Chapter 435: The Visitor
I busily ground flour—wheat, chestnuts, rice, corn, almonds—I’ll have plenty of flour for a while.
Walking through the mountains with Rishu, we cleared away the vines entangling the fruit-bearing trees, created ditches to prevent the soil from eroding in frequently traveled areas, and stacked stones. We checked on the island’s condition, tended to the fields, and maintained the waterwheel.
Now, back at the House, I was processing the Spirit Galls I had collected into ink for the Magic Circle.
“Alright then. The Magic Stone is green—huh?”
The spirits in the fireplace crackled, signaling a visitor.
“Huh? It’s Kanum, isn’t it? Rishu, I’ll be right back.”
When I was at Kanum, I had asked to be informed if anyone came to the House.
The sparks from the fireplace spirits are connected to each other, allowing them to move anywhere there’s a fireplace. Their power is weak, but they can still help from a distance, which is quite convenient.
I teleported to the Forest House, landing on the carpet of the second floor. There should be someone in front of the fireplace on the first floor. Well, it could be Yukihyo or Uma, I suppose.
Outside the window, a snowy landscape stretched out, yet flowers bloomed in the garden. The blossoms, dusted with snow, had their vibrant colors half-hidden beneath the white.
The sacred area where the Forest House stood seemed to be a refuge for spirits, causing the seasons to go a bit awry. Even on a day like today, with heavy snow, spring and summer flowers were blooming energetically.
“Jean!”
As I descended the stairs, I found Retze waiting for me.
“Huh? You came here on your own?”
This place is quite deep in the forest, and I thought it was dangerous with all the Demon Beasts around. His legs were muddy, and it was unusual for Retze to have mud splattered up to his knees.
“Sorry, I need you to help evacuate the others outside. Ash is in pretty bad shape…”
Retze collapsed as he spoke.
“Huh?”
I hurried to support him, only to feel something warm and sticky on my hand.
Wait a minute. Retze is seriously injured too! I quickly cast [Healing]. Safe, he’s okay; he’s just unconscious. —Wait, Retze too?
I recalled my earlier thoughts and gasped. Ash is in trouble…!
“…Wait. Hide your face.”
As I laid Retze down on the floor and tried to dash out, he grabbed my hem, causing me to stumble. So he was still awake! Thank goodness! Huh? Hide? Robe, robe! Hood, hood!
I hurriedly threw on my robe and pulled the hood low over my face, and Retze finally let go. His hand fell limply to the floor, and whether it was from a lack of blood or energy, he seemed drained. [Healing] should be working, so he should be fine.
I dashed outside. Following Retze’s footprints in the snow, I made my way to the edge of the sacred area’s barrier. I had also cast [Exploration], but I tend to latch onto visible information (the footprints) before thinking things through.
The Butler was safe. Ash was laid out beside him. Dean was covered in blood. Chris was slumped against Dean’s shoulder. Who is that woman? I don’t recognize her.
Is Retze on guard against her? I sensed several Demon Beasts and a Black Spirit lurking nearby. But there were also people further away. Is Retze wary of them?
Well, whatever.
Even if I can see them, they can’t see inside the sacred area’s barrier. I quickly cast [Healing]. The woman looked to be in the best shape among them, but she seemed injured, so I decided to rescue her too.
The others were astonished as her injuries healed before their eyes. Then they granted me permission to enter the sacred area.
“Wha—”
Dean was taken aback.
“The scenery has changed from just a moment ago…”
The Butler kept a vigilant eye on the surroundings while shielding Ash.
“—Am I seeing an illusion? The Lord of Dusk is here.”
Chris, looking dazed, leaned against Dean.
Hearing Chris mention “the Lord of Dusk” after so long was surprising. Seriously, stop identifying me when I’m trying to hide my face, Chris!
If I had to choose between the two, Dean seemed more suited to the wild instincts given his muscle-headedness.
“May I?”
I called out without stepping outside the sacred area.
I wonder if Ash is alright? But if I step outside, they’ll see me. Ah, right.
“There’s a person looking this way, fifty meters to my two o’clock. Can you capture them and temporarily take away their senses to bring them here?”
By the way, the Black Spirits bustling around are my little buddies. The Demon Beasts seem hesitant to approach, likely because of the presence of the Black Spirits.
“The Black Spirits are leaving…?”
The woman, who had been staring at me wide-eyed, now looked in the direction the Black Spirits had gone, bewildered.
They didn’t just leave; they went to attack.
“…!”
“Excuse me.”
The Butler did something from behind me.
He supported the woman as she collapsed to her knees, losing consciousness.
“Hey! Well, I guess it can’t be helped.”
Dean exclaimed, his voice tinged with urgency, but he quickly sighed and relaxed his expression.
“Having an unknown person here is a hassle.”
While confirming through [Exploration] that the person I had seen was being attacked, I checked on Ash and lifted him up.
Saying that someone being attacked is “safe” is a bit odd, even for me.
“May I ask why you are here?”
The Butler glanced over his body, confirming that his injuries had healed.
I had gone to great lengths to hide my face, yet it seemed I was still easily recognizable.