Chapter 3

Of course, it was Reis who held me back. He looked at me calmly with his sharp red eyes.

"I'll go to fetch the kitsune. Sue, you stay here."

"Wh-what? Why!?"

"Thanks to the spirit power you gave me, I can see spirits too. I also have resistance to demonic aura, as I used to be possessed by a demon. I'll definitely bring him back, so don't worry."

"That's not the point! Wol is my partner! How can I not go to fetch him!?"

"I can't let you go to a dangerous place."

Reis stood firm, not loosening his grip on my arm.

Usually, he would obediently follow my every word, even for trivial matters. But he's stubborn in these situations.

But I can't lose here.

I glared at Reis from close range.

"I'm prepared for a little danger! I'm a pretend Spirit Princess, so a demonic aura is nothing to me!"

"No way. The book mentioned that there are venomous snakes and wild wolves in the cave. I can't let you face any danger."

"Y-You'll be in danger too if you go!"

"It's fine for me, I can't stand to see you hurt."

"Stop being so self-sacrificing...! If that's the case, I don't want you to get hurt either!"

"You're more important to me."

"You're more important to me!"

While we were arguing in a strange direction, Maro-san made several small water bubbles pop above our heads, startling us and cooling our heated heads.

Maro-san sighed, looking exasperated, "Let's put the lovers' quarrel on hold for now."

"It's not a lovers' quarrel!"

"It is a married couple's quarrel."

"What are you saying!?"

Sometimes Reis is so natural in his silliness!

He makes such natural remarks with a straight face, it's exhausting. Natural is scary!

"Whether it's a married couple's quarrel or a lovers' quarrel, you two should go to help. It's better to have the Spirit Princess who can sense Wol's aura and a skilled human. Besides, you two will protect each other with all your might, right?"

"Of course."

"Obviously."

Our voices harmonized, and we both felt a bit awkward, so we turned away. Maro-san sighed and shrank his jelly-like body, while Fei-kun wagged his tail, saying, "You two are so in love."

...Before we even went to save Wol, we ended up embarrassing ourselves.

In the end, since neither of us would back down, Reis and I decided to go together.

Reis still looked unhappy, but he understood that we couldn't waste any more time.

I tried to gather the necessary items for the cave search, but Maro-san said he could retrieve most of the tools using his teleportation ability. Incidentally, the source of these tools is the apostles from a church branch far away.

They also know the situation and are worried about Wol. We need to thank them once we rescue him.

However, the spirit power will be significantly limited inside the cave, so we won't be able to use our abilities frequently.

"We need to find Wol quickly and bring him back."

"...Right."

Reis put on a white shirt, comfortable pants, leather boots, and a sword used by the guard corps. Even in simple attire, he still looks so cool.

I was already wearing a light apron dress that was easy to move in, so I decided to go as I was. I liked this new green dress, but changing would be a hassle.

"By the way, I know you understand, but you have to stay here, Fei-kun. Once we leave, go back to the church branch or the Holy Bell Forest immediately. That's your standing order."

"Ugh... So I can't go with you?"

Maro-san, who had moved to my shoulder, sternly told Fei-kun to stay.

Why can't Fei-kun go...?

He's a wind spirit and seems quite capable. He could help with the search and even scare off real wolves if they appeared.

"Fei-kun, as tough as you are, you're the appointed guardian wolf of the Holy Bell Forest, directly appointed by our Spirit Queen. You have the duty to protect the forest in cooperation with the church branch apostles. Ideally, you shouldn't leave the forest area."

"I'm a prestigious guardian spirit of the forest!" Fei-kun protested to Maro-san, who had answered my unspoken question.

I remembered that Fei-kun had been our guide in the Holy Bell Forest.

Despite his casual demeanor, he's quite a big deal.

"I understand my duty. But... because of my carelessness, Wol might be in trouble, and I can't go to help him. It's frustrating."

Fei-kun's ears drooped and his tail curled, showing that he felt a lot of responsibility for what happened.

I crouched down and smiled at him, "It's not your fault."

"It's that kid's fault for acting rashly because of the book."

"...You're like your master."

I retorted, "That's rude!" while reaching out to pet his gray fur. Wol and the fluffy holy spirits are so soft. It's addictive.

"Wol is a curious and free-spirited child. He probably just wanted to go on an adventure after reading the book. It's not your fault, Fei-kun."

"N-No! I think Wol... did it for the Spirit Princess...!"

"Huh?"

"---Is it time yet?"

Fei-kun was about to say something, but Maro-san interrupted him with a serious voice. Despite his small size, Maro-san's clear voice carried well.

When he prompted us that we were ready to go, Reis and I followed his instructions and stood in a place away from the table. Maro-san's shell on my shoulder glowed blue, and a large water bubble enveloped us. We were quickly enclosed in a transparent membrane.

"Transporting humans is difficult. You might feel dizzy, but it will be over soon, so bear with it."

As Maro-san warned us, my vision started to blur.

The decorated room and the left-behind Fei-kun's figure mixed and disappeared. My head also felt dizzy.

"Please bring Wol back safely, Spirit Princess, Knight, and Maro! I wish you good luck!"

We were sent to the dimly lit cave where Wol was waiting, carrying Fei-kun's words in our ears.