Chapter 225 – Spirit of the Volcano

“First—the spirit, I suppose.”

“What about the witch?”

“I’ve contacted them and left surveillance behind.”

After answering, Elmer glanced around, but Caduceus had already moved on.

The companions seemed to be guarding the witch’s surroundings… and in the town, the Knight Order and Thieves Guild had posted wanted posters and were keeping watch. We won’t let her escape.

First, we’ll summon the spirit at the ritual site. The spirit has the highest priority. Contacting Marquis Zilbolt and ensuring the safety of his wife and daughter would be the next stage.

“Then let’s move. Elmer-san, we’ll need your help when explaining things to Marquis Zilbolt.”

“Yes.”

We had planned to have them submit false reports and conduct information manipulation operations… but since the witch herself came, we won’t let her escape Termwills, so there’s no need to make them think things are going smoothly.

Taking the two with us, we boarded the carriage and headed to the ritual site.

Marquis Zilbolt, who had arrived at the docks, also seemed to be heading to an inn by carriage with the witches. A high-class inn catering to nobles in central Termwills. Well… this is also according to plan.

Originally, they were supposed to visit Termwills at the same time, with Elmer and Donovan reporting to Marquis Zilbolt, or so the arrangement went.

We passed through the gate and headed to the ritual site. All the Party Members were gathered there with Auria, Penelope, and the Shrine Maidens. Given that important figures were currently gathered at the ritual site, we had everyone provide escort assuming it might become a target for attack.

“Did the witch herself appear?”

Grace asked with a somewhat tense expression.

“Yeah. I saw her with my own eyes. But it went according to plan.”

“Understood.”

We need to go meet Marquis Zilbolt directly, taking Claudia and Marlene with us. That way we can counter the witch’s Curse Magic on the spot. Which means there’s a high possibility of combat. Having Elmer and the others arrange the meeting and storming in with Party Members would probably be the quickest way.

“First, the volcano spirit—Tephra.”

The volcano spirit of Marquis Zilbolt’s territory is called Tephra, after the mountain itself. For the people living in Silvatoria to the north, it seems to be a volcano that provides blessings to overcome the harsh winters.

“Then—shall we begin?”

“I’m ready.”

“Same here.”

“We’re fine too.”

At Claudia’s words, Rosemary, Auria, and Penelope nodded.

“O dweller of the distant northern lands, master of the fiery mountain. Spirit Tephra. Answer my call. By the guidance of the moon and stars, appear before me.”

I raised the Ritual Rapier toward the Altar and began the incantation. Claudia, Rosemary, and Auria stood one step behind, chanting the same words. Marlene and Penelope knelt, offering prayers to the spirit. Then the Shrine Maidens.

The Magic Array glowed in the center of the ritual site. The stars in the celestial map twinkled. In the center of the ritual site, a flickering flame. At first a small flame. Then it became raging infernal flames, taking form while raining ash around as it manifested.

It was a half-human, half-beast woman with blazing fiery hair. Though she stood on two legs, her lower body had goat-like hooves. Mt. Tephra has wild goats, and they’re said to be the spirit’s messengers.

Mountain worship, I suppose. Given she’s revered by the locals, you could tell she was a spirit of considerable status. Perhaps it would be better to view her as closer in nature to an earth mother goddess or local deity rather than just a spirit.

As Tephra manifested, Claudia and the others’ chanting changed. That is, to words for casting a Barrier to keep the spirit in this place.

“Who… summons me?”

Tephra groaned, clutching her chest along with the flickering flames.

Something like a black rose could be seen on her chest. It felt alien and discordant with the spirit’s form. —That was probably the Curse itself.

“Human… child. Not content with driving a curse stake into me, now you seek to bind me… further?”

Seeing me holding the Ritual Rapier, Tephra furrowed her brows in pain.

Being a volcano, blessings and calamities are two sides of the same coin, and people’s fear and reverence probably gave Tephra such qualities.

So, Tephra, who had been cursed, wouldn’t harbor good feelings toward humans even if summoned by Summoning Magic.

That’s precisely why, during the Summoning Ritual, I stand at the very front holding the Ritual Rapier. Because the one holding the Ritual Rapier receives the most attention from the summoned being.

If we anger the volcano spirit, she’d probably launch lava bombs or volcanic bombs without hesitation. As expected, she seemed to be growing distrustful of humans.

“That’s not it. I summoned you here to destroy the stake piercing your chest and free you from the curse.”

Flames swirled. Blazing flames seemed to be born in her palm, then she swung and released them. But before reaching the Altar, they were blocked by an invisible wall and scattered.

The flames themselves weren’t on a trajectory to hit us either. Rather than malice, it should be seen as showing rejection or intimidation. Room for negotiation—there’s plenty.

“You speak boldly from a safe place protected by a barrier. Do you expect me to believe a magician’s words?”

“Are you dissatisfied that I’m outside the summoning barrier?”

When I stepped into the summoning barrier, Tephra seemed taken aback, as if she hadn’t expected it, showing a bewildered expression. Anyway, this way I’m neither protected by the Spell Formula nor at a disadvantage; we’re equal.

Since she’s been betrayed once, I have to show sincerity too. Especially in my case, since it’s hard to say I’m acting purely for Tephra’s sake.

So I leave the role of calming the spirit and easing her pain to Marlene and Penelope and the others.

My role as the summoner is different from Penelope and the others. It’s to confidently state our position and be recognized by the other party as worthy of forming a contract or such as the summoner.

“Do you… mock me?”

“No. I’m doing this so you’ll know I speak only the truth. The one who drove the curse stake into you is using the threat of eruption as a Shield to intimidate others. If things don’t go their way, they threaten others by saying they’ll use that stake to make you erupt with that pain and anger.”

“The affairs of human children… are none of my concern.”

Scorching heat. Blazing air dyeing the ritual site crimson. Paying it no mind, when I took a step forward, Tephra took a step back. That—didn’t seem like she was intimidated by me.

“Even though those who adored you will weep, and those who mocked you will laugh without a single scratch? Even your anger and pain are in the palm of their hands. Would a spirit with such power accept that?”

Though a volcano, she brings blessings. Hence feared and revered. Then Tephra must also harbor qualities of compassion. Because I stepped forward, she stepped back to avoid burning me. That’s how her earlier movement looked.

To make her believe my words, I have no choice but to believe in Tephra. We faced each other, staring for a while, but Tephra shook her head and spoke.

“…What… do you ask of me?”

Tephra glanced behind me for a moment. There stood Seraphina, praying together with Marlene. Along with the Shrine Maidens’ prayers, Seraphina’s feelings must be reaching her too.

“I want you to stay in this place for a while. I will definitely break that curse. Won’t you believe that?”

“Break the curse—”

The heat weakened. Her blazing hair calmed down, now merely clad in a soft, warm phosphorescence.

“Did you… prepare this place?”

Tephra looked around and asked.

“Yeah.”

“To welcome me, and keep me here? Well done, indeed. No wonder that little Fairy adores you.”

Tephra narrowed her eyes and laughed. Then she became serious and said,

“Can you swear you will not deceive me? If so, you and I shall be allies. Only if it’s a request from an ally could I obey your words.”

—An alliance contract.

“Upon my name, I swear. Theodore Gartner makes Spirit Tephra his ally and will speak no falsehood to you.”

“—Very well. Then I shall remain in this place.”

Tephra nodded. The contract was established, so the Summoning Magic barrier was released. The Shrine Maidens’ prayers enveloped Tephra in a Blessing. A radiance to counter Curse Magic.

“An alliance with a High Spirit, huh. Stepping inside the barrier during the ritual—that takes some nerve-chilling courage.”

Auria said with a wry smile.

“Well, she’s not a Demon but a spirit revered by humans.”

If she’s revered, she must have the magnanimity to match. Mt. Tephra also seems to have a relatively calm nature rather than being a raging volcano. Apparently, hot springs are famous in Marquis Zilbolt’s territory.

“Then, we will take turns offering prayers for the blessing.”

“Yes. For a while, it’ll be troublesome, but please take care of it.”

I nodded back to Penelope.

“Tephra, it’s fine if you walk around the garden surrounding the ritual site.”

“Understood.”

The gazebo outside and such were made so Tephra could stay there, and we arranged the garden so she could feel at ease. As long as she receives the blessing here, she should be alright for now.

But this doesn’t mean we’re done. First, the spirit. Next, the members of the Zilbolt household. If the witch detects us, there’s a risk she’ll activate her Curse Magic. It’s still a situation where we can’t let our guard down, a phase requiring swift action. I made eye contact with everyone, and we nodded at each other.