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Volume 5 Chapter 8: Consultation

Volume 5 Chapter 8: Consultation

Sitting at the table in the common area, I was listening to Cattleya and Gale while drinking the tea served by Botan.
「Gale isn’t very good at explaining things, so let me start by explaining today’s sequence of events. I have a job related to the Spirit Road that I’ve entrusted to Gale. Today, I came to meet him about that matter… but it turned into a discussion about how this task aligns with your objective.」
「Objective? You mean finding the Spirit Road and heading to the spring beyond it?」
「Yes. When I told Gale, ‘I want to discuss this with Axel present, so wait a moment while I locate him,’ he just stood up and walked straight here. And—this is how we ended up in this situation.」
So that’s why she seemed perplexed earlier, I thought, now understanding the meaning behind Cattleya’s expression from before.
「Really… If Axel was here, you could’ve just said so.」
「With me being merely a guest, it would’ve been inappropriate to divulge the information on customers staying here. So the action was the most I could afford…」
「You’re so uptight. Well, being tight-lipped is a virtue, so it’s not a bad thing…」
「As the manager of this establishment, I appreciate Gale-sama’s thought, Cattleya-sama.」
Botan said, smiling at Cattleya as she served tea.
「Yes, yes, I understand. Protecting information is important. Anyway, since this Spirit Road business involves the entire Spirit City, Botan, you should listen as well.」
「Of course, that’s why I’m here. But, Cattleya-sama, if that’s the case, then what I mentioned the other day…」
「Regarding that, I’m still going through trial-and-error. If it looks like it will work out, I’ll make sure to contact you.」
「Understood. Please do…」
Botan spoke to Cattleya with a serious expression—one so grave that I had never seen her look this way before.
「Is there a problem? If so, you can talk about it first.」
「Oh, no. It’s pretty unrelated to the current situation, so maybe some other time, please don’t mind it.」
「Is that so?」
Since she mentioned it involves the entire Spirit City, it seems like a serious matter. But if Botan insists that it isn’t relevant now, it’s better to leave it for the moment.
「Yes, that’s right. It’s not something to discuss now. Besides, now that everyone is here, let’s get to the main topic—Gale’s ability to assist Axel.」
「I was curious about that. The task Gale is currently undertaking—that’s monster subjugation, right? How does that tie into helping me?」
Recalling what Gale had told me earlier on our way to the inn, I asked, and Gale nodded.
「Indeed. The monsters I am subjugating target the Spirit Road. I am eliminating them.」
「Targeting the Spirit Road?」
Before I could voice my question, Cattleya chimed in.
「Yes. The Spirit Road is a path erected through magic, used to traverse dimensions. When it manifests, it releases concentrated mana into the surrounding space. This attracts monsters trying to feed on that power. If the monsters consume that mana, the Spirit Road won’t be able to “manifest.”」
「Wow, that’s… certainly an important task.」
「Yeah… Until recently, monster appearances were minimal. But now, the situation has drastically worsened. If mana is snuffed out and devoured before the path can manifest, then we won’t even be able to discover it.」
Cattleya sighed as she spoke, but something about her words piqued my curiosity.
「Wait, wasn’t it always like this?」
「Ah, no, it wasn’t. Previously, a barrier would automatically form when the Spirit Road appeared, preventing monsters from approaching. The barrier also served as a marker. But in recent months, for some reason, it hasn’t formed, and monsters have started gathering.」
「As Cattleya-sama mentioned, the number of monsters gathering near the Spirit City in recent months has been alarming. Even members of the Medical Guild are engaging in combat more often.」
Botan added, her expression heavy with concern.
「Indeed. But it’s not all bad news. Thanks to Gale, the number of monsters has significantly decreased. Moreover, based on where the monsters congregate, we can now calculate and predict where the Spirit Road will appear. It’s ironic that the monsters’ gathering serves as a helpful marker—but just earlier, the calculations were completed. The Spirit Road is expected to appear in the grasslands adjacent to this city.」
「Well, that’s great news.」
「Exactly. Now, about the cooperation—Axel, and everyone else, if you have time today, would you join us, along with members of the Magical Research Institute and Gale, in heading to the grasslands?」
「…Wait, it means the Spirit Road will appear today?」
Cattleya gave a small nod at my question.
「The Spirit Road manifests three times a day: morning, noon, and evening. Based on the timing, monsters will likely gather at the grasslands this evening. If we defeat the monsters there, the Spirit Road should appear… assuming things work as usual.」
「I see…」
「That’s why I thought it’d be best to have more capable fighters join us. I came to request your assistance. Additionally, if we discover the Spirit Road, I’d like to explain how to traverse it and other related details. That sums it up—are you available to help today?」
For me, the answer was already clear. And judging by the nods of my companions who had been listening, they felt the same. So I said:
「Of course. After a good soak in the hot springs, we’re feeling rejuvenated. Plus, this ties into our goals. We’ll gladly with the Spirit Road.」