Chapter 92

The bookmarks exceeded 1,000! I wondered what had happened, but thank you for the evaluations and bookmarks for my clumsy story.

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In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

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"Ah, I just polished it, and now it's covered in blood again..."

"**That's** what you're worried about!?"

The three of them burst out at him.

"Ah, sorry. It's a splatter scene," he cast 'Purification.' I could hear them thinking, "Is that really what you're worried about?" But having faced Bahamut in his full size before, I wasn't particularly surprised by the result.

"Hey, you, your wound is open again! And you're already covered in mud and water."

The true dragon seemed to be in a good mood, but it was clear he wasn't at his best. I cast healing spells until my MP ran out, then drank MP recovery potions and cast more, but it was like pouring water on a burning stone.

"You're strong, I know, but stay still until your wound is fully healed."

I sent him back to 'Azure Dew' with a 'Forced Return,' and this time he returned obediently.

"Kasumi."

Just as Bahamut entered 'Azure Dew' obediently, Galahad put his arm on my shoulder.

"Yes?"

"Hey, let's talk a bit more, shall we?"

The other two also had friendly smiles. I was led to a safe area while registering the teleportation.

"So, is that small dragon the Bahamut?"

"Probably that Bahamut."

Bahamut is quite famous.

"Why did you bring such a thing... Oh, it was Vels, right?"

"Yes, I was suddenly thrown in front of Bahamut and ended up glaring at each other for a while."

It's convenient that it was Vels. I didn't do anything, but it was just Vels.

"Kasumi isn't lying, but you're missing some important details."

Eagle was pressing his forehead, looking serious. Was it my fault?

"Even if I used [Appraisal], it's no wonder I couldn't see the level. I thought it was hidden like Asha's mask, but it was just too high to see."

Camilla also looked a bit tired. Maybe I should cast a healing spell on her?

"He mentioned that the seal is weakening."

"It seems to be weakening overall."

"... Can you tell if the seal on the White Beast is broken?"

"It's completely broken."

The three of them exchanged glances.

"Kasumi, to be honest, we are knights from the Cambria Empire."

Galahad took a deep breath and started speaking seriously.

... I don't know the Cambria Empire, but I can't say I don't know, given the serious atmosphere!

The Cambria Period of the Paleozoic Era, where there were all sorts of strange creatures in the sea. No, it's a place name, right?

But I do know that there are small countries scattered to the east of the magic city, and to the northeast along the Caldmos Mountains, there is an empire. When I asked about Fuso's location, the old man who supplies ingredients warned me that it was quite dangerous and to avoid it. That must be the empire. It's said to rule over twenty-eight countries, big and small.

"Is it the one fighting with Ail over the mountains?"

Beyond the edge of the Caldmos Mountains, the route to Fuso should be within Ail's territory, but when a high-quality gemstone vein was discovered at the edge of the mountain range within Ail's territory, Ail started claiming, "The Caldmos Mountains are our territory!" There are small countries between Ail and the empire, so they aren't direct neighbors.

We haven't explored the range of the teleportation gates yet, so it's not even within our awareness.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"It's a hassle, but we'll avoid getting into the political details. The current empire might be taken over by the 'White Beast.'"

"That's not possible."

I interjected as Galahad continued to speak seriously.

"Yes, even if you say it so firmly. Asha's door to seal the beast has cracks, and a great mage predicted it, and he's usually quite accurate."

"It's not, it's not."

I shook my head and summoned White.

"What is it, are we fighting again?"

I put my hand under White's front paw, which looked reluctant, and lifted him to face Galahad and the others.

"This is White, the 'White Beast Hasfain' sealed by Val."

"What?"

The three of them froze again.

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"Man, I'm getting tired of this."

After a while, Galahad seemed to reboot, sat cross-legged, and looked exhausted. Eagle rested his forehead on his hands, and Camilla sighed openly. Vels had mentioned something similar when he appeared, but they seemed to have ignored it.

"What's going on?"

"It seems they're exhausted because White is Hasfain."

"Wrong! Well, not wrong, but every time I think the cause is over, something unexpected happens, Kasumi!!!!"

Galahad looked up and protested.

"However, this 'White' has a different name, and unlike Bahamut, his level is visible."

Eagle, regaining his composure, confirmed.

"I am a spirit beast. Losing power means losing existence, and my level drops."

White looked at me as if to say, "Did you do something again?" before starting to speak.

"I am a being closer to the spirit world. My kind can only appear in this world under the moonlight. In the past, I had enough power to be here freely, but after a long seal and the loss of power to repair the boundary, I have weakened. 'White' is a temporary name given to me by this one to bring me here."

I remember White mentioning he was a being close to a spirit when we first met. Spirits can come to the material world if the conditions are right. For example, a flower spirit can appear near flowers, and a water spirit near water. White's kind, called Mistif, can only come to the material world while bathed in moonlight. If they regain their power, they can come and go freely without the conditions, and it seems White had that power in the past.

Conversely, older dragons can go to the spirit world from the material world. Bahamut, of course, can do this, and he was apparently quite famous for causing trouble there too.

What did you do, Bahamut?

Ah, I can imagine him flying around happily and blowing obstacles away.

"Compared to his dragon, which is a being of the material world, it seems to have sealed the hole with its very existence. During the long seal, it seems they didn't agree to continue sending power to repair the boundary, so they ended up bleeding instead."

"He's weakened, but his level hasn't dropped, right?"

"That's right. Although, it will take a while for his physical recovery."

"Hey, White, didn't Val say you're still sending power to the boundary? Are you weakening?"

"That's why I'm saying to take me to battle. Now that the seal is broken, I don't intend to send power until I disappear, but I opened the hole, so I'll take responsibility for closing it."

"Is it really dangerous if the boundary breaks?"

Camilla asked.

"Beings can freely travel between worlds, and the worlds will collapse. Or, the evil gods will come out first, before the worlds collapse."

"That's a big deal."

"Is it okay that Bahamut's hole is open?"

"Who knows? I thought the seal was restored, but since he's here, maybe not. ... Maybe he'll be free for a while, wait for his blood to return, and then go back, but the gods' thoughts are beyond us."

"I'm not giving back what I've received."

I won't return it no matter what.

"Kasumi? Is there anything else you forgot to mention about the country or the world?"

"Forgot... Oh, I don't know if it's related to the evil gods, but in a past incident involving an evil god cult, there was a case where 'the insides of people were replaced with something else.' I'm thinking of making accessories with a [Nether Seal Stone] to prevent possession. What do you think? Rings or ear cuffs?"

"Ear cuffs. There's too much information, I can't think anymore."

"I'm scared if I don't wear it all the time, so please make rings."

"I'll take ear cuffs. I'd be happy if you could make a few."

"Sure, I'll gather the materials after this and make them."

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Sea Serpent Soul Stone

Star Dust from the Starfall Hill

Light Enchantment, Purification

I answered the request for materials.

"Did you ask about the Sea Serpent for this?"

"Sea Serpents are tough."

"Ah, the 'Soul Stone' is fine. I have over a hundred. But I don't have 'Star Dust,' and none of us have mining skills. If you see it in a store, please get it. By the way, I gave up on the Starfall Hill because the gatekeepers' gazes were too painful."

"Hey, the Sea Serpent is tough, but why can't you handle the gatekeepers' gazes?"

"Try receiving those warm gazes! It's annoying! I got nine from residents, so I'm good."

Even if players are possessed, it's probably temporary. I only need enough for residents.

"Kasumi doesn't have many friends. Should I feel honored to be chosen?"

"Hey, let's go on a date at the Starfall Hill."

"Wait, wait, this is about the evil gods, right? Why is this so off-topic?"

Galahad is surprisingly serious.

"Give up. It's already off-topic."

"White, that's harsh."

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So, I'll get back to the topic.

"Also, since you're related to Galahad and the others, the area with a strong presence of Asha seems to be where the beast sealed by Asha is the 'Thunder Beast Nue,' not White, right?"

"Yes, the main gods each sealed one beast. Asha's was the Nue. I don't know about the ones captured after I was sealed."

"The beast sealed by Asha, the Thunder Beast 'Nue,' the beast sealed by Val, the White Beast 'Hasfain,' the beast sealed by Dull, the Mad Puppet 'Hermel,' the beast sealed by Rusha, the Nine-Tailed Fox 'Kuzunoha,' the beast sealed by Fal, the Poison Bird 'Sirene,' the beast sealed by Tasha, the End Serpent 'Kurulukan,' the beast sealed by Vels, the Former Dragon King 'Bahamut,' and the beast sealed by Verna, the Eternal Maiden 'Alice,' right?"

Yes, I'm relying on the menu screen. I can't remember just from hearing it once.

"Where did you get that information? Even old documents don't mention it clearly."

"The names of the sealed beasts are only known for Bahamut, Hasfain, Kuzunoha, and Hermel. Which country kept it secret?"

They asked in turn, and I answered honestly.

"Directly from the gods who sealed them."

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Aren't the three of you freezing up a bit too much today?

Given the flow, it's more likely that this is the case.

No, is it unusual because it's usually unlikely?

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Anyway, every time they froze, I petted White and enjoyed the feel of his fur.