Chapter 324 Drifting Road of the Divine Tree ⑤

Part 1

　In addition to the Thief who is in charge of searching and leading, assessing the situation is one of the most important abilities for a Hunter and it is required for everyone in the Party to have it.
　The situation changes quickly on a battlefield. Especially in Treasure Shrines, which are beyond human knowledge, it is not uncommon for one person’s delay in judgment to lead to total annihilation.

　Well, what I am trying to say is that there is no way that I, who is said to have zero talent as a Hunter, have the abilities that an excellent Hunter should have.

　The reason why an incompetent person like me was able to serve as the Leader of a Hunter Party when I was still participating in adventures as the Leader of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 is because each Member are too talented.
　Lucia’s sudden attack surprised me, but even so――If that is the judgment of my Imouto, who spends all her time studying Magic at the Imperial Capital’s top Magic Academy, then it is definitely a correct one.

　If I give them general instructions, everyone will move appropriately. The only problem is that when I do things like this, I do not understand the situation at all.

　And now, as a result of being swept away by the situation and doing things randomly, I am being stared at by the mysterious Spirit at close range.

　A swollen, spherical body. The round eyes on its head are staring at me.
　I don’t sense any kind of malice in those eyes, but I suppose it is possible that I am just numb to it.

　My companions are exhausted. In particular, the Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 seem to be unable to even stand, maybe due to the violent onslaught they had just launched. This is a situation that Lucia often found herself in when she first became a Hunter.
　Lucia, Anthem, and the others still seem to be able to move, but they silence their breath and prepare to intervene at any time, watching me and the mysterious creature stare at each other.

　I have no idea how I got into this situation.
　After all, all I did was being hit by a stray bullet from the Spirit’s attack and giving the order to attack the Spirit when it showed an opening.

　There is no visible change in the Spirit after the onslaught from 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 and 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》, two Party which are well-known in the Imperial Capital. The body part that Liz cut open to rescue the Spirit People trapped inside has already been restored to its original state.
　I know that Spirits are one of the most powerful beings in this world, but it is hard to believe that they could not be repelled or even have wounds after all those attacks. Even though we are staring at each other like this, there is no sign of it attacking me, so maybe their attacks are working just fine even if on the surface it doesn’t have any injury, but I have no way of confirming it.

　Well, for now, if only the Spirit in front of me would go away, I guess that would solve the problem………… But what is going on?

　It seems that Sytry, who is unfazed by everything, and Eliza, who seems to know a lot about Spirits, won’t help me this time. I look at the Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》, who seem to be reliable in such situations, but they are all staring at me with stiffened bodies. One person’s lips are moving slightly, but I have no idea what she is trying to say. Well, she did ask me what to do in the beginning, so even if I could hear her voice, I wouldn’t expect much.

　If the other party is a human, I would try to talk to them, but――No, wait. Cry Andrich, don’t give up yet.

　No matter how you look at it, the being floating in front of me is a monster and just talking to it seems futile. Even Lapis said it has lost its mind.
　But, however, since it has neither fallen nor escaped from Liz and the others’ onslaught, my options are limited. If I truly possessed the power suitable for Level 8, I could have used a trick to drive it away, but I don’t have the ability to do so, so there is nothing I can do.

　But lately, I have been getting involved with a lot of dangerous people.

“………… It can’t be helped.” (Cry)

　Lucia used to say that negotiations with Spirits are done with heart-to-heart conversation.
　I don’t really understand, but the Spirit’s attack has stopped, so if we can have a sincere discussion from now on, I am sure we can work something out. Since we wouldn’t be able to understand each other’s words, I have to try to mix in gestures as well――.

　I take one deep breath, make up my mind, and open my arms wide. Just as I was about to open my mouth, the Spirit emitted a *chikachika* strong, flickering light.

　I open my eyes. A mysterious sound, similar to the tinkling of a bell, comes out of nowhere, and the shape of the Spirit changes from a sphere to one that resembles a human being.
　For a moment I thought it was a new attack, but there is no sign of it being one. As I stiffen with my arms outstretched, the Spirit *yurayura* sways and lifts me up by my arms.

　What is going on……? And what is this sound――.

　At that moment, Lapis, who has been on her knees until then and is looking at me with an inquisitive eye, utters a cry at me, who is at the peak of confusion and in a situation I don’t quite understand.

“To-To think, a Spirit of this caliber, would try to, communicate, with a human being…… You really never, cease to surprise me” (Lapis)

“!! ……………… We-Well, sometimes things like that happen too.” (Cry)

　I see, I get it now. This sound is the voice of the Spirit! Now that you put it that way, it does feel like the sounds are coming from the Spirit in front of me. Seriously, this is so confusing.

　However, if we know that the other party is trying to communicate by using sound, it has got to be that one. It is precisely at times like this that the Staff Relic with the ability to interpret――『Round World』 comes into play.

　I was able to use it to confirm Luke’s intentions, and although it was expensive, it wasn’t that useful, but I am glad I have many opportunities to use it this time.

　I nod my head in agreement to the Spirit who is constantly calling out to me with the sound of a bell, and beckon Mimic-kun who is waiting in the corner. However, Mimic-kun, who would always come whenever I called him, wasn’t coming this time.

　Wasn’t one of your functions to come when called………… Now is not the time to play, you know?

　After beckoning him several times, Tino notices the exchange between me and Mimic-kun, rushes over to Mimic-kun and *bambam* slaps him on the head. Finally, Mimic-kun starts to move.

　………… Maybe, just maybe, Tino is really better at handling Relics than me――No, no, no. If I also lose in that field, the only thing I can beat Tino at is my Level. I have to regain my honor here.

　I open the lid of Mimic-kun who approaches and takes out 『Round World』. Now it is my turn.

　With great enthusiasm, I turn to the Spirit and activate the Relic. The meaning behind the mysterious sounds is transmitted to me.

『――Then, I am counting on you. Son of man.』 (Spirit)

“………… Y-Yes.” (Cry)

　………… Eh? W-Wait a sec?

　The Spirit nods in satisfaction without paying attention to my inward puzzled state and then turns to Mimic-kun, who had left the lid open.

『Well then, before the power swallows my consciousness again, I will sleep inside. These days, this world’s………… Mana Material is too strong.』 (Spirit)

　The Spirit disappears into Mimic-kun. There is no time to stop it.

　And then silence falls over the place. At first glance, it seems no different than before the Spirit appeared………… Uhmm, did it ask me for something?

　Apparently, the Spirit didn’t notice that I couldn’t speak the Spirit language (?). It seems that listening while nodding backfired. What should I do.
　Lucia, who was holding her breath and watching the exchange between the Spirit and me, rushed over.

“Ni-Nii-san, are you all right!? I can’t believe you negotiate with a Spirit――” (Lucia)

　………… Well, I wasn’t really trying to negotiate. At any rate, we have accomplished our goal of driving the Spirit away. I am so glad everyone is safe.
　Maybe she has recovered a little, Lapis staggers to her feet and stands up straight.

“Hmph…… So it was swallowed by its power, huh. So your attack order was to reduce its excess of power and restore its sanity………… I was certainly concerned about the high concentration of Magic in the air, but Yggdra seems to be in a slightly complicated situation since even a Spirit of that caliber had gathered enough power to cause it to go berserk.” (Lapis)

“!! Un, un, that’s right!” (Cry)

　The effect of 『Round World』 only applies to its user. But apparently, Lapis was able to clearly understand the Spirit’s language.
　Fortunately, she must have heard what it had asked me. I will check with her later. I almost let things go by without knowing what was going on (That happens a lot).