Chapter 47
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Forest of the Spirit Summoners (3)
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Supreme Physique warded off the hunger, while Impervious Mind blocked the noisy voice echoing in my head.
Thanks to that, I was utterly unaffected even when exposed to that so-called energy.
"Your Highness, are you all right?"
Tolz, standing beside me, asked with evident tension.
If something happened to the prince, it would be a disaster, and his tribe could suffer the consequences. No wonder he was on edge.
"I'm fine. I don't feel a thing."
"Is that so? Then we should leave before the hunger sets in."
"Tolz, could I ask you for a favor?"
"What kind of favor?"
"I want to get close to the exit without actually leaving. I'm curious how long I can stay before feeling that hunger. Could we test that?"
"...Understood. Let's put some distance from the demonic sword first."
We retreated to a spot three steps from the exit and waited.
Rushing to grab the sword would only startle Tolz and have him interfere, so it was crucial to first prove that the hunger had no effect on me.
Ridel and Gillek would believe in me if I said I could do it, but others might not be so trusting.
I kept staring at the demonic sword, and after about five minutes, Tolz asked me again.
"Your Highness... are you really feeling nothing?"
"Yes, no hunger at all."
"That's impossible..."
Tolz, this one might be our hope! He could be the one to change our lives ensnared by the demonic sword!
"Purifal? What in the world..."
Right now, I'm not granting him my blessing!
"...? What have you done?! Your Highness! You must leave at once!"
"Huh? I'm fine. Still perfectly okay."
At first, I properly granted the blessing of purification! But after putting distance, I withheld it just in case. And look—he's still fine!
"Even so, you should have said something first, Purifal!"
As if you wouldn't refuse if I told you.
"How can you call that..."
"Don't fight with the Purification Spirit, Tolz. I'm really fine."
The Purification Spirit seemed far more daring than I'd imagined.
"But Your Highness!"
"If the Purification Spirit, who's sealed the demonic sword for so long, sees potential in me, I want to trust that. Just keep watching for now. I'll tell you right away if I feel hunger or hear voices."
"...Understood. Speak up at the slightest feeling."
And, predictably, no matter how much time passed, I felt neither hunger nor heard any voices.
If anything...
"Your Highness, we should withdraw now."
"I haven't felt any hunger yet?"
"I have."
Tolz, who'd reached his limit sustaining the Purification Spirit's power, felt the hunger first, so we exited the building where the Gluttony Sword was sealed.
"Your Highness, you're back!"
"Aren, nothing happened, right?"
"Yeah, I'm good."
As Gillek and Ridel fussed over me, the chieftain approached Tolz.
"Tolz, why did it take so long? You should have come out sooner."
"That's..."
I made him stay.
"Purifal?"
"I'll explain."
Tolz recounted what happened inside the building.
"What? His Highness felt no hunger at all?"
"Yes. Purifal said he later withheld the blessing... but His Highness was unaffected."
"Unbelievable..."
The chieftain stared at me in disbelief.
"It's truly ineffective on you, Aren?"
"Yeah, I wasn't even hungry."
The priest from the nearby village gasped in admiration.
"It's as if the gods have blessed Your Highness. Unaffected by that wicked demonic sword—not even a hint of hunger."
It was just the perk's power; no divine magic involved.
I couldn't even use holy arts right now, so the idea of a divine blessing felt a bit ridiculous.
I know how to do it and tried when alone, but I couldn't use holy arts.
9th Prince! Aren Eldiad! Form a second contract with me now! You can surely seal the Gluttony Sword completely!
"Completely seal it? So anyone could wield the sword without issue?"
No, even then, that's impossible. But as long as no one touches it directly, the Gluttony Sword's energy won't leak out to drive people mad or desolate the forest without constant purification.
"Is that true, Purifal?"
Yes! Your tribe can be freed from the sword that's bound you to this forest! Tolz, you could leave the forest freely! I saw that power, that potential, in this 9th Prince!
The spirit's evaluation of me was remarkably favorable.
"Honeybo, looks like you've got another friend."
Honey!
Honeybo, whom I'd left with Ridel, buzzed energetically in response.
"Am I really that promising, Purifal?"
Yes! At first, I judged based on your exceptional talent as a spirit summoner. But seeing you unfazed even near the sword confirmed it! You're the one who can fully seal that demonic sword!
The Purification Spirit launched into a rapid pitch, like a salesman hawking wares.
It's not that our spirit summoners lacked power—we couldn't find anyone to endure the sword's aura during the sealing! But you, unaffected even without my blessing for so long? You can do it!
"Got it. Let's do the second contract right now."
Wise choice!
"Purifal! Even so, deciding so hastily..."
Quiet, Ulsla! Do you want Tolz bound to this forest forever?
"No, of course not. But contracts with Purifal are sacred rites passed down in our tribe."
Every rule has exceptions. And as this nation's prince, he has the stature. No more nitpicking. Now, Aren Eldiad, place your hand against mine.
I pressed my hand to the Purification Spirit's and channeled mana, completing the second contract.
Ooh, yes! This talent, this power—what immense mana!
"His Highness's mana is that extraordinary?"
Tolz, puzzled, asked the Purification Spirit. Even he, ever-present in the Septian Forest, must have heard the old rumors about me.
Indeed, superior to any contractor I've had. If only we'd done a first contract...
Honey.
Yes, yes, too late now. Aren Eldiad, are you feeling off at all?
"I'm perfectly fine."
Splendid! Let's start with some light purification practice!
"Please wait, Purifal. This is too hasty. His Highness just completed the second contract. We should recover first."
...True, I'm rushing this time. Best to do it in peak condition, prepared for contingencies.
I could start immediately, but with Ridel and Gillek worrying, we decided to re-enter after Tolz recovered from the hunger.
Once Tolz was fully restored, I prepared to go back inside with him.
Before entering, I summoned Purifal's avatar from the second contract.
Hmm, having only contracted with Septians before...
Contracting with someone new feels fresh.
With both my and Tolz's Purifals summoned, we entered the building sealing the Gluttony Sword.
As soon as we lit the lamps and spotted the Gluttony Sword, Purifal demanded of me.
Send me your mana now! Let's seal this accursed sword at once!
Purifal clearly had enough of being tethered to this forest by the demonic sword all these years.
It must be immense stress, trapped against one's will.
Tolz and I channeled mana simultaneously, and our two Purifals spread their arms wide.
"Haah!"
A hemispherical barrier enveloped the Gluttony Sword.
Aren Eldiad! Come closer!
Tolz, stay here and keep sending mana.
"You're sending only His Highness closer, Purifal?!"
The barrier's up—it's safe! If danger arises, I'll get him out. Trust me!
"Let's trust the Purification Spirit, Tolz."
Saying that, I advanced toward the Gluttony Sword.
The hunger aura blanketing the area was a massive issue, even by my standards.
But once resolved...
A boss weapon I alone can wield would be mine.