Chapter 645: Being Watched
Enriching the Material Realm, forming contracts with Spirits for protection.
To keep myself from being drawn too much toward the Spirits, I need to focus more on developing the Island and various other aspects. The ratio of contracts with Spirits to those with the Black Spirit should be about nine to one.
While I could ease the pain of the Black Spirit through a contract, its feelings seem quite human-like, making me think it might be better to absorb them instead.
If I were to use it, the connection would only grow stronger, so I should avoid using magic to summon the Black Spirit or commanding Demon Beasts. The Black Spirit is a result of being used by humans, and strengthening its existence further would be counterproductive.
Also, it simply feels like a taboo.
“Does this look good enough?”
“Just need to adjust the angle of the weather vane,” Haulon replies to my question.
“I want to find the ‘Traveler’s Stone’ that was used in this country long ago. Do you have any idea where it might be?”
“…”
Haulon doesn’t respond to my inquiry.
“You’re sticking to your original goal, huh?”
“Speaking of which, Gene, you came all this way to collect the ‘Traveler’s Stone’!” Ash and Chris chime in.
“…If it exists, it would probably be in the port where the ships were or in the treasure vault directly beneath this courtyard. They were trading with the Northern people, so that area is likely safer and has a higher chance of still being intact.”
“I see, thanks,” I say, satisfied with Haulon’s answer.
Right, it’s a sailor’s stone. Let’s head to the Trade Island of the Northern people. If it’s not here, it might be at the bottom of the sea, but I can always call on the Spirits for help.
I feel nostalgic thinking about the market of the Northern people, with their muscular, half-naked bodies draped in fur. Maybe I should do some shopping while I’m at it; I need to adorn myself with shiny golden accessories again.
“Let’s change the direction of the weather vane and head back quickly! I don’t like this damp place,” Dinoss says.
“Yeah,” Retze agrees.
“I fully concur,” the Butler adds.
So, it’s time for the weather vane.
Using 【Teleportation】, we head to the house with the weather vane, and I check the magic stone for any abnormalities.
Ash, Retze, the Butler, Dinoss, and I use 【Teleportation】 again to reach the plaza. Here, we hold up the lantern to make it easier to align our direction.
Adjusting the weather vane involves vertical movement as well, and it would be troublesome if the lantern gets in the way, so I leave it to Dean and Chris, who want to see the legendary site of the Great Sage. Of course, Haulon is supervising that.
Ash stands there, holding the lantern with a serious expression, completely still.
He looks like the Statue of Liberty, though what he’s holding is a torch. That flame, resembling soft-serve ice cream, symbolizes “freedom.” By the way, it’s made of pure gold.
Now, how about the inverted “King’s Branch”? I wonder if it will lead to the right misunderstanding.
I gently place my hand on the ground to sense the atmosphere.
…
Wait a minute.
I really don’t want to contract with something that seems to be the leader of this black shadow. Hey, stop! Don’t come out! You’ll involve Ash and everyone!
I was wrong! Peeking was a mistake! I get it, I get it!
“What’s wrong?” Retze asks.
“I’m just wondering what’s going on in the treasure vault below. Also, Ash looks cool,” I deflect, managing to put on a convincing expression.
The third “King’s Branch.” It’s inverted, though.
“When you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes back at you.” — Nietzsche.
With all the commotion happening across the island, chasing away the black shadow, it’s no surprise that the Black Spirits here are all retainers of the “King’s Branch,” and the conversation flows naturally…
It feels like they were waiting for a chance to form a contract. Unlike the Black Spirits in the Demon Forest, the ones I’ve contracted here are connected to the inverted “King’s Branch.” I think they’ve understood that forming a contract would ease things up a bit.
On the other hand, the pressure to absorb me felt stronger. It was like an attack, urging me to accept.
Magically, I managed to hold on, but I want to quickly pull myself to a materially stable place—Kanum. It’s not as heavy as Ufu or Seikai, but it feels substantial.
I’ve only ever contracted with those I could easily squeeze or half-formed Uma, so I’m still feeling nervous, and I’m anxious about whether I’m okay now.
“The one who fights monsters should be careful not to become a monster in the process,” that phrase crosses my mind.
“Oh? A signal,” Dinoss says.
I see a light swinging widely in the direction of the weather vane’s house.
“Yes, yes. Welcome, welcome,” I say, putting on a nonchalant face as I use 【Teleportation】.
We all safely gather at Kanum.
“Wow, for something grand, what we did was pretty mundane,” Dean remarks.
“We just dug up a bunch of stuff,” I agree. It was indeed mundane.
“I at least wanted to shoot the weather vane with an arrow!” Dean pretends to draw a bow.
“If you could move it directly, that would be more reliable,” Retze responds.
“Indeed. This will also reduce accidents with ships,” Ash adds.
At the well in the rented house in Kanum, we take turns washing our hands.
“After struggling to get close in the past… I need to record this. Gene, could you let me copy the magic circle from that lantern?” Haulon seems to be preparing to gather materials for the Sage’s Tower.
Please leave behind plenty of materials to be respected by your descendants.
“Sure, but if you bring me a gem to use as glass, I’ll make a replica,” I say.
“There’s no way I can bring back treasures guarded by Dragons!”
Well, it was more like nesting materials than treasures.