Chapter 89

After eating the extremely thick dragon steak to their hearts' content, Sara and the others finally recovered, their bellies feeling as if they would burst.

"Master, I'm sorry." "Master, I'm sorry." "…I'm sorry."

The disciples bowed their heads in unison, apparently apologizing for being unable to move due to overeating.

"I told you to eat until you were full, so don't worry about it."

I had also served the extremely thick steak to Sara and the others without thinking. Kikka seemed to have enjoyed it too, eating about half of the thick steak, while Maruko finished off the remaining half that Kikka left. It's no wonder they couldn't move.

Belle and the others not only finished all their food but also played around normally. I guess spirits have a different metabolism. I was still surprised when the young girls and little Fukuchan finished the thick dragon steak, especially since Fukuchan ate a steak larger than herself. It's truly a fantasy world.

"Well, we should get going soon, or we'll be up too late. We're going to level up. Sylph, can you take us to a place with a lot of undead?"

"Is it not a nest?"

"No, we'll go to a nest after our levels are a bit higher. For now, can you take us to a place where undead wander outside?"

Throwing them into an undead nest right away for Spartan training might be an option, but it could leave emotional scars, so I'll hold off on that.

"Understood. Shall we go now?"

Sylph answered and wrapped us in a wind cocoon, taking off into the sky. However, the presence of the spirit tree is overwhelming. Even though we are quite far from the spring house, the spirit tree is still clearly visible. In the dark, that presence would immediately be noticed if someone whimsically entered the deep lands of death.

Well, it seems that people don't enter the lands of death unless they have a whimsical urge, so it's unlikely to be found.

"This area is good. Yuta, let's land?"

"Got it. Thanks."

When we landed, four zombies were right in front of us. Sylph, you're quite Spartan, aren't you?

"Sara, Maruko, can you handle it?"

"Yes."

They responded energetically and gave instructions to Fukuchan and Uri. They had already gotten used to it and easily defeated the zombies.

I'm starting to wonder if I even need to be here. After just a few days, there's nothing left to teach them. It's a bit sad. What should I do?

"Yuta, is something wrong?"

Sylph must have noticed my dilemma and asked.

"Sara and Maruko are fine. I thought about waiting a bit longer, but since I have free time, I should level up Kikka. What do you think, Sylph?"

Kikka, who was holding my hand and waiting, flinched. She must be thinking, "I didn't ask for this." I just thought of it now, after all.

"Since Kikka will eventually level up, if she's willing, she should try to do it to the best of her ability, right?"

You're right. Kikka's will is important. Forcing her to level up wouldn't be right.

"Kikka, we'll protect you. Do you want to try leveling up?"

When I asked, Kikka looked down. Is it too much for her?

"Kikka, if you level up, can you make a contract?"

Kikka suddenly looked up and asked seriously.

"Yes. Depending on how your magic power increases, you should be able to make a contract with a spirit."

"Then, Kikka will level up. I'll get stronger to help big brother and big sister."

I was touched. What a good girl. She's a really good girl. And I want to be included in the group she helps.

"Alright. Yes, let's do our best."

Was I this pure when I was young? Thinking about the past... I'll stop there. It's better to keep the past beautiful. Even if I don't think about it, I was probably pure back then.

"Okay, let's have Kikka take down the skeletons."

Having Kikka take down the zombies would be too much. I gathered Sara and Maruko to discuss our strategy. Sylph would guide us to the undead. Sara and Maruko would take down the zombies, and Kikka would take down the skeletons. Dolly would immobilize the skeletons, and Belle and the others would keep watch.

Incidentally, Dine is staying at the spring house. She's honestly too powerful to be of use. Dolly is participating specially since we just made a contract today.

We decided that Sylph and Belle and the others would generally accompany us, and we would summon Dine and the others when needed. Dine was a bit sulky, but we reached a decision without major issues.

Dine was sulky because, with Sylph around, there wouldn't be many opportunities for her to act. I explained that, since our opponents are skeletons and zombies, there wouldn't be many opportunities for her to act, and she reluctantly agreed.

"Master, Kikka will fight? Is it really okay?"

He looks extremely worried. It's natural to be worried about your sister fighting undead.

"Dolly will completely immobilize the skeletons, so it's fine. Plus, if Kikka levels up and makes a contract with a spirit, it will be much safer. It's better to do it now."

"...I understand."

He understands intellectually, but his expression still shows worry. No matter what I say, I can't dispel his worry, so I need to show him that it's okay.

"Sylph, please guide us to the skeletons."

"Understood. This way."

Sylph led us, and we soon found five skeletons.

"Dolly, immobilize them."

"Understood."

Dolly waved her hand, and plants that shouldn't grow in the lands of death sprouted and quickly enveloped the skeletons. Truly, a great spirit. Even in this place, she can freely grow plants. The soil quality affects efficiency, but this much is no problem.

Dolly is too competent. To prevent Kikka from being scared, she completely covered the skeletons with plants except for the visible magic stones. This is a completely safe setup for leveling up. For children's leveling up, it's probably better to ensure this level of safety, even if it might be called overprotective.

"Kikka, come here."

I offered to carry Kikka, who approached hesitantly, and lifted her up. She's very light. I need to feed her more.

"Here, I'll give you this knife. Be careful not to hurt yourself and destroy that magic stone. Can you do it?"

Kikka, who gripped the knife hesitantly, nodded with determination. She seems scared, but she's focused on the magic stone.

I held Kikka and stood in front of the magic stone, adjusting her position to make it easier for her to stab the knife and encouraged her to attack.

"Yah!"

Kikka stabbed the magic stone with a shout. It didn't pierce with one hit, so she attacked again, and the magic stone shattered.

At the same time, the sound of the skeleton collapsing could be heard from inside the plant covering. The skeleton had fallen apart.

"Kikka, are you okay? Can we go to the next one?"

"I'm fine."

Kikka nodded strongly, so we moved to the next plant-covered skeleton. There were no issues, and she quickly destroyed the magic stones.

Since there was almost no danger, Sara and Maruko seemed to be at ease. As planned, Sara and Maruko took down the zombies, and Kikka took down the skeletons. This way, Kikka should be able to make a contract with a spirit soon.

Once Kikka can make a contract with a spirit, we can try attacking a small nest a few times. With three floating spirits using magic normally, it shouldn't be a problem. We walked around the lands of death for about two hours with Sylph's guidance and returned to the spring house.

"Sara, Maruko, Kikka, you all did a great job today. You must be tired, so take a shower and go to bed early."

I ruffled their heads and praised them. The animal ears feel great. Watching Sara and the others go to bed, I thought, "We've become quite close in just a few days."

Since they've been getting stronger through practical experience, Maruko has become more proactive, and things are going smoothly.

"Yuta, it's party time."

Nomos suddenly appeared. This is a good opportunity to ask about something I've been wondering.

"...Nomos, I'll serve you alcohol because it's a promise, but are you afraid of children? You don't come close when Sara and the others are around."

"Aye, I'm afraid."

He said it decisively, without any hesitation. He's genuinely afraid. I haven't seen Nomos much lately, so he must have been avoiding the children.

"The children can only sense your presence. I don't think you need to worry too much. Besides, Belle and Turu are fine, right?"

"Aye, Belle and Turu are fine. They're spirits. But human children are just difficult. I don't know why. But let's drink quickly."

It's not a matter of logic. I guess I'll just have to observe.

"Understood. I'll prepare it right away. Belle and the others, feel free to do as you like. Thanks for today."

"Yuta, I want to eat."

"Do you mean drink alcohol?"

"Yes. Sylph, Dine, Nomos, and Dolly all said it was delicious."

Behind Belle, Rain, Turu, and Tamamo were also expressing their desire to drink. What should I do? They look like young girls, but they're actually older than me. It's a tough decision.

"Nomos, is it okay for Belle and the others to drink alcohol?"

"Hmm. They're spirits, so it won't harm their bodies, but there's a possibility they might lose control of their power. It's safer to hold off."

They're supposed to be top-tier mages, so losing control would be serious.

"Everyone, you can drink alcohol when you're a bit older."

I tried to calm the pouting Belle and the others. Their pleading was so cute that it was a bit dangerous.

If I hadn't imagined Belle chugging a drink and saying "Phew," it would have been dangerous. Well, now it's time for the adults. I'll join and enjoy a good drink for the first time in a while.

Thank you for reading.