The frozen atmosphere had once again sunk into a chill as the situation developed, but this time, I was fighting on home turf. Benjamin couldn’t help but feel guilty, and he couldn’t avoid answering my questions.
This time, I had the upper hand in terms of presence.
I had indeed carefully considered Benjamin’s words, and in fact, he was right—remarkably so. But he was ultimately an outsider. How could he possibly understand that the root of all this trouble was simply because I wanted it that way?
Benjamin had already cornered me to the point where I couldn’t argue back, all because he had a stronger mental fortitude and more life experience than I did. But one thing he inadvertently let slip gave me a handle to grab onto—
No one is selfless. Every action anyone takes is purely because “doing this makes me feel better.” Even rescuing the wounded in the face of death—that, too, is just because “doing this makes me feel a little less awful.”
I stared intently into Benjamin’s eyes. His sky-blue pupils trembled uncontrollably, contracting and expanding in turn.
“So, it seems I guessed right? Lyle really does need the coordinates of the [Elven Forest], doesn’t he?”
I put on an exaggerated, affected air as I naturally brought up the topic, wanting to see if Benjamin would be provoked—after all, his master’s reputation was at stake here.
“That’s not true!” At his sudden shout, I secretly rejoiced, parting my lips slightly as an uncontrollable smile crept across my face.
Seeing me like this, Benjamin seemed to understand something. He gritted his teeth in anger, probably regretting it so much he could have spat blood.
I let out a few more soft laughs before casually dropping the smile and continuing to press Benjamin for the full story behind this matter.
“…Fine. It seems I was careless. Lord Lyle—his reason for helping you all… is indeed that he hopes to discover the [Elven Forest].”
Well, that was already within my expectations, so it didn’t stir much resentment in me. If things kept developing along this pattern… I figured Lyle probably had other reasons too. Let’s observe for now.
I pretended to be shocked and furious, crouching down to grab Benjamin by the collar. At times like this, it’s best to ask directly, rather than keeping up the coy, lingering act.
“So what is Lyle’s reason? Why has he followed us this far to find the [Elven Forest]? Tell me, and I’ll let you walk away unharmed…”
“At this point, it seems I have no need to hide it any longer.”
Hm? Why is he giving in so easily? I’d heard that masters often keep little secrets from their subordinates. Could it be that this dramatic turn of events—
“His Lordship didn’t tell me the details, only the general idea.—When he was a child, there was a lifesaver who was also a friend and an elf. That person left His Lordship’s hometown after his eleventh birthday. And so, from that day on, His Lordship has been working hard…”
My expression froze. Though I had more or less guessed the reason, I couldn’t help but feel moved by it.
That feeling—I think I once yearned for it too, and even acted on it. But reality took away my childhood friend, and took away my heart. In the end, it all just became part of the metabolic cycle, never to return.
I released his collar, already wrinkled from the force I’d applied, and stepped back, letting Benjamin stand up. He had no idea what was going on, but still wore that mysterious look as if he understood everything—just like that rogue-ish man I’d met on the first day… Actually, I’m not even sure he and that person are the same.
(…Hmph, you’ve changed. You’ve become sentimental, haven’t you?..)
See? Even my mind is starting to act strange.
“Miss Hatsuki, would you allow me to inquire about the situation regarding Mr. Alec and Lady Elf? I need to report back to His Lordship so he can formulate a countermeasure.”
Should I trust him? Trust him… Well, it’s just like back in [Malletts]. Everyone’s all over the place, mixed up in this mess—can anyone even tell who’s who anymore?
Hey~ miss, what’s that in your pocket? It’s glowing.
Hm? Something in my pocket?
Following the voice, I looked down. Sure enough, something was glowing through the fabric of my clothes.
I reached in, fumbled around for a bit, and pulled out a perfectly round orb.
It was clearly the same murky gem from this morning, but now it radiated a magnificent glow like a luminous pearl, with sparkling light shimmering along its edges…
But why was it in my pocket? Didn’t I pin it to my collar? And what exactly happened to make it so refined?
I gave it a casual shake. Its glow and aura didn’t fade; if anything, it seemed to be spreading a peculiar ripple outward—
Guh! Ku—! My… my head?!
The orb suddenly moved on its own, slipping from my hand and hurtling toward my forehead. After striking me, it seemed to try to flee, but then it dimmed, lost its luster, and fell to the ground.
“Miss Hatsuki? Are you alright?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. I’m fine.”
I smiled lightly, brushing it off as I walked over to pick up the orb. As soon as I held it again, the light reappeared.
It didn’t react abnormally otherwise—maybe it had realized something? But that endless, halo-like ripple still persisted.
“This thing is strange. Benjamin, have you heard of it before? I think it’s called a jewel or something.” I tried asking Benjamin, handing the orb over to him.
“Certainly. Let me have a look.”
He took it, cradling it in his palms. After examining it closely for a while, he shook his head in defeat and handed it back.
Well, it is a pretty mysterious item.
“Though I have never seen this gem before, I have heard a related legend. Miss Hatsuki, allow me to give you a brief summary—it might provide you with some clues.”
Oh? A story? Why not?
I nodded, signaling Benjamin to continue. He calmly began to recount—
It is said that the five elements restrain and generate one another, and that the world was born from nothing, and from that, all things came to be.
Throughout the history of Vorrod, there have been numerous large and small racial wars. The most famous among them is undoubtedly the war between gods and demons—
The two sides fought fiercely for nine hours. The scale and impact were so profound that even the five elements and the cosmic order were thrown into chaos. Yet neither side could claim victory for a long time, so they had to seek other solutions.
Legend has it that when the universe was steeped in evil and chaos, five demons and five gods came to borrow weapons and treasures. The leaders of the two factions, fearing the war would never end, lent them out.
But before the war could be resolved, both factions perished…
The five elements recovered over the following millennia, but the cosmic evil and chaos have never known peace. Without the suppression of the five elements, all things in the world would have fallen into disorder.
Yet the power of the two factions was inexhaustible and undiminished, sealed within objects and wandering through the world, passed down through the ages…
A jewel? The war between gods and demons? The five elements, cosmic order, and evil? Both factions perishing…
I grasped the general idea. It seemed that the war had disrupted the balance between the five elements and the forces of order and chaos. In the ensuing turmoil, the two factions had disappeared, and their inherited power had been preserved within jewels.
So that means this jewel is one of them?
I rubbed its surface, and it twinkled back in response.
So it really is one of those supernatural treasures.
I curled my lip in disdain and began to apply pressure to the jewel between my fingers. But its absolute hardness made me realize it wouldn’t be destroyed that easily.
“Tch. What a pain.” I said that, but it was still my trophy, and it might come in handy later. So I decided to put it away.
And then, in that instant, it emitted a blinding light, nearly dazzling me. If I hadn’t shielded my eyes, I might have lost them.
“What… is this?”
I stared intently at a violet ray of light that had appeared out of nowhere, then looked back at its source—the jewel in my hand—completely baffled.
The ray stretched from its origin deep into the alley, bending around a corner and disappearing from sight.
I moved my arm up and down along the light, only to confirm it was just light… Could it be serving some purpose, like guiding me? Was it trying to lead me somewhere?
“Could it be… that it’s found—!!!”
Boom, boom, boom—a thunderous tremor shook the very ground and sky. The chaotic clatter of metal echoed from afar, disturbing the peace of the entire neighborhood.
Could it be—!
I tried to dash out of the alley, but Benjamin blocked my way. His expression was calm, as if he had anticipated this all along.
This square was called the [Central Plaza], but in reality, it was very close to the western gate of [Feltero]. If even we could hear that noise here, then that meant—
“Don’t stop me, Benjamin! You know exactly what’s going on out there!”
I shouted angrily as the sounds of destruction grew nearer, mingled with the screams of civilians and the roars of beastmen.
I had heard about it back in [Gaeli]—that the beastmen army had already approached [Feltero], and even the kingdom’s strongest mage, the “Sky Speaker,” had been dispatched. But I never expected they’d be this close… Perhaps when [Amalek] was destroyed, this was how it looked.
The black smoke spiraling into the sky not far away signaled the enemy’s approach. Deafening explosions followed, as if heralding the end of everything…
“I can do this! I can! But why?! Benjamin, don’t hold me back!”
If only I could trade for a moment of peace and unity, even if I myself couldn’t live a quiet life—I’d take it! I tried to force my way past him, desperate to charge out, to take down at least one beastman!
“No! Hatsuki Sorei, snap out of it!”
My head suddenly jerked to the side. Before long, I felt warmth spreading across my cold cheek. I reached up to touch it, and a searing pain shot through my mind.
I’d been hit… slapped. But I wasn’t angry at all…
“If you charge out there right now, you’re throwing your life away! Even His Lordship would have to tread carefully! Because what stands before you aren’t ordinary monsters—they’re beastmen who kill without blinking, feel no pain, and whose sole purpose in life is to expand their territory! They aren’t demi-humans or half-beasts! They’re not something you can handle with a single spell!”
But I can. If it’s me, I know I can do it. I’ve always believed that.
I shook my head resolutely. I had to go—absolutely had to. If I could stop—or even wipe out—the beastmen army, maybe I could also resolve the elves’ long-cherished wish and help Elf get home safely.
I hoped my purpose could end here. I’d been planning this for a long time…
“Benjamin, if it’s me, I can definitely do it.”
I forcefully pushed Benjamin aside. Just as I was about to step out of the alley, I felt a chill in my head, a cold dread creeping up my spine. An inexplicable fear spread through my heart, and my vision began to blur—
Ku… damn it… Why… again… I was so close—
I grew faint. My eyelids drooped as my mind scattered, and I toppled forward…
Elf… Alec… Lyle… please…
——-
Catching the blue-haired girl’s light body as she fell, Benjamin let out a deep sigh. Looking at her irresistibly serene face in his arms, his mind was in complete turmoil.
“Really now. When you’re quiet like this, you’re actually adorable.”
He sighed again, thinking that this girl and His Lordship as a child were worlds apart.
He gently set her down against the wall, then stood up. Placing his fingers together like a spiritual medium before his brow, he began to chant softly.
“[Hear the command of our deathless incantation—rise.]”
In an instant, the girl’s eyes snapped open. She braced herself against the ground and slowly stood up, her vacant gaze frozen as if petrified.
Seeing that the spell was working as it always did, Benjamin continued his incantation—but he hadn’t expected the flames of war to have already spread to this square. New tongues of fire burst from the explosions, reflecting in Benjamin’s eyes.
He knew time was running out, so he hurried on…
“Hatsuki Sorei, [Go. Seek out your companions.—Elf Ester, and Anne Alec. Before that, do not get involved in any conflict!]”
“…Yes. I understand.”
The girl answered softly, turned around, and walked deeper into the alley.
“I never thought I’d have to use this spell outside of emergencies again.”
Benjamin chuckled softly. He glanced over at the patrol team and Lyle’s group, who were locked in fierce combat with a few vanguard beastmen, and let out another deep sigh before stepping forward.
In the end, I still have to deal with this mess, don’t I?
——-
Name: Hatsuki Sorei
Age: 12
Status: [Mental Domination · Hypnosis] [Wanted — Mission] [Wanted — Missing Person Notice]
Social Status: The wanted
——————
[Viewing]
Attack: ??
Defense: EX
Agility: ??
Magic: ∞
Strength: EX
Growth Potential: ∞
Accuracy: A
Mental Strength: A+
Airhead: F / Wisdom: A
——————
Switches: [Sanction] [Injury Evasion] [Scholar’s Brain] [Elemental Fury] [Growth Acceleration · Random] [Blood Boil] [Spatial-Temporal Ability · Mode] [Sage’s Protection]
Mode Enhanced Attributes: [Perpetual · Transcendent Boundary · One — Serious Mode] [Spatial Will · One — Serious Mode] [Mystic Secrets · Impression Cleft · One — Serious Mode]
Innate Abilities: [Lock On · Vigorous Energy] [Time · Forced Rewind] [KRYY’s Blood · Versatile] [Healing · Superpower] [Tea Farmer Eater] [Balance · Arbitrary Domain]
Weaknesses: [This attribute cannot take effect in Serious Mode] [This attribute cannot take effect in Serious Mode]; [Mental Resistance LV.0]
——————
Notice:
Abnormal status detected — Attempting to remove. If failure occurs — temporary switch [Yoroi Armor] permission will be granted.
