In order to seal Iris, you must turn a legendary-grade item into a vessel.
　In order to obtain that item, he goes to the village of the spirits.

　The future course of action has been decided...
　And then it's done.

Then let's go. Are you ready?

　Everyone nodded together at Al-san's question.
　Taking that as a cue, Al-san turned to face the direction of nothing........
　A pang, and a clap of hands.

　Then, as if in response to the sound, space shook.
　As if a stone was dropped into the water, a wavering ripple spread through the air.

This is the entrance. Follow my mistress.

　Al-san said, and proceeded to the center of the fluctuation.
　When a high-pitched sound resounded....
　Al's figure had disappeared.

''Nya!　Gone!
We've moved to the Spirit Village.
Come on, you guys, go ahead.

　Contrary to Kanade's astonishment, Sora and Luna were indeed calm.
　They proceeded to the center of the fluctuation just as Al-san did.......and then disappeared.

'So that's the entrance, I guess. I don't know what kind of principle it is, but it must lead to another place.... the village of the spirits.
'Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.　Do you think they'll throw us in some weird place?
It'll be okay. When it happens, it's just Kanade.
Pussy?
Well......

　While Kanade and Tania were frolicking, Nina with the kettle stepped into the fluctuation.
　She was the smallest, but had the most nerve.

'Kanade, Tania. We're coming with you.
Uh, okay.
Look. How long are you going to shy away from it?

　Tania pushed me, and Kanade and the others stepped forward into the fluctuation.
　I followed them into the fluctuation.



----------



　You are surrounded by white light and a sense of floating.
　That lasted for about ten seconds...
　Then, all at once, my vision opened up.

''This is........''

　From one end of the field of view to the other, everything was filled with greenery.
　It was like being in a forest, surrounded by plants and trees.

　There are few man-made objects in the midst of nature's abundance.
　The only thing that can be seen is a house made of huge trees and scaffolding made of wooden planks, but there is nothing else that looks man-made.

　Maybe it was a substitute for a watering hole, or maybe it was a clear, clean spring.
　Instead of light, there was a fluffy light flying around.
　Perhaps it is some kind of insect that emits light.
　I remember learning somewhere that there was such a species.


It's true... this is the home of the spirit race.

　Kanade and Tania were in a daze, seemingly overwhelmed by the fantastic scene.

'You're all here, right?

　Al was in the square a little further on.
　We move to Al-san's place.

'The mistress and her daughters will now go talk to the people in the village. Everyone will be waiting here.
That's fine, but...
Are we gonna be eaten?

　Tania and Kanade looked uneasy.

　It can't be helped.
　Since a while ago, I can feel gazes from here and there.
　When I look in that direction, someone quickly pulls back.
　There's no doubt that they're watching me.

　And the gaze is not a friendly one.
　I'm curious to a certain extent, but....
　Only Kanade and the others have that kind of gaze, and many of the gazes towards me have a connotation of caution or hostility.

　Perhaps it's because I'm a human.
　An existence that can be called the natural enemy of the spirit race suddenly appeared, and the other side is probably wary.

"Hey! I'm here!

　Whatever he thought, Kanade suddenly greeted him cheerfully.
　She smiles and waves at the spirit race, which is not visible.

　Seeing that, Tania makes a slightly drawn out face.

''What are you doing...?　Is it broken?
What a terrible assessment!

　I got a look that said, "Gunn.

'No, I'm not. It's like they're being wary of us, so I thought I'd show them that we're nothing - we're friendly.
'Well, maybe I could have shown off Kanade's no-nonsense ways.
No nonsense...

　He continued, and was shocked at something.

'I'm glad Kanade cares, but it won't mean much.
Why?
Because I know you have a problem with me being here.
'Oh, I see. Rain is a human...
Technically, we're human beings too, but this is what we are now.

　Tina said as she cracked the lid off the kettle.

'Mmm,'

　For some reason, Kanade puffs up.

'What's wrong?'
Rain isn't a bad person.
Thanks.
"Whoa!

　I couldn't help but stroke Kanade's head in a conditioned reflex.

'Just saying that makes me happy.
Well, you know, um, yeah.

　Kanade seems to be particularly salty.
　What's wrong with him?

Sorry to keep you waiting.

　Before I could check on Kanade, Al and the others returned.

'It's early,'
You can't leave them alone for long. I'm in a hurry.
''You're so old that you can count from the top in your village. No one can ignore a word from your mother like that.
Not as much as Kanade's mother, but she's pretty good at what she does.

　My two daughters say proudly.

'Nya, you're amazing,'
I mean, how old is he?
I'm an eternal 17-year-old.

　It was said once and for all, and no one could argue with it.



----------



　Al led us to the elder's house.
　The house was very spacious, built from a huge tree that looked like it was thousands of years old.
　There was still plenty of room for all of us to enter.

''Well you're the one Al says you are.

　An elderly spirit race sits down face to face.
　This person must be the 'chief'.

　Deep wrinkles on his face.
　A long beard.
　That, and a demeanor that only those who have lived for a long time can acquire.

　Just confronting him like this, I felt a pressure.
　Although it makes me nervous........
　Don't be consumed here.
　Taking a deep breath and calming myself down, I meet the chief's gaze straight away.

''Ho.''

　The chief let out an impressed voice.

'You have quite a lot of heart for a human being.
Um... hi.

　Was that a compliment?
　If that's the case, then we're in luck.
　And if things keep going the way I want them to go...

　What a thought, but it was naive.

I don't like to go around. So let's get right to the point. I hear you want to use the items in the village, master?
'Yes, actually...'
Okay, Al just told me why. And I will tell you why. I will not cooperate.