Elfaria Chapter 86

086. Water

　The next morning.

　After finishing breakfast while watching Ed and his friends chatting and laughing, at least on the surface, they looked the same as yesterday, I accompanied Osada-kun to the "Great Sea of Trees". And then...

「...... hmph!」

「Heyaaahhh!!」

「――[Wind Blade]! [Energy bolt]!」

　The monsters and beasts that keep popping up one after the other - starting with the "Almiraj," which had previously wounded me, and including "Poisonous Butterflies," "Scorpion Bees," "Poison Floggers," "Forest Lizards," and many other types ― make me keenly aware once again of the danger in the surrounding area. But

「...... Wow, Yuuto. I think you just got even stronger again, didn't you?」

　Osada-kun muttered in amazement.

　I certainly felt almost no fatigue after such an attack, and the halberd that Nora built is still the best. The ease of fighting is totally different.

(The only drawback is that it doesn't seem to be able to withstand "my force," as I thought.)

　Basically, I increase my offensive and defensive power by transmitting my force not only to my body but also to my weapons and armor.

(I've been wondering about this for a while, though)

　In this world, steel does not necessarily exist at the top as a material for equipment, probably because of the existence of "force".

　At the same time, if "increasing the force in the body increases physical ability," then it is only natural that "putting force in equipment increases their offensive and defensive power".

　If not, it would be impossible to stand up to a demonic beast with a hard shell.

(Though, well, I've got a head start on that.)

　In the meantime, spare equipment is stored in Osada-kun's [S-Dimensional Stomach], so it should be fine. Probably.

「It will be tough for low-ranked adventurers like Ed and the others, but――if it's someone of a certain level, it doesn't sound like they'll have as much trouble as people say.」

「That's why I can't believe Jean went missing.」

　I felt the same way.

　Even if some kind of accident were to occur, if the cause is a demonic beast, Jean would definitely be able to make it through.

「Well, though there are many things I'm curious about, I'm still curious about the spirit called "Lorelei" that Ed and the others mentioned yesterday?」

　Lorelei ― if it is no different from the lore on Earth, it originated from a rock of the same name on the Rhine River in Germany.

　Originally, the area around the rock was prone to accidents due to its steep current and reefs, which made it difficult to navigate. I remember reading in a miscellaneous book that this became folklore that "a beautiful girl standing on a rock enchants boatmen and drags them into the river," which eventually spread all over the world.

　In other words, they are of the same lineage as the Sirens, who are said to bewitch the shipwrights at sea―they are definitely higher than the human race.

(At the moment, I don't know if this is related to Jean's disappearance, though)

　Rather than thinking about this and that, we will take action for now.

　I don't know if I'll get any results, but it was time.

「Muhh」

「Hmmm~?」

　When I stopped, a clear voice came out of nowhere.

　For a brief moment, I thought, "Wind?".

「...... It looks like we got a 'hit'」

　After a short distance, the view suddenly opened up and we came to a wide river.

　Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a girl sitting on a rather large rock with one knee on the ground, singing happily.

(Oooohhhh!)

　She had long purplish-white silver hair and gray-purple eyes ― her skin was white and fine, and her ears were slightly pointed, but not as long and rounded as the elves'. In addition.

(Oooohhhhh~~~~~!!!)

　The white robe she wears is so thin that one can see her skin through it. These, coupled with her face and body, which remained young, gave off a pure radiance.

　She was in a good mood, smiling and humming a song, but

「Yuuto. Don't let looks deceive you, okay?」

　Osada-kun warns me in a low voice.

「I can't explain it well――but she's too beautiful. I can feel something creeping up on me」

「OK, partner」

　Now that you've said all this, I've got to be extra careful.

　When I slowly approach the girl with the utmost caution,...

「――What do you want from me?」

　She stopped singing and looked down at me from the top of the rock.

　Her voice was clear like clear water, but her voice felt cold to the touch.

　I said, "I'm sorry to disturb you," and apologized, and then told her I was looking for someone.

「...... again? I've been getting so many of those lately. Every time they do this, they waste my time――that's why I hate humans.」

　The girl stood up slowly as if sulking, and with a light leap, she landed soundlessly and softly in front of me.

「I won't say anything bad. Can you go home like this? I don't like unnecessary conflict.」

「Even if you suddenly say that. I have my own reasons, you see ......」

　How should I respond to her polite attitude? I was torn.....

「Humans seem to be tearing up the "spiritual veins" in many places these days, and―looking closer―I see that you are not a human, are you? At the very least, I sense something 'bad things' in you. If you won't leave, ......」

「! Osada-kun!」

　Sensing a sudden expansion of force, I immediately ordered Osada-kun to flee, and I held up the halberd in my hand. Then, 

「[Water Bullet]!」

　Numerous water bullets floated in the air and were ejected all at once against me.

　Each one was the size of a baseball, and their destructive power was also quite impressive.

　I dodged them with minimal movement or used my halberd to knock them off.

「Goghhh!」

　I was hit once in the left hip.

(C-Crap ......!)

　It was as heavy as a shot from a cannonball――and of all things, it hit me in the liver.

　Needless to say, it is one of the most vital parts of the human body.

　I would immediately treat it with [heal (heal)], but

「It's no use. Now that you've fought with me here, you have no chance of winning.」

　The moment I stopped moving, I was targeted.

　Sensing the danger, I tried to leave the place in a hurry, but...

「Gobohh!?」

　Before I knew it, the water had gathered around me and I was taken inside.

「[Water prison]――No matter how strong you are, you can't breathe in the water, can you?」

　I was told with a smirk on her face, but...

(D-Don't fuck with meeeee!)

　While I was still conscious, I used my force to fire [Energy Bolt] in all directions to cause the water to dissipate, but...

「It's useless. You will never be able to break it with that level. In any case, most of you will do the same thing, so I have taken all possible countermeasures.」

　I was told in an angelic voice that she sounded like the devil, and my body trembled with a "feeling of death" that I hadn't felt in a long time.

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