Chapter 105 - 105
"Rachel, are you tired?"
"No, I'm still fine."
"I see. If it becomes too much, tell me immediately."
"Yes, thank you."
Our exploration, now joined by His Highness, began from where we left off yesterday. I had been worried about lingering fatigue, but perhaps I had built up more stamina than I realized. We had been walking for an hour, yet my feet didn't ache at all.
Still, His Highness checked on me repeatedly. Each time, Theodore-sama would let out a deep sigh and mutter, "Louis, calm down a bit."
Nevertheless, the mere fact that His Highness was with me made my heart flutter, and my steps felt remarkably light.
"I wonder what lies beyond this point."
His Highness's gaze drifted toward the Spirit Land. Following his lead, I noticed the vegetation ahead looked different from where we stood. A forest of even more vibrant colors stretched out before us.
"You're right. It shows just how much the spirits cherish nature."
"Indeed. Spirits love nature above all else. If we wish to protect this kingdom, we must protect its natural world."
His Highness turned toward me, his expression softening.
"It is a teaching passed down through the royal family since ancient times. To destroy nature is to sever our bond with the spirits."
"I see. Does that mean it becomes difficult to borrow their power?"
"Precisely. It is said that back when the kingdom was founded, there were many more people who could see spirits than there are today."
"Is that so?"
"I've heard that spirits were once always by people's side... but as the royal capital flourished, perhaps humans moved to the towns while spirits retreated to the forests."
Spirits and humans living together...
Kuro was always by my side, but even he seemed happier in the Marcel Territory or Milicier territory than in the capital. It was likely because the countryside was far more abundant in nature. For spirits, nature was perhaps an indispensable source of power.
I glanced down at Kuro, cradled in my arms. Noticing my gaze, he stared back at me and let out a small "Meow," as if asking, What is it?
My cheeks softened at the sight.
However, as I looked at him, a strange sensation washed over me.
What is this? Something feels... different.
Kuro watched me with his usual round, adorable eyes, yet something was off. Peering closer, I saw a faint shimmer of light surrounding him. Simultaneously, a gentle warmth spread through my entire body—a kind, reassuring heat, much like being held by my mother.
"Rachel? Is something wrong?"
"...His Highness, well..."
My sudden stop caused His Highness to halt as well. He turned back and peered into my face with concern. I struggled to find the words to explain.
"Meow!"
"Kuro!"
Kuro suddenly leaped from my arms and began running in circles around an empty patch of ground. His movements were so unnatural it looked as though he were playing with someone invisible.
"A horse."
"Theodore-sama? Um, a horse?"
Theodore-sama, walking slightly behind us, had murmured the word. A horse? What was he talking about? I could only see Kuro... but could Theodore-sama see a horse?
"Ah. It's a spirit that hasn't contracted with anyone, so you can't see it. It seems to be a friend of the little black cat."
"Kuro's friend? That explains why he looks so happy."
A spirit, here? Even those with strong magic can usually only see spirits contracted to humans. Spirits with no human ties are normally invisible—except to someone like Theodore-sama.
"Could it be... a Spirit of Darkness?"
"Yeah, looks like it."
Theodore-sama nodded in response to His Highness's question.
A Spirit of Darkness? So Kuro wasn't the only one? There were other dark spirits in this forest. If that was the case...
"Ah!"
"Rachel!"
"Lady Rachel! What happened!"
As I stepped toward Kuro while lost in thought, I felt a sudden sensation of being pushed from behind. I nearly tumbled over, but managed to keep my footing. I turned back to tell His Highness and Theodore-sama that I was alright.
But in the next instant, I couldn't comprehend the scene before me. His Highness and Theodore-sama were frantically looking around and shouting.
"Rachel! Where are you!"
"I'm right here," I called back, reaching out toward him. But my hand never reached him.
What? It's cold!
It was as if an invisible wall stood between us. The space I reached into was freezing like ice. Though I couldn't see a wall, the chill radiating against my palm made me instinctively pull back.
"Rachel, are you there!?"
"Yes, I'm right in front of you! But there's an invisible wall between us!"
"An invisible wall? We can't even see you from here."
His Highness scanned the area restlessly, a deep furrow between his brows. He truly couldn't see me standing right before him; our eyes never met.
"Maybe... Lady Rachel, it might be a success."
Theodore-sama, who had been pondering beside His Highness, spoke up quietly.
"Success...?"
"Yeah. I'm not sure what the key was, but only Lady Rachel has vanished. You can see us, but we can't see you. In other words, you might have successfully entered the Spirit Land."
"I... entered the Spirit Land?"
"How does it look? The color of the leaves? The green of the grass?"
Theodore-sama's questions snapped me out of my daze. I ran to the nearest tree to find the answers. The trees around us just a moment ago had still carried the lingering traces of winter, but here, they were as vibrant and full of life as if it were midsummer. Yet, it wasn't hot. A refreshing breeze blew through, and the sunlight wasn't harsh. Taking a deep breath, I felt a sense of pure comfort, as if I were absorbing all of nature into my body.
"It's lush and green... and there's a gentle, calm breeze. It feels wonderful."
I turned back to answer, and Theodore-sama nodded, narrowing his eyes behind the invisible wall.
"That's good, Lady Rachel. That is undoubtedly the Spirit Land."
"This is it..."
"I see. Rachel, it seems we cannot follow you there. Will you be alright alone?"
"Yes, His Highness. Um... may I go on ahead?"
"Of course. I'm worried, but I will wait here for your return. So, go."
I felt a flicker of anxiety. Still, this was the light I had finally found. A possibility. More than anything, even if our eyes didn't meet, His Highness gave me a gentle smile and a firm nod. He would wait for me. He was encouraging me. That alone made me feel I could be strong.
I stood before him once more and reached out. Again, my palm met a freezing cold instead of his usual warmth. Even so, I could feel the warmth of his trust.
"Yes. I'm going."
I would move forward, even alone. I wouldn't turn away from the past. I would reclaim what I had lost.
In the silent forest, I was all by myself. A sense of loneliness certainly crept in, but having sworn not to give up, there was no path but forward. I clenched my cold hands into fists to steel my resolve and looked up at His Highness one last time, etching his figure into my mind. Then, I turned on my heel and stepped deep into the forest.
The only sounds were the rustle of grass beneath my feet and the swaying of leaves in the wind. No human voices. I must have been walking for thirty minutes; when I looked back, His Highness was gone. Surrounded by trees on all sides, I began to worry if I was even heading in the right direction.
Then—
Rachel.
Who's there!?
I looked around at the faint voice, but no one was there.
Was it just my imagination?
I thought I heard my name, but perhaps it was just the wind sounding like a voice because I was lonely. Yes, that must be it.
Rachel.
"W-who is it!?"
I heard my name again. It was a cute, child-like voice. Yet, no matter how carefully I checked my surroundings, there were only trees.
Rustle.
Rachel, over here.
The voice was clearer this time, accompanied by the sound of something pushing through the grass. I spun around instinctively. And there...
"Kuro? You... you can talk?"
It was Kuro, running toward me as adorably as ever.
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It seems Kuro can actually hold a conversation.
With the light novel volume releasing this week, I plan to increase the update pace! I hope you enjoy the continuation.