Chapter 79

Sara and Fukuchan's spirit contract was complete. Next, it's Marco and Uri's turn.

"Marco. You should have seen Sara's contract, so you know nothing happens. Just give it a name, okay?"

Marco's expression clearly showed that it wasn't what he expected. I can really relate to that.

"Um, got it. The name of the earth spirit is Uri. Is this name okay?"

The earth spirit Uri in front of him nodded, moving its tiny front legs in the air. It seems there's no problem.

"Uri accepted the name. The contract is now complete. Sara and Marco, try to communicate with Fukuchan and Uri as much as possible. Well, we still have work to do, so do it when you have time."

"Understood," "Got it."

After successfully completing the contract, we returned to the task of collecting earth and wood. During breaks, we tried calling their names and having conversations. Kikka, who seemed interested in the spirits her brother had contracted, occasionally joined in with small questions. It felt good.

We kept digging and collecting earth, putting the bugs in bags, and repeatedly thinning and collecting trees. We secured what we thought was a sufficient amount of earth and bugs. We gathered so many trees that processing them would be a challenge.

"Finally done. I want to relax, but if we relax, the bugs might die. So, we'll head to the Land of Death now. Sara, Marco, Kikka must be tired, so try to rest your body as much as possible while flying."

"Master, wait a moment. Didn't you say the Land of Death?"

I hadn't explained it, had I? ...I thought it would be troublesome to explain, and since they couldn't escape, I could just take them there and show them directly. I guess I slipped up... I failed. I should explain, right? ...I guess I have to. I'll try to explain it lightly and calmly.

"Yeah, I did say it. Don't worry, I have a base I built in the Land of Death, so we can live there comfortably."

"That's impossible. I know how harsh the Land of Death is, even for me."

Of course, they don't believe me. I thought it would be troublesome to explain, which is why I skipped it. Sara and the others' faces were full of distrust. I'm such an idiot.

So, I had to explain everything from the beginning, and with the help of Sylph and Bell, I managed to convince them. I wasted a lot of time, and they still don't fully trust me. Their suspicious gazes are painful. I thought they trusted me a bit.

Well, it's fine. They'll have to believe it once they see it. I should leave before they start saying they want to give up.

"Bell and the others will be called when we get there, so wait with Fukuchan and Uri in the forest. Sylph, I'll leave it to you."

Hmm? If I send them back, Bell and the others won't have to wait... No, it's better to have them wait with Fukuchan and Uri.

"Hehe, got it. Let's go then."

As Sylph said, we were enveloped in a wind cocoon. I, Sara, Marco, Kikka, and the four bags of bugs floated up.

Waving goodbye to Bell and the others, we set off for the Land of Death.

***

"Sara, Marco, Kikka, that's the base I built."

While the natural surroundings were calming, once we entered the barren wasteland, Sara and the others' faces turned pale. Seeing the Land of Death, they must have realized they were really entering it.

Still, they didn't say they wanted to go back or return to the original place, which might be due to trust in me or just resignation... I'm not sure which. Well, it's fine. Kikka has already fallen asleep, so let's land quickly.

"It's pitch black and I can't see anything. Master, are you sure it's safe?"

...Huh? ...Ah, right. I can see in the dark, but Sara and Marco can't. I should have adjusted to arrive during daylight.

"It's dark, so we can't see. Let's look again when it's bright tomorrow."

While thinking I might have made a mistake, we landed at the base, and Dine rushed over.

"Yuta, welcome back. I was lonely, you know."

She hugged me tightly while saying that. I think it's strange for a Great Spirit to say they were lonely after just ten days or so.

"Hey, Dine. Yuta has to guide other children, so let go."

Sylph pulled Dine away from me. I'll keep the slight disappointment deep in my heart.

"Children? Oh, they're thin but cute. What happened?"

"Ah, Dine. I'll explain later, so wait a moment. Dine, Nomos, Dolly, I'm back. I'll introduce these children later. It's late, so I want to put them to bed."

Kikka was completely asleep, and Marco was carrying her.

"Indeed, that must be difficult for the children. We can wait, so put them to bed quickly."

Dolly nodded, so I brought out the mobile base and prepared to put them to bed. It was just a matter of floating light orbs, storing the sand beds in the bedroom, and setting up three straw beds I bought from the furniture shop. I need to make another room so I have a place to sleep.

I thought Sara and Marco would be surprised and ask questions when I brought out the base from the magic bag, but they seemed tired or resigned and ignored it. It's a bit lonely.

"Sara, Marco, let's put Kikka to bed here. You two should rest today too. But let's summon Fukuchan and Uri. Just call their names while thinking about them, and they'll come."

Sara and Marco immediately summoned Fukuchan and Uri. I also summoned Bell and the others.

"Yuta," "Kyu," "Came," "Ku."

When summoned, Bell and the others clung to me. Were they lonely? I petted them.

"Master, what are you doing?"

My disciple asked in a bewildered voice.

"…Ah, I was just playing with Bell and the others. Don't mind it. Sara and Marco, try to get along with the spirits as much as possible. It's most important for a spirit mage to have a good relationship with spirits."

Come to think of it, I haven't properly explained that I can touch spirits. They probably didn't think I was doing pantomime, but from their perspective, it must have looked like I was doing strange things alone.

"O-Okay."

"Yes, Master."

I could read their thoughts from their faces: "Do I have to do that too?" It made me feel down.

"Well, it's late, so Sara and Marco, you should go to bed. I'll show you around tomorrow."

After saying goodnight, I left the bedroom. Normally, I would block the entrance with rocks, but I decided not to, as the children might get anxious if they were locked in.

Thinking about it, I should have bought a door. I could try to process the wood I obtained, but it would be safer to order one when I go to the Labyrinth City next. Well, let's report to everyone.

"I'm back. Has anything changed?"

"Welcome back, Yuta. Don't worry! Nothing happened. Sylph told me it was tough, though."

Dine comforted me. It seems Sylph had given a brief explanation of what happened in the Labyrinth City. That's a relief.

"I didn't know about the adventurers since I didn't care. I also didn't know that spirit mages were so disrespected. For floating spirits and lower spirits, it means their growth will take longer."

Nomos and Dolly didn't know either. They could have known if they tried, but without interest, they wouldn't know.

"Ahaha, well, I was a bit surprised, but I'm having fun, so it's not a problem. I brought a disciple, so I think people's views will change eventually. By the way, I brought bugs. What should we do with them?"

Thinking about preparing to harass the Adventurer's Guild, my mood rises. But I don't want to bring that dark pleasure here. I want to live a refreshing life, even in a place full of undead.

What worries me more is if I brought bugs that are harmful to the fields. I'm not an expert on bugs, and in this different world, I'm even less familiar with the bugs. I have no idea what to do. I think every bug has a beneficial part for the environment, but I want to act cautiously at first.

"Hmm. Bugs are tough. Tomorrow, let's release them in the forest's designated area while checking with Tulu and Tamamo. When Yuta and I contract, I'll mix the soil evenly."

Will mixing the soil crush the bugs? No, more importantly, I need to select the bugs. Four large cloth bags. Even with soil, it's a considerable number of bugs... Well, I have to do my best.

"Okay, we'll do the bugs tomorrow."

"By the way, Yuta, I thought about the contract conditions! I really did!"

She puffed out her chest and had a very proud look. It's dangerous to lower my gaze because Sylph is paying attention to me. I feel a bit irritated by her proud look, but it's best to focus on her face.

The contract conditions. I remember, I didn't want the water channel construction to be the last, so I was thinking of other conditions. It's a hassle to do it twice, but I don't want to anger the Spirit King, so I have to give up.

"What conditions did you think of?"

Please, let them be simple.

"I want a fountain because the spring is lonely."

"Impossible."

"Why? It's a request from your big sister."

"I don't know how to make a fountain, so it's impossible."

I've seen fountains on TV, so I know they've existed for a long time. Technically, it's possible. But knowing how to use the height difference of water or how to increase water pressure with a pump is different from actually making one. Just knowing the baseball pitching form doesn't mean you can throw a 160 km/h fastball.

"It's okay because I'm here. Just make the shape of the fountain, and I can make the water come out."

...If it's just the shape, maybe I can manage it?

"Hmm. If it's just the shape, it might be possible, but the water might get dirty. And I can't make it artistic."

"It's okay if the water gets dirty because I can clean it. As for the artistic part... Hmm, just make it for now. If it doesn't look good, we can replace it with an artistic one later, I think."

No, normally, I would say that if I worked hard to make it, it would be enough. Plus, I'm particular about fountains... I feel there's a very trivial reason. Should I press the issue?

Thank you for reading.