Volume 5 Chapter 2: City of Spirits

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

After leaving the City of Raging Sands and passing through a few post towns, we finally reached our destination.

The city adjacent to the hilly area which is filled with riches of nature.

「Ehm, Master, this is the City of Spirits, Velutina, right?」

When we entered the town Berzelia asked me with a spark in her eyes.

「Yes, that’s what’s written on the map… And what’s more important, that’s what was written on the signboard at the town gates. 『Warm Welcome from the City of Spirits!』.」

「Warm welcome, huh…… Which reminds me, it is pretty warm here. Even though the sunlight is not that strong, the air is nice and warm.」

Berzelia beside me, who was speaking excitedly, tilted her head. The one to reply was the carbuncle sitting on my shoulder, Daisy.

「That’s to be expected, Beze. This is the city famous for its hot springs. Some even call it the city of hot springs after all. There are hot springs all over the place. Look, over there, can you see steam rising?」

She said to Berzelia while pointing with a front paw in a certain direction.

「Ah, you are right. And there is also a smell of flowers coming from there.」

「A special trait of the local hot springs. The surrounding magic power of nature merges with them, creating this smell.」

「I see. But even with such strange hot springs, it didn’t get the name of Hot Spring City?」

「Well, that’s to be expected. There are many spirits and spirit-like folks living here. That’s where the name came from.」

Hearing these words Berzelia overlooked the surroundings and then nodded.

「Right…… There are many spirits around. Right, Master? There are some walking over there as well.」

「Yeah, you are right, that girl is a spirit.」

In the direction where Berzelia’s gaze pointed was a girl with small half-transparent wings on her head.

It’s a spirit. But she is not the only one.

「From what I saw on the main street, almost half are various spirits of some kind.」

Just as one might expect from the place called the City of Spirits, it was full of spirits.

「When we just entered the city I already saw that there are many of them, but they are really commonplace here. 」

「A couple of them were at the University of Magic, but it’s quite unusual to see them in any other town. It’s surprising to see so many of them.」

「It’s like the jewel on my chest, the parts made from the magic power stand out quite a lot, so you can instantly tell if you see a spirit on the street.」

Saying that she touched the jewel on her chest.

「Though there might be a difference in how well they can be seen depending on magic power. But having those wings increases the chances of being attacked by monsters or targeted by humans with ill intentions. So many spirits prefer to hide them with hoods……」

「That’s the same for Carbuncles. ……But since everyone makes no such attempts here, it must mean that this place is safe. Though it might be because of how many of them are here.」

「You are right, Beze. If they can feel at ease here, then it’s a good thing. But what’s more important, this is the place where we can repair the spear of my dear friend!」

I nodded with a wry smile.

「Haha, yes, it saves us a lot of trouble. This weapon is pretty high maintenance, but we finally reached the stage where just need to use water from『the Spring of Spirits』to finish the repairs.」

Back then when I was still a dragon knight, it was usually impossible to repair a weapon that was broken this badly.

……The sword and spear that I mainly use are ancient stuff that were given to me by the royal family along with The Helm of the Dragon Knight King……

They are completely different from the weapons used in this day and age even when it comes to the materials, so fixing them is not an easy task.
So it’s a real relief to know that we are just one step away from the finish.

「I’m really grateful to you, Daisy.」

「Oh, this is embarrassing. But please leave that gratitude for when we actually finish the repairs.」

「Really? Well, then I’ll do that, and for now…… Will give my thanks to Saki?」

Saying that I looked at Saki who was walking beside me.

Then, she grabbed onto my arm with a spark in her eyes.

「W-what’s the matter, Axel? Talking about gratitude all of a sudden? You finally decided that it’s about time we become a couple?! Do you mean thanks for my devotion?! In gratitude, you will allow me to do with your body as I please?! Oh, that is welcome any time!!!」

「Aa, you are going wild, as always, so I’m going to ignore some of that. The first and the last halves. Though it is indeed for your help. It is for your suggestion to introduce a person who knows about the spirit spring.」

Being told so, Saki suddenly calmed down.

「Ah… I thought what might this be about, but you mean that. It’s nothing special, no need to thank me for something like that.」

「No, no, though both Berzelia and I knew that there is a spirit spring in the City of Spirits, we didn’t know the true state of things. Just getting a chance to talk with a knowledgeable person is a great thing.」
That’s right.

To finish the repair we just have to use the spring of spirits. But we hardly knew anything about that 『Spring of Spirits』.

That’s why we tried to start by asking around, but—

『Ah, don’t worry. I have an acquaintance in the research institute of the City of Spirits. We will be able to learn the details from her. She is very knowledgeable when it comes to spirits..』

Saki told us on the way here. In addition—

『Yes. That’s right. She is the perfect person to ask this.』

And with the addition of Daisy’s words, I immediately accepted her idea, it was just what we needed.

Currently, we are walking through the mains street, heading for the research institute, which is said to be located in the central part of the city.

「It’s nice when you know where you are supposed to be going. So you really helped us, Saki.」

「I don’t feel too happy being thanked for something that has nothing to do with me. In that case, it is hard for me to demand you paying me back with your body――」

Saying that Saki began brooding, while still holding my arm.

「Master. I don’t get Lysnoir value system.」

「Is that so? It’s fine. I don’t get it as well.」

「Lys didn’t change one bit……」

And while Berzelia and Daisy were saying that—

「Well, but I’m still happy to hear that! Now, let’s hurry, the research institute is already near!」

And while linking arms with me, Saki pointed ahead.

A building stood in the direction she pointed.

Made out of stone, with several thick supporting pillars it looked like a temple.

Right next to that building was a sign with『Research Institute of Sorcery and Spirits』engraved on it.

「So this is the research institute, huh. ……It’s pretty huge.」

Even the doors were huge enough to require one to look up to fully see them.

Saki nodded as I muttered, impressed by the building.

「That’s because aside from being a research facility it is also used as a museum and a library. Anyway, let’s go. We probably will be able to meet her right away if I talk at the reception.」

「Oh, is that so? Then, I’m counting on you.」

「Yeah, leave this to me.」

And so, we stepped into the research institute.