After returning to the uncivilized forest and resuming our search, we were smoothly procuring materials without getting caught up in any events.

　The sound of a tree falling can be heard in the forest.
'I didn't expect the demons to appear even after hearing this sound. Maybe Mandrake's cry is calling the demons.''

Maybe you're right.
　Lisian reacted to my muttering and spoke to me.

'So what do you think? Do you have that sense of being called or that voice you were talking about before the break?
'Yes. But it's so wide open, I can't tell.
　I look at Milfine and Cressia, but they both shake their faces to the side.

'Right. Continue to focus on the tree selection and your voice.
Yes, sir.

　I couldn't believe my eyes as we worked through such conversations and returned to the place where we had fought before the break and an impossible scene unfolded.

''Well there wasn't this much earlier, was there?''

This is not the time to be complacent. It's not a good idea to leave.

　Ketty couldn't hide her amazement at the mandrake, which was over ten.
　That scream was apparently enough to make it a little hard for Ketty, the beastly man, to hear.

''Keti, don't worry. Mandrakes are plants, so we can collect them in our magic bags.
Meow? Didn't you say that creatures don't go in magic bags, Nya?
''It's a kind of herb, and even if that doesn't work, it's okay because it will trigger the Sanctuary Circle and prevent us from falling into a depression.
Master Luciel, it's time to get on with it.
　Thus, I asked everyone to stay back, just in case, and told them that if they failed and I passed out, they would carry me and retreat.

'Let's do it,'
　I reminded myself to put a mandrake in my magic bag.

　He was stunned by the mandrake that had entered so easily and finished collecting it, stunned by how easily it had gone in.
''Well there was no problem.
　I turned around and told everyone, and three of the elves focused on a point and didn't respond.

'What's going on?'
　I looked in the direction the girls were looking, but I didn't see anything or feel like there was anything there.

''It's ... it's an elf.''
"Lacey, the forest guide...
I've never seen one before, but it's huge.
He wants you to follow him.
He said, "I've just confirmed your strength, and although I think you are wise and wise, you should be grateful for the luck of having those with you who can see me.

　I looked at Lionel and the others, but they still only seemed to see the three of us.
　But it's not normal for a fairy to talk to me.
　Unless I'm involved in some special event I tell Lisian and the other three that I'm going to think that far and follow the fairy called Lacy.

So let's go with caution.
"Yes.

　We proceeded with caution after the three who could see the fairies.
'It's too much of a fantasy,'
　The grass and trees changed shape and twisted around, creating paths that never existed before.
　They didn't encounter any demons, and gradually the sounds of birds and insects disappeared, only the sound of the trees swaying in the wind reaching their ears.


'I hear they've arrived,'
I instructed him to wait a bit and Lacey disappeared.
It's a beautiful spring, by the way.

　The three of us were led to a mysterious and beautiful spring.
　If I had my camera, I'm sure I would have snapped the shutters many times.
　If only demons didn't appear, I might be able to live here.

It feels dangerous to move around, Nya.
'The forest elves are pranksters, and there are anecdotes about them misleading people into not leaving the forest, so it's better that way.
　Ketty and Lionel hadn't let their guard down.
　I nodded and looked at the beautiful and mysterious spring.

　A few minutes later, the three elves began to get down on their knees to the fountain.
'What's going on?'

　There was no response from the girls and they seemed to be talking about something, but it was as if they had a soundproof ward on them. I couldn't hear it at all as it seemed so.
'Should I have brought Dolan and Paula with me?'
　I asked Lionel and Ketty if I should have brought Doran, who could hear the spirits, with me.

Lord Doran said he could hear the spirits of the earth but not see them, so he's no different than we are.
If I'd brought him with me, he would have been lost in a compatibility issue, Nya.
　The two of them weren't wrong in their decision not to bring the dwarven duo with them... or so they thought.

　As I was looking at the three of them on my knees, a voice suddenly rang in my head.
　''O human race blessed by the dragon. It's still too early for your Lord to come here.
What do you mean...?
　People are surprised that I suddenly started talking, but that's not the point.

　Time will tell.
"...am I going to be here again?
　When you come to these woods, I'll show you around.
Why don't you come in?
　If there is a strong will to overcome the odds, he will come.
Too abstract. Answer me properly.
　But there was no reply.

　The three elves were walking towards us.

'Are you okay?'
Apparently I'm not going to live my life in peace.
　When I told him that, Ketty laughed and opened her mouth.
As usual.
I'm sure it's the same as ever.
　I sometimes think of the environment as not as peaceful as usual, but I pay off my hesitation by convincing myself that I can't help but be wary of the prank.

''Luciel-sama, it seems that if you go all the way to the depths of the forest from here, there is an elven country.
'It's just that the genie told me it wasn't time yet.
　When I looked beyond the forest and was surprised to find the land of the elves, I was strangely caught up in the words that I was told too, that it wasn't the time.

'So what's Cressia crying about?'
　From a moment ago, Cresia had been crying without raising her voice.
''........Spirit-sama taught me that I am a child born because I was wanted. I was taught that people and elves must truly love each other to be born.''
　I could guess that there was discrimination on his face as he spoke happily, because he was half.
'Well, good for you,'
Yes, sir.

So how do I proceed on my way home?
'I heard that if you go that way you can return home, but it seems that if you go this way, there is a Hatch tribe settlement, and the genie told me to go to that place.
　What's a Hutch? Reading my face, Milfine begins to speak.
'They are a race that lives off of gathering nectar from flowers and trees. Besides, I was told that it would be beneficial to both Lady Luciel and the Hatchians.
　........Spirit-sama.... I'm wondering how far into the future I can see, but if it's the Hatch tribe -> Bee, then the plan goes forward at once. There's no way to miss out on this.
"...it's going to be dark soon. If you can come here again, I'll leave, or if you can't, I'll have you split up to join Kefin and his team. Will you be able to come back here?
　The people I asked were, of course, three elves.
''I'm sorry, but it doesn't seem to be possible.''
　Milfine told me that on behalf of the team.
　Then the problem is the personnel to return, but at least one of the three elves has to be returned.
''Keti and Yarbo Squad, Lisian and Cressia, please return.
　I take out a magic bag from my magic bag and hand it to Ketty.
'Here's all the camping equipment in it, including the tent. Ketty will be in charge of the camp.
Mmm, I wish I could have gone with you.
''If we spread out Lionel and Ketty, who are both highly competent in our party, you'll have a better chance of both surviving, so give it up.
Okay.
'Everyone else, get ready for the camp, and if we're not back by noon tomorrow, return to the city once you've made your plans.
"Yes.


　Thus, leaving me, Lionel, and Milfine behind, Ketty and the others set off out of the forest.

'Well, why did we really have to go to the Hatch tribe's village?
'Left. What did the spirits tell you?
　Lionel holds his sword to Milfine. Even though I'm currently under a slave contract, I've only ordered him not to do anything that will harm or detrimentally affect my relationship with the church.
　That's why it's possible for me to lie.
　I'm glad I noticed the lie this time because I noticed it in Cresia's face, but it made me think about what to do when Lionel and Ketty weren't around.

'Lionel you don't have to hold your sword at the ready. Tell me Milfine.
　Milfine froze with a somber look on her face, but after a few moments, she began to talk.
In fact, the miasma in the area around the Hatch tribe's village has recently become dense, and the spirits told me that they would be destroyed in a few days if they didn't do anything, so they said that Luciel-sama could save them.
'So you're lying ... haha ... you'll be spanked later. ...and why is Lionel so bright-eyed?
The miasma is likely to bring a stronger threat.
'Don't flag it. Once we've cleansed and interacted with each other, we'll be on our way. Milfine is your guide.
　The miasma is a miasma that has been around for a long time, but it's not the only one.
　Thinking that if it's a miasma, if it's a miasma, if you purify it, there won't be any demons, I decided to take Milfine's suggestion.
''........Thank you, Luciel-sama.

　Milfine bowed deeply and began to walk briskly to the front of the pack.
　Lionel and I followed Milfine's guidance through the forest, wary of our surroundings.