Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Forest of the Spirit Mages (2)
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The group heading to the forest where the Septian clan lived was decided: me, Ridel, Gillek, and the coachman sent by the temple.
Kirigumo was told to rest at the mansion as a reward for his investigative efforts, and Tenka was asked to stay behind to spend time with her hardworking father.
She had wanted to follow me at first, but in the end, she obeyed my words.
"This Kirigumo Tenka! I shall uphold my lord's command and guard the place where my lord will return!"
"Yeah, take care."
On the day of departure.
I stored the cooking utensils and ingredients that Ridel had carefully selected in my inventory, along with extra batches of the Manlenesia antidote I'd prepared just in case.
The priest traveling with us was one who'd visited our mansion several times before.
He was the one who'd brought the heretic inquisitor twice to take away the corpses of the cultists who caused the Trund monster parade, and the same priest Ridel had grabbed by the collar when I fell from the tree that day.
"Looking forward to working with you."
"Yes, the pleasure is mine."
He wore a gentle smile, but I could see him glancing at Ridel every now and then.
That collar-grabbing incident must have left quite an impression.
We boarded the carriage and set off for the forest where the Septian clan lived.
A place commonly known as the Forest of the Spirit Mages.
And two weeks later, we arrived near the Forest of the Spirit Mages.
Unlike the trip to the Nardan Jungle, having Ridel along made a world of difference in the quality of our meals during the journey.
Before entering the forest, we stopped by the temple in the nearby village first to avoid alerting the Septian clan.
The reason was to meet with the priest from the temple who'd long collaborated with the Septian clan, making communication smoother.
Upon entering the village temple, our accompanying priest explained the situation to the priest in charge there.
After hearing it out, that priest gazed at me intently.
"For Your Highness the Prince to come all this way with such noble intentions... The rumors are true; you truly possess a merciful and kind heart. Understood. I'll accompany you and ensure there's no misunderstanding."
With the village priest joining us, we headed into the Forest of the Spirit Mages.
There were gatekeepers at the entrance to the Forest of the Spirit Mages, but once the village priest spoke up, they nodded immediately and let us through.
True to its name, the village where the Septian clan lived was filled with various spirits wandering around alongside their contractors.
[Honey!]
I could feel Honey Pouf, perched on my shoulder, buzzing with curiosity at seeing so many spirits in the real world for the first time.
We were led to the home of the Septian clan chief.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Prince. I am Ulsla, chief of the Septions. Are you interested in the evil magic sword our clan has sealed away?"
"I want to see for myself with these two eyes just how dangerous it is. If needed, I plan to speak directly to my father about providing whatever support the Septian clan might require."
"Ah, we're deeply grateful that you think of our clan so kindly."
The chief bowed his head to me.
For them, having an imperial prince take direct interest in a seal they'd guarded for ages—and potentially securing support—was an unexpected stroke of fortune.
"So, is it possible for me to take a look?"
"Viewing it... is possible, but it's still incredibly dangerous."
"Please explain how it's dangerous."
"Very well. If your resolve doesn't waver after hearing me out, we'll do everything in our power to ensure Your Highness's safety."
The dangers of the Gluttony Sword, as described by the chief, were as follows.
The Gluttony Sword constantly leaked an aura infused with the power of an evil god.
This aura could be dispelled by the power of purification spirits, but since it flowed endlessly, even enduring it was impossible without being a contractor of a purification spirit.
Exposure to the aura induced intense hunger, and prolonged exposure filled one's mind with ceaseless voices urging them to devour everything around them.
If one actually gripped the sword, an overwhelming hunger would surge instantly, voices commanding to eat everything would flood the mind, and failing to let go immediately would drive them utterly mad—that was how the chief concluded his explanation.
'Hunger as physical corrosion, huh? And the voices in the head scream mental influence. Coming here with both perks was the right call.'
"I've heard your explanation. Still, I'd like to see it for myself."
"Understood. We'll begin preparations. Please wait a moment."
The chief stepped outside and soon returned, bringing a man with him.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Prince. I am Tolz, contracted with the current purification spirit."
"You're the spirit mage tasked with purifying that magic sword. Thank you for your hard work."
"It's an honor to hear such words from Your Highness."
The face of the man who introduced himself as Tolz was one I recognized.
It was the exact face of the fallen Septian from the game.
"However... Your Highness is contracted with a spirit as well."
Tolz glanced at Honey Pouf on my shoulder.
"This is Honey Pouf."
[Honey.]
"What a cute little spirit. Your Highness, shall we proceed to view it right away?"
"Yes."
"Understood. Please follow me."
We followed Tolz to the place where the magic sword was sealed.
There stood a hemispherical structure.
"The magic sword is sealed here."
"It has a unique shape."
"To prevent anyone from approaching the magic sword too closely, we used spirit power to construct it this way. Before entering, allow me to explain the precautions."
Tolz held up a finger.
"If you feel intense hunger, tell me immediately. I can mitigate the aura with the purification spirit's power, but the moment hunger sets in, it's dangerous—we'll retreat right then."
"Got it."
The moment I replied, Tolz summoned his spirit.
The purification spirit took the form of a female, much like Windy.
'In the game, the one Tolz summoned was just a monstrous thing... Did Tolz's corruption affect the spirit too?'
The purification spirit's eyes widened upon seeing me, then turned to Tolz.
[Tolz, this one is...]
"This is Aren Eldiad, the Ninth Prince of our nation. What's wrong?"
[Aren Eldiad, will you not form a second contract with me?]
"Lady Puripul?!"
'So the purification spirit's name is Puripul.'
Tolz was utterly shocked by the sudden second contract proposal from the purification spirit.
"Lady Puripul, but only our clan can contract with you..."
[Indeed, until now, only your clan matched my wavelength. But this one is different. He matches as well. With just a second contract, his presence alone would... strengthen the seal even further.]
"Is that true?"
Tolz stared at the purification spirit in disbelief.
It was only natural—he'd be stunned hearing such words from a spirit his clan had exclusively contracted with for generations.
[What reason would I have to lie?]
"Let's do the second contract later. Can I check out the magic sword first?"
[You wish to view the magic sword? Why?]
"I'll explain."
After hearing the explanation from Tolz, the purification spirit's gaze toward me burned with intensity.
[To come to this forest with such resolve! But wouldn't it be safer to form the second contract first?]
"Just a quick look shouldn't be a problem, right?"
'Not that it'd affect me anyway.'
[True enough. But for safety, I'll grant an even stronger purification blessing. Tolz!]
"Yes."
The purification spirit bestowed a blessing on me to shield against the magic sword's corrosive aura.
"Your Highness, please be careful."
"Come back right away if it feels dangerous."
"Got it."
With words of worry from Gillek and Ridel, I followed Tolz into the building.
The interior had no windows, pitch black.
"It's dark."
"Please wait a moment."
Tolz placed his hand on the wall, and a magic tool on the ceiling lit up, illuminating the inside.
In the center of the building.
A greatsword with an orange hilt was plunged into the floor.
The Gluttony Sword, looking exactly as it did in the game.
The boss weapon rewarded after defeating the fallen Septian boss.
"How close can I get?"
"Ideally, just view it from here. But up to ten steps is fine. Please don't go any farther."
"Understood."
I took exactly ten steps forward for a closer look at the Gluttony Sword.
Far more vivid and real than the game graphics.
Memories of my Savior of World playthroughs with the Gluttony Sword restriction run flooded back fresh.
'It was a challenge run that taught you just how fast your overflowing food consumables could deplete.'
As those thoughts crossed my mind.
[Detected harmful energy within the body.]
[Supreme Physique trait activates.]
[Nullified harmful energy that entered the body.]
[Detected mental corruption.]
[Unyielding Spirit trait has activated.]
[Blocked mental corruption.]
As expected, acquiring both perks before coming was the right answer.