Upon arriving at the village of the dark elves, the reaction of the group of testers was that they could not hide their excitement at the young age group and at the sight of the first time.
　The slightly unusual buildings and the horses pulling the wagons alone show a variety of reactions.
　Figuratively speaking, they looked like students on a school trip.
　Photography is not allowed due to information leakages, and since there is no radio signal in such a place, photography equipment such as smartphones and digital cameras are not allowed in principle.
　Although some people complained about this, if you explain the fact that you could work, not sightseeing, and the danger and penalties in case of information leakage, you can convince them even if you can't remove their dissatisfaction.
　So, in order to get rid of the dissatisfaction, light sightseeing is allowed.
　However, unfortunately, this is not a tourist destination, but an ordinary village.
　The scenery itself may be unusual, but there are few taverns and few places to see.
　You have been given some information about the off-limits areas and the schedule for the next day, and you will be divided into groups to stay at an empty house that has been prepared for this trip.
　Then the next day.

Phew!
"Good job, senpai.
"Oh, hell, this isn't a school trip,

　Today's schedule is the spirit contract live, unlike yesterday when the incident ended up being just a transition move separated from the strict baggage to body searches.
　But I'm still mentally exhausted because I'm an unfamiliar leader.
　You're still feeling tired after a night's sleep and your body seems to be working, but you're still a little tired from last night's work with the testers who caused the problems.
　I know that treehouses are rare, the everlasting night world is rare, and the village illuminated by the light of a moon bigger than the earth is rare, but please don't cause me any problems.
　Now I understand how my homeroom teacher felt when I was in high school.
　It's not as bad as this, is it? I sincerely hope that you will refrain from the hasty action of saying, "I'm not going to do this.
　Thanks to this, a dark cloud has settled in from day one.

I hope you understand that this is not Japan: ......

　If I complain about the Japanese who have lost their peace, Kaido laughs and replies with a laugh, saying that we are Japanese too.

This is a different world.
But it's a good thing that they understood and didn't do anything this time.　I wasn't there in the morning.
"Is it Katsu-kun?　I guess he went to wake up Minami when we had breakfast. I heard she woke up very badly.
"It seems that the South seems to stay up until midnight, but this is not a good environment for gaming, so you can go to bed early, right?　Well, in Minami's case, it seems to be a pattern of lack of sleep due to the fact that she was too excited to sleep like in elementary school.
It's possible. I'm a little sleep-deprived myself.
"Hey, you too?

　You're going to be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for, but you're not going to be able to find it.
　There's also a color of remorse in it, so you don't mind it so much, and head to your destination.
　Since our party is a mixed party, we will meet at separate accommodations. In addition, I was the leader of the party, so I needed to get to the square, the meeting place, before anyone else to become a landmark.
　So, I'll arrive at the meeting place with my gear first.

It's still a bit strange to be moving around at night, isn't it? It's brighter than I thought though.
"I'll just have to get used to it. I've been here before and it felt strange, but I've been experiencing the daytime world for a long time before that, so I didn't mind it too much.

　There are things like streetlights in the magical world as well, and above all, thanks to the moonlight, it's not dark enough to care that much about.
　But if you look at the shadowed areas, you can't help but feel the darkness to the extent that you think it's still nighttime.

You're going to make a contract with a spirit, right?　It feels like a test of courage,
Indeed.

　The place where you can make a contract with a spirit is a secret place among the dark elves, and only Keely, a fellow dark elf, knows the details.
　Kaido's impressions of such an atmosphere similar to a mystery tour were unintentionally amusing, as it was a traditional summer event.
　While such conversations were going on, testers began to gather here and there.

"Hey, my groom!
Mr. Muille. Thank you for this opportunity.

　Just as we began to gather, the architects of the reception of the dark elf side showed up.
　Yesterday I was unable to meet with him because of the final inspection of the place to sign a contract with a spirit, but from his demeanor, it looks like there is no problem.

"You're so formal. Can you be more casual?
In my personal life, but in this case, it's been my job.
I'll keep my business and personal life separate. This is also the time to find out who my son-in-law is. It would be better if he does as he pleases.
Are you sure you want to say that?
No problem. I'm sure my son-in-law feels the same way.
Yeah, well,

　The gaze I've been feeling for a while now is not so much that you are wary of me as a tester and human, but rather that you are looking at the individual Tanaka Jiro.
　With the eyes I've been feeling since yesterday and what Muille said, I realized that this project was not only to create an opportunity to sign a contract with a spirit, but also for the purpose of having the tribe recognize me.
　You'll be able to get rid of your mental exhaustion from yesterday by regaining your energy, thinking it's a good thing to do.

Who is this guy, senpai?
"Hmm, I don't know this guy either.
Oh, I remember you two have never met. This is Kaido Zhong, a member and colleague of my party, and this dark elf is Mr. Muille's grandfather. He is Suela's grandfather.
"Oh, so you're Suela's grandfather. I'm Kaido Tadashi, who was introduced to me by my seniors!　As I said, all the dark elves are young, aren't they?
I'm a spirited human being. Suela's grandfather, Muille Handelberg. The key to being young is to stay vital. Remember that, young man?

　Introduce yourselves to each other and see if you're on the same wavelength.


　A bright, yet calm atmosphere envelops the place.

That means I'll always be young!
"Mm! Vigor is the key to youth, and I'm still working!

　I thought we were similar, I thought we were in the same groove, but I didn't think we were this close.

Good morning, what's going on here?　And that's not Mr. Muille. Long time no see!
"Good morning everyone

　And as the meeting time approached, the personnel naturally gathered.
　This time, the two leaders also gather a little bit away from each other, about one meter away from each other.
　They reacted differently to each other.
　Keely, who is an acquaintance, greets her neighbors as if she were an old man in the neighborhood, while Nostalfel, who has never met her before, greets her in the morning with elegance.

"Come on!　Let's go, that's a winner!　The spirits are waiting for me, that they are!
"......
"Karen, are you okay?
"I heard you and the south of you were up pretty late last night.
"Excuse me, Kitamiya-san, our south

　Our party members also gather later.
　Kitamiya is excited like a child, Kitamiya's eyes don't open as if to say she's not getting enough sleep, Amelia is walking next to her and Mike says the reason for Kitamiya's lack of sleep.
　And Masaru, having figured out what had happened between Kitamiya and Minami, was apologizing apologetically.

"Good morning, are you okay Kitamiya?
I'm not okay, I haven't been sleeping well because some idiot came in here saying he couldn't sleep because he was too excited. Now I'm in a mess. And to top it all off, he doesn't seem to mind.
"Not sloppy, that it is, Kitamiya!　A gamer deserves to be able to pull an all-nighter or two, that is!
"Humph!
Ouch!　What is that leader to do?
"I told you, didn't I?　You need to be in good shape for today. What are you going to do dragging your friends down with you, a**h*le?
"U
Haha, as punishment, today's spirit contract is for you to support Kitamiya and Amelia. Until you two finish your contract, your contract is gone.
"Oh, tyranny, that is!　It's a given that rare spirits are always the first to win, that is!
Then why don't you do everything you can to support Kitamiya and the others? That way, you can sign a contract and Kitamiya can rest. You can kill two birds with one stone.
"That's just me struggling, that I'm struggling with!
"No questions asked. If they don't sign up and you do, I'll ask Mr. Muille to keep you out of it for a while.
"Kill, that is!
Do it.
"Uh-huh, that I do.

　Finish the sermon with eye contact while rubbing the spot where you dropped your knuckles with a grumble.

I'm sorry, Masaru and Kaido. I'm sorry to say, but the two of you will be supporting them, but honestly, if you leave it to the south alone, you'll end up focusing on efficiency and performance.
I understand.
"Yes, sir!
Amelia, well, enjoy yourself, if not freely, because this opportunity is rare. We don't get a chance like this often. And don't threaten the spirits in the background, don't threaten the spirits.
"I get it!　Good luck, Jiro!
"Hmmm, I don't mean to do that, but I'll be careful, just in case. I'll be careful, just in case.
"If you can't go to ...... for Kitamiya, you want to take a nap first?
It's okay, yeah, I'm not going to be late.

　As long as we get the guidelines of action and address our concerns, our party should be fine.
　The other testers in question will also be keeping an eye on Kaylee, Nostalfel and the dark elves that Muille has prepared for us.

"Well, he's got some good company, my son-in-law.
Yes, it takes a lot of work,
That's all there is to it. Cherish it.
"Yes.
That's it, now, is it time to go?

　So much for useless talk, the time has come for you to reach your goal of coming here.
　Muille's good-natured mood has changed.
　For a dark elf who has been having a neighborly relationship with a spirit, this ritual is not something to joke around with.
　It's natural for them to be serious about it.
　I'm going to confirm to you and finish the roll call of the noisy testers.

"All here, Ms. Kaley.
"Yeah, good, good. Now, 'All eyes on you!　We will now begin the spirit contract. I'll send you back to the company if you keep talking to me!

　Having attracted the attention of the testers with her loudspeaker magic, Kaylee nodded with satisfaction at the quieted testers.


　Then he passes the spot to Muille with a glance.

I am Muille Hendelberg, the initiator of this spirit ritual. First of all, I would like to give you a few words of caution when signing a contract with a genie. Spirits are beings that have a will and feelings. I have sent this information to you beforehand, and I believe that there is no one here who does not know that.

　I've only ever seen Muille as a cheerful old man before, but seeing him speak so confidently like this, I can see that he has the dignity of an older man.
　The testers are also drinking in this atmosphere, and are concentrating on listening to the conversation in silence.
　Muille speaks about what is normal for dark elves and his experience as a race that has been dealing with spirits for many years.

"'Contracts with spirits come in many forms. Those who associate with them through dialogue, those who show strength and reverence, or those who offer offerings and help. It is up to each of you to decide how you will contract with the spirits. I will also have someone from my tribe accompany you to guide you to the place you are going. They are all those who have made a pact with the spirits and will surely help you.

　I've heard that the dark elves that accompany you are quite experienced, despite their appearance.
　It's great to learn from them.
　It's a lifeline for us newbies.

''Now, we've talked for a while, but at last, I'll tell you what you must not break. We will never forgive those who hurt the spirits and rob them of their power. We will never forgive those who despoil the forest. I ask you to bear that in mind as you work through this contract.

　The last was a threatening word, a warning from the entire Dark Elves.
　And there was a heavy pressure on Mr. Muil's words.
　Unless you're an idiot, your words were so powerful that you wouldn't think they were a joke.
　Gently, Muille, who had passed the spot to Kaylee, slowly smiled at me, and the air finally relaxed.
　Then, two to three dark elves are assigned to each team and follow their lead to head deep into the forest.

Now, my son-in-law is over here. We have to greet the chief first.

　And I'm going to split up from here.

I'll do my best!
"Leader!　I'd love to see it if you can sign a contract, that I can!
Jiro-san, good luck!
Well, good luck with that.
"Good luck!　Jiro San!

　The party members who know what's going on see me off.

"Hey, you guys don't skip work.

　Mr. Muille took me to another place.


　Word of the Day
　There's nothing wrong with fitting into a mold.
　There are absolutely times when it's necessary.