Chapter 108 – Spirits and Elves

“Alright then. Are you ready?”

“Please go easy on me.”

I stood facing Irmhild in the courtyard, both of us in our stances.

In my hand was the practice magic staff I had bought earlier in the Barony of Silun, while Irmhild held a giant arrow.

As for Ouroboros—she was watching us from the wall while basking in the sun. The others were currently training with the Aqua Golems I was controlling.

In Irmhild’s case, while she could demonstrate the effects of String Resonance in the Magic Light Water Vein, the effective range of her arrows became shorter.

So if she could use the giant bow’s arrows directly as spears, it would fill that gap. Being able to attack not just from the rearguard but also from the midguard would simply increase her options.

She could also attack with her tail, and her physical strength was exceptional. It would be good for her to master this aspect as well.

Fortunately, staff martial arts could be applied to spear arts in many ways. I had no problems teaching her.

After demonstrating techniques like thrusts and sweeping strikes, we faced each other and lightly crossed tips.

We confirmed each other’s movements at a gentle pace.

“Irmhild, you don’t need to make the same movements as me. Once you learn the basics, I think it’s better to develop in a way that takes advantage of your unique characteristics.”

“For example… like this?”

What Irmhild showed with her relaxed movements was an attack that sandwiched the opponent between high and low stances—a sweeping strike with her spear from the right and a sweeping strike with her tail from the left.

“Good. That would make your opponent focus on the high stance.”

I avoided it with a cartwheel-like motion. If used suddenly in actual combat, it would be somewhat difficult to deal with.

In her case, half her body is that of a snake. She could perform sweeping strikes while lowering her upper body almost to the ground, extend her reach by holding her spear with her tail, execute simultaneous attacks with both spear and tail… She could perform various movements that humans couldn’t.

“But using your tail directly for attacks is no different than attacking with your bare body, so be careful.”

“If it’s just the tip of my tail, it can regenerate even if cut… but yes. Thank you for your concern.”

Saying this, Irmhild smiled. Still, it would probably hurt regardless.

“Okay. I’ll think about various approaches.”

Irmhild nodded and returned to training with the Aqua Golems I was controlling.

Next were Ashley and Marlene. When I turned my attention to the two of them, they were repeatedly deploying and closing Magic Shields around various parts of their bodies.

This was training to enhance the speed and precision of shield deployment. It would improve their magic control ability while also strengthening their defense in close combat. Regarding Magic Shields, it’s better to be able to deploy them instantly without even consciously thinking about using magic or constructing spell formulas.

“Both of you, please take breaks when you get tired.”

“Yes. We’re fine for now.”

Ashley and Marlene smiled toward me, but continued their training without pause.

Ultimately, the ideal would be for them to handle close combat while managing shields almost absentmindedly, and still be able to execute their specialized magic and powerful techniques.

…While we were training like this, Mercedes appeared at the gate.

“Good morning, Theodore-dono.”

“Ah. Dame Mercedia.”

“Could I have a moment of your time now? I’ve come to report that some concerning information about the spirit disturbance has come in from adventurers.”

Oh? That was rather quick. I thought it would take more time. The adventurers’ numbers must have made the difference, as expected.

Mercedes came to report… I wonder what that’s about. Her tone sounded like she was addressing a superior officer, probably because she’d heard various things.

“That’s fine. I’ll serve some tea, so please come in.”

“No, please don’t trouble yourself. I’m on duty, and I’d feel bad for interrupting your training.”

Mercedes gave a wry smile. Ah, so it is work-related after all.

“From what I can see, you’re controlling Golems while standing and giving instructions. To be able to make them move like that while conversing and teaching… When I think about what level of processing capability you must possess, it’s rather daunting…”

Where Mercedes was looking, there was a scene of Grace, Sheila, and Irmhild training in aerial combat with a group of Aqua Golems.

Grace was approaching the Golems with wooden training axes in both hands.

Though “approaching” might not be the right word—it wasn’t her usual explosive speed but rather well-controlled movements. Appropriate for training, I suppose. Just before Grace made contact, the torso of an Aqua Golem split apart. Sheila, blurred like a heat haze, slashed and retreated.

There, Grace’s wooden axe came down and smashed another Aqua Golem into two pieces.

Another one approached from behind, targeting Grace who had just struck down, but Irmhild’s spear thrust out from the side, blocking the pursuit.

But that was anticipated. To prevent Grace from being taken down by another one, I had already fired a Water Bullet as a diversion with a time delay. If Grace dodged, the trajectory would hit Irmhild who had moved in to cover.

Thus, I successfully pinned Grace in place.

While she was deflecting the Water Bullet, I reconstructed the destroyed Golem and reformed the battle line, preparing for another clash… That was the general idea. Attack and defense constantly alternated.

Mercedes seemed captivated by the training scene for a while, but then shook her head slightly and looked up.

“Regarding the spirit matter. Reports are coming in that it might be some kind of Spirit.”

“—A Spirit?”

“These are testimonies from several adventurers, so they should have some credibility.”

“I see…”

A Spirit… huh.

Indeed, if it were a semi-materialized Spirit… someone who didn’t know better might mistake it for a ghost.

If the labyrinth’s Seal involves Spirits, it would make sense for the demon side to use Spirits as well—wouldn’t it?

When it comes to Spirits, I’m somewhat outside my specialty. Marlene… can use Summoning Magic and as a Shrine Maiden has high affinity with Spirits, but… she’s not exactly a specialist in terms of knowledge.

As for me—it’s not like I don’t have someone in mind whom I should ask for cooperation. The Adventurer Guild Master, Auria.

Being an Elf who is close to Spirits, she had reacted to the Spirit’s power when she saw the Orb as well. If I ask for her help, I feel like she could help lure out the Spirit in question, among other things.

Come to think of it… she did mention something about wanting to share memories of Mother.

“Understood. I’ll look into the Spirit matter on my end as well. Thank you for going out of your way.”

When I said this, Mercedes gave a wry smile.

“No, this is also part of my duties. I’ve been assigned as your liaison, Theodore-dono.”

“Oh? You’re not with the exploration team?”

Having someone of Mercedes’ skill level as a liaison seems like a waste…

“His Majesty Melvin is spreading false information to neighboring countries to conceal information about the Demon Slayer. Therefore, he personally wants to assign the liaison role to someone with some connection to you.”

I see… So he limited the role of contacting me to trustworthy individuals who also know me. Mercedes can maintain close contact with Mildred as well.

“Similarly, information is being circulated that you have little connection with your family, so please be aware.”

“Ah. So that my family won’t be attacked if information leaks to some extent, right?”

“That’s correct.”

That’s… somewhat complicated, considering the people of the Count’s territory… but it’s not reason enough to abandon Father.

It would be troublesome if they caused trouble outside of Termwills. Well, even if we appear distant on the surface, we can secretly maintain contact with the Barony of Silun using magic communicators.

…Yeah. It’s a bit ironic coming from the side developing the communicators, but they’re extremely convenient. Since no surface connection is apparent, it gives us an advantage in information warfare, so to speak.

“Good afternoon, Theodore-san.”

After receiving a detailed report from Mercedes about the characteristics of what was now identified as a Spirit rather than a ghost, I immediately went to the Adventurer Guild. Heather, who recognized me, greeted me.

“Good afternoon. I’d like to see the Guild Master—is she available?”

“Yes. I’ll inform her right away, so please wait a moment.”

Saying this, Heather disappeared into the back of the guild and returned after a short while.

“Please go ahead. The Guild Master is waiting in the back room.”

Following Heather’s guidance, I was led to the back of the Adventurer Guild. Going up the stairs, the innermost room was Guild Master Auria’s office.

A work desk, bookshelves. A table for receiving guests with a sofa. It was a room with a calm atmosphere.

“Oh. I’ve been waiting. Good of you to come.”

Auria said this with a beaming expression. Following her invitation, I sat across the table, was served tea, and received her hospitality.

“Weren’t you working?”

“The Guild Master’s regular work mainly involves making decisions. I was actually getting bored.”

She laughed.

“Hmm. The color of your hair and eyes resembles Lisa’s quite a bit.”

Auria studied my face intently, narrowing her eyes nostalgically.

…I resemble Mother, huh? Being told that made me feel somewhat ticklish and uncomfortable.