---

In the center of the garden sat a round wooden table surrounded by charming little chairs. It was a perfect spot to take in the open view of the garden, adorned with well-kept flower beds, as the ivy climbed the nearby structure, creating an aura of mystery.

“Please take a seat here. The conversation might take a while, and standing the whole time would be uncomfortable, wouldn’t it?”

“Thank you, I will.”

Shione and I sat in the chairs pointed out by Edelin. My lord and I sat closely beside each other, facing Edelin.

Whoooosh—

A breeze carrying the scent of flowers wafted through. Along with it, I heard the familiar voice of a spirit in the distance.

—Myaang!

“Where are you running off to? I just want to chat for a bit!”

—Kyaang!

“Ugh… If only Changsik were here, it would have been much easier… Hey!”

Tania’s refreshing voice mixed with the playful tone of the Cotton Puff.

It sounded like they were having fun playing tag, so I felt free to focus on the main issue Edelin wanted to discuss.

Well, even if Tania’s way of expressing herself was a bit rough, she generally had a kind heart. And considering that Changsik, who only recently formed a contract with me—no, Elvis—got along fine too.

Even if they seemed a bit at odds now, I figured they would manage to get along well enough.

“So, the first thing…”

Edelin began her introduction. She took a moment to collect her thoughts and then shot a glance back at Tania.

“Let’s start with a discussion about spirits.”

This topic was more related to me than to Shione.

I listened attentively to her words.

“The highest-level spirit manifested here can be easily summoned because this place is right next to the World Tree. However, Ray, you must have felt the strain on your mana and stamina.”

“Yes, I suddenly felt drained of energy.”

“That’s only natural. To my eyes, you still seem like an unrefined gem. There’s still a lack in your ability to fully contain a high-level spirit.”

What Edelin said was spot on.

Once summoned, spirits don’t require much mana to maintain their presence. If you simply keep them summoned without further action, they consume only a minimal amount of mana. Compared to the amount needed for the initial summoning, it’s insignificant.

This applied to the highest-level spirits as well. For someone like Tania, unless she was to create a scorching heatwave that engulfed the forest, she wouldn’t need much mana to sustain her presence while traversing the material world.

“You still have a significant challenge ahead in summoning a high-level spirit completely.”

But therein lay the problem.

Mana was already running low, and my energy had been depleted. My willpower had luckily improved a little, but my body felt heavy with fatigue.

All I could do was gather whatever mana I could to maintain the summoning after calling upon it. That was my limit for now.

“But that’s not the only issue. The condition of the World Tree is also not too good right now.”

Alongside my lack of ability, there existed another obstacle.

“The weakened World Tree sometimes struggles to connect the spirit realm with this world. So… while it’s all right being close by, once you venture further along the path, the spirits won’t be able to exert their full power.”

“Are you saying…”

“Your spirit will only maintain its higher-level status within close proximity to the World Tree. Beyond that, throughout the Great Forest, it will be merely intermediate at best. Of course, your burdens will lessen according to the drop in status, but relying on a spirit at the highest level won’t be feasible.”

I nodded in agreement with Edelin’s words.

I simply couldn’t handle a high-level spirit in my current state. In fact, having Tania be intermediate would be much more suited for coordinating in emergencies.

Moreover, if it were to be summoned as intermediate from the start rather than high-level, the burden would be less than now. The single character “high” added to the level fundamentally changes the designation of the spirit. If it’s the intermediate level instead, it might be manageable somehow.

After briefly discussing my limitations with Edelin and Tania, she began to make her final remarks regarding the spirits.

“And… I think it would be wise to prepare for the remaining spirit later on. The Spirit Stones of that caliber are rarely found even in the Great Forest at the moment, and the magic used to open the door would put quite a strain on me.”

Edelin closed her eyes for a moment, deep in thought.

Her contemplation didn’t last long.

“I will call you when I believe all preparations are complete. I will try to make it as soon as possible, so please wait for me.”

“…I’m simply grateful that you’re offering to do this.”

“Think nothing of it. It’s just a small gift for the only heroes who can change the fate of the Great Forest and the elves. Don’t feel too burdened by it.”

The Grand Elder referred to us as the only heroes capable of changing the fate of the Great Forest. Those words carried a heavy weight.

It was clear that Edelin, having received a direct oracle, had successfully gauged who we are and the powers I possess. Each and every word she spoke had gravitas.

Setting those thoughts aside, I briefly recalled Edelin’s mention of the remaining spirit.

‘Elvis.’

The highest-level Wind Spirit, Elvis. Our Changsik was a relatively quiet and timid spirit, unlike the other wind spirits, who were usually carefree and curious.

After giving his all to boost the arrow aimed at the cursed demon, he had been exhausted and summoned back to the spirit realm.

After Elvis vanished, Tania had desperately tried to save me in his absence.

Now, thinking about meeting Elvis again, I felt a wave of emotions.

Just as I was lost in those thoughts, the topic finally shifted.

“Now, let’s talk about the issues currently facing the Great Forest.”

This was a topic I, along with Shione, who had worked hard to get here, could genuinely share in.

Edelin began recounting how the Great Forest had been suffering from attacks by the Cultists and what threats we were now facing.

“Humans infused with magic are spreading even greater evils and creeping deeper into the Great Forest.”

The cultists had recently made their presence felt even in locations not far from the city.

“Also, the beasts infected by the magic they spread are driven mad to seek out lives to devour.”

The creatures that trod over the ground where they passed had all turned corrupt, ruining the forest.

“Several demons have already infiltrated the Great Forest, and our faction’s priority is to seek them out and eradicate them… but, locating those devious demons has proven far from easy.”

“So, is our role to find these demons?”

At Shione’s question, Edelin tilted her head slightly.

“The blood of Shianella carries power. If you can lend that power to the search, things will become much easier. Yes, therefore, if possible, I would ask you to join forces with our elite forest guardians to seek and eliminate the demons.”

Whooooosh—

The wind blew.

Edelin’s hair, mixed with streaks of white, danced in the breeze.

“More importantly, there’s something crucial that you need to do.”

Yet, in contrast to the gentle wind, Edelin gazed intently at Shione with a serious expression.

“Shione Shianella and Ray. You are the only heroes capable of striking down the calamities threatening the elves and piercing the heart of this strange demon.”

“…The strange demon?”

“The World Tree spoke to me. In the near future, a dreadful demon will manifest, enveloping the Great Forest in poison and despair.”

…Wait a minute. Poison and despair?

An ominous memory flashed through my mind.

Noticing my intense emotion, Tania, who had been playing with the Cotton Puff, quietly crept up behind me and clutched my clothes.

When I turned my head, I saw Tania with a furrowed brow.

It seemed she had read my thoughts and managed to grasp the situation I had somewhat understood and processed.

Tania, focusing only on me, sent a telepathic message.

—…Could it be that bastard?

I too conveyed my thoughts through the bonds we had established and our contract.

‘…There’s no way. It can’t be him.’

—But if it’s poison and despair, it totally sounds like that bastard you were thinking about.

Ignoring her complaints, I listened quietly to Edelin’s words.

Tania, watching me with intent, sat cross-legged on my legs, propping her chin on her hand.

“……”

And Shione quietly observed Tania, as if finding her to be quite a peculiar spirit.

The serene and graceful voice of the High Elf eventually returned to restore the atmosphere.

“And the only ones who can save us from that demon’s torment are you two.”

The Grand Elder, who could read the future through oracle, spoke with certainty.

“Arielte’s Fletta will assist you. If you prefer, it’s also fine to work with Chelness or Ianette’s family. Fletta will respect your choice. She won’t complain about missing out on the honor of aiding the heroes.”

Respect is unavoidable.

With those words, Edelin wore a small smile. That grin provided a glimpse of the authority she held in the Great Forest.

“If you heroes are willing to help rescue the Great Forest from evil, I, Edelin, will spare no support for you, and if you clear out the demons trying to kill the forest—”

After elegantly tidying her hair that fluttered in the wind, she lifted her right hand to her chest.

“I, Edelin, would gladly offer even half of my soul.”

Edelin’s voice was resolute.

Watching silently, Tania leaked a telepathic message to me.

—…What’s up with her? That high elf is referring to herself in the third person and acting like a deer with wide eyes. She’s weird. Feels off.

 

---