Chapter 322 Drifting Road of the Divine Tree ③

Part 2

　The Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 are already looking at me with disdain, beyond proud of their victory.
　I really didn’t do anything, but I have no idea what kind of force is in action to bring about this situation.

“………… Well, Cry-chan, has a powerful influence, y’know…… With something……” (Liz)

“Master~……” (Tino)

“I am sorry, Cry-san. I never thought this would happen――” (Sytry)

“Uuumu…………” (Anthem)

　As expected even Anthem is troubled. I am really sorry for always causing you trouble.

　But regardless of the outcome of the bet, being stuck here is a problem. Here we have Luke that has turned into a statue. According to Eliza, if we don’t get rid of the curse as soon as possible, it will become troublesome, so we have to somehow break through this maze where the road in front of us keeps turning into a bad road.

　Right……………… For example, how about leaving me alone here and moving on?

　Apparently, the Drifting Road of the Divine Tree hates me to the point of making the path dangerous just by me approaching it, but conversely, Eliza doesn’t give the NG until I get close.

　This is some serious out-of-the-box thinking. It would be somewhat safer to stay inside Mimic-kun during the time I am waiting here and it is not like I want to go to Yggdra at all costs either.
　We must not forget. The purpose of this trip this time is to cure Luke.

　I am tired. I just want to go to bed and get some sleep, okay.

　Heck, if you think about it calmly, isn’t it the Spirit People who created this magical labyrinth that is giving me the NG?

　After all, they are Members of the Spirit People’s Royal Family who are known to hate humans. They should be able to freely manipulate the spells they created, so it wouldn’t be strange if they used it to harass me.
　Also, even if I don’t go that far, it is possible that they are testing my abilities. The Certification Level guarantees my power to some extent, but in the end, it is only a scale made by humans.

“It can’t be helped. Let’s make this the last one. It is a waste of time.” (Cry)

“…… Alright. Kuu, over here.” (Eliza)

　Well, whether my imagination is right or not, there is nothing I can do.

　I make up my mind and walk towards the gate Eliza pointed at. And there, I turn my gaze to something that has been on my mind for some time.

　There are many similar gates in this square, but there is only one that stands out from the rest.
　However, it does not mean that it has a different color, shape or that it is shining.

　I ask Eliza, who looks sleepy.

“Neee, Eliza. What do you think that crumbling gate is?” (Cry)

“………… I don’t know. But that road is the most dangerous one. Don’t go near it.” (Eliza)

　I see………… I thought that if all the gates lead to the same result, I would choose the crumbling one, but if she says that, I guess it is safer not to――――.

　I shrug my shoulders and approach the gate.
　Eliza didn’t say a word, just watching my every move.
　Tino, Liz, Sytry, and Lucia, who have stopped explaining, look at me with bated breath.

　Around 50 centimeters before the gate――So far, so good.

　The Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》, who have been watching me with Lucia, shout.

“You understand, don’t you?” (Starlight Member 1)

“Nii-san, I understand the principle behind it! I can catch it, the space-time distortion! Leave it to me!” (Lucia)

　Yeah, I know. I just have to touch it, right? So far, there have been two patterns in which Eliza has given me the NG. Either when I touch the gate or when I approach close enough to get in it.

　But what is Lucia going to do with it after capturing that space-time distortion thingy…… Will you be able to do something about it?

　In response to the request, I touch the rugged gate as if tracing it. Of course, I am not doing anything in particular.

　However, behind me, Lucia is screaming as if she is in a dire situation.

“The space is…… Hh, Nii-san the space is distorting! What are you doing!?” (Lucia)

“…………” (Cry)

　Seriously? ………… I am not doing anything. In the first place, didn’t you just say that human techniques are not something that can interfere with this technique?

　Eliza hasn’t said anything yet, but from how it is going it is no good…… I look at Eliza, who is half resigned and is standing right behind me, and stare in wonder.

　Eliza stares past the gate with wide-open eyes. Her wide-open crimson eyes never blink, and she does not move in the slightest, as if she is a doll.

　It is a completely different reaction from before. When I *furufuru* wave my hand in front of her, Eliza’s eyes finally see me.

“………… It’s coming.” (Eliza)

　There are no footstep sounds or any other signs. If I have to say, it was a change in the air.

　I involuntarily take a step back.

　Hunters who explore the unknown Treasure Shrines are trained to have that kind of intuition.
　I don’t have any talent as a Thief, but the change in the atmosphere is so obvious that even I could understand it instantly.

　The reason Eliza sensed it before anyone else is probably because she is the most skilled in this kind of thing.

　The air is *purupuru* tense. The Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》, who have been looking at my actions with disdainful eyes just earlier, shout in astonishment.

“This flow of power――Hh! Hu-Human, what did you do……!” (Starlight Member 1)

“…………………… If you were watching you would know.” (Cry)

　Even if you ask me, how would I know. I didn’t do anything in the first place, okay……

　Beyond the road. A huge shadow suddenly falls across the road, overgrown with trees.

　And then――It slowly appears.

　It is a huge, translucent sphere. Its body, *kirakira* glistening in the incoming light, does not touch the ground and floats in the air as if it is swaying, and doesn’t look very much like a living creature, but it has large shining crimson eyes and a mouth on the top.

　It is a creature that even I, who has visited various Treasure Shrines as a Member of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》, have never seen before.

　The sight of its figure slowly approaching us without making a sound make my lips overflow with one word.

“………… A Slime…………?” (Cry)

“Idiot, there’s no way that’s a slime, desu! That’s――That’s something related to a Spirit or a Divine Spirit, desu!” (Kruz)

　Kruz holds up her staff and yells at me, breaking out in a cold sweat.

　No, even I thought it was probably not a slime either. But there is also the example of Sytry’s Slime――.

　Lapis, who has always maintained a graceful neutral position, stares into its eyes with a grim expression.

“Hmph………… Spirits are the very power that makes up the world――The source of its will. To think a Spirit of this caliber would be left to roam unchecked――Moreover, I cannot feel the 『Will』 that it should have.” (Lapis)

　That’s………… A Spirit?

　If it is Spirits, I know about them. Even Lucia has bottled one up and is using it for work, and I have seen other Magi controlling them, but the one approaching us right now is unlike any of them.

“Could it be that it is, bad?” (Cry)

“To be frank, it is not something that people can use. I cannot say that it would be very wise to engage it in combat.” (Lapis)

　Lapis, who is supposed to be always so confident anywhere, anytime, says this.

“Spirits of that class are conscious and open to negotiation. Normally, that is. I can’t feel any of its intelligence anymore. It is something like a fallen god.” (Lapis)

“Human, what are you going to do!? That is not something you should use without any reason.” (Starlight Member 1)

　After what Lapis said, the other Members complain in a whispering voice.

　Even if you ask me that………… And then, I noticed something.

　At the edge of the gigantic sphere, someone is *yurayura* swaying inside.

　Judging from the shape of her ears, I guess she is a female Spirit People. Her bright green robe is *yurayura* swaying inside.
　I don’t know if she is alive or dead, but she must not be in a very favorable condition since she is in the body of a terrifying Spirit.

　One of the 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 notices her appearance and opens her eyes widely.

“What is that? Somebody is, being, taken…… by the Spirit……? Don’t tell me that is――No, but, this is…… What the hell, is going on?” (Starlight Member 1)

　We have to do something…… But the other side is a Spirit.
　Not knowing what to do, I step back and call out the name of my reliable Imouto.

“Lucia.” (Cry)

　Lucia responds immediately. She stands next to me and glares at the slowly approaching Spirit.

　Her blood has been drained from her face when I glance at her sideways. As a Magi, she must have understood how powerful the being in front of her is.
　But 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 have always overcome their predicaments. It seems that it is a dangerous opponent to deal with in battle, but besides that, the current Lucia has the knowledge she cultivated at the academy.
　I am sure that she will do something about this situation in a way that Lapis and the others can’t come up with.

　I call Lucia’s name once more with all my hopes.

“Lucia.” (Cry)

“I-I get it already!” (Lucia)

　Lucia answers in a trembling but loud voice, then thrusts her staff and casts a spell.

“『Hailstorm』!!” (Lucia)

　…………That’s not it!