Chapter 38

"Are you satisfied with eating the vegetables?"

"Yeah, I was very satisfied. I've never grown vegetables in my hometown, so it was a great learning experience and a lot of fun."

"Hehe. I'm glad. By the way, I think you understand, but this is about the expedition."

"I understand the expedition, but why are Dine, Nomos, and Dolly here? They usually don't participate, right?"

Somehow, I have a bad feeling. I'm sure they're up to something.

"Yuta, this is it. If you can make a contract with Sylph, you can also make a contract with us."

Since we are the same Great Spirits, I guess it's fine in terms of magic power?

"Ah, I see. I can make a contract, huh?"

"And Yuta, I think you want to make a contract with me, so I'll tell you the conditions!"

Dine said this with such enthusiasm that it seemed like a dramatic background was about to appear. ...Do I really want to make a contract with Dine? I feel like Rain is enough.

"………………"

"Yuta, why aren't you looking at me? You want to make a contract with me, right? Hey, are you listening?"

"Well, I was thinking of telling you the conditions for making a contract with us."

"Nomos, don't rush it."

"Dine, be quiet for a moment. The conversation isn't progressing."

Ah, she's pouting. She's sitting down, pouting, and muttering. Is this okay?

"So, about the contract, my condition is to expand the current base. You plan to add space in a circle when you run out of space, but if you expand it to twice the size, I'll make a contract with you."

Twice the size means... well, if the length and width are five each, it would be a 500-meter square space. Since we have two blocks now, that's 23 more blocks... It feels too big.

"Why do you need so much space?"

"I don't know yet. If it goes well, it will be interesting, so look forward to it."

This is definitely related to the sanctuary we saw during the day. Do I have to do it? Just thinking about the amount of rock needed is overwhelming.

"I will be fine if you bring enough forest soil and beneficial insects after making a contract with Sylph. If you just expand the area, I want you to bring more soil and beneficial insects."

This is a condition for staying here, so it's not a big problem. Even if the amount increases, I have a magic bag, so it won't be too much trouble.

"Dolly's condition is not much different from the original, so it's fine."

"Here, only Dine is left. Hurry up and state your condition."

"I won't tell you unless you say you really want to make a contract with me!"

Dine, pouting and expressing her anger, said this. Is this a situation where I have to give in?

I've been taken care of by Dine. Sometimes it's a bit troublesome, and I wonder if a contract is really necessary... But more than anything, if I give in, I can imagine Dine's smug face, and I can't bring myself to do it.

Sylph looks at me with a troubled expression. Nomos urges me to hurry with her eyes. It seems I have to give in.

"Ah, I want to make a contract with Dine."

"Really?"

She tilts her head and looks at me to confirm. She's beautiful, but... Normally, making a contract with a beautiful Great Spirit would be a cause for celebration, but Dine's quality makes it feel disappointing.

"Yeah, really."

"Well, there's nothing I can do. Yuta is a big sister's boy, so there's nothing I can do."

Are the veins on my forehead popping out? I wish physical attacks worked on spirits. Hmm? Since I can touch them, maybe I can do it with my bare hands?

"Stop fooling around and state your condition."

"Nomos, you're so impatient. You won't be popular like that."

Oh, the veins on Nomos's forehead are popping out. So, even spirits have veins.

"Dine, we also need to plan the expedition, so hurry up."

"Alright. My condition is to create waterways in the expanded area. If you do it properly, I'll make a contract with you, so try your best."

She looks very pleased. She has a perfect appearance, but...

"Ah, I'll try my best."

I thought of a way to just complete the waterways... but if I do that, it will cause a fuss, and I'll end up giving in, so I'll leave it.

"Will Sylph make a contract as is?"

"I promised to make a contract when my magic power reaches B rank. I won't break my word."

Sylph, who gives a firm promise without changing her expression. I'm grateful. A contract with Sylph is like a lifeline for me, so it would be tough if the conditions increased.

"To summarize, if I expand the base, secure soil and beneficial insects, and build waterways, you will make a contract with me, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

It's not impossible, but it feels a bit troublesome... Well, I have to do it.

"I think I'll have to do it step by step, but if I can make a contract with Sylph first, going to town won't be a problem, right?"

"Yes. I need to secure soil, so I have to go to town anyway. And since these are contract conditions, you don't have to do them if they're not necessary. There's no deadline, so do it at your own pace."

That's true. It's a relief that I don't have to rush.

"Will Sylph be happy if these conditions are met?"

"Me? Yes, it seems like it will be interesting, so I'll be happy."

If Sylph is happy, I'll try my best. Even though Sylph is in a strong position this time, she didn't suggest any additional or changed conditions, so I'll try to repay her for taking care of me.

"Understood. I'll try my best."

"Hehe. Thanks."

After the decision, Dine, Nomos, and Dolly left. They seem to have no interest in the expedition. However, if our magic power stops increasing after all this discussion, it would be a disaster. If there is a god, I hope my magic power reaches B rank.

"Alright, Yuta. The place I'm thinking of for the expedition is an underground space with liches, about three days' walk from here. It's a former mine, so it's large and there are many enemies. What do you think?"

"Liches are often the main enemy instead of Skeleton Kings, right? Is it okay to fight a General without having fought one before?"

"Your strength is not a problem, but do you want to fight a General?"

"Well, that would be more reassuring."

If my strength is sufficient, it might be a redundant step, but since it's a matter of life and death, I want to take all the necessary steps.

"Right. I understand. But there's a reason for skipping a step. There are no Skeleton Generals in the area, or at least not within a certain distance. So, the enemy will be a General Zombie. You don't like zombies, right? Is it okay?"

I see. They're considering my feelings. I don't like them, but... I don't like them, but if it reduces the risk to my life, I have to fight the General Zombie. I don't like them, but...

"Well, I don't like them, but I'll take the steps. If I can suppress my disgust, it will be fine. It seems valuable, and I'll get magic stones too."

"Understood. We'll fight the General Zombie on the way to the liche's mine. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, let's do that."

"Then, let's leave tomorrow morning. Good night. Don't oversleep."

"Yeah, good night."

* * *

"Then, Tamamo, please take care of the house while I'm gone."

"Ku"

Her tail and ears are drooping. She must be sad to be left behind. I could call her during the trip, but it wouldn't be right to summon and send her back just to play with her.

"Tamamo, after this expedition, we'll probably go to town. There will be a lot to do in the forest, so I'll need your help then."

She accepted the persuasion and rubbed her cheek against everyone in the expedition party. Her fluffy, soft fur is irresistible. I left Tamamo with a heavy heart and set off.

* * *

"At this rate, it will take a lot of time to reach the destination..."

"That's true, but to meet Nomos's condition, we need as much rock as possible. We need to collect rock from any rock mountains we find, and the nearby rock mountains are almost gone."

"Well, this is more efficient. But once we make a contract, we can fly to the rock mountains quickly."

"It will be fine if my magic power increases enough during this expedition to make a contract, but the pace of my magic power increase is slower than my physical strength. There's a possibility it won't be enough. Plus, I don't like it, but it will be tough if we get injured on the way back."

"Understood. Let's take our time."

"Thanks."

Occasionally, I take a break to watch Bell, Rain, and Tulu playing, which is healing. It's also nice when Bell, riding on Rain, flies next to me and Tulu comes to cheer me on.

Each time we find a rock mountain, we clear the area and continue the expedition. I'm glad this mobile home is finally useful.

According to Sylph's plan, it took us five days to reach the General Zombie's dwelling, which was supposed to take two days. We need rock to revitalize the soil, but I'm not sure if we're regenerating the environment or destroying it as we cut down the rock mountains that have stood for a long time.

I was in a bit of a daze looking at the gaping hole, but I have to go in. Let's start the General Zombie's extermination!

Thank you for reading.