"Based on what you encountered, that place is a cut-off piece of a higher world?"
Spirit Queen Yse inquired. We're now gathered back to the same room where we first planned the expedition. Now, with only the 6 of us and the Spirit King and Queen to listen to what we have discovered.
Rane and the other two already relayed what they experienced so they're not needed to be here anymore.
"Yes. The reason why you cannot enter is because there was some kind of illusion Formation that prevents Mortals from entering. However, if you become a Transcendent, you can go in and out of there without any problems. Just that, the place is too dangerous even for a Transcendent."
We only managed to explore one ruin and only at the entrance before we were pushed back by the old man and his overwhelming strength. What more would we encounter at the other landmarks that might be hiding something?
We were lucky to have found the Ogre's lair, if the path led us to another landmark with another strong incarnation, we will probably die there.
Since Yumiko is the leader of our expedition, even if we agreed to be equals inside there, I let her relay the things we discovered while we listened. I already filled up some things that she couldn't understand so it's fine for me to just stay quiet behind her.
Ah. Right! I'll ask Yumiko to not report immediately when we go back to let me use these pieces of information first to swindle that Principal for the pieces of information he's holding. That way I'll be satisfied at getting back at him.
"Higher World, Transcendent. Those are a lot of terms we have no idea of until now."
Ezyn who was so submissive to his wife, commented for the first time. He's the only Ruler Spirit here so knowing there's something higher above his current stage, his worldview was shaken.
"Because one needed to surpass their own world to be privy of those things. This world is called a Mortal World by them, only by casting off being a Mortal will we know more things outside of here."
Yumiko explained. The Spirit Queen and King quietly listened and pondered over these pieces of information.
I told her to also tell these to the Spiritas, it might help them to strive for a higher goal than keep searching for the actual Spirit Ocean. That way, at least one from the Council of Twenty will probably also become a Ruler Spirit and elevate the strength of this world's denizens.
It's better if it's someone close to Yumiko, like Harlan. That way, it wouldn't evolve to them waging war against the Spirit Beasts again.
After relaying the information we gathered inside, it's now time to redistribute the treasures we gathered.
From the scraps of metals to energy stones, the Spirit Queen was having a hard time on what to do with it.
"Why not let everyone get what they want then the rest will be distributed to both Spiritas and Spirit Beasts?"
Even if the Council of Twenty didn't officially send a team here. Yumiko represented them. For her, the Dark Elves were still her priority.
"Alright. Get what you want. You all earned it, in fact, we don't really deserve having a share in this, the earlier necklaces were already enough."
"It's to elevate this world's strength, Yse. The Invading World will soon send enemies at the level of Ruler Spirit or even a Transcendent so we have to prepare."
Yumiko reminded the Spirit Queen. Though she's scary because of how she always talks about destinies, she's really thinking about this world and their race.
I already filled the five necklaces which I used to store all of those treasures with both Energy Stones and scraps. There were also my gifts for Yuko and the other girls including unopened necklace storages. The gifts I bought from the coins I made from that tournament looks trivial now. With these equipments from a higher world, the most expensive enhanced equipment here will not be on par even with just the necklace storage.
Yumiko also saved some necklaces and Energy Stones for the other Heroes so, in a sense, we already got enough treasures.
"I understand. I'll also strive to become a Ruler Spirit. With this fool pulling my destiny up with him, I will reach that and become someone you could rely on when those kinds of enemies descended."
Yse acquiesced while she pulled Ezyn to her side.
This couple… Even if Ezyn looks like he was always abused, you could see how they were really tied to each other.
Right. There's that thing about pulling up their destinies. Does that mean everyone tied to me will be pulled up and eventually reach the same height as me?
It will be nice if it's like that. I'm a support character after all. I will all support and protect them from behind. That might look cowardly from the others' point of view but it's ideal for me. I'm not someone really good at frontal battles, I rely on those quick and sneaky attacks, unlike Yuko and Yumiko who could hold themselves at the front.
With that, the meeting ended and the Ruins Exploration finally closed.
Yse had us stay for another two days there before we set off to our next task.
That will be the erasing of the other traces of Yumiko's previous portals.
The time for our return was already determined. That World's Will was watching us after all. It gave us nine more days before we will be sent back to Earth.
When Jayna heard that, her eyes couldn't hide her dismay. She's probably hoping we'll stay for long and when she heard that I might not come back with Yumiko next time she goes here, that made her sadder.
During the two days of our extended stay at the Spirit Beast Palace, Yumiko and Jayna alternately took the time to be on my side.
Well, I used those two days to go back and forth at the entrance of the Ruins to grind my Adaptability. We didn't go further inside so it's fine.
Due to that, from 21%, I managed to increase my Adaptability experience to 38%.
Yep. It's starting to slow down again. Even if I devoted the whole morning until night, it only increased that much. But I know, I'll soon get there, there's no need to rush that. It's not even 2 months since I started travelling to different worlds so… even if that estimated two years of the Principal was reduced, it wouldn't be that extreme. A year, maybe? I don't know.
I don't want to jinx it again.
As for Jayna's reward which she asked back there inside the Ogre Shaman's room, she went into my room during the first night to ask for it.
It seems that she saw me and Yumiko kissing each other when we were on watch after that encounter in the mansion ruins.
That's why the reward she asked from me was to also kiss her. She even said that while stuttering nonstop as if she had just mustered her courage to ask that from me. Kissing was also something like a foreign concept for her. Also, she explained the reason why she wanted to experience it. She saw how Yumiko kept smiling after it.
Thinking it would also give her happiness, she wanted to try it, and she only wanted to try it with me.
I didn't disappoint her and gave her the kiss that she wanted but yeah, she somehow got addicted to it that she asked for more until she fell asleep in my room.
Well, she reasoned that she's making use of the remaining time I will be staying here.
When Yumiko found out, she also stopped holding back and asked me to also sleep there.
In the end, the two of them took the bed while I watched over their sleeping faces.
It's an enjoyable experience at least.
"Take me with you."
Jagu suddenly declared when we're about to leave the Spirit Beast Capital. This guy grew a lot stronger than the other four Spirit Beasts who went with us.
For him to ask us to take him with us, did he find our group fun?
"Are you sure? We'll just go around to remove the traces of the portals."
"Yes. I feel like only in this group will I reach greater heights."
Ah. He's not wrong. By sticking with us in the ruins, he benefited a lot. And it's not like there's no precedence. Yuko's party members were also growing in strength faster than anyone. If he joined this group, more opportunities would arrive for him.
"What do you think, Daisuke?"
Yumiko asked for my opinion.
Jagu has already proven himself to me, so I didn't reject him. This way, her party got another reliable ally. They will all soon become Noble Spirits considering their current progress.
Before leaving though, another Transformed Spirit Beast chased after us, turns out it was Jagu's wife who wanted to bid him farewell. She was staying near the Spirit Beast Palace so Jagu was confident that she'd be safe there.
But really, this guy. Leaving his wife at home...
Err… it's not like I'm doing the same. If I could take them with me, then I will.
With both the Spirit Queen and King sending us off, our carriage traveled safely throughout the Spirit Beast Territory. Upon entering the Spiritas Territory, we started our tour on the abandoned Shrines. Using Spirit Ocean droplets to erase the trace of those portals, we spent five days starting our journey from the Spirit Beast Capital to completely erase every neglected portal traces.
I asked where she's getting those droplets and she just pointed above.
It's being provided by the World's Will, of course. If I used one of those, I might be able to reach Transformed Spirit but yeah, that World's Will will really smite me if I did. It strictly said that I'm only allowed to reach the 2nd stage or it will really list me as a serious threat.
Well in any case, once I became a Transcendent, I wouldn't need to fear it anymore, however, since it's taking care of Yumiko, I'll let him off even if I already surpassed a Level 1 world.
Err… That's some confidence I got there, eh?
On the sixth day, we went back to Edo City to relax and wait for the time of our return.
During those five days, Jayna almost never left my side. Just like those Barbarian Girls.
Err… Yumiko just let her while she also occasionally stuck to my side, she's kind of satisfied since unlike Jayna, we're both going back to Earth and she will not be left behind.
"It's time to test those hot springs."
I commented when we arrived at Harlan's mansion.
"That didn't leave your mind, huh? Wanna go in together?"
"You know I'm not one who rejects that kind of invitation, Yumiko. Make sure you're serious before asking about it again."
I grinned at her and that made her take a step back.
"Uhh. This pervert. I'm just teasing you!"
Now I became the pervert. Girls are really hard to understand sometimes.
"I know. It wouldn't be too bad when all these threats were resolved. I'd like to spend time with all of you."
I patted her head while saying all that when Jayna saw it, she also went to my side and asked for the same treatment.
"That day will come. We're already tied with you so we can also… soon."
Yumiko mumbled that some of the words towards the end of her sentence became incoherent.
Jayna who seemingly understood it blushed along with her.
"Why are you blushing?"
Though I also understood what she mumbled, I tried to act oblivious for now. There will be a right time for all of that. They're already tied with me, if someone tries to take them away from me, then they better know who they will cross.
"N-nothing! Just go to that side now!"
With a reddened face, Yumiko pushed me to the Men's side of the hot spring. Jayna giggled beside her as she pulled Yumiko with her to the Women's side.
Ah. With all that happened, we managed to do all the tasks we set for coming here and with the added bonus of treasures. Then I'll spend the last 2 days to relax and reorganize everything I learned again.
In the end, we didn't encounter that Eccentric Equipment Forger. There are still two days, who knows.
This one, I want to jinx this.
Err… Can she not show up within two days?
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m