Volume 5 Chapter 17
Volume 5 Chapter 17: The Journey Home
After finishing the audience with Lorie and the subsequent discussion…
「Oh, by the way. If you’re heading back to the human world, you should first go meet the kids who were left behind at the research facility and hear what they have to say.」
Following this suggestion, I was introduced to a staff member from the magic research institute in Inborg, and we exchanged information.
Most of what I learned was what Lorie and Parum had already told me. However, receiving additional information about how those left behind in the Spirit Realm were doing was certainly a good thing..
Once I had decided to return to the human world, I asked the staff members if they would like to be transported in the bag, but…
「We still have things to do. We can’t go back yet. The information we exchanged is all we had. There’s nothing that would require going back and reporting in person.」
「We’ll stick to providing support on this side, and will return once the Spirit Road is stable.」
Their strong determination was clear from their expressions, and I could tell they were sincere.
With that in mind, my main task became simply relaying the message to Cattleya and the others that they were safe.
Once everything was settled, and I had a clear plan for what information to bring back, we briefly explored the Spirit City until it was time for Parum to reopen the Spirit Road.
The moment to open the path arrived sooner than I had expected.
「Well, this is goodbye for now.」
「Yes, thank you for today.」
As the sun began to set, I arrived in the central area of the Spirit City, Inborg.
「But once I report back, if you need anything, I’ll bring it right away.」
「Thank you for that. It’s really helpful that now people and items also can be brought through the Spirit Road, but please don’t overexert yourself.」
「Heh, well, it’s part of the carrier’s job, and to be honest, it doesn’t feel like much of a strain.」
Pack the items into the transport bag, and just pass the Spirit Road, not a big deal.
「Oh, by the way, this Spirit Road will be opened from the central plaza here, right? But where exactly does it lead on the other side?」
When we arrived in Inborg, the place was clearly different. When I asked, Parum thought for a moment and then answered,
「To prevent magical beasts from consuming the magic, we try to open Spirit Roads in different places in the human world… but generally, you’ll come out near a Spirit City. We avoid setting it inside the Spirit City, to minimize danger of magical beasts or accidentally opening it inside some building.」
「I see. So if we make it to the other side, we should come out near the Spirit City.」
「Yes, but you have to focus on running. The wind can get really strong on this side too, and if you don’t make it all the way across, you’ll get pulled back here.」
「Got it.」
Heading from the Spirit City to the human world doesn’t feel too different from when I arrived.
So, I figured I should just relax and go for it. And as I thought that.
「Oh, by the way, before you go back, please take this with you.」
Parum reached into her pocket and pulled something out.
What was presented to me,
「This is… a bell?」
A bell, red in color and small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.
「Yes. It’s called a Spirit Bell. Normally, it’s used to specify the coordinates for opening a Spirit Road. If you ever need to use the Spirit Road, just ring this bell. At that moment, we will open the Spirit Road from our side.」
Parum handed me the bell while explaining. Holding it, I could feel that it had a noticeable weight, heavier than it looked. I could also sense the magical energy, it seemed like some kind of magical tool.
「But using this to open the Spirit Road… don’t you already have a set schedule for opening it?」
That had caught my attention. From what I heard, the paths usually opened three times a day, morning, afternoon, and evening. Would it be okay to just change the timing like that? I asked Parum about this, and she answered,
「Well, yes, we do have a minimum number of openings set. But the timing itself is flexible. If you open it too often without thinking, it puts more strain on Lorie-sama, so we usually stick to a regular schedule.」
「Got it. So I need to be careful with when I use it.」
「Oh, no. Lorie-sama herself says, “Don’t hold back! If you don’t use it, I’ll ask why later!” So if you need it, just use it as much as necessary. Just make sure you don’t overdo it.」
I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit at Parum’s words.
「I can almost see her saying that. Well, understood. So how exactly do I use this thing?」
「Hold the bell in your hand and shake it three times. We’ll know your location from that. After that, we’ll open the path aiming there. It’s not that stable, so the coordinates can be somewhat off….」
Parum said this apologetically, but I responded,
「Look, having you open the Spirit Road for me is really convenient. I just need to adjust the position. Thanks a lot, Parum. And I’ll personally thank Lorie later.」
Hearing this, Parum visibly relaxed and smiled.
「Please do. Lorie-sama might seem casual, but because of her position, she doesn’t have much chance to speak with others.」
「Oh, really?」
「Yes. Few people in this city can have an audience with her… Besides, she seemed to have fun talking to you.」
「Really? Well, that’s good to hear.」
In all the turmoil, if I was able to help ease her troubles even a little, I consider that fortunate.
「Well, I’d like to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.」
「Yes, agreed. Oh, it’s about time now. I’ll open the path.」
「Alright, go ahead.」
Parum nodded, then lifted her hand and chanted,
「Opening coordinates confirmed. [Construct: Spirit Road].」
As she raised her hand, a long rectangular shape of light appeared in the space in front of her, just like before.
「This should lead us back safely now.」
「Yeah, thanks. I’ll be back again soon, Parum.」
「Me too. I’ll prepare a bunch of stuff to help you fix the spring.」
「Yes, I’ll be waiting, Axel, Daisy.」
With that, I stepped through the Spirit Road, returning to the human world, bearing news from another realm.
●
Watching Axel’s departing figure fade, Parum stood still for a few moments. Then, the Spirit Road disappeared, leaving her alone.
「T-to think he actually… made it all the way across…」
Parum muttered quietly to herself.
First, she was astonished to see that this unstable, dangerous Spirit Road could even be crossed. But then, she muttered under her breath a wishful thought she held deeper inside her heart,
「Axel’s strength, his abilities are the real deal. Maybe… maybe my wish could come true too…」
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