Chapter 382: Conclusion
“How about having my Spirit as a bodyguard…?”
“Can that Spirit even defeat that Wanwan?”
“…”
Retze responded to Haulon’s suggestion with doubt, while the Great Sage fell silent, averting his gaze.
“You’re munching on Quail like it’s none of your business, but the center of the discussion is you, you know?”
Dinoss said, tossing a piece of cheese into his mouth with half-closed eyes.
“This man understands well and remains unfazed even by a God-class Spirit. He’s suitable, but…”
Karn sighed as he spoke.
“Being unfazed by a God-class Spirit is because it’s out of sight. To me, it’s a distant existence, like calling historical figures by their names without honorifics. It’s different from you guys who are close by. Plus, it can really kill you, you know? Demon Beasts can be quite ruthless.”
Retze picked up a Cashew Nut as he spoke.
It’s amazing, that Cashew Nut. It looks like the tip of a bell pepper. Why does it look like that?!
“…If you’re free until we board the ship tomorrow, how about following this guy around during the day? All of us, that is. Only if Gene is okay with it, though. I’ll be busy with the wives’ sweet treat tour tomorrow.”
“Oh, the sweets in this country…”
That sweetness that makes your jaw tighten and your teeth feel like they’re floating…
“I’m also searching for the source of the Es River tomorrow, is that alright?”
“That’s fine, but didn’t you meet Es?”
“Es is irrelevant; I want to see where Cinnamon can be harvested.”
The more I researched, the more places I found where Cinnamon could be harvested, like the Dragon’s land protected by dragons, or even outside the land of Es. Furthermore, there were confusions with Cashew Nuts being mistaken for Cinnamon, and the information was all jumbled up…
“Ah, that. There’s a high chance that merchants are spreading false information, so don’t be too disappointed if you can’t find it, okay?”
“Huh?”
I asked Retze, who had added more places where it could be harvested.
“Sorry, I didn’t think you were seriously expecting it. It’s a valuable item, and when they want to hide its origin, they often express it abstractly or spread rumors. Even if it sounds unbelievable, if a Spirit is involved, it could be true, but when multiple stories come up, it’s often false.”
…
“Ah, searching for the source can be fun too, you know?”
Dinoss chimed in.
Oh, this is a pattern where everyone already knew! Retze added more places under the assumption that it was false information! No wonder he seemed so indifferent…!
“Since we just saw the relief at the Temple, we might as well check out the birthplace of Es.”
“I’m interested in that too.”
“Indeed.”
Karn and Haulon joined in.
“I have business with Ash-sama. I look forward to hearing your stories.”
The Butler declined. His subtext was probably, “It’s too hot, so no thanks.”
So, tomorrow during the day, we’ll be heading upstream on the Es River. After that, we’ll relax with some drinks and snacks—
“So? Does the God of Storms and War know that his name sounds like baby talk?”
Karn shifted in his seat and asked.
“Who knows?”
“Hey, Gene, this is important!”
“I didn’t sense any dissatisfaction with the name, but I can’t tell if that’s because he doesn’t know or if Spirits perceive things differently.”
Don’t assume I’d know!
“Don’t look at me.”
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Retze.
“If you’ve made a contract, wouldn’t it just be a matter of asking Gene not to go wild?”
Retze said while sipping his beer.
“To the God of Storms and War…”
Karn looked like he had a headache.
“Sometimes, it’s better not to have knowledge… I thought it was just the foolish bravery of ignorance…”
Foolish bravery? Like when an idiot solves a problem just by charging in?
“Right, right. With that Oath Document, Rudil-sama is involved, after all… Just like the weakened old gods…” No, let’s not go there.
Haulon mumbled something.
“Anyway, tomorrow. We might get a glimpse of what kind of daily life leads to such events.”
Karn said.
“Honestly, it feels like this guy has immense power yet remains blissfully unaware, and Spirits are just flocking to him. The strange part is that his use of that power seems to be a journey of indulgence without affecting the outside world…”
“Isn’t that a terrible thing to say?”
I looked at Retze.
“It’s not terrible. Apparently, the Hero has finally started hunting the major Spirits of enemy nations.”
“Huh? Spirit hunting?”
I instinctively asked Dinoss.
“Yep.”
“Spirit hunting involves binding them through contracts or causing their existence to collapse, turning them into mindless Spirits that can be absorbed by guardian Spirits or their retainers.”
The Butler explained, noticing my confusion.
“Ugh.”
With my sister’s Domination in play, if she’s creepy, then the Ball of Light is creepy too.
“Let’s try to come up with a name. Should we invite Es too?”
“Why would that happen?!”
Haulon shouted, but it could happen, right?