on top of Light Blue and relax.

But I can’t.

It’s time to start thinking about it seriously.

God doesn’t seem to be coming either.

I can only sigh.

Let’s tackle that problem after I give the dog monster more power.