27 – Next destination and looking back on the heroes
I'm such a despicable person. I can't believe I let my lust take over and laid my hands on 2 lolis. Does this make me a lolicon?
That being said these 2 don't mind at all. Moreover when we got back up on the Galleon Sasha hugged me from behind, and Stella from the front. It was a weird position but they looked so cute… I didn't object. These girls are completely smitten with me now.
Thank God Yuki also accepted them. Although she insists on always reminding me that she is my one true wife and these two are more like 'our children which you can use as sex relief tools when I'm not around'. I swear that perverted sword woman has a weird way in wording stuff.
"By the way, Shishou, why do you want to go to the spirit forest again?"
"For answers. Knowledge is power."
I guess I should start by explaining what spirits are. According to the information I managed to gather since coming to this world, spirits are one of the main races in Berseria alongside humans, demons, elves, dwarves and beastmen.
Although I don't fully understand the theory myself, apparently spirits are the living embodiments of legends, desires, fears, and aspirations. For example, an extreme fear of fire can lead to the birth of fire spirits.
Because they are born from the hearts of people, spirits are beings made up of magic power. Their abilities are determined by their lore, and they gain whatever abilities others believe they have. They also have the unique ability to use Spirit Magic, which unlike other types of magic, expends a portion of the user's source to activate. However, the lost essence is easily replenished so long as their legends remain, allowing them to cast magic with no adverse effects.
And so, since spirits are based on legends, what better place for a bookworm to visit? Maybe they know the true rumor on who actually started the war between the humans and demons. If I go to the demon territory, I most likely will get an answer like 'the humans attacked first'. And since the humans are saying that demons attacked first, I need a 3rd neutral party.
I don't intend to get involved with the war, but I do want to gather as much information as possible. Maybe I can also discover what that Ripper was as well. Assuming I can get an audience with the Spirit Queen that is. But for starters… I actually have to find the great Spirit Forest Eternium.
"But… isn't it normally impossible to enter the forest?" (Stella)
"I'll think of something at that point."
While the location of the forest is known, the conditions for entering it are steep. Apparently it has some sort of barrier. You go in and immediately come back out. It's like walking through a door and at the end of the small corridor you come out the same door you entered.
And since this barrier isn't normal magic it can't be dispeled even with my newly acquired mystic eyes. So how does one enter the forest? Beats me. I have no clue. Maybe if I spend enough time around it they'll eventually let me in? Like I said… I'll decide that when I get there.
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“OK! Now we’re all violet rank in the Guild.”
While holding the Guild Card with the violet border, Yamaguchi Ichiro stroke a triumphant pose. The other three Heroes held a similar card.
“As expected of the Heroes. I am amazed how fast you raised your rank.”
Their instructor, commander Arthur, brightened up his handsome face happily.
“Yeah! We also reached level 30! It’s going well!”
Watanabe Amane happily gave a thumps-up.
“But it’s still not enough to fight the demons, right?”
“Indeed. The Mazoku exceed humans in physical strength and magic power by birth.”
“Haah~ The race traits aren’t to be trifled with.”
“Yeah, even in games, humans are all-purpose, but don’t have a specialized trait.”
“So we can only rely on tactics and weapons?”
“No, that only applies to the average humans.”
Arthur denied Ichiro’s utterance.
“What do you mean?”
“Have you forgotten? You come from a different world. Heroes have various traits. Increased physical strength and magic power, not to forget the light magic, the weakness of Mazoku. That will be a great advantage.”
“Ah, right. I think we heard that before.”
“Yes. But there is also an attribute only the Mazoku can use.”
“Darkness… I guess?”
The one who answered was Hidorima Kasumi.
“Yes. Darkness magic is quite strong. Many humans already fell victim to it.”
“And our light magic copes with it, right~”
Nishimura Misaki talked with a carefree smile.
“Right. While light magic is indeed powerful, it consumes a lot of magic power. If you use it wrongly…”
“That’s why we’re working on our team play.”
“Yes. Two attackers and two supporters. That gives a clear distinction for using light magic.”
“Well~ Unlike in games, we don’t have a turn system here. You don’t get much time to think during a fight~”
Kasumi made a valid point. One was always risking one’s life in a battle. Planning each attack in detail during battle would make one fall behind and at worst, cost one’s life. For that reason, they formed a team and supported each other.
By doing so, they could at least buy time for someone to analyze the situation carefully. They were given weapons considered national treasures, but at the end of the day teamwork matters the most.
“Listen, there are all sorts of Mazoku. You can defeat a weak opponent on your own, but I want you to refrain from fighting against the so-called High-class Mazoku.”
“Are they that dangerous?”
Misaki asked anxiously.
“Quite so. Especially the guardian squad 'Blade' under the direct control of the Demon Lord. Please never fight one of them. They are Top-class Mazoku, even above the High-class Mazoku.”
“Isn’t the ‘Blade’ a force that protects the Demon Lord? I think they only consist of six members?”
“Yes. The six swords of the Demon Lord, and from them, the Mazoku called Valefor is once again in a different league.”
Arthur turned pale as he recalled something.
“I- Is he that strong?”
Ichiro asked with a gulp.
“In- Indeed. Back in the days when I guarded the border, I ran into him once. Valefor is so terrifying that you could call him the devil incarnate.”
Back then, Valefor just had passed near the border by chance. But his overwhelming aura prompted Arthur’s fellow soldiers to open fire against their better judgement. Needless to say, their attacks couldn’t harm him, whether they hit or not. Still, it caught his attention.
At that moment, every single guard there expected certain death without exception.
Just by being stared at, they realized what an abnormal existence he was and that they would all die. For some reason all their weapons turned into ash and no one knew if he used magic for that or not. But in the next moment, his red hair fluttered and he left.
Except for a small number, everyone had fainted.
“You sure it wasn’t the Demon Lord?”
Amane speculated from the dreadful story, but Arthur shook his head in denial.
“But I’m surprised you’re still fighting after such an experience.”
“Yeah, it makes no difference anyway.”
“No difference?”
“Even if I do not fight, the humans will be annihilated sooner or later. As a soldier, I would rather die fighting.”
“Ohh~ So imposing~”
“But then the matter about summoning, about Heroes was brought up. Saviours, who protected us humans with their enormous strength in the past. We found our last hope.”
Arthur looked the four into the eyes with a smile. They all reacted kind of bashfully.
“I see. But if they are that strong, an attack is possible at any time, right?"
“Yes, the king was doubtful about why they do not attack when they are this strong, too. But our orders come from the Empress herself, so the King can only obey and we can only do our best."
“Mhm~ But that works in our favour~ I mean not attacking us.”
“Yes. However, we cannot be lenient. We need to be ready at any time for their all-out attack.”
“Yeah, we just have to get stronger!”
“Leave it to us!”
“We’ll give our best!”
“Well, we’ll do everything in our might~”
Arthur responded with a handsome smile to the reassuring words of these four.