Chapter 26

Phew. Yuta is such a worrywart. There’s hardly anything that can harm a spirit besides another spirit. The only danger that could shake the existence of a spirit is the risk of vanishing from overusing their power.

When Bell and Rain carried heavy loads and traveled for dozens of days, there was a risk of vanishing, so I rejected the task. But carrying seeds shouldn’t pose any problem.

It seems Yuta judges spirits based on their appearance. Being able to see spirits is extremely rare, and even more so for humans in this world. Those who can see spirits understand their power and know there’s no problem.

But since Yuta knows almost nothing about spirits, he treats Bell and Rain as objects that need protection. He’s also helping with the mission, which puts him in a dilemma, and it’s a bit amusing.

This time, they can’t fly fast because they’re carrying the seeds, but there’s no problem with their abilities or mental state. I explained this, but he was still fretting like a worried parent.

When I was flying in the sky, Bell called me, and I was surprised. I couldn’t believe there were humans who could see, talk to, and touch spirits until I confirmed it myself.

Oh, Bell and Rain have started chasing each other. They’re going back and forth, making a detour.

Was it a mistake to say we’d be back in four days? I’m afraid Yuta’s worry will explode after four days.

Bell and Rain are flying around happily in the sky. I don’t want to interfere because it wouldn’t be good for their experience if they knew I was following them. What should I do?

I follow Bell and Rain with a bit of anxiety. Even while playing, they seem to know the direction, just making a slight detour. This should be fine, right?

I never paid attention to the movements of lower spirits until I started traveling with Yuta. They’re so free-spirited. I wonder if I was like that when I was a lower spirit? ...I was a bit more intelligent, though.

***

Bell and Rain, who were playing around, sometimes flew in reverse or ascended rapidly. Despite being tossed around, we somehow managed to reach the target forest.

It feels like the most challenging thing I’ve done in the past few hundred years. Why are those kids so restless?

When Bell and Rain arrived at the forest, they called out the name of the Great Spirit of the forest, as I had instructed.

"Dori"

"Kyu"

"Dori. Are you there?"

"Kyu?"

"Dori. We came to play."

"Kui Kui Kyu"

Bell, Rain, you didn’t come to play. You came on a mission. Don’t forget that.

"Oh, cute kids. Did you come to play?"

"Yep. Silphi sent us."

"Kyu"

"Oh, did Silphi send you?"

"Um, no. It’s a mission from Yuta."

Well, it’s a bit of a mess. What will happen from here? I’m surprisingly anxious. Dori has noticed me and is looking this way.

I try to convey with gestures that I’m here without saying a word. She nods lightly, so it should be fine.

"It’s a mission, then. What kind of mission?"

"Seeds. Edible ones."

"Kyu"

"Do you want edible seeds?"

Unfortunately, that’s not quite right. You mean seeds that grow edible plants, right? Dori looks at me with a puzzled expression, and I shake my head vigorously to indicate it’s wrong.

"Is that so?"

Why is she asking a question? It’s wrong. I told you correctly, didn’t I? Did you not listen? No, I repeated it, so you definitely heard it. Did you forget on the way here?

Even though they’re both lower spirits, the difference between Bell and Tulu is noticeable. Is it because of the environment? I don’t want to believe it’s due to their attributes.

"Try to remember clearly. What did Silphi say?"

"To meet Dori."

"Kyu"

"Right. And then?"

"Um, seeds that grow edible plants."

That’s right. You remembered well. I nod to Dori to confirm it’s correct.

"Is that so. You want seeds that grow edible plants?"

"Yes."

"Kyu"

"Then I’ll show you. Please come this way."

"Yay, thank you."

"Kyu"

"Hehe. Good job for saying thank you. By the way, what are your names?"

"I’m Bell."

"Kyu Kui"

"I’m Rain."

"Right. So you’re Bell and Rain. Do you know where you’ll grow the plants?"

"On the dead land."

Dori looks at me in surprise, and I nod. I understand her surprise, but I don’t want her to realize it.

"O-Oh, I see. Then let’s choose seeds that can withstand the heat."

"Okay."

"Kyu"

While getting advice from Dori, Bell and Rain receive several types of seeds wrapped in leaves. This marks the end of the biggest challenge.

"Can you carry them? The dead land is far. Will you be able to get back safely?"

"No problem."

"Kyu"

"Right. Be careful."

"See you."

"Kui"

Bell and Rain wave and fly away. They’re flying slowly, so I can catch up easily. I’ll chase them after talking with Dori.

"Sorry, Dori. I caused you trouble."

"Hehe, it’s okay. They were energetic and cute kids. So, what’s the whole story? You mentioned the dead land. Is everything okay?"

As always, she speaks seriously. I used a more casual tone with Bell, but Dori, unlike most spirits, uses formal language. I wish she could be a bit more relaxed, but it’s probably her personality.

"Yes, I have something to tell you. Actually, I’m currently traveling with a person from another world in the dead land."

"Oh, a person from another world? That’s rare. But why did they go to the dead land? There’s nothing there, right?"

"That’s not the case. They didn’t go to the dead land; they were transferred there, deep into it. Bell found them and informed me."

"I see. Being transferred to such a place must be tough. But it’s good that they have a high affinity with spirits. They seem to have contracted with Bell and Rain, so they might survive."

"The person from another world has a high affinity, but it’s more than that. They can see, talk to, and touch spirits. They also have special powers and are currently developing the dead land. They came to get the seeds to grow plants."

"Being able to touch spirits... I’ve never heard of such a thing. Is it true? And developing the dead land? Are you exaggerating, Silphi?"

"I understand your skepticism, but it’s all true."

I find it hard to believe even as I say it.

"Is it possible? I can’t believe even what you say, Silphi."

"I would react the same way if I were in your position. But it’s true. Right now, the issue is that I can’t contract with them due to a magic power problem, so I can only give simple advice. The person from another world, Yuta, is working hard to develop the dead land."

"Would a Great Spirit like you consider contracting with a human, even if they’re from another world?"

"Yes, and Dine also seems willing to contract."

"Dine is there too?"

"Yes, and Nemos is there as well, though it’s unclear if they will contract."

"Three Great Spirits... What’s going on?"

"Well, to put it simply, Yuta is working hard to dig a well in the dead land, and I brought Dine there."

"Digging a well in the dead land is unbelievable in itself."

"I told you they have special powers. They’re specialized in development, though they’re also good at physical attacks."

Their attack power is incredible. It might not match the top-tier magic or techniques in this world, but considering their sharpness and destructive power, they’re quite close, except for area attacks. Yuta doesn’t seem to fully understand his own abilities.

"I see."

"Yes. After that, they used the water to create a field. They managed to get Nemos’ approval, though it was a close call."

"Creating a field in the dead land... Even if it was a close call, Nemos approved it... Is this a dream?"

"It’s not a dream. Yuta, who is contracted with Bell and Rain, sent them to get the seeds to grow plants in the field. I followed them because Yuta was so worried.

"Hehe. A human worrying about spirits."

"Yes, he’s overprotective of Bell and Rain, treating them like kittens. When the seeds Bell and Rain get from you sprout, can you come? I’d like you to bring a lower spirit that can contract with Yuta immediately.

"…It’s a hard-to-believe story, but if Silphi is so confident, it must be true. I’ll go, but I’ll decide whether to stay after seeing the situation."

"That’s fine. Nemos also said it wasn’t good enough the first time and left. They barely passed the second time. But imagine you reviving a forest in the dead land. Doesn’t that sound interesting?"

"That would be wonderful. I’ll look forward to Silphi’s call."

"The seeds should sprout soon. How long will it take for the seeds Dori gave to sprout?"

"Leafy vegetables sprout relatively quickly. If the soil is good, some seeds can sprout in three days."

"Right. Given that it’s the dead land, it won’t be that fast, but if there’s no failure, I should be able to come back relatively soon."

"Hehe. I understand. I’ll prepare."

"Thank you. I’ll chase after those kids soon. See you."

"See you. I’ll be waiting."

Unlike Nemos, Dori understood quickly, which was a relief. Now, I need to find those kids. It would be easier if they were flying the shortest route, but I can’t expect that from them.

In the end, it took a lot of effort to find them. When I found them, I was anxious as they played around. I had to guide them without being noticed when they were looking for dropped seeds, and I was relieved when I saw the base. I don’t want to accompany them on their missions for a while.

Thank you for reading.