The central street that stretches towards the Jiryo-daisha is heavily trafficked even though it's the fourth day.
　Shtel wanders through the myriad of forked side streets to avoid the crowds. There was a row of restaurants that Shtel had never seen or heard of lined up beside the busy boulevard, tempting his stomach.

'My mom's oriori is good too - but since we're here, it's good, right?

　This was the first outing for Shtel to experience on his own, as Nacht or Aisha always accompanied him when he went out.
　Usually, Nacht would explain to Shtel what he was interested in and ask if he wanted Aisha.
　That was enough to make Shtel feel happy, but somewhere in his mind, he might have been dissatisfied.

　Because Shtel just keeps on being given, and the things he chooses and grasps for himself don't exist. Having the protection of his loving parents makes him feel warm by itself, but at the same time, he doesn't want to do what he wants to do on his own.

(Selfish, I know.)

Yeah, I guess so.

　In that sense, this choice of what to buy and eat is the first time, and it's an extremely important question.

　Shtel had also been given a magic pouch by Nacht, a bag that holds an unusually large number of tools, but not so much money. The most valuable items are lavishly packed, including a special class recovery potion and other items of too much value, but the foolish idea of turning the precious things that my mother gave me into a mere money does not even occur to me.

''Mmmm........''

　That's why you can't buy an unlimited amount of anything you see.
　Shtel gathered his thoughts as he walked slowly.
　For breakfast, he enjoyed the various dishes at the inn, so if possible, an unknown taste that he hasn't had yet would be preferable. In addition, he is somewhat hungry, and is not in the mood for a full-fledged meal.

　With that in mind, Shtel would decide what he wanted to eat. A snack that could be eaten after a meal, preferably something sweet and tasty.
　With this in mind, Shtel walks into a shop with a fine curtain.
　A sweet shop, Ilaco.
　That was the name of the shop.

'Good morning.'

　Following her mother's teachings that greetings are important, Shtel followed her mother's teachings and greeted her loudly as she walked through the curtain.

You are not a familiar face. Welcome, what can I do for you?
　A well-dressed woman in a white apron greeted Shtel in a good mood.

''Hmmm, Shtel is out. First of all, it's Joo-Ho-Shu-Shu!''
　The basics of the other world, as my mother used to say. Nacht's words were all right for Shtel, although Shtel didn't quite understand what they meant.

''Uhahahahahaha, we're a sweet shop. We can eat anything sweet because it's delicious, and I recommend the rice flour cake!

Okay, give me that one!

　Unsure of what is good and what kind of food can be served, Shtel ordered the Kinako mochi, which was recommended, as prompted.

''Hey- Auntie!　Tell me about Hyuki-chan!

　Until the food arrives, Shtel gathers information, which is also the original purpose of the food.

''Uhaha, Hyukisama?　That's because he was just a commoner, and when you think of him as a survivor of Mizuhas, he's even more miserable than us. And yet, with a single stroke of brilliance, she rose to prominence, was welcomed by the famous holly family, and even became a princess priestess at the young age of nine. That's why it's a fearful thing to put on your nameplate, right?

　Auntie said as she gently chastised Shtel.

'I knew you were great!　It was so clean yesterday too!

You came to see Kagura? Then you could see the princess miko's bravery, right?　I'm not impressed. This is something that draws you in, you know. It's like you can't help but get hope!

　The excited landlady shouts out.
　Then she quickly raises her voice with an oops, and returns to her original job of serving.

"Here you go. It's kinako mochi.

　On the black plate that was offered to him, there was a rice cake that he had only eaten once before.
　Most of all, it was like something else.
　Previously, Nacht had drizzled soy sauce over the savory baked ones, so this, with its ochre-colored powder, was a completely unknown dish to Shtel.
　There were more things he wanted to ask about, but first, it was the feast in front of him.

''Let's have it.''

　Shtel muttered a single word and vigorously chewed on the kinako mochi he had skewered.

''Mmm!　Hmm!　Yuck!　Delicious!

　The taste buds are filled with a unique flavor and immense sweetness.
　The elegant scent of the soybean flour was transferred through his nose and mouth, while at the same time, the not-so-dreadful sweetness spread like this.
　The more he chewed, the more he enjoyed the elasticity of the rice cake, and Shtel chewed it with a single mind.

''Haha, I suppose so, right?''

　Auntie laughed good-naturedly, and Shtel smiled too.
　After immersing herself in the kinako mochi for a while and neatly flattening all the mochi on her plate, Shtel cleans her mouth with tea and asks the important question.

'NeNe, auntie. Do you know where Hyuki is?

'It's nice to admire him, but you're on a cloud nine, Hinoki-sama.　Not many people you can meet if you want to. But you can tell where they live right away - the autumn colors of the leaves are the best in the country, and the famous Akisui-den is located on the mountain, right next to the Jiryo-taisha Shrine.

Hmm, so that's where you'll find Himuki-chan.

Yeah, I hear it's a beautiful house. Well, I don't think a bunch of us can imagine living in a place like that.

　Shtel stands up with a satisfied smile on her face.

'Thanks for everything, hey, auntie!　Can I buy some kinako back?

Oh, you're going to take me home?

'Hmm!　I'm buying gifts for my mom and dad!

'Haha, you're so solid for being so tiny!　Then I'll give you a little service.

　Shtel grabbed the kinako mochi he bought as a souvenir, bowed, and ran out of the shop in good spirits.

'Dad, will you forgive me for this?'

　My inner self answers those questions.

(Sweet.)

Only for the kinako mochi?

　What an adorable little tilt of the head Stell gave.






◇





　What the Grand Shrine celebrates is the vast mountains in the Land of Harmony. In the Kazamaki Mountains, north of Kusatsu, there is a myriad of mountains including the largest active volcano in the Land of Harmony, Mount Fuji. Fuji and countless other mountains, including Fuji-daizan, the largest active volcano in the country.
　A small hot spring town, located at the entrance to the deep mountains, was the prototype of Kusatsu, and today it is one of the largest cities in the Land of Harmony.

　Kusatsu was the lord of Kusatsu, and the holly was the foremost warrior family in charge of managing and governing these blessings.
　There is no doubt that Kusatsu, as a tourist town and producer of magical stones, is an objectively rich fiefdom.

　The Jiryo Taisha Shrine is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.
　The main hall of the Jiryo-taisha at the end of the 777 steps is a highland shrine surrounded by lush vegetation. The Akisui-den, built for the princess maidens who frequent it, also exists deep in the mountains.

''That one~''

　Schtel muttered to himself.
　Even from the relatively level main street leading to the worship hall, the huge and vivid Autumn Water Hall was still visible.
　There were only two roads leading to the Autumn Water Hall. The ferrying path where the priestesses move to the earth spirit shrine, and the Shugendo, where the priestesses are said to climb for training.
　Naturally, neither path is accessible to the public, nor is it a place to be.

What shall I do?

　Stel is still unable to perform such tricks as spreading the wings of a dragon and flying.
　There is a way to fly through the sky with spirit magic, but emitting magic power and flying with the aid of spirits would not be covert. As promised to Nacht, Shtel can't let anyone find him.

　He tried to ponder on it, but it was unlikely to give him an answer.
　If that's the case, then this is the only way to interfere with the front of the house.

Then, let's go!

　Shtel closes one eye with a snap.
　In doing so, he switches the initiative of consciousness.
　The two souls that make up the personality of Shtel. The leadership of his body also switches from the soul that was Olivier, a higher species of elf, to the soul that was Lulu, the spirit of the World Tree.

　Shtel took out the robe of cloud hiding from the magic pouch (magic pouch). It was a hand-me-down, the equipment that his father had once used during the battle in the elven village.
　As he wrapped himself in the flimsy robe, the density of his existence faded.
　And then he would wear the dragon mask he had inherited from his mother to increase his secrecy in case of an emergency.

　After disguising himself in this way, Shtel began to walk in a unique, noiseless gait. It was a sublimated version of the ancient Eastern martial arts, probably a technique of the Land of Harmony, which was sublimated in Shtel's own way.

(Yes, it's okay...)

　If Olivier's soul is the front side of Olivier's soul, then the front side, Shtel, is direct and intuitive, excelling in close combat and intuitive actions. Lulu's soul, on the other hand, is behind the scenes, calm, wide-eyed, and good at precision action.

　Stel calmly avoids the eyes of the guards and runs up the mountain path as he weaves his way up.
　It takes a moment to look at the apprentice priestess in training with a rare look. I immediately remembered my purpose and if I walked calmly, the building was right in front of me.

　However, as he was about to break into such a mansion, Shtel's feet stopped with a snap.
　There were too many magic-sensing wards, plus traps and people to count. The alarm, the crumbling roof, the ground that detects vibrations, and many other things were troublesome.

(The security is tight as a stone.......no spirit magic.......then let's use our skills (skills) here, just like mom said.)

　Saying that, Shtel exercised his skill (skill).
　--Knot Dragon.
　It's a movement-based skill for approaching the target of an attack, but while the skill (skill) is activated, it allows you to move anywhere possible without restriction.
　It was a highly versatile skill (skill) that would allow you to run on empty footholds, climb up walls vertically, float in water, and even move in fire.

　Using the sky as a foothold, Shtel proceeded past the gate, putting his feet on the roof and walls, distracting himself from the signs.
　If he broke into the mansion, he would inevitably see more people.
　Sometimes he would pass people, and sometimes he would be shouted at by the skilled ones, such as, "Who are you? His heart pulsed strongly regardless of his intentions, but for some reason, Shtel found it enjoyable.
　It's a good thing that the adventure of exploring an unknown mansion, unseen by anyone's eyes, continues to bring a strange sense of elation to Shtel.

(Must be my mom's influence...)

　As they moved deeper into the Autumn Water Hall, the more people disappeared.
　As Shtel walked down the somewhat deserted corridor, silence filled the air. Not long ago there were many people here, from maidservants and cooks, to maidens in training, to gardeners and guards.

　It was as if they were forbidden to enter.
　In the room beyond, she was there.
　Shtel snaps open her closed eyes.

''........Is she sleeping.......''

　But it seemed to Shtel that the hijuki was fighting rather than sleeping.
　Sweat was trickling down the exposed limbs of the thinly clad Hibiki, who was sleeping in her thin clothes.
　His expression was grim even though his eyes were closed, and sweat was smeared on his forehead.
　An occasional, painful moan echoed.
　Shtel was slightly reminded of the hellish time he once experienced while sleeping.

　Back then, Shtel wasn't alone.
　His beloved partner had told him to hang in there, that it was going to be okay, and that I was with him. In the end, the person I used to be was not able to endure, but I still owe it to my parents and the other me that I am here.

　Shtel's hand reaches out gently.
　His small hand touches the white hair, stroking it gently.
　Because Shtel loved the time her father and mother did this to her more than anything else.
　He moved his hand, hoping to ease the pain of the girl he was interested in, if only for a moment.

　How much time had passed, and then Hyuki's breathing changed.
　Shtel let go of Hyuki's hand and stepped away from her.

''..........................''

　His voice leaked out and his eyes half opened, but they were quickly closed.
　Shtel couldn't help but murmur to Hyuki, who was trying hard to correct his disordered breathing.

''--Daily?''

　Hyuki's body jerked and trembled.
　Restlessly opening her eyes, Hyuki turned to Shtel.

'Did you see a scary dream?　Then--

　Shtel thinks of her mother as she once was.
　She closes one eye to mimic the image of her mother, who always expresses only confidence and smiles fearlessly, even in hard times and painful times.

''--The dragon emissary will listen to you specially, right?