Five days of crossing the city using a horse-drawn carriage. Eliza showed me how to get there in front of a big forest.
The mountain range is the southern border of Zebuldia. It is a great tree sea that stretches out at the foot of it. According to the map, it was not that wide, but the gloomy and lush trees seemed to be refusing human entry, and there was barely a gap between the trees for the carriage to enter, but it was not something that could be called a road in flattery.
The ground was bumpy, and even if you used a carriage, you wouldn't be comfortable without treasure. In the first place, it was clear that even if I was forced to split up, I would hit a dead end along the way.
At the time of the vacation, the mountain went up, but there was a road, though it was old. The Great Forest that we are entering this time is not as dangerous as the one we passed on vacation, but there will be a lot of monsters. The veins are basically in the forests and mountains. Since Mana Materials strengthen organisms more, these untouched nature exists in roughly every country.
Which is safer, the old road, which is reputed to contain powerful monsters, or the beast road, which is home to those monsters?
The answer was... both of them were dangerous!
I sneaked down the carriage and sneaked around, hiding in the shadow of Anthem.
Well, this is still Empire territory... but Yggdra was inside the Empire? Yggdra has a huge tree - the World Tree - but as far as I can tell, I didn't see such a big tree.
Blinking his eyes, Tino, who was running alongside the carriage and breathing slightly on his shoulder, looked up at Eliza in horror and asked.
"Um...... Eliza-san. Was Yggdra in Zebuldia? This place is still inside the Empire....."
"Hmm... it's a nonsense question. Even the same spirits rarely invite Yggdora in the country of the human race."
Instead of Eliza, Lapis, who was following her from behind, said in a grumpy mood.
Tino's mouth gurgled. As for me, I cannot be left alone with the same questions. [M]
“No, I think that's a good question. Yggdra is a legendary country, and it's not surprising that you don't know where it is.”
"...... Yowanningen, how far do you know?"
Kurus frowns and puts in a trickle.
No... I don't know anything. That's why you're telling me you don't know where it is!
As usual, Eliza says with a sigh of complacency.
"Yggdra is not in the Empire. But there was a way out. Unless you are invited--without the guidance of the Spirit Man, there is no way in."
"[Divine Tree Path] --After repeated wars, Yggdra's royal family created a new means of transportation that harnessed the power of the veins of the earth. It's an invisible road that leads from every forest."
”...... Using the veins of the Earth...... As expected, the magic technology of the Magic People is advancing... even though it is completely illegal to conduct research using the power of the veins of the Earth in the Empire”
Citrix roared in admiration. Is it a path that can only be seen by the elect? It was a path of adventure.
The forest is dangerous, and I don't have any good memories, unless it's safe.
"It's not bad to have a picnic for a long time..."
"In order to block intruders, there are a large number of powerful demonic and phantom beasts in the Divine Tree Way." Demon beasts that are already extinct and Divine Beasts that rarely appear in the surface world. After all, it's above the veins that exist. I couldn't compare it to the treasure hall and so on. Of course, there's no problem if you're guided along the right path..... "
I hate to say this... can't you say it a little sooner? I told you about the picnic?
Liz's eyes sparkled at Lapis' words. Apparently, I missed the Demon King, so I had a dyspepsia.
"Hmph. It's funny, isn't it, Cry? How dare you not follow the right path?"
"...... I don't see Luke right now."
"Since Luke isn't here, it's good to have more portions." Hey, Tee? "
You're telling me a terrible thing. It was possible that Luke wouldn't be able to get back from the petrification if he didn't hurry up, but it seemed that Liz wasn't worried about the possibility at all....... well, it's Luke.
So [The Wanderer], you've already talked it over, right?
"... Of course..."
Eliza's expression seemed to fall somewhere, and she looked down at her long legs.
I believe you... well, even if I didn't believe you, I don't have a choice.
In any case, Liz and Citrix are very motivated. I'm sorry about Lucia, but I can see the tension rising in my brother's face. I couldn't even go back to the Imperial City by myself, but I was still a lottery.
If it was Tino, he'd go out with me, but there's a chance the Demon King could come out.
So she removed the little bag that Eliza was hanging from her waist and flipped it over her palm.
What came out of it was an elongated gemstone with a sparkling rainbow colour. Leather straps are wrapped around it in the middle.
And the number was six. And Eliza gave the gems unto the members of the Ghost of Mourning in turn, and took one of her own, and delivered it unto me, and said,
"That's the way it is. The guide should be able to follow me, but with that, I'm sure Yggdra won't get lost..."
Wow, this stone is conductive. What kind of rationale can guide us?
Blinking his eyes, Liz pinched the leather strap and said to me as I listened.
The jewel suspended from the string is slowly spinning.
"Maybe this is an azimuthal needle...?"
"...... Yes......"
I see, is that how you use it? As usual, Lizzie was a good guess.
Obviously, it wasn't a magnet, but there was something in my treasure that showed me the way with a mysterious force. It's wild to hang on.
Lapis frowned at the difficulty and checked.
"Is it Yugudra's key to hearing rumors?" You don't have our share, do you? "
"............ This just shows the way. If you follow me from behind, you won't get lost."
It seemed that the way to Yugudra was simple.
In Eliza's words, one of the [Holy Thunder of the Stars] who was staring at the jewel from behind was a boss.
"...... If we don't offer our help to that Knight Commander......"
"...... no, I think you guys had a hard time convincing the Spirit Man Queen... right?"
"...... what are you talking about!?"
The members of Holy Thunder of the Stars were relieved. But Eliza was lucky enough to convince the Queen in the first place.
The word "tie" to the human opponent, even if it is part of the solution, the spirits with high pride can not be released. It was because of Eliza at her own pace that she was able to make such a statement on the spot....... When you think about it calmly, isn't it rude of you to take your turn and disappear?
Eliza, who had been asked to agree, had her eyebrows shaped like a crow's eyebrow.
Speaking of which, the Spirit Man has a strong sense of kinship, but I've never seen Eliza and the Holy Thunder of the Stars together. I don't think it's a bad idea... but it's also a good idea to split up here.
With a small sigh, I offered the orientation needle I had just received.
"Well, I can't help arguing here." I'll give you my share. "
I told you in good faith, but Kriss looks at me as if he had just done it.
The expression of the other spirits in the back was attracted. It's compelling to make a scary expression with all the beauty, but from the point of view of me, who is angry from all the beauty, it's just slender to subtract points.
"...... Yowanningen, you're really good at stirring people up."
"...... Hmm. Don't get me wrong with [Chi Chi Chi Vanhua]!" Don't insult me! I don't want you to feel sorry for me. This is a testament recognized by the royal family - there's no point in receiving it from you! "
Lapis says in a horrified tone. There was no such thing as sympathy... but even if I had an orientation magnetic needle, I would never use it again, and there were six of us in the first place...
But I can't help it if I don't want it. I stuck a stone in my pocket and slapped my coat.
"If you want it, you can always tell me."
"...... [Wandering], where is the Conductor!?"
In the woods
"Then let's get to the meeting point!" [Thousand Swords] will be returned! "
Lapis shouted with a ruthless voice that inadvertently stretched his spine. Somehow, I was motivated by the [Holy Thunder of the Stars].
Therefore, I remembered that I had a treasure that I could not reveal without this timing. I accustomed my fingers properly and asked Mikun to spit out one treasure.
That's right, when it comes to guidance, there are some treasures like this!
"Hmm... is that... a compass?"
The one you take out is a palm-sized compass-shaped treasure. Everything from the needle to the outside is made of black stone, and the needle is engraved with a strange pattern in red.
In high level treasure halls, the human sense of direction is completely useless. "Sometimes" compass-shaped treasures that show the right path in such cases are particularly demanding among treasures.
"!? Krai-chan, did you still have it?"
Liz glanced at the treasure I had lifted. Citri also had a troubled face, and Lucia and the others put their hands on her forehead as if she could withstand a headache. Is the salvation of not seeing Anthem's face?
Kurus opens his eyes and raises an exaggerated voice.
"Compass-type treasure...... no way, it points to that famous safe path......"
I like Nori. As expected of a Tsuyonouble.
There are several kinds of compass-type treasure, even if it is a mouthful.
The price varies greatly depending on the location shown, such as those with the simple effect of accurately indicating the orientation in any location, those that are extremely effective in indicating the vague guideline of the correct path, and those that continue to indicate specific items and locations. This is an unparalleled piece of compass-type treasure.
When I placed the treasure with the needle still spinning in his palm, I smiled.
"Hmph, that's sweet. And vice versa..."
"... hah? Gi... on the contrary...?"
“When I go in the direction I'm pointing, misfortune awaits, the 'sign of the fool' (Luther's Sign).”
There are many compass treasures in this world, and there are few treasures that lead to dangerous paths. In the first place, if you have the technology to make such a thing, you'll make a compass that will point you in the right direction.
In that sense, this treasure that shows me the way to go whether it's an accident, a monster, or a phantom is a rare item.
"!? What are you going to use that for...?"
Kriss raises his voice. Tino and the others were distracted by his pale expression.
"No, I just brought it. I'm not going to use it anywhere else....."
I was just bragging. By the way, the militant Lizzie and the others had a disgusting expression on this treasure because they had encountered a lot of them when they first tried it.
"Hmm............ depending on how you use it, it might be helpful... if you don't go in the right direction."
Kurus will follow you as much as he can.
At that time, the hand that was continuously spinning around the treasure in my hand stopped snugly. The tip of the needle--what we're trying to do is point us in the right direction.
"... oh, hey, this is............"
"... don't worry about it too much." I wouldn't be a hunter if I avoided dangerous places. "
"Ah....."
Take away the treasure. No matter what I hide, I don't carry this treasure - the needle of this treasure points me in the direction I want to go, as if it were a match.
In the first place, this needle shows the direction, but it doesn't show the distance. Even if it is unhappy, there is a difference in the degree and nature, and if you avoid that direction, you can't do anything.
I mean... even if I don't use something like this, I'm always unlucky.
Eliza looks at her legs frequently and says, "Millions."
"Ku, let's go ahead with such a mess." Until the meeting place...... it's very dangerous. "
I see... the Divine Tree Path will be safe if I'm guided, but it's not safe until I get there, okay.
From the woods, I could hear a strange sound that resembled the screams of children. It was a clear-cut result. I don't have anything anymore, but it's troublesome.
I said with a small sigh in a sudden mood. [M]
"Not yet enough for me to get out." Cruz, Lapis, do it. ah, the thunder magic is definitely in the direction of nothing..... "
§
I haven't acted together in a long time, but [Holy Thunder of the Stars] is more powerful than I thought.
Originally, the high potential of Spirit Man is known, but at the same time, they do not take it seriously when fighting with humans.
But the Lapis seemed motivated this time.
I know I'm not good at it, but I think my Annihilation ability is beyond the top party of the clan, the [Black Gold Cross]. It was called the Mage Party.
The attack magic of the wind and water attributes passed through the trees and did not damage the forest. Even so, I wanted Lucia to learn how to accurately defeat the demonic beast that was attacking me. She was pursuing only the height and range of power.
You're going to do a lot of work this time, aren't you?
“I don't owe you anything. Hmm....."
Lapis responds to my questions in a dumbfounded way. Apparently, the Lapis lacked a bit of calm.
Citrix, who was following her while retrieving the material from behind, nudged her shoulders and said with great joy.
"It seemed like you had quite the endurance to be turned into an evader in the matter of the cursed stone." I'm sorry because I'm not flirting with Cry-san. "
...... what are you talking about, this girl? "I didn't mean to be a castaway..."
When marching, I am mostly behind the weakest. [M] No matter how many Anthems there are, no amount of barrier fingers will be enough if they're on the front line. Naturally, there was a rear guard near me - a magician.
Anyway, whatever Citri said, you owe the Lapis? He seemed to be willing to give it back with my support. Even if you are surrounded by spirits and protected, there is no such thing as a wide world.
"Stay down, humans!"
It's level eight, so don't flutter! Humans!
"Humans, don't block the rays!"
Spirits who shoot magic with words in their mouths. It might be the first time I've heard such a voice from a member of the Holy Thunder of the Stars except for Chris and Lapis.
"Totally, everyone suddenly flirted with Yowanningen... it's useless to use such a transparent hand!" Stop it, it's embarrassing! "
Kriss raises his arms and scolds his friends.
Are you flirting? Are you really flirting with this? By the way...... I don't know their names......
"...... hahaha, but if you're really with Yowanningen, you'll be in terrible trouble." Even in the woods, there aren't usually so many monsters out there. I didn't mean to come, but I did! "
"I see...? It's not that different than usual..."
"Ah!? You're completely paralyzed!"
Perhaps because she walked around using her magic, Kriss's face was bright red. The magic power didn't seem to have been exhausted yet, but it didn't mean I didn't feel fatigued until it was. The Lapis and other Spirits' expressions also showed fatigue.
Lucia, who was using magic the same way but had a cool face, sighed.
"Because the leader is liked by monsters..."
If they like you, they don't want you. "I'm always the first to be targeted..."
Eliza, who was at the forefront alongside Liz to detect the danger, looked back. Perhaps because the monster sensor was still reacting, its expression was oozing with fatigue.
"Let's take a little... break." I'm using too much magic... more than I thought. "
"Eliza-chan is not serious." If you're so careful when you're with Cry, you'll be tired, right? You don't have to look far to get attacked anyway! "
"Ku......"
I don't know what to say even if I can see it with my dazed eyes.
I sat down on Mikun and paused for a moment. When I looked at it this way, the difference between our party and the other party was remarkable.
Compared to the [Holy Thunder of the Stars], who was resting with his back down firmly, our members were quite energetic.
Liz took Tino to look ahead, and Citrix and Lucia began to sort out the monster materials they had defeated. Our party is often attacked for some reason, so if you don't use your break time to tidy up your loot, you'll be forced to throw away most of it and move on.
"Ku, I'll look ahead too." Keep an eye on him. "
Eliza went after Liz and the others. I don't know if you're watching me... my crisis-sensing abilities are negative.
However, this time there are a lot of spirits who are natural mages and natural hunters. Everyone seems to be on guard, so don't worry about it.
When I looked at the "conduction" which continued to point in one direction while stretching heavily, I was suddenly called from behind.
"D, humming... can you lend me that?"
It was the girl in the hood who was shaking. I didn't know his name or recognize him, but he was one of the members of the Holy Thunder of the Stars .
At the end of his nervous gaze was a wobbly conductor.
What did you want? "Damn, the Spirit Man is so prideful..."
"Of course I don't mind." It'll be much more useful than I have. "
Throw the conductor. The unknown girl caught it in a hurry, and she lowered her head and, shortly after she called out, ran backwards along the path she had just passed.
"... oh, no matter how much you're used to, it's dangerous to act alone..."
I ran the other way, but is there anything? Spirits are as free as the [Ghost of Mourning].
Dazed, Kurus, who had been able to take care of his friends, approached.
“Yowanningen is really easy at any time of the day.”
"Well... I'm used to it." More than that, your people ran over there, but if you were alone, it would be dangerous. "
It's hard to be pointed out to me.
Kris blinked at my words and looked towards the Lapis.
"Huh...? They're all over there." What are you talking about? "
............ Is that it?