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Chapter 435: Guest

I set to work milling and grinding diligently ーwheat, chestnuts, rice, corn, almonds ー I’m not gonna run out of flour anytime soon.

Riche and I took a stroll in the mountain afterward, clearing ivy from the fruit-bearing trees along the way and digging trenches and packing stones along the paths that we usually take so the soil won’t erode from rainwater. I also worked on the fields, visited the island to check on it, and another thing I did was do maintenance work on the watermill.

Today I’m in the『House』processing galls ー the spirit ones, not the insect ones ーI collected and making them into ink for drawing magic circles.

「Okay, here you go. The manastone should go to the green ー hm? 」
The fireplace spirit crackled, signaling that a guest arrived.

「Eh? It’s not in Canum. Riche, I’m gonna go out for a bit. 」
The【Teleport】destination was the house in the woods.

I requested the spirits to let me know if any visitors show up at my house in Canum whenever I’m at my『House』but supposed to be in Canum.

The fire spark spirits in the fireplace are connected to the other spirits, so they can easily move back and forth in places with fireplaces. They’re pretty weak, but they’re a huge help since I can ask for their help even in faraway places.

I 【Teleport】on the carpet on the second floor of the Forest House, because there might be someone on the first floor. Ah, but it’s probably either Snow Leopard or Horsey.

The landscape outside the window is covered in snow. This place is a refuge for the spirits, so maybe that’s why the seasons are going haywire here. Just like today, it’s snowing like crazy, but the spring and summer blossoms are in full bloom.

「Jean! 」
Retze was there when I went down the stairs.

「Eh? Did you come here on your own for a visit? 」
But this place should be pretty deep into the woods, with tons of dangerous monsters lurking around. Retze’s feet were all covered in mud up to his knees, which is pretty unusual for him.

「Sorry, but can you let the others take refuge here? They’re outside. Ash is in pretty bad shape… 」
Retze collapsed.

「Eh? 」
I hurriedly supported him, only to feel something lukewarm and sticky from his back.

Hey, wait a sec, you’re badly injured yourself! I casted 【Heal】to Retze in a fluster. Great, he’s safe now, he just fainted. What the heck happened that even Retze’s like this?

I gasped, suddenly remembering the thought I just had. Ash, he said she’s in trouble..!

「…Wait, hide your face. 」
I laid Retze down on the floor and was about to rush out when he suddenly pulled my sleeve, making me stumble. Oh, you’re awake, thank goodness! Hm? Hide? Oh, robe, robe! Hood, hood!

I hastily threw a robe on and pulled the hood really low until it covered my eyes. Retze let go of me then, his hand lifelessly falling onto the floor ー must be because of blood loss, or maybe he doesn’t have any energy to spare anymore. 【Heal】 worked, so he’s gonna be fine, yeah, he’s gonna be okay.

I sprint outside, following Retze’s footprints through the snow back to the edge of the sanctuary’s barrier. I casted 【Search】, but I was too caught up on the visible tracks that pop up before I could think of anything.

Butler, safe. Ash is lying down beside him. Dean is covered in blood, with Chris slumped on his shoulder. There’s another person, a woman, who is this?

Is Retze on his guard against this girl? I can also sense a few monsters and black spirits lurking ー and there’s another person a bit far from here. So is Retze being cautious of that person?

Ahh, whatever.

The barrier is like a one-way mirror glass ー they won’t be able to see me inside the sanctuary from outside. I quickly casted 【Heal】. This girl seems to be ,but she’s also wounded so she’s also included in the rescue.

Everyone was shocked at the sight of their wounds rapidly healing. I quietly gave my permission so they could enter the sanctuary.

「Whoa… 」
Dean’s jaw dropped.

「The scenery changed from what it was earlier… 」
Butler vigilantly looked around him while protecting Ash.

「…Am I hallucinating, seeing a phantom now? Twilight is over there. 」
Chris hazily muttered while leaning on Dean’s shoulder.

It’s been a while since I heard Chris call me 「Twilight」. No, that’s not the point, stop hitting the bull’s eye when I’m trying to hide myself, will you, Chris!

Well, speaking of sixth sense, that sort of thing might suit Dean better since he’s a meathead.

「Come in? 」
I called out to them without stepping out of the sanctuary.

Is Ash okay? I can’t step out of this place, they’ll definitely see me. Ahh, wait.

『There’s a human about 50 meters away from me, at 2 o’clock position. Can you capture them for me and bring them here? Ah, and don’t forget to take their five senses away temporarily. 」

The swarm of black spirits lurking around the sanctuary are those I grabbed and named, and they’re also the reason why the monsters hesitate to approach this place.

「The black spirits are leaving…? 」
The woman who had been staring at me wide-eyed turned her eyes away. She was currently gazing blankly towards the direction where the black spirits went.

Uh, rather than leave, it’s more like they went away to attack someone else.

「…! 」
「Pardon me. 」
Butler suddenly did something to her from behind?

The girl fainted, and she collapsed on her knees. Butler caught her.

「Oy! Tsk, well, can’t help it, I guess. 」
Dean was flustered for a moment, but his expression relaxed soon after when he sighed.

「Well, it’s troublesome having a stranger among us. 」
With【Search】, I kept an eye on the other person who was watching us, making sure that he was safely under attack while I checked on Ash. I carried her up.

‘Safely under attack’ sounds weird, if I say so myself.

「Your presence here… Are we allowed to inquire about this matter? 」
Butler’s eyes roamed over his own body, confirming that his injuries were gone.

I went out of my way to hide my face, yet I’ve been exposed right away, huh.