Chapter 77

After the meal, I put on the knight's equipment under the clothes my mother gave me.

I put on the iron boots and attached the knee pads and thigh guards under my pants. On top, I wore the equipment that protects the chest and torso, including the front plate and front guard. On my shoulders and down, I wore the arm guards and elbow pads.

This is the required equipment for non-combatants in the knight squad. Combatants wear additional equipment such as shoulder guards, chin guards, and gauntlets.

What's amazing is how thin and light it is, allowing it to be worn under clothes. Moreover, its defensive capabilities are outstanding.

It seems to be made of a material called rock steel, jointly developed by the Magic Research Bureau and the Monster Research Bureau, but the details are a mystery.

Furthermore, these pieces of equipment are only issued to the expeditionary forces fighting on the front lines. The mystery deepens.

Putting that aside, with everything prepared, I return to the forest.

Can I really save everyone? I'm worried, but Zara is here. And Sura too. I keep telling myself it will be okay.

Riding the horse for an hour, I arrive near the entrance of the forest. I entrust the horse to the caretaker again and head into the forest.

I touched the contract mark with Amelia. If I strongly wish to know her location, a white, thread-like light will rise. Following this, I will surely reach her.

I don't want to waste any stamina, so I use Sura's holy water.

Silently, I walk through the forest.

I want to reach her before nightfall, but the journey is treacherous.

After walking for about three hours,

"---Ah!"

"Mel, what's wrong?"

"That, a sound like a bell."

---Ring, Ring

The second sound made a small black mist float up.

"I, I am Mel Ririsu. I have come to greet the spirit. I have brought a gift (※river turtle), so please, may I pass?"

I desperately try to speak to the black mist (spirit?) in front of me.

If it attacks with magic, it's over. There's nothing I can do.

---Ring

The black mist turns, turns its back (??) and moves deeper into the forest.

"---Um?"

"Does it mean we should follow?"

At least, I'm relieved it didn't attack.

I follow cautiously.

The vegetation seems different, as if it's a special space. The red fruits on the trees look like jewels, and the leaves look like candy. The trees are dense, but the trunks glow faintly, creating a fantastical atmosphere.

It's a straight path, and after walking for a while, I come to an open area.

"---Amelia!!"

There, bound by vines, are Amelia and the members of the second squad.

Amelia is wrapped up and hanging from a tree branch, while Leislotte is lying on a flat, giant mushroom, bound. Deputy Captain Berry is hanging from a tree with her arms tied behind her back, and Urgas is lying on a large stump, wrapped up like a caterpillar. Gal is entangled with the tree trunk, tightly bound. The captain is hanging upside down with both hands and feet tied. I wonder if the blood circulation is okay. Her face doesn't look bad, though. It's strange.

Everyone looks exhausted. They seem unconscious, and their clothes are tattered, a painful sight. I wonder if they're okay.

"Are you guests?"

"!!"

A point of light gathers, and a large something appears.

"That, that is---!"

The light dissipates, revealing its true form.

"That's not a water-fin crocodile, is it?"

It has a lizard-like body covered in blue scales, a long tail with fins. Its green eyes exude intelligence. It has a dignified presence that makes you want to bow. At a glance, it's clear it's not a monster.

The large water-fin crocodile (??) looks down at us with a composed demeanor.

"I am not a demonic being. I am the Great Spirit, Nero Silwa."

The Great Spirit of water and forest. Perhaps the merchant saw Nero Silwa. That would explain the stories of large creatures and dragons.

"Great, wise, and generous Great Spirit, Nero Silwa, may I ask why you have bound them?"

The answer will change the negotiation. I ask, hoping for the best.

Nero Silwa narrows his eyes and sighs. I thought my question would be ignored---

"To increase my followers."

"Followers...?"

I exchange glances with Zara.

It seems the captain and the others were bound on a whim by the Great Spirit Nero Silwa.

I apologize in my heart for suspecting the Magic Research Bureau of ravaging the forest.

"You, the rabbit girl, are also suitable."

"Ha!?"

Suddenly, vines grow from the ground and bind me. Pulled by the coiling vines, I am dragged to Nero Silwa.

"Mel!!"

"Ahhh!!"

Before I know it, I'm hanging from a low tree. It happened before. At least I'm not hanging upside down this time. No, there's no good or bad about being hung.

This is ridiculous.

No, given the current situation with the captain, Gal, and Deputy Captain Berry captured, my resistance is meaningless.

Vines also attack Zara, but she cuts them with her battle axe.

Zara stomps on the wriggling vines on the ground and glares at Nero Silwa.

"---Stop resisting. This land is under my control. I can grow as many vines as I like."

Zara continuously cuts the vines that keep growing. She seems fine for now, but once her stamina runs out, she'll be captured.

The fatigue I feel each time the vines tighten. Gradually, my consciousness becomes hazy. It's probably absorbing my stamina and magic power.

"You're right, rabbit girl."

"E!?"

Did he read my mind!?

"Again, you're right, rabbit girl!"

I don't want to have a conversation with my inner voice. And I don't like being called a rabbit girl.

Nero Silwa laughs, shaking his shoulders.

"Human thoughts are extremely amusing. I never tire of them."

"Um, you're not trying to kill them, are you...?"

"No. I extract the source of human activity and infuse my power. They become followers. But these ones are stubborn and refuse to accept my power. If left as they are, they will die."

"Ah, that's...!"

As this shocking revelation unfolds, Zara approaches Nero Silwa and raises her battle axe.

"Amazing, to sneak through my vines."

Nero Silwa doesn't dodge Zara's battle axe but takes it with his body.

Clank! It sounds like metal clashing, but there's no sign of damage.

I notice the vines binding me are loosening.

The magic bottle from Sura, hanging from my neck, is heating up.

Perhaps the vines are weak to heat.

The power from the hot water I drank before departure. Sura was running a fever.

Using this power, I might be able to save everyone.

Thanks to Zara distracting him, he doesn't seem to notice us.

I twist my slightly freed body and open the lid of Sura's magic bottle.

"Sura, start with the captain."

Sura extends a tentacle in acknowledgment and leaps. She successfully clings to the captain, who was hanging upside down.

Come on, Sura, you can do it!!

"Huh?"

Nero Silwa glances at me. In that instant, I become calm.

"Right, handsome man. If you become a follower, I'll give you a special privilege."

He's talking about Zara. Unlike 'rabbit girl,' it's an accurate description.

Nero Silwa taps the ground with his foot, and a magic circle appears. Zara steps back. A thin tree grows from the magic circle, bearing a fruit similar to a forest apple.

"This fruit has the power to make the recipient fall in love. Do you want it?"

"What?"

Zara asks in a low voice I've never heard before.

"Do you have a loved one?"

"I don't need it. I'll make her love me through effort, not this!"

She declares, and the magic axe Luxuria glows.

A magic circle appears, and when Zara takes a step, a crack forms in the ground.

"What!?"

The shaking ground, the splitting earth.

The power of the magic axe Luxuria is immense. Losing his balance, Nero Silwa falls to the ground.

Zara first cuts down the forest apple tree, then quickly approaches Nero Silwa and thrusts her battle axe into his mouth, the only part not covered by scales. She tells him that if he moves, she'll change the angle and tear his mouth.

"---So, what will you do?"

"Oooh..."

The next moment, a heavy thud is heard.

The captain is freed from the vines.

"Ow... Damn, that hurts."

Surprisingly, the captain wakes up quickly.

He stands up immediately, looks around, and seems to grasp the situation.

He draws his sword---

"Die, you!"

He attacks Nero Silwa.

"Zara, get back, I'm going to kill this thing!!"

"Wait, captain, it's a spirit."

"It doesn't matter, I'll kill it!! It's saying whatever it wants!!"

There must have been a lot that happened before they were bound. I can understand his feelings. ...Is this it? Like Urgas, should I shout, "The captain is losing it!!"? But I don't have the energy.

"Um..."

In the midst of the violence, I make a suggestion.

"I have a suitable gift for a follower."

"Hmm?"

Everyone is freed from the vines.

◇◇◇

"Quack! Quack!"

Amelia, regaining consciousness, clings to me with all her might.

She's cute, but her affection is strong. But it's good to see her energetic.

Leislotte, having had a lot of her magic power drained, is still dazed.

Deputy Captain Berry, supporting Leislotte, also looks unwell.

Urgas is in a similar state, so I lend him my magic wand, Gra, to use as a cane.

Gal stands calmly, but her tail hangs limply.

Sura seems happy to be reunited with Gal.

Seeing everyone's condition, I wonder why the captain, upon being freed, immediately shouted "Kill!!" and attacked Nero Silwa. Well, in a way, it's a bandit's strength.

I offer the river turtle made by my magic wand, Gra, to the Great Spirit Nero Silwa.

I take it out of the leather bag and place it on the ground, and it waddles towards Nero Silwa.

"I see. A river creature. Good, good, come closer."

It seems Nero Silwa likes the river turtle. That's good, that's good.

All our belongings are returned. Even the ingredients we dropped at the cliff were recovered by the black mist spirit.

I'm most relieved to have the pot back.

Satisfied with his new follower, Nero Silwa leaves with a word of apology.

It's over. Finally, it's over.

I want to go home, but I'm hungry and weak...

First, I give fruit to Amelia.

She had been carrying her bag the whole time.

Seeing her happily eat, tears well up in my eyes.

Next, I prepare our meal.

"Urgas, can I borrow that cane for a moment?"

I hold the returned magic wand, Gra, and a magic circle appears.

"Wow, Ririsu medic, what is that?"

"It's the power of the magic wand, Gra. It can create ingredients."

"Wow, that's amazing!"

"It can only create river turtles, though."

"Ah, right..."

I don't want to eat river turtles anymore, but it's the perfect ingredient to quickly restore everyone's strength.

I choose three river turtles and start cooking.

Sura provides the water for cooking, and everyone is surprised by the hidden ability.

I create about three river turtles. This time, they are not alive, which is a bit odd. But it's fine. I clean and disassemble them mindlessly and start cooking.

First, I sprinkle and rub spices on the river turtle meat to remove the odor.

I coat the surface with flour and fry it in a small amount of oil.

The fried river turtle is complete.

"Please, eat. It will make you feel better."

The river turtles contain my magic power, so they should improve your condition.

Everyone seems to have no appetite and doesn't reach for the plates.

"Then, I'll try it."

Zara is going to taste it.

I suggest squeezing citrus juice on it, as Sura suggests.

"It's... delicious."

Zara mutters.

The fried river turtle meat has a taste between fish and chicken. My grandfather used to make it as a snack with his sake.

"The coating is crispy, and the meat is juicy with no odor at all."

Zara gives it a thumbs up.

Hearing her comment, Urgas reaches for the food.

"Wow, it's really delicious!"

Encouraged by Urgas's words, the others start eating.

Seeing their faces improve, I feel relieved.

Finally, while everyone is eating the fried river turtles, I secretly bring out a dish I prepared.

"Ririsu medic, what is this?"

Urgas points at the chocolate-colored object and asks innocently.

"It's a blood pudding."

"Eh?"

"Made from the blood of the river turtle."

I used the living blood of the river turtle, mixed it with flour and spices, and baked it into a solid form. I remembered Zara's story about eating animal blood and decided to try it.

Urgas cries out in disgust.

Not wanting to be a picky eater, I specially feed it to him.

"Ugh... Ah, it's a little delicious..."

He was resistant, but he became calm after eating the blood pudding.

The blood of the river turtle is surprisingly mild and refreshing. It's nutritious, so I want everyone to eat it properly.

The captain also refused to eat it, but I forced him.

Leislotte, lacking the energy to resist, ate it when I brought it to her mouth.

The obedient Deputy Captain Berry, Gal, and Zara eat it calmly.

After the meal, we rest for a while.

We share our experiences.

The captain and the others were easily bound by the spirit's magic.

"Zara, what happened to your hair?"

"A change of mood."

"I see."

The captain doesn't press further and praises Zara.

"You must have had a tough time too."

"Yes, a lot happened, indeed."

Zara smiles, but her eyes don't.

"I have a place I want to visit on the way back."

I ask the captain to accompany me.