Waiting for Virum and the others who left Hartsan's house were two high elves, Arthee and Nazri, who had been chosen to serve as watchmen.

Perhaps because of the orders of the chieftain's son, Hartshan, they looked down on Virum and the others, but they seemed to respond to our requests, so we were led to the homes of the attackers.

Even in the middle of the move, Virum, who is not bothered to gather information, opens his mouth.

Speaking of which, where is your chief? I haven't seen him yet since I got here, though.

The Chief is ill and convalescing from illness. As such, Mr. Harzun is now in command of us.

Questions about the fact that Hartsang did not even show up for the conversation with the spirits who are the objects of his faith, and even made the decision to have another race investigate the important place of the sanctuary.

It's impossible to tell if they are lying or not from the way Arthe and Nazri answer with a blank look on their faces.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out what else is going on with the story, but none of the answers that come back seem to be related to the case.

''This is the home of a compatriot who had contact with an outsider.

In the meantime, they arrived at their destination.

Judging from the condition of the house, it was no doubt used until recently.

Furthermore, the fact that the front door was unkempt indicated that it had been empty for several days.

The fact that the front door was unkempt indicates that it had been empty for several days. I don't want to have to clean up after you, you know.

With Arthee's sarcasm behind them, Virum and the others entered the house and immediately began to examine the surroundings.

'Coona and Oma, check upstairs. If you find anything, call me or Foo and stay there.

Yes, sir!

Oh!

Hu takes care of the High Sierra and the room on the other side.

Yeah, okay.

Copy that.

Following the instructions issued, the faces scattered around.

After confirming this, Virum walks in the opposite direction from Foomir and the others.

(Well, if they're black, they won't find anything in this house. There's no way they'd bring us in without leaving any evidence behind...and assuming the evidence was covered up, if we can find even a trace of it, we'll be good.)

As with the Harzang house, there were few places to examine as it was not that well furnished.

Nevertheless, Wilm focused on examining the house for any signs of furniture that had been moved or for any signs that someone had broken in since the occupants of the house had disappeared.

Having finished his investigation of the place, Wilm was about to move to the next room when he was met by Cunaria and Oma coming down the stairs.

'Mr. Virum, there was only a bedroom upstairs. I don't even have a place to investigate in that bedroom, just a bed in that bedroom too.

'Master, there doesn't seem to be anything in particular upstairs.

Yeah. I'll take a peek afterwards. You two keep following me.

Just when they were nodding their heads, the one who flew in front of Virum as if wobbling in the air was High Sierra.

''Lord-sama? Master Foo wants to see you?

All right. We'll figure it out later. Let's go to Fu's first.

Virum and the others who followed Heishela met eyes with Foumil, who was sitting on the floor in the corner of the room.

''Brother Vee, here.''

I tapped lightly on the spot she indicated, and a slight echoing sound, different from the rest of the place, came back.

'There's something... hoo, where are the two watchers?'

It's okay. I'm outside now. silent move

Fumil, who had figured out Vilm's intentions, prevented the sound from leaking outside with his muffling magic.

At the same time, Wilm quickly struck his fist and destroyed the floorboards.

''The basement, huh?''

Sure enough, the floorboards were broken and there was a hollow space that led underground.

When they descended using a rope ladder, Virum and the others' eyes widened.

This is...!

You're not gonna...

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's it.

What was there was a large amount of ore that emitted a black, cloudy purple light.

That's right, it's the same one worn by the soldiers of the Rastabel Empress and the slave soldiers of the Dizenaire Demon Empire, including Oma.

It seems that they have not yet been refined and are in bad shape, but there is no mistaking the evil feeling.

I'm not sure about the Halutzans, but at least we have a clear connection to the invaders. Let's go back once. First we'll make sure Mel is safe. Then we'll look into the others.

The faces nodded at those words and quickly climbed up the rope ladder and returned to the room they had just left.

As it was, when Virum, who was walking at the head of the pack, stepped out the front door to go outside, a wall of light surrounding the house appeared with a sound like high-pitched metal clicking together.

''Tch!''

Virum unleashes a fist along with a tongue lashing, but a slight crack is not enough to destroy it.

On the contrary, the small cracks were repaired in no time at all and were restored in an instant.

''Perhaps it was a sealing ward that used the power of the Holy Tree. It's going to take some time to break this.''

Fumir, who, like Wyrm, fired his attack magic at the wall of light, also made an irritated expression when he saw it being restored.

There, Arthe and Nazri, who remained expressionless as ever, walked up to them.

''Spiritual beast-sama. I'm sorry, but please be patient for a while longer.

This is also for the sake of the spirit animal, and by extension, all the spirits in the world. I beg you to understand.

"You've got to be kidding me! Get the hell out of here!

'Yes, sir! If you do anything terrible to Mel, I won't forgive you!

Although they seem to be paying attention to Hoomil, who is a spirit beast, the other members are acting as if they are out of sight.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

The only thing that can be said for this is that it's a waste of time and effort. It's a ward created by the power of the Holy Tree Master. It's not something that you humans can do to destroy the wards that even spirit beasts would find difficult to destroy.

It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with your friends.

He looked up at his face to see what was wrong with Coonaria and the others, but his gaze was turned toward the direction where Hartsang's house had been, and he couldn't hear their expressions, but ━━

Mel's magic is gone?

That one word was enough to give me an idea of his emotions.







The time goes back a bit, to when Virum and his friends began their investigation.

Meldina and Miserio were receiving Harzang's hospitality.

In addition to the fresh fruits lined up on the table, there were tea cups filled with tea made by Harzun himself.

In contrast to Miserio, who was chewing on them with relish, Meldina did not try to put her mouth on them.

''What's wrong? My wife. These are prepared for you as well as for Master Miselio. Feel free to eat them.

I won't be your wife. Really, Master Harzun is very curious. To you, I'm just a little girl. Why do you do this for me?

Since Miselio, the spirit, doesn't stop her, there is little chance of poisoning, but Meldina, who doesn't want to put it in her mouth if she can, tries to deflect the topic, including the question she had before.

''What, is that a thing?''

Haltsan's mouth loosened at the question, and he slowly stirred his tea and took a breath, then looked at Meldina's face.

'My, because I want everything you have. You are different from other elves in that you have a curious personality, you have the courage to refuse my marriage proposal, and most of all... you are good enough to conquer those ruins.

What?

Meldina's face is filled with astonishment.

Because there was no indication that others had entered the site at all when she had relics.

'Did you think I didn't know that?'

Hartsang's expression was different from before, and his eyes were now looking at his prey.

Meldina reflexively tried to stand up, but for some reason she couldn't get to her feet and was dazed.

When she barely held on to the table for support, all she saw was Miserio asleep, leaning against the cup before she knew it.

At the same time, Meldina's vision also begins to waver.

''What, so...?''

Aside from Miserio, who was crunching down on the food Harzang had prepared for him, Meldina was confused by the intense sleepiness that attacked her, which she hadn't even touched.

''There's no way I'm going to give my spirit-sama a poisonous substance. I just burned a little special incense. There is no harm in it. It's not pleasant to involve Misselio, but this is to protect all the spirits of the world. I have no choice. Now....

Hartsang's eyes catch Meldina's as she looks apologetically at Miserio, who must be falling into a deep sleep.

My wife. My wife, let us be one with me to protect you, my spirits.

(Ville... sorry...)

In spite of her desperate resistance, her consciousness fell into deep darkness.