Volume 5 Chapter 4: Numerous Circumstances
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Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”
Cattleya, who was sitting on the opposite side of the reception room’s table, spoke.
「I heard a great many things about you. Among them, that the Ｈero of Ｍagic Saki is traveling with Flying Carrier Axel. And that you are also accompanied by Dragon Monarch Berzelia and the Hero Alchemist Daisy.」
「Since you know so much, does it mean that there are pretty detailed rumors going around?」
She seemed to know that I’m 『Flying Carrier』before we introduced ourselves.
「Well, half of it is just rumors, and deduction based on them. It is not in Saki’s personality to jump from one party to another, so I suspected it might be the same party that I heard of before.」
「Ah, I see.」
Party composition would often change according to the demands of the work, so it’s not like people stick together all the time.
…But knowing that Saki prefers to stick with her friends it isn’t hard to make that guess.
And as I thought thatー
「Well, and I also thought that there is probably only one person that Saki would act so familiar with. ……Eehm, just to confirm, you are Flying Carrier Axel, right?」
「That’s what people seem to call me. This over here is Berzelia, and the one on my shoulder is Daisy.」
「I see, I see. That’s great. —Then, Axel. There is another thing I want to confirm… Are you, that? Since Saki is sticking to you that much, you must be that Invisible Dragon Knight, the same Axel that was with Saki in the heroes party, correct?」
Cattleya asked with a slight hint of excitement in her eyes, after looking at Saki, clinging to my arm.
Looks like she is the type to first make all possible confirmations and only then talk. Having thought that, I nodded.
「Yes, that’s right. I’m Axel, previously a dragon knight.」
「I see, I see…! So the source from the capital wasn’t wrong. …And? Is it true that you changed your job from a dragon knight to a carrier, but still can run as if you are flying through the skies?」
「Not sure how much of it would seem like flying, but I think that I’m considerably fast. But that’s subjective.」
「Ah, then I will say how it is objectively. To be frank, you are even faster than you were during your days as a dragon knight, Master. It would require layering several skills to compare with your current speed.」
Hearing Berzelia, Cattleya looked at me with even greater curiosity.
「Oooh. That’s…… I see. The more I hear the more interesting the situation looks. I’m now curious what they would say at the Job Change Temple about this case…!」
Cattleya looked at me while bending over the table. And then, began touching me all over with her hands.
「Oh, I see… The body aside, but seeing your face for the first time… I see. Considering the way you acted during the war I thought you to be a demon of a man… Hmm, I see.」
「Not what you expected?」
「Yes, you are quite kind after all. Even so, I still can catch that scent of war coming from deep within you.」
「Scent…? Is there such a thing?」
「Hmm? I think Master smells pretty nice?」
Berzelia said while leaning closer to smell me.
「Yeah, that’s just Cattleya being weird as usual. Don’t mind it. But well, I cannot deny that magic power also has a smell-like property to it.」
「Which reminds me, you often said something like that while clinging to Master, Lysnoir. So that’s where it’s coming from…」
「Hahaha, well, though it was only for a short while, but this girl was my student. So it might’ve spread to her. Anyway, you are a nice man. Not only your face but also your body, the air around you, I feel something good from it.」
「Is that so? Well, being praised so much isn’t bad.」
「Fufu, that’s the truth after all. Mmhm, the magic power overflowing from this youthful body is amazing.」
Saying that Cattleya touched my hands and face, but—
「Although talking about Axel is fun, let’s stop here.」
After she touched me a few times, Saki grasped Cattleya’s hand.
「That’s not what we came here for, Hundrett. Though I fully understand your desire to enjoy Axel’s body. 」
「Ah, sorry, Saki. Couldn’t help myself. Studying the decision-making process of gods sounded like an interesting topic for research, so I got a bit too into it. I guess my nature as a researcher got the better of me.」
Drawing back and pulling her hand away with a wry smile, Cattleya sat back into her chair.
「Well, then let’s get back to the main topic. So, what is your purpose for coming to this research institute?」
「Yeah, that’s—」
From there, Daisy and I explained the current situation.
And a few minutes later—
「I… see. So you want to visit the Spirit Spring to repair your weapon. And for that, you want a guide or at least directions.」
These were the first words Cattleya spoke after hearing our brief explanation.
After that she lowered her gaze, going deep into thought.
………Hmm, was there some problem with it?
Looking at her reaction, things don’t look too promising.
「It can’t be done?」
I asked, looking at Cattleya, upon which she seems to have noticed my gaze.
「Well, no. No, it’s not that it can’t. Sorry for giving a misleading impression.」
She shook her head, raising her eyes.
「So we can count on your cooperation?」
「Of course. We can lead a peaceful life thanks to you heroes. I’d like to provide whatever help I can. I’d like to, but… From what I’ve heard it won’t that easy.」
Cattleya hummed, as if in doubt, and then breathed a sigh.
「……Well. Rather than explaining it here, it would be better if you take a look at the pathway to the spirit spring and decide for yourself.」
「The pathway to the spirit spring? There is such a thing?」
That is a new term.
So I replied with a question, to which Cattleya returned a reaffirming nod.
「Yes. There is. We call it『Road of Spirits』. And we are also in the process of looking for it at the moment.」
「Looking for it…… So it’s something that has to be located first.」
「Yes. You understand quickly. As expected of a warrior that got through the great war with the demon lord.」
Cattleya showed a satisfied smile and then continued her explanation.
「…Anyway, there is no telling where the Road of Spirits might emerge. 『In the vicinity of the city of spirits, in the plains, hills, or woodlands』or『It would appear several times a day』and so on, we already managed to establish quite a number of conditions, but it doesn’t change the fact that the area is quite large. So, it usually takes a large number of people, steadily surveying the area to find it. ……And we are yet to find it today.」
「I see. That sounds like quite a chore.」
「Yes. So, well, you can leave that boring task to us. We will contact you once we find it.」
「Really? You don’t mind us leaving such a troublesome task to you? We can help if needed?」
Cattleya shook her head at my suggestion.
「In the first place, this survey is a part of observation needed for research. We can find it on our own, and we are not as troubled as to ask for your help at such a stage. So, well, spend your time at leisure in the city, while we are searching for it.」
「Fumu, if you insist, then we shall wait, but are you really sure?」
「Yes, we are grateful for the sentiment. And this city is also a health resort, not a bad place for a wait I would think. So I’d like you to enjoy its hospitality. You just arrived today, didn’t you? As a citizen of this place, I’d like you to get to know it.」
I nodded to Cattleya’s words.
………Well, she has a point. It’s a city famous for its hot springs after all.
And it’s not like we are in a hurry.
So it might be a good idea to wait while enjoying hot springs or sightseeing.
……Ever since we entered this town, Berzelia, Saki, and Daisy, all seem like they can’t wait to get into hot springs.
Of course, I also wanted to soak in hot springs and relax.
「Yeah. Then, I guess we will wait for a while and enjoy hot springs in the meantime.」
「Sure, thanks for understanding. Then, I don’t think it will take several days, if things go well, we might contact you today or tomorrow. But I would be glad if you enjoy the city to your heart’s content during that time.」
「Yeah, thank you. It seems you are going to cooperate with us a lot, so we really appreciate it.」
And thus, a short while after coming to the city of spirits we ensured the cooperation of the magic research institute and got some time to take things easy and rest.
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