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Volume 5 Chapter 11: The Path of Light

Volume 5 Chapter 11: The Path of Light

Standing before the Spirit Road, I observed its form and muttered quietly:
「This looks more like a door than a path.」
Perhaps it was just my imagination drawing that connection from its rectangular shape, but as I thought that, Cattleya responded:
「Indeed. If you were to classify it further, it would be called a ‘Spirit Gate’. So that idea isn’t wrong. We just stick to calling it the Spirit Road to avoid complicated details.」
「Is that so? …Well, I can see how it definitions can get confusing.」
「Precisely. Now then, let’s move on. I apologize for bringing this up so soon after the Spirit Road’s appearance, but I’d like to explain a certain issue we’re facing.」
「Oh, that issue you mentioned before? The difficult one?」
When asked, Cattleya nodded in affirmation.
「I thought it might be easier to explain if you just saw it yourself. I’ll demonstrate it right now, along with the way to reach the Spirit Realm. Adventurers from the ‘Thief’ class with high speed, please step forward.」
Cattleya gestured toward her staff, summoning three lightly-equipped individuals whose gear clearly prioritized mobility.
「Director, we’re doing this again?」
「Yes. Sorry to ask, but please proceed as usual.」
At her request, the three adventurers exchanged glances before responding:
「Understood. Alright, guys, follow my lead.」
With those words, they lined up before the Spirit Road, kneeling to prepare for a dash.
「Ready… go!」
At the signal, all three dashed into the glowing vortex at once.
The moment they entered—
Whoosh!
The vortex expanded.
Before us, a glowing path of light appeared.
「This is…」
「This is the threshold between our world and the Spirit Realm. The Spirit Road connects it. Since they entered from this side, it became visible.」
Cattleya gestured toward a blue, glowing path suspended in darkness.
At its far end, a shore was visible.
…Is that the Spirit Realm?
As that thought crossed my mind, a powerful headwind suddenly surged.
The three adventurers struggled to advance against it.
However, after only a few seconds and a few steps—
「Whoa! Aahhh?!」
The path collapsed beneath them.
It seemed like they were about to fall into the darkness below, but in that instant—
Poof.
The path of light vanished entirely.
The once-strong headwind dissipated as though it had never happened, leaving only the plain grasslands.
There, sprawled across the grass—
「…Ugh…」
The three adventurers were lying on the ground.
Cattleya sighed softly.
「As expected… it’s no good.」
「Cattleya, is this the problem you mentioned?」
When I asked, she nodded and replied:
「Exactly. The ‘issue’ I mentioned this morning—the instability of the Spirit Road. The Spirit Realm lies at that far shore, but the path disappears way too quickly, vanishing before anyone can reach it. We’ve attempted it a number of times, and as of recent, it always goes pretty much like this.」
「From what you’re saying, this wasn’t always the case?」
She emphasized 「recent」 suggesting that things used to be different.
「Correct. Until half a year ago, the path remained stable enough for leisurely crossings. There weren’t even those strong headwinds. That’s why I hoped today might be different, but… it seems not.」
「Do you know what’s causing this?」
「Ah, about that. A few months ago, we received an emergency message from the personnel stationed on the other side. It read, ‘Unable to maintain the Spirit Road for extended periods. Investigating the cause.’ That’s all we’ve heard. It seems maintaining communication itself has become incredibly difficult. From our end, the path remains open for about ten seconds, but with the storm winds winds you just saw, even those excelling in speed struggle just to move forward.」
「So, reaching the Spirit Realm via this unstable path requires running through strong headwind and making it across before it disappears.」
「Exactly. I wanted you to see this firsthand to understand the strength of the winds and the distance involved.」
Indeed, this was a situation that was hard to grasp without witnessing it directly.
I silently appreciated Cattleya’s decision not to rely solely on verbal explanations.
「Well, that said, I do believe there’s a fair bit of hope.

「Hope?」

「Yes. …It lies with you, Axel. Having witnessed your speed and endurance firsthand, I’m inclined to think that you might be able to cross the Spirit Road.」

As she looked directly into my eyes, her gaze unwavering, I thought it over for a moment before replying:

「I can’t say for sure until I try, but the distance itself looked manageable.」

「Oh, is that so? That’s good to hear. You see, we have something that must be delivered to the Spirit Realm. That’s why we’ve been searching for someone capable of crossing the Spirit Road.」

「I see.」

「Indeed. So, we’ve been analyzing things from various angles. If no one could make it, we’d have to consider alternative methods.」

It seemed Cattleya had been doing her best to tackle this problem from every possible angle.

「Well then, Axel, would it be fine for you to attempt the challenge tomorrow morning? Once the Spirit Road appears, it stays in the same spot for an entire day.」

「Is that so? Well, I don’t mind giving it a try.」

After all, reaching the Spirit Spring is part of my goal. If they’re letting me attempt it, I’m more than willing.

When I shared my thoughts,

「I see.」

Cattleya nodded slightly before adding:

「Oh, and Axel, my apologies for bringing this up after you already agreed, but if you do manage to cross, we may need to put a request to you as Axel the Carrier. As someone who can potentially reach the other side. Would that be alright?」

「Ah, that’s no problem. As long as it fits in the item bag, it won’t add any weight.」

When I said this, Cattleya let out a relieved sigh and smiled.

「Very well, then. Tomorrow, at dawn.」

「Sure. Looking forward to it.」