Chapter 22: Beloved by Spirits
As I give her the divine water to drink, I look at her again.
[Name] Silphy Garland (Female)
[Race] Elf
[Age] 37
[Status] Princess of the Sacred Kingdom of Garland, First Princess
[Occupation] Spirit User
[Condition] Good
[Level] 77
[HP] 3968
[MP] 9777
[Attack] 2536
[Defense] 2183
[Agility] 4405
[Intelligence] 8997
[Luck] 90
[Skills] Spirit Magic (Wind), Advanced Wind Magic, Spirit Language, Forest Healing, Etiquette (Lv. 10)
[Blessing] Divine Protection of the Spirits (Beloved by Spirits)
(Princess of the Elves...)
The wind spirits have been fluttering around Silphy with a worried expression since earlier. It seems that I can now see and hear the spirits after learning spirit magic.
"Don't worry. I've given her divine water, so she'll wake up soon."
I say that and stroke the head of the wind spirit.
"Thank you for helping Silphy."
The wind spirit smiles happily and kisses my cheek. It feels like being caressed by a gentle breeze, a little ticklish.
Although I'm touching Silphy as usual, spirits are naturally jealous and strongly repel individuals of the opposite sex who have received their blessing.
If I didn't have the higher-level blessing of the Grim Reaper, I might have been sliced up like an orc.
By becoming one beloved by spirits, one can freely wield the power of the spirits. Since spirit magic does not require mana, one can practically use magic indefinitely. It is said that this power surpasses that of a knight order of an entire country. However, as a consequence, those beloved by spirits not only fail to find a lifelong partner but also find it difficult to even touch someone of the opposite sex.
To be beloved by spirits is both a rare blessing and a curse.
(But in a way, it saved me too.)
In reality, things would have been dangerous if Silphy hadn't intervened. The summoned beasts would eventually have been killed by the orc generals, who were strengthened by their command skills, and my physical specialization, which relied on non-skilled combat, was the worst match against them.
"My level has increased."
Even while doing this, my level continues to rise.
I have ordered the summoned beasts to sweep away the orcs. Since they have lost their command, they won't fall behind. Even if they are defeated, they will simply return to the sketchbook, so there's no need to worry.
"Umm... Ugh."
Silphy wakes up.
Pointed ears, hair and eyes in emerald green. She must have gone through a lot to come this far. Her worn-out body and hair have regained their beauty completely.
"Thank you for saving me. Uh, um, who are you, exactly?"
Sylphy was blushing and flustered. Perhaps due to her blessing, she might not have any immunity to the opposite sex. The contrast between her composed atmosphere and her flustered state is adorable.
"I'm Kakeru. I'm from another world and a adventurer of Primera. I've healed Sylphy's injury, so I'll put you down soon."
Sylphy noticed that she was being carried like a princess and her face turned so red that steam was coming out.
"Ah... It's really healed. Um, are you from another world, sir?"
"Yeah, but let's talk about that later. There are still orcs remaining, and we need to rescue the captured women. Sylphy, I'm sure you had a purpose too, right?"
"Y-Yes, that's right. We need to rescue Sarah quickly."
Sylphy's expression turned serious as if she suddenly realized something.
"Master, it seems that Chloe-sama and several other adventurers are approaching, usagi."
Chloe? She must have rushed here against all odds. How grateful. We need manpower to attend to the injured women.
"Rabi, go to Chloe's location. The rest of you, return for now. We might be attacked by adventurers."
"Understood, usagi."
Leaving Rabi behind, Stalk and the others returned to the sketchbook. They couldn't summon them to a distant place, but they could return them even if they were far away.
"Sylphy, let's go. Let's rescue the captured princess."
"Yes, sir."
Sylphy responded strongly, but what does that "sir" mean? I've never been called that before, so it feels strange.
They headed for the center of the village with Sylphy. Of course, they didn't forget to collect souls from passing by. While enduring Sylphy's gaze that seemed to say, "What is this person doing?"
"Sylphy, I hope you won't be surprised, but I'm going to summon the Orc General now. I have a skill that allows me to summon defeated monsters as summoning beasts. I'm planning to extract information from it."
For Sylphy, it was the hated enemy she had been fighting until just now. I feel sorry, but...
"If that skill exists... Alright, I understand. If we don't know the purpose of the enemy who took Sarah, we have no choice. There might be traps set up."
It seems that Sylphy also agreed, which is good.
I quickly finished drawing the picture and summoned it.
[Rank] A
[Name] Klaus
[Species] Orc General
[Age] 5
[Status] Contracted to Kakeru
[Level] 60
[Physical Strength] 14,960
[Magic Power] 0
[Attack Power] 14,880
[Endurance] 14,850
[Agility] 7,980
[Intellect] 647
[Skills] Command, Intimidation, Great Strength, Indomitable Spirit, Reproduction
Wow... He has truly become a monstrous strength. How did the master end up weaker?
"Klaus, show me the way."
"I understand, my master. This way."
Klaus leads Silphy to the underground of the village. Silphy follows, seemingly distrustful and cautious.
The underground turned out to be deeper and more spacious than expected. When we reach the farthest room, Klaus stops.
"There is an elven girl here. It might be better for Lady Silphy not to see."
Since there seem to be no traps, I ask Silphy to wait while I enter first.
"Ugh... ughh!"
Overwhelmed by the horrific scene, I involuntarily vomit.
Inside what seems like a gigantic bathtub, female corpses are packed and filled with putrid blood.
In the center, an elf resembling Silphy is suspended. That must be Sara.
Since her body is immersed in the bath of corpses, only her face is visible. She seems to be alive, though...
(How cruel... I definitely can't show this to Silphy.)
Suppressing my nausea, I rescue Sara from the corpse bath.
Sara's body is contaminated by the grudges of the women who died with resentment. It's clear that her connection to the spirits weakens while feelings of anger and hatred grow stronger. If this continues, Sara's spirit will fall into an evil entity.
I cleanse Sara by pouring sacred water over her. Thanks to the sacred water, the corpse bath is also purified. I can't say it enough, sacred water is amazing. Thank you, Mikoto-san.